MOTOR VEHICLE INCLUDING A MEANS FOR MONITORING THE STATUS OF FLAPS OF A COOLING SYSTEM, METHOD AND PROGRAM BASED ON SUCH A VEHICLE

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a powertrain (G) and a cooling system including a ventilation means and movable flaps (V) for ventilating the powertrain (G), and at least one flap actuator (A). The motor vehicle further comprises: - a means for detecting whether the powertrain requires cooling or does not; - a means for controlling the opening / closing of the flaps (V); - at least one controller (C) that evaluates whether it receives the flap (V) status information within a predetermined time after a flap (V) opening / closing command, and if so, determines a corresponding normal operation of the flap (V) actuation, or if not, determines a corresponding failure of the flap (V) actuation. The invention also relates to a method and a program based on such a vehicle. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING A MEANS FOR MONITORING THE STATUS OF FLAPS A COOLING SYSTEM, METHOD AND PROGRAM BASED ON SUCH A VEHICLE

[0001] The invention relates to the field of monitoring the proper functioning of the actuation of flaps of a cooling system of a powertrain of a motor vehicle.

[0002] On the applicant's vehicles, the actuation of such flaps is controlled by a controller called the "powertrain supervisor", by activating an actuator to open or close the flaps. The actuator then sends back a signal to the supervisor to inform it of the state of the flaps, namely: - a fully closed state; - a partially open state; or - an open state.

[0003] Unfortunately, no functional mechanism has been implemented when the operation of the shutters does not comply or no longer complies with the supervisor's instruction.

[0004] Patent application KR20140026788 describes a cooling flap positioning sensor and controller, as well as another MCU controller, for detecting the flap position using an average of the current values ​​flowing through the motor over a predetermined time period. A sensor based on the motor current is prone to errors if the flaps are blocked by an external object.

[0005] An objective of the present invention is to remedy the defects of the prior art, and in particular to propose a reliable verification solution for the actuation of cooling flaps in accordance with an opening or closing command.

[0006] To achieve this objective, the invention proposes a motor vehicle comprising a powertrain and a cooling system including a ventilation means and movable flaps allowing ventilation of the powertrain, and at least one flap actuator, the motor vehicle further comprising: - a means for detecting a need for cooling or a lack of need for cooling of the powertrain; - a means of controlling the opening of the shutters, partial opening of the shutters or closing of the shutters, connected to said actuator; - at least one controller connected to the detection means, the control means, and the actuator audit to receive status information from the shutters, characterized in that the controller evaluates whether it receives the status information of the shutters within a predetermined time after a command to open the shutters, partially open the shutters or close the shutters, and if so determines a corresponding normal operation of the shutter actuation, or if not determines a corresponding failure of the shutter actuation.

[0007] Advantageously, the invention proposes to create a control function for the feedback of the flap actuation state, to ensure that it is in accordance with the opening or closing instruction sent by the controller (powertrain supervisor), and in particular, if this is not the case, the function implements a reconfiguration of the powertrain to compensate for the failure to follow the instruction of the powertrain supervisor.

[0008] Preferably, the controller evaluates whether it receives the shutter closure status information within a predetermined first delay after a shutter closure command, or a partial opening command of less than 50% of the shutters, and if so, determines a corresponding normal operation of the shutter actuation, or if not, determines a corresponding failure of the shutter actuation.

[0009] This allows for the detection of problems with the closing or partial closing of shutters.

[0010] Preferably, the first delay is between 400 and 600 ms, and is preferably 500 ms.

[0011] This allows a delay corresponding to the actuation following a closing command to be proposed.

[0012] Preferably, the controller evaluates whether it receives the open status information of the flaps within a second predetermined time after a command to open the flaps, or a command to partially open 50% or more of the flaps, and if so, determines a corresponding normal operation of the flap actuation, or if not, determines a corresponding failure of the flap actuation.

[0013] This allows for the detection of problems with the opening or partial opening of the shutters.

[0014] Preferably, the second delay is between 400 and 600 ms, and is preferably 500 ms.

[0015] This allows a delay corresponding to the actuation following an opening command to be proposed.

[0016] According to one variant, the cooling system further comprises an electric machine powered by a battery coupled to an on-board charger, wherein the cooling system further comprises at least one pump operating a cooling circuit cooling the electric machine and / or the battery and / or the on-board charger, said pump being controllable by the controller, and in the event of an opening failure or a partial opening failure of 50% or more, the controller activates said pump to the maximum of its potential use.

[0017] This allows for a reconfiguration of the cooling system in case of a problem opening the flaps.

[0018] The invention further relates to a method for controlling a motor vehicle according to the invention, comprising the following steps: - a detection stage in which a need for cooling or a lack of need for cooling of the powertrain is detected; - a step to control the opening of the shutters, the partial opening of the shutters or the closing of the shutters; - a shutter verification step in which the condition of the shutters is checked within a predetermined time after a command to open the shutters, partially open the shutters or close the shutters; - a state determination step in which, if affirmative in the verification step, a corresponding normal operation of the flap actuation is determined, or if negative, a corresponding failure of the flap actuation is determined.

[0019] Preferably, in the shutter verification step, the state of the shutters is checked within a first predetermined time after a shutter closure command, or a partial opening command of less than 50% of the shutters.

[0020] Preferably, in the shutter verification step, the state of the shutters is checked in a second predetermined time after a command to open the shutters, or a command to partially open 50% or more of the shutters.

[0021] Another object of the invention relates to a computer program comprising program code instructions for executing the steps of the control method according to the invention, when said program is running on a computer.

[0022] The invention will be further detailed by the description of non-limiting embodiments, and on the basis of [Fig.1] which schematically illustrates a powertrain architecture suitable for implementing the invention.

[0023] The object of the invention is to control the state feedback of the flaps V of a cooling system (called "MEAP"), to ensure that they function correctly and that their open and closed state corresponds to the expected of the supervisor C of the powertrain G. In case of failure, a reconfiguration is put in place by the function to ensure the cooling of the components of the powertrain G.

[0024] This control will make it possible to diagnose a failure in the actuation of the V flaps and thus warn users of a malfunction when the flaps are faulty; and when the vehicle arrives for maintenance, the maintenance team will have a fault code directly indicating the flap actuation failure. The invention therefore saves time in identifying flap actuation failures.

[0025] A flap V called "MEAP" is a motorized flap, located on the cooling front of the vehicle and which allows, when necessary to cool one or more components of the powertrain G, to be opened to allow a greater quantity of air to pass through in order to increase heat exchange with the radiator, thus allowing the fluid in the vehicle's heat transfer circuit to be cooled more significantly.

[0026] When cooling is not required, the V flaps are closed to reduce the airflow to the radiator of the vehicle's cooling front; closing the V flaps also helps to improve the vehicle's penetration coefficient.

[0027] The flaps V are closed when the vehicle is switched off. The flaps remain closed as long as there is no need to cool any of the components of the powertrain G.

[0028] There are often four V-shaped flaps, two on either side of the radiator on the cooling front panel. Alternatively, there may be only one V-shaped flap per cooling front panel.

[0029] The flaps V are not intended to block all air from entering the radiator; they only open to allow more air to be sent to the radiator; and when they are closed, some air still enters the radiator, but the order of magnitude of the difference in the amount of air sent to the radiator is almost 40% greater when the flaps are open.

[0030] Regarding the invention, the new function consists of monitoring that the feedback from the actuator A of the flaps V conforms to the instruction sent by the powertrain supervisor C. In case of inconsistency, the supervisor C initiates a reconfiguration of the operation of the powertrain G.

[0031] Regarding the monitoring of the proper functioning of the actuation of the flaps V, when the supervisor C detects that there is no need to cool the components of the powertrain G, and in order to improve the vehicle's aerodynamic drag coefficient, the supervisor C sends a command to the actuators A of the flaps V to close or partially close.

[0032] The actuators A are intended to perform the operation of fully or partially closing the shutters V and to return the state of the shutters V once the closing operation is complete. The return of the state from actuator A to the supervisor C must be completed in less than a duration Tl, from the receipt of the instruction from the supervisor C.

[0033] Thus, if after a duration Tl, the supervisor C does not receive the information that the flaps V are closed or partially closed in accordance with the instruction that the supervisor C sent to the actuators A of the flaps V, the supervisor C determines that there is a failure in the actuation of the flaps V and the supervisor C initiates a first reconfiguration.

[0034] When the supervisor C detects a need to cool the components of the powertrain G, the supervisor C sends a command to the actuators A of the flaps V to open or partially open.

[0035] The actuators A are intended to perform the operation of fully or partially opening (i.e., opening to 50% or more) the flaps V and to return the state of the flaps V once the opening operation has been completed. The return of the state from actuator A to the supervisor C must be performed in less than a time T2.

[0036] Thus, if after a duration T2, the supervisor C does not receive the information that the flaps V are open or partially open in accordance with the instruction that the supervisor C sent to the actuators A of the flaps V, the supervisor C determines that there is a failure in the actuation of the flaps and the supervisor C initiates a second reconfiguration.

[0037] The durations T1 and T2 are calibrable during the function development process. The durations T1 and T2 can be calibrated independently of each other.

[0038] In some cases, the applicant performs a calibration of the times T1 and T2 at 500ms.

[0039] The actuation of the flaps V can send the following four states to the supervisor C: - either "closed"; - either "open"; - either "partially closed", that is to say open to less than 50%; - either "partially open", that is, open to 50% or more.

[0040] The instruction from supervisor C may be the same: - either "closed"; - either "open"; - either "partially closed", that is to say open to less than 50%; - either "partially open", that is, open to 50% or more.

[0041] Alternatively, the instruction may be a percentage of opening (or a percentage of closing), i.e. the supervisor may ask: - either an opening of the shutters V at 0% (which corresponds to the closed state of the shutters); - either an opening of the shutters V to a percentage between 10% and 90% (which corresponds to the partially open / closed state); - either a 100% opening of the shutters V (which corresponds to the open state of the shutters).

[0042] Regarding the reconfiguration mode, the first reconfiguration occurs when the supervisor C detects that the setpoint for the complete closure of the flaps V is not being met, because the feedback from the flap actuator A is "open" or "partially open" beyond time T1. The severity of the problem is not severe. The consequence is simply that the vehicle's penetration coefficient is not within the target range.

[0043] However, as the new Euro 7 standard requires that an alert be given to users when there is a degradation or a risk of degradation of the vehicle's energy consumption, the supervisor C thus initiates the first reconfiguration.

[0044] The C supervisor records a fault code in its read-only memory and in the BSI controller's read-only memory, indicating that the flap V actuation is faulty. Furthermore, the C supervisor of the powertrain G requests the activation of a service indicator light to alert users to a fault and the need for maintenance.

[0045] Regarding the second reconfiguration, it occurs when the supervisor detects that the setpoint for the full opening of the flaps V is not being met because the feedback status of the flap actuator V is "closed" or "partially open" beyond time T2. Alternatively, when the supervisor detects that the setpoint for the partial opening of the flaps is not being met because the feedback status of the flap actuator is "closed" beyond time T2, then there is a risk of not having optimal cooling potential for the vehicle's cooling front panel, so the supervisor C initiates the second reconfiguration, which consists of the supervisor C recording a fault code in its read-only memory and in the read-only memory of the BSI controller, to indicate that the actuation of the flaps V is faulty (this fault code may be the same as or different from the fault code of the first reconfiguration).

[0046] Supervisor C requests the activation of a service indicator so that users are alerted to a failure and the need to switch to the maintenance service.

[0047] The supervisor activates the water pump of the cooling circuit of the electric machine and the on-board charger / DCDC converter to the maximum level (100% of its activation potential), to compensate for the temperature difference of the heat transfer fluid in the circuit, by a maximum flow of the heat transfer fluid.

[0048] Furthermore, since the flaps V must be open and are indeed partially open or closed beyond time T2, this means that the cooling capacity of the heat transfer fluid in the radiator is not optimal; and therefore this means that the temperature of the heat transfer fluid is not at its lowest possible temperature under operating conditions. Thus, to compensate for a cooling defect on the cooling face of the heat transfer fluid, the Supervisor C seeks to compensate for this failure by increasing the flow rate of the heat transfer fluid in the heat transfer circuit by means of the water pump of the heat transfer circuit of the electric machine and the on-board charger / DCDC converter.

[0049] Alternatively, the water pump of the traction battery heat transfer circuit can also be operated at its 100% flow rate if it is the temperature of the traction battery that requires cooling.

[0050] Regarding the restoration of behavior after switching to reconfiguration mode, fault codes can only be cleared by the maintenance service, but if during the rest of the taxiing or on subsequent taxiings, the operation of the flaps V is again in accordance with the instruction of the supervisor C, then the fault code(s) will change from the state "permanent fault" to the state "transient fault".

[0051] In a "transient fault" state, the maintenance team is not supposed to change anything, but just perform a light check of the proper functioning of the V flaps.

[0052] If the fault goes into a "transient state", reconfigurations are inhibited until the problem is resolved.

[0053] This control will make it possible to diagnose a failure in the actuation of the V flaps and therefore warn users of a failure when the condition of the V flaps is faulty and when the vehicle arrives for maintenance, the maintenance team will have a fault code directly indicating the failure in the actuation of the V flaps.

[0054] The invention further relates to a method and a program implementing the elements described above. The program can be loaded into the memory of one or more controllers to implement the invention.

Claims

Demands

1. Motor vehicle comprising a powertrain (G) and a cooling system comprising a ventilation means and movable flaps (V) allowing ventilation of the powertrain (G), and at least one flap actuator (A), the motor vehicle further comprising: - a means for detecting a need for cooling or a lack of need for cooling of the powertrain (G); - a means for controlling the opening of the flaps (V), partial opening of the flaps (V) or closing of the flaps (V), connected to said actuator;- at least one controller (C) connected to the detection means, the control means, and the actuator (A) to receive flap status information, characterized in that the controller (C) evaluates whether it receives flap status information (V) within a predetermined time after a command to open the flaps (V), partially open the flaps (V), or close the flaps (V), and if so, determines a corresponding normal operation of the flap actuation (V), or if not, determines a corresponding failure of the flap actuation (V).

2. Motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the controller (C) evaluates whether it receives the flap closure status information (V) within a first predetermined time after a flap closure command (V), or a partial opening command of less than 50% of the flaps (V), and if so determines a corresponding normal operation of the flap actuation (V), or if not determines a corresponding failure of the flap actuation (V).

3. Motor vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that the first delay is between 400 and 600 ms, and is preferably 500 ms.

4. A motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the controller (C) evaluates whether it receives the open status information of the flaps (V) within a second predetermined time after a command to open the flaps (V), or a partial opening command of 50% or more of the flaps (V), and if so, determines a corresponding normal operation of the flap actuation (V), or if not, determines a corresponding failure of the flap actuation (V).

5. Motor vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that the second delay is between 400 and 600 ms, and is preferably 500 ms.

6. Motor vehicle according to any one of claims 4 to 5, further comprising an electric machine powered by a battery coupled to an on-board charger, wherein the cooling system further comprises at least one pump operating a cooling circuit cooling the electric machine and / or the battery and / or the on-board charger, said pump being controllable by the controller (C), characterized in that in the event of an opening failure or a partial opening failure of 50% or more, the controller (C) activates said pump to the maximum of its potential use.

7. A method for controlling a motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising the following steps: - a detection step in which a need for cooling or a lack of need for cooling of the powertrain (G) is detected; - a step of commanding the opening of the flaps (V), partial opening of the flaps (V) or closing of the flaps (V); - a flap verification step in which the state of the flaps (V) is checked within a predetermined time after a command to open the flaps (V), partial opening of the flaps (V) or closing of the flaps (V); - a state determination step in which, if the verification step is successful, a corresponding normal operation of the flap actuation (V) is determined, or if the failure is unsuccessful, a corresponding failure of the flap actuation (V) is determined.

8. A control method according to claim 7, characterized in that in the flap verification step, the condition of the flaps (V) is checked within a first predetermined time after a command to closing the shutters (V), or a partial opening command of less than 50% of the shutters (V).

9. A control method according to any one of claims 7 to 8, characterized in that in the flap verification step, the condition of the flaps (V) is checked in a second predetermined time after a command to open the flaps (V), or a command to partially open 50% or more of the flaps (V).

10. Computer program comprising program code instructions for carrying out the steps of the control process according to any one of claims 7 to 9, when said program is running on a computer.

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