Engine Coolant Temperature Control with Block Heater Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing temperature control systems for internal combustion engines face challenges in detecting malfunctions of fluid temperature sensors and determining block heater usage when coolant circulation is stopped, leading to ineffective warm-up drives and increased fuel consumption.

Innovation Solution

A temperature control system that includes a coolant circulating apparatus, a fluid temperature detecting device, a block heater disuse estimating portion, and a block heater usage determining portion, which allows for the estimation of block heater disuse when coolant circulation is stopped and determines block heater usage based on fluid temperature changes when circulation resumes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If coolant circulation is stopped to improve warm-up efficiency and reduce fuel consumption, then the engine can reach operating temperature faster, but the fluid temperature sensor malfunction detection becomes unreliable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewarm-up efficiencyVSAvoidsensor malfunction detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the temperature control system into two independent operational modes: one for coolant circulation (normal operation) and one for stopped circulation (warm-up mode). This segmentation allows the system to apply different detection criteria for sensor malfunction based on the operational state, resolving the contradiction between warm-up efficiency and detection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts its detection strategy based on the coolant circulation state. When circulation is stopped, the system uses alternative detection methods (comparing fluid temperature changes with environmental temperature and using multiple sensors) to maintain reliable sensor malfunction detection while enabling efficient warm-up operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If block heater usage is determined based on fluid temperature changes during coolant circulation, then accurate usage determination is achieved, but the system cannot determine usage when coolant circulation is stopped

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblock heater usage determination accuracyVSAvoidusage determination capability under stopped circulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the temperature control system universal by enabling it to perform block heater usage determination in both coolant circulation modes (normal operation) and stopped circulation modes (warm-up). The system uses multiple sensors and environmental temperature data to maintain usage determination capability across different operational states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces environmental temperature as an intermediary parameter to help determine block heater usage when coolant circulation is stopped. By comparing fluid temperature changes with environmental temperature and using data from multiple sensors, the system can accurately determine block heater usage without relying solely on coolant circulation patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If the system waits for coolant circulation to determine block heater usage, then accurate determination is possible, but the warm-up drive process is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblock heater usage determination accuracyVSAvoidwarm-up drive delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by determining block heater usage during the warm-up drive process itself, rather than waiting for coolant circulation to establish. The system uses environmental temperature data and fluid temperature sensor readings available during stopped circulation to make real-time usage determinations, eliminating the delay and enabling immediate appropriate control responses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables accurate determination of block heater usage and reduces fuel consumption by allowing for efficient warm-up drives without unnecessary coolant circulation, minimizing interference with engine warming and reducing fuel consumption.

Implementation Method 1

a block heater for warming a coolant and keeping the coolant warm

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

a fluid temperature detecting device configured so as to detect a fluid temperature of the coolant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS8695552B2Temperature control system for internal combustion engine

Publication Date: 2014.04.15 AISIN SEIKI KK

AI summary

A temperature control system for an internal combustion engine, to which a block heater for warming a coolant and keeping the coolant warm is attachable, the temperature control system includes a coolant circulating apparatus circulating the coolant, a fluid temperature detecting device detecting a fluid temperature of the coolant, a block heater disuse estimating portion estimating a possibility of disuse of the block heater under a condition that a circulation of the coolant is stopped, and a block heater usage determining portion determining whether or not the block heater is used on the basis of changes in the fluid temperature under a condition that the coolant is circulated in a case where the block heater disuse estimating portion does not estimate the disuse of the block heater.