Mixing Valve Control for In-Vehicle Dual Coolant Temperature Balancing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing in-vehicle device temperature adjustment systems lack specific control details for mixing engine cooling water and battery cooling water, leading to inefficient heat utilization and temperature control.
Innovation Solution
An in-vehicle device temperature adjustment apparatus with a mixing valve and control units that detect and adjust the opening degree of the valve based on temperature sensors, calculating target outflow temperatures and flow ratios to effectively mix heat media from two temperature adjustment circuits, utilizing feedback control to stabilize the mixed heat medium's temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If engine cooling water and battery cooling water are mixed without specific control details, then the system structure remains simple, but the temperature control precision deteriorates and heat utilization efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by detecting the opening degree of the mixing valve, temperatures of both heat media and mixed heat medium, calculating flow ratios based on these parameters, and adjusting the mixing valve opening degree to maintain precise temperature control of the mixed heat medium while avoiding complex system restructuring
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical control systems with computational control methods, using temperature sensors and flow ratio calculations to determine optimal mixing proportions, thereby achieving precise temperature control without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms
2Temperature
If engine cooling water is dissipated by radiator when temperature is high, then the engine cooling water temperature is reduced, but heat waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of high-temperature engine cooling water (which would normally be wasted in the radiator) into a beneficial resource by mixing it with battery cooling water, thereby transferring excess heat to where it is needed for battery temperature management and eliminating heat waste
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of engine cooling water by mixing it with cooler battery cooling water in controlled proportions, transforming high-temperature waste heat into appropriately tempered cooling water suitable for battery temperature regulation
3Manufacturing precision
If mixing valve opening degree is controlled without flow ratio calculation, then the control system is simpler, but the mixing precision and temperature regulation accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service control where the system automatically detects temperatures and opening degrees, calculates flow ratios and target temperatures, and adjusts the mixing valve autonomously without requiring external intervention or complex manual calibration procedures
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 solution allows for precise control of the outflow temperature, improving the utilization of heat media for temperature regulation of in-vehicle devices, reducing energy consumption, and eliminating the need for complex prior calibration, while being cost-effective and adaptable to varying specifications.
Implementation Method 1
a mixing valve mixing the first heat medium flowing in from the first temperature adjustment circuit and the second heat medium flowing in from the second temperature adjustment circuit, at a ratio corresponding to an opening degree, to flow out to each of the first temperature adjustment circuit and the second temperature adjustment circuit as a mixed heat medium
Implementation Method 2
a first temperature adjustment circuit circulating a heat medium as a first heat medium to adjust a temperature of a first in-vehicle device; a second temperature adjustment circuit circulating the heat medium as a second heat medium to adjust a temperature of a second in-vehicle device
Data Source
AI summary
An in-vehicle device temperature adjustment apparatus of the present invention includes: a first temperature adjustment circuit (2) circulating a first heat medium to adjust a temperature of a first device (4); a second temperature adjustment circuit (3) circulating a second heat medium to adjust a temperature of a second device (5); and a mixing valve (16) that is provided between the first temperature adjustment circuit (2) and the second temperature adjustment circuit (3), and mixes the first and second heat media to flow out to each of the temperature adjustment circuits (2, 3) as a mixed heat medium. The temperature adjustment apparatus controls a mixing valve (16) by calculating a target outflow temperature tgtTout of the mixed heat medium flowing out to the second temperature adjustment circuit (3), calculating the ratio of the first heat medium contained in the mixed heat medium as a flow ratio R based on inflow temperatures Tin1 and Tin2 of the first and second heat media and an outflow temperature Tout of the mixed heat medium, calculating an opening degree correction coefficient K from the flow ratio R and an opening degree θ of the mixing valve (16), calculating a target flow ratio tgtR from the inflow temperatures Tin1 and Tin2 and a target outflow temperature tgtTout, and calculating a target opening degree tgtθ of the mixing valve (16) from the opening degree correction coefficient K and the target flow ratio tgtR.