Automobile variable air inlet system and method

Abstract

The invention discloses an automobile variable air inlet system and method, and relates to the technical field of vehicle safety, an electric control three-way valve is installed at an air filter air inlet, the electric control three-way valve is connected with one end of a low-position air inlet pipeline and one end of a high-position air inlet pipeline, the other end of the low-position air inlet pipeline is a low-position air inlet, and the other end of the high-position air inlet pipeline is a high-position air inlet; the low-position air inlet pipeline is provided with a low-position control valve, and the high-position air inlet pipeline is provided with a high-position control valve; the low-position air inlet and the high-position air inlet are each provided with a water level sensor, the water level sensors are used for monitoring the water level, and the air inlets can be actively closed through the control valves after water level invasion is recognized. The electric control three-way valve is additionally arranged at the air inlet of the air filter, switching of the air inlet is achieved, and the wading capacity of a vehicle is improved; a water level sensor is additionally arranged, so that the wading mode is automatically switched; meanwhile, the check valve is mounted, so that the problem of engine flameout caused by the fact that accumulated water in the pipeline enters the engine in the switching process can be avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of vehicle safety technology, and in particular to a variable air intake system and method for an automobile. Background Art

[0002] Traditional automobile air intakes are designed to be located near the vehicle's air intake grille due to intake temperature requirements. However, the location of the air intake varies depending on the vehicle design. Therefore, when the vehicle is wading, once water enters the front cabin, the vehicle will be trapped in the water due to the low air intake location. This will cause the engine to stall due to water ingress, leaving the vehicle stranded in the water. To address the issue of vehicle wading, the following solutions exist in the prior art:

[0003] Chinese utility model patent CN206929018U discloses a vehicle air intake for improving the water-wading performance of a vehicle. By providing a height adjustment device, a control device and a water level signal sensor, when the signal value sensed by at least one of the water level signal sensors exceeds the preset water level value and an alarm is sent to the control device, the control device controls the solenoid valve and air pump of the height adjustment device to open, and the air pump inflates the cylinder so that the cylinder head pushes the height of one end of the vehicle air intake to increase. This solution designs the vehicle air intake to be liftable, which requires the addition of relatively more additional components and makes significant structural changes to the air intake, affecting its application on existing vehicles. Chinese invention patent CN107933473A discloses a car wading treatment system, which adds a new air intake on top of the original air intake of the car, and sets an air intake sealing door for selecting to close the original air intake or the new air intake; a water level detection sensor is set to obtain the wading depth, and a sound alarm sensor is used to issue an alarm when the wading depth reaches a threshold; this scheme changes the air intake according to the water level sound alarm, but the two air intakes of this scheme are set at the same position, and the sensor is only set at the air intake position. Once the sensor senses water inflow, water must have entered when the air intake is closed, and there is a problem of residual water inflow affecting the air filter and the combustion chamber of the entire vehicle. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In response to the shortcomings of the existing technology, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a variable air intake system and method for an automobile, which adds an electronically controlled three-way valve at the air filter inlet position to realize the switching of the air intake and improve the vehicle's wading ability; and adds a water level sensor to realize autonomous switching of the wading mode; at the same time, a check valve is installed to avoid the problem of engine stalling due to water accumulation in the pipeline entering the engine during the switching process.

[0005] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is implemented through the following technical solutions:

[0006] In the first aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a variable air intake system for an automobile, wherein an electrically controlled three-way valve is installed at the air filter inlet, the electrically controlled three-way valve connecting one end of a low-level air intake pipe and a high-level air intake pipe, the other end of the low-level air intake pipe being a low-level air intake, and the other end of the high-level air intake pipe being a high-level air intake, the electrically controlled three-way valve being used to control the switching of the high-level air intake and the low-level air intake; a low-level control valve is installed on the low-level air intake pipe, and a high-level control valve is installed on the high-level air intake pipe; water level sensors are respectively installed on the low-level air intake and the high-level air intake, the water level sensors being used to monitor the water level, and capable of actively closing the air intake by the control valve after identifying water level intrusion.

[0007] As a further implementation method, the electronically controlled three-way valve is installed in the air filter pre-intake pipe, and check valves are respectively installed at the low positions of the air filter pre-intake pipe, the low-position intake pipe and the high-position intake pipe.

[0008] As a further implementation, an air filter control valve is installed in the air filter pre-intake pipe.

[0009] As a further implementation, the low-level control valve is closed and the high-level control valve is opened; the wading mode is started by a control switch, or automatically started by a controller after a water level sensor detects water intrusion.

[0010] As a further implementation, the low-position air inlet is rotatably mounted with a low-position air inlet baffle, and the high-position air inlet is rotatably mounted with a high-position air inlet baffle.

[0011] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a method for controlling a variable air intake system of an automobile, comprising:

[0012] Activate wading mode;

[0013] After the controller receives the signal to start the wading mode and the low-level air inlet receives the signal, the low-level control valve is closed and the high-level control valve is opened. The precondition is that: the water level sensors do not feedback the intrusion water amount signal;

[0014] After the vehicle has finished wading, the wading mode is turned off. After the controller receives the wading mode off signal and the low-level air intake receives the opening signal, the low-level control valve is started to open and the high-level control valve is closed. The precondition is that the water level sensors do not feedback the intrusion water amount signal.

[0015] As a further implementation method, when the vehicle is in wading mode, the water level sensor at the high air intake detects water intrusion, and the controller controls the air filter control valve to close;

[0016] Until the high water level sensor detects that there is no water intrusion, the controller controls the air filter control valve to open.

[0017] As a further implementation, the wading mode is turned on by a control switch, or is turned on automatically;

[0018] When the wading mode is automatically turned on, the water level sensor at the low-level air inlet detects water intrusion, and the controller controls the low-level control valve to close; at the same time, the high-level control valve opens; after switching the high-level air inlet, it can be combined with the protection status in the wading mode. If the water level sensor at the high-level air inlet detects the water level during the wading process, the preset control logic can be used to close the high-level control valve again.

[0019] As a further implementation method, after the vehicle leaves the wading position, the accumulated water in the air filter pre-intake duct and the high-position intake duct is discharged through the check valve.

[0020] As a further implementation method, after the vehicle has completed wading, the water remaining in the low-position air intake pipe is removed by the check valve;

[0021] After the water level sensor at the low air intake detects that there is no water intrusion, the wading mode is turned off.

[0022] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0023] (1) The present invention adds an electrically controlled three-way valve at the air filter air inlet position to control the switching of the air inlet position. When the control logic or the water level sensor detects that there is water at the air inlet position, the electrically controlled three-way valve will be activated to close the air inlet with water, thereby solving the problem of water entering through the air inlet. The dual air intake mode is adopted, and when wading, the new air intake arranged at the front windshield position can ensure that the driver can pass through the water smoothly, thereby improving the vehicle's traffic efficiency.

[0024] (2) The present invention arranges baffles and water level sensors at the high and low air inlets, and actively closes the air inlet after identifying water level intrusion; and the closing valve is set at the air filter position, that is, the air filter control valve, and the air filter control valve is closed when the water level sensor senses water ingress, which provides a buffer time and can prevent residual water from affecting the air filter and the combustion chamber of the entire vehicle; and a check valve is added at the low position of the intake pipe. When water enters the pipe, the water will flow out along the check valve, avoiding the problem of engine stalling due to water accumulation in the pipe entering the engine during the switching process. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The accompanying drawings, which constitute a part of the present invention, are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are used to explain the present invention and do not constitute improper limitations on the present invention.

[0026] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a variable air intake system for an automobile according to one or more embodiments of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a low-position air inlet structure according to one or more embodiments of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a high-position air inlet structure according to one or more embodiments of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 4 The present invention is a flow chart of a control process of a variable air intake system for an automobile according to one or more embodiments.

[0030] Among them, 1. air filter pre-intake pipe, 2. air filter control valve, 3. air filter control motor, 4. air filter vent, 5. low-level air intake pipe, 6. low-level control valve, 7. low-level control motor, 8. low-level vent, 9. air filter check valve, 10. low-level check valve, 11. high-level air intake pipe, 12. high-level vent, 13. high-level control valve, 14. high-level control motor, 15. high-level check valve, 16. low-level air intake baffle, 17. low-level baffle shaft, 18. low-level air intake, 19. low-level air intake hole, 20. high-level air intake baffle, 21. low-level water level sensor, 22. high-level baffle shaft, 23. high-level air intake, 24. high-level air intake hole, 25. high-level water level sensor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] It should be noted that the following detailed description is illustrative and is intended to provide further explanation of the present invention. Unless otherwise specified, all technical and scientific terms used in the present invention have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs.

[0032] Glossary: ​​Air filter - air filter.

[0033] Example 1:

[0034] This embodiment provides a vehicle variable air intake system, such as Figure 1 As shown, an electrically controlled three-way valve is added to the outer pipe of the vehicle's air filter. The electrically controlled three-way valve connects the low-position air intake pipe 5 and the high-position air intake pipe 11. The air inlet end of the low-position air intake pipe 5 is the low-position air intake 18, and the air inlet end of the high-position air intake pipe 11 is the high-position air intake 23. The low-position air intake 18 is located in the front cabin, and the high-position air intake 23 is located on the vehicle's windshield. The electrically controlled three-way valve controls the position of the air intakes to achieve the purpose of switching the air inlets, thereby improving the vehicle's wading ability. At the same time, water level sensors are installed at the low-position air intake 18 and the high-position air intake 23, allowing the vehicle to switch to wading mode by control or autonomously.

[0035] It should be noted that, for the sake of ease of description, this embodiment uses functional naming. For example, the low-level control motor 7 is a motor for opening and closing the low-level air inlet 18, the high-level control motor 14 is a motor for opening and closing the high-level air inlet 23, the low-level check valve 10 is a check valve installed in the low-level air inlet pipe 5, and the high-level check valve 15 is a check valve installed in the high-level air inlet pipe 11, etc.; this does not impose any restrictions on the structure itself.

[0036] like Figure 1 As shown, the air filter is connected to the air filter pre-intake pipe 1, and the air filter pre-intake pipe 1 is connected to the low-level intake pipe 5 and the high-level intake pipe 11 through a three-way electric valve. In addition, the air filter pre-intake pipe 1 is installed with an air filter control valve 2, the low-level intake pipe 5 is installed with a low-level control valve 6, and the high-level intake pipe 11 is installed with a high-level control valve 13; the opening and closing of each pipe are controlled accordingly by the above-mentioned control valves.

[0037] Specifically, the air filter control valve 2 is installed in the air filter pre-intake pipe 1. When the air filter control valve 2 is opened, the air filter vent 4 is opened, so that the air filter pre-intake pipe 1 is connected to the air filter; the air filter control valve 2 is controlled to open or close by the air filter control motor 3.

[0038] The low-level control valve 6 is installed in the low-level air intake pipe 5. The low-level control valve 6 is controlled to open and close by the low-level control motor 7. When the low-level control valve 6 is opened, the low-level control valve 6 is connected to the low-level air intake pipe 5 through the low-level vent 8. The air inlet end of the low-level air intake pipe 5 is the low-level air inlet 18. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the low-level air inlet 18 is provided with low-level air inlet holes 19 distributed in a grid shape. The low-level air inlet 18 is installed with a low-level air inlet baffle 16. The low-level air inlet baffle 16 is connected to the low-level air inlet pipe 5 through a low-level baffle rotating shaft 17. The low-level air inlet baffle 16 is rotated by the motor provided by the low-level baffle rotating shaft 17, thereby realizing the opening and closing of the low-level air inlet holes 19 by the low-level air inlet baffle 16.

[0039] Similarly, the high-level control valve 13 is installed in the high-level air intake pipe 11, and the high-level control valve 13 is controlled to open and close by the high-level control motor 14; when the high-level control valve 13 is opened, the high-level control valve 13 is connected to the high-level air intake pipe 11 through the high-level vent 12. The air inlet end of the high-level air intake pipe 11 is the high-level air inlet 23, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the high-level air inlet 23 is provided with high-level air inlet holes 24 distributed in a grid shape. The high-level air inlet 23 is installed with a high-level air inlet baffle 20. The high-level air inlet baffle 20 is connected to the high-level air inlet pipe 11 through a high-level baffle rotating shaft 22. The high-level air inlet baffle 20 is rotated by the motor provided by the high-level baffle rotating shaft 22, thereby realizing the opening and closing of the high-level air inlet holes 24 by the high-level air inlet baffle 20.

[0040] Water level sensors are installed at both the low-level air inlet 18 and the high-level air inlet 23. For ease of distinction, the water level sensor installed at the low-level air inlet 18 is referred to as the low-level water level sensor 21, while the water level sensor installed at the high-level air inlet 23 is referred to as the high-level water level sensor 25. In this embodiment, the low-level water level sensor 21 is installed at the low-level air inlet baffle 16, while the high-level water level sensor 25 is installed at the high-level air inlet baffle 20. This embodiment, by arranging baffles and water level sensors at the high-level air inlet 23 and the low-level air inlet 18, actively closes the corresponding air inlet upon detecting water intrusion. Simultaneously, a three-way electrically controlled valve controls the switching between the high and low-level air inlets 18.

[0041] In addition, this embodiment adds a check valve at the low position of the air intake pipe, wherein an air filter check valve 9 is installed at the low position of the air filter pre-intake pipe 1, a low-level check valve 10 is installed at the low position of the low-level intake pipe 5, and a high-level check valve 15 is installed at the low position of the high-level intake pipe 11; when water enters the air intake pipe, the water will flow out along the check valve, avoiding the problem of engine stalling due to water accumulation in the pipe entering the engine during the switching process.

[0042] This embodiment adds an electrically controlled three-way valve at the air filter inlet position to control the switching of the air inlet position and completely close the air inlet; when the control logic or the water level sensor detects that there is water at the air inlet position, the electrically controlled three-way valve will be activated to close the water-detected air inlet, thereby preventing water from entering through the air inlet; the vehicle can be equipped with a true wading mode, the overall wading depth of the vehicle can be increased, and the vehicle's passability in wading sections can be improved by increasing the wading depth.

[0043] The working principle of this embodiment is:

[0044] When the wading mode is activated, the low-level air inlet baffle 16 closes via the motor built into the low-level baffle shaft 17, blocking the low-level air inlet 18 and completely blocking the low-level air inlet 19 to prevent water from entering. Simultaneously, the high-level air inlet baffle 20 receives an opening signal and, under the action of the motor built into the high-level baffle shaft 22, opens the baffles blocking the high-level air inlet 23 and the high-level air inlet 24. Simultaneously, the high-level control valve 13 in the high-level air intake duct 11 rotates to an open ventilation state under the control of the high-level control motor 14, enabling the high-level vent 12 to connect to the high-level air intake duct 11, allowing air to enter the air filter pre-intake duct 1 from the high-level air inlet 23 and the high-level air inlet 24 through the high-level intake duct 11. This air is then delivered to the air filter via the air filter vent 4 controlled by the air filter control valve 2, providing combustion gas for the engine.

[0045] Wading mode closed: The high-level water level sensor 25 sends a closing signal, which is then received by the high-level air inlet damper 20. The motor built into the high-level damper shaft 22 closes the dampers on the high-level air inlet 23 and high-level air inlet hole 24. Simultaneously, the high-level control valve 13 in the high-level air inlet duct 11 rotates to a closed ventilation state under the control of the high-level control motor 14, effectively closing the high-level air inlet 12. Simultaneously, the low-level air inlet damper 16 receives an opening signal and, driven by the motor built into the low-level damper shaft 17, opens, releasing the damper from the low-level air inlet 18 and restoring the ventilation capacity of the low-level air inlet hole 19. At the same time, the low-level control valve 6 in the low-level intake pipe 5 receives an opening signal, and the low-level control motor 7 performs the opening work, and the pipe ventilation is realized through the low-level air inlet 8 vent; the air can enter the air filter pre-intake pipe 1 through the low-level air inlet 18 and the low-level air inlet hole 19 through the low-level intake pipe 5, and the air is sent into the air filter through the air filter vent 4 controlled by the air filter control valve 2 to provide combustion gas for the engine.

[0046] In extreme cases:

[0047] When the vehicle is wading, the high and low water level sensors detect that water has entered and will transmit the water inlet signal to the controller. The controller will send a closing signal to the air filter control valve 2 through the air filter control motor 3 according to the preset program, execute the closing action, and the air filter vent 4 rotates and closes, so that the air filter pre-intake pipe 1 is completely blocked from water vapor. At this time, the vehicle will stall, but it can protect the entire vehicle engine from water ingress and avoid engine overhaul.

[0048] After the vehicle is rescued from the flooded area, any remaining water in the air filter pre-intake duct 1 is drained through the air filter check valve 9. Once the water in the high-level intake duct 11 is drained through the high-level check valve 15, the high-level water level sensor 25 detects that no water has entered and transmits a restoration signal to the controller. The controller, in accordance with a pre-set program, transmits an opening signal to the air filter control valve 2 via the air filter control motor 3, causing the air filter vent 4 to rotate open. This restores ventilation to the air filter pre-intake duct 1, allowing the vehicle to resume ignition and continue driving.

[0049] Automatic mode:

[0050] When the vehicle does not intervene to activate the wading mode, the low water level sensor 21 installed in the low air intake baffle 16 detects water intrusion and transmits a signal to the controller, which automatically starts the wading mode according to the preset logic.

[0051] When the vehicle completes wading, the accumulated water remaining in the low-level air intake pipe 5 is discharged through the low-level check valve 10. After the drainage is completed, the low-level water level sensor 21 detects that there is no water infiltration and transmits a signal to the controller. The controller automatically turns off the wading mode according to the preset logic.

[0052] Example 2:

[0053] This embodiment provides a control method for a vehicle variable air intake system, based on the vehicle variable air intake system described in Example 1. Figure 4 As shown, when a vehicle owner drives through a flooded section of road, they activate wading mode via the control switch in the cab. The logic controller receives the wading mode activation signal and, upon receiving no feedback from the low-level water level sensor 21 and the high-level water level sensor 25, sends a shutdown signal to the low-level control motor 7. The motor executes the shutdown signal, closing the low-level control valve 6. Simultaneously, the logic controller sends an opening signal to the high-level control motor 14, which executes the opening signal and activates ventilation. At this point, the vehicle's wading mode is activated, the low-level vent 8 is closed, and the high-level vent 12 is open, allowing for wading.

[0054] After the vehicle has finished wading, the driver turns on the wading mode off button and turns off the wading mode through the control switch in the cab. The logic controller receives the wading mode off button and the signals transmitted by the low water level sensor 21 and the high water level sensor 25. After finding that there is no feedback of the intrusion water volume signal, it sends an open signal to the low-level control motor 7. The motor executes the open signal and opens the low-level control valve 6. At the same time, the logic controller sends a close signal to the high-level control motor 14. The high-level control motor 14 executes the close signal to shut down the ventilation. At this point, the vehicle wading mode is closed. The vehicle's low-level vent 8 is open, and the high-level vent 12 is closed, so the vehicle can drive normally.

[0055] When the vehicle is in wading mode, the high water level sensor 25 detects water intrusion and sends a signal to the logic controller, which in turn sends a shutdown signal to the air filter control motor 3 to shut down the ventilation. This closes the air filter vent 4, protecting the engine from cylinder scuffing caused by water ingress.

[0056] After the vehicle is rescued, the high water level sensor 25 detects that there is no water intrusion and sends a signal to the logic controller, which sends an opening signal to the air filter control motor 3 to start ventilation. At this time, the air filter vent 4 is open and the vehicle engine can be restarted and started.

[0057] In the automatic mode, when the vehicle's low-level water level sensor 21 detects water intrusion and sends a signal to the logic controller, the logic controller sends a shutdown signal to the low-level control motor 7, shutting down the ventilation. Simultaneously, it sends a signal to the high-level control motor 14 to enable ventilation. After the high-level vent 12 is switched, the high-level control motor 14 is activated again to shut down the ventilation, in conjunction with the protection status in the wading mode.

[0058] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. Various modifications and variations are possible for those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present application shall be included within the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A variable air intake system for an automobile, characterized in that: An electrically controlled three-way valve is installed at the air filter inlet, the electrically controlled three-way valve connects one end of the low-level air intake pipe and the high-level air intake pipe, the other end of the low-level air intake pipe is the low-level air intake port, and the other end of the high-level air intake pipe is the high-level air intake port, the electrically controlled three-way valve is used to control the switching of the high-level air intake port and the low-level air intake port; a low-level control valve is installed on the low-level air intake pipe, and a high-level control valve is installed on the high-level air intake pipe; water level sensors are installed on the low-level air intake port and the high-level air intake port respectively, the water level sensors are used to monitor the water level, and the air intake port can be actively closed by the control valve after identifying water level intrusion.

2. The automobile variable air intake system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electronically controlled three-way valve is installed in the air filter pre-intake pipe, and check valves are respectively installed at the low positions of the air filter pre-intake pipe, the low-position intake pipe and the high-position intake pipe.

3. A vehicle variable air intake system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The air filter pre-intake pipe is equipped with an air filter control valve.

4. The automobile variable air intake system according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the wading mode, the low-level control valve is closed and the high-level control valve is opened; The wading mode is started by a control switch, or is automatically started by a controller after a water level sensor detects water intrusion.

5. The automobile variable air intake system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The low-position air inlet is rotatably mounted with a low-position air inlet baffle, and the high-position air inlet is rotatably mounted with a high-position air inlet baffle.

6. A control method for a vehicle variable air intake system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: include: Activate wading mode; After the controller receives the signal to start the wading mode and the low-level air inlet receives the signal, the low-level control valve is started to close and the high-level control valve is opened. The precondition is that the water level sensors do not feedback the intrusion water volume signal. After the vehicle has finished wading, the wading mode is turned off. After the controller receives the signal to turn off the wading mode and the low-level air intake receives the opening signal, the low-level control valve is started to open and the high-level control valve is closed. The prerequisite is that the water level sensors do not feedback any water intrusion signal.

7. The control method of a vehicle variable air intake system according to claim 6, characterized in that: When the vehicle is in wading mode, the water level sensor at the high air inlet detects water intrusion, and the controller controls the air filter control valve to close; Until the high water level sensor detects that there is no water intrusion, the controller controls the air filter control valve to open.

8. The control method of a vehicle variable air intake system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The wading mode is turned on by a control switch, or automatically turned on; When the wading mode is automatically turned on, after the water level sensor at the low-level air inlet detects water intrusion, the controller controls the low-level control valve to close; at the same time, the high-level control valve opens; after switching the high-level air inlet, it can be combined with the protection status in the wading mode. If the water level sensor at the high-level air inlet detects the water level during the wading process, the preset control logic can be used to close the high-level control valve again.

9. The control method of a vehicle variable air intake system according to claim 8, characterized in that: After the vehicle leaves the wading position, the accumulated water in the air filter pre-intake pipe and the high-position intake pipe is discharged through the check valve.

10. The control method of a vehicle variable air intake system according to claim 6, characterized in that: When the vehicle has finished wading, the water remaining in the low-position air intake pipe is removed through the check valve; After the water level sensor at the low air intake detects that there is no water intrusion, the wading mode is turned off.

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