SEPARATE COOLING DEVICE AND A SEPARATE COOLING SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE

Abstract

A separate cooling device for a vehicle includes a separate cooling housing having a first chamber in which a first inlet and a first outlet are formed, a second chamber in which a second inlet is formed, and a partition that is disposed to form the first chamber and the second chamber and in which an intermediate hole is formed to communicate with the first chamber and the second chamber. The separate cooling device has a thermostat including a plate that opens and closes the first outlet and a valve that opens and closes the intermediate hole and has a thermo heater that selectively applies heat to the thermostat in order to open the first outlet or the first outlet and the intermediate hole.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0134054 filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Oct. 16, 2017, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

(a) Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to a separate cooling device and a separate cooling system for a vehicle. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a separate cooling device and a separate cooling system for a vehicle that can enhance fuel consumption by separately controlling coolant flow flowing through a cylinder head and an engine block.

(b) Description of the Related Art

An electronic thermostat is a device that controls a flow rate by adjusting opening and closing of a valve according to an engine state. For enhancement of fuel consumption, the partial control of a coolant flow rate is required.

More particularly, fuel consumption can be improved through technology that separately cools a cylinder head and an engine block. However, for this reason, two or more thermostats are generally required.

In other words, a head thermostat and a block thermostat should be provided. A head thermostat is a main thermostat that controls an engine outlet coolant temperature and a block thermostat controls a coolant temperature of a block in order to implement separation cooling of a cylinder head and an engine block.

The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancing the understanding of the background of the disclosure. Therefore, the Background section may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is made in an effort to provide a separate cooling device and a separate cooling system for a vehicle having the advantages of being capable of enhancing fuel consumption by separately controlling coolant flow flowing through a cylinder head and an engine block.

The present disclosure is made in an effort to further provide a separate cooling device and a separate cooling system for a vehicle having the advantages of being capable of separately controlling coolant flow flowing a cylinder head and an engine block by applying one thermo heater and one thermostat.

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a separate cooling device for a vehicle. The separate cooling device includes a separate cooling housing including a first chamber in which a first inlet and a first outlet are formed, a second chamber in which a second inlet is formed, and a partition that is disposed to form the first chamber and the second chamber and in which an intermediate hole is formed to communicate with the first chamber and the second chamber. The separate cooling device also includes a thermostat having a plate that opens and closes the first outlet and a valve that opens and closes the intermediate hole, and includes a thermo heater that selectively applies heat to the thermostat in order to open the first outlet or the first outlet and the intermediate hole.

The thermostat may include a thermostat housing that is connected with the plate and the valve. wax that is filled within the thermostat housing, and a spring that is disposed to elastically support the plate.

The thermo heater may further include a guide rod that is inserted within the thermostat housing to apply heat to the wax and that guides a movement of the thermostat housing.

The thermostat may be provided within the first chamber.

A guide portion may be formed in the partition and having a predetermined length in a moving direction of the valve in order to guide a movement of the valve.

The first inlet may inject coolant from a cylinder head, and the second inlet may inject coolant from an engine block.

A second outlet that discharges coolant to a heater and a third outlet that discharges coolant to an oil cooler may be formed in the separate cooling housing.

The second outlet and the third outlet may communicate with the first chamber.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a separate cooling system for a vehicle. The separate cooling system includes: a water pump; a cylinder head coolant line that communicates with the water pump; an engine block coolant line that communicates with the water pump; and a separate cooling housing including a first chamber in which a first inlet and first outlet are formed that communicate with the cylinder head coolant line, a second chamber in which a second inlet is formed that communicates with the engine block coolant line, and a partition that is disposed to form the first chamber and the second chamber and having an intermediate hole that is formed to communicate with the first chamber and the second chamber. The separate cooling system also includes:

a thermostat having a plate that opens and closes the first outlet and a valve that opens and closes the intermediate hole; a thermo heater that selectively applies heat to the thermostat in order to open the first outlet or the first outlet and the intermediate hole; a first coolant temperature sensor that measures a coolant temperature of the cylinder head coolant line to output a corresponding signal; a second coolant temperature sensor that measures a coolant temperature of the engine block coolant line to output a corresponding signal; and a controller that controls an operation of the thermo heater according to an output signal of the first and second coolant temperature sensors.

The thermostat may include a thermostat housing that is connected with the plate and the valve, wax that is filled within the thermostat housing, and a spring that is disposed to elastically support the plate.

The thermo heater may further include a guide rod that is inserted within the thermostat housing to apply heat to the wax and that guides a movement of the thermostat housing.

The thermostat may be provided within the first chamber.

A guide portion may be formed in the partition and having a predetermined length in a moving direction of the valve in order to guide a movement of the valve.

The water pump may be a variable water pump. The controller may control an operation of the variable water pump according to an output signal of the first and second coolant temperature sensors.

The controller may control an operation of the thermo heater to open the first outlet, if a temperature of an output signal of the first coolant temperature sensor is a predetermined first reference or more.

The controller may control an operation of the thermo heater to open the intermediate hole, if a temperature of an output signal of the second coolant temperature sensor is a predetermined second reference or more.

The controller may stop an operation of the water pump and the thermo heater, if a temperature of an output signal of the first and second coolant temperature sensors is a predetermined cold temperature or less.

The controller may operate the water pump, if a temperature of an output signal of the first and second coolant temperature sensors exceeds a predetermined cold temperature.

Aa separate cooling device and a separate cooling system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are described and disclosed. Fuel consumption can be enhanced by separately controlling coolant flow flowing through a cylinder head and an engine block utilizing the disclosed separate cooling device and separate cooling system.

Also, by applying one thermo heater and one thermostat, a coolant flow flowing through a cylinder head and an engine block can be separately controlled utilizing the disclosed separate cooling device and separate cooling system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a separate cooling system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2-4 are diagrams illustrating a separate cooling device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 5-7 are diagrams illustrating an operation of a separate cooling system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description, only certain embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described, simply by way of illustration.

As those having ordinary skill in the art should realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure.

Like reference numerals designate like elements throughout the specification and the drawings. The following reference numerals and descriptions are used:

10: water pump               20: engine
22: cylinder head            24: engine block
26: first coolant temperature sensor
28: second coolant temperature sensor
30: separate cooling device  32: first inlet
34: second inlet             36: first outlet
37: second outlet            38: third outlet
40: first chamber            42: second chamber
50: separate cooling housing 52: partition
54: intermediate hole        56: guide portion
60: thermostat               62: plate
64: valve                    65: wax
66: thermostat housing       68: spring
70: thermo heater            72: guide rod
100: controller              101: head coolant line
103: block coolant line      105: LP-EGR
107: heater                  109: EGR valve
111: reservoir               120: radiator
122: ATF warmer              124: oil cooler
126: HP-EGR

In addition, in the specification, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word “comprise” and variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, are understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of any other elements.

An embodiment of the present disclosure is hereinafter described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a separate cooling system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, a separate cooling system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a water pump 10 and an engine 20 having a cylinder head 22 and an engine block 24. The separate cooling system also includes a separate cooling device 30 that controls flow of coolant that is discharged from the engine, a radiator 120 that cools a portion of the coolant that is discharged from the separate cooling device 30, and a controller 100 that controls an operation of the separate cooling device 30.

FIGS. 2-4 are diagrams illustrating a separate cooling device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 2-4, the separate cooling device 30 for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a separate cooling housing 50 having a first chamber 40 in which a first inlet 32 and a first outlet 36 are formed, a second chamber 42 in which a second inlet 34 is formed, and a partition 52 that is disposed to form the first chamber 40 and the second chamber 42. An intermediate hole 54 is formed in the partition 52 to communicate with the first chamber 40 and the second chamber 42. The separate cooling device 30 also includes a thermostat 60 having a plate 62 that opens and closes the first outlet 36 and a valve 64 that opens and closes the intermediate hole 54. The separate cooling device 30 also includes a thermo heater 70 that selectively applies a heat to the thermostat 60 in order to open the first outlet 36 or the first outlet 36 and the intermediate hole 54.

The thermostat 60 includes a thermostat housing 66 that is connected with the plate 62 and the valve 64, wax 65 that is filled within the thermostat housing 66, and a spring 68 that is disposed to elastically support the plate 62.

The thermo heater 70 further includes a guide rod 72 that is inserted within the thermostat housing 66 to apply heat to the wax 65 and that guides a movement of the thermostat housing 66. As heat is applied to the wax 65, when a volume of the wax expands, the thermostat housing 66 moves in a direction opposite to a forming direction of the guide rod 72.

The thermostat 60 may be provided within the first chamber 40.

In other words, when the spring 68 is provided between the plate 62 and the partition 52, the plate 62 may block the first outlet 32 and the valve 64 may block the intermediate hole 54.

A guide portion 56 may be formed in the partition and having a predetermined length L in a moving direction of the valve 64 in order to guide a movement of the valve 64. The first outlet 36 and the intermediate hole 54 may be sequentially opened by a predetermined length L of the guide portion 56.

When heat is transferred from the thermo heater 70, the first outlet 36 is first opened by an expansion of the wax 65. The intermediate hole 54 is opened by an additional expansion of the wax 65.

The first inlet 32 may inject coolant from the cylinder head 22, and the second inlet 34 may inject coolant from the engine block 24.

A second outlet 37 may be formed in the separate cooling housing 50 and that discharges coolant to a heater 107 (see FIG. 1). A third outlet 38 may be formed in the separate cooling housing 50 that discharges coolant to an oil cooler 124 (see FIG. 1). The second outlet 37 and the third outlet 38 may communicate with the first chamber 40.

A separate cooling system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is described with reference to FIGS. 1-4.

The separate cooling system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a cylinder head coolant line 101 that communicate with the water pump 10 and an engine block coolant line 103 that communicates with the water pump 10. The separate cooling system also includes a first coolant temperature sensor 26 that measures a coolant temperature of the cylinder head coolant line 101 to output a corresponding signal, i.e., a first signal, and a second coolant temperature sensor 28 that measures a coolant temperature of the engine block coolant line 103 to output a corresponding signal, i.e., a second signal. The controller 100 controls an operation of the thermo heater 70 according to an output signal, i.e., the respective first and second signals, of the first and second coolant temperature sensors 26 and 28.

The cylinder head coolant line 101 is formed to cool the cylinder head 22 and is connected with the first inlet 32. The engine block coolant line 103 is formed to cool the engine block 24 and is connected with the second inlet 34.

The water pump 10 is a variable water pump. The controller 100 may control an operation of the variable water pump 10 according to an output signal of the first and second coolant temperature sensors 26 and 28. In this example, a variable water pump means a water pump that can control a discharge flow rate with the electric or mechanical control. A configuration and operation of such a variable water pump will become apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art and therefore a detailed description thereof has been omitted.

Coolant that passes through the separate cooling device 30 is transferred to the water pump 10 and is again transferred to the engine 20.

Coolant that is discharged from the first outlet 36 may be transferred to the water pump 10 through the radiator 120 and may be transferred to the water pump 10 through a reservoir 111.

Coolant that is discharged from the second outlet 37 may be transferred to the water pump 10 through, for example, a low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation valve or system (LP-EGR) 105 and the heater 107.

Coolant that is discharged from the third outlet 38 may be transferred to the water pump 10 through an automatic transmission fluid (ATF) warmer 122, the oil cooler 124, and/or a high-pressure exhaust gas recirculation valve or system (HP-EGR) 126.

Further, a separate coolant exhaust line may be connected with the separate cooling device 30 to cool an EGR valve 109.

In the drawings, a coolant circuit is shown for the convenience of understanding. The coolant circuit transfers coolant to the reservoir 111, the EGR valve 109, the LP-EGR 105, the heater 107, the ATF warmer 122, the oil cooler 124, and/or the HP-EGR 126. The present disclosure is not limited to a component configuration and a coolant circuit that are shown in the drawings.

FIGS. 5-7 are diagrams illustrating an operation of a separate cooling system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, an operation of a separate cooling system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are described with reference to FIGS. 1-7.

Referring to FIG. 1, in a cold state, the controller 100 turns off an operation of the variable water pump 10 to stop a movement or flow of coolant. Accordingly, warm-up of the coolant may be made quicker or increased. In this case, the thermo heater 70 maintains a state in which an operation thereof is turned off.

In other words, the controller 100 stops an operation of the water pump 10 and the thermo heater 70 if a temperature of an output signal or signals of the first and second coolant temperature sensors 26 and 28 is equal to or less than a predetermined cold temperature. In one example, the predetermined cold temperature may be about 40° C.

Referring to FIGS. 3-5, the controller 100 drives the variable water pump 10 in a warm condition, such as for example, if a temperature of an output signal or signals of the first and second coolant temperature sensors 26 and 28 equals or exceeds about 40° C.

In this case, the first outlet 36 and the intermediate hole 54 are blocked by the plate 62 and the valve 64, respectively. Therefore, coolant flow to the engine block coolant line 103 is delayed. Further, coolant that is supplied from the variable water pump 10 flows to the second outlet 37 and the third outlet 38 via the first chamber 40.

In a warm state, engine warm-up is performed and thus engine friction is reduced and fuel consumption can be improved.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 6, the controller 100 controls an operation of the thermo heater 70 to open the first outlet 36 in a hot condition, such as for example, if a temperature of an output signal of the first coolant temperature sensor 26 is equal to or greater than a predetermined first reference temperature (predetermined hot temperature). In one example, the predetermined hot temperature may be about 90° C. In this case, the intermediate hole 54 maintains a state that is blocked by the valve 64.

When the first outlet 36 is opened, a portion of the coolant is cooled and circulated while passing through the radiator 120 to maintain the cylinder head 22 at an appropriate temperature.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 7, the controller 100 controls an operation of the thermo heater 70 to open the intermediate hole 54 in a high temperature hot condition, such as for example, if a temperature of an output signal of the second coolant temperature sensor 28 is equal to or greater than a predetermined second reference temperature (predetermined high temperature hot temperature). In one example, the predetermined high temperature hot temperature may be about 105° C.

In this case, because the intermediate hole 54 is also opened, the cylinder head 22 and the engine block 24 may be prevented from being overheated.

As described above, a cylinder head and an engine block can be separated and cooled by a separate cooling device and a separate cooling system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In a cold condition, by stopping a coolant movement, coolant and oil temperatures quickly increase, engine friction can be reduced, and fuel consumption and heating performance can be improved.

By a separate cooling device and a separate cooling system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an area that stops a coolant movement within an engine block can be enlarged. Thus, fuel consumption can be improved, and cooling performance can be improved in a high temperature hot condition by enabling coolant to flow to an engine block.

While this disclosure has been described in connection with what are presently considered to be practical embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A separate cooling device for a vehicle, the separate cooling device comprising:

a separate cooling housing including a first chamber in which a first inlet and a first outlet are formed, a second chamber in which a second inlet is formed, and a partition that is disposed to form the first chamber and the second chamber and in which an intermediate hole is formed to communicate with the first chamber and the second chamber;

a thermostat including a plate that opens and closes the first outlet and a valve that opens and closes the intermediate hole; and

a thermo heater that selectively applies heat to the thermostat in order to open the first outlet or the first outlet and the intermediate hole.

2. The separate cooling device of claim 1, wherein the thermostat comprises:

a thermostat housing that is connected with the plate and the valve;

wax that is filled within the thermostat housing; and

a spring that is disposed to elastically support the plate.

3. The separate cooling device of claim 2, wherein the thermo heater further comprises a guide rod that is inserted within the thermostat housing to apply heat to the wax and that guides a movement of the thermostat housing.

4. The separate cooling device of claim 3, wherein the thermostat is provided within the first chamber.

5. The separate cooling device of claim 3, wherein a guide portion is formed in the partition and has a predetermined length in a moving direction of the valve in order to guide a movement of the valve.

6. The separate cooling device of claim 1, wherein the first inlet injects coolant from a cylinder head, and

the second inlet injects coolant from an engine block.

7. The separate cooling device of claim 1, wherein, in the separate cooling housing,

a second outlet is formed that discharges coolant to a heater and a third outlet is formed that discharges coolant to an oil cooler.

8. The separate cooling device of claim 1, wherein the second outlet and the third outlet communicate with the first chamber.

9. A separate cooling system for a vehicle, the separate cooling system comprising:

a water pump;

a cylinder head coolant line that communicates with the water pump;

an engine block coolant line that communicates with the water pump;

a separate cooling housing including a first chamber in which a first inlet and first outlet are formed that communicate with the cylinder head coolant line, a second chamber in which a second inlet is formed that communicates with the engine block coolant line, and a partition that is disposed to form the first chamber and the second chamber and having an intermediate hole that is formed to communicate with the first chamber and the second chamber;

a thermostat including a plate that opens and closes the first outlet and a valve that opens and closes the intermediate hole;

a thermo heater that selectively applies heat to the thermostat in order to open the first outlet or the first outlet and the intermediate hole;

a first coolant temperature sensor that measures a coolant temperature of the cylinder head coolant line to output a corresponding signal;

a second coolant temperature sensor that measures a coolant temperature of the engine block coolant line to output a corresponding signal; and

a controller that controls an operation of the thermo heater according to an output signal or signals of the first and second coolant temperature sensors.

10. The separate cooling system of claim 9, wherein the thermostat comprises:

a thermostat housing that is connected with the plate and the valve;

wax that is filled within the thermostat housing; and

a spring that is disposed to elastically support the plate.

11. The separate cooling system of claim 10, wherein the thermo heaterfurther comprises a guide rod that is inserted within the thermostat housing to apply heat to the wax and that guides a movement of the thermostat housing.

12. The separate cooling system of claim 9, wherein the thermostat is provided within the first chamber.

13. The separate cooling system of claim 9, wherein in the partition, a guide portion is formed in the partition and has a predetermined length in a moving direction of the valve in order to guide a movement of the valve is formed.

14. The separate cooling system of claim 9, wherein the water pump is a variable water pump, and the controller controls an operation of the variable water pump according to an output signal or signals of the first and second coolant temperature sensors.

15. The separate cooling system of claim 14, wherein the controller controls an operation of the thermo heater to open the first outlet, if a temperature of an output signal of the first coolant temperature sensor is a predetermined first reference or more.

16. The separate cooling system of claim 14, wherein the controller controls an operation of the thermo heater to open the intermediate hole, if a temperature of an output signal of the second coolant temperature sensor is a predetermined second reference or more.

17. The separate cooling system of claim 14, wherein the controller stops an operation of the water pump and the thermo heater, if a temperature of an output signal or signals of the first and second coolant temperature sensors is a predetermined cold temperature or less.

18. The separate cooling system of claim 14, wherein the controller operates the water pump, if a temperature of an output signal or signals of the first and second coolant temperature sensors equals or exceeds a predetermined cold temperature.