Vehicle Cooling Control Module for Hot Mask Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooling systems in vehicles face performance and durability issues due to the 'hot mask' phenomenon, where the radiator's cooling performance is compromised by the heat returned from the air conditioning condenser, especially during high demand for air conditioning, high outside temperatures, and high engine loads, leading to potential engine and cooling system failures.
Innovation Solution
A device with an externally controlled air conditioning compressor and a regulation loop that manages the temperature of the cooling liquid in the radiator, using a control module to adjust the compressor's operation based on temperature differences, allowing continuous air conditioning use while preventing the 'hot mask' phenomenon by limiting heat generation from the condenser.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the air conditioning system operates at high demand with high outside temperature, then the air conditioning performance is improved, but the radiator cooling performance deteriorates due to hot mask phenomenon
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the air conditioning compressor by adjusting its displacement based on real-time temperature conditions. The control module receives temperature signals from sensors and dynamically modifies the compressor's operation to prevent hot mask phenomenon while maintaining air conditioning effectiveness. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to varying thermal conditions and avoid the contradiction between air conditioning performance and radiator cooling performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a feedback control mechanism where temperature sensors continuously monitor the thermal state of the cooling system, and the control module uses this information to adjust the air conditioning compressor operation. The feedback loop detects when the hot mask phenomenon is developing and responds by modifying compressor displacement to restore proper radiator cooling performance, thus resolving the contradiction between air conditioning demand and cooling system reliability.
2Reliability
If the safety device prevents air conditioning use to avoid excessive coolant temperature, then the cooling system reliability is improved, but the air conditioning availability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of a static safety shutdown approach, the patent implements dynamic control that continuously adjusts the air conditioning compressor displacement based on real-time temperature monitoring. This allows the system to maintain air conditioning availability while preventing excessive coolant temperatures through proportional control adjustments, rather than complete shutdown.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system automatically monitors temperature conditions and self-adjusts the air conditioning compressor operation to prevent overheating. The system serves itself by detecting potential hot mask conditions and autonomously modifying compressor displacement to maintain both cooling system reliability and air conditioning availability without requiring manual intervention or complete shutdown.
3Device complexity
If the condenser is located upstream of the radiator to share air flow, then the device complexity is reduced, but the radiator cooling efficiency deteriorates due to hot mask phenomenon
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains the simple upstream condenser-radiator configuration but introduces dynamic control of the air conditioning compressor to compensate for the hot mask effect. By adjusting compressor displacement based on temperature feedback, the system preserves the benefits of the simplified structure while maintaining radiator cooling efficiency through active management of heat generation in the condenser.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the air conditioning compressor (displacement, rotation speed) to compensate for the thermal interaction between condenser and radiator. By modifying these parameters dynamically, the system maintains effective radiator cooling efficiency despite the condensed being positioned upstream in the air flow path, thus resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and cooling 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 solution ensures the durability of engine and cooling system components while allowing continuous air conditioning use, optimizing cooling and air conditioning management by regulating the air conditioning compressor's displacement and temperature settings, thus preventing overheating and maintaining system performance.
Implementation Method 1
When the vehicle's air conditioning is active, the air conditioning system condenser returns heat to the outside
Implementation Method 2
A cooling liquid circulates in the circuit
Implementation Method 3
a radiation loop for regulating the temperature of a cooling liquid circulating in said cooling radiator
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (34) for controlling a cooling assembly (30) for a motor vehicle (2) comprising an externally-controlled A/C compressor (20) and a cooling radiator (8), said device comprising a control loop (36) for controlling the temperature of a cooling liquid flowing through the cooling radiator (8), which control loop (36) can deliver a first corrected difference (εcond_co r). The device (34) also comprises a module (38) for controlling the A/C compressor (20) according to the first corrected difference (ε cond_co r).