"OIL TEMPERATURE CONTROL ASSEMBLY"

Scope

[0001] The present invention refers to an oil temperature control assembly.

[0002] In particular, the present invention is placed in the automotive sector.

[0003] The oil temperature control assembly, object of the present invention, is in effect specifically used in a vehicle, for example, to regulate the temperature of the oil circulating in an oil circulation system. More specifically, the oil temperature control assembly is in effect mountable on the operating group of a vehicle to be fluidically connected to the oil circulation system of said operating group. In particular, an operating group refers to a component or group of components wherein there is an oil circulation system, such as an engine and/or transmission group. Moreover, the oil temperature control assembly, object of the present invention, is also fluidically connectable to a water system of the vehicle, or in general to a cooling system.

State of the art

[0004] In the state of the art, are known solutions for oil temperature control assemblies that are connectable to an oil circulation system and comprises a plate heat exchanger group suitable to perform the operations of oil temperature control.

[0005] Oil temperature control assemblies solutions are also known that have specific bypass components, depending on certain characteristics of the oil, such as pressure and viscosity, suitable to prevent the oil from flowing into the exchanger group.

[0006] Such solutions, however, have particularly complex geometries and layouts.

[0007] In particular, the known solutions have complex layouts of the various ducts through which respectively oil and liquid coolant (such as water or glycol) flow. In effect, in the known solutions, the positioning of the bypass specific components and of the relevant bypass duct have made the components particularly complex where they are provided: for example, there are known embodiments wherein said components are integrated into the plate heat exchanger group, resulting in a particularly complex geometry of said plates and limiting the smaller heat exchange surface area of the plates, thus providing plate heat exchanger groups with a lower thermal power than those wherein said bypass components are not housed; for example, there are also known embodiments of support groups of the heat exchanger group that require a specific design and production for housing such components, being in turn particularly complex in geometry and layout.

[0008] For example, some embodiments of oil temperature control assemblies are shown in the documents US5810071 and DE202005017975.

Solution of the invention

[0009] Therefore, the need to provide an oil temperature control assembly that resolves the aforesaid problems is strongly felt.

[0010] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an oil temperature control assembly that effectively performs temperature control operations and has bypass components with a simple duct geometry and layout.

[0011] Such object is achieved by means of the oil temperature control assembly claimed in claim 1. The claims dependent thereon show preferred variant embodiments involving further advantageous aspects.

Description of the drawings

[0012] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of its preferred examples of embodiment, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein:

- figure 1 shows a perspective view of the oil temperature control assembly that is the object of present invention, according to a preferred embodiment;

- figure 2 shows a view from the bottom of the oil temperature control assembly shown in figure 1;

- figure 3 shows a top view of the oil temperature control assembly shown in figure 1;

- figures 4a and 4b show two cross-sectional views along the plane V-V shown in figure 3 of the oil temperature control assembly object of the present invention in a closing configuration and a bypass configuration;

- figure 5 represents a cross-sectional view along the plane VIII-VIII shown in figure 3 of the oil temperature control assembly object of the present invention;

- figure 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view along the plane VI-VI shown in figure 3 of the oil temperature control assembly object of the present invention;

- figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view along the plane VII-VII shown in figure 3 of the oil temperature control assembly object of the present invention;

- figure 8 represents a sectional view along the plane X- X shown in figure 3 of the oil temperature control assembly object of the present invention.

Detailed Description

[0013] With reference to the accompanying figures, an oil temperature control assembly according to the present invention is indicated at 1. [0014] In particular, the control assembly object of the present invention, as described in detail below, is mountable to an operating group of a vehicle. Preferably, said operating group is an engine group, e.g. an internal combustion engine, or a transmission group.

[0015] According to the present invention, in effect, the oil temperature control assembly 1 object of the present invention is fluidically connectable to an oil circulation system of said operating group and to a cooling system of said operating group or of said vehicle .

[0016] According to the present invention, moreover, as shown in a non-limiting manner in the accompanying figures, the oil temperature control assembly 1 identifies a vertical axis Z-Z and two longitudinal axes X-X, Y-Y. In particular, the two longitudinal axes X-X, Y-Y lie on the same imaginary plane which is orthogonal to the vertical axis Z-Z.

[0017] Preferably, in the description provided hereinafter, when one refers to position or planar elements, this is intended in relation to said imaginary plane, and thus components with extensions substantially parallel to the plane wherein the longitudinal axes X-X, Y-Y lie are intended. Similarly, in the description provided hereinafter, when referring to vertical overlapping, heights and extensions, reference is made to the direction parallel to or coinciding with the vertical axis Z-Z, and thus orthogonal to the longitudinal axes X-

X, Y-Y.

[0018] According to the present invention, the oil temperature control assembly 1 comprises a heat exchanger group 2. Preferably, the heat exchanger group 2 is suitable to allow, according to the needs, the temperature of the engine oil to be controlled. For example, as described hereinafter, the assembly 1 has suitable ducts to allow the flow of oil and water to and from the operating group.

[0019] The heat exchanger 2 comprises a plurality of plate shaped exchanger elements 20 which are stackable along the vertical axis Z-Z defining ducts through which the oil or water flows.

[0020] Specifically, in effect, such plate-shaped exchanger elements 20 are specially shaped to have special edges and walls that extend vertically orthogonally to the preferential planar extension. In particular, as shown by way of example in the accompanying figures, some plate shaped exchanger elements 20 have special mouths that, when mutually overlapped, are suitable to define duct sections having vertical extension; in addition, the plate-shaped exchanger elements 20 in the mutual overlapping thereof are suitable for defining longitudinal duct sections.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchanger group 2 defines two distinct oil ducts, for example an oil duct 200 and a secondary oil duct 200' suitable to allow the flow of different oils, in addition to the flow of liquid coolant, which takes place in a special water duct 210.

[0022] In other words, in the heat exchanger group 2, in addition to water, two different oils may flow, which in the vehicle circulate in two different circuits.

[0023] According to such preferred shape, in the heat exchanger, each oil circuit 200, 200' extends in height for a limited portion relative to the total height of the heat exchanger. Preferably, the oil circuits 200, 200' delimited in height with respect to the total height of the exchanger group 2 exchange heat with a single common cooling circuit, which extends for the entire height of the exchanger, alternating with the channels of the two oil circuits.

[0024] According to such a preferred embodiment, the oil duct 200 has a longitudinal portion and the secondary oil duct 200' has a secondary longitudinal portion, wherein said longitudinal portion extends in the heat exchanger group 2 at a different height from the secondary longitudinal portion.

[0025] Preferably, said plate-shaped exchanger elements 200 are made of metal. Preferably said plate-shaped exchanger elements 200 are made of aluminum alloy or steel. Preferably, said plate-shaped exchanger elements 200 are joined together integrally by means of a brazing operation .

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment, the oil inlets and outlets are located at the bottom of the heat exchanger group 2, as described hereinafter and shown in the accompanying figures, and are fluidically connected to the operating group by means of a support and fluid connection group 3; preferably, the water inlets and outlets are located at the top of the heat exchanger group 2.

[0027] As already mentioned, the oil temperature control unit 1 object of the present invention comprises, moreover, a support and fluid connection group 3 engageable to the operating group of the vehicle. This means that the support and fluid connection group 3 is attachable directly to the operating group.

[0028] Said support and fluid connection group 3 is suitable to support the heat exchanger group 2.

[0029] Said support and fluid connection group 3 is suitable for connecting the operating group to the heat exchanger group 2. This means that the support and fluid connection group 3 is directly connectable to the circuits in the operating group.

[0030] According to a preferred embodiment, the support and fluid connection group 3 comprises a multi-layer support base 30, comprising plate-shaped elements that are stackable along the vertical axis Z-Z, suitable to engage the operating group and to be engaged by the heat exchanger group 2.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, the multi-layer support base 30 comprises a first plate 31 and a second plate 32.

[0032] Said first plate 31 comprises at least one first oil inlet mouth 311, connectable fluidically to the operating group to receive oil. Moreover, said first plate 31 comprises at least a first oil outlet mouth 312 connectable fluidically to the operating group to return oil to the operating group.

[0033] Said second plate 32 comprises at least a second oil inlet mouth 321, fluidically connectable to at least the first oil inlet mouth 311 and to the heat exchanger group 2 for the oil inlet. Moreover, said second plate 32 comprises at least a second oil outlet mouth 322 connectable fluidically to the heat exchanger group 2 and to the first oil outlet mouth 312 to return oil to the operating group . [0034] In other words, through said first and second inlet mouths the oil flows out of the operating group into the heat exchanger group 2, while through said first and second outlet mouths the oil flows out of the heat exchanger group 2 into the operating group. Preferably, the oil flows through the oil duct 200 in the heat exchanger group 2.

[0035] According to a variant embodiment of the invention wherein the heat exchanger group 2 comprises both an oil duct 200 and a secondary oil duct 200' , the first plate 31 and the second plate 32 are shaped to allow the fluid connection between the operating group and the heat exchanger group 2.

[0036] In particular, the first plate 31 comprises at least one first secondary oil inlet mouth 311', connectable fluidically to the operating group to receive secondary oil. In addition, the first plate 31 comprises a first secondary oil outlet mouth 312' connectable fluidically to the operating group to return secondary oil.

[0037] Similarly, the second plate 32 comprises at least one second secondary oil inlet mouth 321', fluidically connectable to at least one first secondary oil inlet mouth 311' and to the heat exchanger group 2 for the secondary oil inlet. In addition, the second plate 32 comprises at least one second secondary oil outlet mouth 322 ' connectable fluidically to at least one first secondary oil outlet mouth 312' and to the operating group to return oil.

[0038] According to the present invention, the first plate 31 and the second plate 32 define a bypass duct 300 therebetween. Preferably, the oil flows, according to a preferred working configuration of the assembly, into the bypass duct 300 and not into the oil duct 200 of the heat exchanger group 2.

[0039] Preferably, in effect, such bypass duct 300 is fluidically connected to said first oil inlet mouth 31.

[0040] The bypass duct 300 comprises a bypass inlet mouth 301 and a bypass outlet mouth 302 obtained on said first plate 31.

[0041] Preferably, the bypass duct 300 extends along a longitudinal direction, e.g. parallel to a longitudinal axis Y-Y.

[0042] According to a preferred embodiment, the bypass inlet mouth 301 is positioned proximal to the first oil inlet mouth 31 while the bypass outlet mouth 302 is proximal to the first oil outlet mouth 32. Preferably, at the first oil inlet mouth 31 and at the bypass inlet mouth 31, a single oil duct of the operating group flows.

Preferably, the first oil outlet mouth 32 and the bypass outlet mouth 302 flow into a same oil duct of the operating group.

[0043] The support and fluid connection group 3, in addition to the multi-layer support base 30 that defines the bypass duct 300, comprises a valve device 35. The function of said valve device 35 is to control the flow of oil through the bypass duct 300 instead of in the heat exchanger group 2.

[0044] The valve device 35, in effect, in the case of high oil pressures and/or excessive oil fluid viscosity, for example due to low temperature, intervenes and controls the flow of oil through the bypass duct 300 instead of through the first oil inlet mouth 311 (bypass configuration) .

[0045] In particular, the valve device 35 is housed between the first plate 31 and the second plate 32.

[0046] Preferably, the valve device 35 extends in a vertical direction. Preferably, the surface of the first plate 31 forms the sealing seat of the valve device on the side opposite to the lower side of the support group 3 which instead engages the operating group. Preferably, the valve device 35 operates in said vertical direction between a closed configuration, wherein it engages and occludes the bypass inlet mouth 301, and a bypass configuration, wherein the oil flows into the bypass duct 300 . [0047] As shown by way of example in the accompanying figures, in the assembly 1 object of the present invention, both the bypass duct 300 and the valve device 35 are positioned in an outer area adjacent to the portion of the support and fluid connection group 3 whereon the heat exchanger group 2 is placed. In other words, the valve device 35 and the bypass duct 300 are located in a lateral position next to the heat exchanger group 2. Preferably, the valve device 35 and the bypass duct 300 are positioned on the support and fluid connection group 3 in such a way that their footprint is completely external relative to the footprint of the heat exchanger group 2. 'Footprint' is generally understood to mean the external profile of the bypass duct and the bypass valve seat as they appear from a top view of the temperature control assembly 1.

[0048] Moreover, preferably the bypass duct 300 and the valve device 35 extend in height parallel to the heat exchanger group 3.

[0049] According to a preferred embodiment, the bypass duct

300 and the valve device 35 are substantially defined by the overlap between the first and the second plate 32 where the first plate 31 is essentially flat and the second plate 32 is specially shaped by defining the fluid passages (such as the bypass duct) and the housings of the respective components (such as the valve device) .

[0050] In other words, the second plate 32 is shaped with protuberances that extend in vertical height defining the bypass duct 300 and the housing of the valve device 35. In other words, the second plate 32 has protrusions on the opposite side to that whereon the operating group is located. Preferably, such protrusions extend in height in a direction substantially parallel to the axis Z-Z.

[0051] In particular, the support and fluid connection group 3, between the first plate 31 and the second plate 32, has a device seat 350 which has substantially vertical extension from the bypass inlet mouth 301 wherein the valve device 35 is housed.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the valve device 35 is closed between the first plate 31 and the second plate 35 housed in the device seat 350 defined therebetween.

[0053] According to a preferred embodiment, the support and fluid connection group 3 has an insertion opening 350' positioned in a position opposite the bypass inlet mouth 301 through which the valve device 35 is insertable. In other words, preferably, the valve device 35 is insertable into the device seat 350 through said insertion opening 350' .

[0054] According to a preferred embodiment, the insertion opening 351' is closable by a stopper element 355. [0055] Preferably, the stopper element 355 is separate from the valve device 350.

[0056] Preferably, the stopper element 355 is integral to the valve device 350.

[0057] According to a preferred embodiment, the valve device 35 comprises a mushroom-shaped element 351 suitable for engaging the bypass inlet mouth 301. Said mushroom-shaped element 351 is translatable axially by the action of the oil under pressure.

[0058] In particular, in effect, the valve device 35 comprises an elastically yielding element 352 that operates directly on the mushroom-shaped element 351. Preferably, said elastically yielding element 352 is a helical spring fitted on the stem of the mushroom-shaped element 351.

[0059] In other words, on the action of the pressurized oil flowing towards the heat exchanger group 2, i.e. towards the first inlet mouth 311, the bypass inlet mouth 301 is intercepted, and if the action of the oil pressure is greater than the force of the elastically yielding element 352, the mushroom-shaped element 351 is moved axially and the oil flows into the bypass duct 300.

[0060] According to a preferred embodiment, the multi-layer base 30 has an attachment portion 38 through which the support and fluid connection group 3 is attachable to the operating group, for example by means of screws through specially shaped mounting through-holes.

[0061] According to a further preferred embodiment, the secondary duct 200' is bypassable too. In effect, in a preferred embodiment, the support and fluid connection group 3 described above also comprises a secondary bypass duct and a secondary valve device having the above- described features of the bypass duct 300 and of the valve device 35 fluidically connected to the oil duct 200.

[0062] In other words, said multilayer support base 30 defines, between the first plate 31 and the second plate 32, a secondary bypass duct equipped with a secondary bypass inlet mouth and a secondary bypass outlet mouth obtained on said first plate 31 respectively proximal to said first secondary oil inlet mouth 311' and said second secondary oil outlet mouth 322 ' .

[0063] Moreover, the support and fluid connection group 3 comprises a secondary valve device housed between the first plate 31 and the second plate 32 at least partially housed in the secondary bypass duct in such a manner as to control the flow of oil through the secondary bypass duct operating in a closed configuration and in a bypass configuration .

[0064] Like the bypass duct 30 and the valve device 35, the secondary bypass duct and the secondary valve device are also positioned in an outer area adjacent to the portion of the support and fluid connection group 3 whereon the heat exchanger group 2 is placed. Preferably, the secondary bypass duct and the secondary valve device are positioned on the opposite side relative to the side where the bypass duct 300 and valve device 35 are positioned .

[0065] All the other features described above for the bypass duct 30 and the valve device 35 are mirrored in the secondary bypass duct and the secondary valve device.

[0066] Moreover, according to a preferred embodiment, the support and fluid connection group 3 comprises gasket means 39 positioned on the first plate 31 and sealingly engageable by the operating group. By virtue of said gasket means 39 the oil flows are directed to the respective mouths on the first plate 31.

[0067] As shown in figure 2, the gasket means 39 comprise an inlet gasket 391 that defines a single fluid duct with bypass inlet mouth 301 and the first oil inlet mouth 311.

[0068] Preferably, the gasket means 39 also comprise an outlet gasket 392 defining a single fluid duct, the bypass outlet mouth 302 and the first oil outlet mouth

321.

[0069] In addition, the gas ket means 39 al so compri se a secondary gasket 393 specially shaped for the secondary duct 200' and the respective mouths. At the same time, in the embodiment that provides for a secondary bypass duct, the gasket means 39 comprise a specially configured secondary inlet gasket and secondary outlet gasket, similar to the inlet gasket 391 and an outlet gasket 392.

[0070] Moreover, further embodiments of the invention are foreseeable, for example, according to a variant embodiment, the multilayer support base 30 comprises more than two plates. Preferably, in effect, in such embodiment comprises at least one interposed intermediate plate, specially shaped, between the first plate 31 and second plate 32. In particular, said interposed plate has mouths suitable for allowing the flow of oil in accordance with that which is described above.

[0071] According to a preferred embodiment, the heat exchanger group 2 and the support and fluid connection group 3 are mutually integrally joinable by means of a brazing operation, preferably in an autoclave.

[0072] Innovatively, the oil temperature control assembly largely fulfills the object of the present invention by overcoming the problems typical of the known art.

[0073] Advantageously, in effect, the oil temperature control assembly has a particularly simple layout and achieves an effective heat exchange by integrating the possibility of releasing overpressures accumulated on the oil circuit.

[0074] Advantageously, the temperature control assembly allows the bypass duct to be integrated into the support group due to the mutual overlapping of the plates that make up the support and fluid connection group.

[0075] Advantageously, the integration of the bypass duct in the support and fluid connection group allows one to easily size the cross-section of the bypass duct by checking the pressure drops introduced in the oil circuit .

[0076] Advantageously, the bypass duct is positioned beside the heat exchanger, on the surface of the support and fluid connection group opposite the surface that engages the operating group allowing a planar attachment surface to be maintained. Advantageously, this solution makes it possible to simplify the sealing systems (i.e. the gasket means) used for the hermetic attachment of the temperature control assembly to the operating group.

[0077] Advantageously, the bypass inlet mouth and the oil inlet mouth, as well as the bypass outlet mouth and the oil outlet mouth, are in fluid communication defined by specific, specially shaped gaskets. Advantageously, no specific fluid connection ducts are created in the support and connection group. Advantageously, the shape of the plates is simplified, and the production cost of the support and fluid connection group is reduced, thus reducing the production cost of the temperature control assembly .

[0078] Advantageously, the oil temperature control assembly comprises a plurality of oil ducts therein in thermal exchange with a common refrigeration duct.

[0079] Advantageously, a secondary bypass duct is integrable into the oil temperature control assembly to release accumulated overpressures on the secondary oil circuit. Advantageously, each advantage related to the bypass duct is also present in the secondary bypass duct.

[0080] Advantageously, the assembly is suitable to have a simple and effective support as well as a simple and effective fluid connection with the operating group.

[0081] Advantageously, the valve device finds a simple housing in the support group.

[0082] Advantageously, the valve device is easy to insert and remove .

[0083] Advantageously, the valve device is easily positionable in a position close to the oil inlet mouth provided on the support group.

[0084] Advantageously, the bypass valve may be sized appropriately by carefully checking the cross-section of the inlet opening provided on the support, ensuring the correct opening of the bypass duct when the desired threshold pressure is reached. Advantageously, the operation of the bypass valve is more effective and reliable .

[0085] Advantageously, the heat exchanger group does not need a specific production or a specific redesign. Advantageously, the heat exchanger group consists of traditional plates comprising the inlet/outlet openings necessary for the fluid communication between the oil/water circuit ducts, while the bypass duct is easily integrated into the support, next to the plate sequence.

[0086] It is clear that one skilled in the art, in order to meet contingent needs, may make changes to the oil temperature control assembly described above, all contained within the scope of protection defined by the following claims.

List of reference numbers:

[0087] 1 oil temperature control assembly

2 heat exchanger group

20 plate-shaped exchanger elements

200 oil duct

200' secondary oil duct

210 water duct

3 support and fluid connection group

30 multi-layer support base 31 first plate

311 first oil inlet mouth

311' first secondary oil inlet mouth 312' first oil outlet mouth

312' first secondary oil outlet mouth

32 second plate

321 second oil inlet mouth

321' second secondary oil inlet mouth

322 second oil outlet mouth

322 ' second secondary oil outlet mouth

300 bypass duct

301 bypass inlet mouth

302 bypass outlet mouth

35 valve device

350 device seat

350' insertion opening

351 mushroom-shaped element

352 elastically yielding element 355 stopper element

38 attachment portion

39 gasket means

391 inlet gasket

392 outlet gasket

393 secondary gasket

X-X, Y-Y longitudinal axes Z-Z vertical axis