Fluid Cooling Device Turning Assembly for Flexible Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid cooling devices have fixed spatial arrangements, limiting their installation flexibility due to specific configurations of filling openings and level indicators, which restrict their use in various installation directions without functional losses.

Innovation Solution

A fluid cooling device designed as a turning unit with a filling opening and level indicator positioned in a corner area of the storage tank, allowing for mounting in two main axes directions, featuring a single display or opening for both vertical and horizontal assembly, and incorporating a heat exchanger integrated into the storage tank for compactness and ease of assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the filling opening and level indicator are arranged in specific positions on the storage tank, then the fluid cooling device can be mounted in fixed installation directions, but the installation flexibility is limited and cannot accommodate various installation orientations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation flexibilityVSAvoidnumber of filling openings and level indicators
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filling opening and level indicator are positioned in a corner area of the storage tank, allowing the same component configuration to serve multiple installation orientations (vertical and horizontal). This universal positioning enables the device to function correctly regardless of mounting direction, eliminating the need for orientation-specific configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

By placing the filling opening and level indicator in a corner area rather than on specific flat surfaces, the design adds rotational flexibility around vertical and horizontal axes. This corner positioning creates a three-dimensional adaptation capability that allows mounting in multiple orientations without requiring additional components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple filling openings and level indicators are provided for different installation directions, then installation flexibility is improved, but the device complexity and number of components increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation orientation capabilityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

A single filling opening and single level indicator in the corner area perform the function of multiple openings and indicators that would be needed for different orientations. This universal component design maintains full installation flexibility while minimizing the quantity of parts required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The filling opening and level indicator are merged into a single corner location that serves all installation orientations. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components while maintaining the ability to fill and monitor fluid levels regardless of how the device is mounted.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If the fluid cooling device is designed with fixed spatial arrangement, then the design is simplified, but the installation directions are restricted and cannot be changed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign simplicityVSAvoidinstallation direction flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The corner-area positioning of the filling opening and level indicator creates a universal design that works for both vertical and horizontal installations. This single design configuration serves multiple installation purposes, maintaining design simplicity while achieving installation flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The design transitions from a fixed spatial arrangement to a dynamic configuration that adapts to different mounting orientations. The corner positioning allows the device to be dynamically installed in various directions without requiring design changes or additional components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables flexible installation in different orientations without additional components, ensuring proper filling and level indication regardless of position, while maintaining a simple design and minimizing functional losses, and integrating a pressure relief valve for safety.

Implementation Method 1

the fluid being heated in the hydraulic working circuit and cooled via a heat exchanger of the unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

a drive motor that drives a rotatable fan wheel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow generation: Fan

Data Source

PatentEP2553276B1Fluid cooling device
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 HYDAC
  • EP2553276B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2553276B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP2553276B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

The invention relates to a fluid cooling device (1) as a structural unit having a drive motor (2) which drives a rotatable fan impeller (3), and having a storage tank (4) which has a filling opening (6) as well as a fill-level indicator (7) and from which at least one fluid can be conveyed into a hydraulic working circuit, wherein in the hydraulic working circuit the fluid is heated and is cooled via a heat exchanger (5) of the structural unit, and preferably returned into the storage tank (4). The invention is characterised in that the structural unit is designed as a turning assembly in which the filling opening (6) for fluid and the fill-level indicator (7) are disposed on the storage tank (4) in such a way that they can be used and read in the case of a first, preferably vertical installation direction (X, Y) of the structural unit, and in the case of a second installation direction (Y, X) which is inclined with respect to the first installation direction (X, Y), preferably at right angles thereto.