Engine Cooling Valve Control Using Fluid-Pressure Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional engine cooling apparatuses require large solenoid valves with high drive force and increased electric power consumption to maintain the valve in an energized state, leading to potential enlargement and increased power usage.
Innovation Solution
The engine cooling apparatus employs a solenoid valve with a valve body movable between positions, using fluid pressure to maintain contact with the valve seat when the solenoid is non-energized, and a controller that initiates power supply before engine start-up to ensure a reliable closed state, allowing for a smaller solenoid valve with reduced power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional solenoid valve is used to maintain the valve body in the open position, then the valve can be kept open for cooling liquid circulation, but the solenoid valve requires large drive force and high power consumption, leading to apparatus enlargement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional solenoid valve operation by making the solenoid responsible for maintaining the closed state rather than the open state. The valve body naturally opens due to fluid pressure when the solenoid is not energized, and the solenoid only needs to apply force to keep it closed when energized. This inversion dramatically reduces the power consumption and drive force requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the fluid pressure of the cooling liquid itself to provide the opening force for the valve body. When the pump operates and cooling liquid flows through the passage, the fluid pressure automatically pushes the valve body to the open position, eliminating the need for a large solenoid to maintain the open state. This hydraulic approach replaces mechanical force requirements with fluid dynamics.
2Ease of operation
If a large solenoid valve is used to move the valve body against the urging force of the urging member, then the valve can be opened for cooling liquid circulation, but the apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reverses the force balance by making the urging member (spring) provide the closing force rather than the opening force. The solenoid only needs to overcome the spring force to maintain the closed state, while the opening is achieved passively by fluid pressure. This inversion allows for a much smaller solenoid and compact valve design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs the cooling liquid's fluid pressure as the actuating force to open the valve. When the pump operates and liquid flows through the passage, the pressure differential automatically pushes the valve body open, eliminating the need for a large solenoid mechanism. This hydraulic actuation enables compact valve design.
3Productivity
If the solenoid is continuously energized to maintain the valve open, then cooling liquid circulation is maintained, but electric power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the energy consumption pattern by making the solenoid energize only when closing is required rather than when opening is required. During normal operation, the solenoid remains de-energized and the valve stays open due to fluid pressure, eliminating continuous power consumption. Energy is only consumed during transient closing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The solenoid operates in a periodic or intermittent manner rather than continuously. It is energized only when closing action is needed (such as during engine warm-up or when cooling is not required) and remains de-energized during normal circulation. This periodic operation dramatically reduces average power consumption while maintaining circulation productivity.
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 configuration enables a compact apparatus with reduced electric power consumption and improved fuel efficiency by maintaining the solenoid valve in a closed state without continuous energization, while allowing for efficient circulation of cooling liquid when needed.
Implementation Method 1
a solenoid capable of maintaining the contact between the valve body and the valve seat in response to supply of power thereto
Implementation Method 2
at the time of driving of the pump under a non-energized state of the solenoid, the valve body is movable to the position away from the valve seat by the fluid pressure of the cooling liquid
Data Source
AI summary
An engine cooling apparatus includes an engine for vehicle traveling, a pump driven by the engine, a heat exchanger, a circulation passage for circulating cooling liquid between the engine and the heat exchanger by driving the pump, a solenoid valve capable of opening/closing the circulation passage, and a controller for controlling operations of the engine. The solenoid valve includes a valve body movable between a position away from a valve seat and a position contacting the valve seat and held to contact the valve seat and a solenoid capable of maintaining contact between the valve body and the valve seat in response to supply of power thereto. When driving of the pump under a non-energized state of the solenoid, the valve body is movable to the position away from the valve seat by the cooling liquid fluid pressure.