Heater Core Coolant Flow Control for Cabin Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current engine cooling systems face challenges in controlling coolant flow through the heater core, leading to overcooling of the engine, which degrades fuel economy, emissions, and engine performance, as they often circulate coolant at rates greater than necessary to maintain cabin air temperature, ignoring the heat capacity of the cooling system.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a temperature estimation module and a coolant flow control module that adjusts coolant flow to the heater core based on the difference between the target and estimated heater core air out temperatures, using sensors to measure inlet and outlet coolant temperatures and air flowrates, and employing control methods like PID or table look-up to minimize coolant flow while maintaining cabin temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If coolant flow rate through the heater core is increased to maintain cabin temperature, then cabin heating performance is improved, but engine overcooling occurs which degrades fuel economy and engine performance
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors actual cabin air temperature and compares it with the target temperature, then adjusts the coolant flow rate through the heater core based on the temperature difference. This closed-loop feedback control ensures the minimum necessary coolant flow is used to maintain cabin temperature, preventing excessive coolant circulation that would cause engine overcooling and fuel economy degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The coolant flow rate is made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed, allowing the system to optimize the balance between cabin heating requirements and engine temperature maintenance. The flow rate changes in real-time based on actual cabin temperature conditions, enabling energy-efficient operation while maintaining comfort.
2Temperature
If coolant flow rate through the heater core is increased to maintain cabin temperature, then cabin heating performance is improved, but engine combustion temperature decreases which degrades emissions and engine performance
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback control system monitors cabin temperature and adjusts coolant flow accordingly, ensuring that coolant is only circulated at rates necessary for heating. This prevents excessive coolant flow that would lower engine combustion temperature and increase harmful emissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the coolant flow rate parameter dynamically based on cabin heating requirements, optimizing the balance between providing cabin heat and maintaining engine combustion temperature for low emissions.
3Loss of energy
If coolant flow rate through the heater core is reduced to improve fuel economy, then engine overcooling is prevented, but cabin air temperature drops below target
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback control mechanism continuously monitors cabin temperature and increases coolant flow rate when the temperature drops below the target, ensuring cabin comfort is maintained while minimizing unnecessary coolant circulation for energy efficiency.
4Loss of energy
If coolant flow rate through the heater core is reduced to improve fuel economy, then engine overcooling is prevented, but heater core air out temperature drops below target
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from temperature sensors to monitor heater core air out temperature and adjusts coolant flow rate to maintain the target temperature, optimizing fuel economy while ensuring adequate heating performance.
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 approach minimizes coolant flow through the heater core, preventing overcooling of the engine, thereby improving fuel economy, reducing emissions, and maintaining combustion temperatures, while ensuring cabin air temperature is maintained at or near the target temperature.
Implementation Method 1
Heat is transferred from coolant circulating through the heater core to air passing through the heater core before the air enters the passenger cabin
Data Source
AI summary
A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a temperature estimation module and a coolant flow control module. The temperature estimation module can determine an estimate of a heater core air out temperature of a vehicle based upon a heater core inlet coolant temperature, a heater core outlet coolant temperature, an estimated volumetric air flowrate, and an estimated volumetric coolant flowrate. The coolant flow control module can control a rate at which coolant flows to a heater core of the vehicle by adjusting a position of a coolant control valve of the vehicle or an output of a coolant pump of the vehicle. The coolant flow control module can control the coolant flowrate to decrease a difference between a target heater core air out temperature and the estimated heater core air out temperature.