CONTROL UNIT FOR VEHICLE SEPARATOR DEVICE AND CONTROL METHOD OF A VEHICLE SEPARATOR DEVICE BASED ON TEMPERATURE

Abstract

A control unit (500) for a vehicle disconnect device (100), the control unit (500) comprising: a transmitter / receiver unit (510) for receiving vehicle interior and exterior information, including the temperature of the vehicle's outside air and the oil temperature of a reduction gear; a determination unit (520) for determining whether it is possible to control the vehicle disconnect device (100) based on the vehicle's outside air temperature and the reduction gear oil temperature; and a control unit (530) for controlling the disconnect device (100) taking into account a result of the determination by the determination unit (520), wherein the transmitter / receiver unit (510) receives a control command from the disconnect device (100) depending on a vehicle driving situation, and wherein the determination unit (520) compares the reduction gear oil temperature with a preset reference temperature.when the control command of the separating device (100) is received, wherein the detection unit (520) determines a first state of the oil temperature of the reduction gear as a normal state if the oil temperature of the reduction gear exceeds the reference temperature, and the detection unit (520) determines the first state of the oil temperature of the reduction gear as an abnormal state if the oil temperature of the reduction gear is equal to or lower than the reference temperature, and wherein the detection unit (520) compares the oil temperature of the reduction gear with the temperature of the outside air of the vehicle if it is determined that the first state of the oil temperature of the reduction gear is an abnormal state.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA The present invention relates to a control unit for a vehicle separator device and a method for controlling a vehicle separator device based on a temperature. BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY In general, a separating device is a device used in an electric vehicle to minimize unnecessary power losses (drag torque) and improve fuel efficiency by engaging the teeth of the bushing with the teeth of the differential shaft, depending on the vehicle's driving situation, to convert a driving mode into four-wheel drive (4WD) by force connection, or by separating the teeth of the bushing from the teeth of the differential shaft and converting the driving mode into two-wheel drive (2WD). A vehicle control unit (VCU) of the vehicle drives one electric motor of the separator device and one drive electric motor of a front wheel reduction gear connected to a differential assembly, according to the driving condition of the vehicle. The electric motor of the separating device is combined with a ball screw. The electric motor can engage or disengage the locking mechanism with the differential shaft by moving a fork and a bushing coupled to the ball screw, which converts a rotary motion into a linear motion. This allows the vehicle to be driven in four-wheel drive (4WD) or two-wheel drive (2WD) mode. On the other hand, in the case of the separating device that is fixed to the differential assembly, the response to control commands is delayed due to oil being cooled in the low-temperature or cryogenic ambient air of the vehicle, so that the locking or unlocking of the device is not smooth, leading to problems such as vehicle malfunctions and damage to components. DE 10 2005 039 383 A1 discloses a method for clutch control, in particular for parallel transmissions with wet clutches or wet dual clutches. The clutch control method for wet clutches comprises the following steps: determining whether the viscosity of the clutch fluid exceeds a predetermined threshold; if the determined viscosity exceeds the predetermined threshold; adjusting the clutch / transmission control with respect to normal operation, such that additional clutch energy is transferred to the clutch fluid and the clutch fluid is heated by the additional energy; and checking whether the viscosity of the clutch fluid exceeds the threshold during the modified clutch control operation and, if it falls below the threshold, reverting to normal operation. EP 2 733 003 A2 reveals a vehicle with switchable four-wheel drive. EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is based on the objective of providing a control unit for a vehicle separator device that detects a temperature state of the outside air of a vehicle and an oil temperature state, and adjusts an oil temperature by driving the reduction gear based on the detected temperature states in order to enable a differential shaft and a bushing of the separator device to be easily fixed in a low-temperature or cryogenic state, as well as a control method of a vehicle separator device based on a temperature. To solve this problem, an embodiment of the present invention provides a control unit for a vehicle isolator device, wherein the control unit comprises: a transmitter / receiver unit for receiving vehicle interior and exterior information, including the temperature of the vehicle's ambient air and the oil temperature of a reduction gear; a determination unit for determining whether it is possible to control the vehicle isolator device based on the vehicle's ambient air temperature and the reduction gear oil temperature; and a control unit for controlling the isolator device taking into account a result of the determination by the determination unit, wherein the transmitter / receiver unit receives a control command from the (e.g.,for the) separator device depending on a vehicle driving situation, wherein the detection unit compares the oil temperature of the reduction gear with a preset reference temperature when the control command of the separator device is received, wherein the detection unit determines a first state of the oil temperature of the reduction gear as a normal state if the oil temperature of the reduction gear exceeds the reference temperature, and the detection unit determines the first state of the oil temperature of the reduction gear as an abnormal state if the oil temperature of the reduction gear is equal to or lower than the reference temperature, wherein the detection unit compares the oil temperature of the reduction gear with the temperature of the outside air of the vehicle if it is determined that the first state of the oil temperature of the reduction gear is an abnormal state. If the oil temperature of the reduction gear exceeds the temperature of the vehicle's outside air, the detection unit can determine the second state of the reduction gear oil temperature as a normal state, and if the oil temperature of the reduction gear is equal to or lower than the temperature of the vehicle's outside air, the detection unit can determine that the second state of the reduction gear oil temperature is an abnormal state. If the first or second state of the oil temperature of the reduction gear is abnormal, the control unit can drive the reduction gear to adjust the oil temperature of the reduction gear. If the first or second state of the oil temperature of the reduction gear is the normal state, the control unit can drive the separator device to perform a fixing or fixing release operation. To solve this problem, a further embodiment of the present invention provides a control method for a vehicle separator device (e.g., for a vehicle) based on a temperature, wherein the control method comprises: a reception process for receiving (e.g., for receiving) vehicle interior and exterior information, including a control command from a separator device, the oil temperature of a reduction gear, and the temperature of the vehicle's ambient air; a first state determination process for determining (e.g., for determining) a first state of the oil temperature of the reduction gear by comparing the oil temperature of the reduction gear with a preset reference temperature when the control command of the separator device is received; and a separator device control process for controlling (e.g.,(for controlling) the separator device according to the control command of the separator device, when a first state of the oil temperature of the reduction gear is a normal state, wherein the first state determination operation includes determining the first state of the oil temperature of the reduction gear as an abnormal state when the oil temperature of the reduction gear is equal to or lower than the reference temperature, and determining the first state of the oil temperature of the reduction gear as a normal state when the oil temperature of the reduction gear exceeds the reference temperature, and wherein the control procedure further includes: a reduction gear control operation for controlling the reduction gear in order to adjust the oil temperature of the reduction gear when the first state of the oil temperature of the reduction gear is the abnormal state., and a second state determination process to determine a second state of the oil temperature of the reduction gear by comparing the oil temperature of the reduction gear with the temperature of the outside air of the vehicle after the reduction gear control process. The second condition determination process may include determining a second state of the reduction gear oil temperature as an abnormal state if the reduction gear oil temperature is equal to or lower than the reference temperature, and determining the second state of the reduction gear oil temperature as a normal state if the reduction gear oil temperature exceeds the reference temperature. The separator device control process can include controlling the separator device according to the separator device control command when the second state of the oil temperature of the reduction gear is the normal state. According to the control unit for the vehicle separator device and the control method of the vehicle separator device based on temperature according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, one effect is that a differential shaft and a bushing of the separator device can be easily fixed in a low-temperature or cryogenic state by detecting a temperature state of the outside air of a vehicle and an oil temperature state and by adjusting an oil temperature by heat which is generated according to a drive of a reduction gear by driving the reduction gear on the basis of the detected temperature states. There is an effect of maintaining performance and maximizing the lifespan of the separator device. There is an effect of ensuring the performance and fuel efficiency of the separator device by precisely fixing the separator device in an optimal temperature condition. There is an effect of preventing in advance the occurrence of a self-disconnecting defect in the separator device. The foregoing explanation is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be restrictive in any way. In addition to the illustrative aspects, exemplary embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, exemplary embodiments, and features will become clear by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a separating device. Fig. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a gear engagement process between a differential shaft and a bushing of the separating device. Fig. 3 is a diagram explaining a locking-impossible effect of the separating device of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a view showing a change in stroke according to a locking-release process of the separating device of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a block diagram of a control unit for the vehicle separating device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6 is a flowchart of a temperature-based control method for a vehicle separating device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is understandable that the accompanying drawings are not necessarily to scale and represent a somewhat simplified depiction of various features that illustrate the basic principles of the invention. The specific design features of the present invention, as disclosed herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, positions, and shapes, are partly determined by the intended application and operating environment. In the figures, the reference numerals refer to the same or equivalent parts of the present invention in the different figures of the drawing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should first be noted that when specifying reference numerals for elements in each drawing, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements, even if the same elements are depicted in different drawings. It is understood that, although the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described below, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and the present invention can be modified and adapted in various ways by those skilled in the art. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a separator device, and Fig. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a gear engagement process between a differential shaft and a bushing of the separator device. Referring to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, a separating device 100 is connected to a differential assembly 200. A differential gear set is mounted in a differential housing 201 of the differential assembly 200. The differential gear set comprises two side gears 202 and two pinions 203, which mesh with the two side gears 202. The separating device 100 is connected to the differential assembly 200. The differential assembly 200 comprises the differential housing 201, the two side gears 202 provided inside the differential housing 201, and a differential shaft 204 connected to either of the two side gears 202. The separating device 100 comprises an electric motor 101 for generating power, a ball screw 102 connected to the electric motor 101, a nut 103 movable at one end along the ball screw 102, and a fork 105 connected at the other end to the bushing 104.The fork 105 can move the bushing 104 in the direction of the differential shaft 204, so that the bushing 104 engages with the differential shaft 204, thus achieving four-wheel drive (4WD), and the bushing 104 can move in a direction opposite to the differential shaft 204 to disengage the bushing 104 from the differential shaft 204 and achieve two-wheel drive (2WD). In the case of the separator device 100, the response to control commands is delayed due to the cooling of an oil in the low-temperature or cryogenic area outside the vehicle, so that the locking or unlocking of the clamp is not smooth, leading to problems such as vehicle malfunctions and damage to components, and a method for solving the above problem is described below. Fig. 3 is a diagram to illustrate a fixing-impossible effect of the separating device of Fig. 1 . Referring to Fig. 3, it can be seen that the stroke Stk at room temperature (approximately 25 degrees or more) according to the fixing process of the separating device 100 is higher than the stroke Stk at low temperature (approximately 25 degrees or less). Furthermore, it can be seen that the room temperature current and the low-temperature current flowing through the electric motor 101 are different. Therefore, if the outside air temperature of the vehicle is low, the stroke of the separating device 100 is weak, and consequently a situation may arise in which a complete fixing process is not carried out. Fig. 4 is a view showing a change in stroke according to a fixing release process of the separator device of Fig. 1. Referring to Fig. 4, it can be seen that the stroke Stk at room temperature (approx. 25 degrees or more) according to the fixing solution process of the separating device 100 is lower than the stroke Stk at low temperature (approx. 25 degrees or less). Furthermore, it can be seen that the room temperature current and the low-temperature current flowing through the electric motor 101 are different. As described above, if the vehicle's outside air temperature is low, a situation may arise in which the low-temperature stroke required for the fixing release process of the separator device 100 must be greater than the normal-temperature stroke. The following describes a method for holding the hub Stk close to the hub Stk for the fixing or fixing release process of the separator device 100 in the vehicle's outside air condition at room temperature, when the vehicle's outside air condition has a low temperature. Fig. 5 is a block diagram of a control unit for the vehicle separator device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 5, a control unit 500 for a vehicle separator device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention controls the operation of the separator device 100 taking into account the vehicle's outside air condition and oil temperature and includes a transmitter / receiver unit 510, a detection unit 520 and a control unit 530. The 510 transceiver unit can receive information both internal and external to the vehicle. This information can include ambient air temperature, oil temperature of the reduction gear, control commands for the disconnect device, and similar data. Ambient air temperature can be acquired via a separate temperature sensor. Oil temperature of the reduction gear can be acquired via a separate oil temperature measuring device. The control command for the disconnect device can be generated according to the vehicle's driving condition. When a control command from the separating device is received, the detection unit 520 can determine whether it is possible to control the separating device, taking into account the ambient air temperature of the vehicle and the oil temperature of the reduction gear. In the exemplary embodiment, the detection unit 520 can first determine whether the oil temperature of the reduction gear exceeds a preset reference temperature. The reference temperature can be defined according to the vehicle specifications and can be set to approximately 25 degrees. If the oil temperature of the reduction gear exceeds the reference temperature, the detection unit 520 can determine an initial oil temperature state of the reduction gear as a room temperature state required for controlling the separating device 100. The reduction gear (not shown) and the separating device 100 can be housed in an integrated casing (not shown), so their oil temperatures can be similar. That is, the detection unit 520 can determine the stroke required to lock or unlock the separating device 100 as normal. If the oil temperature of the reduction gear is equal to or lower than the reference temperature, the detection unit 520 can identify the initial oil temperature state of the reduction gear, required to control the separating device 100, as an abnormal condition. That is, the detection unit 520 can identify the stroke required to lock or unlock the separating device 100 as an abnormal condition. In this case, the oil temperature can be changed by controlling the reduction gear of the control unit 530. Meanwhile, if the oil temperature of the reduction gear is equal to or lower than the reference temperature, the detection unit 520 can compare the oil temperature, which is continuously changed according to the control of the reduction gear by the control unit 530, with the ambient air temperature of the vehicle. If the oil temperature exceeds the ambient air temperature of the vehicle, the detection unit 520 can determine a second oil temperature state as a normal state. If the oil temperature is equal to or lower than the ambient air temperature of the vehicle, the detection unit 520 can determine a second oil temperature state as an abnormal state. The control unit 530 can determine whether the separating device 100 is to be controlled, taking into account the determination result of the determination unit 520. If it is determined that the first or second state of the oil temperature of the reduction gear is the normal state, the control unit 530 can control the separating device 100 to perform a locking or unlocking operation according to the control command. If it is determined that the first or second oil temperature state of the reduction gear is abnormal, the control unit 530 can control the reduction gear without controlling the separating device 100. In this case, mechanical heat is generated according to the operation of the reduction gear, and the oil temperature may rise due to machine heat. Subsequently, when the first or second oil temperature state returns to normal, the control unit 530 can control the separating device 100. Fig. 6 is a flowchart of a control method for a vehicle separator device based on temperature according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the control method of the vehicle separator device based on temperature according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention for controlling the operation of the separator device 100, taking into account an outside air condition of the vehicle and an oil temperature, can comprise a receiving process S610, a temperature measuring process S620, a first state determination process S630, a reduction gear control process S640, a second state determination process S650 and a separator device control process S660. In the S610 reception process, the 510 transceiver unit can receive a control command from the isolating device. The control command for the isolating device can be generated depending on the vehicle's driving state. In the S620 temperature measurement process, the 510 transceiver unit can receive the ambient air temperature information for the vehicle and the oil temperature information for the reduction gear. The ambient air temperature information for the vehicle can be acquired by a separate temperature sensor device. The oil temperature information for the reduction gear can be acquired via a separate oil temperature measuring device. In the first state determination process S630, when the control command from the separator device is received, the determination unit 520 can compare the oil temperature of the reduction gear with a preset reference temperature. The reference temperature can be defined according to the vehicle specifications and can be set to approximately 25 degrees. If the oil temperature of the reduction gear exceeds the reference temperature, the determination unit 520 can determine an initial oil temperature state of the reduction gear, which is required to control the separator device 100, as a room temperature state. Here, the reduction gear (not shown) and the separator device 100 can be provided in an integrated housing (not shown) so that their oil temperatures can be similar.This means that the investigation unit 520 can determine the stroke required to fix or release the fixing of the separator device 100 as normal. If the oil temperature of the reduction gear is equal to or lower than the reference temperature, the detection unit 520 can identify the initial oil temperature state of the reduction gear, required to control the separating device 100, as abnormal. That is, the detection unit 520 can identify a stroke required to lock or unlock the separating device 100 as abnormal. In this case, the oil temperature can be changed by controlling the reduction gear via the control unit 530. If, during the reduction gear control process S640, it is determined that the initial oil temperature reading of the reduction gear is abnormal, the control unit 530 can control the reduction gear without controlling the separator device 100. In this case, mechanical heat is generated by the operation of the reduction gear, and the oil temperature may rise due to the machine heat. In the second condition determination process S650, the determination unit 520 can compare the oil temperature, which is continuously changed according to the control of the reduction gear by the control unit 530, with the vehicle's ambient air temperature. If the oil temperature exceeds the vehicle's ambient air temperature, the determination unit 520 can determine a second oil temperature state as a normal state. If the oil temperature is equal to or lower than the vehicle's ambient air temperature, the determination unit 520 can determine a second oil temperature state as an abnormal state. If the control unit 530 determines in the separator device control operation S660 that the first state or the second state of the oil temperature of the reduction gear in the first state determination operation S630 or the second state determination operation S650 is the normal state, the control unit 530 can control the separator device 100 to perform a fixing or fixing release operation according to the control command of the separator device. The temperature-based control method of the vehicle separator device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention can prevent in advance a situation in which the separator device 100 cannot be fixed due to a lack of stroke according to the low-temperature outside air condition of the vehicle by carrying out the above-mentioned operations. The processes and / or operations according to the present invention can be carried out in different sequences or in parallel or simultaneously in different exemplary embodiments for different eras and the like, as is understandable to the person skilled in the art. Depending on the embodiment, some or all of the operations and / or processes can be implemented or performed using instructions stored in one or more non-temporary, machine-readable media, a program, an interactive data structure, and one or more processors that control a client and / or a server. One or more non-temporary, machine-readable media include, for example, software, firmware, hardware, and / or any combination thereof. Furthermore, the function of the "module" discussed in this specification can be implemented by software, firmware, hardware, and / or any combination thereof.

Claims

A control unit (500) for a vehicle disconnect device (100), the control unit (500) comprising: a transmitter / receiver unit (510) for receiving vehicle interior and exterior information, including the temperature of the vehicle's outside air and the oil temperature of a reduction gear; a determination unit (520) for determining whether it is possible to control the vehicle disconnect device (100) based on the vehicle's outside air temperature and the reduction gear oil temperature; and a control unit (530) for controlling the disconnect device (100) taking into account a result of the determination by the determination unit (520), wherein the transmitter / receiver unit (510) receives a control command from the disconnect device (100) depending on a vehicle driving situation, and wherein the determination unit (520) compares the reduction gear oil temperature with a preset reference temperature.when the control command of the separating device (100) is received, wherein the detection unit (520) determines a first state of the oil temperature of the reduction gear as a normal state if the oil temperature of the reduction gear exceeds the reference temperature, and the detection unit (520) determines the first state of the oil temperature of the reduction gear as an abnormal state if the oil temperature of the reduction gear is equal to or lower than the reference temperature, and wherein the detection unit (520) compares the oil temperature of the reduction gear with the temperature of the outside air of the vehicle if it is determined that the first state of the oil temperature of the reduction gear is an abnormal state. The control unit (500) according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit (520) determines a second state of the oil temperature of the reduction gear as a normal state when the oil temperature of the reduction gear exceeds the temperature of the outside air of the vehicle, and the detection unit (520) determines that the second state of the oil temperature of the reduction gear is an abnormal state when the oil temperature of the reduction gear is equal to or lower than the temperature of the outside air of the vehicle. The control unit (500) according to claim 2, wherein the control unit (530) drives the reduction gear to adjust the oil temperature of the reduction gear when the first state or the second state of the oil temperature of the reduction gear is the abnormal state. The control unit (500) according to claim 3, wherein the control unit (530) controls the separating device (100) to perform a fixing or fixing release operation when the first state or the second state of the oil temperature of the reduction gear is in the normal state. A method for controlling a vehicle separator device (100) based on a temperature, wherein the control method comprises: a receive operation (S610) of receiving vehicle interior and exterior information including a control command of the separator device (100), an oil temperature of a reduction gear, and an outside air temperature of the vehicle; a first state determination operation (S630) of determining a first state of the oil temperature of the reduction gear by comparing the oil temperature of the reduction gear with a preset reference temperature when the control command of the separator device (100) is received; and a separator device control operation (S660) of controlling the separator device (100) according to the control command of the separator device (100) when a first state of the oil temperature of the reduction gear is a normal state.wherein the first state determination operation (S630) comprises determining the first state of the reduction gear oil temperature as an abnormal state if the reduction gear oil temperature is equal to or lower than the reference temperature, and determining the first state of the reduction gear oil temperature as a normal state if the reduction gear oil temperature exceeds the reference temperature, and wherein the control procedure further comprises: a reduction gear control operation (S640) for controlling the reduction gear to adjust the reduction gear oil temperature when the first state of the reduction gear oil temperature is the abnormal state, and a second state determination operation (S650) for determining a second state of the reduction gear oil temperature by comparing the reduction gear oil temperature with the temperature of the vehicle's outside air after the reduction gear control operation (S640). The control method according to claim 5, wherein the second state determination process (S650) comprises determining a second state of the oil temperature of the reduction gear as an abnormal state if the oil temperature of the reduction gear is equal to or lower than the reference temperature, and determining the second state of the oil temperature of the reduction gear as a normal state if the oil temperature of the reduction gear exceeds the reference temperature. Control method according to claim 6, wherein the separator device control process (S660) comprises controlling the separator device (100) according to the control command of the separator device (100) when the second state of the oil temperature of the reduction gear is the normal state.

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