Coolant supply system

Abstract

Coolant supply system (100) for vehicles for supplying at least one device (3) to be cooled with at least one coolant, comprising at least one coolant distribution unit (1) having at least one housing body (4) with at least one housing wall (5); and at least one channel unit (6), which is at least partially formed by the housing wall (5); and at least two connections (6b) for connection to the device (3) to be cooled; and at least two electrical actuator units (7) for controlling a flow within the channel unit (6); and at least a plurality of electrical components (8, 9, 11, 13) for supplying power and / or controlling the electrical actuator units (7). At least one electrical component (8, 9, 11, 13) is at least partially incorporated in the housing body (4) and, in particular, in the housing wall (5).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a coolant supply system for vehicles for supplying at least one device to be cooled with a coolant, comprising at least one coolant distribution unit having at least one channel unit, electrical actuator devices and electrical components, such as electrical conductors, for controlling the flow of the coolant within the channel unit.

[0002] Various coolant distribution systems have become known in the prior art. The housing body of the distribution unit is always adapted to a specific installation situation in a vehicle. During assembly of the coolant distribution system, the electrical actuator devices, such as pumps and valves, are first inserted into the housing body of the coolant distribution unit and then individually and manually connected via a wiring harness with a multitude of electrical cables.

[0003] The disadvantage here is that the production and assembly of the specifically tailored wiring harnesses is particularly costly. During assembly, the individual cables of a wiring harness must be routed along the housing of the distribution unit to the pumps and valves. The cables are then secured to the housing body of the coolant distribution unit using cable clips. Other components, such as sensors, must also be manually inserted into the housing body and connected with cables. The cables can be torn or damaged during installation in the vehicle.

[0004] It is therefore the object of the present invention to at least reduce the costs for assembly of the coolant supply system.

[0005] This object is achieved by a coolant supply system having the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments are the subject of the dependent claims. Further properties and features are the subject of the general description and the description of the exemplary embodiment.

[0006] The coolant supply system for vehicles according to the invention for supplying at least one device to be cooled comprises at least one coolant distribution unit, comprising: - at least one housing body with at least one housing wall; and - at least one channel unit, in particular with a closed cross-section, which is formed at least partially by the housing wall; and - at least two connections for connection to the equipment to be cooled; and - at least two electrical actuator devices for controlling a flow within the channel unit; and - at least a plurality of electrical components for supplying power and / or controlling the electrical actuator devices.

[0007] The at least one electrical component is at least partially, and in particular substantially, accommodated, and in particular integrated, in the housing body and preferably in the housing wall. Preferably, the electrically conductive component is firmly connected to the housing body and in particular to the housing wall.

[0008] The invention has many advantages. A significant advantage of the invention is that the electrical components are integrated directly into the housing body, and in particular into the housing wall, during the manufacture of the coolant distribution unit. This eliminates the need for expensive wiring harnesses and their assembly. Advantageously, the electrical components can be integrated into the housing wall in such a way that the electrical actuator devices can be contacted directly, i.e., without additional cables or the like. Another advantage is that the manufacture and assembly of the coolant guide system are significantly less expensive than with the prior art solution.

[0009] Preferably, the vehicle is designed as a motor-driven vehicle, and preferably as an electric vehicle, vehicle with an internal combustion engine, hybrid vehicle, fuel cell vehicle or the like.

[0010] Preferably, the device to be cooled is designed as a motor, a battery, a vehicle interior or the like.

[0011] The housing body is preferably made of a non-electrically conductive material, in particular a plastic, preferably by casting and especially by injection molding. Advantageously, the electrical components can be cast directly into the housing body, and in particular into the housing wall, without additional insulation, such as a sheath. The plastic insulates several electrical conductors from one another. Production by injection molding is particularly cost-effective, since the electrical components can be inserted directly into the injection mold before the liquid plastic is injected.

[0012] Particularly preferably, the electrically conductive component is designed as at least one electrical conductor, such as an electrically conductive cable and / or a lead frame, and / or an electrical component, such as an interference suppression element, for example, a choke or a ferrite core. This advantageously allows small electrical circuits to be integrated into the housing body and / or the housing wall, making assembly even more convenient.

[0013] In particular, the electrically conductive component comprises at least one sensor unit, for example, with a temperature sensor. Advantageously, a measurement can be improved by integrating a sensor unit, since the sensor is cast directly into the housing wall near the measuring point in the channel of the channel unit, without influencing the flow within the channel unit.

[0014] This advantageously allows sensor units to be integrated directly into the housing body, so that they do not have to be mounted.

[0015] At least one part of a plug connection, in particular an electrical one, is expediently formed on the housing body, in particular for connecting an electrical actuator device. Advantageously, the electrical actuator device can thus be plugged onto the part of the plug connection formed on the housing body.

[0016] In particular, at least one adapter unit is included for connecting an electrical actuator device to the formed plug connection. In particular, the adapter unit is L-shaped or U-shaped. Advantageously, the adapter unit also enables the use of electrical devices where the plug connection is not suitable for direct contact during assembly.

[0017] Preferably, at least one receiving space is designed, in particular, to accommodate plug connections of electrical components, particularly on the housing body. Advantageously, the receiving space can, for example, protect a plug unit for connecting the coolant supply system to the vehicle's on-board electrical system. Advantageously, the electrical components can converge at least partially in the receiving space for this purpose.

[0018] In at least one advantageous embodiment, the electrical component comprises at least one control element. Advantageously, a control element can thus be integrated directly into the housing body, and in particular into the housing wall, so that it is particularly protected against damage and, moreover, does not require subsequent installation.

[0019] The coolant supply system advantageously comprises at least three or more electrical actuator devices. An electrical actuator device can be designed as a pump, valve, throttle, or the like, which preferably influences a flow in the channel unit.

[0020] Preferably, at least one coolant reservoir, and in particular a coolant tank, is included. Advantageously, the coolant tank enables a direct supply of coolant. Furthermore, construction and assembly are made even simpler because the coolant reservoir can be pre-assembled with the coolant distribution unit, for example.

[0021] Further features and advantages of embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals are used for identical or similar parts and for parts with identical or similar functions. They show: Fig. 1 a schematic perspective view of a coolant guide system according to the invention; Fig. 2 a purely schematic detailed view of the structure of the coolant supply system with parts of plug connections formed on the housing body for connecting electrical actuator devices; Fig. 3 a purely schematic detailed view of the structure with parts of plug connections formed on the housing body for connecting electrical actuator devices and adapter units; and Fig. 4 a purely schematic detailed view of the structure of the coolant supply system with an electrical component designed as a temperature sensor.

[0022] Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a coolant guide system 100 according to the invention for an electric car, comprising a coolant distribution unit 1 with a coolant reservoir 2, which is designed as a coolant tank 2. The coolant guide system 100 serves to establish at least one connection between the coolant tank 2 and at least one device 3 to be cooled. The coolant distribution unit 1 comprises at least one housing body 4 with at least one housing wall 5, which forms a channel unit 6 with at least two connections 6b. A plurality of electrical actuator devices 7 are provided for controlling a flow within the channel unit 6. The electrical actuator devices 7 are designed here as pumps 7 and valves 7. A plurality of electrical components 8 are present, which are designed here as electrical conductors 9 for supplying power and for controlling the electrical actuator devices 7.The electrical components 8 are housed and integrated in the housing body 4 and the housing wall 5. The electrical components 8 are firmly connected to the housing wall 5 because they are cast into the injection-molded plastic housing body 4 of the coolant distribution unit 1. By integrating the electrical components 8 into the housing body 4 of the coolant distribution unit 1, an external wiring harness is no longer necessary, thus significantly reducing assembly costs.

[0023] Fig. 2 shows a purely schematic detailed view of the structure of the coolant guide system 100 with parts of plug connections 12 formed on the housing body 4 for connecting electrical actuator devices 7. The electrical component 8 is designed here as an electrical conductor 9 which is cast into the housing wall 5 of the housing body 4. The electrical conductors 9 are designed here as stamped sheets 9, which are particularly cost-effective to manufacture. The housing wall 5 encloses the channel unit 6. Plug connections 12 are formed on the housing body 4 at the exit points of the electrical components 8. The electrical actuator devices 7 can be mounted directly so that the electrical actuator devices 7 are contacted directly. Furthermore, a plug connection 12 is provided, via which the electrical actuator devices 7 are supplied with power.

[0024] Fig. 3 shows a purely schematic detailed view of the structure with parts of plug connections 12 formed on the housing body 4 for connecting electrical actuator devices 7 by means of adapter units 14. The U-shaped or L-shaped adapter units 14 also enable electrical contacting of electrical actuator devices 7 that are not specifically designed for integration of the electrical components 8. For assembly, the adapter units 14 can be plugged directly onto the electrical actuator devices 7 and then placed in corresponding receptacles on the housing body 4. During assembly, electrical contact is then made directly via the plug connection 12. The assembly of a cable harness and manual electrical contacting are not necessary.The integrated electrical components 8 are designed here as electrical conductors 9, as electrical components 10, and as control elements 13 for a single actuator device 7. A receiving space 15 is formed on the housing body 4, which in this case protects the plug unit 12 for connection to the electric vehicle.

[0025] Fig. Figure 4 shows a purely schematic detailed view of the structure of the coolant supply system 100 with an electrical component 8 configured as a temperature sensor 11. The temperature sensor 11 of the sensor unit 11 is cast directly into the housing wall 5 of the housing body 4 with the electrical conductors 9. The sensors no longer need to be mounted and contacted. List of reference symbols 1 coolant distribution unit 2 coolant reservoir, coolant tank 3 Equipment to be cooled 4 housing body 5 Housing wall 6 channel unit 6b Connections 7 electrical actuator device, pump, valve 8 electrical components 9 electrical conductor, stamped sheet 10 electrical component 11 Sensor unit, temperature sensor 12 plug connection 13 Control 14 Adapter unit 15 Recording room 100 coolant supply system

Claims

[1] Coolant supply system (100) for vehicles for supplying at least one device (3) to be cooled with at least one coolant, comprising at least one coolant distribution unit (1), having: - at least one housing body (4) with at least one housing wall (5); and - at least one channel unit (6) which is at least partially formed by the housing wall (5); and - at least two connections (6b) for connection to the device to be cooled (3); and - at least two electrical actuator devices (7) for controlling a flow within the channel unit (6); and - at least a plurality of electrical components (8, 9, 11, 13) for supplying power and / or controlling the electrical actuator devices (7), characterized bythat at least one electrical component (8, 9, 11, 13) is at least partially accommodated in the housing body (4) and in particular in the housing wall (5). [2] Coolant guide system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the electrical component (8) is integrated into the housing body (4) and in particular into the housing wall (5). [3] Coolant guide system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive component (8, 9, 11, 13) is firmly connected to the housing body (4) and in particular to the housing wall (5). [4] Coolant guide system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing body (4) is made of a non-electrically conductive material, in particular of a plastic, preferably by casting and in particular injection molding. [5] Coolant guide system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrically conductive component (8, 9, 11, 13) is designed as at least one electrical conductor (9), such as an electrically conductive cable and / or a lead frame, and / or as an electrical component (10). [6] Coolant guide system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrically conductive component (8, 9, 11, 13) comprises at least one sensor unit (11). [7] Coolant guide system (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the sensor unit (11) comprises a temperature sensor (11). [8] Coolant guide system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a part of a, in particular electrical, plug connection (12), in particular for connecting an electrical actuator device (7), is formed on the housing body (2). [9] Coolant guide system (100) according to the preceding claim, comprising at least one adapter unit (14) for connecting an electrical actuator device (7) to the formed plug connection. [10] Coolant guide system (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the adapter unit (14) is L-shaped or U-shaped. [11] Coolant guide system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one receiving space (15), in particular for receiving plug connections (12) of electrical components (8). [12] Coolant guide system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical component (8, 9, 11, 13) comprises at least one control element (13). [13] Coolant guide system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical actuator device (7) is designed as a pump (7) and / or as a valve (7). [14] Coolant guide system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least three or more electrical actuator devices (7). [15] Coolant guide system (100) comprising at least one coolant reservoir (2), and in particular a coolant tank (2).

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