Intercooler Valve Control for Hybrid Engine Knock and Pumping Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hybrid electric vehicles suffer from low thermal efficiency due to high oil consumption, which increases the cost of use.

Innovation Solution

An engine system with a first valve, gas compressor, recirculation unit, turbine, and intercooler is designed to control the flow of a cooling channel, utilizing a turbine to increase intake pressure, an intercooler to cool pressurized gas, and a first valve to adapt the cooling effect to the intake channel, improving combustion stability and thermal efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a gas compressor is used to increase intake pressure, then pumping loss is reduced, but engine knock increases due to higher intake temperature

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepumping lossVSAvoidengine knock
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The intercooler is integrated into the intake system to serve dual purposes: cooling the compressed gas to prevent engine knock, and the cooling channel structure itself acts as part of the intake system. This multi-functional design addresses both the energy loss from pumping and the harmful effect of engine knock simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the temperature parameter of the intake gas by introducing a cooling channel through the intercooler. The cooling channel cools the compressed gas, lowering its temperature to prevent engine knock while maintaining the pressure increase benefits for reducing pumping loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If cooling is applied to the intake channel, then engine knock is reduced, but combustion stability deteriorates due to lower temperature

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengine knockVSAvoidcombustion stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The first valve dynamically adjusts the flow through the cooling channel based on operating conditions. By controlling the valve opening, the system can modulate the cooling effect to prevent engine knock while maintaining sufficient temperature for stable combustion, thus dynamically balancing both requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses a control unit that monitors operating parameters and adjusts the first valve accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that the cooling effect is optimized in real-time to prevent engine knock while maintaining combustion stability under varying operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of substance

If thermal efficiency is improved, then oil consumption decreases, but system complexity increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoil consumptionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The intercooler is merged with the intake system by integrating the cooling channel into the intake channel structure. This combined design reduces the need for separate cooling components and simplifies the overall system while improving thermal efficiency and reducing oil consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The intercooler serves multiple functions: it cools the compressed gas, integrates with the intake system structure, and the cooling channel serves as part of the intake pathway. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing system complexity while achieving improved thermal efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 reduces pumping loss, engine knock, and oil consumption, enhancing thermal efficiency and combustion stability by controlling the intake channel temperature and pressure.

Implementation Method 1

the intercooler has a cooling channel and an intake channel, and the cooling channel is configured to cool the intake channel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

utilizing a turbine to increase intake pressure, reducing the pumping loss

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP4700217A1Engine, hybrid electric vehicle and cooling method
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 CHERY AUTOMOBILE CO LTD
  • EP4700217A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4700217A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4700217A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to the field of engine cooling technologies, and in particular, to an engine, a hybrid electric vehicle and a cooling method. The engine includes a gas compressor, an intercooler, a throttle valve body, an engine body, a recirculation unit, a turbine and a catalytic converter; the intercooler is provided with a first valve, a cooling channel and an intake channel; and the cooling channel is configured to cool the intake channel. The first valve is communicated with the cooling channel, and the first valve is used for controlling a flow of the cooling channel. The intake channel is communicated with the gas compressor and an intake end of the engine body. The recirculation unit is communicated with the turbine and the gas compressor. The turbine is communicated with an exhaust end of the engine body. According to the present disclosure, the heat efficiency of the engine is improved.