Hybrid Vehicle Shutter Control for Coolant Temperature
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In hybrid vehicles, the coolant temperature can drop during travel due to air passing through the front grille, potentially triggering the engine to start, which can cause the vehicle to switch from EV mode to hybrid mode even if it can still operate in EV mode, disrupting continuous electric vehicle travel.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system with a controller, temperature sensors, and a shutter that adjusts airflow into the engine room to maintain coolant temperature above the threshold, preventing engine startup and allowing continuous EV mode travel by reducing airflow when the coolant temperature is higher than outside air.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the front grille allows air to pass through to cool the engine, then the engine cooling efficiency is improved, but the coolant temperature drops below the threshold value causing the engine to start unexpectedly
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter is designed to be dynamically adjustable, changing its opening degree based on real-time temperature conditions. During EV mode operation, the shutter opens to allow air flow for cooling. When coolant temperature approaches the threshold, the shutter closes to restrict air flow and prevent temperature drop, thus maintaining EV mode stability while ensuring adequate cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the airflow parameter by adjusting the shutter opening degree in response to temperature changes. The controller monitors coolant temperature and dynamically modifies the shutter position parameter to maintain coolant temperature above the threshold value, preventing unwanted engine startup while ensuring proper cooling during EV mode.
2Reliability
If the shutter restricts air flow to maintain coolant temperature, then the EV mode stability is improved, but the engine cooling efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback control mechanism where the controller continuously monitors coolant temperature and adjusts the shutter opening degree accordingly. When temperature drops toward the threshold during EV mode, the controller reduces shutter opening to maintain temperature. This closed-loop feedback ensures EV mode stability while preventing overheating by dynamically balancing cooling needs with temperature maintenance.
3Temperature
If the engine is started to maintain coolant temperature above threshold, then the coolant temperature is maintained, but the vehicle switches from EV mode to hybrid mode
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter is activated in advance to prevent coolant temperature from dropping below the threshold value. By proactively controlling air flow through the shutter before temperature becomes critical, the system maintains EV mode operation without needing to start the engine, thus preserving EV travel continuity while ensuring adequate 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 the vehicle remains in EV mode by maintaining coolant temperature, preventing unnecessary engine startups and ensuring continuous electric travel even in cooler conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the air or wind that blows against the traveling vehicle passes through a front grille and is directed to the engine, etc., whereby the temperature of the coolant is likely to be reduced
Implementation Method 2
electric power is supplied from the household power supply to a block heater. Then, the block heater generates heat, so as to heat the coolant of the engine
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle has an engine (26), a power storage device (10), two motor/generators (M/G1, M/G2), a front grille with a shutter, an engine room, a first temperature sensor, a second temperature sensor, and a controller. The shutter changes the amount of air introduced from the front grille into the engine room. The first temperature sensor detects a temperature (Tw) of a coolant of the engine, and outputs the detected coolant temperature to the controller. The second temperature sensor detects an outside air temperature (Te), and outpots the detected outside air temperature to the controller. The controller starts the engine (26) when the coolant temperature is equal to or lower than a threshold value. When the coolant temperature is higher than the threshold value, and the vehicle starts traveling in a first mode with power from the power storage device (10), the controller drives the shutter such that the amount of the air is reduced when the coolant temperature (Tw) is higher than the outside air temperature (Te).