Thermal Management Module With Integrated Coolant Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal management modules for automotive engines face issues with increased space requirements, risk of damage to the coolant collection container, and increased machining complexity due to the external placement of the container and its mounting support leg.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a collection chamber within the outer housing to collect leaked coolant, eliminating the need for an external container and simplifying the outer case design by integrating the collection functionality within the module, thereby reducing the footprint and machining complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an external container is added to collect leaking coolant, then coolant leakage is contained, but the space requirement and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the coolant collection function into the outer housing by forming an integrated collection chamber within the housing structure. The partition wall divides the inner chamber into a driving device chamber and a coolant collection chamber, eliminating the need for separate external containers while maintaining coolant containment capability.
2Reliability
If an external container with mounting support leg is added, then coolant collection is achieved, but the mounting support leg is easily cracked causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The collection chamber is integrated into the outer housing structure rather than being a separate component requiring mounting support legs. The partition wall forms the collection chamber directly within the housing, eliminating vulnerable mounting connections and improving overall structural strength.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If coolant leaks through the first end opening, then coolant escape is visible externally, but the leakage passage is needed for pressure relief
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of visible external coolant leakage into a beneficial contained collection system. The leakage passage remains open for pressure relief, but the collected coolant is directed into the integrated collection chamber within the housing, preventing external visibility while maintaining pressure relief functionality.
Data Source
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AI summary
A thermal management module comprising an outer housing and a drive shaft arranged inside the outer housing, wherein the outer housing has a first inner chamber, a separating part and a second inner chamber arranged one after the other in the axial direction of the drive shaft, wherein the first and the second inner chamber are separated by the separating part, the separating part having a through-hole for passing the drive shaft through which an axial end of the drive shaft is extended into the first inner chamber and the second inner chamber is used to accommodate a drive device which drives the drive shaft to a rotation;and a collection chamber is further arranged in the outer casing, the collection chamber having a collection inlet open at the perforated wall of the through-hole, the collection inlet being arranged axially between the first and second end openings of the through-hole, the collection chamber being used to collect coolant from the first inner chamber via the collection inlet, which escapes from the first end opening facing the first inner chamber. With the present technical solution, a special container used for collecting the escaping coolant is no longer required on the outer part of the outer casing, and the space requirement of the thermal management module is reduced.