Dual Pump Cooling Device with Series-Parallel Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling devices for internal combustion engines face challenges in ensuring a sufficient coolant flow rate without increasing the volume of the pump, particularly when coolant pressure is low and flow resistance is high, as connecting pumps in parallel only maintains the same pressure as a single pump and does not enhance coolant pressure.
Innovation Solution
A cooling device with a pump portion that includes two pumps and a switching mechanism to connect them either in parallel or series, controlled by a thermostat and a control device, to optimize flow rate and pressure based on coolant temperature and flow path resistance, allowing for efficient coolant distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If pumps are connected in parallel to increase flow rate, then the flow rate can be increased without increasing pump volume, but the coolant pressure remains the same as a single pump and cannot be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the pump connection configuration switchable between parallel and series based on operating conditions. The control device dynamically adjusts the connection mode according to coolant temperature and flow requirements, allowing the system to optimize both flow rate and pressure performance across different operating scenarios without increasing pump volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the connection parameter (parallel vs series) based on operating conditions. When coolant temperature is low and flow rate requirement is high, pumps are connected in parallel. When coolant temperature is high and pressure requirement is high, pumps are connected in series. This parameter change allows the system to achieve sufficient flow rate and pressure without increasing pump volume.
2Ease of operation
If coolant is circulated to the heat exchanger, then the coolant flows more easily and sufficient flow rate can be ensured with low coolant pressure, but the coolant pressure cannot be increased when circulation is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts pump connection mode based on whether the coolant needs to flow to the heat exchanger. When the heat exchanger is in use and coolant flows easily, pumps operate in parallel. When the heat exchanger is bypassed and flow resistance increases, pumps switch to series connection to maintain adequate pressure.
3Productivity
If a single pump with large volume is used to increase output, then the flow rate can be increased, but ensuring a large set space for the pump around the engine body is not easy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pump system into two smaller pumps instead of using one large pump. These two pumps are connected either in parallel or in series depending on operating conditions. This segmentation allows the system to achieve the same or greater output while reducing the volume of individual pump units, making installation around the engine body easier.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines two smaller pumps to achieve the output of a larger pump. By merging the capabilities of two smaller pump units through parallel or series connection, the system achieves high productivity without requiring a single large-volume pump, thus solving the space constraint issue.
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 configuration allows for a sufficient coolant flow rate and pressure to be maintained without increasing the pump volume, by switching between parallel and series connections based on coolant temperature and flow resistance, enhancing cooling efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger configured to perform heat exchange with the coolant
Implementation Method 2
a pump portion configured to pump a coolant of the internal combustion engine
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling device for an internal combustion engine includes a pump portion, a circulation water passage, a thermostat configured to switch between a state where the coolant is circulated to a heat exchange water passage on which a radiator is disposed and a state where the coolant is not circulated to the heat exchange water passage, and a control unit configured to control the pump portion. The control unit is configured to control a three-way valve such that a first pump and a second pump are connected in parallel when the thermostat switches to the state where the coolant is circulated to the heat exchange water passage and controls the three-way valve such that the first pump and the second pump are connected in series when the thermostat switches to the state where the coolant is not circulated to the heat exchange water passage.