Coolant Flow Valve Segmentation for Compact Engine Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing secondary circuit valve systems in vehicle cooling systems face issues with increased size due to the need for compensating piston overtravel and stringent coaxiality requirements between the bypass valve and thermostat, which limits modularity and compactness.
Innovation Solution
A device with a frame having two chambers connected by a duct, where a valve can translate within the duct, and a support-plan connection between the valve and thermostat, allowing for reduced size and modular compatibility, along with a pressure relief valve for pressure regulation and calibrated leakage for pressure balance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring is used between the bypass valve and thermostat piston to compensate for overtravel, then the system can handle piston overstroke, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two independent chambers (first chamber for thermostat, second chamber for bypass valve) connected by a duct. This segmentation allows each component to function independently, eliminating the need for a spring to compensate for piston overtravel while maintaining compact dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
A duct serves as an intermediary element connecting the first chamber containing the thermostat piston to the second chamber containing the bypass valve. The duct allows the bypass valve to respond to pressure changes from the thermostat without requiring direct mechanical connection or overtravel compensation mechanisms.
2Volume of stationary object
If the bypass valve is integrated into the thermostat, then the system is compact, but stringent coaxiality constraints are imposed between the bypass duct and thermostat
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass valve is separated from the thermostat into a different chamber, connected via a duct. This spatial segmentation eliminates the need for precise coaxial alignment between the bypass valve and thermostat, as they no longer share the same axis. The duct can be positioned flexibly to connect the two chambers without stringent coaxiality requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between thermostat and bypass valve transitions from a one-dimensional coaxial arrangement to a three-dimensional configuration using a duct that can route fluid flow in multiple directions. This dimensional change allows greater flexibility in positioning components without strict alignment constraints.
3Volume of stationary object
If the bypass valve translates within the duct, then the system size is reduced and coaxiality constraints are relaxed, but guidance mechanisms are required
Solution Approach 1:
The duct is designed with a flexible or compliant structure that can accommodate the translation of the bypass valve within it. This flexible duct design provides guidance for the valve's movement while maintaining a compact overall device size and avoiding rigid coaxiality constraints.
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
The solution reduces the system's size by compensating piston overtravel through valve translation, relaxes coaxiality constraints, and enables modular compatibility with different thermostats while maintaining efficient pressure regulation and fluid balance.
Implementation Method 1
Depending on the temperature of the coolant, the wax expands or contracts
Implementation Method 2
The compression spring 9 tends to maintain the valve 8 at a distance from the inlet of the duct 7
Implementation Method 3
In order to allow the pressure to be balanced between the chambers 4, 5 upstream and downstream of the device 1, calibrated leakage means are provided
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for controlling the flow rate of a coolant (2) of an engine, including a frame (3) in which two chambers (4, 5) delimited by a partition (6) are arranged, the two chambers (4, 5) communicating via a pipe (7), a valve (8) capable of penetrating into the pipe (7), and a thermostat (13), characterised in that the device (1) comprises a means for guiding the valve (8) in translation relative to the pipe (7), and in that the valve (8) and the thermostat (13) are connected by a planar linkage means.