Cooling Circuit Isolation Valve for Thermal Loop Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of a single degassing box for multiple cooling loops with different temperature requirements in motor vehicles disrupts temperature regulation, as high-temperature loops continuously supply hot liquid to lower-temperature loops, causing inefficiencies and reliability issues due to gas bubble formation.
Innovation Solution
A cooling circuit with integrated temperature-controlled isolation valves in thermostatic boxes, which isolate the degassing box from lower-temperature loops once they reach nominal operating temperatures, ensuring optimal degassing only for the high-temperature loop, preventing gas bubble interference in lower-temperature loops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single degassing box is shared by multiple cooling loops with different temperature requirements, then device complexity is reduced and cost is limited, but temperature regulation is disrupted and gas bubble formation occurs in lower-temperature loops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cooling system into separate high-temperature and low-temperature loops with distinct degassing paths. The high-temperature loop connects to the shared degassing box while the low-temperature loop has its own separate degassing connection, preventing thermal interference between loops while maintaining overall system compactness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a three-way valve as an intermediary component that selectively directs coolant flow from the shared degassing box to either the high-temperature loop or the low-temperature loop based on temperature requirements, preventing direct thermal coupling between loops
2Ease of manufacture
If a single degassing box is used for multiple cooling loops, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but gas bubble formation occurs due to continuous high-temperature coolant supply to lower-temperature loops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the degassing function by providing separate connection paths for high-temperature and low-temperature loops to the shared degassing box, ensuring that only the high-temperature loop introduces hot coolant that could cause vaporization, while the low-temperature loop maintains its own cooler degassing path
Solution Approach 2:
The three-way valve acts as an intermediary that controls which loop receives coolant from the degassing box at any given time, preventing direct thermal interaction that would cause gas bubble formation in the low-temperature loop
3Reliability
If high-temperature loop continuously supplies coolant to shared degassing box, then degassing function is maintained, but temperature regulation in lower-temperature loops is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates separate thermal zones by dividing the coolant flow paths, allowing the high-temperature loop to maintain its degassing function independently while the low-temperature loop maintains its own temperature-regulated path to the same degassing box
Solution Approach 2:
The three-way valve serves as a temperature-controlled intermediary that directs coolant flow based on loop temperature requirements, ensuring that hot coolant from the high-temperature loop does not contaminate the low-temperature loop's coolant supply
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 solution maintains optimal operation of all cooling loops by preventing gas bubble interference in lower-temperature loops, ensuring reliable and efficient thermal management without compromising the compactness or cost of the cooling system.
Implementation Method 1
The isolation valve (70) is arranged to close at a predetermined temperature
Implementation Method 2
the thermostatic housing includes a cavity in which one or more bimetallic elements are arranged, the triggering of which moves a shutter
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a cooling circuit (1) which comprises a first cooling loop I designed to provide thermal control of a first member and at least one second cooling loop II, III designed to provide thermal control of a second member; moreover, the cooling circuit (1) comprises a single degassing tank (6) in fluid connection with the first loop and with the at least one second cooling loop II, III and an isolating valve (70, 700) inserted between the degassing tank (6) and the at least one second cooling loop II, III designed for selectively blocking the flow between the degassing tank 6 and the at least one second cooling loop II, III.