Rotary Valve Coolant Distribution Module for Engine Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current coolant distribution modules for internal combustion engines face challenges in efficiently controlling coolant volume flows across multiple heat sources, leading to undesirable pressure losses due to the lack of axial flow control and inefficient use of installation space.
Innovation Solution
A coolant distribution module featuring a rotary slide designed as a hollow cylinder with curved end walls and cylinder walls, utilizing multiple control openings and seal assemblies to manage coolant flows without deflecting them through tight radii, allowing for precise control of coolant distribution across multiple heat sources and sinks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If coolant flow is controlled by a rotary valve with radial control slots only, then the valve structure is simple, but axial flow cannot be controlled and pressure losses increase due to 90° deflection
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary valve is segmented into multiple functional surfaces: the cylinder wall contains radial control slots while the end walls contain axial control slots. This segmentation allows independent control of radial and axial coolant flows, eliminating the need for sharp 90° deflections and reducing pressure losses while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds control functionality in the axial dimension by incorporating control slots in the end walls of the rotary valve, complementing the existing radial control slots in the cylinder wall. This multi-dimensional control approach enables independent regulation of both radial and axial coolant flows, preventing energy losses from sharp flow deflections.
2Measurement precision
If multiple coolant circuits are used for temperature control, then temperature regulation precision improves, but the system complexity and installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary valve serves multiple functions simultaneously: it controls radial coolant flow through cylinder wall slots, axial coolant flow through end wall slots, and can selectively connect different coolant circuits (engine cooling, transmission cooling, heater). This multi-functionality enables precise temperature control across multiple circuits while using a single compact valve structure, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the control of multiple coolant circuits into a single integrated rotary valve structure. The valve housing combines multiple connections (first connection to engine, second connection to transmission, third connection to heater) with a unified rotary valve mechanism that can regulate all circuits simultaneously or independently, reducing installation space and system complexity while maintaining precise temperature control.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact rotary valve design is used, then installation space is optimized, but flow control capability across multiple directions may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary valve employs a cylindrical geometry with curved end walls, allowing control slots to be arranged in both radial and axial directions within a compact volume. The curved surfaces enable efficient space utilization while providing multiple flow control pathways, maintaining versatility in flow direction control without increasing valve size.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary valve uses rotational movement to dynamically switch between different flow control configurations. By rotating the valve body, the alignment between control slots in the cylinder wall and end walls changes, enabling dynamic control of radial and axial flows independently. This dynamic mechanism provides versatile flow control capability within a compact static structure.
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 achieves efficient and precise control of coolant flows, reducing pressure losses and optimizing installation space, enabling quick warming and maintaining optimal operating temperatures while minimizing thermal energy release.
Implementation Method 1
a rotary valve with control openings, rotatable relative to the housing, is arranged in the housing, which selectively establishes or interrupts fluid-conducting connections between the connections with varying flow cross-sections with the control openings
Implementation Method 2
at least one sealing package is arranged at each connection between the housing and the rotary valve in such a way as to that each sealing package forms a fluid-conducting channel between the rotary valve and the housing and seals this fluid-conducting channel fluid-tight at a stop surface between the sealing package and the housing on the one hand and between the sealing package and the rotary valve on the other hand
Implementation Method 3
Coolant distribution module for a coolant circuit, which has at least one coolant channel to at least one heat source and at least one coolant channel to a heat sink
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a coolant distribution module for a coolant circuit which has at least one coolant duct to at least one heat source and at least one coolant duct to a heat sink, in particular for a power unit, in particular for an engine, in particular for an internal combustion engine, having a housing (10, 12) with at least three connectors (24, 28, 36, 42) which can be flowed through by coolant for fluid-conducting connection to the at least two coolant ducts, wherein a rotary slide (16) which can be rotated relative to the housing (10, 12) with control openings (60, 62, 64, 66, 68) is arranged in the housing (10, 12), which rotary slide (16) selectively establishes or interrupts fluid-conducting connections between the connectors (24, 28, 36, 42) of varying flow cross section by way of the control openings (60, 62, 64, 66, 68), wherein at least one sealing package (52, 54, 56, 58) is arranged between the housing (10, 12) and the rotary slide (16) at every connector (24, 28, 36, 42) in such a way that every sealing package (52, 54, 56, 58) forms a fluid-conducting duct between the rotary slide (16) and the housing (10, 12) and seals said fluid-conducting duct at a stop surface between the sealing package (52, 54, 56, 58) and the housing (10, 12) on one side and between the sealing package (52, 54, 56, 58) and the rotary slide (16) on the other side in a fluid-tight manner. Here, the rotary slide (16) is configured as a hollow cylinder with a cylinder wall (46), which hollow cylinder has a first end wall (58) at a first end in the axial direction and has a second end wall (50) at a second end which lies axially opposite said first end, wherein in each case at least one control opening (60, 62, 64, 66, 68) is configured in the cylinder wall (46) of the hollow cylinder, in the first end wall (58) and in the second end wall (50).