Engine Cooling Electromagnetic Valve Control Logic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing engine cooling systems using electromagnetic valves face issues where the coolant pump needs to be temporarily stopped to close the valve, leading to discomfort for the driver and potential boiling of coolant in the exhaust heat collection device, especially during changes in engine load and warm-up phases.
Innovation Solution
The engine cooling system incorporates a control unit that prohibits closing the electromagnetic valve if certain temperature thresholds are met or if there is an actuation request of the heat exchanger, ensuring the valve remains open to maintain coolant flow and prevent boiling, using a valve design that holds the closed state with applied voltage and opens with coolant pressure when the pump is running.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the coolant pump is stopped to close the electromagnetic valve, then the valve can be closed properly, but the heater core temperature drops and the driver feels uncomfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit predicts whether coolant boiling will occur in the exhaust heat collection device before closing the electromagnetic valve. If boiling is predicted, the control unit prohibits valve closure in advance, preventing the harmful effect before it occurs. This preliminary prediction and prevention approach resolves the contradiction by avoiding the need to stop the coolant pump for valve closure when it would cause harmful effects.
2Reliability
If the coolant pump is stopped to close the electromagnetic valve, then the valve can be closed properly, but coolant may boil in the exhaust heat collection device
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs a prediction process before closing the electromagnetic valve to determine whether coolant boiling would occur in the exhaust heat collection device. This preliminary action of predicting harmful effects and preventing them in advance resolves the contradiction by ensuring valve closure only occurs when it will not cause coolant boiling.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors system parameters (coolant temperature, flow rate, engine load) and uses this feedback to predict whether closing the electromagnetic valve would cause coolant boiling. This feedback-based prediction allows the system to adaptively control valve closure timing, resolving the contradiction between reliable valve closure and preventing harmful effects.
3Loss of energy
If the electromagnetic valve is closed to improve fuel efficiency during intermittent engine stop, then fuel efficiency improves, but the heater core temperature drops causing driver discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit uses feedback from temperature sensors and system state monitoring to predict whether closing the electromagnetic valve would cause coolant boiling or heater core temperature drop. This feedback enables the system to selectively close the valve only when it improves fuel efficiency without causing harmful effects, resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and operational comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit dynamically adjusts the electromagnetic valve closure decision based on changing system parameters such as coolant temperature, engine load, and heater core temperature. By changing the operational parameters adaptively rather than using a fixed control strategy, the system resolves the contradiction between improving fuel efficiency and maintaining heater core function.
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 prevents driver discomfort and coolant boiling in the exhaust heat collection device by maintaining coolant flow and optimizing fuel efficiency by controlling the electromagnetic valve's operation based on temperature thresholds and heat exchanger requests.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic valve (14) arranged in the connection channel (34) to change a flow rate of the coolant passing through the engine and flowing from the first coolant circulation channel (20) to the second coolant circulation channel (30)
Implementation Method 2
a coolant pump (13) that circulates a coolant in the first and second coolant circulation channels (20, 30)
Implementation Method 3
a heat exchanger (17) arranged in the second coolant circulation channel (30)
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an engine cooling system including: a first coolant circulation channel passing through an engine; a second coolant circulation channel bypassing the engine; an electric water pump (EWP); a connection channel connecting the first coolant circulation channel and the second coolant circulation channel; an electromagnetic valve arranged in the connection channel to change a flow rate of a coolant passing through the engine and flowing from the first coolant circulation channel to the second coolant circulation channel; an EGR cooler, a heater core, and an exhaust heat collection device arranged in the second coolant circulation channel; and a control unit, wherein closing of the electromagnetic valve is prohibited if there is an actuation request of the EGR cooler, the heater core, and the exhaust heat collection device when there is a valve closing request of the electromagnetic valve.