Oil Cooler Plate Fastening via Through-Openings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional engine oil coolers face challenges in achieving a lightweight yet mechanically stable attachment to oil filter modules, as traditional fastening techniques require thick mounting plates that increase weight and reduce mechanical rigidity.
Innovation Solution
The oil cooler is designed with stacked plates featuring through-openings for direct fastening to a mounting wall, eliminating the need for separate mounting plates and allowing for a more compact and lightweight structure while maintaining mechanical stability through optimized placement and symmetry of fastening points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional screw connections with external mounting plates are used to attach the oil cooler, then mechanical stability is achieved, but the plate thickness must be increased to prevent deformation, leading to increased weight
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting function is merged with the cooling plates themselves. The through-openings are directly formed in the cooling plates, eliminating the need for separate mounting plates. This integration reduces the number of components and overall weight while maintaining attachment functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening function is transitioned from an external dimension (separate mounting plates) to an integrated dimension (through-openings within the plates). This dimensional reorganization allows the plates to serve dual purposes: cooling and mounting, without requiring increased thickness.
2Ease of manufacture
If separate mounting plates are used for fastening the oil cooler, then attachment functionality is provided, but the installation space and dead weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting plate function is merged into the cooling plates by providing through-openings directly in the plates. This eliminates separate mounting components, reducing dead weight while preserving attachment functionality through the integrated plate structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling plates are given multiple functions: they perform both cooling (heat exchange) and mounting (fastening attachment) roles. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mounting plates, reducing overall weight and simplifying the structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If separate mounting plates are used for fastening the oil cooler, then attachment functionality is provided, but the installation space required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting function is merged with the cooling plates through integrated through-openings. This eliminates separate mounting plates and reduces the overall footprint, allowing more compact installation in the engine compartment.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting functionality is reorganized from an external additive structure to an integrated feature within the plate stack. This dimensional reorganization reduces the external dimensions and installation space requirements while maintaining fastening capability.
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
This design reduces the oil cooler's weight and installation space requirements while ensuring a stable and uniform attachment, achieving cost savings and improved mechanical stability.
Implementation Method 1
an oil cooler (1) for an oil filter module (20) of a motor vehicle, with a first plate (2) and a plurality of second plates (3) stacked one on top of the other along a stacking direction (S)... a first fluid channel (12) formed between the first plate (2) and the second plate (3)... a first fluid (10), in particular oil to be cooled by the oil cooler (1), can be introduced into the fluid channel (12)
Implementation Method 2
An engine oil cooler is therefore based on the operating principle of a heat exchanger and as such can be part of a conventional coolant circuit installed in the engine compartment of the motor vehicle
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention relates to an oil cooler (1), having a first and at least one second plate (2, 3) which are stacked one on top of the other along a stacking direction (S), and having at least one passage opening (5, 5a, 5b) which is provided in the first plate (2) and which serves for receiving a fastening element (6) by way of which the first plate (2) can be fastened to an installation wall (21), in particular of an oil filter module (20).