Spark plug thermal management device, engine, vehicle, and spark plug thermal management method

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of vehicles, in particular to a spark plug thermal management device, an engine, a vehicle and a spark plug thermal management method, wherein the method comprises the following steps: a spark plug is internally provided with a fluid passage; a switch assembly has multiple switch states, each switch state being determined by a temperature interval in which the current temperature of the spark plug is located; a cooling assembly is used for cooling the fluid in the fluid passage when the switch assembly is in a first switch state; a heating assembly is used for heating the fluid in the fluid passage when the switch assembly is in a second switch state; and a control assembly is used for controlling the switch assembly to be in the first switch state when the current temperature is in a first temperature interval, or controlling the switch assembly to be in the second switch state when the current temperature is in a second temperature interval. Thus, the problem that the spark plug cannot actively adjust the temperature is solved, the spark plug can be heated or cooled, and stable ignition of the spark plug under various working conditions can be ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of vehicle technology, and in particular to a spark plug thermal management device, an engine, a vehicle, and a spark plug thermal management method. Background Art

[0002] Spark plugs are important components commonly used in gasoline engines. Their main function is to ignite the combustible gas mixture in the engine's combustion chamber, providing sufficient energy for the mixture to burn. Because they are located at the center of combustion, the spark plug is subject to very high heat and its own temperature will also increase. However, when the exhaust gas is discharged from the combustion chamber and the fresh mixture enters, the high temperature of the spark plug may cause the mixture to pre-ignite (the mixture burns before the spark plug discharge time), thereby affecting engine performance. In addition, when the ambient temperature is too low (below -30°C), the spark plug is affected by the low temperature and its own temperature drops, which will have an adverse effect on the ignition of the mixture. Therefore, the temperature of the spark plug itself has a crucial impact on engine combustion.

[0003] In the related art, the temperature of the spark plug is mainly passively adjusted by adjusting the spark plug heat value, that is, the thermal conductivity of the spark plug. The temperature of the spark plug cannot be actively adjusted, the adjustment efficiency is low, the effect is poor, and it is difficult to adjust the temperature of the spark plug to an appropriate temperature. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present application provides a spark plug thermal management device, an engine, a vehicle, and a spark plug thermal management method to solve the problem of being unable to actively adjust the spark plug temperature. The spark plug can be heated or cooled inside the spark plug to ensure stable ignition under various operating conditions.

[0005] A first embodiment of the present application provides a spark plug thermal management device, comprising:

[0006] a spark plug having a fluid passage disposed therein;

[0007] A switch assembly, wherein the switch assembly has multiple switch states, each switch state is determined by the temperature range in which the current temperature of the spark plug is located;

[0008] a cooling assembly, configured to cool the fluid in the fluid passage when the switch assembly is in a first switch state;

[0009] a heating component, configured to heat the fluid in the fluid passage when the switch component is in the second switch state;

[0010] The control component is used to control the switch component to be in the first switch state when the current temperature is in the first temperature range, or to control the switch component to be in the second switch state when the current temperature is in the second temperature range.

[0011] Optionally, in some embodiments, the above-mentioned spark plug thermal management device further includes:

[0012] A temperature detection component is used to detect the current temperature of the spark plug.

[0013] Optionally, in some embodiments, the above-mentioned spark plug thermal management device further includes:

[0014] An alarm component is configured to generate an alarm when the current temperature is greater than a preset temperature.

[0015] Optionally, in some embodiments, the switch assembly is a conversion valve.

[0016] Optionally, in some embodiments, the fluid is coolant or lubricating oil.

[0017] A second embodiment of the present application provides an engine, including: a thermal management device for the spark plug as described above.

[0018] A third aspect of the present application provides a vehicle, comprising: an engine as described above.

[0019] A fourth aspect of the present application provides a spark plug thermal management method, using the spark plug thermal management device described above, wherein the method comprises the following steps:

[0020] Obtaining the current temperature of the spark plug;

[0021] determining a target switching state of the switch component according to the temperature range in which the current temperature is located;

[0022] The switch assembly is controlled to be in the target switch state so as to cool the fluid in the fluid passage through the cooling assembly or to heat the fluid in the fluid passage through the heating assembly.

[0023] Optionally, in some embodiments, determining the target switching state of the switch component according to the temperature range in which the current temperature is located includes:

[0024] If the current temperature is in the first temperature range, the target switch state is the first switch state;

[0025] If the current temperature is in the second temperature range, the target switch state is the second switch state.

[0026] Optionally, in some embodiments, the upper limit value of the first temperature interval is less than the lower limit value of the second temperature interval.

[0027] Therefore, a fluid passage is provided inside the spark plug. When the temperature of the spark plug is too high, that is, the spark plug is in a first temperature range, the spark plug can be cooled. The switch assembly is adjusted to the first switch state through the control component, and the fluid in the pipeline is cooled by the cooling component. When the temperature of the spark plug is too low, that is, the spark plug is in a second temperature range, the spark plug can be heated. The switch assembly is adjusted to the second switch state through the control component, and the fluid in the pipeline is cooled by the heating component. Thus, the problem of being unable to actively adjust the spark plug temperature is solved, and the spark plug can be heated or cooled inside the spark plug to ensure that the spark plug can achieve stable ignition under various working conditions.

[0028] Additional aspects and advantages of the present application will be given in part in the description below, and in part will become apparent from the description below, or will be learned through practice of the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present application will become apparent and easily understood from the following description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0030] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a thermal management device for a spark plug according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a spark plug provided according to one embodiment of the present application;

[0032] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the principle of a thermal management device for a spark plug provided according to one embodiment of the present application;

[0033] Figure 4 The present invention provides a flow chart of a spark plug thermal management method according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The following describes in detail embodiments of the present application, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are intended to be used to explain the present application, and should not be construed as limiting the present application.

[0035] The following describes a spark plug thermal management device, an engine, a vehicle, and a spark plug thermal management method according to an embodiment of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings. In response to the problem of being unable to actively adjust the spark plug temperature mentioned in the background art, the present application provides a spark plug thermal management device. In this method, a fluid passage is provided inside the spark plug. When the spark plug temperature is too high, i.e., when the spark plug is in a first temperature range, the spark plug can be cooled. The switch assembly is adjusted to a first switch state through a control assembly, and the fluid in the pipeline is cooled through a cooling assembly. When the spark plug temperature is too low, i.e., when the spark plug is in a second temperature range, the spark plug can be heated. The switch assembly is adjusted to a second switch state through a control assembly, and the fluid in the pipeline is cooled through a heating assembly. Thus, the problem of being unable to actively adjust the spark plug temperature is solved, and the spark plug can be heated or cooled inside the spark plug, ensuring that the spark plug can achieve stable ignition under various operating conditions.

[0036] Specifically, Figure 1 A schematic flow chart of a thermal management device for a spark plug provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0037] like Figure 1 As shown, the spark plug thermal management device 10 includes a spark plug 100 , a switch assembly 200 , a cooling assembly 300 , a heating assembly 400 and a control assembly 500 .

[0038] Among them, a fluid passage is provided inside the spark plug 100; the switch assembly 200 has multiple switch states, each switch state is determined by the temperature range in which the current temperature of the spark plug is located; the cooling assembly 300 is used to cool the fluid in the fluid passage when the switch assembly is in the first switch state; the heating assembly 400 is used to heat the fluid in the fluid passage when the switch assembly is in the second switch state; the control assembly 500 is used to control the switch assembly to be in the first switch state when the current temperature is in the first temperature range, or to control the switch assembly to be in the second switch state when the current temperature is in the second temperature range.

[0039] In which, the switch component 200 is a conversion valve, the fluid is coolant or lubricating oil, the first temperature range and the second temperature range can be pre-set by the user, can be obtained through a limited number of experiments, or can be obtained through a limited number of computer simulations. No specific limitation is made here. The lower limit value of the first temperature range is greater than the upper limit value of the second temperature range.

[0040] Specifically, if Figure 2As shown, the spark plug of the embodiment of the present application is internally provided with a fluid passage. When the temperature of the spark plug is too high, i.e. the spark plug is in the first temperature interval, the spark plug can be cooled. Through the control assembly 500, the switching assembly 200 is adjusted to the first switching state, and the fluid in the cooling pipeline is cooled through the cooling assembly 400. When the temperature of the spark plug is too low, i.e. the spark plug is in the second temperature interval, the spark plug can be heated. Through the control assembly 500, the switching assembly 200 is adjusted to the second switching state, and the fluid in the cooling pipeline is cooled through the heating assembly 400. Thus, the spark plug thermal management device of the embodiment of the present application can actively heat or actively cool the spark plug.

[0041] In actual execution, the cooling assembly 300 can be a cooler, and the heating assembly 400 can be a heater. A certain shaped passage is processed in the internal of the conventional spark plug. The shape of the passage is not specifically limited, for example, Figure 2 As shown, the spiral channel, and the water inlet and outlet are arranged in the spark plug, and the water inlet and outlet are connected with the cooling liquid inlet pipeline and outlet pipeline on the engine. When the temperature of the spark plug is too high, the cooling liquid with lower temperature flows into the internal of the spark plug through the water inlet to take away the heat, so as to reduce the temperature of the spark plug. When the temperature of the spark plug is too low, the cooling liquid with higher temperature can enter the internal of the spark plug to heat the spark plug, such as Figure 3 As shown, the control unit controls the switching valve through the temperature signal reported by the spark plug temperature sensor, controls the cooling liquid flow path, and sends the cooling liquid with appropriate temperature into the spark plug.

[0042] It should be noted that, in addition to being connected with the cooling liquid, it can also be connected with the engine oil circuit, and the temperature control function is realized by using lubricating oil. The control logic is unchanged, and the spark plug thermal management device of the embodiment of the present application needs to be installed on the engine.

[0043] Optionally, in some embodiments, the spark plug thermal management device 10 described above further comprises a temperature detection assembly.

[0044] The temperature detection assembly is used to detect the current temperature of the spark plug.

[0045] Specifically, as shown, Figure 3 The embodiment of the present application can detect the current temperature of the spark plug through the temperature detection assembly. The temperature detection assembly can be a temperature sensor.

[0046] Optionally, in some embodiments, the spark plug thermal management device 10 described above further comprises an alarm assembly.

[0047] The alarm assembly alarms and reminds when the current temperature is greater than the preset temperature.

[0048] The preset temperature may be pre-set by the user, obtained through a limited number of experiments, or obtained through a limited number of computer simulations, and is not specifically limited here.

[0049] Specifically, to prevent the spark plug from overheating and causing safety risks, the embodiment of the present application can be provided with an alarm component to issue an alarm reminder when the current temperature of the spark plug is greater than a preset temperature.

[0050] It should be noted that, in some embodiments, the embodiments of the present application can seal the inlet and outlet of the spark plug fluid passage, and place metallic sodium in the fluid passage channel, utilizing the low melting point and easy melting characteristics of sodium to achieve temperature adjustment of the spark plug.

[0051] Therefore, the embodiment of the present application provides a fluid passage inside the spark plug to force cooling or heating of the spark plug, so that the spark plug has an active thermal management function. There is no need to add an additional cooling system or heating system. The spark plug can be actively temperature controlled by using a heater and a cooler, which has good economy. The spark plug temperature is detected in real time by a temperature detection component to achieve closed-loop feedback control.

[0052] The spark plug thermal management device proposed in the embodiment of the present application includes a fluid passage provided inside the spark plug; a switch assembly having multiple switch states, each switch state being determined by the temperature range in which the current temperature of the spark plug is located; a cooling assembly for cooling the fluid in the fluid passage when the switch assembly is in a first switch state; a heating assembly for heating the fluid in the fluid passage when the switch assembly is in a second switch state; and a control assembly for controlling the switch assembly to be in the first switch state when the current temperature is within the first temperature range, or to be in the second switch state when the current temperature is within the second temperature range. This solves the problem of being unable to actively adjust the spark plug temperature, and allows the spark plug to be heated or cooled internally, ensuring stable ignition under various operating conditions.

[0053] An embodiment of the present application also provides an engine, comprising a thermal management device for the spark plug as described above.

[0054] An embodiment of the present application also provides a vehicle, comprising the engine as described above.

[0055] An embodiment of the present application also provides a spark plug thermal management method, which uses the spark plug thermal management device as described above.

[0056] Figure 4 This is a flow chart of a spark plug thermal management method according to an embodiment of the present application, comprising the following steps:

[0057] In step S101 , the current temperature of the spark plug is acquired.

[0058] In step S102, a target switch state of the switch assembly is determined according to a temperature interval in which the current temperature is located.

[0059] In step S103, the switch assembly is controlled to be in the target switch state, so as to cool the fluid in the fluid passage by the cooling assembly, or heat the fluid in the fluid passage by the heating assembly.

[0060] Optionally, in some embodiments, the target switch state of the switch assembly is determined according to the temperature interval in which the current temperature is located, including: if the current temperature is in the first temperature interval, the target switch state is the first switch state; and if the current temperature is in the second temperature interval, the target switch state is the second switch state.

[0061] Optionally, in some embodiments, the upper limit value of the first temperature interval is less than the lower limit value of the second temperature interval.

[0062] It should be noted that the foregoing description of the embodiment of the spark plug thermal management device is also applicable to the spark plug thermal management method of the embodiment, which will not be described here.

[0063] According to the spark plug thermal management method provided in the embodiments of the present application, the current temperature of the spark plug is obtained, and the target switch state of the switch assembly is determined according to the temperature interval in which the current temperature is located, and the switch assembly is controlled to be in the target switch state, so as to cool the fluid in the fluid passage by the cooling assembly, or heat the fluid in the fluid passage by the heating assembly. Thus, the problem that the temperature of the spark plug cannot be actively adjusted is solved, and the spark plug can be heated or cooled inside, so as to ensure that the spark plug can realize stable ignition under various working conditions.

[0064] In the description of the present specification, the description of the terms “one embodiment”, “some embodiments”, “an example”, “a specific example”, or “some examples” means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. In the present specification, the illustrative description of the above terms is not necessarily for the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described can be combined in any one or N embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. In addition, the person skilled in the art can combine and combine the different embodiments or examples described in the present specification and the features of the different embodiments or examples without contradiction.

[0065] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood to indicate or imply relative importance or implicitly specify the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature specified as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one such feature. In the description of this application, "N" means at least two, for example, two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0066] Any process or method description in a flowchart or otherwise described herein may be understood to represent a module, fragment or portion of code comprising one or more executable instructions for implementing the steps of a custom logical function or process, and the scope of the preferred embodiments of the present application includes alternative implementations in which functions may be performed out of the order shown or discussed, including performing functions in a substantially simultaneous manner or in reverse order depending on the functions involved, which should be understood by those skilled in the art to which the embodiments of the present application belong.

[0067] It should be understood that various parts of the present application can be implemented using hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. In the above embodiment, the N steps or methods can be implemented using software or firmware stored in a memory and executed by a suitable instruction execution system. For example, if implemented using hardware, as in another embodiment, any one of the following technologies known in the art or a combination thereof can be used: a discrete logic circuit having a logic gate circuit for implementing a logic function on a data signal, an application-specific integrated circuit having a suitable combination of logic gate circuits, a programmable gate array, a field programmable gate array, etc.

[0068] Those skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the steps in the method of the above embodiment can be completed by instructing related hardware through a program, and the program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. When the program is executed, it includes one or a combination of the steps of the method embodiment.

[0069] Although the embodiments of the present application have been shown and described above, it can be understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and cannot be understood as limitations on the present application. Ordinary technicians in this field can change, modify, replace and modify the above embodiments within the scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A thermal management device for a spark plug, characterized in that: include: a spark plug having a fluid passage disposed therein; A switch assembly, wherein the switch assembly has multiple switch states, each switch state is determined by the temperature range in which the current temperature of the spark plug is located; a cooling assembly, configured to cool the fluid in the fluid passage when the switch assembly is in a first switch state; a heating component, configured to heat the fluid in the fluid passage when the switch component is in the second switch state; The control component is used to control the switch component to be in the first switch state when the current temperature is in the first temperature range, or to control the switch component to be in the second switch state when the current temperature is in the second temperature range.

2. The thermal management device of the spark plug according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: A temperature detection component is used to detect the current temperature of the spark plug.

3. The thermal management device of the spark plug according to claim 2, characterized in that: Also includes: An alarm component is configured to generate an alarm when the current temperature is greater than a preset temperature.

4. The thermal management device of the spark plug according to claim 1, characterized in that: The switch component is a conversion valve.

5. The thermal management device of the spark plug according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fluid is coolant or lubricating oil.

6. An engine, characterized in that: include: The thermal management device of a spark plug according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A vehicle, characterized in that: include: The engine as claimed in claim 6.

8. A spark plug thermal management method, characterized in that: The spark plug thermal management device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is used, wherein the method comprises the following steps: Obtaining the current temperature of the spark plug; determining a target switching state of the switch component according to the temperature range in which the current temperature is located; The switch assembly is controlled to be in the target switch state so as to cool the fluid in the fluid passage through the cooling assembly or to heat the fluid in the fluid passage through the heating assembly.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The determining the target switching state of the switch component according to the temperature range of the current temperature includes: If the current temperature is in the first temperature range, the target switch state is the first switch state; If the current temperature is in the second temperature range, the target switch state is the second switch state.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The upper limit of the first temperature range is smaller than the lower limit of the second temperature range.

Images