Thermal Valve Assembly With Auto-Release and Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal management systems face issues with dump valves freezing due to water inside the valves freezing, which prevents the valves from opening and can damage the system.
Innovation Solution
A valve assembly with an interface component that includes a temperature-sensitive body and an actuator, which automatically releases the valve from the thermal management system connector when the temperature drops below a threshold, and features drain holes in the handle to prevent fluid from freezing and blocking the valve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If water is used as coolant in thermal management systems, then cooling efficiency is improved, but water can freeze at low temperatures and prevent valves from opening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful element (water) from the valve interior by providing drainage paths that allow water to drain out before freezing. The valve body includes drainage holes and channels that remove water from critical areas where it would prevent valve operation, thereby maintaining reliability while preserving the water coolant system's efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by draining water from the valve interior before freezing occurs. The drainage system is designed to remove water proactively, preventing the freezing condition that would block valve operation, thus maintaining system reliability in cold environments.
2Ease of operation
If water drains inside the valve before freezing, then valve operation is maintained, but water entering the valve can freeze and block drainage paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inversion by reversing the typical drainage approach. Instead of trying to prevent water from entering the valve, the design allows water entry but provides dedicated drainage paths that actively channel water out through the valve body structure. The drainage holes are positioned and oriented to facilitate continuous water removal, preventing ice blockage of critical pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve body structure itself acts as an intermediary by incorporating drainage holes and channels that serve as intermediate pathways for water removal. These structural features mediate between water entry and external discharge, ensuring water is continuously removed before it can freeze and block the system.
3Reliability
If drain holes are added to the valve handle, then fluid can be drained to prevent freezing, but the valve structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by integrating drainage functionality into the existing valve handle structure. The handle is designed to serve both its traditional manual operation function and as a component that facilitates water drainage through incorporated holes and channels. This eliminates the need for separate drainage components, maintaining reliability while minimizing added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the drainage function with the existing valve handle structure. Rather than adding a separate drainage system, the handle is designed with integrated drainage holes and channels that combine manual operation and water removal functions into a single component, thereby improving reliability without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
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 valve assembly effectively prevents freezing by automatically disengaging from the connector and draining fluid through the handle's drain holes, ensuring the thermal management system can operate without damage from frozen components.
Implementation Method 1
an engagement body having a temperature-sensitive body that can automatically release the elongated body from the connector responsive to a temperature to which the temperature-sensitive body is exposed decreasing below a threshold temperature
Implementation Method 2
one or more drain holes that can direct a fluid that has entered the interface component to locations outside the valve assembly to prevent the fluid from freezing
Data Source
AI summary
A valve assembly for a thermal management system of a vehicle may include an interface component having an elongated body that can removably couple with a connector of the thermal management system. For example, the interface component may be repeatedly coupled and decoupled from the connector without destroying or damaging the interface component or the connector. The interface component has an engagement body with a temperature-sensitive body that can automatically release the elongated body from the connector responsive to a temperature to which the temperature-sensitive body is exposed decreasing below a threshold temperature. The interface component has one or more drain holes that can direct a fluid that has entered the interface component to locations outside the valve assembly to prevent the fluid from freezing and prevent the elongated body from releasing from the connector of the thermal management system.