Cooling device

Abstract

To provide a cooling device capable of shortening a time required for warming up an internal combustion engine.SOLUTION: A cooling device according to the invention is a cooling device for an internal combustion engine having a water jacket. The cooling device includes a first cooling water passage, a second cooling water passage, a thermal insulation container, a first valve and a second valve. Each of the first cooling water passage and the second cooling water passage connects the thermal insulation container and the water jacket. In the first cooling water passage, cooling water flows from the water jacket to the thermal insulation container. In the second cooling water passage, the cooling water flows from the thermal insulation container to the water jacket. The first valve switches the first cooling water passage between an open state and a shut-off state. The second valve switches the second cooling water passage between an open state and a shut-off state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling device for an internal combustion engine. [Background technology]

[0002] A known example of a conventional invention relating to a cooling device is a cooling device for an internal combustion engine described in Patent Document 1. In this cooling device for an internal combustion engine, high-temperature cooling water in a heat storage tank is circulated mainly through the cylinder head for preheating or warming up. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-019452 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the cooling device for an internal combustion engine described in Patent Document 1, low-temperature coolant remains in the water jacket of the internal combustion engine during preheating. Therefore, high-temperature coolant and low-temperature coolant mix during preheating. As a result, it takes a long time to warm up the internal combustion engine.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a cooling device that can shorten the time required to warm up an internal combustion engine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The first aspect is A cooling device for an internal combustion engine provided with a water jacket, the cooling device includes a first cooling water passage, a second cooling water passage, a thermal insulation container, a first valve, and a second valve; the first cooling water passage and the second cooling water passage each connect the thermal insulation container and the water jacket; In the first cooling water passage, cooling water flows from the water jacket to the thermal insulation container, In the second cooling water passage, cooling water flows from the thermal insulation container to the water jacket, the first valve switches the first cooling water passage between an open state and a closed state, The second valve switches the second cooling water passage between an open state and a closed state. It is a cooling device.

[0007] The second aspect is The thermal insulation container is located below the water jacket, The cooling device further comprises a pump; The pump is provided in the second cooling water passage and moves the cooling water in the heat-retaining container to the water jacket via the second cooling water passage. 1 is a cooling device according to a first aspect of the present invention;

[0008] The third aspect is A cooling device for an internal combustion engine provided with a water jacket, The cooling device includes one or more cooling water channels and an insulated container; each of the one or more cooling water channels connects the thermal insulation container and the water jacket; When the internal combustion engine is stopped, the cooling device moves the cooling water in the water jacket to the heat-retaining container via any one of the one or more cooling water channels without injecting cooling water into the water jacket, When the internal combustion engine is started, the cooling device moves the cooling water in the heat-insulating container to the water jacket through one of the one or more cooling water channels. It is a cooling device.

[0009] The fourth aspect is the cooling device includes a first valve, a pump, and a control device; the one or more cooling water passages include a first cooling water passage and a second cooling water passage; the first valve switches the first cooling water passage between an open state and a closed state, the pump is provided in the second cooling water passage, When the internal combustion engine is stopped, the control device controls the first valve to an open state, thereby moving the cooling water in the water jacket to the thermal insulation container through one of the one or more cooling water channels, When the internal combustion engine is started, the pump moves the cooling water in the thermal insulation container to the water jacket through one of the one or more cooling water channels. The cooling device according to the third aspect. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, the time required to warm up the internal combustion engine can be shortened. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the cooling device 10 when the internal combustion engine 1 is stopped. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation performed by the control device 100. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the cooling device 10 when the internal combustion engine 1 is started. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the cooling device 10 during warm-up operation of the internal combustion engine 1. As shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the cooling device 10 when the internal combustion engine 1 is in normal operation. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the cooling device 10 when the internal combustion engine 1 is stopped. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a cooling device 10a according to a first modified example. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a cooling device 10b according to a second modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] (Embodiment) [Structure of cooling device 10] The structure of a cooling device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the cooling device 10 when an internal combustion engine 1 is stopped.

[0013] The internal combustion engine 1 generates power using gasoline as fuel. The internal combustion engine 1 generates power to run a vehicle. The internal combustion engine 1 is provided with a water jacket WJ. The water jacket WJ is a space provided inside the internal combustion engine 1. Cooling water passes through the water jacket WJ.

[0014] The cooling device 10 cools the internal combustion engine 1. The cooling device 10 includes an insulated container 12, a pump 14, a radiator 16, a control device 100, a first cooling water passage R1, a second cooling water passage R2, a third cooling water passage R3, a fourth cooling water passage R4, a first valve V1, a second valve V2, and a third valve V3.

[0015] The insulated container 12 contains cooling water at a high temperature. The insulated container 12 maintains the temperature of the cooling water. The insulated container 12 is located below the water jacket WJ. As a result, the water level when the cooling water level in the insulated container 12 is at its highest is located below the water level when the cooling water level in the water jacket WJ is at its lowest. When the cooling water level in the insulated container 12 is at its highest, the insulated container 12 contains the maximum amount of cooling water that the insulated container 12 can hold. When the cooling water level in the water jacket WJ is at its lowest, the cooling water in the water jacket WJ is almost depleted.

[0016] The first cooling water passage R1 (one or more cooling water passages) connects the insulated container 12 and the water jacket WJ. In this embodiment, the first cooling water passage R1 is connected to the top surface of the insulated container 12 and the bottom surface of the water jacket WJ. As described above, the insulated container 12 is located below the water jacket WJ. Therefore, in the first cooling water passage R1, the cooling water flows by gravity from the water jacket WJ to the insulated container 12.

[0017] The second cooling water passage R2 (one or more cooling water passages) connects the heat-retaining container 12 and the water jacket WJ. In this embodiment, the second cooling water passage R2 is connected to the bottom surface of the heat-retaining container 12 and the side surface of the water jacket WJ.

[0018] The pump 14 is provided in the second cooling water passage R2. The pump 14 moves the cooling water in the heat-retaining container 12 to the water jacket WJ via the second cooling water passage R2. Therefore, in the second cooling water passage R2, the cooling water flows from the heat-retaining container 12 to the water jacket WJ. The pump 14 is an electromagnetic pump.

[0019] The first valve V1 is provided in the first cooling water passage R1. The first valve V1 switches the first cooling water passage R1 between an open state and a closed state. When the first valve V1 is in the open state, the cooling water can pass through the first cooling water passage R1. When the first valve V1 is in the closed state, the cooling water cannot pass through the first cooling water passage R1.

[0020] The second valve V2 is provided in the second cooling water passage R2. The second valve V2 switches the second cooling water passage R2 between an open state and a closed state. When the second valve V2 is in the open state, the cooling water can pass through the second cooling water passage R2. When the second valve V2 is in the closed state, the cooling water cannot pass through the second cooling water passage R2.

[0021] The radiator 16 is a device that cools the coolant using wind generated when the vehicle is moving. The radiator 16 includes a water channel through which the coolant passes and fins that contact the water channel.

[0022] The third cooling water passage R3 connects the water jacket WJ to the upstream end of the water passage of the radiator 16. The cooling water flows from the water jacket WJ to the radiator 16 through the third cooling water passage R3.

[0023] The fourth cooling water passage R4 connects the downstream end of the passage of the radiator 16 to the second cooling water passage R2. In this embodiment, the fourth cooling water passage R4 is connected to a portion P of the second cooling water passage R2 that is located between the second valve V2 and the pump 14. In the fourth cooling water passage R4, the cooling water flows from the radiator 16 to the second cooling water passage R2.

[0024] The third valve V3 is provided in the fourth cooling water passage R4. The third valve V3 switches the fourth cooling water passage R4 between an open state and a closed state. When the third valve V3 is in the open state, the cooling water can pass through the fourth cooling water passage R4. When the third valve V3 is in the closed state, the cooling water cannot pass through the fourth cooling water passage R4.

[0025] The control device 100 is an ECU (Engine Control Unit) and controls the pump 14, the first valve V1, the second valve V2, and the third valve V3.

[0026] [Operation of cooling device 10] Next, the operation of the cooling device 10 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5. Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the operation performed by the control device 100. The control device 100 executes the flowchart shown in Figure 2 by reading out a program stored in a storage device (not shown). Figure 3 is a diagram showing the cooling device 10 when the internal combustion engine 1 starts. Figure 4 is a diagram showing the cooling device 10 when the internal combustion engine 1 is warming up. Figure 5 is a diagram showing the cooling device 10 when the internal combustion engine 1 is operating normally. Figure 6 is a diagram showing the cooling device 10 when the internal combustion engine 1 is stopped.

[0027] At the start of this process, the internal combustion engine 1 is stopped. At this time, in the cooling device 10, as shown in FIG. 1, there is no cooling water in the water jacket WJ, and high-temperature cooling water is contained in the thermal insulation container 12.

[0028] The control device 100 determines whether or not to start the internal combustion engine 1 (step S1). Specifically, the control device 100 determines whether or not the driver has pressed the start button of the internal combustion engine 1. If the driver has pressed the start button, the control device 100 determines that the internal combustion engine 1 will be started, and the process proceeds to step S2. If the driver has not pressed the start button, the control device 100 determines that the internal combustion engine 1 will not be started, and the process returns to step S1.

[0029] When starting the internal combustion engine 1, the control device 100 controls the first valve V1 and the third valve V3 to a closed state, controls the second valve V2 to an open state, and operates the pump 14 (step S2). As a result, when the internal combustion engine 1 starts, the pump 14 (cooling device 10) moves the high-temperature cooling water in the thermal insulation container 12 to the water jacket WJ via the first cooling water passage R1 (any of one or more cooling water passages), as shown in Fig. 3 .

[0030] Next, the control device 100 starts the warm-up operation of the internal combustion engine 1 (step S3). At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, high-temperature coolant is accommodated in the water jacket WJ. The high-temperature coolant remains in the water jacket WJ and does not circulate within the cooling device 10. Therefore, the internal combustion engine 1 is heated by the high-temperature coolant.

[0031] Next, the control device 100 determines whether or not to end the warm-up operation of the internal combustion engine 1 (step S4). Specifically, the control device 100 acquires the temperature of the coolant based on a signal output from a water temperature sensor (not shown). The control device 100 then determines whether or not the temperature of the coolant is higher than a predetermined temperature. The predetermined temperature is, for example, 90°C. If the temperature of the coolant is higher than the predetermined temperature, the control device 100 determines to end the warm-up operation of the internal combustion engine 1, and the process proceeds to step S5. If the temperature of the coolant is not higher than the predetermined temperature, the control device 100 determines not to end the warm-up operation of the internal combustion engine 1, and the process returns to step S4.

[0032] When the warm-up operation of the internal combustion engine 1 is to be terminated, the control device 100 controls the first valve V1 and the second valve V2 to a closed state, controls the third valve V3 to an open state, and operates the pump 14 (step S5). Furthermore, the control device 100 starts normal operation of the internal combustion engine 1 (step S6). During normal operation of the internal combustion engine 1, as shown in FIG. 5, the coolant circulates between the water jacket WJ and the radiator 16.

[0033] Next, the control device 100 determines whether or not to end normal operation of the internal combustion engine 1 (step S7). Specifically, the control device 100 determines whether or not the driver has pressed the stop button of the internal combustion engine 1 and has exited the vehicle. The control device 100 determines whether or not the driver has exited the vehicle based on a signal output from a door sensor that detects whether a door is open or closed or a seat sensor that detects whether the driver is seated in the seat. If the driver has pressed the stop button of the internal combustion engine 1 and has exited the vehicle, the control device 100 determines to end normal operation of the internal combustion engine 1, and the process proceeds to step S8. If the driver has not pressed the stop button of the internal combustion engine 1 or has not exited the vehicle, the control device 100 determines not to end normal operation of the internal combustion engine 1, and the process returns to step S7.

[0034] When the internal combustion engine 1 is in normal operation, the control device 100 controls the second valve V2 and the third valve V3 to a closed state and the first valve V1 to an open state (step S8). As a result, as shown in Fig. 6, when the internal combustion engine 1 is stopped, the control device 100 (cooling device 10) controls the first valve V1 to an open state, so that the high-temperature cooling water in the water jacket WJ moves to the thermal insulation container 12 via the first cooling water passage R1 (any of one or more cooling water passages) without injecting cooling water into the water jacket WJ. After this, the process ends.

[0035] [effect] The cooling device 10 can shorten the time required to warm up the internal combustion engine 1. More specifically, in the cooling device for an internal combustion engine described in Patent Document 1, high-temperature coolant in a heat storage tank is circulated mainly through the cylinder head during preheating or warm-up. However, in this cooling device for an internal combustion engine, low-temperature coolant remains in the water jacket of the internal combustion engine during preheating. Therefore, the high-temperature coolant and the low-temperature coolant mix during preheating. As a result, the time required to warm up the internal combustion engine becomes longer.

[0036] Therefore, in the cooling device 10, the cooling water flows from the thermal insulation container 12 to the water jacket WJ through the second cooling water passage R2. The second valve V2 is provided in the second cooling water passage R2 and switches the second cooling water passage R2 between an open state and a closed state. This prevents the cooling water from flowing into the water jacket WJ. Therefore, no low-temperature cooling water is present in the water jacket WJ during warm-up operation of the internal combustion engine 1. As a result, mixing of high-temperature cooling water and low-temperature cooling water during warm-up operation of the internal combustion engine 1 is prevented. This shortens the time required to warm up the internal combustion engine 1. Reducing the time required to warm up the internal combustion engine 1 improves the fuel efficiency of the vehicle and also improves exhaust emissions.

[0037] The cooling device 10 can shorten the time required to warm up the internal combustion engine 1. More specifically, when the internal combustion engine 1 is stopped, the cooling device 10 moves the high-temperature cooling water in the water jacket WJ to the thermal insulation container 12 via the first cooling water passage R1 without injecting cooling water into the water jacket WJ. When the internal combustion engine 1 is started, the cooling device 10 moves the high-temperature cooling water in the thermal insulation container 12 to the water jacket WJ via the first cooling water passage R1. As a result, when the internal combustion engine 1 is started, there is no low-temperature cooling water in the water jacket WJ. As a result, mixing of high-temperature cooling water and low-temperature cooling water is suppressed during warm-up operation of the internal combustion engine 1. Therefore, the time required to warm up the internal combustion engine 1 is shortened.

[0038] Furthermore, the insulated container 12 is located below the water jacket WJ. Therefore, when the first valve V1 is controlled to be open, the cooling water flows by gravity from the water jacket WJ to the insulated container 12. Therefore, a pump does not need to be provided to move the cooling water from the water jacket WJ to the insulated container 12.

[0039] (First Modification) A cooling device 10a according to a first modified example will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 7 is a configuration diagram of the cooling device 10a according to the first modified example.

[0040] The cooling device 10a differs from the cooling device 10 in that the heat-insulating container 12 is in contact with the oil pan 102 of the internal combustion engine 1. More specifically, the heat-insulating container 12 surrounds the oil pan 102. This allows the oil in the oil pan 102 to be heated by the high-temperature coolant. As a result, the time required to warm up the internal combustion engine 1 can be shortened.

[0041] The cooling device 10a also includes a fourth valve V4. The fourth valve V4 is a switching valve that integrates the second valve V2 and the third valve V3. The fourth valve V4 switches between allowing the cooling water flowing through the upstream portion of the second cooling water passage R2 to flow into the water jacket WJ and allowing the cooling water flowing through the third cooling water passage R3 to flow into the water jacket WJ.

[0042] (Second Modification) The cooling device 10b according to the second modified example will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 8 is a configuration diagram of the cooling device 10b according to the second modified example.

[0043] The cooling device 10a differs from the cooling device 10b in that the cooling device 10a further includes a heat-insulating container 112. The heat-insulating container 112 is provided in the first cooling water passage R1.

[0044] Since the cooling device 10a further includes the thermal insulation container 112, the thermal insulation container 12 is smaller. Therefore, the vertical size of the thermal insulation container 12 is reduced. This allows the position of the internal combustion engine 1 to be lowered, thereby lowering the center of gravity of the vehicle.

[0045] As described above, when the size of the insulated container 12 is reduced, the heat retention ability of the insulated container 12 decreases. Therefore, the insulated container 112 keeps the high-temperature cooling water warm. This prevents the temperature of the cooling water from decreasing.

[0046] (Other embodiments) The control device according to the present invention is not limited to the control device 100, and can be modified within the scope of the gist thereof.

[0047] The fuel may be a fuel other than gasoline. The fuel may be a hydrocarbon fuel other than gasoline, or may be an alcohol fuel such as bioethanol fuel. The fuel may also be diesel.

[0048] The automobile may be a three-wheeled automobile or a two-wheeled automobile. The two-wheeled automobile is a leaning vehicle in which the body leans in the same direction as the direction of travel around the corner. The three-wheeled automobile may be a leaning vehicle or a vehicle that rolls in the opposite direction to the direction of travel around the corner.

[0049] The vehicle may be a hybrid vehicle.

[0050] In step S2, if the temperature of the cylinders of the internal combustion engine 1 is low, the control device 100 may operate the pump 14 after the internal combustion engine 1 has started. This allows high-temperature coolant to flow into the water jacket WJ after the internal combustion engine 1 has been heated by the combustion of the air-fuel mixture. As a result, the time required to warm up the internal combustion engine 1 can be shortened.

[0051] The cooling device 10 may include the first cooling water passage R1 but not the second cooling water passage R2. In this case, a pump is provided in the first cooling water passage R1. When the internal combustion engine 1 is stopped, the cooling device 10 moves the cooling water in the water jacket WJ to the insulated container 12 via the first cooling water passage R1 (one or more cooling water passages) by gravity or a pump without injecting cooling water into the water jacket WJ. Furthermore, when the internal combustion engine 1 is started, the cooling device 10 moves the cooling water in the insulated container 12 to the water jacket WJ via the first cooling water passage R1 (one or more cooling water passages) by a pump.

[0052] When the internal combustion engine 1 is stopped, the control device 100 controls the first valve V1 to an open state, thereby moving the high-temperature cooling water in the water jacket WJ to the thermally insulated container 12 via the first cooling water passage R1 without injecting cooling water into the water jacket WJ. Therefore, the control device 100 may move the high-temperature cooling water in the water jacket WJ to the thermally insulated container 12 via the first cooling water passage R1 when the internal combustion engine 1 is stopped, may move the high-temperature cooling water in the water jacket WJ to the thermally insulated container 12 via the first cooling water passage R1 immediately before the internal combustion engine 1 is stopped, may move the high-temperature cooling water in the water jacket WJ to the thermally insulated container 12 via the first cooling water passage R1 immediately after the internal combustion engine 1 is stopped, or may move the high-temperature cooling water in the water jacket WJ to the thermally insulated container 12 via the first cooling water passage R1 a predetermined time after the internal combustion engine 1 is stopped.

[0053] When the internal combustion engine 1 starts, the pump 14 moves the high-temperature cooling water in the thermally insulated container 12 to the water jacket WJ via the second cooling water passage R2. Therefore, the pump 14 may move the high-temperature cooling water in the thermally insulated container 12 to the water jacket WJ via the second cooling water passage R2 when the internal combustion engine 1 starts, or may move the high-temperature cooling water in the thermally insulated container 12 to the water jacket WJ via the second cooling water passage R2 immediately before the internal combustion engine 1 starts, or may move the high-temperature cooling water in the thermally insulated container 12 to the water jacket WJ via the second cooling water passage R2 immediately after the internal combustion engine 1 starts, or may move the high-temperature cooling water in the thermally insulated container 12 to the water jacket WJ via the second cooling water passage R2 a predetermined time after the internal combustion engine 1 starts. When the internal combustion engine 1 starts, the pump 14 moves the high-temperature cooling water in the thermally insulated container 12 to the water jacket WJ via the second cooling water passage R2.

[0054] A pump may be provided in the first cooling water passage R1. This pump moves the cooling water from the water jacket WJ to the thermal insulation container 12. In this case, the thermal insulation container 12 does not need to be located below the water jacket WJ.

[0055] The pump 14 may be operated using power from the internal combustion engine 26. In this case, an electromagnetic clutch may be provided in the pump 14. The electromagnetic clutch switches between a state in which the power of the internal combustion engine 26 is transmitted to the pump 14 and a state in which the power of the internal combustion engine 26 is not transmitted to the pump 14.

[0056] The third valve V3 may be a thermostat valve. In this case, a fifth cooling water passage is provided that connects the third cooling water passage R3 and the fourth cooling water passage R4. Furthermore, a fifth valve is provided at the connection between the third cooling water passage R3 and the fifth cooling water passage. The fifth valve is a thermostat valve. The fifth valve guides the cooling water to the radiator 16 when the cooling water temperature is high. The fifth valve guides the cooling water to the fifth cooling water passage when the cooling water temperature is low. In this case, since the third valve V3 is a thermostat valve, the control device 100 does not need to control the operation of the third valve V3. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1: Internal combustion engine 10,10a,10b: Cooling device 12:Heat container 14: Pump 16: Radiator 100: Control device 102: Oil pan 112: Heat insulation container R1: 1st cooling channel R2: 2nd cooling waterway R3: Third cooling channel R4: 4th cooling waterway V1: First valve V2: Second valve V3: Third valve V4: 4th valve WJ: Water jacket

Claims

1. A cooling device for an internal combustion engine provided with a water jacket, the cooling device includes a first cooling water passage, a second cooling water passage, a thermal insulation container, a first valve, and a second valve; the first cooling water passage and the second cooling water passage each connect the thermal insulation container and the water jacket; In the first cooling water passage, cooling water flows from the water jacket to the thermal insulation container, In the second cooling water passage, cooling water flows from the thermal insulation container to the water jacket, the first valve switches the first cooling water passage between an open state and a closed state, The second valve switches the second cooling water passage between an open state and a closed state. Cooling device.

2. The thermal insulation container is located below the water jacket, The cooling device further comprises a pump; The pump is provided in the second cooling water passage and moves the cooling water in the heat-retaining container to the water jacket via the second cooling water passage. The cooling device of claim 1 .

3. A cooling device for an internal combustion engine provided with a water jacket, The cooling device includes one or more cooling water channels and an insulated container; each of the one or more cooling water channels connects the thermal insulation container and the water jacket; When the internal combustion engine is stopped, the cooling device moves the cooling water in the water jacket to the heat-retaining container via any one of the one or more cooling water channels without injecting cooling water into the water jacket, When the internal combustion engine is started, the cooling device moves the cooling water in the thermal insulation container to the water jacket via any one of the one or more cooling water channels. Cooling device.

4. the cooling device includes a first valve, a pump, and a control device; the one or more cooling water passages include a first cooling water passage and a second cooling water passage, the first valve switches the first cooling water passage between an open state and a closed state, the pump is provided in the second cooling water passage, When the internal combustion engine is stopped, the control device controls the first valve to an open state, thereby moving the cooling water in the water jacket to the thermal insulation container through one of the one or more cooling water channels, When the internal combustion engine is started, the pump moves the cooling water in the thermal insulation container to the water jacket through any one of the one or more cooling water channels. The cooling device according to claim 3 .

Images