Coolant Exchange Timing Control Using Cold Start Counting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing internal combustion systems fail to accurately determine the timing for coolant exchange in engines, leading to potential corrosion due to oxidative degradation of ethylene glycol, which is not adequately addressed by existing systems that rely solely on accumulated time.
Innovation Solution
An internal combustion system that includes a control device with a number of starts counting unit, accumulated time measuring unit, and exchange determination unit, which considers both the accumulated time and number of cold starts to determine the need for coolant exchange, taking into account the dissolved oxygen levels and type of metal in the cooling circulation mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If coolant exchange timing is determined solely by accumulated time at high temperature, then the system is simple to operate, but the determination precision of coolant degradation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing multiple parameters (accumulated time at high temperature and number of cold starts) to determine coolant degradation. The control device measures both the accumulated time when coolant temperature exceeds a threshold and the number of cold starts, then determines degradation based on combined parameter evaluation rather than single-parameter assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring coolant temperature, tracking accumulated high-temperature exposure time, counting cold start events, and using this feedback data to determine when coolant degradation has reached exchange thresholds. The control device provides feedback-based decision-making for coolant maintenance timing.
2Reliability
If coolant is exchanged more frequently to prevent corrosion, then engine reliability is improved, but loss of time and resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes to optimize coolant exchange timing by evaluating multiple parameters (accumulated high-temperature time and cold start count) to determine the precise moment when coolant degradation reaches exchange thresholds. This prevents both premature and delayed exchanges.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by monitoring and evaluating specific critical parameters (accumulated time above threshold temperature and cold start events) rather than tracking all possible coolant conditions. This focused monitoring achieves reliable degradation assessment without excessive measurement complexity.
3Productivity
If coolant exchange is delayed to save time and resources, then productivity is improved, but engine reliability deteriorates due to corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing multiple parameters (accumulated time at high temperature and number of cold starts) to determine coolant degradation. The control device measures both the accumulated time when coolant temperature exceeds a threshold and the number of cold starts, then determines degradation based on combined parameter evaluation rather than single-parameter assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring coolant temperature, tracking accumulated high-temperature exposure time, counting cold start events, and using this feedback data to determine when coolant degradation has reached exchange thresholds. The control device provides feedback-based decision-making for coolant maintenance timing.
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 approach allows for more precise timing of coolant exchange, reducing corrosion and extending the usable period of the coolant by determining oxidative degradation based on both time and oxygen levels, thereby minimizing unnecessary exchanges.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature sensor that measures a temperature of the coolant having passed through the engine
Implementation Method 2
a cooling circulation mechanism that circulates a coolant to the engine while cooling the coolant
Implementation Method 3
the oxygen dissolved in the coolant is more likely to be taken in from an oxygen gas in a gaseous phase when the temperature of the coolant is low
Implementation Method 4
ethylene glycol may be oxidatively degraded under an environment at a temperature exceeding 80° C. This produces an organic acid such as a formic acid or an acetic acid in the coolant
Data Source
AI summary
An internal combustion system capable of exactly determining timing of exchanging a coolant of an engine. The internal combustion system includes an engine, cooling circulation mechanism circulating the coolant containing ethylene glycol to the engine while cooling it, temperature sensor measuring the temperature of the coolant having passed through the engine, and control device. The control device includes a number of cold starts counting unit determining engine cold start and counting the number of cold starts before coolant exchange, an accumulated amount of time measuring unit measuring an accumulated amount of time when the coolant temperature measured by the temperature sensor is a defined temperature or higher before the coolant exchange, and an exchange determination unit determining the need for coolant exchange, when the accumulated amount of time is a defined amount of time or greater and the number of cold starts is a defined number of times or greater.