Multi-Shell Vehicle Liquid Tank With Integrated Flow Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid tanks for vehicle systems are complex in design and production, with multiple components and flow channels that are difficult to optimize and integrate efficiently, leading to increased logistics and storage challenges.
Innovation Solution
The tank housing is designed as both a valve housing for controlling liquid flow, allowing for the integration of flow channels formed by interconnected shells, enabling a compact and flexible design that simplifies construction and production, reduces component count, and allows for flow-optimized shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tank housing is designed as a multi-shell unit with separate valve housings, then the structural integrity and sealing are improved, but the device complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the tank housing and valve housing into a single integrated multi-shell unit. The valve housing is formed as one of the shell units itself, eliminating the need for separate valve housings and reducing the total number of components while maintaining sealing integrity through the integrated design
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate valves are used in the liquid system, then the flow control functionality is improved, but the number of components and logistics complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-way valve with multiple valve housing openings that can control multiple liquid flows simultaneously. This single multi-functional valve replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate valves, reducing component count while maintaining comprehensive flow control capabilities across different circuits
3Ease of manufacture
If flow channels are integrated into the tank housing, then the manufacturing efficiency is improved, but the design flexibility for flow optimization is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the tank housing into multiple separable shell units, where at least one shell unit is dedicated to forming flow channels. This segmentation allows the flow channel geometry to be independently optimized for flow dynamics while maintaining the manufacturing advantages of modular assembly and integration
4Device complexity
If the valve housing is integrated into one of the tank housing shells, then the component count is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the valve housing functionality directly into one of the tank housing shell units by forming the valve housing openings and internal geometry as integral features of the shell itself. This merging eliminates separate valve housing components and their associated connection interfaces, reducing component count while the molding process inherently provides the necessary precision
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a liquid tank (4) for a liquid system (2) of a vehicle, comprising a tank housing (6) for storing a liquid of the liquid system (2), wherein the tank housing (6) is designed so as to have multiple shells and has at least two interconnected tanks housing shells (8, 10, 12), and comprising at least one flow channel (14, 20, 22, 24, 26) of the liquid system (2), said flow channel being integrated into the tank housing (6). The invention is characterized in that at least one of the at least one flow channels (14) integrated into the tank housing (6) is formed by means of two interconnected tank housing shells (10, 12) of the at least two tank housing shells (8, 10, 12). The invention additionally relates to a liquid system (2) for a vehicle and to a vehicle.