Vehicle Cooling Device Path Switching for Idle Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
During idle reduction in vehicles, the air heating performance deteriorates, and the cylinder head temperature control is inadequate, leading to increased ignition timing retardation and reduced fuel economy at vehicle start-up.
Innovation Solution
A cooling device with an electric water pump, a first path through the heater core and radiator, and a second path bypassing them, where the path switching mechanism reduces the opening area of the second path when the engine is automatically stopped, increasing the cooling water circulation rate through the first path to maintain heating performance and decrease cylinder head temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the engine is automatically stopped during idle reduction, then fuel economy is improved, but air heating performance deteriorates due to insufficient cylinder head temperature control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the cooling water circulation path dynamically switchable between two configurations: a first path that prioritizes cylinder head cooling and a second path that prioritizes heater core heating. The control device dynamically selects the appropriate path based on whether the engine is in automatic stop mode, thereby adapting the thermal management system to different operational requirements and resolving the contradiction between fuel economy and heating performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the flow distribution parameter of cooling water by switching between different circulation paths. In automatic stop mode, the system changes the parameter to direct cooling water through the heater core path, increasing heating performance. When the engine runs, it changes the parameter to direct cooling water through the cylinder head path, optimizing cooling efficiency. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by adjusting flow distribution according to operational mode.
2Temperature
If cooling water circulation is prioritized through the cylinder head, then cylinder head temperature is controlled, but air heating performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cooling water circulation system into two distinct paths: a first path for cylinder head cooling and a second path for heater core heating. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each function by directing cooling water through the appropriate path based on operational requirements, thereby resolving the contradiction between cylinder head temperature control and air heating performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between the first cooling path (cylinder head priority) and the second cooling path (heater core priority) based on engine operational mode. During automatic stop, the system dynamically selects the second path to prioritize heating. During normal operation, it dynamically selects the first path to prioritize cooling, thereby resolving the contradiction through dynamic path selection.
3Ease of operation
If the opening area of the bypass path is reduced, then cooling water circulation through the heater core increases, but the overall cooling efficiency may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the cooling water circulation path dynamically switchable between two configurations: a first path that prioritizes cylinder head cooling and a second path that prioritizes heater core heating. The control device dynamically selects the appropriate path based on whether the engine is in automatic stop mode, thereby adapting the thermal management system to different operational requirements and resolving the contradiction between fuel economy and heating performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the flow distribution parameter of cooling water by switching between different circulation paths. In automatic stop mode, the system changes the parameter to direct cooling water through the heater core path, increasing heating performance. When the engine runs, it changes the parameter to direct cooling water through the cylinder head path, optimizing cooling efficiency. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by adjusting flow distribution according to operational mode.
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 effectively suppresses air heating performance deterioration, reduces ignition timing retardation, and improves fuel economy during vehicle start-up from an automatic stop state by prioritizing heat release through the heater core and radiator.
Implementation Method 1
an electric water pump for circulating cooling water
Implementation Method 2
a first path including a cooling water passage in a cylinder head and extending through a heater core for vehicle air heating
Implementation Method 3
a first path including a cooling water passage in a cylinder head and extending through a heater core for vehicle air heating and a radiator
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling device for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle according to the claimed invention includes: an electric water pump; a first path including a cooling water passage in a cylinder head and extending through a heater core for air heating and a radiator; and a second path bypassing the heater core and radiator. When the internal combustion engine is automatically stopped while the vehicle is stopping, the cooling device causes the electric water pump to operate, and increases the cooling water circulation ratio through the first path while reducing the cooling water circulation ratio through the second path. Thereby, the cooling device improves fuel economy during acceleration at the vehicle start from the automatic stop state of the internal combustion engine while suppressing the deterioration of the air heating performance during the automatic stop of the internal combustion engine while the vehicle is stopping.