Rotary Coolant Valve for Separate Cylinder Head and Block Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flow control valves lack the ability to separately control the flow rate of cooling water circulated through a cylinder head and a cylinder block, limiting their effectiveness in improving cooling efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A flow control valve apparatus with a rotating valve and disc mechanism that controls the flow rate of cooling medium through multiple flow paths, including separate control for the cylinder block and cylinder head, using a support with open holes and an elastic body to manage flow rates based on the valve's position, allowing efficient circulation and pressure management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a conventional flow control valve is used to stop cooling water flow, then engine warm-up time is reduced, but the cooling efficiency cannot be improved because separate control of cylinder head and cylinder block flow rates is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control valve is divided into multiple independent control elements: a first flow control valve for the cylinder block and a second flow control valve for the cylinder head. Each valve can independently adjust flow rates, enabling separate control of cooling water distribution to different engine components while maintaining the ability to stop flow for rapid warm-up.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow control valves are designed with variable flow characteristics through adjustable opening degrees. The valves can dynamically change from fully closed (stopping flow for warm-up) to partially open (controlling flow rates for cooling efficiency), providing adaptive flow control based on operating conditions.
2Temperature
If the flow rate of cooling water is increased to improve cooling efficiency, then cooling performance improves, but engine warm-up efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control valves enable dynamic adjustment of cooling water flow rates based on real-time operating conditions. During cold start, valves remain closed to maintain high engine temperature for warm-up. Once operational temperature is reached, valves open to appropriate degrees to optimize cooling efficiency, thus dynamically balancing warm-up and cooling requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the flow rate parameter of cooling water from zero (during warm-up) to optimized values (during normal operation). The flow control valves provide precise control over this parameter transition, allowing the system to adapt cooling water flow rates to match different operational phases and maintain optimal engine temperature.
3Device complexity
If a simple flow stop valve is used, then the structure is simple, but the ability to variably micro-control flow rate is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The valve system is segmented into multiple independent control units (first and second flow control valves), each capable of variable flow control. This segmentation allows each valve to be relatively simple in structure while collectively providing sophisticated flow control capabilities for different cooling circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
Each flow control valve is designed as a multi-functional component that can perform both flow stopping (like a simple valve) and variable flow rate control (like a complex control valve). This universal design allows the valves to function in multiple modes depending on opening degree, combining simplicity and control capability.
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 enables diversified flow control of the cooling medium, enhancing cooling performance by efficiently managing flow rates according to various conditions, thereby improving engine warm-up efficiency and durability.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic body provided at the valve or the support to elastically support the disc in a direction opposite to a direction in which the cooling medium may flow through the plurality of flow paths
Data Source
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AI summary
A flow control valve apparatus switches a circulation direction of cooling medium according to a rotated position of a valve (200), and a disc (400) provided in the valve controls the flow rate of the cooling medium flowing through a plurality of flow paths (120), so that the flow rate control of the cooling medium is diversified according to various conditions to improve cooling performance by efficiently circulating the cooling medium.