Test and verification device for vehicle active grille shutters

Abstract

This invention provides a testing and verification device for an active grille shutter of a vehicle. The active grille shutter to be tested includes an actuator that drives the grille. The device includes: a LIN communication unit connected to the actuator and controlling its position; and a testing and verification platform connected to the LIN communication unit, configured with an actuator control strategy. This strategy determines the desired position of the actuator based on input vehicle coolant temperature, ambient temperature, vehicle speed, and the configured actuator control strategy. Based on the desired position, it generates an actuator position request, performs LDF parsing on the request to form an actuator position request conforming to the LIN protocol, and sends the LIN protocol-compliant actuator position request to the LIN communication unit. The LIN communication unit then controls the actuator to the desired position based on the LIN protocol-compliant actuator position request. This significantly shortens the vehicle development cycle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of actuators, and more particularly to a testing and verification device for an active air intake grille of a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] With the national goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, energy conservation and emission reduction have become trends across various industries. To reduce overall fuel consumption, vehicles are increasingly incorporating Active Grille Shutter (AGS) technology in their design. AGS is a relatively new fuel-saving technology in automotive engineering that controls the air intake in the engine compartment and overall vehicle drag by changing the opening and closing angle of the grille, thereby improving fuel economy and accelerating engine warm-up.

[0003] Due to technological limitations in domestic vehicle manufacturing, the overall vehicle communication network has traditionally used the CAN (Controller Area Network) bus. However, active grille controllers, due to hardware cost and chip limitations, generally use the LIN (Local Interconnect Network) bus for communication. This necessitates a CAN-to-LIN control system during the development of vehicles with active grille controls to achieve grille control and facilitate the verification of control strategies and grille control effects. The LIN (Local Interconnect Network) bus is a low-cost serial communication protocol based on UART / SCI (Universal Asynchronous Receiver / Serial Interface). The LIN bus is primarily designed for low-end communication between vehicle network module nodes, mainly used for serial communication between intelligent sensors and actuators. The CAN protocol, on the other hand, is a more expensive serial data communication protocol, primarily used for vehicle ECU (Electronic Control Unit), TCU (Transmission Control Unit), instrument clusters, and thermal management controls.

[0004] Currently available CAN-to-LIN converters all use fixed gateway protocols. During real-world vehicle testing, they can only perform simple CAN to LIN signal conversion, lacking control logic programming, automatic control, and automatic simulation capabilities. They are only suitable for gateway conversion in standardized, mass-produced products. If problems are found during real-world testing, the product's control program must be rewritten and flashed into the module before testing can resume. This prevents real-time adjustments to control logic during vehicle testing, significantly increasing product development cycles.

[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to propose an improved test and verification device for active air intake grilles. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a test and verification device for an active air intake grille of a vehicle, which can realize the development, testing and verification of the actuator control strategy of the air intake grille, and can greatly shorten the vehicle development cycle.

[0007] To achieve the objective of the invention, according to one aspect of the present invention, a test and verification device for an active air intake grille of a vehicle is provided. The active air intake grille to be tested includes an actuator that drives the air intake grille. The actuator includes: a LIN communication unit connected to the actuator and controlling the position of the actuator; a test and verification platform connected to the LIN communication unit, which is configured with an actuator control strategy. The platform obtains the desired position of the actuator based on the input vehicle coolant temperature, ambient temperature, and vehicle speed, as well as the configured actuator control strategy. Based on the desired position of the actuator, it generates an actuator position request, performs LDF parsing on the actuator position request to form an actuator position request conforming to the LIN protocol, and sends the actuator position request conforming to the LIN protocol to the LIN communication unit. The LIN communication unit controls the actuator to the desired position based on the actuator position request conforming to the LIN protocol.

[0008] Compared with the prior art, the test and verification device for the active air intake grille of the vehicle in this invention can be flexibly configured with CAN communication protocol and LIN communication protocol, and the actuator control strategy of the active air intake grille under various working conditions can be edited. It can realize the actual road effect of the active air intake grille and the test of the actuator control strategy, and can also realize the test and verification of the actuator control strategy in the laboratory, which can greatly shorten the vehicle development cycle. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of a test and verification device for an active grille shutter of a vehicle according to the present invention in one embodiment.

[0010] Figure 2 This is an example of an editing interface for the actuator control strategy in this invention;

[0011] Figure 3 An instance of a configuration interface for DBC parsing;

[0012] Figure 4 An instance of the configuration interface for LDF parsing;

[0013] Figure 5 This is an example of an editing interface for the time-varying curves of coolant temperature, ambient temperature, and vehicle speed during vehicle operation.

[0014] Figure 6 This is an example of the automated operation control interface for testing and verifying the platform. Detailed Implementation

[0015] To further illustrate the technical means and effects adopted by the present invention to achieve the intended purpose, the following detailed description of the specific implementation methods, structure, features and effects of the present invention, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments, is provided.

[0016] To address the problems in the existing technology, this invention provides a testing and verification device for an active air intake grille of a vehicle. Based on this testing and verification device, the CAN communication protocol and LIN communication protocol can be flexibly configured, and the actuator control strategy of the active air intake grille under various working conditions can be edited. It can realize the actual road effect of the active air intake grille and the test of the actuator control strategy, and can also realize the verification of the actuator control strategy in the laboratory, which can greatly shorten the development cycle of the active air intake grille and the vehicle.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of one embodiment of the test and verification device for the active grille shutter of a vehicle according to the present invention. Figure 1 As shown, the active air intake grille to be tested includes an actuator (also referred to as an AGS actuator) 110 that drives the air intake grille. The test and verification device for the vehicle's active air intake grille includes: a LIN communication unit 120 connected to and controlling the position of the actuator 110, and a test and verification platform 130 connected to the LIN communication unit 120. The test and verification platform 130 is configured with an actuator control strategy, which obtains the desired position of the actuator 110 based on the input vehicle coolant temperature, ambient temperature, and vehicle speed, as well as the configured actuator control strategy. Based on the desired position of the actuator 110, it generates an actuator position request, performs LD parsing on the actuator position request to form an actuator position request conforming to the LIN protocol, and sends the LIN protocol-compliant actuator position request to the LIN communication unit 120. The LIN communication unit 120 controls the actuator 110 to the desired position based on the LIN protocol-compliant actuator position request.

[0018] LDF is an abbreviation for LIN description file. It contains information about the entire subnet, including declarations of all signals and frames, as well as schedules and other information. Figure 4 This is an example of a configuration interface for LDF parsing. By configuring the LDF file, control and signal acquisition of AGS actuators 110 using different protocols can be achieved. Figure 4 The configuration interface allows for the configuration of the LIN communication protocol. The test and verification platform 130 can be a computer with the corresponding programs configured on it.

[0019] exist Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, actuator 110 includes a first AGS actuator 111 and a second AGS actuator 112. In other embodiments, depending on actual needs, there may be only one AGS actuator or multiple AGS actuators. The vehicle may be various commercial vehicles. The coolant may be, for example, water.

[0020] In one embodiment, the actuator control strategy includes multiple sets of control strategies. Each set of control strategies includes a range of coolant temperature, a range of ambient temperature, a range of vehicle speed, and a desired actuator position corresponding to the range of coolant temperature, ambient temperature, and vehicle speed. Each set of control strategies is editable. The desired position includes one of a closed position and an open angle. Figure 2 The image shown is an example of the editing interface for the actuator control strategy. Figure 2 The diagram shows 18 control strategies. In the first strategy, the coolant temperature range is less than 88 degrees Celsius, the ambient temperature range is greater than 0 degrees Celsius, and the vehicle speed range is less than 75 km / h, resulting in a desired actuator position of closed. In the fifth strategy, the coolant temperature range is greater than or equal to 88 degrees Celsius and less than or equal to 93 degrees Celsius, the ambient temperature range is less than or equal to 0 degrees Celsius, and the vehicle speed range is greater than 75 km / h, resulting in a desired actuator position of 60 degrees open. One or more control strategies can be added or deleted as needed. Furthermore, parameters within each control strategy can be adjusted, such as the coolant temperature range, ambient temperature range, vehicle speed range, or the desired actuator position.

[0021] In the first embodiment, the active grille shutter can be tested and verified online. In this case, the vehicle's coolant temperature, ambient temperature, and vehicle speed input above represent the vehicle's real-time coolant temperature, ambient temperature, and vehicle speed, respectively.

[0022] In the first embodiment, as Figure 1As shown, the test and verification device may further include a CAN communication unit 140 connected to the CAN bus on the vehicle and the test and verification platform, an automotive surge protector 150 connected to the vehicle's power supply, and a DC-DC converter 160 connected to the automotive surge protector 150. The CAN communication unit 140 acquires CAN bus messages from the vehicle 170 in real time and transmits these CAN bus messages to the test and verification platform 130. The test and verification platform 130 performs DBC parsing on the acquired CAN bus messages to obtain the vehicle's real-time coolant temperature, ambient temperature, and vehicle speed. Here, DBC is an abbreviation for Database CAN, representing a CAN database file, a file used to describe data communication between CAN network nodes, containing protocol data in the CAN bus protocol and its specific meaning. Figure 3 An example of a configuration interface for DBC parsing. Figure 3 The configuration interface allows you to configure the CAN communication protocol.

[0023] Subsequently, the test verification platform 130 obtains the desired position of the actuator 110 based on the real-time coolant temperature, ambient temperature, and vehicle speed of the vehicle 170 and the configured actuator control strategy, and generates an actuator position request based on the desired position of the actuator 110. The actuator position request is parsed using LD to form an actuator position request conforming to the LIN protocol, and the actuator position request conforming to the LIN protocol is sent to the LIN communication unit 120, wherein the LIN communication unit 120 controls the actuator 110 to the desired position based on the actuator position request conforming to the LIN protocol.

[0024] In the first embodiment, the vehicle 170 provides power, such as 24V, to the automotive surge protector 150. The automotive surge protector 150 protects against transient overvoltage surges, preventing damage to system components from transient overvoltages in the vehicle's power supply. The automotive surge protector 150 also provides power, such as 24V, to the test and verification platform 130. The DC-DC converter 150 converts the input power to DC-DC and outputs a DC power voltage to the actuator 110, such as... Figure 1 As shown, it converts a 24V voltage to a 12V voltage.

[0025] In one embodiment, the CAN communication unit 140 is connected to the test and verification platform 130 via a USB bus; the LIN communication unit 120 is connected to the test and verification platform 130 via a USB bus.

[0026] In the second embodiment, the testing and verification of the active grille shutter can be performed offline. In this case, the input vehicle coolant temperature, ambient temperature, and vehicle speed shown above are respectively edited time-varying curves of coolant temperature, ambient temperature, and vehicle speed during vehicle operation.

[0027] like Figure 5 The image shows an example of an editing interface for displaying the time-varying curves of coolant temperature, ambient temperature, and vehicle speed during vehicle operation. Figure 5 As shown, you can create, delete, import, and export time-varying curves showing the relationship between coolant temperature, ambient temperature, and vehicle speed during vehicle operation. For example, you can directly import the time-varying curves of coolant temperature, ambient temperature, and vehicle speed for a vehicle during its operation.

[0028] In this embodiment, the test and verification device may not include the CAN communication unit 140, the automotive surge protector 150, etc. In this case, the test and verification platform 130 obtains the desired position of the actuator 110 based on the edited time relationship curves of coolant temperature, ambient temperature, and vehicle speed during vehicle operation, as well as the configured actuator control strategy. Based on the desired position of the actuator 110, it generates an actuator position request, performs LD parsing on the actuator position request to form an actuator position request conforming to the LIN protocol, and sends the LIN protocol-compliant actuator position request to the LIN communication unit 120. The LIN communication unit 120 controls the actuator 110 to the desired position based on the LIN protocol-compliant actuator position request. Offline simulation testing is applicable for testing and verifying the actuator control strategy in a laboratory setting.

[0029] Figure 6 This is an example of the automatic operation control interface of the test and verification platform 130. During online and offline simulations, the automatic operation control interface can monitor the actual water temperature, ambient temperature, vehicle speed, and the actual position of the active air intake grille.

[0030] In summary, this invention provides a test and verification device that can be flexibly configured with CAN and LIN communication protocols. It can edit the actuator control strategy of the active air intake grille under various working conditions, and can also realize the testing and verification of the actuator control strategy in the laboratory, which can greatly shorten the development cycle of AGS actuators and commercial vehicles.

[0031] In this document, the terms “comprising,” “including,” or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, which includes not only the elements listed but also other elements not expressly listed.

[0032] In this document, the directional terms such as front, back, top, and bottom are defined based on the location of the components in the accompanying drawings and their relative positions to each other, solely for the purpose of clarity and convenience in expressing the technical solution. It should be understood that the use of these directional terms should not limit the scope of protection claimed in this application.

[0033] Where there is no conflict, the above embodiments and features described herein can be combined with each other.

[0034] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A testing and verification device for an active air intake grille of a vehicle, wherein the active air intake grille to be tested includes an actuator for driving the air intake grille, characterized in that, It includes: A LIN communication unit connected to the actuator and controlling the position of the actuator; The test and verification platform connected to the LIN communication unit is configured with an actuator control strategy. Based on the input vehicle coolant temperature, ambient temperature, and vehicle speed, as well as the configured actuator control strategy, the platform obtains the desired position of the actuator, generates an actuator position request based on the desired position, performs LDF parsing on the actuator position request to form an actuator position request conforming to the LIN protocol, and sends the LIN protocol-compliant actuator position request to the LIN communication unit. The LIN communication unit controls the actuator to the desired position based on the LIN protocol-compliant actuator position request. A CAN communication unit connected to the CAN bus on the vehicle and the test and verification platform acquires CAN bus messages from the vehicle and transmits these messages to the test and verification platform. The test and verification platform performs DBC parsing on the acquired CAN bus messages to obtain the vehicle's real-time coolant temperature, ambient temperature, and vehicle speed. Editable actuator control strategies for active grille shutters under various operating conditions. The input parameters are the vehicle's coolant temperature, ambient temperature, and vehicle speed, which are the vehicle's real-time coolant temperature, ambient temperature, and vehicle speed, respectively. The test and verification platform determines the desired position of the actuator based on these parameters and the configured actuator control strategy. It then generates an actuator position request based on this desired position, performs LDF parsing on the request to form an actuator position request conforming to the LIN protocol, and sends this LIN protocol-compliant actuator position request to the LIN communication unit. The LIN communication unit then controls the actuator to the desired position based on the LIN protocol-compliant actuator position request; and / or The input vehicle coolant temperature, ambient temperature, and vehicle speed are edited time-varying curves showing the relationship between coolant temperature, ambient temperature, and vehicle speed during vehicle operation. The testing and verification platform, based on these curves and the configured actuator control strategy, determines the desired position of the actuator. It then generates an actuator position request based on this desired position, performs LDF parsing on the request to form a LIN-compliant actuator position request, and sends this LIN-compliant request to the LIN communication unit. The LIN communication unit then controls the actuator to the desired position based on this LIN-compliant actuator position request. The actuator control strategy includes multiple control strategies. Each control strategy includes the range of coolant temperature, the range of ambient temperature, the range of vehicle speed, and the desired position of the actuator corresponding to the range of coolant temperature, the range of ambient temperature, and the range of vehicle speed. Each control strategy is editable.

2. The testing and verification apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes: An automotive surge protector connected to the vehicle's power supply provides power to the test and verification platform; A DC-DC converter connected to the automotive surge protector outputs a DC power supply voltage to the actuator.

3. The testing and verification apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The CAN communication unit is connected to the test and verification platform via a USB bus; The LIN communication unit is connected to the test and verification platform via a USB bus.

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