Cooper Standard launches ‘integrated coolant flow manifold’

Northville, Michigan – Cooper Standard has developed an ‘integrated coolant flow manifold (ICFM) system for automotive applications, which it claims can significantly reduce complexity and assembly requirements.

The design, it said, integrates fluid tubing, adaptors and connectors into a compact module, reducing the number of parts and eliminating up to 11 customer assembly connections.

The system leverages the automotive supplier’s expertise in design, digital modelling, injection moulding and connection development, added Cooper Standard's 5 March release.

According to the company, the ICFM improves fluid handling efficiency and performance while occupying 50% less packaging space compared to traditional fluid routing products.

Additionally, the design is claimed to ease customer assembly through improved operator access, reduced connections and ergonomics.

The product delivers “simplified fluid routing” with additional efficiency gains such as removing tubing that would otherwise block air flow to the radiator.

“By simplifying and optimising the system, over 1.6m of tubing and associated fittings are eliminated, leading to significant weight savings from the actual components,” continued Cooper Standard.

In addition, it said, the design reduces excess coolant fluid mass by over 0.34 kg, further improving overall performance and efficiency of the vehicle.

The product can be customised to meet customers’ unique application requirements and engineering challenges, concluded the Michigan-based supplier.