Vehicle Coolant Vision Monitoring for Bubble and Particle Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional coolant systems in vehicles provide limited information about the state of the coolant, relying on temperature gauges that do not fully indicate the coolant's condition, such as particle presence, bubble size, and opacity, which can lead to inadequate maintenance and potential system failures.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system that includes a camera to image the coolant passage and a controller to process image data, determining parameters like color, particle presence, bubble size, and opacity, and outputting an indication to the user about the coolant's state, allowing for more comprehensive monitoring and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a temperature gauge is used to monitor coolant state, then the system structure remains simple, but the information about coolant state is limited and insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical temperature gauge with an optical imaging system (camera) that captures images of the coolant through the translucent housing. This substitution enables comprehensive visual assessment of coolant state including color, clarity, particle presence, and bubble formation, thereby resolving the information limitation without requiring complex sensor arrays or multiple measurement devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a visual copy of the coolant state by capturing an image through the translucent housing. The camera creates an optical replica of the coolant's physical state, allowing users to assess coolant condition remotely without direct contact or complex probing instruments. This copying approach provides comprehensive state information while maintaining system simplicity
2Reliability
If comprehensive coolant monitoring is implemented, then maintenance timing is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the translucent coolant housing serve multiple functions: it acts as both the protective enclosure for the coolant and as an optical window for monitoring. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate transparent windows or access ports, allowing comprehensive coolant assessment while maintaining simple system architecture and enhancing reliability through better maintenance timing
Solution Approach 2:
The coolant housing's inherent translucency is utilized for self-monitoring purposes. The housing structure itself enables the imaging function without requiring additional components, making the system self-sufficient for comprehensive coolant state assessment and improving reliability through early detection of degradation
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 provides a more accurate and detailed assessment of the coolant's state, enabling timely maintenance and ensuring the coolant system operates within optimal conditions, thereby enhancing vehicle performance and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
A camera is positioned to image the fluid passage
Implementation Method 2
A camera is positioned to image the fluid passage
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle has a prime mover to propel the vehicle, and a fluid circuit that defines a fluid passage and contains a coolant. The fluid circuit in thermal communication with the prime mover. A camera is positioned to image coolant within the fluid passage. A controller is configured to receive image data from the camera, process the image data to determine a state of the coolant in the fluid circuit, and output an indication to a user regarding the state of the coolant. A method of monitoring a fluid circuit in a vehicle is also provided.