Engine cooling system, electronic thermostat control system and control method for the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing engine cooling systems fail to actively respond to variable vehicle operation conditions, leading to overcooling, decreased engine efficiency, increased fuel consumption, and non-compliance with OBD regulations due to the lack of adaptive coolant temperature control and fault diagnosis capabilities.
Innovation Solution
An electronic thermostat control system with a heater and coolant temperature sensor, controlled by a system that adjusts the heater's operation based on vehicle conditions, including coolant temperature, engine speed, load, and vehicle speed, to maintain optimal coolant temperature and diagnose malfunctions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical thermostat is used to control coolant temperature, then the coolant temperature can be maintained within a predetermined range, but the system cannot actively respond to variable vehicle operation conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical thermostat system with an electronic control system that uses a heater element actuated by an electronic control unit. The ECU receives signals from temperature sensors and actively controls the heater to adjust the thermostat valve opening, enabling electronic rather than purely mechanical control. This substitution allows the system to respond actively to variable driving conditions while maintaining reliable coolant temperature control.
2Reliability
If the cooling system is designed to satisfy full load conditions, then the engine can be adequately cooled under maximum load, but overcooling occurs during normal driving conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic control system where the ECU continuously adjusts the thermostat valve opening based on real-time driving conditions. During normal driving (below full load), the ECU reduces the valve opening to decrease coolant flow through the radiator, preventing overcooling and improving fuel efficiency. Under full load conditions, the ECU increases valve opening to ensure adequate cooling. This dynamic adjustment optimizes the balance between cooling performance and fuel consumption across different operating conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an electronic thermostat with heater and wax element is used, then active control response is improved, but the system lacks fault diagnosis capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a feedback system where temperature sensors continuously monitor coolant temperature and provide signals to the ECU. The ECU compares actual temperature readings with expected values and can detect abnormalities indicating thermostat malfunction. This feedback mechanism enables the system to provide fault diagnosis information to the driver while maintaining active control response capability, satisfying both adaptability and diagnostic requirements.
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
The system actively controls coolant temperature, preventing overheating, optimizing engine efficiency, and ensuring compliance with OBD regulations by dynamically adjusting the thermostat's operation and detecting faults.
Implementation Method 1
an electronic thermostat valve having a heating means that cooperates with expansion of a wax element
Implementation Method 2
a heater for heating the wax
Implementation Method 3
high temperature about 2000-2500° C. generated within an engine is transmitted to cylinder walls, a cylinder head, a piston valve
Implementation Method 4
The thermostat is disposed between the engine and the radiator and changes displacement of a valve according to changes of coolant temperature, and thus flowing amount flowing through the radiator is adjusted
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic thermostat control system may include a control duty determination portion outputting PWM duty signal for controlling the coolant temperature according to a coolant temperature, a rising rate of the coolant temperature, an engine speed, a load and a vehicle speed, a driving portion applying a time condition to the PWM duty signal output by the control duty determination portion for controlling outputting interval, and a fault diagnosis portion diagnosing operations of the electronic thermostat by analyzing the signals output by the driving portion and changes of the coolant temperature.