Method of determining and air supply system

Abstract

A determination method of determining a kind of a fan motor unit in a fan system having the fan motor unit for sending air to the outside and a control unit for controlling the fan motor unit, the fan motor unit having a motor, a fan, and a housing, the determination method comprising: a first step of outputting, by the control unit, a first air volume instruction output to the fan motor unit when performing control to cause the fan motor unit to perform normal operation; a second step of acquiring, by the control unit, a first speed notification output from the fan motor unit in response to the output of the first air volume instruction; and a third step of determining, by the control unit, the kind of the fan motor unit based on the first air volume instruction and the first speed notification, and outputting a kind determination signal indicating the determined kind.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a determination method for determining a kind of a fan motor unit and an air supply system including the fan motor unit. BACKGROUND

[0002] In Patent Literature 1, a fan motor unit is described, which has a motor, a fan that rotates by rotation of the motor, and a housing that covers at least a part of the fan, and which is used for air supply to the outside.

[0003] Conventionally, an air supply system that has a fan motor unit and a control section that controls the fan motor unit is known. The control section outputs an air volume command for controlling an air volume of air supply by the fan motor unit to the fan motor unit, thereby achieving air supply of a desired air volume by the fan motor unit.

[0004] Generally, a relationship between an input air volume command and an air volume of air supply in the fan motor unit differs depending on each kind of the fan motor unit.

[0005] Therefore, in order to achieve air supply of a desired air volume in the air supply system, the control section needs to output an appropriate air volume command corresponding to the kind of the fan motor unit.

[0006] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0007] PATENT LITERATURE

[0008] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-104365 SUMMARY

[0009] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a determination method for determining a kind of a fan motor unit without a control section outputting a specific signal for determining the kind of the fan motor unit, and an air supply system and the like that can execute the method.

[0010] A determination method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure determines a kind of a fan motor unit in a ventilation system that includes the fan motor unit and a control unit, the fan motor unit including a motor, a fan that rotates by rotation of the motor, and a housing that covers at least a part of the fan, the fan motor unit being configured to ventilate air to the outside, the control unit being configured to control the fan motor unit, wherein the control unit outputs an air volume command for controlling an air volume of the ventilation by the fan motor unit to the fan motor unit, the fan motor unit outputs a speed notification indicating a rotation state of the motor to the control unit, the determination method includes: a first step in which the control unit outputs a first air volume command that is output when the control unit performs control to cause the fan motor unit to perform normal operation to the fan motor unit; a second step in which the control unit acquires a first speed notification that is output from the fan motor unit in response to the output of the first air volume command; and a third step in which the control unit determines the kind of the fan motor unit based on the first air volume command and the first speed notification, and outputs a kind determination signal indicating the determined kind.

[0011] A ventilation system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure includes a fan motor unit and a control unit, the fan motor unit including a motor, a fan that rotates by rotation of the motor, and a housing that covers at least a part of the fan, the fan motor unit being configured to ventilate air to the outside, the control unit being configured to control the fan motor unit, wherein the control unit outputs an air volume command for controlling an air volume of the ventilation by the fan motor unit to the fan motor unit, the fan motor unit outputs a speed notification indicating a rotation state of the motor to the control unit, the control unit, in a case where the control unit outputs a first air volume command that is output when the control unit performs control to cause the fan motor unit to perform normal operation to the fan motor unit, determines a kind of the fan motor unit based on the first air volume command and a first speed notification that is output from the fan motor unit in response to the first air volume command when the first speed notification is output from the fan motor unit in response to the first air volume command, and outputs a kind determination signal indicating the determined kind.

[0012] A determination method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure determines a kind of a fan motor unit in a ventilation system that includes the fan motor unit and a control unit, the fan motor unit including a motor, a fan that rotates by rotation of the motor, and a housing that covers at least a part of the fan, the fan motor unit being configured to ventilate air to the outside, the control unit being configured to control the fan motor unit, wherein the control unit outputs an air volume command for controlling an air volume of the ventilation by the fan motor unit to the fan motor unit, the fan motor unit outputs a speed notification indicating a rotation state of the motor to the control unit, the determination method includes: a first step in which the control unit outputs a first air volume command that is output when the control unit performs control to cause the fan motor unit to perform normal operation to the fan motor unit; a second step in which the control unit acquires a first speed notification that is output from the fan motor unit in response to the output of the first air volume command; and a third step in which the control unit determines the kind of the fan motor unit based on the first air volume command and the first speed notification, and outputs a kind determination signal indicating the determined kind. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the ventilation system according to Embodiment 1.

[0014] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a usage example of the ventilation system according to Embodiment 1.

[0015] Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a fan motor unit to which Embodiment 1 is applied.

[0016] Figure 4 FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a waveform of a Hall signal of a Hall sensor output and an example of a waveform of speed notification to which Embodiment 1 is applied.

[0017] Figure 5 FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a waveform of an air volume command acquired by a microcomputer (microcontroller) and an air volume command output by a control section to which Embodiment 1 is applied.

[0018] Figure 6 FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a relationship between static pressure and flow rate of a fan motor unit, a relationship between rotational speed of a motor and flow rate, and an operating point of the fan motor unit to which Embodiment 1 is applied.

[0019] Figure 7 FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control section to which Embodiment 1 is applied.

[0020] Figure 8 FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a relationship between rotational speed of a motor and flow rate in a unit A and a unit B to which Embodiment 1 is applied.

[0021] Figure 9 FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a relationship between a duty ratio of an air volume command in the unit A and the unit B and rotational speed of a motor decided in a second stage to which Embodiment 1 is applied.

[0022] Figure 10 FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a relationship between a duty ratio of an air volume command in the unit A and the unit B and a frequency of speed notification decided in a third stage to which Embodiment 1 is applied.

[0023] Figure 11A FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a waveform of a first speed notification output from the unit A in response to a first air volume command in a case where an air volume command output section outputs the first air volume command to the unit A to which Embodiment 1 is applied.

[0024] Figure 11B FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a waveform of a first speed notification output from the unit B in response to a first air volume command in a case where an air volume command output section outputs the first air volume command to the unit B to which Embodiment 1 is applied.

[0025] Figure 12 FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a first determination process to which Embodiment 1 is applied.

[0026] Figure 13 FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control section to which Embodiment 2 is applied.

[0027] Figure 14 is a diagram showing the relationship between the rotation speed of the motor in the unit B and the unit C and the flow rate according to Embodiment 2.

[0028] Figure 15 is a diagram showing the relationship between the duty ratio of the air volume command in the unit B and the unit C and the rotation speed of the motor decided in the second stage according to Embodiment 2.

[0029] Figure 16 is a diagram showing the relationship between the duty ratio of the air volume command in the unit B and the unit C and the frequency of the speed notification decided in the third stage according to Embodiment 2.

[0030] Figure 17A is a diagram showing the waveform of the first speed notification output from the unit B in response to the first air volume command according to Embodiment 2 in a case where the air volume command output section outputs the first air volume command to the unit B.

[0031] Figure 17B is a diagram showing the waveform of the first speed notification output from the unit C in response to the first air volume command according to Embodiment 2 in a case where the air volume command output section outputs the first air volume command to the unit C.

[0032] Figure 18 is a diagram showing the relationship between the static pressure and the flow rate of the fan motor unit, the relationship between the rotation speed of the motor and the flow rate, and the operating point of the fan motor unit according to Embodiment 3.

[0033] Figure 19 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the control section according to Embodiment 3.

[0034] Figure 20 is a diagram showing the relationship between the duty ratio of the air volume command and the frequency of the speed notification with respect to one fan motor unit according to Embodiment 3, which is shown by the correspondence stored by the correspondence holding section.

[0035] Figure 21 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the control section according to Embodiment 4.

[0036] Figure 22 is a diagram illustrating a case where the relationship between the air volume command and the speed notification is changed due to an abnormality with respect to the fan motor unit according to Embodiment 4.

[0037] Figure 23 is a flowchart of the second determination processing according to Embodiment 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] (Obtaining the History of One Embodiment of the Present Disclosure)

[0039] In a vehicle equipped with a large-capacity secondary battery such as a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle, a blow system for cooling the secondary battery is mounted. The blow system is configured by a fan motor unit for blowing air into a battery pack in which the secondary battery is housed and an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) functioning as a control portion for controlling the fan motor unit.

[0040] The ECU outputs an air volume command for controlling the air volume of the air blown by the fan motor unit to the fan motor unit in accordance with the temperature in the battery pack detected by a temperature sensor disposed in the battery pack.

[0041] Generally, the relationship between the air volume command inputted in the fan motor unit and the air volume of the air blown varies depending on each type of the fan motor unit.

[0042] Therefore, in order to achieve the air blown at the desired air volume, the ECU needs to output an appropriate air volume command corresponding to the type of the fan motor unit.

[0043] For example, if the fan motor unit is provided with an interface for outputting an identification signal for determining the type of the unit to the ECU in response to a specific signal outputted from the ECU to determine the type of the fan motor unit, the ECU can determine the type of the fan motor unit by outputting the specific signal.

[0044] However, on the other hand, it is desirable that the fan motor unit utilized in the blow system is not limited to a specific fan motor unit having a specific interface, but is a general-purpose fan motor unit.

[0045] Therefore, the inventors have repeatedly conducted intensive research, experiments, and the like on a determination method for determining the type of the fan motor unit without the control portion (e.g., the ECU) outputting the specific signal for determining the type of the fan motor unit as described above. As a result, the inventors have conceived the following determination method and a blow system capable of executing the method.

[0046] A determination method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure determines a kind of a fan motor unit in a fan system that includes the fan motor unit and a control portion, the fan motor unit including a motor, a fan that rotates by rotation of the motor, and a housing that covers at least a portion of the fan, the fan motor unit being configured to supply air to the outside, the control portion being configured to control the fan motor unit, wherein the control portion outputs an air volume command for controlling an air volume of air supplied by the fan motor unit to the fan motor unit, the fan motor unit outputs a speed notification indicating a rotational state of the motor to the control portion, the determination method includes: a first step in which the control portion outputs a first air volume command output when performing control to cause the fan motor unit to perform normal operation to the fan motor unit; a second step in which the control portion acquires a first speed notification output from the fan motor unit in response to output of the first air volume command; and a third step in which the control portion determines a kind of the fan motor unit based on the first air volume command and the first speed notification, and outputs a kind determination signal indicating the determined kind.

[0047] According to the determination method described above, the control portion outputs the first air volume command output when performing control to cause the fan motor unit to perform normal operation to the fan motor unit, and thus it is possible to determine the kind of the fan motor unit.

[0048] Thus, according to the determination method described above, it is possible to determine the kind of the fan motor unit without outputting a specific signal for determining the kind of the fan motor unit.

[0049] In addition, it can also be that the control portion further holds correspondence relationship information indicating a correspondence relationship between the air volume command and the speed notification for each of a plurality of kinds of fan motor units, and in the third step, the control portion outputs the kind determination signal for determining one kind of fan motor unit in a case where the correspondence relationship between the first air volume command and the first speed notification based on the correspondence relationship information corresponds to the one kind of fan motor unit.

[0050] Thus, in a case where a new kind of fan motor unit is added to determination targets, it is possible to cope with this by updating the correspondence relationship information held by the control portion.

[0051] In addition, it can also be that the third step further includes a fourth step in which the control portion outputs an abnormality detection signal indicating that an abnormality related to the fan motor unit is detected in a case where the correspondence relationship between the first air volume command and the first speed notification based on the correspondence relationship information does not correspond to any one kind of fan motor unit.

[0052] Thus, an abnormality related to the fan motor unit can be quickly found.

[0053] Further, the rotation of the motor can be controlled by PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) control, the air volume command can be a PWM duty signal for controlling the rotation of the motor by PWM control, and in a case where the number of poles of the motor is n (n is an integer of 2 or more), the speed notification can be a pulse signal having a frequency of n / 2 times the rotation frequency of the motor.

[0054] Thus, the kind determination signal can be output based on the relationship between the PWM duty signal output by the control section and the pulse signal output by the fan motor unit.

[0055] Further, in the first step, the control section can output the first air volume command having a duty ratio within a range in which the relationship between the duty ratio of the PWM duty signal and the frequency of the pulse signal is linear.

[0056] Thus, the kind determination signal can be output more easily.

[0057] A blower system according to an embodiment includes a fan motor unit and a control section. The fan motor unit includes a motor, a fan rotated by the rotation of the motor, and a housing covering at least a portion of the fan. The fan motor unit is configured to blow air to the outside. The control section controls the fan motor unit. The control section outputs an air volume command for controlling the air volume of air blown by the fan motor unit to the fan motor unit. The fan motor unit outputs a speed notification indicating the rotation state of the motor to the control section. In a case where the control section outputs a first air volume command to the fan motor unit in order to perform control for causing the fan motor unit to perform normal operation, the control section outputs a kind determination signal for determining the kind of the fan motor unit based on the first air volume command and a first speed notification output from the fan motor unit in response to the first air volume command when the first speed notification is output from the fan motor unit.

[0058] According to the blower system described above, the control section outputs the first air volume command to the fan motor unit in order to perform control for causing the fan motor unit to perform normal operation. Thus, the kind of the fan motor unit can be determined.

[0059] Thus, according to the blower system described above, the kind of the fan motor unit can be determined without outputting a specific signal for determining the kind of the fan motor unit.

[0060] In addition, the control section can further hold correspondence relationship information indicating a correspondence relationship between the air volume instruction and the speed notification with respect to each of a plurality of fan motor units, and the control section can output the kind determination signal for determining one of the plurality of fan motor units in a case where the correspondence relationship between the first air volume instruction and the first speed notification based on the correspondence relationship information corresponds to the one of the plurality of fan motor units.

[0061] Thus, in a case where a kind of a new fan motor unit is added to the determination target, it is possible to cope with this by updating the correspondence relationship information held by the control section.

[0062] In addition, the control section can further output an abnormality detection signal indicating that an abnormality with respect to the fan motor unit is detected in a case where the correspondence relationship between the first air volume instruction and the first speed notification based on the correspondence relationship information does not correspond to any of the plurality of fan motor units.

[0063] Thus, an abnormality with respect to the fan motor unit is promptly found.

[0064] Hereinafter, a specific example of an air supply system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments shown herein are merely for representing one specific example of the present disclosure. Thus, the numerical values, shapes, structural elements, arrangement and connection of the structural elements, and steps (processes) and order of the steps shown in the following embodiments are merely one example, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. In addition, each drawing is a schematic view, and is not necessarily strictly illustrated.

[0065] Further, the general or specific embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented by a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory) that can be read by a computer, and can be implemented by any combination of the system, the method, the integrated circuit, the computer program, and the recording medium.

[0066] (Embodiment 1)

[0067] <Structure>

[0068] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a structure example of an air supply system 1 according to Embodiment 1.

[0069] As shown in Figure 1 , the air supply system 1 is provided with a fan motor unit 20 that supplies air to the outside, and a control section 10 that controls the fan motor unit 20.

[0070] The control section 10 outputs a wind amount instruction S for controlling the wind amount of the air supply by the fan motor unit 20 to the fan motor unit 20.

[0071] The fan motor unit 20 performs air supply in response to the wind amount instruction S output from the control section 10. The fan motor unit 20 has a motor (motor 21 described later, refer to Figure 3 ) inside, and outputs a speed notification FG indicating the rotation state of the motor to the control section 10.

[0072] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a use example of the air supply system 1.

[0073] As shown in Figure 2 , the air supply system 1 is mounted on an electric automobile 110 that uses a large-capacity secondary battery as a power source, for example. The air supply system 1 is used to cool the secondary battery by supplying air to the inside of a battery pack 30 that houses the secondary battery. In this example, the control section 10 is implemented by the ECU 100 of the electric automobile 110. More specifically, the control section 10 is implemented by a processor (not shown) included in the ECU 100 executing a program stored in a memory (not shown) included in the ECU 100.

[0074] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing a structure example of the fan motor unit 20.

[0075] As shown in Figure 3 , the fan motor unit 20 has a motor 21, a fan 22, a housing 23, a Hall sensor 25, a microcomputer (Micro Controller: MCU) 26, and a drive circuit 28.

[0076] The motor 21 rotates by being driven by three-phase alternating current power (described later) output from the drive circuit 28.

[0077] The fan 22 is attached to the rotation shaft of the motor 21 and rotates by the rotation of the motor 21. Thus, the fan 22 generates wind when the motor 21 rotates.

[0078] The housing 23 covers at least a part of the fan 22. The housing 23 has a duct (not shown) for blowing the wind generated by the fan 22 to the outside. Thus, the fan motor unit 20 supplies the wind generated by the fan 22 to the outside through the duct.

[0079] The Hall sensor 25 is a sensor that detects the variation of the magnetic field in the motor 21 and outputs a Hall signal H.

[0080] Figure 4is a diagram showing an example of a waveform of the Hall signal H output from the Hall sensor 25 involved in Embodiment 1 and an example of a waveform of the speed notification FG (frame ground). Here, the waveform of the Hall signal H is described, and the description of the waveform of the speed notification FG is described later.

[0081] As shown in Figure 4 , the Hall signal H is a pulse signal whose signal level alternately changes between a "high" level and a "low" level every time the electric angle of the magnetic field in the rotating motor 21 changes by 180 degrees. In a case where the number of poles of the motor 21 is n (n is an integer of 2 or more), the electric angle of the magnetic field in the rotating motor 21 is n / 2 times the rotation angle of the rotor of the motor 21. Therefore, the Hall signal H is a pulse signal whose frequency is n / 2 times the rotation frequency of the rotor of the motor 21.

[0082] Returning back to Figure 3 , the description of the fan motor unit 20 is continued.

[0083] The microcomputer 26 acquires the air volume command S output from the control portion 10 and outputs the acquired air volume command S to the drive circuit 28 after converting it into a three-phase PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal for driving the motor 21.

[0084] Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of a waveform of the air volume command S acquired by the microcomputer 26, that is, the air volume command S output from the control portion 10 involved in Embodiment 1.

[0085] As shown in Figure 5 , the air volume command S is a PWM duty signal. Here, the air volume command S is a PWM duty signal whose one cycle is 2 ms and whose duty is x (%).

[0086] Returning back to Figure 3 , the description of the fan motor unit 20 is continued.

[0087] The microcomputer 26 also acquires the Hall signal H output from the Hall sensor 25 and outputs the acquired Hall signal H to the control portion 10 after converting it into the speed notification FG.

[0088] As shown in Figure 4As shown, the speed notification FG is a signal in which the signal level changes from the "high" level to the "low" level at the timing at which the signal level of the Hall signal H changes from the "high" level to the "low" level, and the signal level changes from the "low" level to the "high" level at the timing at which the signal level of the Hall signal H changes from the "low" level to the "high" level. Thus, the speed notification FG is a pulse signal having a frequency of n / 2 times the rotational frequency of the rotor of the motor 21.

[0089] Further, the microcomputer 26 shown in the above description can also be realized by other hardware such as an integrated circuit for motor driving, i.e., a so-called drive IC (Integrated Circuit), software, and the like.

[0090] In the above description, an example in which the Hall sensor 25 is used as a unit that detects the rotational state of the motor 21 is shown. The unit that detects the rotational state of the motor 21 can also use other methods as long as it can detect the rotational state of the motor 21. For example, it can also be configured not to use the Hall sensor but to use a method of detecting an induced voltage or a method of detecting a current flowing through the motor, like a brushless motor of sensorless driving. In other words, it is not necessarily required to use the Hall sensor 25 to detect the rotational state of the motor 21.

[0091] Returning again to Figure 3 , the description of the fan motor unit 20 is continued.

[0092] The drive circuit 28 switches the direct-current electric power using the three-phase PWM signals output from the microcomputer 26, thereby generating three-phase alternating-current electric power, and drives the motor 21 using the generated three-phase alternating-current electric power.

[0093] According to the configuration of the above-described fan motor unit 20, the fan motor unit 20 performs the air supply in response to the air volume instruction S output from the control section 10 for controlling the air volume of the air supply performed by the fan motor unit 20, and outputs the speed notification FG indicating the rotational state of the motor 21 to the control section 10.

[0094] Figure 6 is a schematic view showing the relationship between the static pressure P [Pa] of the fan motor unit 20 according to Embodiment 1 and the flow rate Q [m 3 / h], the relationship between the rotational speed Sr [rpm] of the motor 21 and the flow rate Q [m 3 / h], and the operating point of the fan motor unit 20.

[0095] As Figure 6As shown, when the operating point of the fan motor unit 20 is in a region with relatively high static pressure P, the load on the motor 21 is relatively low, and therefore the relationship between the rotational speed Sr and the flow rate Q is linear. Hereinafter, the operating region of the fan motor unit 20 where the relationship between rotational speed Sr and flow rate Q is linear will also be referred to as the "linear region T1". Conversely, when the operating point of the fan motor unit 20 is in a region with relatively low static pressure P, the load on the motor 21 is relatively high, and therefore the relationship between rotational speed Sr and flow rate Q is not linear. Hereinafter, the operating region of the fan motor unit 20 where the relationship between rotational speed Sr and flow rate Q is not linear will also be referred to as the "nonlinear region T2". In Embodiment 1, the case where the operating point of the fan motor unit 20 is limited to the linear region T1 is illustrated.

[0096] Figure 7 This is a block diagram showing a structural example of the control unit 10 according to Embodiment 1.

[0097] like Figure 7 As shown, the control unit 10 includes an airflow command output unit 11, a speed notification acquisition unit 12, a determination unit 13, a correspondence holding unit 14, and a characteristic holding unit 15. The control unit 10 includes, for example, a processor (not shown) and a memory (not shown), and the processor is implemented by a computer device that executes a program stored in the memory.

[0098] The characteristic holding unit 15 stores, for each type of fan motor unit, the duty cycle [%] in the airflow command S output to the fan motor unit and the airflow rate Q [m³] of the fan motor unit in response to the airflow command S. 3 The relationship between "air volume command - flow rate characteristics" and " / h" is defined.

[0099] The airflow command output unit 11 determines the airflow delivered by the fan motor unit 20. Referring to the "airflow command-flow characteristic" stored in the characteristic holding unit 15, which relates to the type of fan motor unit 20 currently connected to the control unit 10, the airflow command output unit 11 generates an airflow command S for instructing the fan motor unit 20 to deliver air at the determined airflow. The airflow command output unit 11 outputs the generated airflow command S to the fan motor unit 20.

[0100] For example, if a temperature sensor is installed inside the battery pack 30 to detect the temperature, the airflow command output unit 11 can also determine the airflow delivered by the fan motor unit 20 based on the temperature inside the battery pack detected by the temperature sensor. Alternatively, if the control unit 10 has the function of accepting operations from users using the air supply system 1, the airflow command output unit 11 can also determine the airflow delivered by the fan motor unit 20 based on the user operations accepted by the control unit 10.

[0101] For example, in a case where the control section 10 has a function of accepting an operation by a user who uses the air supply system 1, the air volume command output section 11 can also determine the kind of the fan motor unit 20 currently connected to the control section 10 in accordance with the operation by the user accepted by the control section 10. Alternatively, the air volume command output section 11 can also determine the kind of the fan motor unit 20 currently connected to the control section 10 on the basis of a kind determination signal (described later) output from the determination section 13. For example Figure 2 The kind determination signal output from the control section 10 is output to the ECU, as shown. Specifically, the kind determination signal is output to a determination section (not shown) or the like provided in the ECU.

[0102] The speed notification acquisition section 12 acquires a speed notification FG output from the fan motor unit 20.

[0103] The correspondence relation holding section 14 holds a correspondence table indicating a correspondence relation of the air volume command S and the speed notification FG with respect to each of a plurality of kinds of fan motor units. The correspondence table is prepared in advance. In Embodiment 1, a case is exemplified in which the plurality of kinds of fan motor units which are the object of the correspondence table differ from each other in at least one of the shape of the fan and the shape of the housing, but on the other hand, the number of poles of the motor is the same as each other. That is, the plurality of kinds of fan motor units which are the object of the correspondence table held by the correspondence relation holding section 14 are in a relation in which at least one of the shape of the fan and the shape of the housing is different from each other, but on the other hand, the number of poles of the motor is the same as each other.

[0104] Hereinafter, a specific example of a method of preparing the correspondence table held by the correspondence relation holding section 14 will be described with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, as an example, a case will be described in which the plurality of kinds of fan motor units are two kinds of fan motor units, a fan motor unit A (hereinafter, also referred to as "unit A") having a motor with a number of poles of 10 poles and a fan motor unit B (hereinafter, also referred to as "unit B") having a motor with a number of poles of 10 poles. However, the plurality of kinds of fan motor units can be any kind of fan motor units as long as at least one of the shape of the fan and the shape of the housing is different from each other, but on the other hand, the number of poles of the motor is the same as each other, and need not be limited to the two kinds of fan motor units of the unit A and the unit B.

[0105] The duty ratio of the air volume command S has the following relation with the rotational speed Sr of the motor. That is, at the minimum duty ratio Smin, the motor 21 rotates at the lowest controllable rotational speed Srmin. At the maximum duty ratio Smax, the motor 21 rotates at the highest controllable rotational speed Srmax.

[0106] Hereinafter, a case where the range of controllable rotational speed of the motor, that is, the minimum rotational speed Srmin ~ the maximum rotational speed Srmax can be achieved by the range of the minimum duty ratio of 10% ~ the maximum duty ratio of 90% will be described with reference to the motor 21. Further, the minimum duty ratio and the maximum duty ratio that achieve the minimum rotational speed Srmin ~ the maximum rotational speed Srmax are not limited to 10% and 90%. These values are appropriately derived in accordance with the specifications of the motor used and the like.

[0107] Figure 8 is a graph showing the relationship between the rotational speed Sr [rpm] of the motor in the unit A and the unit B and the flow rate Q [m 3 / h] related to Embodiment 1.

[0108] As described above, the operating point of the unit A and the unit B is the linear region T1 (refer to Figure 6 ). Therefore, as shown in Figure 8 , the relationship between the rotational speed Sr and the flow rate Q in the unit A and the unit B is a linear relationship. On the other hand, at least one of the shape of the fan and the shape of the housing of the unit A and the unit B is different from each other, and therefore, in the unit A and the unit B, even if the motor rotates at the same rotational speed Sr, the flow rate Q is different from each other.

[0109] First, as a first stage, the rotational speed Sr A of the motor for achieving the flow rate Qmax in the unit A and the rotational speed Sr B of the motor for achieving the flow rate Qmax in the unit B are determined in a case where the maximum flow rate required in the air supply system 1 is set to Qmax.

[0110] Next, as a second stage, with respect to the unit A, the relationship between the air volume command S and the rotational speed Sr is determined in such a manner that the rotational speed Sr of the motor is Sr A (the aforementioned maximum rotational speed Srmax. The same applies hereafter.) when the duty ratio of the air volume command S is 90%. With respect to the unit B, the relationship between the air volume command S and the rotational speed Sr is determined in such a manner that the rotational speed Sr of the motor is Sr B (the aforementioned maximum rotational speed Srmax. The same applies hereafter.) when the duty ratio of the air volume command S is 90%.

[0111] Figure 9 is a graph showing the relationship between the duty ratio [%] of the air volume command S and the rotational speed Sr [rpm] of the motor in the unit A and the unit B determined in the second stage related to Embodiment 1.

[0112] As described above, the relationship of the frequency of the speed notification FG, that is, the frequency of the Hall signal H, and the rotational frequency of the motor has a relationship in which the frequency of the speed notification FG is the rotational frequency of the motor x the number of poles of the motor (10 in this case) x ½. Using this relationship, finally, as the third stage, the relationship of the duty ratio [%] of the air volume command S in the cell A and the cell B and the frequency [Hz] of the speed notification FG is calculated based on the relationship of the duty ratio [%] of the air volume command S in the cell A and the cell B and the rotational speed Sr [rpm] of the motor decided in the second stage.

[0113] Figure 10 is a diagram showing the relationship of the duty ratio [%] of the air volume command S in the cell A and the cell B and the frequency [Hz] of the speed notification FG decided in the third stage according to Embodiment 1.

[0114] The correspondence relationship holding section 14 stores in advance a correspondence table showing the relationship of the duty ratio [%] of the air volume command S in the cell A and the cell B and the frequency [Hz] of the speed notification FG calculated in the third stage.

[0115] Further, as shown in Figure 10 , the relationship of the duty ratio [%] of the air volume command S and the frequency [Hz] of the speed notification FG is a linear relationship. This is because, as described above, the operating point of the fan motor unit 20 is limited to the linear region T1 in the air supply system 1. In this way, the air volume command output section 11 outputs the first air volume command S having a duty ratio within a range in which the relationship of the duty ratio of the air volume command S and the frequency of the speed notification FG is a linear relationship, where the air volume command S is a PWM duty ratio signal and the speed notification FG is a pulse signal.

[0116] Returning again to Figure 7 , the explanation of the control section 10 is continued.

[0117] In the case where the air volume command output section 11 outputs the first air volume command S output when performing control to cause the fan motor unit 20 to perform normal operation to the fan motor unit 20, when the first speed notification FG is output from the fan motor unit 20 in response to the first air volume command S, the determination section 13 determines the kind of the fan motor unit 20 based on the first air volume command S and the first speed notification FG and outputs a kind determination signal showing the determined kind. More specifically, the determination section 13 determines one kind of fan motor unit out of a plurality of kinds of fan motor units for which the correspondence table held in the correspondence relationship holding section 14 is set as an object, and outputs a kind determination signal showing the determined kind, in the case where the correspondence relationship of the first air volume command S and the first speed notification FG based on the correspondence table is in conformity with the one kind of fan motor unit. For example Figure 2As shown, the category determination signal output from the control section 10 is output to the inside of the ECU. Specifically, the category determination signal is output to a determination section (not shown) or the like provided in the ECU.

[0118] Here, the first air volume instruction S output at the time of performing control to cause the fan motor unit 20 to perform normal operation is an air volume instruction S output by the control section 10 in order to output a specific air volume among air volumes within a range prescribed in the air supply system 1 to the fan motor unit 20.

[0119] Figure 11A is a schematic view showing a waveform of the first speed notification FG output from the unit A in response to the first air volume instruction S in a case where the air volume instruction output section 11 related to Embodiment 1 outputs the first air volume instruction S to the unit A. Figure 11B is a schematic view showing a waveform of the first speed notification FG output from the unit B in response to the first air volume instruction S in a case where the air volume instruction output section 11 related to Embodiment 1 outputs the first air volume instruction S to the unit B.

[0120] As shown in Figure 11A and Figure 11B , the frequency of the first speed notification FG is different between a case where the fan motor unit 20 is the unit A and a case where the fan motor unit 20 is the unit B.

[0121] The determination section 13 outputs a category determination signal for determining the unit A in a case where the relationship between the first air volume instruction S and the first speed notification FG based on the correspondence table held in the correspondence relationship holding section 14 matches the unit A, and outputs a category determination signal for determining the unit B in a case where the relationship between the first air volume instruction S and the first speed notification FG based on the correspondence table held in the correspondence relationship holding section 14 matches the unit B.

[0122] <Operation>

[0123] Next, the operation of the air supply system 1 having the above-described structure will be described.

[0124] The air supply system 1 performs first determination processing of outputting the category determination signal.

[0125] Figure 12 is a flowchart of the first determination processing related to Embodiment 1.

[0126] The first determination processing can start at a time point after a prescribed time elapses after the air supply system 1 is started, can start at a time point when the replacement work of the fan motor unit 20 is completed, or can start periodically at regular intervals.

[0127] When the first determination processing is started, the air volume command output section 11 outputs the first air volume command S, which is output when the control to cause the fan motor unit 20 to perform the normal operation is performed, to the fan motor unit 20 (step S100).

[0128] When the first air volume command S is output, the microcomputer (Micro Controller) 26 acquires the first air volume command S. The microcomputer (Micro Controller) 26 converts the acquired air volume command S into a three-phase PWM signal for driving the motor 21. The microcomputer 26 outputs the converted three-phase PWM signal to the drive circuit 28 (step S110).

[0129] When the three-phase PWM signal is output, the drive circuit 28 switches the direct-current electric power by the three-phase PWM signal, thereby generating three-phase alternating-current electric power. The drive circuit 28 drives the motor 21 by the generated three-phase alternating-current electric power. Thus, the motor 21 rotates in accordance with the three-phase PWM signal (step S120).

[0130] When the motor 21 rotates, the Hall sensor 25 detects a variation in the magnetic field in the motor 21, and outputs a first Hall signal H.

[0131] When the first Hall signal H is output, the microcomputer 26 acquires the first Hall signal H. The acquired first Hall signal H is converted into a first speed notification FG. The microcomputer 26 outputs the converted first speed notification FG to the control section 10 (step S130).

[0132] When the first speed notification FG is output, the speed notification acquisition section 12 acquires the first speed notification FG (step S140).

[0133] When the first speed notification FG is acquired, the determination section 13 determines the kind of the fan motor unit 20 on the basis of the first air volume command S and the first speed notification FG, and outputs a kind determination signal indicating the determined kind (step S150). At this time, the determination section 13 outputs the kind determination signal for determining one kind of the fan motor unit, in a case where the first air volume command S and the first speed notification FG correspond to each other in accordance with the correspondence table held in the correspondence holding section 14, and the one kind of the fan motor unit is included in the plurality of kinds of the fan motor units set as the object of the correspondence table.

[0134] In a case where the processing of step S150 is ended, the air supply system 1 ends the first determination processing.

[0135] <Investigation>

[0136] According to the air supply system 1, the control section 10 outputs the first air volume command output at the time of performing control to cause the fan motor unit 20 to perform normal operation to the fan motor unit, whereby it is possible to determine the kind of the fan motor unit 20.

[0137] Thus, according to the air supply system 1, it is possible to determine the kind of the fan motor unit 20 without outputting a specific signal for determining the kind of the fan motor unit 20.

[0138] According to the air supply system 1, in the case where a new kind of fan motor unit is added to the determination target, it is possible to cope by updating the correspondence table held by the correspondence holding section 14.

[0139] According to the air supply system 1, as described above, the control section 10 outputs the first air volume command S having a duty ratio within a range in which the relationship between the duty ratio of the air volume command S and the frequency of the speed notification FG is linear, wherein the air volume command S is a PWM duty ratio signal and the speed notification FG is a pulse signal.

[0140] Therefore, the control section 10 can easily output the kind determination signal.

[0141] (Embodiment 2)

[0142] Hereinafter, the air supply system according to Embodiment 2 will be described. Here, with respect to the air supply system according to Embodiment 2, the same structural elements as those of the air supply system 1 according to Embodiment 1 are provided with the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0143] The air supply system 1 according to Embodiment 1 is a structural example illustrating a case where the kinds of fan motor units, which are the object of the correspondence table, differ from each other in at least either one of the shape of the fan and the shape of the housing, but on the other hand, the number of poles of the motor is the same. In contrast to this, the air supply system according to Embodiment 2 is a structural example illustrating a case where the kinds of fan motor units, which are the object of the correspondence table, are the same in the shape of the fan and the shape of the housing, but on the other hand, the number of poles of the motor differs from each other.

[0144] In Embodiment 2, as in Embodiment 1, a case where the operation point of the fan motor unit 20 is limited to the linear region T1 is illustrated.

[0145] The air supply system according to Embodiment 2 is configured by changing the control section 10 to the control section 10A according to Embodiment 2 with respect to the air supply system according to Embodiment 1.

[0146] Figure 13 is a block diagram showing a structural example of the control section 10A according to Embodiment 2.

[0147] As Figure 13 shown, the control section 10A is obtained by changing the control section 10 related to Embodiment 1. The correspondence relationship holding section 14 is changed to a correspondence relationship holding section 14A.

[0148] The correspondence relationship holding section 14A holds a correspondence table that shows the correspondence relationship of the air volume command S and the speed notification FG with respect to each of a plurality of fan motor units. The correspondence table is prepared in advance. In Embodiment 2, the plurality of fan motor units that are the object of the correspondence table held by the correspondence relationship holding section 14A are in a relationship in which the shapes of the fans and the shapes of the housings are the same, but the number of poles of the motors are different.

[0149] Hereinafter, a specific example of a method of preparing the correspondence table held by the correspondence relationship holding section 14A will be described with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, as an example, it is assumed that the plurality of fan motor units are two fan motor units, a fan motor unit B (hereinafter, also referred to as "unit B") having a motor with a number of poles of 10 poles and a fan motor unit C (hereinafter, also referred to as "unit C") having a motor with a number of poles of 8 poles. However, the plurality of fan motor units only need to be in a relationship in which the shapes of the fans and the shapes of the housings are the same, but the number of poles of the motors are different from each other, and need not be limited to the two fan motor units of the unit B and the unit C.

[0150] Figure 14 is a diagram showing the relationship of the rotational speed Sr [rpm] of the motor in the unit B and the unit C and the flow rate Q [m 3 / h] of Embodiment 2.

[0151] As described above, the operating points of the unit B and the unit C are in the linear region T1 (refer to Figure 6 ). Therefore, as shown in Figure 14 , the relationship of the rotational speed Sr and the flow rate Q in the unit B and the unit C is a linear relationship. On the other hand, the shapes of the fans and the shapes of the housings of the unit B and the unit C are the same as each other, and therefore, in the unit B and the unit C, the flow rate Q in the case where the motor rotates at the same rotational speed Sr is also the same.

[0152] As a first stage, the rotational speed Sr B of the motor for achieving the flow rate Qmax in the unit B and the rotational speed Sr C of the motor for achieving the flow rate Qmax in the unit C are determined in the case where the maximum flow rate required in the air supply system related to Embodiment 2 is set to Qmax. The shapes of the fans and the shapes of the housings of the unit B and the unit C are the same as each other, and therefore, as shown in Figure 14 , Sr B is the same as Sr C .

[0153] As the second stage, for the unit B, the relationship between the air volume command S and the rotational speed Sr of the motor is determined in such a manner that the rotational speed Sr of the motor is Sr B when the duty ratio of the air volume command S is 90%, and for the unit C, the relationship between the air volume command S and the rotational speed Sr of the motor is determined in such a manner that the rotational speed Sr of the motor is Sr C when the duty ratio of the air volume command S is 90%.

[0154] Figure 15 is a diagram showing the relationship between the duty ratio [%] of the air volume command S and the rotational speed Sr [rpm] of the motor in the unit B and the unit C determined in the second stage according to Embodiment 2. Since Sr B is the same as Sr C , as shown in Figure 15 , the relationship between the duty ratio [%] of the air volume command S and the rotational speed Sr [rpm] of the motor is the same in the unit B and the unit C.

[0155] As described above, the relationship between the frequency of the speed notification FG, that is, the frequency of the Hall signal H, and the rotational frequency of the motor has a relationship in which the frequency of the speed notification FG is the rotational frequency of the motor x the number of poles of the motor (10 in this case) x 1 / 2 times. Using this relationship, as the third stage, the relationship between the duty ratio [%] of the air volume command S and the frequency [Hz] of the speed notification FG is calculated in the unit B and the unit C based on the relationship between the duty ratio [%] of the air volume command S and the rotational speed Sr [rpm] of the motor determined in the second stage.

[0156] Figure 16 is a diagram showing the relationship between the duty ratio [%] of the air volume command S and the frequency [Hz] of the speed notification FG in the unit B and the unit C determined in the third stage according to Embodiment 2. The relationship between the duty ratio [%] of the air volume command S and the rotational speed Sr [rpm] of the motor is the same in the unit B and the unit C. However, the number of poles of the motor possessed by the unit B and the number of poles of the motor possessed by the unit C are different from each other. Therefore, as shown in Figure 16 , the relationship between the duty ratio [%] of the air volume command S and the frequency [Hz] of the speed notification FG is different from each other in the unit B and the unit C.

[0157] The correspondence relationship holding section 14A stores in advance a correspondence table showing the relationship between the duty ratio [%] of the air volume command S and the frequency [Hz] of the speed notification FG calculated in the third stage in the unit B and the unit C.

[0158] Figure 17Ais a schematic view showing a waveform of the first speed notification FG output from the unit B in response to the first air volume command S in a case where the air volume command output section 11 related to Embodiment 2 outputs the first air volume command S to the unit B. Figure 17B is a schematic view showing a waveform of the first speed notification FG output from the unit C in response to the first air volume command S in a case where the air volume command output section 11 related to Embodiment 2 outputs the first air volume command S to the unit C.

[0159] As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the frequency of the first speed notification FG is different between the case where the fan motor unit 20 is the unit B and the case where the fan motor unit 20 is the unit C. Figure 17A Figure 17B As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the frequency of the first speed notification FG is different between the case where the fan motor unit 20 is the unit B and the case where the fan motor unit 20 is the unit C.

[0160] Therefore, the determination section 13 outputs a kind determination signal for determining the unit B in a case where the relationship between the first air volume command S and the first speed notification FG coincides with the unit B on the basis of the correspondence table held in the correspondence relationship holding section 14A, and outputs a kind determination signal for determining the unit C in a case where the relationship between the first air volume command S and the first speed notification FG coincides with the unit C on the basis of the correspondence table held in the correspondence relationship holding section 14A.

[0161] Further, the kind determination signal output from the control section 10A is output to the inside of the ECU, for example, as shown in FIG. 23. Figure 2

[0162] <Investigation>

[0163] As described above, in the air supply system related to Embodiment 2, even in a case where the shapes of the fans and the shapes of the housings of the plurality of fan motor units that are the objects of the correspondence table are the same as each other, but the number of poles of the motors is different from each other, it is possible to determine the kind of the fan motor unit 20 on the basis of the first air volume command S and the first speed notification FG, and output a kind determination signal indicating the determined kind.

[0164] Further, as disclosed in Embodiment 1, in a case where at least one of the shapes of the fans and the shapes of the housings of the plurality of fan motor units that are the objects of the correspondence table are different from each other, but the number of poles of the motors is the same, the air supply system 1 is able to output a kind determination signal for determining the kind of the fan motor unit 20 on the basis of the first air volume command S and the first speed notification FG.

[0165] ​​Therefore, it is clear that by applying the technology disclosed in Embodiment 1 to the air supply system according to Embodiment 2, in the air supply system according to Embodiment 2, even in a case where at least one of the shape of the fan, the shape of the housing, and the number of poles of the motor of the plurality of fan motor units for which the correspondence table is set as a target is different from each other, the kind of the fan motor unit 20 can be determined based on the first air volume instruction S and the first speed notification FG, and a kind determination signal indicating the determined kind can be output.

[0166] (Embodiment 3)

[0167] Hereinafter, the air supply system according to Embodiment 3 will be described. Here, regarding the air supply system according to Embodiment 3, the same structural elements as those of the air supply system 1 according to Embodiment 1 are assumed to have been described, and the same reference numerals are attached thereto and detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0168] The air supply system 1 according to Embodiment 1 and the air supply system according to Embodiment 2 are structural examples in which the operating point of the fan motor unit 20 is limited to the linear region T1 (see FIG. 2). Figure 6 On the other hand, the air supply system according to Embodiment 3 is a structural example in which the operating point of the fan motor unit 20 is not limited to the linear region T1.

[0169] Figure 18 is a schematic view showing the relationship between the static pressure P [Pa] of the fan motor unit 20 according to Embodiment 3 and the flow rate Q [m 3 / h], the relationship between the rotational speed Sr [rpm] of the motor 21 and the flow rate Q [m 3 / h], and the operating point of the fan motor unit 20.

[0170] As shown in Figure 18 , in Embodiment 3, the operating point of the fan motor unit 20 straddles the linear region T1 and the nonlinear region T2.

[0171] The air supply system according to Embodiment 3 is configured by changing the control portion 10 according to Embodiment 1 to the control portion 10B according to Embodiment 3.

[0172] Figure 19 is a block diagram showing a structural example of the control portion 10B according to Embodiment 3.

[0173] As shown in Figure 19 , the control portion 10B is configured by changing the control portion 10 according to Embodiment 1. The correspondence relationship holding portion 14 is configured to be changed to the correspondence relationship holding portion 14B.

[0174] The correspondence holding section 14B holds a correspondence table that shows a correspondence relation of the air volume command S and the speed notification FG with respect to each of the plurality of fan motor units. The correspondence table is made in advance.

[0175] Figure 20 is a diagram that shows a correspondence relation of a duty cycle [%] of the air volume command S and a frequency [Hz] of the speed notification FG with respect to one fan motor unit 20, which is shown by the correspondence table stored by the correspondence holding section 14B.

[0176] As shown in Figure 20 , in a case where the operating point of the fan motor unit 20 is in the linear region T1, the relation of the air volume command S and the speed notification FG is a linear relation. On the other hand, in a case where the operating point of the fan motor unit 20 is in the nonlinear region T2, the relation of the air volume command S and the speed notification FG is not a linear relation. This is because, in the nonlinear region T2, the load of the motor 21 is relatively high, and thus the motor 21 cannot rotate at a rotational speed as the three-phase alternating-current power supplied from the drive circuit 28.

[0177] Thus, in a case where the operating point of the fan motor unit 20 is not limited to the linear region T1, the relation of the air volume command S and the speed notification FG is not necessarily a linear relation. However, the relation of the air volume command S and the speed notification FG can be made, for example, by performing a test using an actual device or by simulation using a simulator. The correspondence holding section 14B stores the correspondence table made in this way in advance.

[0178] Further, the kind determination signal output from the control section 10B is output to the inside of the ECU, for example, as shown in Figure 2 . Specifically, the kind determination signal is output to a determination section (not shown) or the like provided in the ECU.

[0179] <Investigation>

[0180] As described above, in the air supply system according to Embodiment 3, the correspondence holding section 14B holds the correspondence table with respect to a case where the operating point of the fan motor unit 20 is not limited to the linear region T1. Therefore, according to the air supply system according to Embodiment 3, even in a case where the operating point of the fan motor unit 20 is not limited to the linear region T1, it is possible to determine the kind of the fan motor unit 20 based on the first air volume command S and the first speed notification FG, and output the kind determination signal that shows the determined kind.

[0181] (Embodiment 4)

[0182] The air supply system according to Embodiment 4 will be described below. In this air supply system according to Embodiment 4, the same structural elements as those of the air supply system according to Embodiment 3 are provided with the same reference numerals and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0183] The air supply system according to Embodiment 4 has the same functions as those of the air supply system according to Embodiment 3. The air supply system according to Embodiment 4 further has a function of outputting an abnormality detection signal indicating that an abnormality related to the fan motor unit 20 has been detected, in a case where the relationship between the first air volume command S and the first speed notification FG satisfies a prescribed relationship.

[0184] The air supply system according to Embodiment 4 is configured by changing the control section 10B according to Embodiment 3 to the control section 10C according to Embodiment 4.

[0185] Figure 21 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the control section 10C according to Embodiment 4.

[0186] As shown in Figure 21 , the control section 10C is configured by changing the control section 10B according to Embodiment 3. The determination section 13 is changed to the determination section 13C.

[0187] The determination section 13C has the same functions as those of the determination section 13 according to Embodiment 3. The determination section 13C further has the following functions.

[0188] That is, the determination section 13C outputs the abnormality detection signal indicating that an abnormality related to the fan motor unit 20 has been detected, in a case where the correspondence relationship between the first air volume command S and the first speed notification FG does not conform to any one of the plurality of fan motor units targeted by the correspondence table, based on the correspondence table held in the correspondence relationship holding section 14B.

[0189] As exemplified below, in the air supply system according to Embodiment 4, there is an abnormality of the type in which the relationship between the air volume command S and the speed notification FG varies, among the abnormalities related to the fan motor unit 20. Therefore, in a case where the correspondence relationship between the first air volume command S and the first speed notification FG does not conform to any one of the plurality of fan motor units targeted by the correspondence table, it is considered that an abnormality related to the fan motor unit 20 of the type in which the relationship between the air volume command S and the speed notification FG varies has occurred. Thus, in a case where the correspondence relationship between the first air volume command S and the first speed notification FG does not conform to any one of the plurality of fan motor units targeted by the correspondence table, the determination section 13C outputs the abnormality detection signal.

[0190] Figure 22 is a diagram illustrating a case where the relationship between the air volume command S and the speed notification FG is changed due to an abnormality related to the fan motor unit 20.

[0191] As Figure 22 illustrated, for example, when an abnormality such as a separator between the unit cells in the battery pack 30 is detached occurs, the air resistance under the air supply by the fan motor unit 20 decreases. Due to this, the operating point of the fan motor unit 20 moves to the non-linear region T2 side. Therefore, the relationship between the air volume command S and the speed notification FG is changed. More specifically, the range in which the relationship between the air volume command S and the speed notification FG is linearly related changes in a manner in which the range becomes narrow.

[0192] For example, when an abnormality such as a duct of the fan motor unit 20 is detached from the battery pack 30 occurs, the air resistance under the air supply by the fan motor unit 20 decreases. Due to this, the operating point of the fan motor unit 20 moves to the non-linear region T2 side. Therefore, the relationship between the air volume command S and the speed notification FG is changed. More specifically, the range in which the relationship between the air volume command S and the speed notification FG is linearly related changes in a manner in which the range becomes narrow.

[0193] For example, when an abnormality such as a clog exists between the unit cells in the battery pack 30 occurs, the air resistance under the air supply by the fan motor unit 20 increases. Due to this, the operating point of the fan motor unit 20 moves to the linear region T1 side. Therefore, the relationship between the air volume command S and the speed notification FG is changed. More specifically, the range in which the relationship between the air volume command S and the speed notification FG is linearly related changes in a manner in which the range becomes wide.

[0194] For example, when an abnormality such as a clog exists in the duct of the fan motor unit 20 occurs, the air resistance under the air supply by the fan motor unit 20 increases. Due to this, the operating point of the fan motor unit 20 moves to the linear region T1 side. Therefore, the relationship between the air volume command S and the speed notification FG is changed. More specifically, the range in which the relationship between the air volume command S and the speed notification FG is linearly related changes in a manner in which the range becomes wide.

[0195] Next, the operation of the air supply system according to the above-described embodiment 4 will be described.

[0196] The air supply system according to the embodiment 4 executes the second determination processing of the output type determination signal or the abnormality detection signal.

[0197] Figure 23 is a flowchart of the second determination processing.

[0198] In Figure 23In the embodiment 4, the process of step S200 to the process of step S240 are the same processes as the processes of step S100 to step S140 in the first determination processing described in the embodiment 1, in which the determination section 13 is replaced with the determination section 13C. Therefore, in this embodiment, the processes of step S200 to step S240 are assumed to have been explained in detail, and the detailed explanation thereof is omitted, and the processes of step S260 to step S280 are explained as the center.

[0199] When the process of step S240 ends, the determination section 13C determines whether the correspondence relation of the first air volume command S to the first speed notification FG conforms to any one of the plurality of fan motor units which are the objects of the correspondence table, on the basis of the correspondence table held in the correspondence relation holding section 14B (step S260).

[0200] In the process of step S260, in a case where the correspondence relation of the first air volume command S to the first speed notification FG conforms to any one of the plurality of fan motor units which are the objects of the correspondence table (step S260: YES), the determination section 13C outputs a kind determination signal for determining the kind of the fan motor unit which conforms (step S270).

[0201] In the process of step S260, in a case where the correspondence relation of the first air volume command S to the first speed notification FG does not conform to any one of the plurality of fan motor units which are the objects of the correspondence table (step S260: NO), the determination section 13C outputs an abnormality detection signal indicating that an abnormality related to the fan motor unit 20 is detected (step S280).

[0202] Further, the kind determination signal or the abnormality detection signal output from the control section 10C is output to the inside of the ECU, for example, as shown in FIG. 8. Specifically, the kind determination signal or the abnormality detection signal is output to a determination section (not shown) or the like provided in the ECU. Figure 2

[0203] In a case where the process of step S270 ends and in a case where the process of step S280 ends, the air supply system according to the embodiment 4 ends the second determination processing.

[0204] <Investigation>

[0205] As described above, according to the air supply system according to the embodiment 4, in a case where the correspondence relation of the first air volume command S to the first speed notification FG does not conform to any one of the plurality of fan motor units which are the objects of the correspondence table, the abnormality detection signal is output. Thereby, an abnormality related to the fan motor unit 20 is promptly found.

[0206] ​(Other Embodiments)

[0207] As described above, Embodiments 1 to 4 are explained as an example of the technology disclosed in the present application. However, the technology according to the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments. As long as the gist of the present disclosure is not deviated from, a mode obtained by applying various modifications conceived by those skilled in the art to the present embodiment, or a mode constructed by combining structural elements in different embodiments can also be included in the scope of the technology disclosed in the present application.

[0208] (1) In Embodiments 1 to 4, it is explained that the correspondence table that holds the correspondence relation between the air volume command S and the speed notification FG for each of the plurality of fan motor units is held by the correspondence relation holding section 14 to the correspondence relation holding section 14B. However, as long as the correspondence relation holding section 14 to the correspondence relation holding section 14B holds the correspondence relation information that indicates the correspondence relation between the air volume command S and the speed notification FG for each of the plurality of fan motor units, the structure of holding the correspondence table as the correspondence relation information is not necessarily limited. For example, the correspondence relation holding section 14 can be a structure that holds a function that indicates the correspondence relation between the air volume command S and the speed notification FG for each of the plurality of fan motor units as the correspondence relation information.

[0209] (2) One embodiment of the present disclosure can not only be such an air supply system, but also a method that takes each process characteristic of the air supply system as a step. In addition, one embodiment of the present disclosure can be a computer program that causes a computer to execute each step included in the method. In addition, one embodiment of the present disclosure can be a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium that records such a computer program.

[0210] Industrial Applicability

[0211] The present disclosure can be widely used for an air supply system that performs air supply.

[0212] Explanation of Reference Signs

[0213] 1: Air supply system; 10, 10A, 10B, 10C: Control section; 11: Air volume command output section; 12: Speed notification acquisition section; 13, 13C: Determination section; 14, 14A, 14B: Correspondence relation holding section; 15: Characteristic holding section; 20: Fan motor unit; 21: Motor; 22: Fan; 23: Housing; 25: Hall sensor; 26: Microcomputer; 28: Drive circuit; 30: Battery pack; 100: ECU; 110: Electric automobile.

Claims

1. A determination method of determining a kind of a fan motor unit in a ventilation system, the ventilation system having the fan motor unit and a control portion, the fan motor unit having a motor, a fan rotating by rotation of the motor, and a housing covering at least a part of the fan, the fan motor unit being for ventilating air to an outside, the control portion controlling the fan motor unit, the control portion outputting an air volume command for controlling an air volume of ventilation by the fan motor unit to the fan motor unit, the fan motor unit outputting a speed notification indicating a rotation state of the motor to the control portion, the determination method comprising: a first step of the control portion outputting a first air volume command outputted when performing control of making the fan motor unit perform a normal operation to the fan motor unit; a second step of the control portion acquiring a first speed notification outputted from the fan motor unit in response to output of the first air volume command; and a third step of the control portion determining a kind of the fan motor unit based on the first air volume command and the first speed notification, and outputting a kind determination signal indicating the determined kind, wherein the control portion holds correspondence relationship information of a duty ratio in the air volume command outputted to the fan motor unit and a flow rate of ventilation by the fan motor unit in response to the air volume command for each kind of the fan motor unit, in the third step, the control portion outputs the kind determination signal for determining one kind of the fan motor units in a case where a correspondence relationship of the first air volume command and the flow rate of ventilation by each kind of the fan motor units based on the correspondence relationship information coincides with one kind of the fan motor units. wherein 2. The determination method according to claim 1, wherein the third step further includes a fourth step in which the control portion outputs an abnormality detection signal indicating a meaning of detecting an abnormality relating to the fan motor unit in a case where a correspondence relationship of the first air volume command and the first speed notification based on the correspondence relationship information does not coincide with any one of a plurality of kinds of the fan motor units.

3. The determination method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rotation of the motor is controlled by pulse width modulation (PWM) control, the air volume command is a PWM duty ratio signal for controlling the rotation of the motor by the PWM control, in a case where a number of poles of the motor is set to n, the speed notification is a pulse signal having a frequency of n / 2 times a rotation frequency of the motor, n being an integer of 2 or more.

4. The determination method according to claim 3, wherein in the first step, the control portion outputs the first air volume command having a duty ratio of the PWM duty ratio signal in a range where a relationship of the duty ratio and the frequency of the pulse signal is a linear relationship. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 5. An air supply system comprising a fan motor unit having a motor, a fan that rotates by rotation of the motor, and a housing that covers at least a part of the fan, the fan motor unit being configured to supply air to the outside, and a control portion that controls the fan motor unit, the control portion outputs an air volume command for controlling an air volume of air supply by the fan motor unit to the fan motor unit, the fan motor unit outputs a speed notification indicating a rotation state of the motor to the control portion, the control portion determines a kind of the fan motor unit based on a first air volume command output to the fan motor unit when a first speed notification is output from the fan motor unit in response to the first air volume command, which is output when control for causing the fan motor unit to perform normal operation is performed, and outputs a kind determination signal indicating the determined kind, wherein the control portion further holds, for each kind of fan motor unit, correspondence relationship information between a duty ratio in the air volume command output to the fan motor unit and a flow rate of air supply by the fan motor unit in response to the air volume command, and the control portion outputs the kind determination signal for determining one kind of the fan motor units, based on the correspondence relationship information, when a correspondence relationship between the first air volume command and the flow rate of air supply by each kind of fan motor unit, based on the correspondence relationship information, corresponds to one kind of the fan motor units. wherein 6. The air supply system according to claim 5, wherein the control portion further outputs an abnormality detection signal indicating a meaning that an abnormality related to the fan motor unit is detected, when the correspondence relationship between the first air volume command and the first speed notification, based on the correspondence relationship information, does not correspond to any one of a plurality of kinds of fan motor units. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

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