Separate Tank and Pump Design for Compact Coolant Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional chillers face a trade-off between downsizing and maintaining processing performance, as the need to collect and refill coolant complicates the design, leading to increased size and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A temperature control medium processing apparatus with a separate tank for coolant storage and a pump system that allows for efficient collection and refilling of coolant, reducing the chiller's footprint while maintaining performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional chiller design is used with integrated coolant collection and refilling systems, then the processing performance is maintained, but the device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional modules: a chiller unit for cooling, a collection tank for coolant storage, and a pump system for refilling. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining processing performance through dedicated functional units.
Solution Approach 2:
The coolant collection and refilling functions are extracted from the main chiller body and implemented as separate external systems. The collection tank and pump system operate independently from the chiller, allowing the chiller itself to be downsized while the extracted functions handle coolant management separately.
2Volume of moving object
If the chiller module is downsized, then the device footprint is reduced, but the coolant management capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A pump system acts as an intermediary between the collection tank and the chiller module, enabling efficient coolant transfer despite the downsized chiller. The pump ensures adequate coolant flow and pressure to the chiller, compensating for the reduced size and maintaining effective coolant management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automatic coolant management where the pump and collection tank work together to autonomously refill the chiller module as needed. This self-service mechanism eliminates manual intervention, ensuring continuous coolant supply despite the compact chiller design.
3Adaptability or versatility
If coolant collection and refilling are integrated into the chiller, then the system is self-contained, but maintenance complexity and leak risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the coolant management system into separate external components (collection tank, pump, refilling lines), maintenance can be performed on individual units rather than the entire integrated system. This modularity reduces maintenance complexity and isolates potential leak sources to specific components.
Solution Approach 2:
The coolant collection and refilling functions are extracted as separate external systems, allowing them to be maintained, repaired, or replaced independently of the chiller module. This extraction simplifies maintenance procedures and reduces the risk of leaks affecting the entire system.
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 the downsizing of the chiller module while ensuring effective coolant management and processing performance, reducing the risk of coolant leaks and simplifying maintenance operations.
Implementation Method 1
a pump provided at the outlet path, and configured to force the temperature control medium stored in the tank to be flown out
Data Source
AI summary
A temperature control medium processing apparatus configured to collect a temperature control medium from a module using the temperature control medium or refill the module with the temperature control medium includes a tank configured to store the temperature control medium therein; a first inlet path which is connected to a first inlet opening of the tank, and through which the temperature control medium is introduced; an inlet connector configured to connect the first inlet path and a path from the module; an outlet path which is connected to an outlet opening of the tank, and through which the temperature control medium is flown out; an outlet connector configured to connect the outlet path and a path to the module; and a pump provided at the outlet path, and configured to force the temperature control medium stored in the tank to be flown out.