Integrated Coolant Distributor for Compact Vehicle Heating

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heating elements in motor vehicles require significant installation space and increase in size to meet rising heating capacity demands, leading to higher costs and design complexity.

Innovation Solution

A coolant distributor device with a base body containing integrated coolant lines and a heating element, which reduces the need for additional coolant hoses and holders, thereby minimizing installation space and design complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If heating elements are enlarged to meet rising heating capacity requirements, then heating capacity is improved, but installation space requirement increases and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating capacityVSAvoidinstallation space

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element is integrated directly into the base body of the coolant distributor device, merging two previously separate components (heating element and coolant distributor) into a single unified structure. This eliminates the need for separate holders and reduces installation space while maintaining heating capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The base body of the coolant distributor device serves multiple functions: it distributes coolant through integrated coolant lines and simultaneously houses the heating element. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components and installation space required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Power

If heating elements are enlarged to meet rising heating capacity requirements, then heating capacity is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional holders and attachment mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating capacityVSAvoiddesign complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element is integrated directly into the base body of the coolant distributor device, merging two previously separate components (heating element and coolant distributor) into a single unified structure. This eliminates the need for separate holders and reduces installation space while maintaining heating capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The base body of the coolant distributor device serves multiple functions: it distributes coolant through integrated coolant lines and simultaneously houses the heating element. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components and installation space required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If separate holders are used to attach heating elements, then heating element installation is enabled, but design complexity increases and installation space increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating element installationVSAvoiddesign complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element is integrated directly into the base body of the coolant distributor device, merging two previously separate components (heating element and coolant distributor) into a single unified structure. This eliminates the need for separate holders and reduces installation space while maintaining heating capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution reduces installation space, decreases design complexity, and enhances the efficiency of the heating element by improving heat transfer and reducing thermal losses.

Implementation Method 1

the heating capacity requirements and the requirements for transferring thermal energy to the coolant are steadily increasing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS20250128644A1Coolant distributor device for a motor vehicle, and motor vehicle comprising a coolant distributor device

Publication Date: 2025.04.24 VOLKSWAGEN AG

AI summary

Technologies and techniques for reducing the construction space necessary for a heating element of a motor vehicle and to improve the cooling of such a heating element. A coolant distributor device may be provided for a motor vehicle, such as a hybrid electric motor vehicle or a battery-electric vehicle, including a basic body with coolant lines, arranged running in the basic body, wherein a heating element is arranged in and/or on the basic body.