Engine Control Adjusting Cooling Flow for Intermittent Stop
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicles with internal combustion engines, the temperature sensor's readings may not accurately reflect the engine's temperature when the cooling water flow rate is limited, leading to inappropriate decisions on whether to intermittently stop the engine, resulting in poor fuel economy and potential instability in combustion.
Innovation Solution
A control device that adjusts the cooling medium flow rate and relaxes the conditions for intermittent engine stopping based on the operational status of the engine, including the cooling medium's temperature and flow rate, allowing for appropriate engine stop decisions even with a limited flow rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the cooling water flow rate is limited to promote engine warming up, then the engine warming speed is improved, but the temperature sensor reading accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary estimation mechanism that uses multiple parameters (cooling water temperature, engine operation time, pump operation status) to infer the actual engine temperature when direct measurement is unreliable. This mediator bridges the gap between limited cooling water circulation and accurate temperature assessment for engine stopping decisions.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the engine is stopped intermittently to improve fuel economy, then the fuel consumption is reduced, but the combustion stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system that continuously monitors multiple parameters (cooling water temperature, engine operation time, water pump status) and adjusts the engine stopping decision based on the estimated actual engine temperature. This feedback mechanism ensures that the engine is only stopped when temperature conditions guarantee stable combustion, while maximizing fuel economy opportunities.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the cooling water flow rate is increased to improve temperature uniformity, then the temperature distribution uniformity is improved, but the engine warming up speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the cooling water flow rate based on engine operating conditions and temperature requirements. Rather than maintaining a fixed flow rate, the system optimizes cooling water circulation to balance temperature uniformity and warming speed, allowing the flow rate to vary according to real-time engine needs.
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 timely and appropriate intermittent engine stopping, preventing unnecessary engine operation and improving fuel economy by accurately assessing the engine's temperature and operational status.
Implementation Method 1
a pump for circulating a cooling medium for cooling the internal combustion engine
Implementation Method 2
cooling water is used in order to prevent the engine from being extremely heated by the heat generated by the engine's combustion operation
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes an engine capable of being intermittently stopped after it is started; a water pump for circulating cooling water, and an ECU. When the cooling water has low temperature the ECU controls the water pump to limit the flow rate of the cooling water to be smaller than when the cooling water has high temperature. When the cooling water has a limited flow rate the ECU sets lower a threshold value of the cooling water's temperature for permitting intermittently stopping the engine than when the cooling water does not have a limited flow rate. When the cooling water has a limited flow rate the engine can nonetheless be intermittently stopped at an appropriate time.