Modular Coolant Outlet Housing for Engine Adaptability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current liquid outlet boxes for motor vehicle engines are not standardized, requiring specific models for each vehicle type due to varying coolant circulation circuits, leading to increased manufacturing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A modular heat transfer liquid outlet box with a common base body and interchangeable modular separation elements, allowing for customization of heat transfer liquid circulation paths to accommodate different engine models, reducing the need for multiple specific designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If specific housing models are provided for each engine type, then the housing is compatible with the specific engine model, but the number of references increases and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal base body design that can accommodate multiple engine models through standardized mounting interfaces and outlet positions. The base body serves multiple functions: it provides the structural housing, contains the coolant circulation pathways, and supports various separation elements. This multi-functional design allows a single base body reference to replace multiple specific housing models, thereby reducing the number of references while maintaining compatibility across different engine types.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is segmented into a common base body and interchangeable separation elements. The base body contains the fundamental structure and coolant pathways, while the separation elements are modular components that can be swapped to adapt to different engine configurations. This segmentation allows the core housing design to remain standardized while providing flexibility through interchangeable parts, resolving the contradiction between universality and adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If specific housing models are provided for each engine type, then the housing is compatible with the specific engine model, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By designing a universal base body that can serve multiple engine models, the patent reduces manufacturing costs through economies of scale. The base body can be produced in large quantities as a standardized component, lowering per-unit costs. The interchangeable separation elements are also manufactured as standard parts, further reducing costs compared to producing entirely custom housings for each engine model.
Solution Approach 2:
The segmentation into common base body and interchangeable separation elements allows for standardized manufacturing processes. The base body can be mass-produced using optimal manufacturing methods, while the separation elements can be manufactured as modular components. This approach reduces overall manufacturing costs by avoiding the need to produce entirely different housing units for each engine model.
3Productivity
If interchangeable separation elements are used, then production resources are pooled and supply flexibility increases, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the housing into a base body and separation elements, where the separation elements are designed with standardized interfaces that simplify assembly. Although the overall system becomes modular, the individual components are designed to be simple and easy to manufacture. The standardized interfaces and mounting mechanisms reduce the complexity of managing multiple components, allowing production resources to be pooled efficiently while maintaining supply flexibility.
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 production and supply of liquid outlet boxes compatible with various engine models, reducing manufacturing costs and simplifying the process by using a common base with interchangeable components to define specific circulation circuits.
Implementation Method 1
a capsule (159) in which there is a heat-sensitive material such as wax... When the temperature T of the heat transfer liquid is higher than a threshold temperature Ts, the wax contained in the capsule 159 will be sufficiently expanded to move the piston 158
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 4a~4b
AI summary
The invention relates to a heat transfer fluid outlet housing (100) intended to be mounted on a motor vehicle internal combustion engine, comprising: - a substantially hollow base body (110) comprising an internal chamber (120) for distributing heat transfer fluid, said internal chamber (120) having at least one first flow path (122) for heat transfer fluid intended to receive heat transfer fluid (HL) from the engine, said first flow path (122) opening into at least one first outlet pipe (116) in fluidic communication with a pump and into at least one second outlet pipe (118) in fluidic communication with a heater, and at least one second flow path (124) for heat transfer fluid intended to receive heat transfer fluid (HL) from a turbocharger and also opening into said first outlet pipe (116) and said second outlet pipe (118),said base body (110) comprising at least one receiving housing (108) intended to receive a modular separation element, or set (130, 140, 150) of elements, said receiving housing (108) being disposed between said first and second circulation paths (122, 124) and said first and second outlet pipes (116, 118); - at least one modular separation element, or set (130, 140, 150) of elements, housed within said receiving housing (108) of the base body (110) and configured to at least partially restrict the circulation of the heat transfer fluid between the internal chamber (120) and said first and/or second outlet pipes, said modular separation element, or set of elements, allowing a specific heat transfer fluid circulation circuit to be defined corresponding to a particular model of motor vehicle engine.