Compact Thermostatic Valve for Split Engine Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermostatic valves for internal combustion engine cooling systems are complex and require significant space, as they typically need two separate valves for the cylinder head and engine block, which is inefficient in terms of installation space and coolant usage.
Innovation Solution
A compact thermostatic valve design with a movable thermostatic working element and slide sections that close openings in the bypass channel, allowing for temperature-dependent operation and pressure relief, enabling efficient coolant flow management in a split cooling system, thus replacing the need for two separate thermostatic valves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two separate thermostatic valves are used for cylinder head and engine block cooling circuits, then the cooling control for each circuit is improved, but the device complexity and installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate thermostatic valves into a single integrated valve body that controls both the cylinder head cooling circuit and the engine block cooling circuit. The valve housing contains multiple valve elements (first thermostatic valve element for the cylinder head circuit and second thermostatic valve element for the engine block circuit) that operate independently within the unified structure, thereby reducing the total number of separate valves while maintaining independent cooling control for each circuit.
Solution Approach 2:
The single thermostatic valve housing performs multiple functions by incorporating separate valve elements for different cooling circuits. The first valve element controls coolant flow for the cylinder head while the second valve element controls coolant flow for the engine block, allowing one component to serve multiple cooling control functions that previously required two separate valves.
2Reliability
If two separate thermostatic valves are used for cylinder head and engine block cooling circuits, then the cooling control for each circuit is improved, but the installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate thermostatic valves into a single integrated valve body that controls both the cylinder head cooling circuit and the engine block cooling circuit. The valve housing contains multiple valve elements (first thermostatic valve element for the cylinder head circuit and second thermostatic valve element for the engine block circuit) that operate independently within the unified structure, thereby reducing the total number of separate valves while maintaining independent cooling control for each circuit.
3Area of stationary object
If a single thermostatic valve is used for split cooling system, then the installation space and coolant usage are reduced, but the complexity of controlling multiple openings increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slide is divided into multiple slide sections (first slide section and second slide section) that can move independently or in coordination to control different openings (first opening and second opening) in the bypass channel. Each slide section is responsible for closing a specific opening, allowing the bypass channel to be selectively blocked for different cooling circuits based on temperature conditions while maintaining a compact single-valve structure.
4Manufacturing precision
If multiple slide sections are used to close multiple openings in bypass channel, then the cooling flow control precision is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slide is divided into multiple slide sections (first slide section and second slide section) that can move independently or in coordination to control different openings (first opening and second opening) in the bypass channel. Each slide section is responsible for closing a specific opening, allowing the bypass channel to be selectively blocked for different cooling circuits based on temperature conditions while maintaining a compact single-valve structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design ensures optimal engine cooling, prevents sudden cooling of cylinders, reduces installation space requirements, and minimizes coolant usage, while maintaining efficient engine operation across varying temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
a thermostatic working element (142), which has an expanding material element, preferably an expanding material wax element (144) The expansion element, which is arranged inside the working element, is always surrounded by outflowing coolant and has a working piston that can be moved as a function of the temperature. In particular, when a set temperature is exceeded
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1a
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AI summary
The invention relates to a thermostatic valve (44, 100) for a cooling system of an engine of a motor vehicle, having a thermostatic valve housing (46, 110), on which a connection (50, 114) to a cylinder head of the engine, a connection (52, 116) to the engine block, a connection (48, 112) to a cooler of the cooling system and at least one connection (54, 118) to a bypass channel are designed, wherein a movable thermostatic operating element (70, 142), a cooler valve (56, 136), an engine block valve (62, 134) and a slide (78, 120) for closing the bypass channel are arranged in the thermostatic valve housing (46, 110). The thermostatic valve (44, 100) is characterized in that a first slide section (80, 122) is provided for closing a first opening (72, 128) arranged on the thermostatic valve housing (46, 110) and at least one second slide section (82, 124) is provided for closing at least one second opening (74, 130) arranged on the thermostatic valve housing (46, 110).