Coolant hub with integrated coolant drain port

Abstract

A hub housing (10) comprising a plurality of fluid flow channels (12) configured to allow a fluid to flow therein. A drain housing (14) is integrally formed with the hub housing (10) to define a fluid drain port 16 in fluidic communication with the fluid flow channels 12 to allow a fluid from within the hub housing 10 to be expelled to the exterior.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to coolant hub, more specifically, one configured for use in a vehicle such as an electric or a hybrid vehicle.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Generally, a thermal management module includes a fluid hub, a reservoir, at least one fluid machine, for example, at least one fluid pump and at least one vehicle heat exchanger, for example, a chiller. Generally, the fluid hub is formed by joining two portions of plastic material by plastic welding, wherein at least one portion is configured with channels that define the fluid flow passages when the first and second portions are joined to each other. Further, the fluid hub configures multi-way valves controlled by a controller to selectively disrupt or establish fluid flow through the internal fluid flow passages for defining different cooling circuits and regulating fluid supply to the vehicle heat exchangers based on operating configuration of the multi-way valve that can be changed based on requirement. More specifically, the fluid hub configures several cooling circuits, wherein one or more cooling fluids are routed through the different cooling circuits to achieve different cooling based on requirements, while still maintaining fluid isolation between the cooling fluids flowing through the different cooling circuits. The fluid pumps drives the flow through the different cooling circuits that are configured based on operating configuration of the different valves configured in the fluid hub. The fluid hub receives fluid stored in the reservoir and selectively supplies the cooling fluids to the different heat exchangers through the different cooling circuits configured based on the operative configuration of the valves in the fluid hub. The fluid pumps are in fluid communication with the fluid flow channels to direct fluid to the heat exchangers.

[0003] Generally, during service and maintenance of the coolant hub, if the coolant needs to be replaced, the whole coolant hub needs to be dismantled completely, all hoses are to be removed, and fluid connections need to be opened for expelling the coolant from the coolant hub. This is a cumbersome and time consuming process and needs a quicker solutionOBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0004] An object of the invention is to allow easy removal of coolant from a coolant hub.SUMMARY

[0005] The present invention envisages a thermal management module that comprises a hub housing. The thermal management module further comprises at least one of a pump, a valve and a reservoir. The pump is secured to and in fluidic communication with the hub housing for circulating a fluid through the fluid flow channels. The valve is adapted to control the direction of the fluid flow in the fluid flow channels. The reservoir is in fluidic communication with the hub housing to store reserve fluid.

[0006] The hub housing comprises a plurality of fluid flow channels and an integrally formed drain housing. The drain housing defines a fluid drain port in fluidic communication with at least one fluid flow channel to allow the fluid from within the hub housing to be expelled to the exterior.

[0007] Generally, the drain housing is formed at the bottom of the hub housing.

[0008] Particularly, the hub housing comprises a first hub housing portion and a second hub housing portion. The first hub housing portion and the second hub housing portion define the fluid flow channels.

[0009] Specifically, the fluid flow channels are defined by at least one first sub-channels of the first hub housing portion, and at least one second sub channels of the second hub housing portion.

[0010] Particularly, the drain housing is integrally formed with at least one of the first hub housing portion and the second hub housing.

[0011] Generally, a drain plug is configured to fluidically seal the fluid drain port. Further, the drain plug is externally removable from the drain housing.

[0012] Generally, a seal is disposed at the interface between the drain housing and the drain plug.

[0013] Particularly, the drain plug includes a groove for accommodating the seal.

[0014] Specifically, the seal is integrally formed on the drain plug,

[0015] Alternatively, the seal is integrally formed with the drain housing.

[0016] Particularly, at least one inclined rib is disposed on the drain plug. Further, at least one projection is disposed on an inner wall of the drain housing.

[0017] Specifically, the drain plug is configured to be inserted into the fluid drain port and rotated such that the inclined rib slides against the at least one projection to move the drain plug in an axial direction of the drain housing.

[0018] Alternatively, the hub housing and the drain plug are removably connected by means of a threaded connection.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention may be inferred from the description of the invention hereunder. A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures, wherein: FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view from the front of a thermal management module in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention depicting various parts thereof, such as a hub housing, a pair of pumps, a drain plug, a valve and a reservoir. FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view from the rear side of a thermal management module in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b illustrate a perspective view from the front and perspective view from the back, respectively of a first hub housing portion of the hub housing of FIG. 1. FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b illustrate perspective view from the front and perspective view from the back, respectively of a second hub housing portion of the hub housing of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of the first hub housing portion (shown in FIG. 3a) of the hub housing of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Further the figure illustrates an enlarged view of a bottom portion thereof. FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a drain plug of the hub housing of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] It must be noted that the accompanying figures disclose the invention in a detailed enough way to be implemented, said figures helping to better define the invention, if need be. The invention should, however, not be limited to the embodiments disclosed in the description.

[0021] The present invention envisages a hub housing for a thermal management module, more specifically, a coolant hub for the thermal management module, for example in a vehicular environment. In conventional thermal management modules, when the coolant flowing therein needs to be taken out or replaced, the whole assembly needs to be disassembled, such as the reservoir, the pumps, valve, etc. The current invention proposes a quicker method to extract the coolant from the coolant hub of the thermal management module.

[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a thermal management module 100 and FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view from the rear side of the thermal management module 100, according to an embodiment of the current invention. The thermal management module 100 comprises a hub housing 10, at least one pump 20, a drain plug 30, a valve 40 and a reservoir 50. FIG. 2 shows a plurality of fluid flow channels 12 wherein a fluid (such as a coolant) flows. The pump 20 is secured to and in fluidic communication with the hub housing 10 and is used to circulate a fluid through the plurality of fluid flow channels 12 of the hub housing 10. The valve 40 is adapted to control the direction of the fluid flow in the fluid flow channels 12. The reservoir 50 is in fluidic communication with at least one of the fluid flow channels 12 to store reserve fluid (which is basically the same fluid as mentioned before). The hub housing 10 further comprises an integrally formed drain housing 14 that is formed at the bottom portion (substantially along the direction of gravity, when the thermal management module 100 is for example installed in a vehicle) of the hub housing 10. The drain housing 14 defines a drain port 16 through which the fluid flowing in the fluid flow channels of the hub housing 10 can be expelled out of the hub housing to the exterior. The drain port 16 is an opening through which the fluid is expelled and the drain housing 14 surrounds the drain port 16 (shown in FIG. 3a).

[0023] The hub housing 10 comprises of two separate parts i.e. a first hub housing portion 10a and a second hub housing portion 10b. The front perspective view and rear perspective view of the first hub housing portion 10a are shown in FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b, respectively. The front perspective view and rear perspective view of the second hub housing portion 10b are shown in FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b, respectively. The first hub housing portion 10a and the second hub housing portion 10b define the fluid flow channels 12. Specifically, the first hub housing portion 10a comprises one or more first sub-channels 12a and the second hub housing portion 10b comprises one or more second sub channels 12b. Preferably, the first sub-channels 12a and the second sub channels 12b are depressions in the first hub housing portion 10a and the second hub housing portion 10b, respectively providing cavities that can accommodate a certain volume of fluid. The first hub housing portion 10a and the second hub housing portion 10b are joined together by any suitable means such that the first sub-channels 12a and the second sub channels 12b align with each other to define the fluid flow channels 12. The fluid flow channels thus formed are in fluidic communication with the fluid drain port 16 to be able to drain the fluid from the hub housing. The fluid drain port 16 is defined by the drain housing 14 which is a hollow cylindrical protrusion integrally formed on and protruding from the hub housing 10. More specifically, the drain housing 14 is integrally formed with at least one of the first hub housing portion 10a and the second hub housing 10b. The embodiment where the drain housing 14 is integrated to the first hub housing portion 10a is depicted in FIG. 3a. However, although not illustrated, in another embodiment, the drain housing 14 can be formed integrated to the second hub housing portion 10b, or to both the first hub housing 10a and the second hub housing 10b. The positioning of the drain port depends on ease of access during maintenance and packaging space constraints. However, as stated earlier, the drain housing 14 is integrally formed at substantially the bottom portion (substantially along the direction of gravity) of at least one of the first hub housing portion 10a and the second hub housing 10b. It should be noted that the bottom portion signifies substantially the lower most position of the hub housing 10 in the direction of gravity during normal operation of an automobile (where it is intended for use), and this allows the fluid to be easily expelled by action of gravity during maintenance.

[0024] Under normal operation, i.e. when the fluid is intended to be confined within the fluid flow channels 12 of the hub housing 10. For this the drain plug 30 is configured to be disposed in the hollow interior of the drain housing 14 thus fluidically seal the fluid drain port 16. During maintenance, the drain plug 30 is adapted to be externally removable from the drain housing 14.

[0025] FIG. 5 illustrates a seal 60 for the drain plug 30, according to an embodiment of the invention. The seal is made up of a compressible material (such as rubber) and is adapted to be disposed at the interface between the drain housing 14 and the drain plug 30 to fluidically seal the fluid drain port 16. To accommodate the seal 60, the drain plug 30 includes a groove 32 (shown in FIG. 6). The groove 32 allows the seal 60 to maintain its intended position when the drain plug is inserted into or removed from the drain housing 14. Alternatively, the groove 32 can also be disposed on the inner wall 18 (show in FIG. 5) to secure the position of the seal 60.

[0026] In an alternate embodiment (not illustrated), the seal 60 is integrally formed on the drain plug 30. For example, such a seal 60 can be formed on the drain plug 30 as a cured-in-place gasket. Alternatively, the seal 60 may be integrally formed with the drain housing 14, particularly on the inner wall 18 of the drain housing 14.

[0027] FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 illustrate a front view of the first hub housing portion 10a and a perspective view of the drain plug 30 and the seal 60, according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in the figures, one or more inclined ribs 34 are disposed on the drain plug 30, and one or more projections 18a are disposed on an inner wall 18 of the drain housing 14. When the drain plug 30 is inserted into the fluid drain port 16, more specifically in this case into the cavity of the drain housing 14, the operator rotates the drain plug such that inclined ribs 34 slides against the projections 18a. This moves the drain plug 30 in an axial direction of the drain housing 14, and thus during assembling, the drain plug 30 is securely inserted into the drain housing 14 plugging the fluid drain port 16, while during dissembling, the drain plug 30 is easily pushed outwards when the drain plug is rotated in an opposite direction (with respect to the assembling direction of rotation).

[0028] In an alternate embodiment (not illustrated), the drain plug 30 and the hub housing 10 are assembled / connected using a threaded connection. For example, external threads on the drain plug 30 and internal threads on the inner wall 18 of the drain housing 14 are used to securely fasten the drain plug 30 to the hub housing 10.

[0029] However, without limitation, any suitable fastening mechanism may be implemented to connect the drain plug 30 and the hub housing 10.

[0030] The terms "top", "bottom", "upper", "lower" and the like, wherever used in this description, are for the sake of explaining the correlation between different parts of the system as proposed by the present invention. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the thermal management module 100 and the hub housing 10, as described in the various embodiments discussed above, may be used in any orientation and in such a case, such terms mentioned above may suitably change without compromising the essence of the invention and such change of orientation does not depart from the scope of the invention.

[0031] Further, the invention shall not be limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated in this patent specification, and shall also extend to any equivalent means or configuration described and illustrated herein, and to any technical combination operating such means. Persons having ordinary skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims, hereinafter introduced, are interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations and are within their true spirit and scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A hub housing (10) comprising a plurality of fluid flow channels (12) configured to allow a fluid to flow therein, characterized in that the hub housing (10) comprises an integrally formed drain housing (14), wherein the drain housing (14) defines a fluid drain port (16) in fluidic communication with at least one fluid flow channel (12) to allow a fluid from within the hub housing (10) to be expelled to the exterior.

2. The hub housing (10) as claimed in the previous claim, wherein the drain housing (14) is formed at the bottom of the hub housing (10).

3. The hub housing (10) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the hub housing (10) comprises a first hub housing portion (10a) and a second hub housing portion (10b), wherein the first hub housing portion (10a) and the second hub housing portion (10b) define the fluid flow channels (12).

4. The hub housing (10) as claimed in any of the preceding claims in combination with claim 3, wherein the fluid flow channels (12) are defined by at least one first sub-channels (12a) of the first hub housing portion (10a), and at least one second sub channels (12b) of the second hub housing portion (10b).

5. The hub housing (10) as claimed in any of the preceding claims in combination with claim 3, wherein the drain housing (14) is integrally formed with at least one of the first hub housing portion (10a) and the second hub housing (10b).

6. The hub housing (10) as described in any of the preceding claims, comprising a drain plug (30) configured to be externally removable from the drain housing (14), wherein the drain plug (30) is configured to fluidically seal the fluid drain port (16).

7. The hub housing (10) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein a seal (60) is disposed at the interface between the drain housing (14) and the drain plug (30).

8. The hub housing (10) as claimed in any of the preceding claims in combination with claim 7, wherein the drain plug (30) comprises a groove (32) for accommodating the seal (60).

9. The hub housing (10) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the seal (60) is integrally formed on the drain plug (30).

10. The hub housing (10) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the seal (60) is integrally formed with the drain housing (14).

11. The hub housing (10) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one inclined rib (34) is disposed on the drain plug (30), and at least one projection (18a) is disposed on an inner wall (18) of the drain housing (14).

12. The hub housing as claimed in any of the preceding claims in combination with claim 11, wherein the drain plug (30) is configured to be inserted into the fluid drain port (16) and rotated such that the inclined rib (34) slides against the at least one projection (18a) to move the drain plug (30) in an axial direction of the drain housing (14).

13. The hub housing (10) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the hub housing (10) and the drain plug (30) are removably connected by means of a threaded connection.

14. A thermal management module (100) comprising the hub housing (10) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal management module (100) further comprises at least one of: • a pump (20) secured to and in fluidic communication with the hub housing (10) for circulating the fluid through the fluid flow channels (12), • a valve (40) adapted to control the direction of the fluid flow in the fluid flow channels (12), • a reservoir (50) in fluidic communication with at least one fluid flow channels (12) to store reserve fluid.

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