Oil Temperature Assembly With Thermostatic Bypass Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oil temperature management assemblies in automotive systems have complex geometries and layouts, leading to inefficient temperature management, increased production costs, and difficulties in vehicle space optimization.
Innovation Solution
An oil temperature management assembly with a simplified geometry and layout, featuring a thermostatic valve positioned upstream of the heat exchanger and a bypass valve, which manages oil flow based on temperature and pressure to optimize temperature control and reduce pressure drops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If complex geometries and layouts are used in oil temperature management assemblies, then heat exchange effectiveness may be improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly is divided into distinct functional modules: a heat exchanger unit with simplified plate geometry, a valve control unit with thermostatic and bypass valves, and a fluid distribution system. Each module performs a specific function with simple internal geometry, avoiding the need for complex integrated designs while maintaining temperature regulation effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
A fluid distribution system acts as an intermediary between the heat exchanger and the operating unit, managing oil flow paths through simple ducts and connections. This intermediary structure simplifies the overall geometry by separating heat exchange functions from flow management functions, allowing each to be optimized independently
2Measurement precision
If complex fluid connection modes are used, then temperature control precision may be improved, but ease of operation and installation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The thermostatic valve is pre-positioned upstream of the heat exchanger to automatically regulate oil flow based on temperature feedback before oil enters the heat exchange process. This preliminary temperature-based flow control simplifies operation by eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining precise temperature control through automatic valve modulation
Solution Approach 2:
The thermostatic valve incorporates a temperature sensing mechanism that provides continuous feedback on oil temperature, automatically adjusting valve position to maintain desired temperature setpoints. This feedback loop enables precise temperature control through simple automatic operation without complex control systems
3Temperature
If complex layouts are used, then heat exchange performance may be improved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly uses separate, standardized components (plate heat exchanger, valve bodies, ducts) that can be manufactured independently using simple, cost-effective processes. Each component has simple geometry suitable for standard manufacturing methods, avoiding the need for complex integrated machining or assembly processes
Solution Approach 2:
The plate heat exchanger uses standardized plate geometries and configurations that can be manufactured using cost-effective stamping or forming processes. By optimizing plate count, arrangement, and dimensions rather than creating complex three-dimensional heat exchange surfaces, the design achieves effective heat transfer at lower manufacturing costs
4Temperature
If complex geometries are used, then heat exchange area may be increased, but vehicle space optimization becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The plate heat exchanger utilizes a multi-layer stacked configuration where heat exchange occurs primarily in the planar dimensions of the plates rather than requiring large three-dimensional volume. This allows high heat exchange area to be achieved in a compact footprint by stacking thin plates, optimizing space utilization in the vehicle installation environment
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 assembly efficiently manages oil temperature and pressure, reducing complexity, manufacturing costs, and optimizing vehicle space utilization while ensuring rapid response to changes and minimizing malfunctions.
Implementation Method 1
a plate heat exchanger adapted to perform oil temperature regulation operations by heat exchange with a fluid
Implementation Method 2
the oil is subjected to a heat exchange action with a fluid, preferably a cooling fluid, which modifies, preferably lowers, the temperature thereof
Implementation Method 3
a thermostatic valve configured to direct the flow of the oil between a inlet mouth in fluid communication with said operating unit and two outlet mouths in fluid communication with said heat exchanger and with said outlet, respectively
Implementation Method 4
a bypass valve configured to direct the flow of the oil between the inlet mouth and the outlet, according to the temperature and pressure of the oil entering the module
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2'~2''
AI summary
An oil temperature management assembly (1) which is fluidly connectable to an oil circulation system (900) of an operating unit of a vehicle (500). The oil temperature management assembly (1) comprises a heat exchanger (2) and a fluid support and connection module (3). The module (3) comprises a module body (4), a thermostatic valve (5) and a bypass valve (6). The module body (4), to which the heat exchanger (2) is operatively connected, comprises: - an assembly inlet mouth (411) through which the oil arriving from the operating unit (500) flows and an assembly outlet mouth (412) through which the oil flows towards the operating unit (500); - an exchanger inlet mouth (421) and an exchanger outlet mouth (422) for the fluid connection of the heat exchanger (2) and the module (3), wherein the exchanger outlet mouth (422) fluidly communicates with the assembly outlet mouth (412). The thermostatic valve (5) is housed in the module body (4), in a thermostatic valve housing (45), and is fluidly connected to the assembly inlet mouth (411) and to the exchanger inlet mouth (421) and to the exchanger outlet mouth (412). The thermostatic valve (5) detects the temperature of the oil entering the module (3) and can be configured with respect to a threshold temperature value in a heat exchange configuration in which it directs the oil towards the exchanger inlet mouth (421) and in a discharge configuration in which it directs the oil towards the assembly outlet mouth (412). The bypass valve (6) is housed in the module body (4), in a bypass valve housing (46), which is in fluid communication with the assembly inlet mouth (411) and with the thermostatic valve (5). The bypass valve (6) is fluidly connected to the assembly outlet mouth (412), and is normally in a closed configuration in which the oil flows entirely towards the thermostatic valve (5) and is configurable in a bypass configuration, as an oil flow having a pressure above the threshold pressure value flows, in which the oil flows directly towards the assembly outlet mouth (412).