Thermostat Flow Path Structure for Bypass Coolant Sensitivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermostat devices face challenges in ensuring a sufficient coolant flow from the bypass passage while maintaining excellent temperature sensitivity corresponding to the coolant temperature from the engine.
Innovation Solution
The thermostat device incorporates a housing with multiple guides and coolant rectifying protrusions along the circumference of the thermo-element, allowing smooth axial movement and efficient coolant flow, with detoured passages formed between guides and protrusions to enhance coolant flow and temperature sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a single gap between the thermo-element and cylindrical member is used for coolant flow, then the structure is simple, but the coolant flow amount from the bypass passage is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The single gap between the thermo-element and cylindrical member is divided into multiple gaps (first gap and second gap) arranged circumferentially. This segmentation increases the total coolant flow area while maintaining the simplicity of the overall structure, allowing sufficient coolant flow from the bypass passage without adding complex components.
Solution Approach 2:
The coolant flow path is extended from a single radial gap to multiple gaps distributed in the circumferential dimension. By utilizing the circumferential direction around the thermo-element, the patent increases the effective flow area without increasing the radial or axial dimensions, thus enhancing coolant flow while keeping the structure compact.
2Volume of moving object
If the cylindrical member is positioned close to the thermo-element for compact design, then the device size is reduced, but the coolant flow passage becomes restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The circumferential surface of the thermo-element is divided into multiple gap regions (first gap and second gap) separated by protrusions. This segmentation allows the cylindrical member to be positioned close to the thermo-element for compact design while maintaining sufficient total gap area for adequate coolant flow through multiple parallel paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The coolant flow is distributed across the circumferential dimension through multiple gaps rather than relying on a single large gap. This allows the cylindrical member to be positioned closer axially and radially while the circumferential distribution of multiple gaps compensates for the reduced individual gap size, maintaining sufficient total flow area in a compact configuration.
3Measurement precision
If coolant flows directly through the gap without rectification, then the flow path is short and simple, but the temperature sensitivity response is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Coolant rectifying protrusions are added at specific locations (at the circumferential positions corresponding to the gaps) to locally modify the flow characteristics. These protrusions create detoured passages that extend the coolant flow path along the axial direction, improving temperature sensitivity response without requiring complete redesign of the entire flow path structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The coolant rectifying protrusions are positioned upstream relative to the gap locations to preliminarily guide and rectify the coolant flow before it passes through the gaps. This preliminary action ensures that coolant flows efficiently through the gaps with improved thermal contact with the thermo-element, enhancing temperature sensitivity without adding complex active control mechanisms.
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 ensures a sufficient coolant flow from the bypass passage and improves temperature sensitivity, ensuring reliable operation and proper coolant temperature control for the engine.
Implementation Method 1
a thermo-element incorporating a thermal expansion body (wax) expanding and contracting by sensing a temperature change in the coolant flowing through the circulation flow passage
Implementation Method 2
a circulation flow passage through which a coolant is circulated between an internal combustion engine (hereinafter also referred to as an engine) and the radiator
Data Source
AI summary
A thermostat device ensures a coolant amount from a bypass passage sufficiently and excellent temperature sensitivity to the coolant temperature. The thermo-operating unit is provided with a control valve for controlling an introduced coolant amount from a first flow inlet via a radiator, corresponding to the temperature of the coolant from a second flow inlet via a bypass passage. Within the housing are provided multiple guides, which are formed extending from the second flow inlet side toward a thermo-element, are arranged intermittently around the thermo-element, and support the thermo-element slidably movable in an axial direction and coolant rectifying protrusions arranged spaced apart from the thermo-element between the guides, wherein a detoured passage for the coolant, directed from the second flow inlet side toward an outflow port, is formed by forming gaps between the guides and the coolant rectifying protrusions.