Engine Cooling Water Routing for Idle-Stop Cabin Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems for internal combustion engines do not effectively improve heating performance during noncombustion states, such as idle stop or fuel cut, leading to a decrease in heating efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system with a flow control valve and controller that adjusts the flow of cooling water to heat exchangers and oil coolers, utilizing the higher temperature of engine oil to heat the cooling water, especially during noncombustion states, thereby improving heating performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the engine is stopped for fuel economy (idle stop or fuel cut), then fuel consumption is reduced, but heating performance deteriorates because the engine cannot generate heat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary heat exchange system using the cooling water circuit as a mediator. When the engine stops, the system redirects cooling water flow to pass through the oil cooler, which acts as a heat exchanger transferring heat from the oil to the cooling water. This intermediary mechanism allows heat transfer to continue even when the engine is not running, resolving the contradiction between fuel savings and heating performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the engine oil's inherent thermal energy as a self-contained heat source. The oil cooler and flow control valve work together to automatically redirect cooling water through the oil cooler when needed, allowing the system to serve its own heating needs without external energy input during idle stop conditions.
2Temperature
If the oil cooler passage is closed to maintain oil temperature, then oil heating is improved, but the ability to cool oil when needed is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the oil cooler passage using a flow control valve that can adjust its opening degree based on real-time temperature conditions. The valve dynamically redirects cooling water flow through the oil cooler when oil temperature is high, and closes or reduces flow when oil temperature needs to be maintained or when cooling is not required. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction between maintaining oil temperature and providing cooling capability.
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
Enhances heating performance during noncombustion states by transferring heat from the oil to the cooling water, which is then used to heat the air conditioner, thus maintaining efficient heating and reducing the need for additional heating sources.
Implementation Method 1
heat is transmitted to the cooling water from the cooling apparatus through which oil at a higher temperature than the cooling water passes, the cooling water which receives the heat flows through the heat exchanger of the air conditioner
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling system for an internal combustion engine is equipped with an air conditioner having a heat exchanger, a first passage connected to the heat exchanger and supplies cooling water of the engine to the heat exchanger, a second passage connected to a cooling apparatus for oil which fills a speed change mechanism connected to the engine or for oil which fills the engine and which supplies the cooling water to the cooling apparatus, a flow control valve configured to control the flow rate of the cooling water to the first passage and the second passage, and a controller configured to control the engine and the flow control valve. When the temperature of the oil is higher than the temperature of the cooling water, the controller performs a first control which controls the flow control valve to a position in which the first passage and the second passage are open.