Coolant distribution system, method of manufacturing

Abstract

A coolant routing system for vehicles for supplying at least two devices to be cooled with at least one coolant, comprising at least one coolant distribution unit. At least one housing body with at least one housing wall and at least one channel unit, which is at least partly formed by the housing wall, are also provided. The channel unit forms two separate and separately operable coolant circuits. At least a plurality of connections for connection to the devices to be cooled and at least a plurality of electric actuator devices for controlling a flow within the separate coolant circuits are provided. The two coolant circuits are connected by a connecting channel so that at least one pressure fraction caused by changes in the volume of the coolant can be equalized between the coolant circuits. Furthermore, a method of manufacturing is also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A coolant routing system for a vehicle for supplying at least one coolant to at least two devices to be cooled, the system comprising at least one coolant distribution unit comprising:
 at least one housing body with at least one housing wall;   at least one channel unit, which is at least partly formed by the housing wall, the channel unit forming at least two separate and separately operable coolant circuits;   at least a plurality of connections for connection to the devices to be cooled; and   at least a plurality of electric actuator devices for controlling a flow within the separate coolant circuits,   wherein the coolant circuits are connected by at least one connecting channel so that at least one pressure fraction caused by changes in the volume of the coolant is equalized between the coolant circuits.   
     
     
         2 . The coolant routing system according to  claim 1 , wherein a coolant reservoir is present, and wherein the coolant reservoir is connected to the one and not to the other coolant circuit. 
     
     
         3 . The coolant routing system according to  claim 1 , wherein a flow cross-section of a connecting channel is small in relation to a flow cross-section within the coolant circuits. 
     
     
         4 . The coolant routing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the connecting channel is freely flowable. 
     
     
         5 . The coolant routing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the connecting channel has a length that is large in relation to the thermal heat transfer resistance of the coolant. 
     
     
         6 . The coolant routing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the connecting channel is connected in each case at points where substantially similar total pressures within the coolant circuits are present. 
     
     
         7 . The coolant routing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the connecting channel is completely filled with coolant. 
     
     
         8 . The coolant routing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the connecting channel is integrated into the housing body. 
     
     
         9 . The coolant routing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing body is at least partly made of plastic, in particular by injection molding. 
     
     
         10 . The coolant routing system according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one further coolant circuit is present, and wherein the connecting channel connects all coolant circuits with each other. 
     
     
         11 . A method of manufacturing a coolant routing system according to  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 providing the at least two separate and separately operable coolant circuits; and   inserting a connecting channel between both coolant circuits is inserted into the housing body during the formation of the housing body.