Integrated Cooling Control Valve for Vehicle Engine Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling control devices for vehicle engine cooling systems are large due to the need for separate and sufficient flow rates from both the first and second control valves, especially during normal and abnormal operating conditions.
Innovation Solution
A cooling control device that integrates a first control valve and a second control valve, where the second control valve operates independently to increase the flow rate through a different route, allowing for cooperative control of refrigerant flow rates to reduce the size of the first control valve and maintain necessary flow rates during abnormalities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the first control valve is designed to maintain sufficient flow rate for both normal and abnormal conditions, then the cooling system maintains reliability during abnormalities, but the size of the first control valve becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the flow rate control function into two separate control valves: the first control valve handles normal circulation mode, and the second control valve handles abnormal conditions (short circuit mode). This segmentation allows each valve to be optimized for its specific function, enabling the first control valve to be smaller since it only needs to handle normal flow requirements, while the second control valve provides additional flow capacity when needed for reliability.
2Reliability
If separate control valves are used for normal and abnormal conditions, then the cooling system maintains required flow rates under all conditions, but the overall device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the second control valve with multi-functionality: it serves as a backup for abnormal conditions while also contributing to flow rate control during normal operation. This universal design allows the system to maintain required flow rates under all conditions without requiring a completely separate dedicated valve for each mode, thereby reducing the overall device size compared to having fully independent valves for each function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the second control valve operates independently with a different route, then the flow rate control flexibility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the second control valve into the same housing as the first control valve, combining multiple functions into a single integrated device. The second control valve operates independently with a different route internally, providing flow rate control flexibility, but by merging both valves into one housing with shared components and control mechanisms, the overall device complexity is reduced compared to having completely separate valve assemblies.
Data Source
AI summary
In a cooling control device CM that controls the cooling state of an external device by controlling the flow rate of cooling water that flows in from an introduction port 10 and causing the cooling water to flow out from a first to a third discharge ports E1 to E3, the cooling control device CM is configured that, for example, the flow rate of the cooling water to be supplied to a radiator side from the cooling control device CM is controlled by the cooperation of a flow rate control valve CV that controls the flow rate of the water supply according to a preset rule, and a switching control valve SV that controls the flow rate of the water supply independently from the flow rate control valve CV through a route different from that of the flow rate control valve CV.