Integrated Cooling Medium Distribution Apparatus for Vehicle Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
In environmentally friendly vehicles, thermal management systems require efficient distribution of cooling media to integrated components like batteries and electronic equipment, but existing systems are bulky and weigh heavily, hindering space and energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A compact cooling medium distribution apparatus with a valve housing, reservoir tank, and water pump, featuring rotatable valves and modular design, which omits peripheral pipes to distribute coolant efficiently across various cooling system parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional thermal management systems are used with multiple peripheral pipes and separate components, then the system can provide comprehensive cooling coverage, but the system occupies excessive space and increases vehicle weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the reservoir tank, valve housing with multiple pass-through channels, distribution channels, and water pump into a single unified apparatus. The valve housing contains both pass-through channels for coolant flow and distribution channels branching to multiple cooling zones, eliminating the need for separate peripheral pipes and multiple independent components while maintaining comprehensive cooling coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve housing serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a reservoir connection point, contains pass-through channels for main coolant flow, provides distribution channels to multiple cooling zones, and houses the water pump. This multi-functional design reduces the overall number of components needed in the thermal management system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional thermal management systems with multiple separate components are used, then the system can provide flexible thermal management, but the system weight increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple previously separate components (reservoir tank, valve housing, distribution manifold, and water pump) into a single integrated apparatus. This consolidation maintains the flexibility to direct coolant to different cooling zones through the valve and distribution channels while significantly reducing the overall system weight by eliminating redundant components and connection hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve within the integrated apparatus can rotate to dynamically change the distribution direction of the cooling medium, allowing flexible thermal management. This dynamic control capability is maintained within the compact integrated structure, enabling the system to adapt to different thermal management needs without requiring heavy, rigid piping systems.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple peripheral pipes and separate components are used for coolant distribution, then the system can provide adequate coolant flow to all zones, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the distribution manifold function directly into the valve housing by incorporating multiple distribution channels that branch from the pass-through channels. This allows coolant to be distributed to multiple cooling zones through the integrated apparatus without requiring separate peripheral pipes, thereby maintaining adequate coolant flow distribution while reducing system structural complexity.
4Volume of moving object
If a compact design with integrated components is used, then space and weight are reduced, but the ease of installation and maintenance may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
While the apparatus is integrated, it is designed as a modular unit that can be installed as a single assembly. The integrated design reduces the number of separate installation steps compared to assembling multiple separate components, and the modular nature allows the entire apparatus to be removed and replaced as one unit for maintenance, actually improving installation ease despite the integrated design.
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 apparatus enables a compact, efficient thermal management system by reducing weight and space occupancy, improving energy consumption efficiency and simplifying installation, while allowing for flexible thermal management modes.
Implementation Method 1
a valve mounted to the valve housing, the valve being configured to provide for a change in a distribution direction of the cooling medium
Implementation Method 2
A water pump suitably may be installed at the valve housing, the water pump being mounted to the valve housing in the horizontal direction
Implementation Method 3
a heat exchanger mounted to another side of the valve housing in the horizontal direction
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling medium distribution apparatus includes a valve housing with an inner space, a plurality of pass-through channels in communication with the inner space, and a plurality of distribution channels extending from the pass-through channels; a reservoir tank mounted to the valve housing and connected to the pass-through channels or the distribution channels, the reservoir tank being configured to store a cooling medium; and a valve mounted to the valve housing, the valve being configured to be rotated in order to change a distribution direction of the cooling medium. The cooling medium distribution apparatus may be installed in a vehicle to distribute the cooling medium to various cooling system parts such as the reservoir tank, a water pump, and a heat exchanger.