Vehicle Cooling System Dynamic Control for Oil Temperature Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle cooling systems do not effectively manage heat energy waste, leading to inefficient fuel consumption and potential mechanical damage due to temperature imbalances in engine and transmission oils, especially under varying environmental and driving conditions.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle cooling system that includes high and low temperature radiators, coolant pumps, and a control system to optimize coolant and oil temperatures based on vehicle speed, outside temperature, and environmental conditions, using a control portion to manage the operation of pumps and fans to minimize fuel consumption and prevent overheating or overcooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a heat exchanger is used to cool the lubrication oil, then the oil temperature is reduced and mechanical damage is prevented, but the oil temperature becomes excessively low in certain conditions causing increased viscosity and power loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the cooling system by adjusting coolant flow rate and radiator fan operation based on real-time monitoring of oil temperature, engine load, and vehicle speed. This allows the system to provide cooling only when necessary, preventing excessive cooling that would increase oil viscosity and power consumption while still protecting against overheating.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operating parameters such as coolant flow rate, thermostat opening degree, and fan speed based on detected conditions. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the system optimizes the balance between preventing overheating and avoiding excessive cooling, thereby minimizing fuel consumption while maintaining optimal lubrication oil temperature.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the engine is operated in high temperature to improve fuel efficiency, then fuel consumption is reduced, but mechanical components may be damaged due to excessive heat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback control by continuously monitoring engine temperature, oil temperature, and operating conditions, then adjusting coolant flow and radiator operation accordingly. This feedback mechanism allows the engine to operate at higher temperatures for fuel efficiency while automatically providing cooling when temperature thresholds are approached, thus protecting components from thermal damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary cooling actions before critical temperatures are reached by predicting thermal trends based on current operating conditions. The control unit anticipates heating trends and activates cooling measures in advance, allowing the engine to operate closer to thermal limits safely while maximizing fuel efficiency.
3Temperature
If a cooling fan is used to increase heat exchanging amount, then cooling performance is improved, but fuel consumption increases due to additional power requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial cooling action by operating the radiator fan at variable speeds or in intermittent modes based on actual cooling needs. Instead of continuous full-speed operation, the system provides just enough cooling capacity to maintain optimal temperatures, significantly reducing the power consumption of the fan while still achieving effective heat exchange when required.
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 efficiently manages heat energy waste, reducing fuel consumption by optimizing engine and transmission oil temperatures, thereby minimizing friction and power loss, and ensuring stable operating conditions for the cooling system.
Implementation Method 1
a radiator is disposed to cool the heat of the coolant
Implementation Method 2
a cooling fan is disposed to increase heat exchanging amount of the radiator
Implementation Method 3
a heat exchanger is disposed to prevent the over heat of the oil
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling system of a vehicle may include a high and low temperature radiators that cool a high and low temperature coolants respectively circulating an engine and passing a water cooled intercooler and a low exhaust gas recirculation cooler of a turbo charger, a cooling fan that blows air to the high temperature radiator and the low temperature radiator, a high temperature coolant pump that pumps the high temperature coolant, a low temperature coolant pump that pumps the low temperature coolant, and a control portion that controls the high temperature coolant pump, the low temperature coolant pump, and the cooling fan according to driving conditions of the vehicle and environmental conditions. A controlling method may include detecting driving conditions of the vehicle and environmental conditions, setting an operating target for the cooling system and/or a lubrication system, and determining operating conditions for the cooling system and/or the lubrication system.