Vehicle Coolant Control Valve Fluid Pressure Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle coolant control valves face issues with delayed response, increased size and weight, and high power consumption due to thermal expansion mechanisms and solenoid valve requirements.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle coolant control valve design featuring a magnetic valve body, a valve seat, urging means, and a solenoid that utilizes fluid pressure to overcome urging forces for rapid opening and closing, reducing solenoid size and power consumption by using a compact solenoid configuration and fluid flow outside the valve body for efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a thermo element with thermal expansion is used to control the valve, then the valve can be actuated by coolant temperature, but the response time is delayed due to heat radiation from the temperature-sensitive chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal expansion mechanism with a solenoid-driven magnetic actuation system. The solenoid directly moves the valve body using electromagnetic force, eliminating the thermal lag inherent in thermo-element-based systems. This allows the valve to respond immediately to control signals regardless of coolant temperature changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes fluid pressure from the coolant pump to assist in opening the valve. The fluid pressure acts on the valve body to overcome the spring force during pump operation, enabling rapid valve opening without relying solely on thermal expansion or continuous solenoid activation.
2Ease of operation
If a solenoid valve is used to control the radiator coolant temperature, then the valve can be electronically controlled, but the solenoid size and mass increase due to the requirement for larger pressure-receiving surface area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the valve system dynamic by utilizing the existing fluid pressure from the coolant pump to assist valve opening. This reduces the burden on the solenoid, allowing it to be smaller since it only needs to overcome the spring force during closing, not the full pressure differential during opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the coolant pump's own fluid pressure to assist in valve opening, making the system self-serving. The fluid pressure automatically contributes to valve operation during pump operation, reducing the need for a large solenoid and minimizing the solenoid's energy and size requirements.
3Ease of operation
If a solenoid valve is used to control the radiator coolant temperature, then the valve can be electronically controlled, but power consumption increases because electric power must be continuously applied to maintain the open state
Solution Approach 1:
The solenoid operates periodically rather than continuously - it is activated only when closing the valve is required. During pump operation, the fluid pressure naturally keeps the valve open without requiring continuous solenoid power, significantly reducing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the coolant pump's fluid pressure to maintain the valve in the open state during pump operation, eliminating the need for continuous electrical power. The fluid pressure self-maintains the valve position, making the system energy-efficient.
4Reliability
If urging means is provided to urge the valve body toward the valve seat, then the valve can be reliably closed, but the solenoid requires larger attractive force increasing its size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces fluid pressure from the coolant pump to assist in valve opening. This hydraulic assistance reduces the force requirement for the solenoid, allowing it to be smaller while maintaining reliable valve closing through the urging means (spring force).
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 solution provides enhanced response time, reduced size and weight, and lower power consumption, while maintaining the valve in an open state without electrical power, preventing engine overheating and improving fuel economy.
Implementation Method 1
a solenoid for moving the valve body toward the valve seat
Implementation Method 2
the valve body having a magnetic body
Implementation Method 3
the urging means (which includes the elastic force of a coil spring, or gravity acting on the valve body)
Implementation Method 4
the valve body is moved in the opening direction by fluid pressure of a fluid discharged from a pump during operation of the pump, against the urging force of the urging means in the closing direction
Data Source
AI summary
An object is to provide a vehicle coolant control valve having excellent response, small size and weight, and low power consumption. A coolant stop valve (vehicle coolant control valve) valve comprises a valve body for controlling the flow of a fluid, the valve body having a magnetic body; a coil spring (urging device) for moving the valve body in the closing direction; a valve seat capable of coming in contact with the valve body; and a solenoid for moving the valve body in the closing direction; wherein the valve body is moved in the opening direction by fluid pressure of a fluid discharged from a water pump (pump) during operation of the water pump (pump), against the movement force of the coil spring (urging device) in the closing direction.