Float-Controlled Air Release Structure for Heater Noise Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated flow control mechanisms experience noise issues in heaters due to air inflow when coolant flow stops, and constant degassing leads to heat loss and reduced fuel efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An air release structure with a flow control housing, radiator nipple, float, elastic member, retainer, ball valve, and seals that form a bypass passage to selectively evacuate air without coolant flow, using a wave spring and retainer to support the float and control air release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a constant degassing line is applied to bleed air from the integrated flow control mechanism, then air release is improved, but heat loss occurs due to constant coolant flow which adversely affects fuel efficiency and heating performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a float valve mechanism that dynamically opens or closes the degassing line based on air presence in the coolant system. When air is detected, the float rises and opens the passage to vent air; when air is expelled, the float falls and closes the passage to prevent continuous coolant flow. This dynamic control resolves the contradiction by enabling effective air release while eliminating unnecessary heat loss during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The float valve mechanism is self-regulating and automatically responds to air presence without external control. The float rises with accumulated air to open the degassing passage and closes it automatically when air is expelled, providing self-service air release functionality that prevents continuous coolant circulation and associated heat loss.
2Loss of energy
If the coolant flow is stopped in winter, then fuel efficiency is improved, but air collected at the top of the integrated flow control device inflows to the heater port causing flowing noise in the heater core
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the coolant flow path by providing a separate degassing line with a float valve mechanism. This allows air to be vented through a dedicated passage independent of the main coolant flow to the heater. When coolant flow is stopped for fuel efficiency, the float valve can still open to expel accumulated air through the segregated degassing line, preventing air ingress into the heater core and associated flowing noise.
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
Effectively suppresses noise in the heater core by evacuating air without coolant flow, maintaining fuel efficiency and heating performance by preventing constant coolant flow and heat loss.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member to support the float elastically and to selectively open the bypass passage portion
Implementation Method 2
a float provided in the bypass passage portion
Data Source
AI summary
An air release structure of an integrated flow control mechanism includes a flow control housing, a radiator nipple provided on an upper portion of the flow control housing and forming a bypass passage portion together with the flow control housing, a float provided in the bypass passage portion and an elastic member to support the float elastically and to selectively open the bypass passage portion.