Vehicle Cooling Valve Control for Low-Power Coolant Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle cooling devices require a large driving force for solenoid valve operation and increased power consumption to maintain coolant circulation, leading to potential upsizing and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle cooling device configuration that utilizes a solenoid valve movable between open and closed states by fluid pressure and electromagnetic force, with a control unit to manage pump operation and solenoid energization, allowing for compact design and reduced power consumption by selectively stopping coolant circulation where not needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the solenoid valve uses a biasing member to hold the valve body in abutment with the valve seat when not energized, then the valve can be switched to an open state by solenoid energization, but this requires a large driving force and increases the size of the unit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional solenoid valve operation by making the solenoid's default state (not energized) correspond to the valve being closed (abutment position), and the energized state correspond to the valve being open. This inversion allows the valve to remain compact while achieving reliable switching, as the solenoid only needs to overcome the biasing force temporarily during energization rather than continuously opposing it.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing member automatically returns the valve body to the abutment position with the valve seat when the solenoid is not energized, without requiring additional mechanical components or continuous energy input. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex return springs or additional actuators, keeping the solenoid valve compact while ensuring reliable closed-state positioning.
2Productivity
If the solenoid valve requires continuous solenoid energization to maintain the valve body in the open position, then the valve can remain open for coolant circulation, but this increases power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit implements periodic action by energizing the solenoid only during specific periods when coolant circulation is required, and de-energizing it during periods when circulation is not needed. This periodic energization pattern maintains coolant circulation efficiency when required while dramatically reducing overall power consumption compared to continuous energization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the continuous electromagnetic force requirement with a mechanical biasing member that automatically maintains the valve in the closed position. This mechanical substitution allows the system to achieve reliable valve control with intermittent solenoid energization rather than continuous energy input, reducing power consumption while maintaining circulation efficiency when needed.
3Device complexity
If the solenoid valve uses a biasing member to hold the valve body in abutment with the valve seat, then the valve structure can be simplified, but this requires the solenoid to generate sufficient force to overcome the biasing force during energization
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit changes the operational parameters by implementing intermittent energization cycles with appropriate duty cycles. This allows the solenoid to generate the necessary force to overcome the biasing member during brief energization periods, then return to a low-power state. The parameter changes in energization timing and duration enable the system to achieve valve actuation with a compact solenoid that wouldn't require excessively high continuous force output.
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
Enables downsizing and reduced power consumption while improving fuel efficiency by selectively switching the solenoid valve between open and closed states using fluid pressure and electromagnetic force, minimizing unnecessary coolant circulation.
Implementation Method 1
a solenoid capable of maintaining the abutment between the valve body and the valve seat due to energization of the solenoid
Implementation Method 2
the fluid pressure of the coolant to move the valve body to the position in which the valve body is separated from the valve seat when the solenoid is not energized
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle cooling device includes a pump, circulation paths connected to the pump for circulating coolant between a cooling object and a heat exchanger, a solenoid valve for opening and closing at least one of the circulation paths, and a control unit for controlling pump operation. The solenoid valve includes a valve body movable between a position separated from a valve seat and a position abutting the valve seat, the valve body being held in abutment with the valve seat, and a solenoid maintaining the abutment when energized. The valve body allows coolant fluid pressure to move the valve body separate from the valve seat when the solenoid is not energized and the pump is in operation, and the control unit performs controlling to stop the pump and start solenoid energization when conditions are ready for stopping coolant circulation through the circulation path in which the solenoid valve is disposed.