Engine Cooling Flow Path Switching for Pressure and Warm-Up Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In engine systems, the pressure of cooling water tends to rise during warm-up operations, which can damage the EGR cooler due to its lower pressure resistance compared to the engine, and prematurely extending engine warm-up times if the valve is opened at low temperatures to alleviate pressure.
Innovation Solution
An engine cooling device with a flow path switching unit that includes multiple valves to control the flow of cooling water, allowing it to bypass the radiator at lower temperatures and flow through it at higher temperatures, thereby managing pressure and reducing warm-up times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the valve is closed during warm-up operation to circulate cooling water between the pump and engine, then the engine warm-up speed is improved, but the cooling water pressure rises excessively which may damage the EGR cooler
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cooling water circulation system into multiple flow paths with different functions: a short circulation path (pump-engine-pump) for rapid warm-up and a long circulation path (pump-engine-radiator-pump) for pressure relief. The flow path switching unit segments the cooling water flow based on temperature conditions, allowing the system to switch between these paths to resolve the contradiction between warm-up speed and pressure control.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow path switching unit dynamically changes the circulation path based on the temperature of cooling water. When cooling water temperature is below the predetermined threshold, the valve closes to force circulation through the short path for rapid warm-up. When temperature reaches the threshold, the valve opens to redirect flow through the long path including the radiator, thereby dynamically adjusting the system to prevent excessive pressure while maintaining efficient warm-up.
2Reliability
If the valve is opened at low temperature to circulate cooling water to the radiator, then the cooling water pressure is reduced protecting the EGR cooler, but the engine warm-up time becomes excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameter (valve state) based on the temperature parameter of the cooling water. By setting a predetermined temperature threshold, the system transitions from a closed valve state (short circulation) to an open valve state (long circulation with radiator) only when the cooling water reaches sufficient temperature. This parameter-based control ensures the EGR cooler is protected from excessive pressure while minimizing warm-up time by not prematurely opening the valve.
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 protects the EGR cooler by maintaining optimal pressure and reducing engine warm-up times by efficiently directing cooling water flow based on temperature, ensuring the engine warms up quickly without excessive pressure.
Implementation Method 1
a radiator that cools the cooling water from the engine and the EGR cooler
Data Source
AI summary
An engine cooling device includes: a flow path switching unit provided between an engine and an EGR cooler and the radiator and between the engine and the EGR cooler and a pump. The flow path switching unit includes a first valve that allows a cooling water to flow through a first bypass flow path extending toward the pump when a temperature of the cooling water is lower than a first temperature and that allows the cooling water to flow through a radiator connection flow path, a second valve that allows the cooling water to flow through the first bypass flow path when the temperature of the cooling water is less than a second temperature that is higher than the first temperature, and allows the cooling water to flow through the radiator connection flow path when the temperature of the cooling water is equal to or higher than the second temperature.