ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM

Abstract

An engine cooling system is provided. The system includes a cylinder block formed that has a block coolant chamber formed therein and a front insert that is inserted downward of an upper portion of a front side and receives coolant in the block coolant chamber to adjust a flow of the coolant. Additionally, a rear insert is inserted downward of an upper portion of a rear side and exhausts the coolant in the block coolant chamber to adjust the flow of the coolant.

Claims

1. An engine cooling system, comprising: a cylinder block having a block coolant chamber formed therein; a front insert inserted downward of an upper portion of a front side configured to receive coolant in the block coolant chamber to adjust a flow of the coolant; and a rear insert inserted downward of an upper portion of a rear side configured to exhaust the coolant in the block coolant chamber to adjust the flow of the coolant.

2. The engine cooling system of claim 1, wherein the front insert includes: a first body having a bottom surface supported by a bottom surface of the block coolant chamber; and a first handle that extends to a top surface of the cylinder block formed therein with the block coolant chamber from a top surface of the first body by a first preset distance.

3. The engine cooling system of claim 2, wherein the first body includes a bar type body formed according to a shape of the block coolant chamber.

4. The engine cooling system of claim 3, wherein an exterior diameter of the first handle is less than an exterior diameter of the first body.

5. The engine cooling system of claim 1, wherein the rear insert includes: a second body having a bottom surface supported by a projection formed to have a preset height from the block coolant chamber; and a second handle that extends to a top surface of the cylinder block formed therein with the block coolant chamber from a top surface of the second body by a second preset distance.

6. The engine cooling system of claim 5, wherein the second body includes a bar type body formed according to a shape of the block coolant chamber.

7. The engine cooling system of claim 6, wherein an exterior diameter of the second handle is less than an exterior diameter of the second body.

8. The engine cooling system of claim 5, wherein the block coolant chamber includes a lower chamber formed at a lower portion of the projection and an upper chamber formed at an upper portion of the projection.

9. The engine cooling system of claim 1, wherein the front insert is disposed at an intake side of the cylinder block in the block coolant chamber.

10. The engine cooling system of claim 9, wherein the rear insert is disposed at an exhaust side of the cylinder block in the block coolant chamber.

11. The engine cooling system of claim 10, further comprising: an intake side insert and an exhaust side insert disposed at an intake side and an exhaust side between the front insert and the rear insert in the block coolant chamber to adjust the flow of the coolant.

12. The engine cooling system of claim 11, wherein the intake side insert and the exhaust side insert include a rising part formed therein and having an increased height and a descending part having a reduced height, respectively, and a handle is formed between the rising part and the descending part.

13. The engine cooling system of claim 1, further comprising: a cylinder head disposed above the cylinder block; and a head gasket interposed between the cylinder head and the cylinder block.

14. The engine cooling system of claim 13, wherein the head gasket includes a first passage and a second main passage through which the coolant passes from a front side of the block coolant chamber to a front side of the head coolant chamber.

15. The engine cooling system of claim 13, wherein the head gasket includes an auxiliary passage through which the coolant passes to the head coolant chamber in the block coolant chamber, and the auxiliary passage includes a first auxiliary passage and a second auxiliary passage formed at a front side and a rear side of the front insert, respectively.

16. The engine cooling system of claim 13, further comprising: a coolant control valve unit mounted at a rear side of the cylinder head to receive the coolant from the head coolant chamber, and to adjust the coolant exhausted from the block coolant chamber.

17. The engine cooling system of claim 16, further comprising: a block coolant temperature sensor configured to detect coolant flowing through the block coolant chamber; and a valve coolant temperature sensor configured to detect coolant flowing through the coolant control valve unit.

18. The engine cooling system of claim 16, wherein the block coolant chamber includes a bridge passage that connects an exhaust side with an intake side between cylinders.

19. The engine cooling system of claim 18, wherein the coolant control valve unit is configured to control coolant exhausted from an outlet disposed at an intake side of the block coolant chamber.

20. The engine cooling system of claim 18, further comprising: a coolant pump configured to pump the coolant to an inlet disposed at an exhaust side of the block coolant chamber.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an engine cooling system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view illustrating a coolant chamber in an engine cooling system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view illustrating a block coolant chamber in an engine cooling system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] FIG. 4A is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating an engagement state of a front insert in an engine cooling system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] FIG. 4B is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating an engagement state of a rear insert in an engine cooling system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating a head gasket according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 6 is a partial side view illustrating a flow of coolant in an engine cooling system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

[0022] FIG. 7 is a partial side view illustrating a flow of coolant in an engine cooling system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS

[0023] 100: cylinder head [0024] 105: head gasket [0025] 110: cylinder block [0026] 115: block coolant temperature sensor [0027] 120: coolant control valve unit [0028] 125: low pressure EGR cooler [0029] 130: valve coolant temperature sensor [0030] 135: safety valve [0031] 140: heater core [0032] 145: radiator [0033] 150: EGR valve [0034] 155: oil cooler [0035] 160: coolant pump [0036] 170: reservoir tank [0037] 200: head coolant chamber [0038] 210: block coolant chamber [0039] 210a: upper chamber [0040] 210b: lower chamber [0041] 215: front insert [0042] 220: rear insert [0043] 404: first body [0044] 402: first handle [0045] 414: second body [0046] 412: second handle [0047] 300: exhaust side insert [0048] 310: intake side insert [0049] 350: rising par [0050] 352: descending part [0051] 354: handle [0052] 360: bridge passage [0053] 400: projection [0054] 408: top surface [0055] 406: bottom surface [0056] 222: transmission oil warmer [0057] L1: first length [0058] L2: second length [0059] 501: first main passage [0060] 502: second main passage [0061] 503: first auxiliary passage [0062] 504: second auxiliary passage

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0063] It is understood that the term vehicle or vehicular or other similar term as used herein is inclusive of motor vehicles in general such as passenger automobiles including sports utility vehicles (SUV), buses, trucks, various commercial vehicles, watercraft including a variety of boats and ships, aircraft, and the like, and includes hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, combustion, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles and other alternative fuel vehicles (e.g. fuels derived from resources other than petroleum).

[0064] Although exemplary embodiment is described as using a plurality of units to perform the exemplary process, it is understood that the exemplary processes may also be performed by one or plurality of modules. Additionally, it is understood that the term controller/control unit refers to a hardware device that includes a memory and a processor. The memory is configured to store the modules and the processor is specifically configured to execute said modules to perform one or more processes which are described further below.

[0065] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms a, an and the are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms comprises and/or comprising, when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term and/or includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0066] Unless specifically stated or obvious from context, as used herein, the term about is understood as within a range of normal tolerance in the art, for example within 2 standard deviations of the mean. About can be understood as within 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.1%, 0.05%, or 0.01% of the stated value. Unless otherwise clear from the context, all numerical values provided herein are modified by the term about.

[0067] Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the size and thickness of each configuration shown in the drawings are optionally illustrated for better understanding and ease of description, the present invention is not limited to shown drawings. In the drawings, the thickness of layers, films, panels, regions, etc., are exaggerated for clarity. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Like reference numerals designate like elements throughout the specification. It will be understood that, although the terms first and second etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element from another.

[0068] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an engine cooling system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the engine cooling system may include a cylinder head 100, a head gasket 105, cylinder block 110, a block coolant temperature sensor 115, coolant control valve unit 120, a valve coolant temperature sensor 130, a safety valve 135, a reservoir tank 170, a low pressure EGR cooler 125, a heater core 140, a radiator 145, an EGR valve 150, an oil cooler 155, and a coolant pump 160.

[0069] The cylinder head 100 may be disposed above the cylinder block 110 and the head gasket 105 may be interposed between the cylinder block 110 and the cylinder head 100. The coolant pump 160 may be mounted at a front side of the cylinder block 110 and the coolant control valve unit 120 may be mounted at a rear side of the cylinder head 100. Additionally, coolant pumped from the coolant pump 160 may be supplied to a front side of the cylinder block 110, a portion (e.g., a first portion) of the coolant pumped to the front side of the cylinder block 110 may be supplied to the front side of the cylinder head 100 through the head gasket 105, and remaining coolant (e.g., a second portion) may flow to the rear side of the cylinder block 110.

[0070] The coolant flowing to a rear side inside the cylinder block 110 may rise, and pass through the head gasket 105, and may be supplied to the coolant control valve unit 120 engaged with a rear side of the cylinder head 100. The coolant supplied to the front side of the cylinder head 100 may flow to a rear side of the cylinder head 100 and may be supplied to the coolant control valve unit 120 mounted at a rear side of the cylinder head 100. The coolant control valve unit 120 may be configured to control the coolant exhausted by passing through the cylinder block 110 and the coolant exhausted by passing through the cylinder head 100 may circulate to the coolant control valve unit 120.

[0071] A block coolant temperature sensor 115 configured to detect a temperature of coolant may be disposed in the cylinder block 110 and a valve coolant temperature sensor 130 configured to detect a temperature of the coolant may be disposed at the coolant control valve unit 120. The coolant control valve unit 120 may be configured to adjust coolant distributed to the low pressure EGR cooler 125 and the heater core 140, and adjust coolant distributed to the radiator 145, and supply the coolant to the low pressure EGR cooler 125 and the oil cooler 155. In other words, the coolant control valve unit 120 may be configured to adjust the amount of coolant flowing to the other components based on an opening degree thereof. Further, an EGR line (not shown) is branched from a downstream side of a turbocharger (not shown) and is mixed with an intake line in an exhaust line, and the low pressure EGR cooler 125 may be disposed on the EGR line, and may be configured to cool a recirculating exhaust gas (EGR gas), and the heater core 140 may be configured to heat indoor air of the vehicle.

[0072] The radiator 145 may be disposed to emit heat of the coolant to the outside, the EGR valve 150 may be configured to adjust a flow rate of EGR gas in the EGR line, and the oil cooler 155 may be disposed to cool oil circulating the engine. The reservoir tank 170 may be disposed on a separate line branched from a coolant line connected with the radiator 145 in the coolant control valve unit 120, and the reservoir tank 170 may be configured to collect bubbles in the coolant or may supplement the coolant to a cooling system. The safety valve 135 may be mechanically operated based on a coolant temperature. When a coolant temperature is overheated due to failure of the coolant control valve unit 120, the safety valve 135 may be configured to open a bypass passage connected with the radiator 145. Accordingly, the safety valve 135 may prevent overheating of the coolant. The various valves discussed herein may be operated by an overall controller of the system.

[0073] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, cooling components may include the cylinder head, the cylinder block, the oil cooler, the EGR cooler, the heater core, the radiator, the transmission oil warmer and the EGR valve described as above as constituent elements using substantially coolant. FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view illustrating a coolant chamber in an engine cooling system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 2, the cooling system may include a coolant pump 160, a block coolant chamber 210, a front insert 215, a rear insert 220, a transmission oil warmer 222, a head gasket 105, and a head coolant chamber 200. The coolant pumped from the coolant pump 160 may be supplied to a front side of the block coolant chamber 210, and a part of the supplied coolant may be supplied to a front side of the head coolant chamber 200 through the head gasket 105. The remaining supplied coolant may flow to the block coolant chamber 210.

[0075] The front insert 215 and the rear insert 220 may be inserted downward of an upper portion of the block coolant chamber 210, and may induce a flow of the coolant flowing through the block coolant chamber 210. Particularly, a coolant flow stop state of the block coolant chamber 210 may be implemented. The coolant flowing to the rear side of the head coolant chamber 200 may circulate to the coolant control valve unit 120, and the coolant flowing to the rear side of the block coolant chamber 210 may rise through the head gasket 105, and circulate to the coolant control valve unit 120. The coolant control valve unit 120 may be configured to receive the coolant from the head coolant chamber 200. Further, the transmission oil warmer 222 may be configured to heat transmission oil according to coolant, and a detailed structure and function thereof refer to a technology known in the art.

[0076] FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view illustrating a block coolant chamber in an engine cooling system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, a front insert 215, a rear insert 220, an intake side insert 310, and an exhaust side insert 300 may be inserted downward of an upper portion of the block coolant chamber 210, respectively.

[0077] In particular, the front insert 215 may be disposed at a front side of an intake side, and the rear insert 220 may be disposed at an exhaust side of a rear side. In other words, the front insert 215 may be disposed at a front side that receives the coolant, and the rear insert 220 may be disposed at a rear side that exhausts or discharges the coolant. An intake side insert 310 and an exhaust side insert 300 may be disposed in an intake side and an exhaust side, respectively, between the front insert 215 and the rear insert 220 and may be configured to adjust a flow of the coolant. Further, the intake side insert 310 and the exhaust side insert 300 may be formed therein with a rising part 350 having a height gradually increased from the front side to the rear side and a descending part 352 having a height gradually reduced from the front side to the rear side, respectively. A handle 354 may be formed between the rising part 350 and the descending part 352.

[0078] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the block coolant chamber 210 may be formed at a cylinder block and may be formed around a cylinder in which a piston (not shown) is disposed. The block coolant chamber 210 may be formed therein with a bridge passage 360 to connect an exhaust side with an intake side between cylinders. When the coolant control valve unit 120 opens an output side of the block coolant chamber 210, the coolant moved to the exhaust side of the block coolant chamber 210 may be moved to the intake side through the bridge passage 360.

[0079] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the coolant control valve unit 120 may be configured to adjust the coolant exhausted from an outlet disposed at an intake rather than the rear insert 220 in a rear side of the block coolant chamber 210. Furthermore, the coolant pump 160 may be configured to pump the coolant to an inlet disposed at an exhaust rather than the front insert 215 in a front side of the block coolant chamber 210.

[0080] FIG. 4A is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating an engagement state of a front insert in an engine cooling system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4A, a cylinder block 110 may be formed therein with a block coolant chamber 210 having a preset depth downward of an upper portion thereof. A bottom surface 406 may be formed at a bottom of the block coolant chamber 210. A top surface 408 on which a head gasket 105 is disposed may be formed at an upper portion of the cylinder block 110.

[0081] The front insert 215 may include a first body 404 inserted into a bottom surface of the block coolant chamber 210, and the first body 404 may have a bar type shape. A first handle 402 may extend upward of a top center of the first body 404. A bottom surface of the front insert 215 may be supported by a bottom surface 406. The first handle 402 may extend from a top surface of the first body 404 by a first preset distance L1 to extend to a top surface 408 of the cylinder block 110. Further, an exterior diameter of the first handle 402 may be less than an exterior diameter of the first body 404. An exterior diameter of the first handle 402 may be less than a width of the block coolant chamber 210.

[0082] FIG. 4B is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating an engagement state of a rear insert in an engine cooling system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4B, a cylinder block 110 may be formed therein with a block coolant chamber 210 having a preset depth from an upper portion to a lower portion. A bottom surface 406 may be formed at a bottom surface of the block coolant chamber 210. A top surface 408 on which a head gasket 105 is disposed may be formed at an upper portion of the cylinder block 110.

[0083] Further, a projection 400 may be formed at a preset height of a bottom surface of the block coolant chamber 210. The block coolant chamber 210 may be divided into a lower chamber 210b and an upper chamber 210a based on the projection 400. In particular, due to the projection 400, a width of the lower chamber 210b may be narrower than a width of the upper chamber 210a. The rear insert 220 may include a second body 414 inserted into the projection 400 of the block coolant chamber 210. The second body 414 may have a bar type shape.

[0084] Additionally, a second handle 412 may be formed at a center top surface of the second body 414. A bottom surface of the rear insert 220 may be supported by the projection 400. The second handle 412 may extend from the second body 414 by a second preset distance L2 to extend to a top surface 408 of the cylinder block 110. Further, an exterior diameter of the second handle 412 may be less than an exterior diameter of the second body 414. An exterior diameter of the second handle 412 may be less than a width of the block coolant chamber 210. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the second preset distance L2 may be greater than the first preset distance L1. The second preset distance L2 may be about 10 mm, and the first preset distance L1 may be about 5 mm.

[0085] FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating a head gasket according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, first and second main passages 501 and 502 may be formed at a front side of the head gasket 105. First and second auxiliary passages 503 and 504 may be formed at a front side of an intake side of the head gasket 105.

[0086] When the coolant pump 160 pumps the coolant to a front side of the block coolant chamber 210, a portion (e.g., a first portion or a first amount) of the coolant rises and passes through the first and second main passages 501 and 502 of the head gasket 105 and may be supplied to the front side of the head coolant chamber 200. In addition, a portion of the pumped coolant may be moved to a rear side, rises through the first and second auxiliary passages 503 and 504 to be supplied to the head coolant chamber 200 side. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the front insert 215 may be disposed between the first and second auxiliary passages 503 and 504 in the block coolant chamber 210. In other words, the first and second auxiliary passages 503 and 504 may be formed at a front side and a rear side of the front insert 215, respectively.

[0087] FIG. 6 is a partial side view illustrating a flow of coolant in an engine cooling system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 6, when the coolant control valve unit 120 opens a coolant outlet of the block coolant chamber 210, coolant pumped to the front side of the block coolant chamber 210 may be supplied into the head coolant chamber 200 through the first and second main passages 501 and 502. Furthermore, the supplied coolant may flow to a rear side of the block coolant chamber 210 through an upper portion of the front insert 215. Moreover, a portion of the coolant may be supplied to the head coolant chamber 200 side through the first and second auxiliary passages 503 and 504.

[0088] FIG. 7 is a partial side view illustrating a flow of coolant in an engine cooling system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 7, when the coolant control valve unit 120 closes a coolant outlet of the block coolant chamber 210, the coolant pumped to a front side of the block coolant chamber 210 may be supplied into the head coolant chamber 200 through the first and second main passages 501 and 502. In addition, a portion of the coolant may be supplied to the head coolant chamber 200 side through the first auxiliary passage. A portion of the coolant moved to a rear side through an upper portion of the front insert 215 may be supplied to the head coolant chamber 200 side through the second auxiliary passage 504.

[0089] While this invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.