Dual-Pump Engine Cooling Fluid Supply Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing engine cooling systems face challenges in efficiently controlling the amount of cooling water supplied to the engine, leading to wasteful energy consumption and increased device size due to high-capacity pumps and motors required for severe operation conditions.
Innovation Solution
A fluid supply device with a dual-pump system, where a first pump driven by the engine and a second pump driven by an electric motor, along with temperature and revolution speed detection and control mechanisms, allows for adjustable cooling fluid supply, optimizing energy use and reducing device size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a high-capacity cooling water supply pump is used to prevent overheating under severe operation conditions, then the engine can be cooled adequately under all conditions, but the pump consumes excessive energy during warm-up operation and normal operation
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling water supply system is segmented into two separate pumps: a first supply pump driven by the engine for high-capacity cooling under severe conditions, and a second supply pump driven by an electric motor for controlled cooling during warm-up and normal operation. This segmentation allows each pump to be optimized for specific operating conditions, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining cooling reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between the first supply pump (engine-driven) and the second supply pump (electric motor-driven) based on operating conditions such as engine temperature and load. During warm-up, the second pump provides controlled cooling; during severe operation, the first pump takes over. This dynamic operation optimizes energy usage by avoiding continuous high-capacity pump operation.
2Reliability
If the cooling water supply pump is driven by the engine at all times, then adequate cooling is provided under all conditions, but the warm-up operation time is extended and energy is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling water supply function is segmented between two pumps with different drive sources. The second supply pump (electric motor-driven) handles warm-up and normal operation, allowing controlled cooling that doesn't excessively extend warm-up time. The first supply pump (engine-driven) is available for severe conditions. This segmentation enables time-optimized warm-up while maintaining cooling availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the drive parameter of the cooling pump based on operating conditions. During warm-up, an electric motor drives the second pump at controlled speeds, allowing warm-up to proceed efficiently. When severe cooling is needed, the system switches to engine-driven operation of the first pump. This parameter change optimizes both warm-up time and cooling availability.
3Ease of operation
If an electric motor is provided to drive the cooling water supply pump for controlled cooling, then the amount of cooling water can be controlled during warm-up, but the electric motor and battery size must be large
Solution Approach 1:
The electric cooling function is segmented into a dedicated second supply pump driven by a separate electric motor and battery system. This second pump is sized appropriately for controlled cooling during warm-up and normal operation, rather than requiring a single large motor capable of handling all severe conditions. The first pump (engine-driven) supplements capacity when needed, allowing the electric system to be smaller while maintaining ease of control.
Data Source
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AI summary
An engine cooling device (1) includes: a first supply pump (11) driven by an engine (EG); a second supply pump (12) driven by an electric motor (M); a first fluid path switching valve (V1) that switches between a supply state in which a cooling fluid is supplied by the first supply pump to the engine and a restricted state in which the supply of the cooling fluid to the engine is restricted; a temperature detector (15) that detects the temperature of the engine (engine cooling water temperature); a revolution speed detector (14) that detects the revolution speed of the engine; and a controller (CN) that controls the actuation of the electric motor and the fluid path switching valve on the basis of detection results from the temperature detector and the revolution speed detector. When the temperature of the engine detected by the temperature detector is less than a first predetermined temperature, the controller performs control to restrict the supply of the cooling fluid from the first supply pump to the engine by switching the fluid path switching valve to the restricted state, and to supply the cooling fluid from the second supply pump to the engine by performing control to drive the electric motor.