System and method for cleaning ambient air and vehicle including the system

Abstract

A system and method of cleaning ambient air and a vehicle including the system. A system for cleaning ambient air includes a container for accommodating a filter that, when mounted in the container, is in flow with a radiator of a vehicle while the air is flowing, the radiator for cooling a coolant fluid for transporting heat from a component of the vehicle to be cooled to the radiator. The system includes a control circuit for controlling a fan positionable relative to the radiator such that at least a portion of an airflow is generated by the fan when the fan is operating, and determining if ambient air needs to be cleaned, and further when to operate the fan when a vehicle speed is within a speed range affected by the fan. The control circuit is configured to calculate a filter load based on the time of use, the air quality data, and the flow data.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a system for cleaning ambient air. The present disclosure also relates to a vehicle comprising the system. The present disclosure further relates to a method of cleaning ambient air and a computer program product comprising instructions for performing the method. Background Art

[0002] Due to progressive urbanization, there is the problem that as a result of industrial exhaust gases, road traffic and private fireplaces, especially under certain weather conditions (no rain, temperature inversion, low wind speed, no air exchange between altitudes), the particulate matter and / or gases (such as ozone, NOx, CO) of the ambient air may exceed the limit values ​​many times.

[0003] The problem of traffic related emissions has been exacerbated recently by requiring certain groups of vehicles, especially diesel cars, to be banned from driving in areas with particularly high air pollution, due to their NOx and certain substances emissions.

[0004] Thus, there continues to be a problem of providing improved air cleaning. Summary of the invention

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system for cleaning ambient air. Cleaning air can include the meaning of removing particulate matter from the air. The system can include a container configured to accommodate a filter. When the filter is installed in the container and the air in the airflow flows through the filter, the airflow can also flow through the radiator of the vehicle. The radiator can be used to cool a coolant fluid. The coolant fluid can be used to transport heat from the components of the vehicle to be cooled to the radiator. The system can include a control circuit for controlling a fan that can be placed relative to the radiator so that when the fan is operating, at least part of the airflow is generated by the fan. The control circuit can be configured to determine whether the ambient air needs to be cleaned, and can be further configured to operate the fan when the vehicle speed is within the speed range affected by the fan when it is determined that the ambient air needs to be cleaned, which can optimize the airflow at low speed and maximize filtration. The control circuit can be configured not to operate the fan when the vehicle speed is outside the speed range affected by the fan. Power waste and associated additional pollutant emissions can thus be prevented.

[0006] For example, to determine that the air needs to be cleaned, it can be determined that the air is polluted, or it can be determined that the air is polluted and the location is an area where air cleaning is required (e.g., an urban area). In contrast, it is determined that the air is polluted, but the location is an area where air cleaning is not required (e.g., a rural area, a non-urban area), and it will not need to be cleaned. In some embodiments, when it is determined that the ambient air is polluted, the fan may not operate even when the vehicle speed is within the speed range affected by the fan, provided that the urbanization data indicates that the location of the vehicle is not in an area where air cleaning is required, such as in a rural area. Therefore, air cleaning in an urban area may be prioritized.

[0007] According to various embodiments, the control circuit may be further configured to calculate the filter load based on the usage time, air quality data and flow data, or send the usage time and flow data to the processor for calculating the filter load, wherein the flow data is data indicating the air flow through the filter. When the vehicle speed is outside the speed range affected by the fan, the flow data may be based on the vehicle speed. When the vehicle speed is within the speed range affected by the fan, the flow data may be based on the fan operating parameters and optionally on the vehicle speed. For example, when the vehicle is stationary.

[0008] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a vehicle including the system.

[0009] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to an electric or hybrid vehicle comprising the system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vehicle is an electric or hybrid vehicle, the component of the vehicle is a battery, and the battery is a main battery of the vehicle.

[0010] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for cleaning ambient air for an airflow passing through a portion of a front air cooling system of a vehicle, the air cooling system including a radiator and a filter, the radiator being used to cool a coolant fluid, the coolant fluid being used to transport heat from a component of the vehicle to the radiator. The method may include determining, by a control circuit including a microprocessor, that the ambient air needs to be cleaned. For example, it may be determined that the air is polluted, it may be determined that the air is polluted and the location is an area where air cleaning is required (e.g., an urban area), in contrast, it may be determined that the air is polluted but the location is an area where air cleaning is not required (e.g., a rural area, a non-urban area), which will not require cleaning. The method may include determining that the vehicle speed is within a speed range affected by a fan; and operating the fan based on the determination. In some embodiments, determining that the ambient air is polluted may include obtaining air quality data indicating a pollution level from the outside air, and may further include comparing the pollution level with a predetermined pollution threshold and determining that the pollution level is above the predetermined pollution threshold. The method may include calculating a filter load based on usage time, air quality data, and flow data, or sending usage time and flow data to a processor for calculating the filter load, the flow data being data indicating the air flow through the filter. When the vehicle speed is outside the speed range affected by the fan, the flow data may be based on the vehicle speed. The flow data may be based on the fan operating parameters and optionally on the vehicle speed when the vehicle speed is within the speed range affected by the fan, for example, when the vehicle is stationary.

[0011] In another aspect, a system may include a control circuit configured to obtain sound intensity limit data from a regulation database, the sound intensity limit data indicating a sound intensity limit for a vehicle location at a current time. The regulation database may be stored in a computer memory of the vehicle or in a memory external to the vehicle (e.g., a cloud). The control circuit may be configured to limit a rotational speed of a fan to a speed corresponding to the sound intensity limit.

[0012] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a computer program product comprising instructions which, when a microprocessor executes the program, cause the microprocessor to perform a method of any one of the method embodiments described herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The accompanying drawings show:

[0014] Figure 1A A schematic diagram of a system 100 for cleaning ambient air is shown;

[0015] Figure 1B An exemplary logic table for controlling the system 100 is shown;

[0016] Figure 2A control circuit 120 is shown that may be configured to obtain air quality data 60 ("[AQ]") information related to outside air;

[0017] Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of a system 100 configured to receive geographic location data;

[0018] Figure 4 An exemplary logic table for bypass and shutter according to the vehicle speed control system 100 is shown;

[0019] Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of a system 100 configured to receive weather data;

[0020] Figure 6 An exemplary logic table for controlling bypasses and gates of the system 100 is shown;

[0021] Figure 7 An exemplary logic table for controlling a fan based on a regulated temperature and a battery charge level is shown;

[0022] Figure 8 shows a schematic diagram of a system 100 operatively connectable to a regulation database 90 for receiving sound intensity limit data 92;

[0023] Fig. 9 Shows Figure 8 Variations of the system;

[0024] Fig.10 An exemplary flow chart of a method 300 of cleaning ambient air is shown;

[0025] Fig.11 shows exemplary details of determination 320 according to some embodiments;

[0026] Fig.12 Another embodiment of a method 300 is shown, which includes the steps of considering adjusting temperature, adverse weather events, vehicle speed, urbanization data, battery charge, and fan influence range;

[0027] Fig.13 A flow chart showing fan operation is shown;

[0028] Fig.14A and Fig. 14B An exemplary flow chart for calculating filter loading is shown;

[0029] Fig.15 a graph showing measured air speed relative to vehicle speed for a predetermined vehicle model; and

[0030] Fig.16 A schematic diagram of system 100 is shown with the bypass and gate in different positions than shown in FIG. 1 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] System as described herein can be implemented in a vehicle.Container (when the filter is installed in the container, the container may include a filter), a radiator and a fan are arranged so that when the fan is operated, air flows through the radiator, and when the damper is opened, the air can further flow through the filter. Under the condition where the fan, the filter and the radiator are in operation, it can be said that they are in the same airflow, or the airflow is connected. In some embodiments, the radiator can be downstream of the container so that filtered air flows through the radiator. In some embodiments, the fan can be downstream of the container, and in other embodiments, the fan can be upstream of the container. In one example, the filter container can be located upstream of the fan, and the fan can be located upstream of the radiator.

[0032] As used herein and according to various embodiments, the terms downstream and upstream relate to the air flow of an air stream, for example, when air flows from an air intake to an air outlet of a vehicle, then the air intake is upstream of the air outlet.

[0033] When the filter is in the container, a gate can be included upstream or downstream of the filter (preferably upstream). The gate can be in the form of a roller shutter or a shutter, and the gate in the closed position covers the inflow surface of the ambient air to a large extent (e.g., covers at least 70%, preferably completely covers). In some embodiments, the gate can be arranged close to the filter, for example, within a distance of 1 / 10 of the larger diagonal filter size (e.g., for a rectangular filter, the larger of the filter height and the filter width, where the minimum dimension is the thickness). When the filter is not in use (e.g., it is necessary to protect the filter or air filtration is not required), the gate can be closed, thereby reducing unnecessary filter load. The gate can be electronically controlled, for example, the control circuit can issue a command to close the gate (e.g., optionally via an electronic control unit (ECU) to issue a command to the gate), or in other examples, an electromechanical switch can be operated.

[0034] As used herein and according to various embodiments, opening a gate may include the following meanings: keeping the gate open, or changing the position of the gate from closed to open. Closing a gate may include the following meanings: keeping the gate closed, or changing the position of the gate from open to closed.

[0035] The system may include a bypass. The bypass in the open position allows airflow to bypass the filter, i.e., not flow through the filter, and still flow through the radiator. For example, one end of the bypass may be upstream of the filter, and the other end of the bypass may be downstream of the filter. In the closed position of the bypass, the airflow through the filter is maximized (for a given fan speed and vehicle speed). In the open position, most of the airflow bypasses the filter because the impedance from the filter is much higher and the impedance from the bypass is very low compared to the filter. The open position may include the meaning of fully opening. In some embodiments, the bypass may be partially opened, thus controlling the airflow through the filter. Under a certain operating criterion, a sufficiently large cooling air flow may be made available to a heat exchanger by means of a bypass. The switching temperature of the bypass may be designed in such a way that the system (such as a drive motor) connected to the heat exchanger is not subjected to thermal damage under any circumstances. In addition, the load condition of the filter element (i.e., the pressure drop across the element) and / or the driving speed of the vehicle may be used as another switching criterion for the bypass. The bypass may be electronically controlled, for example, the control circuit may issue a command to close, open or partially open the bypass (optionally via the ECU issuing a command to the bypass), or in other examples, an electromechanical switch may be operated. The fan and the bypass may be arranged so that when the bypass is (at least partially) open, the airflow generated by the fan may pass through the bypass.

[0036] As used herein and according to various embodiments, opening a bypass may include the following meanings: keeping the bypass open, or changing the position of the bypass from closed to open. Closing a bypass may include the following meanings: keeping the bypass closed, or changing the position of the bypass from open to closed. Unless otherwise described, opening a bypass may refer to a fully open bypass.

[0037] The system for cleaning air may include a container and a radiator, and may further include a filter. The system may include a fan. The system may include a damper and / or a bypass. The system may include a radiator, alternatively, the radiator may be a component of the vehicle in which the system is implemented, but not part of the system. The vehicle may include a cooling circuit for the battery and the coolant fluid.

[0038] The vehicle may include the system. The vehicle may be a self-propelled motor-driven vehicle, for example, having 2, 3, 4 or more wheels. Examples of vehicles are passenger cars, trucks, buses, vans, or rail vehicles (e.g., locomotives). The vehicle may include: an air inlet opening in the front region upstream of the system for allowing air to enter; and an air outlet downstream of the system for allowing air to be discharged. The air inlet opening behind which the ambient air cleaning device is present may be a cooling air inlet in particular, and may be covered, for example, by a radiator grille. For example, this may be at the same level as the front headlights relative to the vertical axis of the vehicle, or may be located below or above them. The cross-sectional area of ​​the air inlet may be as large as possible, so that as large a volume of air as possible may be supplied. In some embodiments, the vehicle may be an electric vehicle or a hybrid (internal combustion engine and electric) vehicle. In some embodiments, the vehicle may be an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle (i.e., non-hybrid). For example, such a battery of an ICE vehicle may have a relatively large capacity, and may operate the fan for a long time (e.g., 1h) without significant consumption, even if it is not being charged by an alternator. In some embodiments, the vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, and the coolant fluid temperature (from the hot side) can be used as an indication of the engine temperature. In some embodiments, the vehicle includes a fuel cell, and the coolant fluid temperature (from the hot side) can be used as an indication of the fuel cell temperature.

[0039] The fan may be an electric fan. The speed range affected by the fan is the speed range over which the operation of the fan can change the airflow (e.g., in m 3 / s or mass air flow in kg / s). In other words, outside the fan-influenced speed range (within the non-fan-influenced speed range), the air flow is substantially determined by the speed of the vehicle and cannot be changed by the operation of the fan. Therefore, not operating the fan outside the fan-influenced speed range saves energy. The fan-influenced speed range and the non-fan-influenced speed range can be determined by measuring the air flow speed for different vehicle speeds when the fan is rotating at this maximum nominal operating speed. Such measurements can be performed in the absence of wind (i.e., external wind that will affect the measurement) and at a known temperature (e.g., T=30°C) without any adverse weather events. Through these measurements, a threshold for fan influence can be determined. According to various embodiments, the fan-influenced speed range can be from 0 km / h up to the fan-influenced threshold, and the non-fan-influenced speed range can start from speeds above the fan-influenced threshold. Measurements can be performed for specific car types and specific fan types. The results of the measurements can be stored in a memory of the vehicle (also referred to herein as a computer memory of the vehicle) for later access, for example, the measurements can be stored in a processed form as a predetermined threshold for fan influence, a speed range for fan influence, or a speed range for non-fan influence. The predetermined threshold for fan influence can be a single value, optionally including a hysteresis. Alternatively, the predetermined threshold for fan influence can be different values, which depend on the direction of change of vehicle speed (acceleration or deceleration) and / or can be offset by a hysteresis. The hysteresis can also be stored in the memory of the vehicle for later access.

[0040] In some embodiments, the speed range affected by the fan may be a threshold for fan effect. Once the threshold is crossed or the threshold and hysteresis are crossed, the fan may be actuated. Alternatively or additionally, the control circuit may be configured such that actuation does not occur for a period of time from a previous actuation, such as by implementing a disable time or fixed rate.

[0041] As used herein and according to various embodiments, the battery may be the main battery of a hybrid vehicle or electric vehicle, meaning that the battery is used as the main power source for driving. In some embodiments, the battery may be the battery of an ICE vehicle (non-hybrid). For example, such a battery of an ICE vehicle may have a relatively large capacity and may operate the fan for a long time (e.g., 1 hour) without significant consumption, even if it is not being charged by the alternator.

[0042] The battery charge state data may represent a battery charge condition of the battery, for example, it may indicate that the battery is being charged, the battery is being discharged, or the battery is not activated. Examples of battery inactivation are not charging and not discharging (eg, power off).

[0043] The battery state of charge level data may indicate the battery charge level, for example, in percentage, energy units (e.g., joules or watt-hours). In percentage, 0% may mean that the battery is empty and cannot deliver substantially any energy, and 100% may mean maximum nominal capacity.

[0044] The charging power data may represent the charging power used to charge the battery, such as a power measurement, a power nominal value, or a cruising range. Examples of power nominal values ​​are 20kW, 50kW, 100kW, 150kW, 250kW, or 350kW. Examples of cruising range may be normal (e.g., <= 20kW), fast (e.g., between 22kW and 100kW and including 22kw and 100kW), high power (e.g., >= 150kW).

[0045] The time period required to charge the battery may mean the actual time period to charge the battery until a known state of charge, such as the time period to fully charge the battery. In some embodiments, the actual time period required to charge the battery may therefore be used as a battery charging parameter. In other embodiments, the battery charging parameter may be the battery temperature.

[0046] The battery can be coupled to a heat exchange circuit to allow entry of a coolant fluid and exit of the coolant fluid. When the temperature of the entering coolant fluid is lower than the battery temperature, the exiting coolant fluid has a higher temperature and carries at least some of the excess heat, thereby cooling the battery. The coolant fluid can be cooled by a radiator (which exchanges heat with air flowing through the radiator). The coolant fluid can be generated by a pump. Alternatively, the coolant fluid can flow by phase change, capillary action, centrifugal force and / or gravity, such as is the case in a heat pipe.

[0047] As used herein and in accordance with various embodiments, a battery may emit heat during discharge and during charging. Such heat is substantially generated by the internal resistance of the battery when current is flowing. The battery may include a temperature sensor, such as a communication bus operable with the vehicle, so that battery temperature data representative of the battery temperature is accessible to the control circuit. Alternatively or additionally, the battery temperature (T BAT ) can be obtained from the coolant (T CFH ) (also referred to herein as the hot side) temperature inference, e.g., T BAT =T CFH or part thereof.

[0048] The temperature of the coolant may be measured on the hot side of the cooling circuit (e.g., the hot side of the radiator), which may be the temperature of the fluid measured at a location between the fluid leaving a component (e.g., a battery or engine) and arriving at the radiator. The temperature of the coolant may be the coolant fluid temperature leaving the battery.

[0049] Battery state of charge data, battery state of charge level data, and / or charging power data may be stored in a memory of the vehicle.

[0050] Depending on the implemented hardware configuration, the vehicle's memory may be distributed in one or more of, for example, control circuit memory, ECU memory (if separate from the control circuit), battery internal memory, filter internal memory.

[0051] The data in the vehicle's memory may be stored continuously or periodically. The data in the vehicle's memory may be read continuously or periodically. The memory may be memory physically packaged or monolithically integrated into the microcontroller, or on a separate chip.

[0052] Data as used herein and according to various embodiments may indicate a value, such as a measurement, a state, a counter, a timestamp, etc. Obtaining data and obtaining a value indicated by the data may be used interchangeably herein.

[0053] The control circuit may be an ECU, however the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the control circuit may be a separate circuit operably connectable to the ECU. In another alternative, the control circuit may include a separate circuit and an ECU, the separate circuit being operably connectable to the ECU. Similarly, the memory may be in one of the above devices, or distributed in more than one of the above devices. Operably connectable may include the meaning of being connectable via a data communication bus (such as a CAN bus).

[0054] Different data formats or data groupings may be used, for example, a battery status register may include one or more of battery state of charge level data, battery state of charge data, charging power data, and battery temperature data, or these data may be separated in separate registers and / or accessed by separate data groups. For example, obtaining battery state of charge level data, battery state of charge data, charging power data, and / or battery temperature data may be performed in a single step, for example, the control circuit may query a database or memory register to provide the corresponding data.

[0055] The control circuit may obtain weather data, air quality and / or air temperature by receiving data from sensors integrated into the vehicle (e.g., fixed to the vehicle), such as upstream of the filter, which may measure one or more of: air temperature, air quality data. A rain sensor may also provide rain information.

[0056] Air quality data may include PM10 concentration, PM2.5 concentration, PM1 concentration, relative humidity, VOC concentration, NO XIn various embodiments, the air quality data may include at least one measured concentration of particulate matter.

[0057] Alternatively or in addition to obtaining data from sensors of the vehicle, the data (or a portion thereof) may be obtained from a weather database external to the vehicle (e.g., via wireless communication), such as from the cloud. Such a weather database may be, for example, a weather database as provided by a weather service provider. Wireless communication may be provided by cellular infrastructure (3G, 4G, 5G, 6G and above) or WIFI. The weather database may provide information, such as data indicative of adverse weather events and / or air quality data.

[0058] As used herein and according to various embodiments, an adverse weather event may mean at least one of snow, rain, sand storm, volcanic ash fall.

[0059] The filter may be a particle filter, for example, to filter out PM10 particles and above, PM2.5 particles and above, or PM1 particles and above (not letting them pass through). The filter may be a fine dust filter.

[0060] The filter has at least one filter element, which may include at least one filter medium, which may be folded into at least one filter bellows. The filter may include a plurality of fold stabilization means, which support the filter bellows and are present at a lateral distance of, for example, not more than 150 mm from each other, and at a lateral distance of, for example, at least 15 mm (e.g. 70 mm) from each other. It may be provided that the filter medium has a strength of at least 1 Nm 2 (e.g. at least 2Nm 2 ). This refers to the inherent bending stiffness of the filter medium, i.e. in the untreated / unfolded state. The filter may include a pleat stabilizing device. The system may include a water separation device.

[0061] The depth of the filter element in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle can be less than 150mm, for example, less than 110mm. The depth is preferably not less than 15mm, because otherwise the available filter area will be very low. In one embodiment of the present application, for a typical mid-sized passenger car, the size of the inflow surface of the ambient air purification device can be, for example, 45cm (height) × 65cm (width). However, depending on the size of the vehicle, it is possible to significantly deviate from this, so that in principle a size range from 20cm wide to 120cm wide and 15cm high to 100cm high is possible.

[0062] The filter medium of the filter element of the ambient air purification device can be a single-layer or multi-layer filter medium, which can be waterproof. It can be a multi-layer medium including at least one drainage layer and / or a pre-separation layer. Alternatively or additionally, the filter medium can include or consist of glass fibers and / or plastic fibers, in particular polyester and / or polyethylene. Finally, it can also be provided that the filter medium has a porosity gradient in the thickness direction, preferably in such a way that the pore size decreases in the direction of the air flow.

[0063] Depending on the design of the filter element (volume flow pressure loss characteristics), it can be achieved in combination with the fan that the fine dust emission of the vehicle is completely compensated by the ambient air cleaning device, making the vehicle a zero-emission vehicle in terms of dust (e.g. in terms of PM10 or PM2.5). For a typical medium-sized passenger car, the total particulate matter emission is about 25 mg / km.

[0064] The filter may include a filter frame, such as an at least partially surrounding frame, in which a filter element (e.g., a filter bellows) is accommodated. In one example, the frame may be provided in the form of an L-shaped cross section, for example, wherein one leg of the L-shaped cross section of the frame engages behind the filter bellows of the filter element and thus supports the filter element against the effects of dynamic pressure. The filter may include two or more filter elements, and the filter elements may be arranged in a single filter frame (e.g., fixed to a single filter frame), or alternatively, each filter element may be arranged in a separate frame element of the filter frame.

[0065] The filter element can in particular comprise or be a plastic molded filter element, wherein the at least partially surrounding frame can be connected to the filter medium by a material-to-material connection. However, the invention is not limited to a material connection; as an alternative to the material connection of the filter medium to the frame, provision can also be made for the filter element to be merely inserted into the frame so that it is supported on the rear legs of the L-shaped profile in a form-fitting manner.

[0066] The filter can be arranged (and can be arranged) in a container. The container can be fixed to the vehicle and can correspond to a frame of the filter, in which the filter is optionally held by detachable fastening means (e.g. a clip connection). The container can further be configured to serve as a mounting shaft, into which the at least one filter element can be linearly inserted. This makes it easy to replace the filter element, for example from the upper side of a lock carrier of an easily accessible front hood or from the underside of the vehicle body, for example during maintenance on a lifting platform.

[0067] In some embodiments, it can further be provided that the filter is arranged relative to the heat exchanger in such a way that it covers no more than 75% of the incident flow surface of the heat exchanger, so that even when the filter element is loaded, sufficient residual heat dissipation is possible. In order to achieve this, the filter element can be arranged offset from the heat exchanger in the vertical and / or lateral direction of the vehicle. The uncovered part of the radiator can form a bypass that can be openable and closable. In other embodiments, the bypass can be an openable / closable air channel independent of the heat exchanger surface, and the filter and the heat exchanger can be separated from each other by a sufficiently large distance to allow air to flow through the heat exchanger when the bypass is open and even when the filter is loaded.

[0068] Although filter loading can be measured using a differential pressure sensor (which measures the pressure difference upstream and downstream of the filter), such sensors are costly. Therefore, the present disclosure allows filter loading to be measured by air cooling efficiency, for example by measuring the time during engine cooling or charging a battery that requires cooling. Surprisingly, this method allows filter loading to be measured even when the vehicle is not moving, for example at a relatively low pressure difference generated by a fan, which is lower than the pressure obtained on a highway. Therefore, pressure measurement may not be necessary.

[0069] The initial state of the filter may be a new filter, such as an unloaded filter. In some embodiments, the initial state of the filter may be a new filter that is electrostatically loaded. In other embodiments, the initial state of the filter may be a known state with a partial load.

[0070] Various embodiments also relate to systems and methods for calculating filter load estimates in vehicles (or simply calculating filter load). For example, the filter can be a particulate filter, and the filter load estimate can be a filter dust load estimate. During filtering, i.e., during the time that air flows through the filter, usage time and flow data indicating the air flow rate of the usage time can be recorded and stored in a historical filter usage database. In addition, air quality data can be stored in a historical filter usage database, or can be obtained from a separate pollution database at a later stage (e.g., by communicating with a service provider). Usage time, air quality data, and flow data can be used to calculate filter load, and in addition, in a non-limiting example, filter characteristics can be used to calculate its efficiency and / or efficiency curve. The calculation of filter load can be performed by a control circuit or by a processor external to the vehicle (e.g., a server, a cloud), the latter of which requires sending usage time and flow data and optional air quality data to the processor.

[0071] According to various embodiments, the flow data is based on vehicle speed and / or fan operating parameters. The flow data may be further based on the damper and / or bypass position (if these are available) because they affect the airflow through the filter. When the vehicle speed is not within the speed range affected by the fan, the fan operating parameters may be ignored (e.g., not used) in the calculation, which may be based on the vehicle speed. This is because at higher speeds, the airflow depends on the vehicle speed and less on the fan operation.

[0072] When the vehicle speed is within the speed range affected by the fan, the flow data may be based on the fan operating parameters and the optional vehicle speed. For example, when the vehicle speed is within the speed range affected by the fan and is above the minimum vehicle speed, the flow data may be based on the fan operating parameters and the vehicle speed; and when the vehicle speed is below the minimum vehicle speed (e.g., when the vehicle is stationary), the flow data may be based on the fan operating parameters and not based on the vehicle speed.

[0073] The fan operating parameter is indicative of the air flow generated by the fan, and in non-limiting examples may be the frequency of the fan or the operating power of the fan.

[0074] Cleaning the air may include the meaning of removing particulate matter from the air. The system may include a container configured to hold a filter. When the filter is installed in the container and the air in the airflow flows through the filter, the airflow may also flow through the radiator of the vehicle. The radiator may be used to cool the coolant fluid. The coolant fluid may be used to transport heat from the components of the vehicle to be cooled to the radiator. The system may include a control circuit for controlling a fan that can be placed relative to the radiator so that when the fan is operating, at least part of the airflow is generated by the fan. The control circuit may be configured to determine whether the ambient air needs to be cleaned, and may be further configured to operate the fan when the vehicle speed is within the speed range affected by the fan when it is determined that the ambient air needs to be cleaned, which can optimize the airflow at low speed and maximize filtration. The control circuit may be configured not to operate the fan when the vehicle speed is outside the speed range affected by the fan. Power waste and associated additional pollutant emissions can thus be prevented.

[0075] For example, to determine that the air needs to be cleaned, it can be determined that the air is polluted, or it can be determined that the air is polluted and the location is an area where air cleaning is required (e.g., an urban area). In contrast, it is determined that the air is polluted, but the location is an area where air cleaning is not required (e.g., a rural area, a non-urban area), and it will not need cleaning. In some embodiments, when it is determined that the ambient air is polluted, the fan may not operate even when the vehicle speed is within the speed range affected by the fan, provided that the urbanization data indicates that the location of the vehicle is not in an area where air cleaning is required, such as in a rural area. Therefore, air cleaning in an urban area may be prioritized.

[0076] The control circuit may include a microprocessor and computer memory storing instructions to enable the microprocessor to control the fan.

[0077] In some embodiments, the system may include a radiator and / or a fan, and in other embodiments, the radiator and / or the fan may be components of the vehicle in which the system is implemented.

[0078] According to various embodiments, the control circuit may be configured to obtain air quality data information from the external air. The control circuit may be configured to determine that the air is polluted by comparing the air quality data indicating a pollution level with a predetermined pollution threshold and determining that the pollution level is above the predetermined pollution threshold.

[0079] According to various embodiments, the control circuit may be configured to obtain the location of the vehicle. The control circuit may be configured to obtain urbanization data indicating whether the location of the vehicle is in an area where air cleaning is required. The control circuit may be configured to block air flow through the filter and / or not operate the fan if the urbanization data indicates that the location of the vehicle is not in an area where air cleaning is required. Blocking air flow through the filter may include closing the shutter. In addition, if cooling is necessary, the bypass may be opened. The control circuit may be configured to allow air flow through the filter if the urbanization data indicates that the location of the vehicle is in an area where air cleaning is required.

[0080] According to various embodiments, urbanization data may be obtained from a database including a digital representation of a map. For example, the digital representation of a map may include a data set of coordinates and urbanization data, in one example, the coordinates may be grid coordinates and urbanization data may be provided for the grid, in another example, the coordinates may indicate a road segment and urbanization data may be provided for the road segment. The urbanization data may represent a predetermined value, non-limiting examples of which are: (i) urban or non-urban; or (ii) population density in a grid or a predetermined radius from the location.

[0081] According to some embodiments, the control circuit can be configured to block air flow through the filter when the vehicle speed is above a predetermined upper speed limit. Blocking air flow through the filter may include the meaning of closing the shutter. The predetermined upper speed limit can be selected from speeds exceeding 60km / h, for example, the predetermined upper speed limit can be 70km / h. At high speeds (e.g. on a highway), the shutter can be closed to optimize the aerodynamic resistance of the vehicle, and because air cleaning is generally not necessary in these areas. Without using a radiator, further heat exchange may be sufficient unless the regulated temperature is outside the normal operating temperature.

[0082] According to various embodiments, the control circuit can be configured to protect the filter in the event of an adverse weather event. Protecting the filter can include obtaining weather data. Protecting the filter can include determining whether the weather data indicates that an adverse weather event is occurring, for example, at a current location. Protecting the filter can further include blocking air flow through the filter if it is determined that an adverse weather event is occurring.

[0083] According to some embodiments, the control circuit may be configured to obtain battery charge level data indicating the battery charge level. The control circuit may be configured to obtain temperature data representing the regulated temperature of a component of the vehicle. For example, the temperature of the component of the vehicle may be a battery temperature. Instead of using the battery temperature, the coolant temperature may be used. For example, the coolant temperature data may indicate the coolant temperature on the hot side, and the battery temperature may be estimated from the coolant temperature. The control circuit may be configured to not operate the fan (e.g., not turn on or off the fan operation) if the battery charge level is below a predefined reserve charge and if the regulated temperature is within a predefined normal operating temperature range. Such regulation may improve mileage, which is particularly important for electric vehicles. The control circuit may be configured to operate the fan (e.g., turn on the fan operation) if the regulated temperature is above a predefined normal operating temperature range. Thus, the components to be cooled may be protected from overheating.

[0084] According to some embodiments, if the regulated temperature of the cooling fluid is above a predefined critical temperature range, the control circuit can be configured to reduce the air flow impedance sensed by the airflow. Reducing the air flow impedance sensed by the airflow can include opening a bypass so that more air can flow through the heat sink to provide improved cooling.

[0085] According to various embodiments, the control circuit may be configured to obtain location data indicating the location of the vehicle. The control circuit may be configured to obtain a current time. The control circuit may be configured to retrieve sound intensity limit data indicating the sound intensity limit of the location of the vehicle at the current time from a regulation database. The regulation database may be stored in a computer memory of the vehicle or in a memory external to the vehicle (e.g., a cloud). The control circuit may be configured to limit the rotation speed of the fan to a speed corresponding to the sound intensity limit.

[0086] In some embodiments, the control circuitry may be configured to communicate with the regulation database and, if communication fails, a default sound intensity limit for that time of day may be used, for example, if access to the cloud with the regulation database is interrupted or if no regulation information is available for a given location.

[0087] The present disclosure also relates to a vehicle including the system.In some embodiments, the vehicle may be an internal combustion engine vehicle or a fuel cell vehicle.

[0088] The present disclosure also relates to an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, which includes a system according to various embodiments. The vehicle may be an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. The component of the vehicle may be a battery, and the battery may be a main battery of the vehicle.

[0089] A method of cleaning ambient air of an airflow passing through a portion of a front air cooling system of a vehicle, the air cooling system including a radiator and a filter, the radiator for cooling a coolant fluid, the coolant fluid for transporting heat from a component of the vehicle to the radiator. The method may include determining, by a control circuit including a microprocessor, that the ambient air needs to be cleaned. For example, it may be determined that the air is polluted, it may be determined that the air is polluted and the location is an area where air cleaning is required (e.g., an urban area), compared to determining that the air is polluted but the location is an area where air cleaning is not required (e.g., a rural, non-urban area), which will not require cleaning. The method may include determining that the vehicle speed is within a speed range affected by a fan (e.g., at a first time); and operating the fan based on the determination. In some embodiments, determining that the ambient air is polluted may include obtaining air quality data indicating a pollution level from the outside air, and may further include comparing the pollution level to a predetermined pollution threshold and determining that the pollution level is above the predetermined pollution threshold. The present method allows for optimized filter use, which not only increases filter life, but also increases air cleaning per filter load because filtering and filter loading are suppressed under conditions where air cleaning is not necessary.

[0090] According to various embodiments, the method may include determining, by the control circuit, whether the vehicle speed is outside a speed range affected by the fan and not operating the fan, for example, at a second time.

[0091] As used herein and in accordance with various embodiments, the first time and the second time are merely used as labels to distinguish method steps in time and do not limit the method to a certain sequence of events.

[0092] According to various embodiments, the method may include obtaining a location of the vehicle. The method may include obtaining urbanization data indicating whether the location of the vehicle is in an area where air cleaning is required. The method may include determining, by the control circuit (e.g., at a first time), that the urbanization data indicates that the location of the vehicle is not in an area where air cleaning is required, and blocking air from flowing through the filter (e.g., closing a shutter). The method may include determining, by the control circuit (e.g., at a second time), that the urbanization data indicates that the location of the vehicle is in an area where air cleaning is required and allowing air to flow through the filter.

[0093] According to various embodiments, urbanization data may be obtained from a database including a digital representation of a map. For example, the digital representation of a map may include a data set of coordinates and urbanization data, in one example, the coordinates may be grid coordinates and urbanization data may be provided for the grid, in another example, the coordinates may indicate a road segment and urbanization data may be provided for the road segment. The urbanization data may represent a predetermined value, non-limiting examples of which are: (i) urban or non-urban; or (ii) population density in a grid or a predetermined radius from the location.

[0094] According to various embodiments, the method may include determining, by the control circuit, that a vehicle speed is above a predetermined upper speed limit; and blocking air flow through the filter.

[0095] According to various embodiments, the method may include obtaining weather data. The method may include determining, by the control circuit, that the weather data indicates that an adverse weather event is occurring, such as at the current location. The method may include blocking air flow through the filter if it is determined that an adverse weather event is occurring.

[0096] According to various embodiments, the method may include obtaining battery charge level data indicative of a battery charge level. The method may include obtaining temperature data indicative of a vehicle thermal management temperature, such as a conditioning temperature of a component of the vehicle. The method may include determining that the battery charge level is below a predefined reserve charge. The method may include determining that the conditioning temperature is within a predefined normal operating temperature range. The method may include not operating a fan. In one example, the temperature of the component of the vehicle may be a battery temperature. Instead of using the battery temperature, a coolant temperature may be used. For example, the coolant temperature data may indicate a coolant temperature on the hot side, and the battery temperature may be estimated from the coolant temperature.

[0097] According to various embodiments, the method may include determining that a temperature of the coolant fluid is above a predefined normal operating temperature range; and operating a fan (eg, turning on fan operation).

[0098] According to various embodiments, the method may include determining that the regulated temperature is above a predefined critical temperature range; and reducing an air flow impedance sensed by the airflow. Reducing the air flow impedance sensed by the airflow may include opening a bypass so that more air can flow through the heat sink to provide improved cooling.

[0099] According to various embodiments, the method may include obtaining position data indicating the position of the vehicle. The method may further include obtaining a current time. The method may further include obtaining sound intensity limit data indicating a sound intensity limit for the position of the vehicle at the current time from a regulation database. The method may further include limiting the rotational speed of the fan to a speed corresponding to the sound intensity limit.

[0100] The regulation database may be stored in a computer memory of the vehicle or in a memory external to the vehicle (e.g., a cloud). In some embodiments, the method may include attempting to communicate with the regulation database, determining that communication has failed, and using a default sound intensity limit for that time of day. For example, if access to the cloud with the regulation database is interrupted, or if no regulation information is available for a given location, the applicable sound intensity limit will be the default sound intensity limit.

[0101] The present disclosure also relates to a computer program product comprising instructions which, when a microprocessor executes the program, cause the microprocessor to perform a method of any one of the method embodiments described herein.

[0102] Figure 1A A schematic diagram of a system 100 for cleaning ambient air is shown. In order to more easily explain the present disclosure, the schematic diagram is simplified. The system 100 may include a container 104 configured to accommodate a filter 102. As can be seen, when the filter 102 is installed in the container 104, when the air is flowing, the filter is in-flow with the radiator 12 of the vehicle 10. As used herein and according to various embodiments, "in-flow" means in a common air flow. The radiator 12 is used to cool a coolant fluid 14, which is used to transport heat from a component of the vehicle to be cooled (e.g., a battery 15) of the vehicle 10 to the radiator 12. The fan 30 can be placed in the air flow and configured to generate air flow, so that when the fan 30 is operating, at least a portion of the air flow is generated by the fan 30.

[0103] The system 100 may include a control circuit 120 for controlling the positionable fan 30. The control circuit 120 may include a microprocessor 124 and a computer memory 122 storing instructions for causing the microprocessor 124 to control the fan 30.

[0104] The control circuit 120 can be configured to determine whether the environment needs to be cleaned, and (i) when it is determined that the ambient air needs to be cleaned, the fan 30 is operated when the vehicle speed 11 is within the speed range affected by the fan, thereby optimizing the airflow at low speed and improving filtration; and (ii) when the vehicle speed 11 is outside the speed range affected by the fan, the fan 30 is not operated, thereby reducing the power waste of the car and the associated additional pollutant (specific substance) emissions. In various embodiments, a time delay or speed hysteresis can be used to avoid turning the fan on / off too frequently when the vehicle speed is at a threshold speed or fan influence. The system can further include a filter 102. The system can include a gate 101. The system can include a bypass 103.

[0105] Figure 1BAn exemplary logic table for control system 100 is shown. This logic can be programmed into control circuit 120. Input fields "Air is polluted", "Urban area" and "V 车辆 All of the data "within the fan's influence range" can be combined by a logical "AND" to generate an instruction to operate the fan under the "operate fan" column. The data "urban area" can be urbanization data 72, which indicates whether the location of the vehicle 10 is in an area where air cleaning is required.

[0106] Figure 2 A control circuit 120 is shown that can be configured to obtain air quality data 60 ("AQ") information related to the outside air. In an example, the air quality data can be obtained from a sensor on the vehicle, and in other examples, the air quality data can be obtained from a server (e.g., a cloud) remote from the vehicle. The control circuit 120 can be configured to determine that the air is polluted, for example, by comparing the air quality data 60 indicating the pollution level with a predetermined pollution threshold POLth. The control circuit 120 can be configured to determine that the pollution level is above the predetermined pollution threshold POLth. The predetermined pollution threshold POLth can be stored in the memory 122.

[0107] According to various embodiments, the system 100 may receive Figure 3 The control circuit 120 may be configured to obtain the location of the vehicle 10, such as GPS, Beidou, Glonass and / or Galileo coordinates. The location may include a timestamp "[geographic location; time]" and / or the storage may be performed at a fixed and known rate. The control circuit 120 may be configured to obtain urbanization data 72, which indicates whether the location of the vehicle 10 is in an area where air cleaning is required. The urbanization data may be obtained from a database 70 including a digital representation of a map. The control circuit 120 may be configured to block air from flowing through the filter 102 and / or not operate the fan if the urbanization data 72 indicates that the location of the vehicle 10 is not in an area where air cleaning is required. The control circuit 120 may be configured to allow air to flow through the filter 102 if the urbanization data 72 indicates that the location of the vehicle 10 is in an area where air cleaning is required.

[0108] According to various embodiments, the control circuit 120 may be configured to block air flow through the filter 102 when the vehicle speed 11 is above a predetermined upper speed limit. Figure 4 An exemplary logic table is shown for bypassing and damping according to the vehicle speed control system 100. This logic may be programmed into the control circuit 120.

[0109] When the vehicle speed is lower than a predetermined upper speed limit (“V 车辆 >V 上限”=No), the vehicle is in a location where air cleaning is required (“Urban”=Yes) and the air is polluted (“Air Pollution”=Yes), then the bypass is closed and the shutter is opened so that the filter is in operation.

[0110] When the vehicle is not in a location where air cleaning is required ("Urban Area" = No), then the determination of whether the air is polluted can be ignored. And it is assumed that the vehicle speed is also not higher than the predetermined upper speed limit ("V 车辆 >V 上限 = No), the bypass can be opened and the gate can be closed regardless of whether the vehicle speed is within the fan influence range "V 车辆 within the fan's range of influence".

[0111] When the vehicle speed is higher than a predetermined upper speed limit (“V 车辆 >V 上限 = Yes), the other 3 input variables may be ignored and the gate may be closed. In some embodiments, the bypass may be open, in other embodiments, the bypass may be closed because the speed of the vehicle may provide sufficient airflow around the vehicle for cooling and a radiator may not be required. Further closing the bypass improves the aerodynamics of the vehicle. As used in the table, "any" may mean that it can be ignored as an input and is used for convenient reference, even if, for example, V 车辆 >V 上限 , the speed is always outside the fan influence range (“V 车辆 Within fan influence range" = No). When V 车辆 >V 上限 When , the control circuit 120 may not operate the fan.

[0112] According to various embodiments, the system 100 may receive weather data, such as Figure 5 Schematically represented in . The control circuit 120 can be configured to obtain the location of the vehicle 10, such as GPS, Beidou, Glonass and / or Galileo coordinates. The location may include a timestamp "[geographic location; time]" and / or the storage may be performed at a fixed and known rate. The control circuit 120 may be configured to obtain weather data 80 indicating whether the location of the vehicle 10 is in an area where air cleaning is required. The control circuit 120 may be configured to determine whether the weather data 80 indicates that an adverse weather event is occurring, for example, at the current location. The control circuit 120 may be configured to block air from flowing through the filter 102 if it is determined that an adverse weather event is occurring, thereby protecting the filter 102 from damage by the adverse weather event.

[0113] Figure 6 An exemplary logic table for bypassing and damping the control system 100 is shown, which is similar to Figure 4The logic is the same as in , except that the adverse weather condition is further used as an input. This logic can be programmed into the control circuit 120. Assuming that there is no adverse weather event ("adverse weather" = No), this logic is combined with Figure 4 Same as explained. When there is an adverse weather event ("Adverse Weather" = Yes), then the damper is closed independently of any other input parameter to protect the filter. The bypass can be closed again, thus improving the life of the filter.

[0114] According to various embodiments, the control circuit 120 may be configured to obtain battery charge level data 56 indicating the battery charge level, and obtain temperature data representing the regulated temperature of a component of the vehicle. According to various embodiments, the control circuit 120 may be configured not to operate the fan 30 if the battery charge level is below a predefined reserve charge and if the regulated temperature is within a predefined normal operating temperature range. This may improve the mileage of the electric vehicle. The control circuit 120 may be configured to operate the fan 30 if the regulated temperature is above a predefined normal operating temperature range. If the regulated temperature is above a predefined critical temperature, the control circuit 120 may open the bypass and operate the fan. The predefined critical temperature is higher than the upper limit of the predefined normal operating temperature range.

[0115] Figure 7 An exemplary logic table for controlling the fan based on the regulation temperature and the battery charge level is shown. To regulate the temperature within a predefined normal operating temperature range (“Normal”), when the battery charge level is less than the reserve level (“Battery Charge Level”), the fan is turned off. <L 储备 ”), the fan may not operate, and when the battery charge level is above the reserve level (“Battery charge level>L 储备 ”), the fan operation may remain unchanged, for example, in some embodiments, it remains based on Figure 1B The logic shown in .

[0116] In some embodiments, when the regulated temperature is above a predefined normal operating temperature range (">Normal"), the fan may be operated and the bypass may be opened to improve cooling regardless of the battery charge level. The damper may also be opened to further improve cooling.

[0117] In some embodiments, when the regulating temperature is above a critical temperature (">critical"), the fan may be operated regardless of the battery charge level, and further, each of the bypass and the damper may be opened. This reduces the impedance of the airflow caused by the filter, improves cooling at the radiator, and thereby maximizes the airflow through the radiator. Under such conditions where the regulating temperature is above the critical temperature, the opening of the bypass and the damper may override any other control logic. Thus, the components to be cooled may be protected from damage due to overheating.

[0118] In some embodiments, when the vehicle is moving, fan control logic may be executed when the vehicle speed is within the fan influence range, and the fan may not be operated when the vehicle speed is outside the fan influence range.

[0119] According to various embodiments, the control circuit 120 may be configured to reduce the sensed air flow impedance of the airflow if the regulated temperature of the cooling fluid is above a predefined critical temperature range, for example by opening a bypass so that more air passes through the heat sink to provide adequate cooling.

[0120] According to various embodiments, the system 100 may be operably connected to the regulation database 90 for receiving the sound intensity limit data 92, such as provided by Figure 8 Schematically represented. The control circuit 120 may be configured to obtain position data indicating the position of the vehicle 10. The control circuit 120 may be configured to obtain the current time (e.g., from the geographic location data). The control circuit 120 may be configured to retrieve the sound intensity limit data 92 indicating the sound intensity limit of the position of the vehicle 10 at the current time from the regulation database 90. The control circuit 120 may be configured to limit the rotation speed of the fan 30 to a speed corresponding to the sound intensity limit.

[0121] If access to the adjustment database 90 fails (e.g., due to lack of Internet connection to the cloud), or if the adjustment database does not have sound intensity limit data 92 for the current location, default values ​​("[default]") may be used for the sound intensity limit data 92. Fig. 9 In one example shown in , the default values ​​may be stored in a vehicle memory (e.g., memory 122 of control circuit 120). In some embodiments, adjustment database 90 ("[adjustment data]") may be stored in a vehicle memory (e.g., memory 122 of control circuit 120).

[0122] According to various embodiments, the regulation database 90 and the urbanization database 70 may be a single database. In addition, data required by external services may be merged, for example, sound intensity limit data, urbanization data, weather data may be obtained from a single service external to the vehicle (eg, via the Internet).

[0123] Fig.10An exemplary flow chart of a method 300 for cleaning ambient air for an airflow through a portion of a front air cooling system of a vehicle 10 is shown. The system may include a radiator 12 and a filter, the radiator 12 for cooling a coolant fluid 14, the coolant fluid 14 for transporting heat from components of the vehicle 10 to the radiator 12. The method 300 may include determining 310, by the control circuit 120, that the ambient air needs to be cleaned. The method 300 may include determining 320, by the control circuit 120, that the vehicle speed 11 is within a speed range affected by the fan. The method 300 may include operating 321 the fan 30 based on the determination. Determining 310 that the ambient air needs to be cleaned may include obtaining 312 air quality data 60 indicating a pollution level from the outside air, and may further include comparing 314 the pollution level to a predetermined pollution threshold and determining 316 that the pollution level is above the predetermined pollution threshold.

[0124] Fig.11 Exemplary details of determination 320 according to some embodiments are shown. Vehicle speed (V 车辆 ) can be compared to a fan impact threshold (Vth), and if the vehicle speed is less than the fan impact threshold (Vth), the method can continue to operate 321 the fan, otherwise the method can continue not to operate the fan. For example, at a first time, the control circuit 120 can determine 323 whether the vehicle speed 11 is within the fan impact speed range and the fan can be operated 321, and at a second time, it can be determined whether the vehicle speed 11 is outside the fan impact speed range and the fan can not be operated 322.

[0125] Fig.12 Another embodiment of method 300 is shown, which includes steps of considering adjustment temperature, adverse weather events, vehicle speed, urbanization data, battery charge, and fan influence range, but various embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto and some or all steps may be implemented. Method 300 may include obtaining 330 the location of vehicle 10. Method 300 may include obtaining 332 urbanization data 72 indicating whether the location of vehicle 10 is in an area where air cleaning is required. Urbanization data 72 may be obtained from database 70, for example, including a digital representation of a map.

[0126] Method 300 may include determining 364 that the temperature of the cooling fluid is above a predefined normal operating temperature range and operating 365 fan 30. In some embodiments, operating 321 fan 30 may be conditioned on the vehicle speed being within a fan influence range.

[0127] Method 300 may include (see process (i)): determining 362 an adjustment temperature (T 部件 ) is higher than the predefined critical temperature (T 临界); operating 321 the fan 30; and reducing 335 the air flow impedance sensed by the airflow (eg, opening a bypass and / or opening a damper).

[0128] The method 300 may include determining 334, by the control circuit 120 (e.g., at a first time), that the urbanization data 72 indicates that the location of the vehicle 10 is not in an area where air cleaning is required, and blocking 336 air flow through the filter 102 (e.g., blocking the shutter). The method 300 may include determining 337, by the control circuit 120 (e.g., at a second time), that the urbanization data 72 indicates that the location of the vehicle 10 is in an area where air cleaning is required and allowing air flow through the filter 102 (e.g., if other required conditions are met).

[0129] The method 300 may include determining 324 , by the control circuit 120 , that the vehicle speed 11 is above a predetermined upper speed limit; and blocking 336 air flow through the filter 102 .

[0130] The method 300 may include obtaining 340 weather data (8). The method 300 may further include determining 342, by the control circuit 120, whether the weather data 80 indicates (e.g., at the current location) that an adverse weather event is occurring (or determining 342 that the weather data 80 indicates (e.g., at the current location) that an adverse weather event is occurring). The method 300 may further include blocking 336 air flow through the filter 102 if it is determined that an adverse weather event is occurring.

[0131] Method 300 may include determining 323 a vehicle speed (V 车辆 ) is within the fan influence range, and if not ("No"), the fan is not operated and the bypass is optionally closed. 车辆 ) is within the fan influence range ("yes"), the method 300 can continue to operate the fan 321, or if it is achieved, the method 300 can continue to determine 352 whether the battery charge level is lower than a predefined reserve charge; and if the determination is affirmative, the fan is not operated 354, and the bypass is optionally opened. Thereby saving reserve energy and, for electric vehicles, improving mileage. If the determination 352 is negative, the method can continue to open the gate and close the bypass, and operate 321 the fan, thereby cleaning the ambient air (process (ii)). Another check can be implemented on the regulated temperature (not shown in the flowchart) to check whether the regulated temperature is within a predefined normal operating temperature range; and the fan 30 is not operated 354 only when the temperature is normal, and the fan is operated otherwise. Obtaining 350 battery charge level data 56 indicating the battery charge level and obtaining temperature data representing the regulated temperature of a component of the vehicle can be implemented at any stage of the method 300, as long as the information is available for determination using the information.

[0132] Fig.13 A flow chart showing fan operation, such as continues and includes Fig.12 321 shown in, but not limited to. An exemplary start condition for this flowchart is that the fan is operating or it is determined that fan operation should begin. The method 300 may further include obtaining 370 position data indicating the position of the vehicle 10. The method 300 may further include obtaining 372 a current time. The method 300 may further include obtaining 374 sound intensity limit data 92 indicating a sound intensity limit for the position of the vehicle 10 at the current time from the regulation database 90. The method 300 may further include limiting 376 the rotational speed of the fan 30 to a speed corresponding to the sound intensity limit.

[0133] Fig.14A A flow chart for calculating 380 filter load based on usage time, air quality data, and flow data is shown. Flow data is data indicating the air flow through the filter. When the vehicle speed is outside the speed range affected by the fan, the flow data can be based on the vehicle speed and not based on the fan operating parameters. When the vehicle speed is within the speed range affected by the fan, the flow data can be based on the fan operating parameters and optionally based on the vehicle speed. This calculation 380 of the filter load can be implemented, for example, after step 321, or in another example, can be independently implemented, for example, by request. These examples are non-limiting.

[0134] Fig. 14B A flow chart is shown for sending 381 usage time and flow data to a processor to calculate 382 filter load. When the vehicle speed is outside the speed range affected by the fan, the flow data can be based on the vehicle speed (and not based on the fan operating parameters). When the vehicle speed is within the speed range affected by the fan, the flow data can be based on the fan operating parameters and optionally based on the vehicle speed. The sending 381 and / or calculation 382 can be performed, for example, after step 321, or in another example, can be performed independently, for example by request. These examples are non-limiting.

[0135] Fig.15 A graph of measured air speed versus vehicle speed for a predetermined vehicle model is shown with the fan operating in a known state (A) (in this case, maximum nominal speed) and with the fan off (B). As can be seen, above 40 km / h, the fan has substantially no effect on the air speed. Thus, the fan influence range is for a vehicle speed of 0 km / h, which in this exemplary case is 40 km / h. 40 km / h is the threshold at which the fan does not affect the air flow speed.

[0136] Fig.16A schematic diagram of a system 100 is shown, wherein the bypass and the damper are in different positions than shown in FIG. 1 . The schematic diagram is simplified for easier explanation of the present disclosure. The system 100 may include a container 104 configured to accommodate a filter 102. As can be seen, when the filter 102 is installed in the container 104, when air is flowing through the filter, the filter 102 is in the airflow with the radiator 12 of the vehicle 10. The radiator 12 is used to cool a coolant fluid 14, which is used to transport heat from a component of the vehicle to be cooled (e.g., a battery 15) of the vehicle 10 to the radiator 12. A fan 30 may be positioned downstream of the radiator 12 and upstream of the filter 102 for generating an airflow. The system may include a computer memory 122 storing instructions for causing a microprocessor 124 to implement the method 200 of any of the preceding claims. In this embodiment, the damper may include two dampers, namely a filter damper 101.2 and an aerodynamic damper 101.2.

[0137] The filter damper 101.2 and the aerodynamic damper 101.2 may be controlled (and the control circuit 102 may be configured accordingly), both using the same logic described according to various embodiments, with the following differences:

[0138] (A) When the vehicle speed is higher than the predetermined upper speed limit ( Figure 4 "V 车辆 >V 上限 ” = yes), the aerodynamic damper 101.2 can be closed, the filter damper 101.1 can also be closed or can remain unchanged (or open). If cooling is required, the aerodynamic damper 101.2 can be opened, and the other filter damper 101.1 can also be opened.

[0139] (B) When there is an adverse weather event ( Figure 6 When "unfavorable weather" = yes in the above formula ("unfavorable weather" = yes), the aerodynamic damper 101.2 can be closed, and the filter damper 101.1 can also be closed or can remain unchanged (preferably closed). If cooling is required, the aerodynamic damper 101.2 can be opened, but the filter damper 101.1 can be closed for filter protection.

[0140] (C) When driving, and the regulating temperature is above the normal range, the aerodynamic damper 101.2 can be opened, and the filter damper 101.1 can be closed for filter protection or opened to improve cooling. When the regulating temperature is above the critical temperature, the aerodynamic damper 101.2 and the filter damper 101.1 are opened.

Claims

1. A system (100) for cleaning ambient air, comprising: a container (104) configured to receive the filter (102) so that the filter (102) when installed in the container (104) is in-flow with a radiator (12) of the vehicle (10) when air is flowing, the radiator (12) being used to cool a coolant fluid (14) used to transport heat from a component of the vehicle (10) to be cooled to the radiator (12); - a control circuit (120) for controlling a fan (30) positionable relative to the heat sink (12) such that at least part of the airflow is generated by the fan (30) when the fan (30) is operating; - wherein the control circuit (120) is configured to: -Determine if the environment needs cleaning; - when it is determined that the ambient air needs to be cleaned, operating the fan (30) when the vehicle speed (11) is within a speed range affected by the fan; as well as - when the vehicle speed (11) is outside the speed range affected by the fan, the fan (30) is not operated; - obtaining air quality data (60) information from the outside air; as well as - determining whether the environment needs cleaning by comparing air quality data (60) indicating a pollution level with a predetermined pollution threshold and determining that the pollution level is above the predetermined pollution threshold; - calculating (380) the filter load based on the usage time, the air quality data and the flow data, or sending (381) the usage time and the flow data to a processor for calculating (382) the filter load, the flow data being data indicating the air flow through the filter; in When the vehicle speed is outside the speed range affected by the fan, the flow data is based on the vehicle speed; as well as The flow data is based on the fan operating parameters and, optionally, the vehicle speed when the vehicle speed is within a speed range affected by the fan.

2. The system (100) according to claim 1, wherein When the vehicle speed is within the fan-affected speed range and above a minimum vehicle speed, the flow data is based on the fan operating parameters and the vehicle speed; and When the vehicle speed is below a minimum vehicle speed, such as when the vehicle is stationary, the flow data is based on the fan operating parameters and not on the vehicle speed.

3. The system (100) of claim 1, wherein the control circuit (120) is configured to: - obtaining the position of the vehicle (10); - obtaining urbanization data (72) indicating whether the location of the vehicle (10) is in an area requiring air cleaning, wherein the urbanization data (72) is obtained from a database (70) comprising a digital representation of a map; - if the urbanization data (72) indicates that the location of the vehicle (10) is not in an area requiring air cleaning, blocking air flow through the filter (102) and / or not operating the fan; and - If the urbanization data (72) indicates that the location of the vehicle (10) is in an area requiring air cleaning, air is allowed to flow through the filter (102).

4. The system (100) of claim 1, wherein the control circuit (120) is configured to: - When the vehicle speed (11) is above a predetermined upper speed limit, air flow through the filter (102) is blocked.

5. The system (100) of claim 1, wherein the control circuit (120) is configured to protect the filter (102) in the event of an adverse weather event, the adverse weather event being selected from at least one of snow, rain, a sandstorm, and volcanic ash fall, and wherein protecting the filter (102) comprises: - Get weather data (80); - determining whether weather data (80) indicates that an adverse weather event is occurring; as well as - If it is determined that an adverse weather event is occurring, blocking air flow through the filter (102).

6. The system (100) of claim 1, wherein the control circuit (120) is configured to: - obtaining battery charge level data (56) indicative of a battery charge level; - obtaining temperature data representative of a regulated temperature of a component of the vehicle; - if the battery charge level is below a predefined reserve charge and if the regulated temperature is within a predefined normal operating temperature range, not operating the fan (30); and - If the regulated temperature is above a predefined normal operating temperature range, the fan (30) is operated.

7. The system (100) of claim 6, wherein the control circuit (120) is configured to: - if the regulated temperature of the cooling fluid is above a predefined critical temperature range, reducing the air flow resistance sensed by the air flow.

8. The system (100) of claim 1, wherein the control circuit (120) is configured to: - obtaining position data indicative of the position of the vehicle (10); - Get the current time; - obtaining sound intensity limit data (92) indicating the sound intensity limit of the position of the vehicle (10) at the current time from the regulation database (90); - limiting the rotation speed of the fan (30) to a speed corresponding to the sound intensity limit.

9. An electric or hybrid vehicle (10) comprising a system (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the component of the vehicle (10) is a battery (15) and the battery (15) is the main battery of the vehicle (10).

10. A method (300) of cleaning ambient air for an airflow through a portion of a front end air cooling system of a vehicle (10), the air cooling system comprising a radiator (12) and a filter, the radiator (12) being used to cool a coolant fluid (14) for transporting heat from a component of the vehicle (10) to the radiator (12), the method (300) comprising, via a control circuit including a microprocessor: - determining (310) that the ambient air needs to be cleaned; - determining (320) that the vehicle speed (11) is within a speed range affected by the fan; and, - based on said determination, operating (321) a fan (30); - calculating the filter load based on the usage time, air quality data and flow data, or sending the usage time and flow data to the processor for use in calculating the filter load, the flow data being data indicating the air flow through the filter; in When the vehicle speed is outside the speed range affected by the fan, the flow data is based on the vehicle speed; as well as The flow data is based on the fan operating parameters and optionally on the vehicle speed when the vehicle speed is within a speed range affected by the fan; Determining (310) that the ambient air needs to be cleaned includes: - obtaining (312) air quality data (60) indicative of pollution levels from outside air, and - comparing the pollution level to a predetermined pollution threshold (314) and determining (316) that the pollution level is above the predetermined pollution threshold.

11. The method (300) according to claim 10, comprising one or more of the following: determining (323) by the control circuit (120) that the vehicle speed (11) is outside a speed range affected by the fan and not operating (322) the fan (30); determining (323) by the control circuit (120) that the vehicle speed (11) is below a minimum vehicle speed; It is determined (323) by the control circuit (120) that the vehicle is stationary.

12. The method (300) according to claim 10, comprising: - obtaining (330) the position of the vehicle (10); - obtaining (332) urbanization data (72) indicating whether the location of the vehicle (10) is in an area requiring air cleaning, wherein the urbanization data (72) is obtained from a database (70) including a digital representation of a map; - determining (334) by the control circuit (120) that the urbanization data (72) indicates that the location of the vehicle (10) is not in an area requiring air cleaning, and blocking (336) air flow through the filter (102), or - Determining (337) by the control circuit (120) that the urbanization data (72) indicates that the location of the vehicle (10) is in an area requiring air cleaning, and allowing (338) air to flow through the filter (102).

13. The method (300) of claim 10, further comprising: - obtain (340) weather data (8); - determining (342), by the control circuit (120), whether the weather data (80) indicates that an adverse weather event is occurring; - and if it is determined that an adverse weather event is occurring, blocking (346) air flow through the filter (102), The adverse weather event is at least one of snow, rain, sandstorm, and volcanic ash fall.

14. The method (300) of claim 10, comprising limiting fan operation due to predetermined limits, such as one or both of the following: (i) obtaining (350) battery charge level data (56) indicative of a battery charge level, and obtaining temperature data indicative of a conditioned temperature of a component of the vehicle; determining (352) that the battery charge level is below a predefined reserve charge and determining that the regulation temperature is within a predefined normal operating temperature range; and not operating (354) the fan (30); (ii) obtaining (370) position data indicative of the position of the vehicle (10); Get (372) the current time; Retrieving (374) from a regulation database (90) sound intensity limit data (92) indicating a sound intensity limit for a location of the vehicle (10) at a current time; The rotational speed of the fan (30) is limited (376) to a speed corresponding to the sound intensity limit.

15. A computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a microprocessor (124), cause the microprocessor (124) to perform the method (300) according to any one of claims 10 to 14.

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