Engine Cooling Valve Flow Control for Rapid Thermal Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle cooling systems may fail to circulate cooling water through the radiator in a timely manner during rapid temperature rises, leading to inadequate cooling of engine components.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle design featuring a radiator, bypass passage, and a controller that adjusts the flow rate of cooling water through the radiator and bypass passage using switchable valves, with temperature and engine load-based control to ensure effective cooling and warming of components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a thermostat valve is used to switch between open and closed states according to cooling water temperature, then the system can control cooling water circulation, but the cooling water may not be circulated through the radiator in a timely manner when temperature rapidly rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the binary open/closed thermostat valve with a flow rate adjustable valve that can dynamically vary the opening degree. This allows the system to respond continuously to temperature changes and rapidly increase cooling water flow through the radiator when temperature rises quickly, eliminating the delay inherent in binary switching mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a control mechanism that adjusts the valve opening degree as a variable parameter based on cooling water temperature and engine operating conditions. By changing the opening degree from a fixed binary state to a continuously adjustable parameter, the system can optimize cooling water circulation speed at different operating points, ensuring timely response to rapid temperature increases.
2Temperature
If cooling water is circulated through the radiator to cool engine components, then the components can be cooled effectively, but the system complexity increases with multiple valves and passages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the cooling system with a unified valve mechanism that serves multiple functions: controlling circulation to the radiator, managing bypass flow, and regulating overall cooling intensity. By making the valve system multi-functional rather than using separate dedicated valves for each function, the patent reduces the number of components while maintaining effective temperature control of engine components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the thermostat valve function with a flow rate adjustable valve into an integrated control mechanism. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate binary switching valves and continuous adjustment valves, reducing system complexity while preserving the ability to both control circulation timing and regulate flow rate for effective engine cooling.
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 ensures timely and efficient cooling and warming of engine components by dynamically controlling the flow of cooling water based on temperature and engine conditions, preventing overheating and maintaining optimal operating temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
a radiator through which cooling water is circulated independently of a cylinder block and a cylinder head of an engine and which cools the cooling water
Implementation Method 2
a first valve that is switchable between an open state in which the cooling water is circulated through the cylinder block and a closed state in which the cooling water is not circulated through the cylinder block
Implementation Method 3
a second valve that receives the cooling water that has been circulated through the cylinder head and the cooling water that has been circulated through the cylinder block via the first valve, and through the use of an intermediate opening, adjusts a flow rate of the cooling water that is to be circulated through the radiator and the bypass passage
Implementation Method 4
The controller may control the opening of the second valve based on an engine speed, an engine load, and the temperature of the cooling water that has been circulated through the cylinder head
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a radiator, a bypass passage, a first valve, a second valve, and a controller. Cooling water is circulated through the radiator independently of a cylinder block and a cylinder head of an engine. The radiator cools the cooling water. The cooling water is circulated through the bypass passage while bypassing the radiator. The first valve switches between an open state in which cooling water is circulated through the cylinder block and a closed state in which cooling water is not circulated through the cylinder block. The second valve receives cooling water circulated through the cylinder head and cooling water circulated through the cylinder block via the first valve. The second valve uses an intermediate opening to adjust a flow rate of cooling water circulated through the radiator and the bypass passage. The controller controls opening and closing of the first valve and the opening of the second valve.