Engine Cooling Circuit Valve for Sequential Coolant Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing internal combustion engine cooling systems are complex and inefficient, with coolant flow regulation often requiring multiple valves and pumps, leading to oversizing and increased fuel consumption, particularly due to the mechanical dependency of coolant pumps on engine speed.
Innovation Solution
A simplified cooling system control using a single actuator to manage coolant flow through various components, allowing for sequential switching between different positions to optimize coolant distribution based on temperature, reducing the need for multiple valves and pumps, and enabling efficient heating and cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple individually controllable control valves are integrated into the cooling circuit to achieve individually adjusted coolant flow rates for several heat exchangers, then the cooling capacity can be optimized for different components, but the device complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple control functions into a single control valve with multiple positions. This single valve can direct coolant to different destinations (cylinder head only, cylinder crankcase only, or both) through its multiple positions, eliminating the need for separate control valves for each heat exchanger while maintaining individual flow rate adjustment capability
Solution Approach 2:
The single control valve is designed to perform multiple functions: it can control coolant flow to the cylinder head, to the cylinder crankcase, or to both simultaneously. This multi-functional valve replaces what would traditionally require multiple specialized valves, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability
2Device complexity
If mechanically driven coolant pumps are used with delivery rate proportional to engine rotational speed, then the pump structure is simple, but the cooling capacity does not match actual requirements and fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a controllable mechanically driven coolant pump that can adjust its delivery rate within certain limits, moving from a static speed-dependent pump to a dynamic system. The pump's controllable element allows it to adapt its performance to actual cooling requirements rather than simply following engine speed, reducing energy waste while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The pump's delivery rate parameter is made variable through the controllable element, allowing adjustment of flow rate independent of engine rotational speed. This parameter change enables the pump to operate at optimal efficiency points and match cooling demand, reducing fuel consumption while maintaining the mechanical drive structure
3Device complexity
If a single actuator with multiple positions is used to control coolant distribution, then the device complexity is reduced, but the control precision for individual components may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The control valve is segmented into multiple distinct positions, each corresponding to a specific coolant distribution pattern. This segmentation allows precise control of flow direction to different heat exchangers, with each position providing a predetermined optimal flow configuration for specific operating conditions
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 solution allows for precise and cost-effective adjustment of coolant flow, reducing fuel consumption by optimizing heating and cooling efficiency, particularly during engine startup and varying operating conditions, while preventing overheating and ensuring adequate cooling capacity.
Implementation Method 1
a coolant is pumped by one or more pumps in at least one cooling circuit, absorbing heat energy from components integrated into the cooling circuit, particularly the combustion engine
Implementation Method 2
This heat energy is then transferred to the ambient air in a heat exchanger, the so-called main water radiator
Implementation Method 3
at certain times, to a heater heat exchanger. In the case of the heater heat exchanger, this heat energy is transferred to the ambient air intended for climate control of the vehicle's interior
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The invention relates to an internal combustion engine with a combustion engine and a cooling system which comprises a coolant pump, a main cooler (30), a heating heat exchanger (28), a bypass (34) which bypasses the heating heat exchanger (28), coolant channels in the combustion engine, and a regulating device with an actuator for distributing a coolant in a controlled manner depending on at least one local coolant temperature. The invention is characterized in that when the actuator is actuated in one direction, the regulating device - allows a coolant flow through the combustion engine and the heating heat exchanger (28) and prevents a coolant flow through the bypass (34) and the main cooler (30) in a first position (72); - additionally allows a coolant flow through the bypass (34) in a second position (88); and - additionally allows a coolant flow through the main cooler (30) in a third position (96).