Vehicle control device and vehicle control method

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle control apparatus and a vehicle control method. The vehicle control apparatus may calculate a sum of power consumed according to at least one or any combination of power consumed due to air resistance, power consumed due to operation of a cooling fan that increases airflow introduced into an engine compartment of a vehicle, or power consumed due to operation of an air conditioner, and control at least one or any combination of flaps or cooling fans that open and close an air inlet of the engine compartment such that the sum of power consumed is minimized in response to ensuring a target air flow indicative of an air flow required through a condenser or a radiator of the air conditioner depending on vehicle operation.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0146981 filed on October 30, 2023 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a vehicle control device and a vehicle control method, and more particularly to a technology for controlling air flaps and a cooling fan. Background Art

[0004] The engine room of a vehicle includes various heat exchangers, such as an engine, a radiator, a cooling fan, an evaporator, and a condenser. These heat exchangers cool or dissipate heat by exchanging heat with the air outside the vehicle.

[0005] A flap that can adjust the amount of air introduced into the engine compartment (which can be opened and closed) can be installed at the front side of the vehicle. Moreover, the air flow to the engine compartment can be adjusted by opening and closing the flap according to the state and operation of the vehicle.

[0006] In this regard, the active air flap (AAF) is a device that controls the airflow introduced into the engine compartment. When the vehicle is in driving mode, the AAF reduces the airflow in the engine compartment by closing the air flap, thereby reducing air resistance. Conversely, when the AAF opens the air flap, the air resistance increases as the airflow in the engine compartment increases.

[0007] Independently of the AAF, the cooling fan is a device that further increases the airflow introduced into the engine room, and the airflow increases according to the operating power.

[0008] Typically, the AAF and the cooling fan are controlled separately according to certain conditions, and therefore, the power consumed by the operation of the AAF and the cooling fan is greater than the required air flow rate. Summary of the invention

[0009] The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art while completely maintaining the advantages achieved by the prior art.

[0010] An aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle control device and a vehicle control method that can calculate an optimal control degree by which the air flap and the cooling fan can be controlled with minimum power by not controlling the air flap and the cooling fan independently but controlling them in association with each other.

[0011] An aspect of the present invention also provides a vehicle control device and a vehicle control method that can improve fuel efficiency or power efficiency by operating an air flap or a cooling fan with minimum energy while ensuring the air flow rate required for an engine room of a vehicle.

[0012] One aspect of the present invention also provides a vehicle control device and a vehicle control method, which control air flaps or a cooling fan by considering the load caused by the operation of the air conditioner and the load caused by air resistance or the load caused by the operation of the cooling fan, thereby improving fuel efficiency or power efficiency even if the energy consumption caused by the air conditioner is high.

[0013] The technical problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs will clearly understand any other technical problems not mentioned herein from the following description.

[0014] According to one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle control device includes a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores program instructions; the processor executes the program instructions, and the processor can calculate the sum of the power consumed according to at least one of the power consumed due to air resistance, the power consumed due to the operation of a cooling fan, or the power consumed due to the operation of an air conditioner, or any combination thereof, wherein the cooling fan increases the air flow introduced into the engine compartment of the vehicle; and control the opening and closing of at least one of the air flaps of the air intake of the engine compartment or the cooling fan, or any combination thereof, so that in response to ensuring a target air flow rate representing the air flow rate that needs to pass through a condenser or radiator of the air conditioner depending on the operation of the vehicle, the sum of the consumed power is minimized.

[0015] In an embodiment, the target air flow rate may be modeled based on the speed and cooling requirements of the vehicle.

[0016] In an embodiment, the processor can calculate the air flow rate introduced into the engine compartment of the vehicle based on the vehicle speed, the opening of the air flaps, and the revolutions per minute of the cooling fan; and control at least one of the air flaps or the cooling fan or any combination thereof so that the air flow rate introduced into the engine compartment of the vehicle is a target air flow rate or higher.

[0017] In an embodiment, the processor may calculate the power consumed due to air resistance based on the air density, the air resistance coefficient, the area of ​​the front surface of the vehicle projected on a plane perpendicular to the vehicle's traveling direction, and the vehicle speed.

[0018] In an embodiment, the processor may calculate the power consumed due to operation of the cooling fan based on the revolutions per minute of the cooling fan.

[0019] In an embodiment, the processor may calculate the refrigerant pressure based on the outside temperature, the air flow rate introduced into the engine room of the vehicle, and the opening of the air flap; and calculate the power consumed due to the operation of the air conditioner based on the calculated refrigerant pressure.

[0020] In an embodiment, the processor may control at least one of the air flaps or the cooling fan or any combination thereof based on identifying that at least one of the air flaps or the cooling fan or any combination thereof is not normally controlled so that the sum of the consumed powers is minimized in response to ensuring a target air flow rate depending on vehicle operation; and control at least one of the air flaps or the cooling fan or any combination thereof regardless of the target air flow rate according to a rule-based mapping set based on an input signal, the input signal including a vehicle speed, an oil temperature of the engine, or a water temperature of the engine.

[0021] In an embodiment, the processor may fix any one of a state where the air flap is open or a state where the air flap is closed, or fix any one of a state where the cooling fan is running or a state where the cooling fan is not running, based on recognition that at least one of the air flap or the cooling fan, or any combination thereof, is not normally controlled so that a sum of consumed powers is minimized in response to ensuring a target air flow rate, and is not normally controlled so as to fix any one of a state where the air flap is open or a state where the air flap is closed, or fix any one of a state where the cooling fan is running or a state where the cooling fan is not running according to a rule-based mapping.

[0022] In an embodiment, the processor may calculate a power that minimizes the sum of consumed powers as a preset threshold power in response to ensuring the target air flow rate; and control at least one of the air flap or the cooling fan or any combination thereof based on the preset threshold power.

[0023] In an embodiment, the processor may control the air flaps and the cooling fan in relation to each other such that the sum of the consumed power is minimized in response to ensuring the target air flow rate, without independently controlling the air flaps and the cooling fan.

[0024] According to one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle control method includes: calculating, by a processor, the sum of the power consumed based on at least one of or any combination of the power consumed due to air resistance, the power consumed due to the operation of a cooling fan that increases the air flow introduced into an engine compartment of the vehicle, or the power consumed due to the operation of an air conditioner; and controlling, by the processor, the opening and closing of at least one of or any combination of air flaps or a cooling fan of an air intake of the engine compartment so that the sum of the consumed power is minimized in response to ensuring a target air flow rate representing the air flow rate that needs to pass through a condenser or a radiator of the air conditioner depending on the operation of the vehicle.

[0025] In an embodiment, controlling by a processor to open and close at least one of a flap or a cooling fan of an air intake of an engine compartment, or any combination thereof, so that in response to ensuring a target air flow representing the air flow rate through a condenser or a radiator of an air conditioner depending on vehicle operation requirements, the total power consumed is minimized may include: modeling by the processor the target air flow rate based on a speed and cooling requirement of the vehicle.

[0026] In an embodiment, controlling by a processor to open and close at least one of or any combination of air flaps or a cooling fan of an air intake of an engine compartment so that in response to ensuring a target air flow rate representing the air flow rate that passes through a condenser or a radiator of an air conditioner depending on the need for vehicle operation, the sum of power consumed is minimized may include: calculating by the processor the air flow rate introduced into the engine compartment of the vehicle based on the vehicle speed, the opening degree of the air flaps, and the revolutions per minute of the cooling fan; and controlling by the processor at least one of or any combination of the air flaps or the cooling fan so that the air flow rate introduced into the engine compartment of the vehicle is the target air flow rate or higher.

[0027] In an embodiment, calculation by the processor of the sum of power consumed based on at least one of, or any combination of, power consumed due to air resistance, power consumed due to operation of a cooling fan that increases airflow introduced into an engine compartment of the vehicle, or power consumed due to operation of an air conditioner may include calculation by the processor of the power consumed due to air resistance based on air density, an air drag coefficient, an area of ​​a front surface of the vehicle projected onto a plane perpendicular to the direction of travel of the vehicle, and a vehicle speed.

[0028] In an embodiment, calculating by the processor the sum of the power consumed based on at least one of, or any combination of, power consumed due to air resistance, power consumed due to operation of a cooling fan that increases airflow introduced into an engine compartment of the vehicle, or power consumed due to operation of an air conditioner may include calculating by the processor the power consumed due to operation of the cooling fan based on the revolutions per minute of the cooling fan.

[0029] In an embodiment, calculation by the processor of the sum of the power consumed based on at least one of or any combination of power consumed due to air resistance, power consumed due to operation of a cooling fan that increases airflow introduced into an engine compartment of the vehicle, or power consumed due to operation of an air conditioner may include: calculation by the processor of the refrigerant pressure based on an outside temperature, an air flow rate introduced into the engine compartment of the vehicle, and an opening of air flaps; and calculation by the processor of the power consumed due to operation of the air conditioner based on the calculated refrigerant pressure.

[0030] In an embodiment, the vehicle control method may further include: based on identifying that at least one of the air flaps or the cooling fan, or any combination thereof, is not normally controlled so that the sum of the consumed power is minimized in response to ensuring a target air flow rate depending on vehicle operation; controlling, by the processor, at least one of the air flaps or the cooling fan, or any combination thereof, regardless of the target air flow rate according to a rule-based mapping set based on an input signal, the input signal including a vehicle speed, an oil temperature of the engine, or a water temperature of the engine.

[0031] In an embodiment, the vehicle control method may further include: based on identifying that at least one of the air flap or the cooling fan or any combination thereof is not normally controlled so that the sum of the consumed power is minimized in response to ensuring the target air flow rate, and is not normally controlled according to a rule-based mapping; fixing, by the processor, any one of a state in which the air flap is open or a state in which the air flap is closed, or fixing any one of a state in which the cooling fan is running or a state in which the cooling fan is not running.

[0032] In an embodiment, controlling by a processor to open and close at least one of the air flaps or the cooling fan of the air intake of the engine compartment, or any combination thereof, so that in response to ensuring a target air flow rate representing the air flow rate that passes through the condenser or the radiator of the air conditioner depending on the vehicle operation requirement, the total amount of power consumed is minimized may include: calculating by the processor, in response to ensuring the target air flow rate, a power that minimizes the total amount of power consumed as a preset threshold power; and controlling by the processor at least one of the air flaps or the cooling fan, or any combination thereof, based on the preset threshold power.

[0033] In an embodiment, controlling, by a processor, opening and closing at least one of or any combination of air flaps or a cooling fan of an air intake of an engine compartment so that in response to ensuring a target air flow rate representing an air flow rate passing through a condenser or a radiator of an air conditioner depending on a vehicle operation requirement, the sum of power consumed is minimized may include: controlling, by the processor, the air flaps and the cooling fan in association with each other so that in response to ensuring the target air flow rate, the sum of power consumed is minimized without independently controlling the air flaps and the cooling fan. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent through the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:

[0035] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a vehicle control device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of controlling an AAF and a cooling fan according to rule-based mapping as a conventional technique;

[0037] Figure 3 is a graph showing an example in which, when the AAF and the FAN are controlled according to a rule-based mapping, the AAF is controlled to be turned off at certain vehicle speeds even if the air conditioner is operating;

[0038] Figure 4 is a conceptual diagram showing an example in which a vehicle control device according to an embodiment of the present invention controls an AAF and a cooling fan;

[0039] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing an example in which a vehicle control device according to an embodiment of the present invention controls an air flap or a cooling fan according to an optimal control degree by which a target air flow rate can be ensured with minimum power consumption;

[0040] Figure 6 is a flow chart showing a vehicle control method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing a method for controlling the air flaps and the cooling fan in association with each other based on whether the air flaps and the cooling fan are operating normally, controlling the air flaps and the cooling fan according to a rule-based mapping, or controlling the air flaps and the cooling fan in a safety mode in a vehicle control method according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0042] Figure 8 A computing system related to a vehicle control device and a vehicle control method according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the exemplary drawings. When adding reference numerals to the components of each drawing, it should be noted that even if the same or equivalent components are shown in other drawings, they are also represented by the same reference numerals. In addition, when describing the embodiments of the present invention, detailed descriptions of well-known features or functions will be excluded so as not to unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention.

[0044] When describing components according to embodiments of the present invention, terms such as first, second, "A", "B", (a), (b), etc. may be used. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another, and these terms do not limit the nature, order or sequence of the components. In addition, the expression "at least one of A, B or C or any combination thereof" may include "A" or "B" or "C", or all of AB or BC or AC or ABC as a combination.

[0045] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical or scientific terms) used in this article have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs. Such terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having the same meaning as in the context of the relevant field, and should not be interpreted as having an idealized or overly formal meaning unless clearly defined in this application.

[0046] In the following, reference will be made to Figures 1 to 8 Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail.

[0047] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a vehicle control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] According to the embodiment, the vehicle control device 100 may include a processor 110 and a memory 120. Figure 1 The configuration of the vehicle control device 100 shown in FIG. 1 is illustrative, and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. For example, the vehicle control device 100 may further include Figure 1 Components shown in .

[0049] According to the embodiment, the memory 120 may store instructions or data. For example, the memory 120 may store one instruction or two or more instructions, which, when executed by the processor 110, cause the vehicle control device 100 to perform various operations.

[0050] According to an embodiment, the memory 120 may be implemented as a single chipset with the processor 110, and may store various information related to the vehicle control device 100. For example, the memory 120 may store information on an operation history of the processor 110.

[0051] According to an embodiment, the memory 120 may include a nonvolatile memory (read-only memory (ROM)) and a volatile memory (random access memory (RAM)). For example, the power consumed due to the processor 110 calculating the air resistance, the power consumed due to the operation of the cooling fan (which increases the airflow introduced into the engine room of the vehicle), the power consumed due to the operation of the air conditioner, or the sum of the consumed powers may be stored in the memory 120.

[0052] Depending on the embodiment, the processor 110 may calculate the power consumed due to air resistance, the power consumed due to the operation of the cooling fan (which increases the airflow introduced into the engine compartment of the vehicle), the power consumed due to the operation of the air conditioner, or the power consumed due to at least one of any combination of the foregoing.

[0053] According to an embodiment, the power consumption calculated by the processor 110 may include work done per unit time. For example, the unit of power consumption may be expressed as watt (W), and 1W may represent power when one joule of work is done in one second.

[0054] According to the embodiment, the power consumed due to air resistance may include power consumed by the vehicle due to air resistance received while the vehicle is traveling.

[0055] For example, the power consumed due to air resistance may include power consumption that changes due to changes in air resistance depending on the operation of the air flap. In addition, power consumption that changes due to changes in air resistance depending on the operation of the AAF may be included.

[0056] According to an embodiment, the processor 110 may calculate the power consumed due to air resistance based on air density, air resistance coefficient, and area of ​​the front surface of the vehicle projected on a plane perpendicular to the vehicle's traveling direction, and vehicle speed.

[0057] For example, the power P consumed due to air resistance driving It can be calculated by the following formula 1.

[0058] [Formula 1]

[0059] P driving =F·v=(0.5ρC d Av 2 )·v

[0060] In Formula 1, F can be defined as the resistance (air resistance) exerted by the vehicle when it is moving, and v can be defined as the vehicle speed. In addition, ρ can be defined by the air density, C d It can be defined as the air resistance coefficient, and A can be defined as the area of ​​the front surface of the vehicle projected on a plane perpendicular to the direction of vehicle travel.

[0061] For example, air density is the mass per unit volume of the Earth's atmosphere and can be maintained at 1.29 g / l at 0 degrees Celsius and 1 atmosphere of pressure.

[0062] For example, the air drag coefficient is a numerical representation of air resistance and may include a drag coefficient. The air drag coefficient may be measured in decimal units in a range of 0 to 1. As the received air resistance is smaller, the measured air drag coefficient is smaller. As a detailed example, the air drag coefficient may be determined by the exterior design of the vehicle. The air drag coefficient may change according to the opening of the air flap.

[0063] For example, the area of ​​the front surface of the vehicle projected on a plane perpendicular to the direction of travel of the vehicle may include an area formed when the vehicle is projected on a plane perpendicular to the ground. As another example, the area of ​​the front surface of the vehicle projected on a plane perpendicular to the direction of travel of the vehicle may be calculated by multiplying the height and width of the vehicle.

[0064] For example, the vehicle speed may include a speed measured by using the revolutions per minute of the wheel. As a detailed example, it may be additionally calculated by multiplying the circumference of the tire by the revolutions per minute of the tire and 60. As another example, the vehicle speed may be measured by using global positioning system (GPS) data.

[0065] According to the embodiment, the power consumed due to the operation of the cooling fan may include power consumed to forcibly supply cooling air to a radiator of the vehicle.

[0066] According to an embodiment, the processor 110 may calculate the power consumed due to the operation of the cooling fan based on the revolutions per minute of the cooling fan.

[0067] For example, the power consumed by the operation of the cooling fan P fan It can be calculated by using the following formula 2.

[0068] [Formula 2]

[0069] P fan =f(N fan )

[0070] In Formula 2, N fan It can be defined as the number of revolutions per minute of the cooling fan. Here, N fan This can be replaced by controlling the duty cycle of the cooling fan operation.

[0071] For example, the power P consumed by the operation of the cooling fan can be calculated by a function equation of the number of revolutions per minute of the cooling fan. fan Modeling.

[0072] For example, the number of revolutions per minute of the cooling fan N fan The calculation may be based on the rotational speed of the cooling fan. As another example, the revolutions per minute of the cooling fan may be measured by a sensor.

[0073] According to the embodiment, the processor 110 may calculate the refrigerant pressure based on the air flow rate introduced into the engine room of the vehicle and the opening degree of the air flap.

[0074] For example, the refrigerant pressure P refrigerant It can be calculated by the following formula 3.

[0075] [Formula 3]

[0076] P refrigerant =f(T amb ,m ′ air ,γ AAF )

[0077] In Formula 3, T amb It can be defined as the outside temperature, m′ air can be defined as the air flow rate, γ AAF It can be defined as the opening of the air flap.

[0078] For example, the refrigerant pressure P can be calculated by the function equation of the outside air temperature, air flow and the opening of the air flap: refrigerant As a detailed example, the refrigerant pressure may increase as the outside temperature increases. In addition, the refrigerant pressure may decrease as the air flow rate increases, and the greater the opening of the air flap, the lower the refrigerant pressure may become.

[0079] For example, the air flow rate m′ air The mass flow rate of air may be included. The mass flow rate may represent the mass of an object flowing per unit time, and accordingly, the mass flow rate of air may correspond to the mass of air introduced per unit time.

[0080] For example, the opening of the air flap γ AAF The degree to which the air flap is opened may include the amount of opening of the air flap. As the opening of the air flap increases, the air flow through the air intake of the engine room may increase.

[0081] For example, the opening of the air flap can be determined by various methods. For example, when the air flap is opened and closed by its rotation, the opening of the air flap can be determined based on the rotation angle. As another example, the opening of the air flap can be determined based on the air flow rate passing through by the opening and closing of the air flap.

[0082] For example, the outside air temperature T amb The temperature of the air outside the vehicle may be included and may be measured by an outside temperature sensor.

[0083] According to an embodiment, the processor 110 may calculate power consumed due to the operation of the air conditioner based on the calculated refrigerant pressure.

[0084] For example, the power consumed by the operation of the air conditioner is P A / C It can be calculated by the following formula 4.

[0085] [Formula 4]

[0086] P A / C =f(Prefrigerant )

[0087] In Formula 4, P refrigerant It can be defined as the calculated refrigerant pressure. For example, the power P consumed by the operation of the air conditioner can be calculated by the function equation of the refrigerant pressure. A / C Modeling.

[0088] For example, as the refrigerant pressure increases, the power consumed by the operation of the air conditioner increases. A / C Correspondingly, the power consumed by the operation of the air conditioner P A / C It can increase with the increase of the outside temperature. In addition, the power consumed by the operation of the air conditioner P A / C It can decrease as the air flow increases, and it can decrease as the opening of the air flap increases.

[0089] According to an embodiment, the processor 110 may calculate the sum of power consumed due to air resistance, power consumed due to operation of a cooling fan (which increases airflow introduced into an engine compartment of the vehicle), and power consumed due to operation of the air conditioner.

[0090] For example, the total sum J of power consumption may be calculated by the following Formula 5.

[0091] [Formula 5]

[0092]

[0093] In Formula 5, J is defined as the power P dissipated due to air resistance driving , the power P consumed due to the operation of the cooling fan (which increases the airflow introduced into the engine compartment of the vehicle) fan and the power consumed by the operation of the air conditioner P A / C The sum of .

[0094] According to an embodiment, the processor 110 can control at least one of the air flaps (which open and close the engine room) or the cooling fan, or any combination thereof, in response to ensuring a target air flow rate (which represents the air flow rate passing through the condenser or radiator of the air conditioner depending on the vehicle operation requirement) to minimize the sum of power consumption.

[0095] The processor 110 may calculate a target air flow rate, which indicates the air flow rate required to pass through the condenser or radiator of the air conditioner depending on the operation of the vehicle. The target air flow rate may include the air flow rate required to cool the heat generated from the engine of the vehicle.

[0096] For example, the target air flow rate may be determined by a modeled formula or a rule-based mapping. As a detailed example, the processor 110 may model the target air flow rate based on the speed or cooling requirements of the vehicle, etc.

[0097] As another example, the target air flow rate can be calculated based on the target air velocity. Specifically, the target air flow rate can be calculated as a value obtained by multiplying the target air velocity by the cross-sectional area. In addition, the target air velocity can be calculated based on the distance or volume per unit time. In addition, the target air velocity can be calculated by considering the air density and the mass per unit time.

[0098] According to the embodiment, the processor 110 can control the air flap or the cooling fan to ensure the target air flow. For example, the air flap can include a device for opening and closing the air intake of the engine room. As another example, the air flap can include a device for opening and closing the front grille of the vehicle.

[0099] According to the embodiment, the processor 110 closes the air flap to prevent the outside air from passing through the condenser or radiator of the air conditioner by blocking the outside air from passing through the condenser or radiator of the air conditioner, or opens the air flap. In addition, the processor 110 can control the amount of outside air passing through by adjusting the opening of the air flap.

[0100] According to an embodiment, the processor 110 may control the air flaps via active air flaps (AAF). The AAF may include a device that controls the airflow introduced into the engine compartment.

[0101] According to an embodiment, the processor 110 may control the air flaps or the cooling fan to minimize the sum of power consumption while ensuring a target air flow rate.

[0102] The processor 110 calculates an optimal control degree by which a control that minimizes the sum of power consumed due to air resistance, power consumed due to operation of the cooling fan, and power consumed due to operation of the air conditioner can be performed while ensuring the target air flow rate. Here, the control degree (control variable) may represent an amount or variable required to control the control target.

[0103] For example, the processor 110 may calculate the air flow rate that needs to be introduced into the engine room of the vehicle as the target air flow rate based on the vehicle's driving speed and cooling requirements, and may control the air flaps or the cooling fan so that the corresponding target air flow rate can pass through the air flaps or the cooling fan. Then, for example, the processor 110 may determine an optimal control degree, by which the sum of the power consumed due to air resistance calculated according to the opening of the air flaps and the power consumed due to the operation of the cooling fan can be minimized.

[0104] Furthermore, for example, when an air conditioner is operated while the vehicle is traveling, power consumed due to the operation of the air conditioner may also be included in the sum of power consumption.

[0105] As a detailed example, an optimal control degree by which power consumption can be minimized while ensuring a target air flow rate may be determined by calculating the opening degree of the air flap and the rotation speed of the cooling fan.

[0106] According to the embodiment, the processor 110 can calculate the air flow rate introduced into the engine room of the vehicle based on the vehicle speed, the opening of the air flaps and the revolutions per minute of the cooling fan. For example, such data can be stored in the memory 120 or the system, which is about the air flow rate that can be introduced into the engine room of the vehicle according to the vehicle speed, the opening of the air flaps and the revolutions per minute of the cooling fan. In this case, the processor 110 provides the data about the air flow rate stored in the memory 120 or the system based on the current vehicle speed, the opening of the air flaps and the revolutions per minute of the cooling fan to calculate the air flow rate introduced into the engine room of the vehicle. As another example, the air flow rate introduced into the engine room of the vehicle can be calculated by the speed of the air. As another example, it can be calculated by a sensor that can measure the speed or flow rate of the air introduced into the engine room of the vehicle.

[0107] According to an embodiment, the processor 110 may control at least one of the air flap or the cooling fan or any combination thereof so that the air flow rate introduced into the engine compartment of the vehicle is equal to or higher than the target air flow rate. For example, the processor 110 may control the air flap or the cooling fan so that air corresponding to the target air flow rate is introduced into the engine compartment of the vehicle.

[0108] According to an embodiment, the processor 110 may determine whether the air flap and the cooling fan are normally operated in relation to each other. For example, it may be determined whether the air flap and the cooling fan are operated in an organized manner to ensure a target air flow rate. For example, the processor 110 may determine whether the air flap and the cooling fan are normally controlled in relation to each other to minimize the sum of power consumption while ensuring a target air flow rate depending on vehicle operation.

[0109] According to an embodiment, when at least one of the air flaps or the cooling fan or any combination thereof is not normally controlled to minimize the sum of power consumption in response to ensuring a target air flow rate depending on vehicle operation, the processor 110 may control at least one of the air flaps or the cooling fan or any combination thereof according to a rule-based mapping regardless of the target air flow rate. Then, the rule-based mapping may be set based on input signals including vehicle speed, engine oil temperature, or engine water temperature.

[0110] For example, when the processor 110 controls the air flaps or the cooling fan according to the rule-based mapping, the processor 110 may control the air flaps to be closed at a certain vehicle speed or higher regardless of the air flow rate in the engine compartment.

[0111] As another example, when the processor 110 controls the air flap or the cooling fan according to the rule-based mapping, the processor 110 may control the air flap to be closed to increase the oil temperature of the engine or the water temperature of the engine during a cold start.

[0112] As another example, when the processor 110 controls the air flap or the cooling fan according to the rule-based mapping, the processor 110 may control the air flap to open when the oil temperature of the engine or the water temperature of the engine is a specific temperature or higher.

[0113] As another example, when the processor 110 controls the air flaps or the cooling fan according to the rule-based mapping, the processor 110 can perform control so that the speed of the cooling fan increases when the engine oil temperature or the engine water temperature is a specific temperature or higher, regardless of the air flow rate in the engine room.

[0114] As another example, when the processor 110 controls the air flaps or the cooling fan according to the rule-based mapping, the cooling fan may be operated at a constant speed regardless of the air flow in the engine compartment.

[0115] In this manner, when the air flaps and the cooling fan are not normally controlled in association with each other in response to ensuring a target air flow rate depending on vehicle operation so as to minimize the sum of power consumption, the processor 110 may control the air flaps or the cooling fan according to the rule-based mapping regardless of the target air flow rate.

[0116] According to an embodiment, the processor 110 may determine whether at least one of the air flap or the cooling fan or any combination thereof is normally controlled according to the rule-based mapping. For example, when the air flap or the cooling fan is not operating according to the rule-based mapping, even if the conditions of the rule-based mapping are met, the processor 110 may determine that the air flap or the cooling fan is not normally controlled according to the rule-based mapping.

[0117] According to an embodiment, when at least one of the air flaps or the cooling fans, or any combination thereof, is not normally controlled to minimize the sum of power consumption in response to ensuring a target air flow rate, and is not normally controlled according to a rule-based mapping, the processor 110 may control the air flaps or the cooling fans to a safety mode.

[0118] For example, when the air flaps and the cooling fan are not normally controlled in relation to each other to minimize the sum of power consumption while ensuring a target air flow rate, and the air flaps and the cooling fan are not normally controlled according to a rule-based mapping, the processor 110 may determine that there is a problem with the control of the air flaps or the cooling fan.

[0119] In this case, the processor 110 may perform control in the safety mode to fix the air flap in either an open state or a closed state, or fix the cooling fan in either a cooling fan operating state or a cooling fan non-operating state.

[0120] For example, the processor 110 may maintain a state in which the air flap is open or the cooling fan is operated at a constant speed regardless of the target air flow rate or the rule-based mapping. The processor 110 may control the air flap or the cooling fan in a safety mode in which the heat inside the engine or the engine room may be cooled for safety even if energy is consumed unnecessarily due to an increase in air resistance or an increase in the total power consumption.

[0121] According to the embodiment, the processor 110 may calculate the power that minimizes the sum of power consumption in response to ensuring the target air flow rate as a preset threshold power. For example, the processor 110 may calculate the power that minimizes the sum of power consumed due to air resistance, power consumed due to the operation of the cooling fan, and power consumed due to the operation of the air conditioner as the threshold power. Then, the threshold power may be set in advance based on the speed and cooling requirements of the vehicle.

[0122] For example, the processor 110 may control the air flap or the cooling fan at a preset threshold power based on the speed and cooling requirement of the vehicle. Then, the preset threshold power may be calculated as an optimal control degree. Specifically, the optimal control degree calculated by the processor 110 may include the opening of the air flap and the speed of the cooling fan set to correspond to the threshold power. The processor 110 may control the opening of the air flap and the speed of the cooling fan in association with each other according to the optimal control degree.

[0123] According to an embodiment, the processor 110 may control the air flaps and the cooling fan in association with each other to minimize the sum of power consumption in response to ensuring a target air flow rate, rather than controlling the air flaps and the cooling fan independently of each other.

[0124] When the air flap and the cooling fan are controlled independently of each other, an air flow rate greater than a target air flow rate is introduced into the engine room of the vehicle, in which case fuel efficiency or power efficiency is reduced because unnecessary power is consumed.

[0125] For example, when the air flaps or the cooling fan are controlled independently, the operation degree of the active air flap (AAF) may be determined to ensure the necessary air flow, and the operation degree of the cooling fan may be determined accordingly. Therefore, air resistance may be increased unnecessarily, and more energy than necessary may be consumed.

[0126] Therefore, the processor 110 can calculate the optimal control degree by which the air flow rate introduced into the engine room of the vehicle can correspond to the target air flow rate by controlling the air flap and the cooling fan in association with each other. For example, the processor 110 can ensure the target air flow rate with minimum power consumption by controlling the opening degree of the air flap and the rotation speed of the cooling fan based on the optimal control degree.

[0127] Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of controlling an AAF and a cooling fan according to rule-based mapping as a conventional technique.

[0128] According to the embodiment, according to conventional techniques, the active air flap (AAF) and the cooling fan (FAN) may be controlled according to rule-based mapping. For example, when an input signal is received, the processor may perform control corresponding to the input signal according to the rule-based mapping.

[0129] For example, the input signal may include various signals such as vehicle speed, oil temperature of the engine, water temperature of the engine, and temperature of the interior of the engine compartment.

[0130] For example, the rule-based mapping may include a control degree of the AAF or the cooling fan determined according to the input signal. As a detailed example, the rule-based mapping may include a control degree by which the air flaps may be closed to increase the oil temperature of the engine or the water temperature of the engine during cold start. Accordingly, the processor may perform control for opening the air flaps based on the control degree through the rule-based mapping.

[0131] As another detailed example, the rule-based mapping may include a control degree by which the cooling fan may be operated at a specific rotation speed when the temperature of the engine room is higher than a specific temperature.

[0132] according to Figure 2 In the conventional technology of the embodiment of the present invention, when the processor controls the AAF and the cooling fan based on a rule basis, the AAF and the cooling fan may be independently controlled regardless of the air flow rate required for cooling the engine room, and thus fuel efficiency or power efficiency may be reduced.

[0133] Figure 3is a graph showing an example in which, when the AAF and the FAN are controlled according to a rule-based mapping, control for turning off the AAF at certain vehicle speeds is performed even if the air conditioner is running.

[0134] According to the embodiment, curve P is a curve describing the duty cycle of the cooling fan (FAN duty cycle), curve Q is a curve describing the operation of the air flap (AAF), and curve R is a curve describing the vehicle speed over time. Here, the time axes of curves P and Q may correspond to the time axis of curve R corresponding to the vehicle speed curve.

[0135] According to an embodiment, when AAF and FAN are controlled according to rule-based mapping, the air flap or the cooling fan (FAN) may be controlled regardless of the required air flow rate. In this case, the processor may independently control the air flap and the cooling fan.

[0136] For example, the cooling fan may be operated at a constant FAN duty cycle, referring to curve P. As a detailed example, the cooling fan may be operated at a constant FAN duty cycle or a constant speed regardless of the vehicle speed, and accordingly, energy for the operation of the cooling fan is consumed regardless of the vehicle speed.

[0137] For example, the curve Q may describe whether the air flap is open or closed. As a detailed example, when the Y axis of the curve Q has a value of 1 or 0, the state of the air flap being open may be represented by the value 1 on the Y axis, and the state of the air flap being closed may be represented by the value 0 on the Y axis. In this case, the operation curve of the air flap over time may be displayed as the curve Q.

[0138] For example, curve R may describe the vehicle speed over time.

[0139] According to the embodiment, referring to the curve P corresponding to the curve R (which is related to the vehicle speed), when the processor controls the air flap or the cooling fan according to the rule-based mapping, the cooling fan is operated at a constant duty cycle regardless of the vehicle speed. In this case, although the air resistance or air flow rate introduced into the engine room of the vehicle changes according to the change of the vehicle speed, unnecessary energy is consumed by operating the cooling fan regardless of the air flow rate flowing into the engine room.

[0140] According to the embodiment, referring to the curve Q corresponding to the curve R (which is related to the vehicle speed), it can be seen that the air flap is controlled to be opened in the section where the vehicle speed is low, and the air flap is controlled to be closed in the section where the vehicle speed is high. In this case, the air flap is opened or closed only based on the vehicle speed, so heat dissipation due to the operation of the cooling fan may not be performed normally.

[0141] According to an embodiment, the rule-based mapping may include a control degree by which the air flaps may be closed when the vehicle speed is higher than a certain speed and the air flaps may be opened when the vehicle speed is lower than a certain speed. Accordingly, when the vehicle speed is higher than a certain speed, the processor may perform control for closing the air flaps according to the control degree of the rule-based mapping.

[0142] For example, refer to Figure 3 In the interval K, when the vehicle speed is high, the cooling fan can be kept running even if the air flap is closed. In this case, as the vehicle speed increases, the engine oil temperature or the engine water temperature also increases, and even when the cooling fan is running to cool the engine oil temperature or the engine water temperature, the air flap will remain closed, thereby failing to dissipate heat normally.

[0143] Therefore, it is necessary to improve energy efficiency such as fuel efficiency or power efficiency by controlling the air flaps or the cooling fan according to a target air flow rate required to cool the temperature of the engine rather than simply controlling the air flaps or the cooling fan using rule-based mapping.

[0144] Figure 4 is a conceptual diagram showing an example in which a vehicle control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention controls an AAF and a cooling fan.

[0145] According to the embodiment, the vehicle control device 400 may include a processor that controls the AAF 430 and the cooling fan 450. The processor of the vehicle control device 400 may control the AAF 430 and the cooling fan 450.

[0146] According to the embodiment, the AAF 430 may include a flap that opens and closes an air intake port of the engine room. The flap may be provided at a grille of the vehicle, or may be located at a rear surface of the grille of the vehicle.

[0147] According to the embodiment, the cooling fan 450 is a device for increasing airflow introduced into the engine room, and the processor may control the rotation speed, rpm, etc. of the cooling fan 450.

[0148] Reference according to the implementation scheme Figure 4 , the processor can control the AAF 430 and the cooling fan 450 to minimize the sum of the power consumed due to air resistance (which depends on the opening / closing of the air flaps), the power consumed due to the operation of the cooling fan, and the power consumed due to the operation of the air conditioner while ensuring a target air flow rate (which indicates the air flow rate that needs to pass through the condenser or radiator of the air conditioner depending on the operation of the vehicle).

[0149] Figure 5: is a block diagram showing an example in which the vehicle control apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention controls the air flap or the cooling fan according to the optimum control degree by which the target air flow rate can be ensured with the minimum power consumption.

[0150] According to an embodiment, the processor 510 can calculate an optimal control degree and can control the air flap or the cooling fan according to the optimal control degree, through which the air flap or the cooling fan can be controlled to minimum energy based on input signals including vehicle speed, engine oil temperature, or engine water temperature.

[0151] According to the embodiment, the processor 510 can calculate the target air flow based on input signals including vehicle speed, engine oil temperature or engine water temperature. For example, the processor 510 can model the target air flow based on the speed and cooling requirements of the vehicle. Here, the target air flow can include the air flow through the condenser or radiator of the air conditioner depending on the vehicle operation needs. Alternatively, it can include the air flow required to cool the heat of the components in the engine compartment of the vehicle or the vehicle engine.

[0152] According to an embodiment, the processor 510 may calculate an optimal control degree by which the air flap or the cooling fan may be controlled with minimal energy while ensuring a target air flow rate.

[0153] For example, the optimal control degree may include a control degree by which the sum of power consumed due to air resistance, power consumed due to operation of the cooling fan, and power consumed due to operation of the air conditioner can be controlled to be minimized.

[0154] For example, the optimal control degree may include a control degree by which the sum of the control degree of the air flap and the control degree of the cooling fan required to ensure the target air flow rate can be minimized. Therefore, the ratio of the control degree of the air flap to the control degree of the cooling fan can be changed according to the speed and cooling requirements of the vehicle.

[0155] According to the embodiment, the processor 510 may calculate a combination of the opening of the air flap and the rotation speed of the cooling fan to introduce air corresponding to the target air flow rate into the engine room of the vehicle. In addition, the processor 510 may calculate a combined control degree of the opening of the air flap and the rotation speed of the cooling fan that minimizes the sum of the power consumed due to air resistance, the power consumed due to the operation of the cooling fan, and the power consumed due to the operation of the air conditioner as an optimal control degree. Accordingly, the processor 510 may operate the air flap based on the control degree of the air flap included in the optimal control degree, and may operate the cooling fan based on the control degree of the cooling fan included in the optimal control degree.

[0156] Reference according to the implementation scheme Figure 5 , which can improve fuel efficiency or power efficiency by operating the air flaps or cooling fans with minimal energy while ensuring the air flow required by the engine room.

[0157] In the following, reference will be made to Figure 6 A vehicle control method according to an embodiment of the present invention is described in detail.

[0158] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating a vehicle control method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0159] In the following, it is assumed Figure 1 The vehicle control device 100 executes Figure 6 In addition, Figure 6 In the description, the operations described as being performed by the device can be understood as being controlled by the processor 110 of the vehicle control device 100.

[0160] According to the embodiment, the processor may calculate a target air flow rate, which represents the air flow rate that needs to pass through the condenser or radiator of the air conditioner depending on the operation of the vehicle (step S610). For example, the target air flow rate may be determined by a modeled formula or a rule-based mapping. As a detailed example, the processor may model the target air flow rate based on the speed and cooling requirements of the vehicle.

[0161] According to the embodiment, the processor may calculate the sum of power consumed due to air resistance, power consumed due to operation of the cooling fan, and power consumed due to operation of the air conditioner (step S620).

[0162] For example, the processor may calculate the power consumed due to air resistance based on the air density, the air resistance coefficient, the area of ​​the front surface of the vehicle projected onto a plane perpendicular to the direction of travel of the vehicle, and the vehicle speed.

[0163] For example, the processor may calculate the power consumed due to operation of the cooling fan based on the revolutions per minute of the cooling fan.

[0164] For example, the processor may calculate the power consumed due to the operation of the air conditioner based on the air flow rate introduced into the engine room of the vehicle and the refrigerant pressure calculated based on the opening degree of the air flap.

[0165] According to an embodiment, the processor may control the air flaps and the cooling fan to minimize the sum of power consumption in response to ensuring the target air flow rate (step S630).

[0166] For example, the processor may model a target air flow based on the speed and cooling requirements of the vehicle.

[0167] For example, the processor may calculate the power that minimizes the sum of power consumption in response to ensuring the target air flow rate as the preset threshold power. In addition, the processor may control at least one of the air flap or the cooling fan, or any combination thereof, based on the preset threshold power.

[0168] According to the embodiment, the processor does not control the air flaps and the cooling fan independently of each other, but can control the air flaps and the cooling fan in association with each other to minimize the sum of power consumption in response to ensuring the target air flow rate, thereby improving fuel efficiency or power efficiency.

[0169] Figure 7 1 is a flowchart showing a method for controlling air flaps and a cooling fan in association with each other based on whether the air flaps and the cooling fan are operating normally, controlling the air flaps and the cooling fan according to a rule-based mapping, or controlling the air flaps and the cooling fan in a safety mode in a vehicle control method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0170] According to the embodiment, the processor may determine whether the air flap and the cooling fan can operate normally in relation to each other (step S710). For example, it may be determined whether the air flap and the cooling fan can operate in an organized manner to ensure a target air flow rate. For example, the processor may determine whether the air flap and the cooling fan can be controlled normally in relation to each other to minimize the sum of power consumption while ensuring a target air flow rate depending on vehicle operation.

[0171] According to the embodiment, when it is determined that the air flap and the cooling fan can operate normally in association with each other (step S710 is yes), the processor can calculate a target air flow rate, which represents the air flow rate that needs to pass through the condenser or radiator of the air conditioner depending on the operation of the vehicle (step S720). As a detailed example, the processor can model the target air flow rate based on the speed and cooling requirements of the vehicle.

[0172] According to the embodiment, the processor may calculate the sum of power consumed due to air resistance, power consumed due to operation of the cooling fan, and power consumed due to operation of the air conditioner (step S730).

[0173] According to the embodiment, the processor may calculate an optimal control degree, by which the air flap or the cooling fan can be controlled with minimum energy while ensuring the target air flow rate (step S740). The optimal control degree may include such a control degree, by which the sum of the power consumed due to air resistance, the power consumed due to the operation of the cooling fan, and the power consumed due to the operation of the air conditioner is minimized. For example, the optimal control degree may include such a control degree, by which the sum of the control degree of the air flap and the control degree of the cooling fan required to ensure the target air flow rate is minimized. Accordingly, the ratio of the control degree of the air flap to the control degree of the cooling fan can be changed according to the speed and cooling requirements of the vehicle.

[0174] According to the embodiment, the processor may calculate a combination of the opening of the air flap and the rotation speed of the cooling fan to introduce air corresponding to the target air flow rate into the engine room of the vehicle. In addition, the processor may calculate a control degree of the combination of the opening of the air flap and the rotation speed of the cooling fan that minimizes the sum of the power consumed due to air resistance, the power consumed due to the operation of the cooling fan, and the power consumed due to the operation of the air conditioner as an optimal control degree.

[0175] According to an embodiment, the processor may control the air flaps and the cooling fan to minimize the sum of power consumption in response to ensuring the target air flow rate (step S750 ).

[0176] For example, the processor may operate the air flaps based on the control degree of the air flaps included in the optimal control degree, and may operate the cooling fan based on the control degree of the cooling fan included in the optimal control degree.

[0177] According to an embodiment, when it is determined that the air flap and the cooling fan cannot operate normally in association with each other (step S710 is No), the processor may determine whether the air flap or the cooling fan can be normally controlled according to the rule-based mapping regardless of the target air flow rate (step S760). Then, the rule-based mapping may be set based on input signals including the vehicle speed, the oil temperature of the engine, or the water temperature of the engine.

[0178] According to an embodiment, when the air flap or the cooling fan can be normally controlled according to the rule-based mapping regardless of the target air flow rate (Yes at step S760), the processor may control the air flap or the cooling fan according to the rule-based mapping (step S770).

[0179] For example, the processor may control the air flaps to close at a certain vehicle speed or above, regardless of the air flow in the engine compartment.

[0180] As another example, when the processor controls the air flap or the cooling fan according to the rule-based mapping, the processor may control the air flap to be closed to increase the oil temperature of the engine or the water temperature of the engine during a cold start.

[0181] As another example, when the processor controls the air flap or the cooling fan according to the rule-based mapping, the processor may control the air flap to open when the oil temperature of the engine or the water temperature of the engine is higher than a specific temperature.

[0182] As another example, when the processor controls the air flaps or the cooling fan according to a rule-based mapping, the processor can perform control so that the speed of the cooling fan increases when the engine oil temperature or the engine water temperature is higher than a certain temperature, regardless of the air flow rate in the engine compartment.

[0183] As another example, when the processor controls the air flaps or cooling fans according to the rule-based mapping, the cooling fans may be operated at a constant speed regardless of the air flow in the engine compartment.

[0184] According to an embodiment, when the air flap and the cooling fan are not normally controlled in association with each other (No at step S710) and are not normally controlled according to the rule-based mapping (No at step S760), the air flap or the cooling fan may be controlled in a safety mode.

[0185] For example, when the air flaps or the cooling fan are not normally controlled in relation to each other to minimize the sum of power consumption while ensuring a target air flow rate and are not normally controlled by rule-based mapping, the processor may determine that there is a problem with control of the air flaps or the cooling fan.

[0186] In this case, the processor may perform control to fix either the state where the air flaps are opened or the state where the air flaps are closed, or to fix either the state where the cooling fan is operated or the state where the cooling fan is not operated.

[0187] For example, the processor may keep the air flaps open or run the cooling fan at a constant speed regardless of the target air flow or rule-based mapping. The processor may control the air flaps or cooling fan in a safety mode by which the heat inside the engine or engine compartment may be cooled for safety even if energy is consumed unnecessarily due to an increase in air resistance or an increase in the sum of power consumption.

[0188] Figure 8 A computing system related to a vehicle control device or a vehicle control method according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0189] refer to Figure 8, the computing system 1000 may include at least one processor 1100 , a memory 1300 , a user interface input device 1400 , a user interface output device 1500 , a storage device 1600 , and a network interface 1700 interconnected via a bus 1200 .

[0190] The processor 1100 may be a central processing unit (CPU) or a semiconductor device that processes instructions stored in the memory 1300 and / or the storage device 1600. The memory 1300 and the storage device 1600 may include various types of volatile or non-volatile storage media. For example, the memory 1300 may include a read-only memory (ROM) 1310 and a random access memory (RAM) 1320.

[0191] Therefore, the operations of the methods or algorithms described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented directly in hardware or software modules executed by the processor 1100, or in the form of a combination thereof. The software module may exist in a storage medium (i.e., the memory 1300 and / or the storage device 1600), for example, RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, removable disk, CD-ROM.

[0192] An exemplary storage medium may be coupled to the processor 1100, and the processor 1100 may read information from the storage medium and may record information in the storage medium. Alternatively, the storage medium may be integrated with the processor 1100. The processor and the storage medium may be present in an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The ASIC may be present in a user terminal. In another case, the processor and the storage medium may be present in a user terminal as separate components.

[0193] According to the present technology, it is possible to calculate the optimum control degree so that the air flap and the cooling fan can be controlled with minimum power by not controlling the air flap and the cooling fan independently but controlling them in association with each other.

[0194] Furthermore, according to the present technology, it is possible to improve fuel efficiency or power efficiency by operating the air flap or the cooling fan with minimum energy while ensuring the air flow rate required for the engine room of the vehicle.

[0195] Furthermore, according to the present technology, by controlling the air flaps or the cooling fan in consideration of the load due to the operation of the air conditioner and the load due to the operation of the cooling fan, fuel efficiency or power efficiency can be improved even if the energy consumption due to the air conditioner is high.

[0196] In addition, various effects that are directly or indirectly recognized through the file can also be provided.

[0197] The above description is a simple exemplary description of the technical spirit of the present invention, and a person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may make various changes and modifications to the present invention without departing from the essential features of the present invention.

[0198] Therefore, the embodiments of the present invention are provided to explain the spirit and scope of the present invention, but not to limit them, so that the spirit and scope of the present invention are not limited by the embodiments. The scope of the present invention should be interpreted based on the appended claims, and all technical ideas within the scope equivalent to the claims should be included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A vehicle control device, comprising: a memory configured to store program instructions; and a processor configured to execute the program instructions; Wherein, the processor is configured as follows: calculating a sum of power consumed according to at least one of power consumed due to air resistance, power consumed due to operation of a cooling fan configured to increase airflow introduced into an engine room of the vehicle, or power consumed due to operation of an air conditioner, or any combination thereof; At least one of an air flap or a cooling fan or any combination thereof is controlled so that a sum of consumed power is minimized in response to ensuring a target air flow rate, wherein the target air flow rate represents an air flow rate passing through a condenser or a radiator of the air conditioner depending on a vehicle operation requirement.

2. The vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein: The target air flow is modeled based on the speed and cooling requirements of the vehicle.

3. The vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein: The processor is configured as follows: calculating an air flow rate introduced into an engine room of the vehicle based on a vehicle speed, an opening degree of the air flap, and revolutions per minute of the cooling fan; At least one of the air flap or the cooling fan or any combination thereof is controlled so that the air flow rate introduced into the engine room of the vehicle is a target air flow rate or higher.

4. The vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein: The processor is configured as follows: The power consumed due to air resistance is calculated based on the air density, the air resistance coefficient, the area of ​​the front surface of the vehicle projected on a plane perpendicular to the vehicle's traveling direction, and the vehicle speed.

5. The vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein: The processor is configured as follows: The power consumed due to the operation of the cooling fan is calculated based on the number of revolutions per minute of the cooling fan.

6. The vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein: The processor is configured as follows: calculating the refrigerant pressure based on the outside temperature, the air flow rate introduced into the engine compartment of the vehicle, and the opening degree of the air flap; Power consumed due to the operation of the air conditioner is calculated based on the calculated refrigerant pressure.

7. The vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein: The processor is configured as follows: Based on recognizing that at least one of the air flap or the cooling fan or any combination thereof is not normally controlled so that the sum of the consumed power is minimized in response to ensuring a target air flow rate depending on the operation of the vehicle, At least one of the air flap or the cooling fan or any combination thereof is controlled regardless of the target air flow according to a rule-based mapping that is set based on input signals including vehicle speed, engine oil temperature, or engine water temperature.

8. The vehicle control device according to claim 7, wherein: The processor is configured as follows: Based on identifying that at least one of the air flap or the cooling fan or any combination thereof is not normally controlled so that the sum of the consumed power is minimized in response to ensuring the target air flow rate and is not normally controlled according to the rule-based mapping, Either the state in which the air flaps are opened or the state in which the air flaps are closed is fixed, or either the state in which the cooling fan is operated or the state in which the cooling fan is not operated is fixed.

9. The vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein: The processor is configured as follows: In response to ensuring the target air flow rate, calculating a power that minimizes the sum of the consumed powers as a preset threshold power; At least one of the air flap or the cooling fan or any combination thereof is controlled based on a preset threshold power.

10. The vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein: The processor is configured as follows: The air flaps and the cooling fan are controlled in association with each other so that the sum of the consumed power is minimized in response to ensuring the target air flow rate, without independently controlling the air flaps and the cooling fan.

11. A vehicle control method, comprising: calculating, by a processor, a sum of power consumed according to at least one of power consumed due to air resistance, power consumed due to operation of a cooling fan configured to increase airflow introduced into an engine compartment of the vehicle, or power consumed due to operation of an air conditioner, or any combination thereof; At least one of an air flap or a cooling fan or any combination thereof is controlled by a processor so that a sum of the consumed power is minimized in response to ensuring a target air flow rate, wherein the target air flow rate represents an air flow rate passing through a condenser or a radiator of the air conditioner depending on a vehicle operation requirement.

12. The vehicle control method according to claim 11, wherein: Controlling, by the processor, at least one of the air flap or the cooling fan or any combination thereof so that in response to ensuring a target air flow rate, the sum of the consumed power is minimized comprises: The target air flow is modeled by a processor based on the speed and cooling requirements of the vehicle.

13. The vehicle control method according to claim 11, wherein: Controlling, by the processor, at least one of the air flap or the cooling fan or any combination thereof so that in response to ensuring a target air flow rate, the sum of the consumed power is minimized comprises: calculating, by a processor, a flow rate of air introduced into an engine compartment of the vehicle based on a vehicle speed, an opening degree of the air flap, and a number of revolutions per minute of the cooling fan; At least one of the air flap or the cooling fan or any combination thereof is controlled by the processor so that the air flow rate introduced into the engine room of the vehicle is a target air flow rate or higher.

14. The vehicle control method according to claim 11, wherein: Calculating, by the processor, the sum of the consumed power according to at least one of power consumed due to air resistance, power consumed due to operation of a cooling fan configured to increase airflow introduced into an engine compartment of the vehicle, or power consumed due to operation of an air conditioner, or any combination thereof, includes: The power consumed due to air resistance is calculated by the processor based on the air density, the air resistance coefficient, the area of ​​the front surface of the vehicle projected on a plane perpendicular to the vehicle's traveling direction, and the vehicle speed.

15. The vehicle control method according to claim 11, wherein: Calculating, by the processor, the sum of the consumed power according to at least one of power consumed due to air resistance, power consumed due to operation of a cooling fan configured to increase airflow introduced into an engine compartment of the vehicle, or power consumed due to operation of an air conditioner, or any combination thereof, includes: Power consumed due to the operation of the cooling fan is calculated by the processor based on the revolutions per minute of the cooling fan.

16. The vehicle control method according to claim 11, wherein: Calculating, by the processor, the sum of the consumed power according to at least one of power consumed due to air resistance, power consumed due to operation of a cooling fan configured to increase airflow introduced into an engine compartment of the vehicle, or power consumed due to operation of an air conditioner, or any combination thereof, includes: calculating, by a processor, a refrigerant pressure based on an outside temperature, an air flow rate introduced into an engine compartment of the vehicle, and an opening of an air flap; Power consumed due to the operation of the air conditioner is calculated by the processor based on the calculated refrigerant pressure.

17. The vehicle control method according to claim 11, further comprising: Based on recognizing that at least one of the air flap or the cooling fan or any combination thereof is not normally controlled so that the sum of the consumed power is minimized in response to ensuring a target air flow rate depending on the operation of the vehicle, At least one of the air flap or the cooling fan or any combination thereof is controlled by the processor according to a rule-based mapping set based on input signals including vehicle speed, engine oil temperature, or engine water temperature regardless of the target air flow.

18. The vehicle control method according to claim 17, further comprising: Based on identifying that at least one of the air flap or the cooling fan or any combination thereof is not normally controlled so that the sum of the consumed power is minimized in response to ensuring the target air flow rate and is not normally controlled according to the rule-based mapping, The processor fixes the state of the air flap being opened or closed, or fixes the state of the cooling fan being operated or not operated.

19. The vehicle control method according to claim 11, wherein: Controlling, by the processor, at least one of the air flap or the cooling fan or any combination thereof so that in response to ensuring a target air flow rate, the sum of the consumed power is minimized comprises: In response to ensuring the target air flow rate, the processor calculates a power that minimizes the sum of the consumed powers as a preset threshold power; At least one of the air flap or the cooling fan or any combination thereof is controlled by the processor based on a preset threshold power.

20. The vehicle control method according to claim 11, wherein: Controlling, by the processor, at least one of the air flap or the cooling fan or any combination thereof so that in response to ensuring a target air flow rate, the sum of the consumed power is minimized comprises: The air flaps and the cooling fan are controlled in association with each other by the processor so that the sum of the consumed power is minimized in response to ensuring a target air flow rate, without independently controlling the air flaps and the cooling fan.

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