Coolant Control Valve Unit for Engine Warm-Up Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing engine cooling systems face challenges in reducing engine warm-up time and improving heating performance, especially in low temperature starting conditions, due to inefficient coolant temperature control across various engine components.
Innovation Solution
An engine cooling system with a coolant control valve unit that prioritizes coolant flow to the heater in a heating priority mode by strategically opening and closing coolant passages to the heater, radiator, and cylinder block, using a cam-type valve mechanism and multiple temperature sensors to adjust coolant flow based on operation conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If coolant flow to the heater is increased to improve heating performance, then heating performance is improved, but engine warm-up time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the coolant control valve adjustable based on operating conditions. The valve opening degree is dynamically changed according to coolant temperature and heating demand, allowing the system to optimize between heating performance and warm-up speed at different stages of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of valve opening degree to control coolant flow rate. By adjusting this parameter based on temperature sensors and control logic, the system can increase coolant flow to the heater when heating is needed while limiting flow to the radiator to maintain faster warm-up when heating demand is low
2Loss of time
If coolant flow to the radiator is decreased to reduce warm-up time, then engine warm-up time is reduced, but overheating risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control through temperature sensors that continuously monitor coolant temperature and provide signals to the control unit. This feedback loop allows the system to adjust the valve opening degree in real-time, preventing overheating by increasing radiator flow when temperature exceeds thresholds while maintaining fast warm-up when temperatures are acceptable
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the balance between heater flow and radiator flow based on real-time temperature conditions. The valve opening degree is not fixed but continuously adapted to maintain optimal temperature levels, reducing warm-up time when possible while preventing overheating
3Temperature
If coolant flow distribution is optimized for heating performance, then heating performance is improved, but fuel efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the parameter of valve opening degree to control coolant flow distribution. By carefully adjusting this parameter, the system achieves adequate heating performance while minimizing the energy penalty, as excessive coolant recirculation through the heater can increase pumping losses and reduce overall thermal efficiency
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 significantly reduces engine warm-up time and enhances heating performance by maximizing coolant flow to the heater while minimizing flow to the radiator and cylinder block in low temperature conditions, thereby improving fuel efficiency and preventing overheating.
Implementation Method 1
the coolant control valve unit may include a first valve configured to control a flow rate of coolant flowing through a first coolant passage to the heater, a second valve configured to control a flow rate of coolant flowing through a second coolant passage to the radiator, and a third valve configured to control a flow rate of coolant flowing through a third coolant passage to the cylinder block
Implementation Method 2
the cam type unit has an inclined surface formed therein. The inclined surface includes a constant profile formed at one surface of a cam, and controls an opening rate of the coolant passage by rotating the cam to push a rod formed therein with a valve
Data Source
AI summary
An engine cooling system has a coolant control valve unit and includes a cylinder head disposed on a cylinder block. The coolant control valve unit is configured to receive coolant from a coolant outlet side of the cylinder head to control coolant distributed to a heater and a radiator and to control coolant exhausted from the cylinder block. A control unit is configured to determine a heating priority mode according to operation conditions and to substantially open a first coolant passage corresponding to the heater by controlling the coolant control valve unit in the heating priority mode.