Integrated Coolant Duct with Glow Plug for Engine Warm-Up
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooling circuit solutions for internal combustion engines, such as those using heating housings and hoses, are inefficient in heating the coolant quickly and occupy significant space in the engine compartment, leading to increased fuel consumption and pollutant emissions during cold start-ups and limited installation feasibility.
Innovation Solution
A coolant passage conduit with a tubular portion and integrated heating elements, such as glow plugs, that connects key engine components like the oil cooler and coolant pump, allowing for efficient heat exchange and reduced space usage, enabling earlier activation of exhaust gas recirculation and improved charge air cooler heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a heating unit with housing and hoses is used to heat the coolant, then the coolant can be heated during cold start-up, but the bulk generated makes it practically impossible to install in the engine compartment
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is integrated directly into the coolant passage conduit, merging the heating function with the coolant flow path. This eliminates the need for separate heating housing and hoses, reducing installation space while maintaining the coolant heating capability during cold start-up
Solution Approach 2:
The coolant passage conduit serves multiple functions: it guides coolant flow through the engine and simultaneously acts as the heating element housing. The conduit's walls conduct heat from the integrated heating element directly to the passing coolant, combining fluid transport and thermal processing in a single component
2Temperature
If conventional heating housings and hoses are used, then coolant heating is achieved, but heat exchange efficiency is insufficient leading to increased fuel consumption and pollutant emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is extracted from a separate housing and integrated directly into the coolant passage conduit. This allows the heating element to be positioned optimally within the coolant flow path, maximizing heat transfer efficiency and reducing the energy required to heat the coolant during cold start-up
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element is positioned at a specific location within the coolant passage where it can most effectively heat the coolant. The local integration ensures that heat is transferred directly to the coolant at the point of need, improving overall heat exchange efficiency and reducing fuel consumption
3Temperature
If conventional heating systems are installed, then coolant heating capability is provided, but the complexity of housing and hose connections increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element and coolant passage conduit are merged into a single integrated component. This eliminates the need for separate heating housing, multiple hose connections, and associated mounting hardware, significantly reducing system complexity while maintaining full coolant heating functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated conduit with heating element is designed as a modular unit that can be installed as a single component. This segmentation approach simplifies installation and maintenance compared to assembling multiple separate heating system components
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 heat exchange efficiency, reduces fuel consumption, and minimizes emissions by quickly heating the coolant, allowing for faster engine warm-up and earlier exhaust gas recirculation activation, while optimizing space within the engine compartment.
Implementation Method 1
The tubular portion includes at least one receiving orifice suitable for receiving at least one heating element for the coolant
Implementation Method 2
a branch intended to be connected to a heater core in the cooling circuit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
This duct (28) for the passage of liquid coolant for an internal combustion engine (2) of an automotive vehicle comprises a tubular portion (30) to allow the passage of a liquid coolant of a cooling circuit (6) of the engine (2), said tubular portion (30) comprising an upstream end (32) designed to be connected to a first functional member of the engine (2), and a downstream end (34) opposite the upstream end (32) and designed to be connected to a second functional member of the engine (2). The tubular portion (30) comprises at least one reception orifice (52) capable of receiving at least one element for heating the liquid coolant.