Vehicle Cooling System Coolant Flow Control via EGR Heat Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cooling systems for vehicles are limited in controlling the flow rate of coolant through a heater core and EGR cooler, which affects indoor heating performance and fuel efficiency, due to reliance on a single water temperature sensor and restrictive EGR cooler placement.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system with a flow rate control valve and temperature sensors at the engine's inlet and outlet, allowing for phased control of coolant flow through the heater core and EGR cooler, including a flow stop operation, coolant temperature determination, and open control to optimize coolant flow and prevent overheating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the EGR cooler is disposed close to the outlet side of the engine to measure coolant temperature accurately, then the temperature measurement accuracy is improved, but the ability to control other valves used to control the coolant is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the coolant flow control into multiple independent valve stages (first valve near engine outlet, second valve near heater core inlet). This segmentation allows each valve to control coolant flow independently to different destinations, resolving the conflict between accurate temperature measurement at the engine outlet and flexible control of coolant distribution to multiple components.
2Device complexity
If a single water temperature sensor is used at the engine outlet, then the system complexity is reduced, but the indoor heating performance and fuel efficiency are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary calculation method where the controller computes the heater core inlet coolant temperature by adding a predetermined temperature difference to the engine outlet coolant temperature measured by the single sensor. This intermediary approach enables accurate heating control without requiring additional temperature sensors, maintaining system simplicity while improving heating performance.
3Device complexity
If the coolant flow rate through the heater core is not optimized, then the system simplicity is maintained, but the fuel efficiency and warm-up speed are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic flow rate control using two valves that adjust coolant flow to the heater core based on real-time temperature conditions. The first valve controls flow from the engine outlet, and the second valve controls flow to the heater core inlet. This dynamic adjustment optimizes heat transfer efficiency and accelerates engine warm-up, improving fuel efficiency without requiring overly complex control systems.
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
Improves indoor heating performance and fuel efficiency by rapidly warming the engine using exhaust heat recovery, reducing friction and heat loss, and optimizing coolant flow through the EGR cooler.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling system for vehicles capable of improving indoor heating performance and fuel efficiency by controlling a flow rate of coolant passing through a heater core together with an EGR cooler
Implementation Method 2
a radiator port connected to a radiator
Implementation Method 3
a heater core port connected to a heater core and an EGR cooler
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling system for vehicles and a control method thereof improves indoor heating performance and fuel efficiency by controlling a flow rate of a coolant passing through a heater core together with an EGR cooler. A coolant having an increased temperature is first supplied to the heater core side through a flow stagnancy control to rapidly increase the temperature of the coolant flowing in the heater core, thereby improving heating performance. A warm-up feature is improved through an exhaust heat recovery function by a heat exchange between the exhaust gas and the coolant in the EGR cooler, thereby improving efficiency of fuel.