Siphon Cooling Tank Assembly With External Open-End Position Marking

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In existing cooling devices, the position of the open end of a passage member inside a tank cannot be checked when the tank's interior is unviewable, posing a challenge for inspection and assembly.

Innovation Solution

A cooling device employing siphon circulation with a tank positioned above the object-to-be-cooled, featuring a passage member extending from inside to outside the tank, and an identifying means on the outside section to determine the open end's position within the tank.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the passage member is inserted through the bottom wall of the coolant storage tank into the tank, then the assembly is compact and the passage member can extend from inside to outside the tank, but the position of the open end of the passage member inside the tank cannot be checked when the inside of the tank is unviewable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoiddifficulty of checking open end position
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

A mark member is introduced as an intermediary element that attaches to the passage member and provides a visible indication of the open end position. This mark member acts as a mediator between the internal passage member configuration and the external observation requirement, allowing workers to check the position without viewing inside the tank directly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The mark member utilizes visual markers (such as colored bands, painted sections, or contrasting color elements) on the passage member that are visible from the outside. These color or visual changes provide immediate indication of the passage member's insertion depth and open end position, solving the inspection difficulty without compromising the compact assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

2Duration of action of stationary object

If the tank is disposed above the object-to-be-cooled to utilize siphon circulation, then cooling can continue powerlessly after the engine stops, but the position verification becomes more difficult due to the tank's elevated and enclosed configuration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveduration of cooling operationVSAvoiddifficulty of position inspection
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The mark member serves as an external indicator that mediates between the internal passage member position and external observation requirements. This allows the tank to remain in its elevated siphon-based configuration for extended cooling operation while still enabling inspection of the passage member open end position through visible marks on the external surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the passage member extends from inside to outside the tank with the open end positioned above the outflow path opening, then proper refrigerant flow is ensured, but the assembly complexity increases and position verification is needed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of refrigerant flowVSAvoidcomplexity of passage member configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Visual marks or color-coded sections on the passage member provide immediate verification of the correct insertion depth and open end position. This simplifies the assembly process and reduces complexity by eliminating the need for complex measurement tools or disassembly for verification, while ensuring the reliable refrigerant flow configuration is achieved.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

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 accurate identification of the open end's position inside the tank even when the interior is unviewable, ensuring proper assembly and operation while maintaining a compact tank configuration.

Implementation Method 1

a cooling device that uses siphon circulation, whose heat source is an object-to-be-cooled installed in a vehicle, to circulate refrigerant to the object-to-be-cooled

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSiphon circulation: Syphon

Implementation Method 2

a tank that is disposed above the object-to-be-cooled and stores the refrigerant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3832081B1Cooling device
Publication Date: 2023.10.25 SANOH IND CO LTD
  • EP3832081B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3832081B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3832081B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cooling device uses siphon circulation whose heat source is an object-to-be-cooled installed in a vehicle to circulate refrigerant to the object-to-be-cooled, the cooling device including: a tank that is disposed above the object-to-be-cooled and stores the refrigerant; an outflow path that opens to the inside of the tank and through which the refrigerant flows out; a passage member that extends from the inside to the outside of the tank, with an open end of an inside section of the passage member positioned inside the tank being positioned above an opening of the outflow path; and identifying means that is provided at an outside section of the passage member positioned outside the tank and by which the position of the open end inside the tank can be identified.