Internal Combustion Engine Cooling System Flow Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing internal combustion engine cooling systems face challenges in balancing engine warming-up efficiency and fuel efficiency, as increased flow rates for heating the vehicle compartment can delay cylinder block warming and reduce fuel efficiency, while insufficient flow rates hinder quick heating.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system with a flow regulating unit that operates in fuel efficiency priority mode during engine warm-up and heating priority mode when requested, regulating flow rates to prioritize either fuel efficiency or heating, using a bypass passage to manage cooling water flow between the block-side and head-side passages and heat exchangers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the flow rate of head-side cooling water is increased to secure heat quantity for heating the vehicle compartment, then the heating performance is improved, but the temperature of cooling water flowing out of the head-side passage becomes lower and the warming-up of the engine is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling water circulation system is segmented into head-side passage and block-side passage with independent flow rate control. The flow regulating unit separately regulates cooling water flow in each passage, allowing optimized flow distribution to simultaneously achieve engine warming-up and heating supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow rate of cooling water in the head-side passage is dynamically adjusted based on operating conditions. During engine warming-up, the flow rate is limited to a first upper limit to maintain cooling water temperature for effective heating while preventing excessive temperature rise that would waste heat energy.
2Temperature
If the cooling water flowing out of the block-side passage is made to flow into the heater core to satisfy heating request during engine warm-up, then the heating performance is improved, but the warming-up of the cylinder block is delayed causing fuel efficiency impairment
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the cooling water paths into head-side and block-side passages with independent flow regulation. This allows cooling water from the head-side passage (which has sufficient temperature) to be directed to the heater core without compromising block-side warming-up, thereby maintaining fuel efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Different flow rate limits are applied to different passages based on their local requirements. The head-side passage has a higher flow rate limit (first upper limit) compared to the block-side passage (second upper limit), allowing adequate heat supply to the heater core while preserving block warming-up performance.
3Quantity of substance
If the flow rate of cooling water circulating through the head-side passage is increased to secure heat quantity for heating, then the heating capability is improved, but the temperature of cooling water becomes lower and quick heating cannot be realized
Solution Approach 1:
The flow rate of cooling water through the head-side passage is precisely controlled within a first upper limit during engine warming-up. This parameter optimization ensures sufficient heat quantity is supplied to the heater core while maintaining adequate cooling water temperature for effective heat transfer and quick heating response.
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 achieves quick engine warming and improved fuel efficiency by optimizing cooling water flow rates, ensuring efficient engine operation and rapid heating of the vehicle compartment without compromising fuel efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a heating heat exchanger (31) configured to exchange heat between cooling water flowing out from at least one of the block-side passage (11a) and the head-side passage (12a), and the blown air
Implementation Method 2
a radiating heat exchanger (24) configured to exchange heat between cooling water flowing out of the block-side passage (11a) and the head-side passage (12a) and outside air, so that cooling water radiates heat
Data Source
AI summary
During engine warm-up, a flow regulating unit in a cooling system operates in a fuel efficiency priority mode. In this mode, a head-side cooling water flow rate (Qhd) is regulated to be equal to or smaller than a first upper limit; a block-side cooling water flow rate (Qbk) is regulated to be equal to or smaller than a second upper limit; and cooling water flowing out of a block-side passage and a head-side passage flows mainly into a bypass passage. When a heating request to heat blown air is made during engine warm-up, the regulating unit operates in a heating priority mode. In this mode, Qhd is regulated to be equal to or smaller than a third upper limit; Qbk is regulated to be equal to or smaller than a fourth upper limit; and at least cooling water flowing out of the head-side passage flows into a heat exchanger.