Threadless Coolant Reservoir Cap for Leak Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional pressurized coolant reservoirs in vehicle cooling systems are expensive due to sealing features required for maintaining system pressure, which is unnecessary for battery-cooling systems operating at lower temperatures, and they still face issues with coolant leakage and contaminant ingress.
Innovation Solution
A non-pressurized coolant reservoir design featuring a bottle with a threadless neck and cap having a spiral ramp to prevent fluid leaks, and additional features like a rolled edge to redirect fluid downward and porous mediums to suppress splashing, ensuring fluid communication with the atmosphere while maintaining containment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional pressurized coolant reservoirs with sealing features are used, then system pressure can be maintained, but the cost increases and the design is overly complex for battery-cooling systems operating at lower temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the pressurization function and associated sealing features from the coolant reservoir design. By extracting the pressure maintenance requirement (which is unnecessary for battery-cooling systems), the design eliminates complex sealing mechanisms while maintaining adequate coolant containment through simpler means such as friction fits and basic gaskets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating pressure parameter from pressurized to atmospheric pressure. This parameter change allows the reservoir to operate without complex pressure seals, using instead simple cap designs that rely on friction and basic sealing surfaces, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability for the specific application.
2Reliability
If traditional pressurized coolant reservoirs with sealing features are used, then system pressure can be maintained, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the expensive pressurization system and associated high-performance sealing features. By eliminating these unnecessary components for battery-cooling applications, the design achieves significant cost reduction while maintaining adequate coolant containment through simpler, cheaper manufacturing methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simpler, less expensive sealing solutions such as basic gaskets and friction-fit caps instead of expensive reusable pressure seals. This approach uses cost-effective components that are easier to manufacture and replace, reducing overall system cost while maintaining sufficient reliability for the application.
3Reliability
If traditional pressurized coolant reservoirs are used, then system pressure is maintained, but coolant leakage and contaminant ingress still occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of pressure-related leakage into a benefit by operating at atmospheric pressure. The lower pressure reduces stress on seals and connection points, actually decreasing the likelihood of leakage while still maintaining adequate coolant containment. The simpler design at atmospheric pressure eliminates many leakage paths present in pressurized systems.
4Ease of manufacture
If a threadless neck design is used, then manufacturing is simplified and cost is reduced, but fluid leakage prevention becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible gasket or sealing film within the threadless cap assembly to provide fluid containment. This thin film element compensates for the lack of threads by creating a compliant seal that conforms to the neck opening, maintaining reliability while preserving the manufacturing simplicity of the threadless design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the sealing mechanism from mechanical engagement (threads) to friction-based retention with a sealing interface. The cap relies on friction fit and a sealing surface rather than threaded engagement, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining adequate containment through the altered sealing parameter approach.
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 solution provides a cost-effective and efficient means to prevent coolant leakage and contaminant ingress, eliminating the need for expensive sealing features while maintaining atmospheric pressure, thus optimizing the coolant reservoir's functionality and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
The shank has an outer circumferential surface and with a spiral ramp supported on the outer circumferential surface to encircle a portion of the shank. The shank is receivable within the neck with the spiral ramp adjacent to the inner circumferential surface to mitigate fluid leaks through the neck.
Implementation Method 2
a sidewall joined to the top by a rolled edge configured to redirect fluid downwardly
Data Source
AI summary
A non-pressurized fluid reservoir for a vehicle coolant system includes a bottle configured to store fluid. The bottle has a neck defining an inner circumferential surface that is devoid of threads. The reservoir further includes a cap having a lid and a shank extending from the lid. The shank has an outer circumferential surface and with a spiral ramp supported on the outer circumferential surface to encircle a portion of the shank. The shank is receivable within the neck with the spiral ramp adjacent to the inner circumferential surface to mitigate fluid leaks through the neck.