Patent Application
20240410489
The present invention relates to an oil temperature management assembly. Preferably, the present invention relates to an oil circulation system comprising said oil temperature management assembly.
In particular, the present invention relates to the automotive field.
In fact, the oil temperature management assembly of the present invention finds specific application in a vehicle with the purpose of regulating the temperature of an operating group of the same vehicle. In particular, an operating group refers to a component or a group of components such as an engine group and/or a transmission group and/or a gearbox group or the like.
Specifically, an oil circulation system is fluidically connected to the operating group and comprising in addition to the oil temperature management assembly, an auxiliary heat exchanger and specific ducts and openings suitable for fluidically connecting the aforesaid components. Embodiments are known in which the auxiliary heat exchanger is an air-oil radiator. Embodiments are also known, in which the auxiliary heat exchanger is a plate heat exchanger.
In particular, the oil temperature management assembly comprises a primary heat exchanger and a support and fluidic connection module. The module has a dual function: to make a fluid connection with said primary heat exchanger and with the auxiliary heat exchanger and to direct the oil towards one or the other component as a function of the temperature thereof entering the module and the pressure thereof.
With particular reference to the aforesaid primary heat exchanger, it should be noted that, in addition to being part of the oil circulation system, it is also fluidically connectable to a vehicle cooling system in which a typically water-based fluid flows.
In the background art, solutions of oil temperature management assemblies that are comprised in oil circulation systems are known. Such known oil temperature management assemblies comprise a plate heat exchanger suitable for performing oil temperature regulation operations by heat exchange with a fluid. By means of such a heat exchanger, the oil is subjected to a heat exchange action with the cooling fluid that increases the temperature thereof.
Some known oil temperature management assemblies can be fluidically connected to an auxiliary heat exchanger adapted in turn to perform heat exchange operations with the oil. By means of the auxiliary heat exchanger, the oil is subjected to a heat exchange action which lowers the temperature thereof.
Conversely, embodiments are also known in which the oil heating operations are performed by the auxiliary heat exchanger, while the oil cooling operations are performed by the primary heat exchanger comprised in the oil temperature management assembly.
However, the known solutions of oil temperature management assemblies have particularly complex geometries and layouts, having complex fluid geometries therein, as well as complex fluid connection modes with the ducts of the oil circulation system.
Therefore, in the solutions of the background art, greater complexities of said geometries and of said layouts also entail complex management of the oil flow circulation. A complex fluid management of the oil involves an inefficient and not sudden management of the oil temperature circulating in the operating group with consequent disadvantages to the functioning of the operating group itself.
Furthermore, in the solutions of the background art, the greater complexities of said geometries and said layouts correspond to higher production and manufacturing costs.
In addition, in the solutions of the background art, the greater complexity of said layouts corresponds to specific difficulties in positioning the oil temperature management assembly inside the vehicle: moreover, the need to optimize the occupation of available spaces is particularly felt in the automotive field.
Therefore, the need is strongly felt to provide an oil temperature management assembly that solves the aforesaid problems.
The object of the present invention is to provide an oil temperature management assembly that performs the oil temperature adjustment operations in an effective manner, having the simplest possible geometry and layout of the ducts.
Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description provided below of preferred exemplary embodiments thereof, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
With reference to the accompanying figures, reference numeral 1 indicates an oil temperature management assembly in accordance with the present invention.
In particular, the oil temperature management assembly of the present invention, as widely described below, is suitable for being part of an oil circulation system of a vehicle with the purpose of managing the oil, in particular the temperature thereof, flowing into an operating group of a vehicle. Preferably, said “operating group” is an engine group, for example with internal combustion or electric or hybrid propulsion, or a transmission group or a gearbox group.
The object of the present invention is also said oil circulation system 900.
Preferably, the oil circulation system comprises an auxiliary heat exchanger 930, the type and features of which do not limit the present invention.
According to a preferred embodiment, said auxiliary heat exchanger 930 is a radiator suitable for performing a heat exchange action between air and oil.
According to a further preferred embodiment, said auxiliary heat exchanger 930 is a plate exchanger suitable for performing a heat exchange action between oil and a second fluid, preferably a water-based liquid.
In this embodiment, the auxiliary heat exchanger 930 is fluidically connectable to a vehicle cooling system in which a further fluid, preferably a water-based liquid, flows.
Preferably, in the embodiment with auxiliary heat exchanger 930 in the form of a plate exchanger, this is (like the primary heat exchanger widely described below) comprised in the oil temperature management assembly 1.
Furthermore, the oil circulation system 900 comprises ducts for connecting the respective groups and/or assemblies, some of which are described below and shown by way of example also in
Furthermore, in accordance with a preferred embodiment, the oil temperature management assembly 1 identifies a vertical axis V-V and two longitudinal axes X-X, Y-Y. In particular, the two longitudinal axes X-X, Y-Y lie on the same imaginary plane that is orthogonal to the vertical axis V-V.
In accordance with the present invention, the oil temperature management assembly 1 comprises a primary heat exchanger 2.
Preferably, the primary heat exchanger 2 is a plate heat exchanger. In the configurations described below, oil and a second fluid, for example a water-based liquid, flow in the primary heat exchanger 2.
It should be noted that the use of the terms “primary”/“auxiliary” are used to distinguish the components and/or features and/or operating modes of some components which cooperate with the primary heat exchanger from components and/or features and/or operating modes of some components which cooperate with the auxiliary heat exchanger.
According to a preferred embodiment, “the primary heat exchanger” performs oil heating operations, while “the auxiliary heat exchanger” performs oil cooling operations. In accordance with such a preferred embodiment, “primary” can be replaced with “heating”, “auxiliary” can be replaced with “cooling”.
However, embodiments are foreseeable in which the primary heat exchanger and the auxiliary heat exchanger operate in inverted positions with respect to what is described in the previous paragraph.
According to a preferred embodiment, the primary heat exchanger 2 comprising, along said vertical axis V-V, a plurality of plates mutually stacked along the vertical axis V-V to define two distinct zones, one in which the oil flows and the other in which the second fluid flows.
According to a preferred embodiment, each zone comprises vertical exchanger ducts and horizontal planar regions.
Preferably, in the primary heat exchanger 2 the horizontal planar regions intended for the circulation of the oil are mutually arranged in parallel.
Preferably, in the primary heat exchanger 2 the horizontal planar regions intended for the circulation of the second fluid are mutually arranged in parallel.
Preferably, the horizontal planar regions intended for the oil circulation are mutually alternated with the planar regions of circulation of the second fluid along the vertical axis V-V.
According to a preferred embodiment, the primary heat exchanger 2 extends in height parallel to the vertical axis V-V. Preferably, said plates have a longitudinal extension with respect to the longitudinal axes X-X, Y-Y.
In accordance with the present invention, the oil temperature management assembly 1 comprises a support and fluidic connection module 3.
According to the present invention, the support and fluidic connection module 3 comprises a module body 4 to which the primary heat exchanger 2 is operatively connected.
In accordance with the present invention, the module body 4 comprises:
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, shown by way of example in
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, shown by way of example in
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, said auxiliary heat exchanger 930 is directly fluidically connected to the operating group 500. Preferably, the oil circulation system 900 comprises an auxiliary connecting duct 904 suitable for fluidically connect the auxiliary heat exchanger 930 to the operating group 500.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, said auxiliary connecting duct 904 is suitable for allowing the return of the conditioned oil from the auxiliary heat exchanger 930 directly to the operating group 500. Preferably, said auxiliary connecting duct 904 is fluidically connected to the second oil duct 902.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, said auxiliary connecting duct 904 is suitable for allowing the return of the conditioned oil from the auxiliary heat exchanger 930 to the oil temperature management assembly 1.
In accordance with this preferred embodiment, the module body 4 comprises a return mouth 44 in fluidic communication with the auxiliary heat exchanger 930 by means of the auxiliary connecting duct 904.
According to this preferred embodiment, said return mouth 44 is in fluidic communication with the assembly outlet mouth 412.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the module body 4 comprises a return mouth 44 in direct fluidic communication with the auxiliary heat exchanger 930. In particular, the return mouth 44 is suitable for allowing the return of the conditioned oil from the auxiliary heat exchanger to the oil temperature management assembly 1.
According to this preferred embodiment, said return mouth 44 is in fluidic communication with the assembly outlet mouth 412.
In accordance with the aforesaid preferred embodiment, the inlet and outlet mouths of the second fluid, for example water, in the primary heat exchanger 2 are on the primary heat exchanger 2 itself. As shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in
With particular reference to what has been described above, it is emphasized that “mouths” is used to identify the fluid passages for the oil which are suitable for allowing the inlet and outlet of oil from the module body 4.
The diagram shown in
The diagrams of
In accordance with the present invention, the support and fluidic connection module 3 further comprises a thermostatic valve 5 housed in the module body 4.
The thermostatic valve 5 is fluidically connected to the assembly inlet mouth 411, to the primary exchanger inlet mouth 421 and to the auxiliary mouth 43.
According to a preferred embodiment, the thermostatic valve 5 is configured to direct the flow of oil between an inlet mouth in fluidic communication with the operating group 500 and two outlet mouths in fluidic communication with the primary heat exchanger 2 and with the auxiliary heat exchanger 930, respectively.
In accordance with the present invention, the thermostatic valve 5 detects the temperature of the oil entering the module 3.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the thermostatic valve 5 is fluidically positioned upstream of the primary heat exchanger 2.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the thermostatic valve 5 is fluidically positioned upstream of both the primary heat exchanger 2 and the auxiliary heat exchanger 930.
According to a preferred embodiment, the thermostatic valve 5 is positioned in a region closer to the assembly inlet mouth 411 than it is with respect to the assembly outlet mouth 412 and with respect to the primary exchanger inlet mouth 421.
In accordance with the present invention, the thermostatic valve 5 is configurable with respect to a threshold temperature value in a primary configuration in which it directs the oil towards the primary exchanger inlet mouth 421 and in an auxiliary configuration in which it directs the oil towards the auxiliary mouth 43.
In accordance with the present invention, the thermostatic valve 5 is configurable as a function of the oil temperature entering the module 3 in a primary configuration, in which it directs the oil towards the primary exchanger inlet mouth 421, and in an auxiliary configuration, in which directs the oil towards the auxiliary mouth 43.
In other words, the thermostatic valve 5 detects the need to increase the oil temperature or to lower the oil temperature and is arranged in one of the aforesaid configurations.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the entire amount of oil that reaches the thermostatic valve 5 is directed towards the primary heat exchanger 2 or towards the auxiliary heat exchanger 930.
According to a preferred embodiment, the thermostatic valve 5 is configurable in one or more intermediate configurations between the two described above, in which the oil flow entering the module is reduced towards the primary exchanger inlet moth 421 and the auxiliary mouth 43.
In accordance with the present invention, the module body 4 comprises a thermostatic valve housing 45 in which the thermostatic valve 5 is housed.
According to a preferred embodiment, said thermostatic valve housing 45 extends in length from the assembly inlet mouth 411. Preferably, said thermostatic valve housing 45 extends longitudinally. Preferably, said thermostatic valve housing 45 extends parallel to a longitudinal extension direction X-X or Y-Y.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the thermostatic valve 5 comprises a temperature-sensitive element 51 and a shutter element 52 moved by said temperature-sensitive element 51.
Preferably, the temperature-sensitive element 51 is made in the form of a wax element or in the form of a shape memory spring.
Preferably, the shutter element 52 is moved longitudinally.
Preferably, the shutter element 52 is moved rotationally.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the temperature-sensitive element 51 is positioned at least partially between the assembly inlet mouth 411 and the shutter element 52.
In other words, the oil entering from the assembly inlet mouth 411 first encounters the temperature-sensitive element 51 with respect to the shutter element 52.
According to a preferred embodiment, the temperature-sensitive element 51 of the thermostatic valve 5 faces the assembly inlet mouth 411.
According to a preferred embodiment, the thermostatic valve 5 further comprises an elastic element 53 suitable for operating in the opposite direction with respect to the temperature-sensitive element 51. In other words, the temperature-sensitive element 51 must overcome the action of the elastic element 53 to modify the position of the shutter element 52.
Preferably, said elastic element 53 is made in the form of a helical spring.
Preferably, the thermostatic valve 5 is in a position normally corresponding to the primary configuration.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the thermostatic valve housing 45 comprises a primary opening 452 and an auxiliary opening 453. In the primary configuration, the shutter 52 is positioned so as to open the primary opening 452 and close the auxiliary opening 453, and, in the auxiliary configuration, the shutter 52 is positioned so as to close the primary opening 452 and open the auxiliary opening 453.
According to a preferred embodiment, in the primary configuration, the shutter 52 is positioned so as to open the primary opening 452 and close the auxiliary opening 453 and, in the auxiliary configuration 453, the shutter 52 is positioned so as to open the primary opening and the auxiliary opening 453.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the module body 4 comprises a primary section 420 connecting the primary opening 452 and the primary exchanger inlet mouth 421 and comprises an auxiliary section 430 connecting the auxiliary opening 453 and the auxiliary mouth 43.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the primary section 420 and/or the auxiliary section 430 have an extension substantially parallel to the vertical axis V-V.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the primary section 420 and/or the auxiliary section 430 have a substantially transverse extension with respect to the housing of the thermostatic valve 45.
Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment, the module body 4 comprises an outlet section 490 connecting the primary exchanger outlet mouth 422 with the assembly outlet mouth 412.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, said outlet section 490 extends substantially parallel to the vertical axis V-V.
In accordance with the present invention, moreover, the support and fluidic connection module 3 further comprises a bypass valve 6.
Said bypass valve 6 is in fluidic communication with the inlet mouth 411 and with the thermostatic valve 5.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the bypass valve 6 operates in parallel with the thermostatic valve 5. In other words, the thermostatic valve 5 and the bypass valve 6 are arranged in parallel with respect to the circulation direction of the oil entering the module 3.
In particular, the thermostatic valve 5 and the bypass valve 6 are in fluidic communication with the same oil supply mouth, i.e., the assembly inlet mouth 411, and are configured to direct the flow of oil towards respective oil circulation mouths and/or ducts according to the temperature and pressure of the oil entering the module 3.
According to a preferred embodiment, the bypass valve 6 is fluidically connected to the assembly outlet mouth 421.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the bypass valve 6 is normally in a closed configuration, in which the oil flows entirely towards the thermostatic valve 5. Furthermore, the bypass valve 6 is configurable in a bypass configuration, when an oil flow having a pressure higher than a threshold pressure value flows, in which the oil flows directly towards the assembly outlet mouth 412.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, in the bypass configuration the bypass valve 6 puts the assembly inlet mouth 411 in fluidic communication with the assembly outlet mouth 412, directing the flow of oil directly towards the operating group 500 allowing the oil flow to avoid circulation through the primary heat exchanger 2 and the auxiliary heat exchanger 930 when certain pressure conditions persist.
According to a preferred embodiment, the bypass valve 6 avoids the occurrence of an operating condition in which high pressure oil flows into the primary heat exchanger 2 or into the auxiliary heat exchanger 930.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the bypass valve 6 comprises a closure element 61 and an elastically yielding element 62.
Preferably, in the bypass configuration the action of the pressure exerted by the oil flow on the closure element 61 overcomes the force of the elastically yielding element 62 by changing the position of the closure element 61.
According to a preferred embodiment, the module body 4 comprises a bypass section 460 connecting the bypass valve 6 to the assembly outlet mouth 412, preferably to the outlet section 490.
According to a preferred embodiment, the bypass section 460 extends substantially in a longitudinal direction.
In accordance with the present invention, the module body 4 comprises a bypass valve housing 46 for housing the bypass valve 6.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the bypass section 460 is in fluidic communication with said bypass valve housing 46.
According to a preferred embodiment, the thermostatic valve housing 45 and the bypass valve housing 46 are in fluidic communication by means of a connection passageway 470.
Preferably, said connection passageway 470 is positioned to be proximal to the assembly inlet mouth 411 with respect to the thermostatic valve 5.
According to a preferred embodiment, the thermostatic valve housing 45 and the bypass valve housing 46 are in fluidic communication by means of a connection passageway 470, preferably positioned proximal to the assembly inlet mouth 411 with respect to the shutter element 52 of the thermostatic valve 5.
According to a preferred embodiment, the thermostatic valve housing 45 and the bypass valve housing 46 extend parallel to each other.
Preferably, the thermostatic valve housing 45 and the bypass valve housing 46 extend along respective axes oriented substantially parallel.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the thermostatic valve housing 45 and the bypass valve housing 46 are mutually separated by a partition wall 47 comprised in the module body 4, in which said connection passageway 470 is obtained in said partition wall 47.
According to a preferred embodiment, said connection passageway 470 is identified by the presence of a recess or a lowering of the partition wall 47 suitable for allowing the fluid connection between the thermostatic valve 5 and the bypass valve 6 or between the respective thermostatic valve housing 45 and bypass valve housing 46.
In other words, according to a preferred embodiment the partition wall 47 extends in height dividing the thermostatic valve housing 45 and the bypass valve housing 46 up to a region proximal to the assembly inlet mouth 411 in which the connection passageway 470 is positioned. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the assembly inlet mouth 411 supplies oil to both the thermostatic valve housing 45 and the bypass valve housing 46, in which the thermostatic valve 5 and the bypass valve 6 operate in accordance with what is described above.
Preferably, the thermostatic valve housing 45 and the bypass valve housing 46 are filled with the circulating oil according to the principle of communicating vessels through the connection passageway 470.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, while the thermostatic valve 5 manages the oil circulation as a function of the temperature, an oil pressure peak detected by the bypass valve 6 allows the management of any overpressure.
In addition, according to a preferred embodiment, the module body 4 comprises a valve insertion hole 468 inside which the bypass valve 6 is insertable. Preferably, the module body 4 comprises a closure plug 469 suitable for closing said insertion hole 460.
According to a preferred embodiment, the module body 4 comprises an insertion hole for the thermostatic valve 5 and an insertion hole for the bypass valve 6. Preferably, the module body 4 comprises a closure plug suitable for close both of the above described insertion holes.
According to a preferred embodiment, the module body 4 comprises a planar module face 42. Preferably, the primary exchanger inlet mouth 421 and the primary exchanger outlet mouth 422 lie on said planar module face 42.
Preferably, the same primary heat exchanger 2 comprises a planar exchanger face 22 on which an inlet opening 221 and an outlet opening 222 lie, facing the primary exchanger inlet mouth 421 and the primary exchanger outlet mouth 422, respectively. Preferably, the vertical ducts of the zone into which the oil flows extend vertically from said inlet opening 221 and from said outlet opening 222.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the module body 4 comprises respective gaskets surrounding the primary exchanger inlet mouth 421 and the primary exchanger outlet mouth 422 to allow the fluid coupling of the primary heat exchanger 2 to the module body 4.
According to a preferred embodiment, the module body 4 is a monolithic body made of aluminum alloy by casting or die casting.
According to a preferred embodiment, the module body 4 is a monolithic body made of plastic material by an injection molding process.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the base plate of the primary heat exchanger 2 has special slots crossable by screws for fastening the primary heat exchanger 2 to the module body 4.
According to a preferred embodiment, the primary heat exchanger 2 and the module body 4 is fixable by brazing.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the auxiliary heat exchanger 930 interfaces with the module body 4 in accordance with the methods described above for the connection of the module body 4 to the primary heat exchanger 2.
Preferably, in the tables shown by way of example, the module body 4 comprises specific fittings positioned at the assembly inlet mouth 411, the assembly outlet mouth 412 and the auxiliary mouth 43 to facilitate the engagement with the first oil duct 901, with the second oil duct 902 and with the cooling duct 903.
Innovatively, the oil temperature management assembly amply fulfills the object of the present invention by overcoming the typical problems of the known art.
Advantageously, in fact, the oil temperature management assembly has a particularly simple layout in the “fluid part” thereof and in the fluid connections thereof with the respective operating group.
Advantageously, the oil temperature management assembly is suitable for detecting the entering oil temperature in a precise and timely manner by performing a timely management of the oil towards the heating thereof, i.e., towards the primary heat exchanger, or towards the auxiliary heat exchanger, i.e., towards the radiator.
Advantageously, the oil temperature management assembly has optimized fluid paths inside the module body, resulting extremely efficient in reducing the pressure drops imposed on the oil circulation system and associated with the operation of the oil temperature management assembly.
Advantageously, the positioning of the thermostatic valve upstream of the primary exchanger and of the auxiliary exchanger allows to reduce the number of circulation mouths and ducts inside the module body, simplifying the structure thereof, production process and the costs associated with the manufacture thereof.
Advantageously, the positioning of the thermostatic valve upstream of the primary exchanger and of the auxiliary exchanger allows to reduce the number of openings and the length of the system circulation ducts, reducing the pressure drops imposed on the oil circulation system associated with the operation of the oil temperature management assembly.
Advantageously, the presence of the bypass valve and the positioning of the bypass valve allow both the primary heat exchanger and the auxiliary heat exchanger to be fluidically bypassed, i.e., in both “heating” and “cooling” conditions, preserving these components from unwanted overpressures for the entire set of operating conditions foreseen by the oil temperature management assembly.
Advantageously, the presence and positioning of the bypass valve allows the thermostatic valve, the primary heat exchanger and the auxiliary heat exchanger to be bypassed in both “heating” and “cooling” conditions, ensuring a rapid response to pressure and temperature changes, managing the circulation of the oil to and from the operating group in an extremely optimized manner.
Advantageously, the mutual positioning of the thermostatic valve and of the bypass valve allow an extremely functional and effective mutual operation.
Advantageously, the thermostatic valve and the bypass valve communicate with the same oil supply opening resulting extremely reactive and ready in detecting and managing the oil circulation as a function of both the temperature and pressure thereof.
Advantageously, the mutual positioning of the thermostatic valve and the bypass valve allows the creation of an oil management assembly capable of controlling the oil circulation both as a function of temperature and as a function of pressure using two valves installed in respective housings, in which each valve has a simple and cost-effective structure.
Advantageously, the use of control valves with a simple structure, installed in respective housings in fluidic communication allows increasing the reliability of the temperature management assembly, minimizing the risks of possible malfunctions of the operating group and the circulation system.
Advantageously, the presence of a thermostatic valve housing in communication with a bypass valve housing allows to integrate both the temperature control and the pressure control on the management assembly avoiding the use of multifunction valves installable in a single housing and characterized by a complex structure and high production costs. Advantageously, the oil temperature management assembly ensures a high maximization of the exploitation of the spaces in the vehicle. Advantageously, the oil temperature management assembly is particularly flexible in the application thereof, for example allowing the designer to fully exploit the free spaces in the vehicle.
It is apparent that, in order to meet contingent needs, those skilled in the art may make changes to the above-described oil temperature management assembly, all contained within the scope of protection as defined by the following claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 102021000026777 | Oct 2021 | IT | national |
This application is a National Phase of International Application No. PCT/IB2022/059784, filed on Oct. 12, 2022, which claims priority to Italian Patent Application No. 102021000026777, filed on Oct. 19, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB2022/059784 | 10/12/2022 | WO |
