Vehicle Coolant Control System for Engine Temperature Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing engine coolant control systems fail to effectively manage temperature differences across engine components, leading to potential over-temperature conditions that can shorten engine and vehicle component lifetimes.

Innovation Solution

A coolant control system that uses temperature sensors to determine temperature differences and adjusts valve openings for coolant flow through a network of valves, including a coolant valve, flow control valve, and block valve, to regulate coolant flow and prevent over-temperature conditions by optimizing coolant flow paths and heat exchanger usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a single coolant valve is used to control coolant flow, then the system structure is simple, but it cannot effectively manage temperature differences across different engine components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature difference managementVSAvoidvalve network complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coolant control system is segmented into multiple independent valves (coolant valve CV, flow control valve FCV, block valve BV) that can be controlled separately. Each valve manages coolant flow to specific engine components, enabling independent temperature control for different zones such as the engine block and cylinder head, thereby effectively managing temperature differences across the engine.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements local quality control by directing coolant flow to specific engine components based on their individual temperature requirements. The multiple valves enable different coolant flow rates and temperatures to be supplied to different engine zones, allowing each component to receive optimal cooling tailored to its local thermal conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Temperature

If coolant flow is increased through the radiator to prevent overheating, then engine temperature is controlled, but fuel consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine temperature controlVSAvoidfuel consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts coolant valve openings based on real-time temperature measurements from multiple sensors. The control module continuously monitors temperatures at different engine locations and modulates the valves to provide optimal coolant flow, increasing cooling when needed and reducing flow when temperatures are acceptable, thereby minimizing unnecessary energy consumption and fuel usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs feedback control through temperature sensors positioned at various engine components that continuously report temperature data to the control module. Based on this feedback, the control module adjusts valve openings to maintain optimal temperatures, preventing both overheating and excessive cooling, thus optimizing the balance between temperature control and fuel consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

The system effectively manages temperature differences across engine components, preventing over-temperature conditions and minimizing fuel consumption by dynamically adjusting valve openings based on measured temperature differences, thereby extending engine and vehicle component lifetimes.

Implementation Method 1

determine a block temperature difference based on a difference between a reference block temperature and a block temperature of an engine block measured using a block temperature sensor; determine a head temperature difference based on a difference between a reference head temperature and a head temperature of a cylinder head of the engine measured using a head temperature sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature sensing:

Implementation Method 2

The engine coolant absorbs heat from the engine and carries the heat to the radiator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat absorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

Engine coolant circulates through the coolant channels and the radiator. The engine coolant absorbs heat from the engine and carries the heat to the radiator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 4

The radiator transfers heat from the engine coolant to air passing the radiator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentUS10450940B2Coolant control systems and methods to prevent over temperature

Publication Date: 2019.10.22 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A coolant control system of a vehicle includes an opening module configured to determine a coolant valve (CV) opening, a flow control valve (FCV) opening, and a block valve (BV) opening based on at least one of a block temperature difference, a head temperature difference, and a coolant outlet temperature difference. A CV control module is configured to selectively actuate a CV based on the CV opening. The CV regulates coolant flow from the FCV to a radiator and a coolant channel bypassing the radiator. A BV control module is configured to selectively actuate a BV based on the BV opening. The BV regulates coolant flow from the engine block to the FCV. A FCV control module is configured to selectively actuate a FCV based on the FCV opening. The FCV regulates coolant flow from the cylinder head and the BV to the CV.