Vehicle Cooling Circuit Bypass Valve and Venting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling circuits for motor vehicles are not compact enough and lack flexibility in adjusting fluid flow temperatures according to the operating point of the drive unit, which affects cooling performance.
Innovation Solution
A cooling circuit design with a bypass valve that allows fluid to bypass the cooler, controlled by a thermostatic actuator, enabling efficient temperature regulation by diverting the fluid through the cooler only when necessary, and incorporating a 'combo cooler' configuration for high and low-temperature circuits with minimal fluid exchange between them.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a cooling circuit is designed to be compact, then the space occupied is reduced, but the flexibility in connecting fluid flows to adjust temperature is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling circuit is segmented into multiple independent cooler units (first cooler, second cooler, third cooler) with separate fluid circuits. This segmentation allows each cooler to be independently controlled and connected to different fluid flows, providing flexibility in temperature regulation while maintaining a compact overall structure. The bypass lines are also segmented to allow selective bypassing of individual coolers.
Solution Approach 2:
The coolers are designed with universal connectivity features - each cooler has multiple inlet and outlet connections that can be connected to different fluid circuits depending on operating conditions. The bypass valve with vent connection serves multiple functions: bypassing the cooler, venting air, and regulating fluid flow. This multi-functionality allows a single compact component to perform multiple cooling tasks for different fluid flows.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a bypass valve is added to divert fluid flow, then temperature regulation flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass valve is merged with the cooler assembly as an integrated unit. The vent connection is incorporated into the bypass valve housing, combining the bypass function and air venting function in a single component. This merging reduces the number of separate parts and connections needed, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining temperature regulation flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass valve is designed to be self-regulating based on temperature conditions. The vent connection allows the valve to automatically vent air and regulate flow without external control, using the fluid's own temperature and pressure characteristics. This self-service capability eliminates the need for complex external control systems, reducing device complexity while providing adaptive temperature regulation.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the cooler is flowed through from bottom to top, then air accumulation is reduced, but the design constraints increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of the conventional top-to-bottom flow direction, the cooler is designed to be flowed through from bottom to top. This inverted flow direction causes air bubbles to rise naturally with the fluid flow and be expelled through the vent connection at the top, preventing air accumulation. The inversion of the conventional design approach simplifies air management while maintaining effective cooling.
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 enhances cooling performance by allowing quick temperature regulation, reducing air accumulation in the cooler, and maintaining a compact structure while allowing flexible fluid flow connections, thereby improving cooling efficiency and reducing thermal stresses.
Implementation Method 1
The bypass valve can be controlled and actuated in particular via a control device, but is preferably constructed in a self-regulating manner
Implementation Method 2
a gas (e.g. air, relative wind) flows over the channels or the ribs, so that the fluid circulating in a cooling circuit can be cooled
Implementation Method 3
a gas (e.g. air, relative wind) flows over the channels or the ribs
Implementation Method 4
Air in the cooler can reduce the heat transfer in the cooler, at least in comparison with water as the first fluid
Implementation Method 5
the first inlet connection and the first outlet connection are arranged such that the first fluid can flow through the first cooler from bottom to top
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Cooling circuit (1) of a drive unit (2) of a motor vehicle (3), comprising at least a first fluid circuit (4) which is connected via a first inlet port (5) and a first outlet port (6) to a first radiator (7) for the passage of a first fluid (8) through the first radiator (7); wherein the first inlet port (5) and the first outlet port (6) are connected via a bypass line (9); wherein the first fluid (8) can be diverted from the first inlet port (5) to the first outlet port (6) bypassing the first radiator (7) via a bypass valve (10); wherein the bypass valve (10) has at least one vent port (11) for venting at least the bypass line (9).