Blower Reversal and Shutter Control for Engine Warm-up
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat exchange units in hybrid vehicles are inefficient in accelerating engine warming-up, particularly when the engine is cold, as they rely on reversing the blower direction for defrosting and do not effectively utilize waste heat for engine coolant heating.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchange unit configuration that includes a coolant heat exchanger, a shutter device, and a blower capable of switching between blowing states, with a control unit that sets the shutter device to a closing position and switches the blower to a second blowing state when the engine coolant temperature is low, directing hot air from the engine towards the coolant heat exchanger to enhance heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the blower is rotated in reverse direction to defrost the exterior heat exchanger, then the defrosting function is achieved, but the engine warming-up efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The blower is designed to dynamically switch between forward and reverse rotation directions based on operational requirements. The control unit monitors engine coolant temperature and automatically adjusts blower direction: reverse rotation for defrosting exterior heat exchanger, forward rotation for accelerating engine warming-up, resolving the contradiction between defrosting function and warming-up efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter of blower rotation direction based on temperature conditions. When engine coolant temperature is below the predetermined threshold, the blower rotates in reverse to direct hot air to the exterior heat exchanger for defrosting. When temperature is sufficient, it rotates forward to accelerate engine warming-up, thus adapting to different thermal states
2Temperature
If the shutter device is opened to allow traveling air to cool the engine, then cooling function is achieved, but engine warming-up is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter device is dynamically controlled to adjust its opening degree based on engine thermal state. The control unit closes the shutter when engine coolant temperature is below the predetermined value to prevent cold air intake and retain heat, thereby accelerating warming-up. When temperature is sufficient, the shutter opens to allow cooling, resolving the contradiction between cooling and warming-up requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the engine's own waste heat to accelerate warming-up by closing the shutter and directing hot air circulation internally. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external heating sources, improving fuel efficiency while resolving the contradiction between cooling function and warming-up speed
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration accelerates engine warming-up by efficiently directing hot air towards the coolant heat exchanger, reducing the need for external heating sources and improving fuel efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a coolant heat exchanger disposed on a vehicle front side in an engine room in which an engine is accommodated, the engine room being capable of taking in traveling air from the vehicle front side, the coolant heat exchanger being configured to exchange heat between an engine coolant flowing through the engine and air
Implementation Method 2
a blower disposed on a vehicle rear side with respect to the shutter device in the engine room, the blower being configured to be switchable between a first blowing state in which air flows from the vehicle front side to the vehicle rear side with respect to the coolant heat exchanger and a second blowing state in which air flows from the vehicle rear side to the vehicle front side with respect to the coolant heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
In a heat exchange unit, a shutter device is disposed on a vehicle front side with respect to a coolant heat exchanger to open and close a passage for traveling air directed toward the coolant heat exchanger. A blower is switchable between a first blowing state in which air flows from the vehicle front side to the vehicle rear side and a second blowing state in which air flows from the vehicle rear side to the vehicle front side. In a case where a switch that makes a vehicle travelable is in an on state, a control unit switches the blower to the second blowing state, while an open degree of the shutter device is set at a closing side from a maximum open degree of the shutter device when a temperature of the engine coolant is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature determination value.