Coolant Control Valve Unit for Engine Temperature Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current engine systems face challenges in precisely controlling coolant flow to maintain optimal temperatures, leading to increased fuel consumption, reduced cooling efficiency, and potential engine operation deterioration due to inadequate coolant distribution across various cooling elements.
Innovation Solution
The engine system incorporates a coolant control valve unit with separate paths and valves to manage coolant flow from the cylinder block and cylinder head, allowing for precise distribution to a heater, radiator, and oil cooler, with elastic support and driver-controlled valve operation to optimize coolant circulation and temperature management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single integrated flow control valve is used to control multiple cooling elements, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision and control accuracy of coolant distribution to each element deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cooling control system into multiple independent valves (first coolant control valve for cylinder block, second coolant control valve for cylinder head, third coolant control valve for oil cooler) instead of using a single integrated valve. This segmentation allows each valve to precisely control coolant flow to its specific target, improving manufacturing precision and control accuracy while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular architecture.
2Temperature
If coolant flow through cylinder block is not stopped, then cooling efficiency is maintained, but oil temperature regulation precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements independent control of coolant flow to cylinder block and oil cooler through separate valves. The first coolant control valve can stop coolant flow to the cylinder block when rapid cooling is needed, while the third coolant control valve independently regulates coolant flow to the oil cooler for precise oil temperature control. This segmentation enables differentiated temperature management for different engine components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic control of coolant flow paths based on real-time engine operating conditions and temperature requirements. The control unit adjusts the opening degrees of multiple valves dynamically to redirect coolant flow between different paths (cylinder block cooling path, cylinder head cooling path, oil cooler path), enabling adaptive temperature regulation that optimizes both cooling efficiency and oil temperature precision.
3Use of energy by moving object
If coolant temperature is not precisely controlled, then fuel consumption increases, but temperature management capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates temperature sensors and a control unit that continuously monitor coolant temperatures at various points (cylinder block, cylinder head, oil cooler) and adjust valve opening degrees accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables precise temperature control by comparing actual temperatures with target temperatures and dynamically modifying coolant flow distribution, thereby optimizing fuel consumption while maintaining accurate temperature management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts coolant flow distribution to multiple paths based on real-time temperature conditions and engine operating states. The control unit modulates the opening degrees of the first, second, and third coolant control valves to optimize coolant circulation patterns, ensuring precise temperature control that minimizes fuel consumption during warm-up and maintains optimal temperatures during operation.
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 solution enhances cooling efficiency, improves oil temperature regulation, and reduces fuel consumption by enabling precise coolant control, thereby enhancing engine performance and passenger comfort.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member configured to elastically support the block coolant valve, the heater coolant valve, or the radiator coolant valve to close the valves
Implementation Method 2
a coolant absorbs heat energy while circulating through the engine, a heater, and a radiator, and discharges the absorbed heat energy to outside
Data Source
AI summary
An engine system includes a cylinder block and a cylinder head. A coolant control valve unit is engaged with the cylinder head to receive a coolant exhausted from the cylinder block and a coolant exhausted from the cylinder head. The coolant control valve unit controls a coolant to be supplied to a heater, a radiator, and an oil cooler and controls the coolant exhausted from the cylinder block. The coolant control valve unit receives the coolant from the cylinder head, supplies the coolant to the oil cooler, and controls the coolant distributed to the heater and the coolant exhausted from the cylinder block.