In-Vehicle Coolant Mixing Valve Control for Engine-Battery Heat Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing in-vehicle device temperature adjustment systems lack detailed control mechanisms for mixing engine cooling water and battery cooling water, leading to inefficient heat utilization and temperature control.
Innovation Solution
An in-vehicle device temperature adjustment apparatus with a mixing valve that controls the ratio of engine cooling water and battery cooling water flow, utilizing a mixing control unit to calculate and adjust the opening degree of the mixing valve based on detected temperatures and flow rates to achieve a target outflow temperature, thereby optimizing heat media mixing and utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the engine cooling water temperature is higher than the upper temperature limit and heat is dissipated by a radiator, then the engine cooling water temperature is reduced, but the heat of the engine cooling water is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mixing valve as an intermediary device between the engine cooling water circuit and the battery cooling water circuit. Instead of directly dissipating heat through a radiator, the mixing valve blends hot engine cooling water with cooler battery cooling water, creating a mixed flow that simultaneously cools the engine and provides thermal energy to the battery, thereby eliminating waste heat loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the engine cooling water by controlling the mixing ratio through the mixing valve. By adjusting the opening degree of the mixing valve, the system dynamically changes the proportion of hot engine cooling water mixed with cooler battery cooling water, achieving optimal temperature control for both circuits while maximizing heat utilization.
2Temperature
If the switching valve is controlled to mix engine cooling water and battery cooling water at a predetermined ratio, then the engine cooling water is lowered in temperature for warming the battery, but the control of opening degree and pump rotation is complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where the mixing control unit continuously monitors the opening degree of the mixing valve and the rotational speeds of the pumps, then adjusts these parameters in real-time to maintain the desired mixing ratio. This closed-loop feedback system simplifies the control process by automatically compensating for variations in operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing control unit autonomously manages the mixing process by integrating control of the mixing valve opening degree and pump rotational speeds. The system self-regulates the flow rates and mixing ratio based on temperature sensor feedback, eliminating the need for complex external control mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity.
3Temperature
If a switching valve is used to exchange cooling water between engine and battery circuits, then temperature adjustment is achieved, but the mixing control details are not described and heat utilization is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static switching valve approach to a dynamic mixing valve system. The mixing valve can continuously adjust its opening degree to achieve any desired mixing ratio between engine cooling water and battery cooling water, enabling dynamic optimization of heat utilization based on real-time temperature requirements of both circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing valve serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a flow splitter, a mixing device, and a temperature control mechanism. By controlling the opening degree of the mixing valve, the system can regulate the proportion of hot engine cooling water directed to the battery circuit, thereby achieving efficient heat transfer and temperature control for both the engine and battery in a single integrated operation.
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 effectively mixes and utilizes heat media to accurately control the temperature of in-vehicle devices, improving temperature regulation and reducing energy consumption by optimizing the mixing process.
Implementation Method 1
a mixing valve mixing the first heat medium flowing in from the first temperature adjustment circuit and the second heat medium flowing in from the second temperature adjustment circuit, at a ratio corresponding to an opening degree, to flow out to each of the first temperature adjustment circuit and the second temperature adjustment circuit as a mixed heat medium
Implementation Method 2
a first temperature adjustment circuit causing a first pump to circulate a heat medium as a first heat medium to adjust a temperature of a first in-vehicle device
Implementation Method 3
a second temperature adjustment circuit causing a second pump to circulate the heat medium as a second heat medium to adjust a temperature of a second in-vehicle device
Implementation Method 4
an outflow temperature detection unit detecting, as an outflow temperature, a temperature of the mixed heat medium flowing out from the mixing valve
Implementation Method 5
a first inflow temperature detection unit detecting, as a first inflow temperature, a temperature of the first heat medium flowing in from the first temperature adjustment circuit to the mixing valve
Implementation Method 6
a mixing control unit performing opening degree control on the mixing valve to mix the first heat medium and the second heat medium when the temperature of the second in-vehicle device needs to be adjusted
Data Source
AI summary
A temperature adjustment apparatus includes: a first temperature adjustment circuit causing a first pump to circulate a first heat medium; a second temperature adjustment circuit causing a second pump to circulate a second heat medium; and a mixing valve provided between the first temperature adjustment circuit and the second temperature adjustment circuit and mixes the first and second heat media as a mixed heat medium. The temperature adjustment apparatus calculates a target outflow temperature tgtTout of the mixed heat medium flowing out to the second temperature adjustment circuit, calculates the ratio of the first heat medium contained in the mixed heat medium as a flow ratio R from rotational speeds N1 and N2 of the first and second pumps and an opening degree θ of the mixing valve, and calculates an inflow temperature Tin1 of the first heat medium and an inflow temperature Tin2 of the second heat medium from outflow temperatures Tout and R of the mixed heat medium. Further, the temperature adjustment apparatus calculates an opening degree correction coefficient K from R and θ, calculates a target flow ratio tgtR from Tin1, Tin2, and tgtTout, and calculates a target opening degree tgtθ of the mixing valve (16) from tgtR and K to control the opening degree.