In-Vehicle Cooling System Dynamic Coolant Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing in-vehicle cooling systems face inefficiencies due to coolant temperature control methods that either reduce engine efficiency or limit transmission operation, as they either increase coolant temperature, leading to knocking and reduced engine efficiency, or maintain lower temperatures, limiting flex lock-up control and transmission efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An in-vehicle cooling system with a coolant circuit, radiator, and oil cooler, regulated by processing circuitry that adjusts coolant temperature by varying the radiator flow rate, setting a high target coolant temperature during low load operations to improve engine efficiency and switching to a standard temperature when hydraulic oil temperature exceeds a threshold to prevent flex lock-up control prohibition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the target coolant temperature is increased to improve engine efficiency, then engine efficiency is improved, but hydraulic oil temperature increases and transmission operation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the target coolant temperature adjustable rather than fixed. The control device dynamically changes the target coolant temperature based on real-time monitoring of hydraulic oil temperature and transmission operation state. When hydraulic oil temperature is low and transmission operation is not limited, the system allows higher coolant temperatures to improve engine efficiency. When hydraulic oil temperature rises or transmission operation becomes limited, the system lowers the target coolant temperature to prevent further temperature increase, thus dynamically optimizing the balance between engine efficiency and transmission protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the target coolant temperature parameter based on the operating conditions. The control device monitors hydraulic oil temperature and transmission operation state, then adjusts the target coolant temperature parameter accordingly. This parameter adjustment allows the system to optimize engine efficiency when conditions permit while preventing excessive hydraulic oil temperature rise that would limit transmission operation.
2Temperature
If the target coolant temperature is maintained at standard level to cool hydraulic oil, then hydraulic oil temperature is controlled, but engine efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the target coolant temperature based on real-time transmission operation state and hydraulic oil temperature. Instead of maintaining a fixed standard temperature, the control device raises the target coolant temperature when transmission operation is not limited and hydraulic oil temperature is acceptable, thereby improving engine efficiency. When transmission operation becomes limited or hydraulic oil temperature rises excessively, the system lowers the target temperature back to standard levels to protect the transmission.
3Use of energy by moving object
If coolant temperature is increased during low load operation, then engine efficiency is improved, but hydraulic oil cooling capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by continuously monitoring the hydraulic oil temperature and transmission operation state, then using this feedback to adjust the target coolant temperature. The control device receives feedback about whether the transmission operation is limited and the current hydraulic oil temperature, and accordingly adjusts the coolant temperature control strategy. This feedback mechanism allows the system to increase coolant temperature to improve engine efficiency when transmission operation is not limited, while preventing excessive temperature rise that would compromise transmission reliability.
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 approach enhances engine efficiency by allowing higher coolant temperatures during low load operations while preventing excessive hydraulic oil temperature increases, thus maintaining transmission efficiency and allowing flex lock-up control.
Implementation Method 1
The radiator is provided in the coolant circuit and is configured to cool coolant through heat exchange between the coolant and an outside air
Implementation Method 2
The oil cooler is provided in the coolant circuit and is configured to cool hydraulic oil of a transmission through heat exchange between the hydraulic oil and the coolant
Data Source
AI summary
Processing circuitry of an in-vehicle cooling system regulates the flow rate of the coolant passing through a radiator, thereby regulating the coolant temperature to a target coolant temperature. The processing circuitry sets the target coolant temperature to a specified standard target coolant temperature when the engine is not operating in a specified temperature increase permitting range, and sets the target coolant temperature to a high target coolant temperature, which is higher than the standard target coolant temperature, when the engine is operating in the temperature increase permitting range. The processing circuitry changes the target coolant temperature in the temperature increase permitting range to a temperature lower than the high target coolant temperature and higher than or equal to the standard target coolant temperature, when the hydraulic oil temperature is higher than or equal to a specified temperature increase suppressing temperature.