Vehicle Cooling System Control Valve Segmentation for Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle cooling systems face inefficiencies due to single coolant control valve management, leading to suboptimal engine performance, increased fuel consumption, and decreased driver comfort, particularly in varying temperature conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method for controlling a vehicle cooling system by adjusting a control valve to manage coolant flow through different modes, including isolating coolant circulation to the EGR cooler, oil cooler, heater, and radiator, optimizing coolant temperature and flow rates based on driving conditions and outdoor temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single coolant control valve is used to control multiple cooling elements, then device complexity is reduced, but cooling efficiency and controllability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single coolant control valve into multiple independent control valves (first coolant control valve for EGR cooler, second coolant control valve for oil cooler, third coolant control valve for heater, fourth coolant control valve for radiator). This segmentation allows independent control of coolant flow to each cooling element, improving cooling efficiency and controllability while maintaining reasonable system complexity through modular valve design.
2Reliability
If coolant temperature is maintained high in certain portions, then engine performance is improved, but fuel efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by maintaining different coolant temperatures in different portions of the cooling system simultaneously. The EGR cooler receives coolant at temperatures optimized for exhaust gas cooling, the oil cooler receives coolant at temperatures optimized for lubrication, and the heater receives coolant at temperatures optimized for cabin heating. This allows each component to operate at its optimal temperature, improving overall system efficiency and fuel economy.
3Device complexity
If coolant circulates through all components continuously, then system simplicity is maintained, but cooling precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control by enabling each coolant control valve to independently adjust its opening degree based on real-time operating conditions. The control system dynamically determines the required coolant flow rates to each component (EGR cooler, oil cooler, heater, radiator) and adjusts the corresponding valves accordingly. This dynamic adjustment capability allows precise temperature control for each component while maintaining a relatively simple overall system architecture.
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
Improves cooling efficiency and controllability, enhances fuel efficiency, and minimizes coolant flow through the heater, thereby improving overall vehicle performance and customer satisfaction.
Implementation Method 1
a coolant absorbs the heat energy while circulating through the engine, a heater, and a radiator
Implementation Method 2
emits the absorbed heat energy to the outside
Implementation Method 3
a coolant circulates through the engine, the EGR cooler, the oil cooler, the heater, and the radiator by operation of a water pump
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling a cooling system for a vehicle is provided. The system includes an engine, an EGR cooler, an oil cooler, a heater, a radiator, and a controller. The engine, the EGR cooler, the oil cooler, the heater, and the radiator are respectively connected through a coolant line and coolant circulates through the engine, the EGR cooler, the oil cooler, the heater, and the radiator by operation of a water pump. The controller receives the coolant from the engine and operates a control valve connected with the oil cooler, the heater, and the radiator. The method includes: sensing driving conditions and operating the control valve when a cooling mode is required to decrease the temperature within the vehicle based on the sensed driving conditions. The control valve is operated based on modes controlled depending on a coolant temperature, and among the plurality of modes, one is iteratively performed.