Flooding detection device, flooding detection method, and flooding protection system

Abstract

To provide a device, method, and system for accurately determining device flooding.SOLUTION: The system has a mechanical load such as a fan 12. An overload detection unit 23 detects electrical overloads of a motor 11. A protection processing unit 27 limits the power supplied to the motor 11 when an overload of the motor 11 is detected. A temperature detector 19 detects a temperature Ts at a predetermined location that receives heat from the motor 11. A flooding determination unit 25 determines a flooded or non-flooded condition on the basis of the temperature Ts when an overload of the motor 11 is detected. The flooded state is stored in nonvolatile memory 26. At startup, the flooding history is acquired from the nonvolatile memory 26.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The disclosure herein relates to an apparatus for determining water ingress in an apparatus, a method for determining water ingress in an apparatus, and a system for implementing electrical protection against water ingress. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a radiator fan motor control device. The device detects that a part of the radiator fan is submerged in water. The device determines whether an inhibition condition exists in which a current value passed through the fan motor is equal to or greater than a preset value indicating that the rotation of the radiator fan is inhibited. The device executes inhibition response control to stop driving the fan motor while the inhibition condition exists. The contents of the prior art documents are incorporated by reference as explanations of the technical elements in this specification. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-30934 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The configuration of the prior art document detects that a part of the radiator fan is submerged in water by the current value passed through the fan motor. However, the same behavior occurs when the rotation of the radiator fan is hindered by a solid foreign object. There is a need to provide information that accurately indicates the submersion of the device. In the above respects, and in other respects not mentioned, there is a need for further improvements in the water submersion detection device and the water submersion protection device.

[0005] One disclosed objective is to provide a water-ingress determination device, a water-ingress determination method, and a water-ingress protection system that accurately determine water ingress of an apparatus. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The water-submersion determination device disclosed herein includes an overload detection unit (18, 21, 22, 23) that detects an electrical overload of a motor that drives a mechanical load, a temperature detection unit (19, 24) that detects the temperature of a predetermined position that receives heat from the motor, and a water-submersion determination unit (25) that, when an electrical overload of the motor is detected by the overload detection unit, determines whether the temperature detection unit is in a water-submerged state or not based on a change in temperature detected by the temperature detection unit. a non-volatile memory (26) that stores the result of the flooding state determination by the flooding determination unit; and a history acquisition unit that acquires history information indicating the history of the flooding state from the non-volatile memory at the time of startup. It is equipped with.

[0007] According to the disclosed water-immersion detection device, an electrical overload of the motor is detected. Furthermore, the temperature of a predetermined position receiving heat from the motor is detected. When a motor overload is detected, the temperature at the predetermined position changes due to the heat of the motor in an overloaded state. When a motor overload is detected, the temperature at the predetermined position changes in a manner that is identifiable between a case in which the temperature detection unit is in a water-immersed state and a case in which the temperature detection unit is not in a water-immersed state. Therefore, when an electrical overload of the motor is detected by the overload detection unit, it is possible to determine whether the device is in a water-immersed state or not based on the change in temperature detected by the temperature detection unit. According to this water-immersion detection device, water-immersion of the device can be accurately determined.

[0008] The method for determining water immersion disclosed herein comprises the steps of: A method for determining water submersion executed by a computer, comprising: An electrical overload of a motor that drives a mechanical load is detected, and the temperature of a predetermined position that receives heat from the motor is detected. When an electrical overload of the motor is detected, it is determined whether the predetermined position is in a flooded state or not based on a change in the temperature of the predetermined position. The result of the determination of the flooding state is stored in a non-volatile memory (26), and when the computer is started, history information indicating the history of the flooding state is obtained from the non-volatile memory. do.

[0009] With this water-submersion determination method, when an electrical overload of the motor is detected, it is possible to determine whether the device is in a water-submerged state or not based on the temperature transition at a predetermined position. This water-submersion detection method makes it possible to accurately determine whether the device is in a water-submerged state or not.

[0010] The water ingress protection system disclosed herein includes an overload detection unit (18, 21, 22, 23) that detects an electrical overload of a motor that drives a fan of a vehicle, a temperature detection unit (19, 24) that detects the temperature of a predetermined position that receives heat from the motor, a water ingress determination unit (25) that determines whether the temperature detection unit is in a water ingress state or not based on a change in temperature detected by the temperature detection unit when an electrical overload of the motor is detected by the overload detection unit, and a protection processing unit (20, 27, 56) that executes electrical protection processing to counter water ingress in the vehicle. a non-volatile memory (26) that stores the result of the flooding state determination by the flooding determination unit; and a history acquisition unit that acquires history information indicating the history of the flooding state from the non-volatile memory at the time of startup. It is equipped with.

[0011] This flood protection system can accurately determine a flooded state based on the behavior of the motor that drives the fan and can then perform electrical protection procedures to combat flooding in the vehicle without relying solely on a special sensor to detect the flooded state.

[0012] The various embodiments disclosed in this specification employ different technical means to achieve their respective objectives. The claims and the parenthetical symbols described in this section are merely illustrative of the corresponding relationship with the embodiments described below, and are not intended to limit the technical scope. The objectives, features, and effects disclosed in this specification will become more apparent by referring to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of an in-vehicle device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a motor controller. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view showing the position of a motor in a vehicle. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a front view showing the position of the motor in the height direction. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a waveform diagram showing water level, power and temperature waveforms. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart showing a process of a motor controller. [Figure 7] 4 is a flowchart showing a process of a motor controller. [Figure 8] 13 is a flowchart showing a process of an external controller. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] A number of embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In a number of embodiments, functionally and / or structurally corresponding and / or associated parts may be given the same reference numerals or reference numerals with different digits of 100 or more. For corresponding and / or associated parts, reference may be made to the description of other embodiments.

[0015] First embodiment In FIG. 1, the system 1 is mounted on an apparatus. The apparatus includes a movable mobile body and a stationary body that is immovable. The mobile body should be interpreted as including a vehicle that is intended to carry a human being and a mobile object that is not intended to carry a human being. The stationary body includes non-riding electrical equipment such as a water pump, a compressor, a washing machine, a refrigerator, and an air conditioner. The stationary body includes riding equipment such as an amusement machine, a simulation machine, and a training device. In the embodiment, the apparatus is a vehicle. The system 1 is also called an on-board device. Here, the term vehicle should be interpreted in a broad sense. The term vehicle should be interpreted as a term including a vehicle that moves on the ground, a ship that moves on or underwater, or an aircraft that moves on the ground and in the air.

[0016] The system 1 includes a motor system 10. The motor system 10 includes a motor 11 that is assumed to rotate in air as a main application. The motor 11 rotates by receiving a supply of electric power. In this embodiment, the motor 11 is a brushless motor. The motor 11 may be a brush motor or the like. In this embodiment, the motor 11 is a three-phase motor. The motor 11 is coupled to a mechanical load so as to drive the mechanical load. The mechanical load is a fan 12 that generates an air flow. The motor 11 drives the fan 12 to rotate. When the fan 12 rotates, it generates an air flow. The fan 12 blows air to a heat exchanger mounted on the vehicle. Thus, the motor 11 is a fan motor that rotates the fan 12.

[0017] Here, fan 12 is an example of a mechanical load driven by motor 11. Fan 12 rotates in air in a non-submerged state, which is a normal state of use. Fan 12 rotates at least partially in water in a submerged state, which is an abnormal state. As a result, the power required to rotate fan 12 is relatively small in a non-submerged state (in air), which is a normal state of use, and relatively large in a submerged state.

[0018] Thus, the fan 12 is an example of a load that requires a identifiable change in the power required to operate between a non-flooded state and a flooded state. Alternatively, the load can be provided by a variety of devices mounted on the vehicle. Alternatively, the load may be a wiper that wipes the vehicle's windows. Alternatively, the load may be a vehicle window that is movable by a motor. Alternatively, the load may be a rotating mechanism for a rotating light. It is preferable that the load is a device that is continuously operated by the motor 11, such as the fan 12 or a rotating light.

[0019] The motor system 10 includes a motor controller 13 (MT-C). The motor controller 13 is provided by an electric circuit. The electric circuit includes a circuit board and a plurality of circuit elements. A case of the motor controller 13 is mechanically connected to the motor 11. As a result, the inside of the case of the motor controller 13 provides a predetermined position that receives heat from the motor 11. In other words, the predetermined position is the inside of the electric circuit that is mechanically connected to the motor 11.

[0020] The motor system 10 has a protection processing unit for protecting the motor 11. The protection processing unit executes electrical protection processing against flooding in the vehicle. Here, the protection processing provides protection for the motor 11. The protection processing unit is provided, for example, by a circuit that provides processing to limit the power supplied to the motor 11 or to cut off the power supplied to the motor 11 and stop the motor.

[0021] The system 1 includes a low-voltage battery 30 (L-BATT). In a typical passenger vehicle, the low-voltage battery 30 is provided by a 12V lead-acid battery. The low-voltage battery 30 may be provided by a 24V lead-acid battery. The low-voltage battery 30 may be provided by a lithium-ion battery or a nickel-cadmium battery.

[0022] The system 1 includes an external controller 40 (VH-ECU). The external controller 40 is installed away from the motor system 10. The external controller 40 is a controller that controls a plurality of systems of equipment including the motor system 10. The external controller 40, together with the motor system 10, is supplied with power from a low-voltage battery 30. The external controller 40 and the motor system 10 constitute a low-voltage system in the vehicle. The external controller 40 is also called a vehicle controller.

[0023] The external controller 40 is connected to the motor controller 13 so as to be able to communicate data with it. The motor controller 13 and the external controller 40 are equipped with a two-way communication device. The communication device enables a signal indicating a flooded state to be transmitted from the motor controller 13 to the external controller 40. The communication device enables a command to be transmitted from the external controller 40 to the motor controller 13 to stop the motor 11 in order to protect the motor 11 and the fan 12. The external controller 40 provides a stop determination unit that determines whether or not to stop the motor 11 when a flooded state is determined by the flood determination unit and a flooded state is reported from the flood determination unit.

[0024] The system 1 provides a heat dissipation system that dissipates heat from a heat-generating device 50 of a vehicle by a fan 12. The system 1 includes a heat transport system 60 that transports heat from the heat-generating device 50. The heat from the heat-generating device 50 is transported by the heat transport system 60. The heat transport system 60 dissipates heat by the flow of air generated by the fan 12.

[0025] The heat-generating device 50 includes, for example, a power system in a vehicle. The heat-generating device 50 includes a high-voltage battery 51 (H-BATT), a high-voltage circuit 52 (INV) including an inverter, a motor 53, an internal combustion engine 54 (ICE), and a power transmission system 55 (DR-TR).

[0026] The heat transport system 60 exchanges heat with at least one of the high-voltage battery 51, the high-voltage circuit 52, the motor 53, the internal combustion engine 54, and the power transmission system 55, and adjusts the temperature thereof. The heat transport system 60 includes a first heat exchanger 61 that exchanges heat with the heat generating device 50. The first heat exchanger 61 adjusts the temperature of the high-voltage battery 51 by, for example, exchanging heat with the high-voltage battery 51. The heat transport system 60 includes a second heat exchanger 62 that exchanges heat with the air flow generated by the fan 12. The second heat exchanger 62 dissipates heat to, for example, the air flow generated by the fan 12. The heat transport system 60 can be provided by a circulation system that uses water or antifreeze as a heat transport medium. The heat transport system 60 may be provided by a vapor compression refrigeration cycle. The second heat exchanger 62 may also be called a radiator. In this case, the motor system 10 is also called a radiator fan system.

[0027] The high-voltage battery 51, the high-voltage circuit 52, and the motor 53 constitute a high-voltage system in the vehicle. The high-voltage system handles a higher voltage than the low-voltage system. The high-voltage system has a protection processing unit due to its high voltage. The protection processing unit executes electrical protection processing against flooding in the vehicle. Here, the protection processing provides protection for people and / or protection for the equipment itself. The protection processing unit is provided, for example, by a relay element 56 that cuts off the input / output path of the high-voltage battery 51.

[0028] Each of the motor controller 13 and the external controller 40 includes a control device. The control device in this specification may also be called an electronic control unit (ECU). The control device or control system is provided by (a) an algorithm as a plurality of logics called an if-then-else format, or (b) an algorithm as a trained model tuned by machine learning, for example, a neural network.

[0029] The control device is provided by a control system including at least one computer. The control system may include multiple computers linked by data communication devices. The computer includes at least one processor that is hardware (hardware processor). The hardware processor may be provided by: (i), (ii) or (iii) below.

[0030] (i) The hardware processor may be at least one processor core that executes a program stored in at least one memory. In this case, the computer is provided with at least one memory and at least one processor core. The processor core is called a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a RISC-CPU, etc. The memory is also called a storage medium. The memory is a non-transient and tangible storage medium that non-temporarily stores "programs and / or data" that can be read by the processor. The storage medium is provided by a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, or the like. The program may be distributed alone or as a storage medium on which the program is stored.

[0031] (ii) The hardware processor may be a hardware logic circuit. In this case, the computer is provided by a digital circuit including a large number of programmed logic units (gate circuits). The digital circuit is also called a logic circuit array, for example, ASIC: Application-Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, SoC: System on a Chip, PGA: Programmable Gate Array, CPLD: Complex Programmable Logic Device, etc. The digital circuit may include a memory that stores programs and / or data. The computer may be provided by an analog circuit. The computer may be provided by a combination of digital and analog circuits.

[0032] (iii) The hardware processor may be a combination of (i) and (ii) above. (i) and (ii) may be located on different chips or on a common chip. In these cases, the (ii) part may also be called an accelerator.

[0033] The processor included in the motor controller 13 may be provided by the above processor (ii). The processor included in the external controller 40 may be provided by the above processor (i).

[0034] 2, the motor controller 13 is electrically connected between the low-voltage battery 30 and the motor 11. The motor controller 13 is mechanically connected to the motor 11. The motor controller 13 is provided by a case and an electric circuit housed in the case. The electric circuit providing the motor controller 13 is mechanically and thermally connected to the motor 11.

[0035] The motor controller 13 includes an inverter circuit 14 that converts power from the low-voltage battery 30 and supplies it to the motor 11. The motor controller 13 includes a control integrated circuit 15 (C-IC). Hereinafter, the control integrated circuit 15 will be referred to as the control IC 15. The control IC 15 controls the inverter circuit 14 to control the rotation of the motor 11. For example, the control IC 15 controls the rotation speed of the motor 11 so as to adjust the amount of heat dissipation from the heat transport system 60. The motor controller 13 includes a diode element 16 that receives control power from the low-voltage battery 30, and an electrolytic capacitor element 17.

[0036] The motor controller 13 includes a motor current detector 18. The motor current detector 18 detects the motor current flowing through the motor 11. The motor current detector 18 includes a shunt resistor 18a for converting the motor current into a voltage and detecting it. The motor current detector 18 inputs the voltage drop across the shunt resistor 18a to the control IC 15 as the detected value of the motor current. The motor current detector 18 may input the magnetic flux in the vicinity of a conductive member 18b through which the motor current flows to the control IC 15 as the detected value of the motor current.

[0037] The control IC 15 includes a motor driver 20 (MDRV) that controls the inverter circuit 14. The motor driver 20 controls the inverter circuit 14 to supply power from the low-voltage battery 30 to the motor 11. The motor controller 13 is configured to adjust the magnitude of power supplied from the low-voltage battery 30 to the motor 11 by duty controlling the inverter circuit 14. The motor controller 13 is configured to be able to switch the power supply from the low-voltage battery 30 to the motor 11 between at least an on state and an off state. The off state is an example of a limited state in which the power supply is limited. The limited state includes a state in which the low-voltage battery 30 supplies a dark current to the motor 11 at a level that does not cause the motor 11 to rotate. The motor driver 20 and the inverter circuit 14 are configured as a power conversion circuit that converts the DC power of the low-voltage battery 30 into AC power for driving the motor 11.

[0038] The motor controller 13 is configured as a monitoring circuit that monitors the motor current flowing through the motor 11, preferably the motor power supplied to the motor 11. The motor controller 13 is configured as an overload determination circuit that evaluates the load state of the motor 11 based on at least the motor current, preferably the motor power, and distinguishes between a normal load state and an excessive load state. The motor controller 13 provides an overload determination unit that determines an electrical overload of the motor 11.

[0039] When the fan 12 rotates in the air, the motor current and motor power supplied to the motor 11 are in a normal load state. On the other hand, when the fan 12 rotates partly or entirely in water, the motor current and motor power supplied to the motor 11 are in an abnormal overload state. The water level at which the motor 11 is in an overload state is, for example, a water level at which more than half of the fan 12 is submerged.

[0040] The control IC 15 includes a motor power calculation unit 21 (PWRC). The motor power calculation unit 21 calculates the motor power P supplied to the motor 11. The motor driver 20 supplies the input voltage Vin to be supplied to the motor 11 to the motor power calculation unit 21. The motor current Im is input from the motor current detector 18 to the motor power calculation unit 21. The motor power calculation unit 21 calculates the power P supplied to the motor 11 based on the input voltage Vin and the motor current Im.

[0041] The control IC 15 includes a power threshold setting unit 22 (PthS). The motor driver 20 supplies the input voltage Vin to be supplied to the motor 11 to the power threshold setting unit 22. The motor driver 20 supplies the input voltage Vin to be supplied to the motor 11 to the power threshold setting unit 22. The power threshold setting unit 22 sets a power threshold Pth for determining whether the motor power P is at a high level indicating an overload state. The power threshold setting unit 22 sets the power threshold Pth so that the power threshold Pth changes according to the input voltage Vin. The power threshold Pth is set so that the power threshold Pth becomes higher when the input voltage Vin becomes relatively higher. This makes it possible to determine an overload state without erroneously determining that the input voltage Vin is lower than the normal voltage. Proportionally setting the threshold for determining an overload according to the input voltage is useful for avoiding erroneous determination when the supply voltage of the low-voltage battery 30 is lowered, for example.

[0042] The control IC 15 includes an overload detection unit 23 (OVLD). The overload detection unit 23 detects an overload state of the motor 11 based on a comparison between the motor power P and a power threshold Pth. The overload detection unit 23 may detect an overload state of the motor 11, for example, when a state in which the motor power P exceeds the power threshold Pth is observed and the state is continuously observed for a predetermined period of time. Furthermore, the motor power calculation unit 21, the power threshold setting unit 22, and an overload determination circuit provided by the overload detection unit 23 may be configured to determine an overload of the motor 11 when the motor current exceeds a threshold.

[0043] The motor driver 20 and the motor power calculation unit 21 provide a voltage acquisition unit that acquires the input voltage Vin to the motor 11. The motor driver 20 and the power threshold setting unit 22 provide a voltage acquisition unit that acquires the input voltage Vin to the motor 11. The motor current detector 18 and the motor power calculation unit 21 provide a current acquisition unit that acquires the current flowing through the motor 11. The motor power calculation unit 21 provides a power acquisition unit that acquires the input power P to the motor 11. The power threshold setting unit 22 provides a setting unit that sets the power threshold Pth so that the power threshold Pth changes according to the input power Vin. The overload detection unit 23 provides a comparison unit that detects an electrical overload of the motor 11 based on a comparison between the input power P and a predetermined power threshold Pth.

[0044] The motor controller 13 includes an internal temperature sensor. The temperature sensor is installed at a predetermined position inside the case of the motor controller 13. The predetermined position is a position that receives heat from the motor 11.

[0045] The motor controller 13 includes a temperature detector 19 as a temperature sensor. The temperature detector 19 detects the temperature of the motor controller 13. The temperature detector 19 is disposed at a predetermined position where it receives heat from the motor 11. The predetermined position is a position where it receives heat from components of the motor 11, such as a motor case, a stator, and a current path. The predetermined position is a position near a conductive member 18b through which a motor current flows in the motor 11. The predetermined position is inside an electric circuit that is mechanically and thermally connected to the motor 11. The temperature detector 19 includes a stabilized power supply 19a (VREG) configured inside the control IC 15, and voltage dividing resistors 19b and 19c. The voltage dividing resistors 19b and 19c have temperature characteristics. The temperature detector 19 inputs the voltage drop across the voltage dividing resistors 19b and 19c to the control IC 15 as a detected value of temperature.

[0046] The control IC 15 includes a temperature detection unit 24 (TEMP). The temperature detection unit 24 inputs a voltage indicating a temperature Ts at a predetermined position from the temperature detector 19. The temperature detector 19 and the temperature detection unit 24 provide a temperature acquisition unit that acquires the temperature Ts at a predetermined position that receives heat from the motor 11. The temperature detection unit 24 outputs the temperature Ts.

[0047] Here, the predetermined position where the temperature detector 19 is disposed is set as a position where a flooded state in which the motor controller 13 is flooded and a non-flooded state in which the motor controller 13 is not flooded can be distinguished. A flooded state refers to a state in which a large amount of water is steadily supplied, such as a submerged state. A flooded state is a concept that does not include a state in which rainwater adheres to the motor controller 13, a state in which splash water is applied, or a state in which splashes of waves adhere to the motor controller 13. A flooded state refers to a state in which the water level reaches the motor controller 13.

[0048] The predetermined position is set at a position where the amount of heat transfer from the motor 11 to the predetermined position is different so that it can be distinguished between a flooded state and a non-flooded state. For example, assume that the amount of heat transfer to air is smaller than the amount of heat transfer to water. In this case, it is possible to assume an amount of heat transfer Qiw from the motor 11 to the motor controller 13 in a flooded state, and an amount of heat transfer Qid from the motor 11 to the motor controller 13 in a non-flooded state. In this case, the amount of heat transfer Qiw is smaller than the amount of heat transfer Qid (Qiw <Qid)。

[0049] The predetermined position is set at a position where the amount of heat dissipation from the predetermined position to the outside is different so that it can be distinguished between a flooded state and a non-flooded state. For example, assume that the amount of heat dissipation to air is smaller than the amount of heat dissipation to water. In this case, it is possible to assume an amount of heat dissipation Qow from the motor controller 13 to the outside in a flooded state, and an amount of heat dissipation Qod from the motor 11 to the motor controller 13 in a non-flooded state. In this case, the amount of heat dissipation Qow is greater than the amount of heat dissipation Qod (Qow>Qod). Here, heat dissipation to the outside includes heat dissipation via a bracket for supporting and fixing the motor controller 13, and / or heat dissipation to the surrounding environment of the motor controller 13.

[0050] In this embodiment, the predetermined position is a position where both the heat transfer from the motor 11 to the predetermined position and the heat dissipation from the predetermined position to the outside are identifiably different between the flooded state and the non-flooded state. Alternatively, the predetermined position may be a position where both the heat transfer from the motor 11 to the predetermined position and the heat dissipation from the predetermined position to the outside are identifiably different between the flooded state and the non-flooded state.

[0051] The temperature at the predetermined position shows a predetermined transition due to the amount of heat transfer from the motor 11 to the predetermined position and / or the amount of heat dissipation from the predetermined position to the outside. For example, the temperature transition at the predetermined position strongly reflects the heat transfer from the motor 11 in an overloaded state. For example, the temperature transition at the predetermined position strongly reflects the heat dissipation to water in a flooded state. Therefore, by observing the transition of the temperature at the predetermined position when an overload of the motor 11 is determined, a flooded state and a non-flooded state are determined. For example, in an overloaded state, the amount of heat transfer from the motor 11 to the predetermined position is large due to excessive heat generated from the motor 11. When an overloaded state occurs in a non-flooded state, the temperature at the predetermined position may show an upward trend despite heat dissipation to the air. On the other hand, when an overloaded state occurs due to a flooded state, the temperature at the predetermined position may not rise due to heat dissipation to water. That is, in this case, the temperature at the predetermined position shows a downward trend. The characteristic for determining whether the temperature at the predetermined position remains within a predetermined range indicates a flooded state or a non-flooded state can be experimentally set. In this embodiment, the device is configured to determine that the temperature at the predetermined position remains within a predetermined range in an overload state.

[0052] The control IC 15 includes a water-submersion determination unit 25 (WTHD). When an electrical overload of the motor 11 is detected by the overload detection unit 23, the water-submersion determination unit 25 determines whether the temperature detector 19 is in a water-submerged state or a non-water-submerged state. Based on the transition of the temperature Ts detected by the temperature detection unit 24, the water-submersion determination unit 25 determines whether the temperature detector 19 is in a water-submerged state or a non-water-submerged state.

[0053] The transition of the temperature Ts may be indicated by the direction of change and / or the width of change of the temperature Ts in a predetermined period. The direction of change of the temperature Ts in a predetermined period is indicated by the slope of the temperature change. The slope is indicated by three types of slopes, for example, "increase (+)", "decrease (-)", and "maintain constant or within a predetermined range (=)". The transition of the temperature Ts is observed for a predetermined period that is set based on the time when an electrical overload of the motor 11 is detected. The transition of the temperature Ts is observed for a predetermined period before the time when the overload is detected. The transition of the temperature Ts is observed for a predetermined period after the time when the overload is detected. The transition of the temperature Ts is observed for a predetermined period including the time when the overload is detected.

[0054] The flooding determination unit 25 determines that the motor 11 is in a non-flooded state if the temperature at a predetermined position shows an increasing tendency when the motor 11 is in an electrically overloaded state. In this case, it is considered that the heat generated by the motor 11 increases due to the overload. As a result, it is considered that the temperature at the predetermined position that receives heat from the motor 11 also increases, even if heat is dissipated to the surrounding area.

[0055] On the other hand, when the temperature at the predetermined position shows a decreasing trend while the motor 11 is in an electrically overloaded state, the flooding determination unit 25 determines that the motor 11 is in a flooded state. In this case, too, it is considered that the heat generated by the motor 11 increases due to the overload. However, it is considered that the temperature at the predetermined position that receives the heat from the motor 11 does not increase due to heat dissipation into the water. In typical cases, the temperature at the predetermined position decreases. In this embodiment, the predetermined position is set to a water level where half of the fan 12 is submerged.

[0056] Furthermore, when the temperature at a predetermined position is constant or maintained within a predetermined range in an electrical overload state of the motor 11, the flooding determination unit 25 determines that the motor 11 is in a flooded state or a non-flooded state. This determination characteristic is set according to the predetermined position where the temperature detector 19 is installed. For example, when the temperature at a predetermined position is constant or maintained within a predetermined range in a flooded state in an overload state, the flooding determination unit 25 is set to determine that the motor 11 is in a flooded state. Conversely, when the temperature at a predetermined position is constant or maintained within a predetermined range in a non-flooded state in an overload state, the flooding determination unit 25 is set to determine that the motor 11 is in a non-flooded state. The flooding determination unit 25 outputs an electrical signal indicating at least a flooded state.

[0057] The flood determining unit 25 outputs information indicating that the device is in a flooded state to a non-volatile memory 26, a protection processing unit 27, and a communication device 28, which will be described later.

[0058] The control IC 15 includes a non-volatile memory 26 (NVMM). The non-volatile memory 26 stores the result of the flooding determination by the flooding determination unit 25. The storage process is also called a recording process or a storage process. The non-volatile memory 26 may store that flooding has not been determined. The non-volatile memory 26 retains the stored memory contents even when the power supply to the control IC 15 is cut off. When the power supply to the control IC 15 is restored, the non-volatile memory 26 reproduces the stored information before the power cut off. As the non-volatile memory 26, various memory elements such as a battery-backed random access memory (RAM) and an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) can be used. The data stored in the non-volatile memory 26 can be erased by a reset operation by the vehicle manager or a serviceman. For example, the manager or serviceman resets the non-volatile memory 26 and erases the stored contents after confirming that there is no malfunction associated with flooding or that the malfunction has been resolved by repair.

[0059] The control IC 15 includes a protection processing unit 27 (PRTC). When an overload of the motor 11 is detected, the protection processing unit 27 provides a protection process for protecting the motor 11 and the fan 12. The protection process includes a limiting process for limiting at least the power supplied to the motor 11 so as to reduce the overload state. Furthermore, the protection process includes a stop process for cutting off the power supplied to the motor 11 and stopping the motor 11. In this embodiment, whether or not to protect the motor 11 and the fan 12 is determined by a stop determination unit 42 described later. When an overload is detected by the overload detection unit 23, the protection processing unit 27 limits the supply of power to the motor 11 by the motor driver 20. At this time, the overload detection unit 23 and the motor driver 20 provide a limiting unit. The limiting unit limits the supply of power to the motor 11 to protect the motor 11 and the fan 12. Furthermore, when the stop of the motor 11 is determined by the stop determination unit 42 described later, the protection processing unit 27 controls the motor driver 20 to stop the motor 11. For example, the protection processing unit 27 controls the motor driver 20 to cut off the power supplied to the motor 11.

[0060] Furthermore, the protection processing unit 27 serves as a history acquisition unit. When the motor controller 13 is started up, the protection processing unit 27 acquires history information indicating the history of flooding from the non-volatile memory 26. The history information indicates that a flooding state was detected when the motor 11 was rotated in the past. Furthermore, the history state indicates that a reset operation for erasing the contents stored in the non-volatile memory 26 has not been performed. This means that there is a high possibility that traces of flooding remain in the motor 11 after the past flooding state.

[0061] The control IC 15 includes a communication device 28 (COM). The communication device 28 is used to send a signal indicating a rotation instruction to rotate the motor 11 from the external controller 40 to the motor controller 13. The communication device 28 is used to send a signal indicating a flooded state from the motor controller 13 to the external controller 40. The flooded state may be notified by the disappearance of a signal indicating a non-flooded state. As a result, the communication device 28 provides a communication device that transmits a signal indicating a flooded state from the flooding determination unit 25 to a stop determination unit 42 (described later) provided in the external controller 40. The communication device 28 receives a signal from the external controller 40. The communication device 28 is used to send a signal indicating a stop instruction to stop the motor 11 from the external controller 40 to the motor controller 13. The communication device 28 can be provided by a wired communication device or a wireless communication device. The communication device 28 is also called a transceiver.

[0062] The control IC 15 includes a history acquisition unit 29 (HRM). The history acquisition unit 29 acquires history information indicating a history of flooding from the non-volatile memory 26. The history acquisition unit 29 acquires the history information at startup. The history information includes a signal indicating a flooded state. The history information at least indicates that a flooded state occurred before power was cut off. The history information can be used as information indicating that there is a high possibility that a flooded state exists or that a flooded state occurred before power was cut off during an initial period after power is turned on and before the end of processing to determine a flooded state.

[0063] The history acquisition unit 29 may output the history information as a signal indicating a flooded state to the protection processing unit 27. In this case, the protection processing unit 27 provides a process for protecting the motor 11 and the fan 12 based on the history information. In this embodiment, whether or not to protect the motor 11 and the fan 12 is determined by a stop determination unit 42, which will be described later.

[0064] The history acquisition unit 29 provides the history information to the communication device 28. In this case, the communication device 28 transmits the history information to the external controller 40. The history information is provided to the stop determination unit 42. This prevents malfunctions caused by foreign objects resulting from past water intrusion when the power is turned on again.

[0065] The external controller 40 includes a communication device 41 (COM). The communication device 41 receives a signal indicating a flooding state or history information from the motor controller 13.

[0066] The external controller 40 includes a stop determination unit 42 (VPRTC). The stop determination unit 42 acquires a signal indicating a flooded state provided via the communication devices 28 and 41. The signal indicating a flooded state includes a signal indicating a flooded state provided by the flood determination unit 25 and a signal indicating a flooded state included in the history information. The signal indicating a flooded state and the history information indicate current or past flooding in the motor controller 13. The stop determination unit 42 determines whether or not a stop process is required to protect the motor 11 and / or the fan 12 based on both the signal indicating the flooded state and information obtainable by the external controller 40. The stop process may include, for example, a process of limiting the power supply to the motor 11 and substantially stopping the fan 12, or a deceleration process. For example, when the vehicle is running, the stop determination unit 42 stops the motor 11 and the fan 12. This is because an alternative running wind can be obtained even if the fan 12 stops blowing air. Furthermore, the stop determination unit 42 may stop the motor 11 and the fan 12 after executing the process of issuing a warning to the driver of the vehicle.

[0067] The communication device 41 transmits a signal indicating whether or not to stop the motor 11 from the stop determination unit 42 to the protection processing unit 27. The signal transmitted from the communication device 41 is received by the communication device 28 and supplied to the motor driver 20 via the protection processing unit 27. As a result, in response to the determination result by the stop determination unit 42, the motor 11 and the fan 12 are stopped.

[0068] In FIG. 3, the first heat exchanger 61, the motor 11, and the fan 12 constitute a radiator module RM in the vehicle VH. The radiator module RM is installed in a position that is relatively susceptible to being covered with water. The radiator module RM is installed in a position that is relatively susceptible to receiving water from the front of the vehicle VH. The radiator module RM is installed in a relatively low position in the vehicle VH. Assume that the vehicle VH is submerged in water. In this case, the radiator module RM is installed in a location where water will reach early when the vehicle is submerged. In other words, the radiator module RM is installed in a location where flooding will occur early when the vehicle is submerged. The radiator module RM is also a location in the vehicle VH where flooding will occur relatively early.

[0069] In FIG. 4, the radiator module RM includes a motor 11, a fan 12, and a first heat exchanger 61. The motor controller 13 is mechanically connected to the motor 11. In the illustrated embodiment, the motor controller 13 is connected to the axial rear end of the motor 11. The temperature detector 19 is disposed in the motor controller 13. In a mounted state in the vehicle VH, the height position SL of the temperature detector 19 can be specified by the ground clearance. For example, the temperature detector 19 is disposed at a height HT with respect to the ground surface GRL. The left-right position of the temperature detector 19 is approximately the center of the vehicle VH. The up-down position SL of the temperature detector 19 is also approximately the center of the case of the motor controller 13. The up-down position SL of the temperature detector 19 is also approximately the center of the radiator module RM. The up-down position SL of the temperature detector 19 is set according to the water level WL at which a flooded state should be determined. In this embodiment, the water level WL is set to determine the flooded state when about 50% of the fan 12 is submerged. In the following description, the water level WL is assumed to be a water surface parallel to the ground surface GRL. The water level WL may be expressed by the water depth DP between the water surface and the ground surface GRL.

[0070] Figure 5 illustrates the case where the vehicle VH is submerged in water levels WL1, WL2, and WL3. VIEW in the figure shows the radiator module RM and the water level WL. WVFMS in the figure shows the waveform of the temperature Ts and the waveform of the power P. The water levels are in the relationship of WL1 < WL2 < WL3. The water level WL1 is the water level at which the lower end of the fan 12 is submerged. The water level WL2 is the water level at which 1 / 3 of the fan 12 is submerged. At the water level WL2, water has not entered the case of the motor controller 13. The water level WL3 is the water level at which the temperature detector 19 is submerged. In the state of the water level WL3, water has entered the case of the motor controller 13, and the temperature detector 19 is in a flooded state. At time t0, the vehicle VH is submerged in each water level. Time t1 is the time after time t0 when a predetermined time has elapsed. The predetermined time is a period for evaluating the transition of the temperature Ts. The predetermined time is set in the control IC15. Based on the transition of the temperature Ts between time t0 and time t1, the flooded state and the non-flooded state are determined. Time t2 is the time after time t1 when a predetermined time has elapsed. At time t2, the power supply to the motor 11 is restricted to protect the motor 11 and the fan 12. In other words, at time t2, an electrical protection process for the motor 11 has been started.

[0071] At the water level WL1, as the lower end of the fan 12 rotates in water, the load for the fan 12 to rotate slightly increases. As a result, the power for rotating the motor 11 slightly increases. At this time, the power P increases from the initial load P0. However, the power P does not exceed the power threshold Pth at time t1 or at time t2. As a result, the overload detection unit 23 does not detect an overload.

[0072] As a result of the increase in the power of the motor 11, the heat generated by the motor 11 also increases. As a result, the temperature Ts at the predetermined position where the temperature detector 19 is installed rises from the initial temperature Ts0. However, the temperature Ts does not exceed the temperature threshold value Tth at either time t1 or time t2. As a result, the water submersion determination unit 25 does not detect a water submersion state. The water submersion determination unit 25 detects a non-water submersion state. As a result, the motor 11 and the fan 12 continue to rotate.

[0073] At the water level WL2, one third of the fan 12 rotates underwater, so the load for rotating the fan 12 increases significantly. As a result, the power for rotating the motor 11 also increases significantly. At this time, the power P increases clearly and suddenly from the initial load P0. The power P exceeds the power threshold Pth before time t1. It is observed that the power P exceeds the power threshold Pth at time t1. As a result, the overload detection unit 23 detects an electrical overload of the motor 11. In response to this detection, the protection processing unit 27 limits the power supplied to the motor 11 so as to protect the motor 11 and the fan 12. The power P is limited by the protection processing by the protection processing unit 27 and remains stable. If an overload occurs that restricts the rotation of the motor 11, the power supply to the motor 11 may be cut off. In this case, the power supplied to the motor 11 drops suddenly.

[0074] When the power for rotating the motor 11 increases significantly, the heat generated by the motor 11 also increases. As a result, the temperature Ts at the predetermined position where the temperature detector 19 is installed rises rapidly from the initial temperature Ts0. The temperature Ts exceeds the temperature threshold value Tth at time t1. In this case, the temperature Ts can be evaluated as rising to reflect the increase in heat generated by the motor 11, and the water ingress determination unit 25 detects a non-water ingress state. The temperature Ts peaks with a delay from the start of the protection process by the protection processing unit 27, and then gradually decreases. In this case, the external controller 40 does not receive a signal indicating a water ingress state, and the stop determination unit 42 does not determine the stop of the motor 11. As a result, the motor controller 13 protects the motor 11 and the fan 12.

[0075] At the water level WL3, more than half of the fan 12 rotates underwater, so the load for rotating the fan 12 increases significantly. As a result, the power for rotating the motor 11 also increases significantly. At this time, the power P increases clearly and suddenly from the initial load P0. The power P exceeds the power threshold Pth before time t1. It is observed that the power P exceeds the power threshold Pth at time t1. As a result, the overload detection unit 23 detects an electrical overload of the motor 11. In response to this detection, the protection processing unit 27 limits the power supplied to the motor 11 so as to protect the motor 11 and the fan 12. The power P is limited by the protection processing by the protection processing unit 27 and remains stable. If an overload occurs that restricts the rotation of the motor 11, the power supply to the motor 11 may be cut off. In this case, the power supplied to the motor 11 drops suddenly.

[0076] When the power for rotating the motor 11 is significantly increased, the heat generated by the motor 11 also increases. Meanwhile, since water has reached the predetermined position where the temperature detector 19 is installed, the temperature of the temperature detector 19 approaches the temperature of the water. In a typical example, the temperature Ts drops rapidly from the initial temperature Ts0 at which the temperature detector 19 is subjected to the heat of the motor 11. In addition, since the water temperature is generally about the outside air temperature, the temperature Ts remains constant from the initial temperature Ts0 or is maintained within a predetermined range. As a result, the flooding determination unit 25 detects a flooding state. As a result, the flooding state is stored in the non-volatile memory 26. The flooding state is notified to the external controller 40 via the communication device 28 and the communication device 41.

[0077] The external controller 40 uses the stop determination unit 42 to determine whether or not additional protection processing is required. If the stop determination unit 42 determines that stop processing is unnecessary, the stop in response to an instruction from the external controller 40 is not executed. If the stop determination unit 42 determines that stop processing is necessary, the stop determination unit 42 instructs the motor driver 20 of the motor controller 13 to impose additional power restrictions via the communication device 41 and the communication device 28. For example, when stop processing is executed at time t2, the power supplied to the motor 11 is cut off. In this case, the power P drops sharply after time t2. As a result, the motor 11 and the fan 12 are protected.

[0078] When a flooded state is detected, the rotation of the motor 11 may continue under protective power restrictions until the external controller 40 issues an instruction to stop the motor 11. For example, immediately after a flooded state is determined, the protection processing unit 27 continues to perform overload protection control while continuing to supply electricity to the motor 11 to maintain the rotation of the motor 11. However, if a stop signal for the motor 11 is output from the external controller 40, the motor controller 13 stops supplying electricity to the motor 11 and stops the motor 11.

[0079] There may be cases where a command signal to rotate the motor 11 is generated from the external controller 40 in a state where a flooding state has been detected in the past and the reset operation of the non-volatile memory 26 has not been performed. In this case, the motor controller 13 obtains the history information from the non-volatile memory 26 and determines whether or not the motor 11 is allowed to rotate.

[0080] Fig. 6 shows the processing of the motor controller 13. Fig. 7 shows the processing of the motor controller 13. Fig. 8 shows the processing of the external controller 40. Note that the processing may be executed in a distributed manner by a plurality of controllers, or may be executed in a centralized manner by a single controller. Furthermore, when the processing is executed by a plurality of controllers, the processing may be provided in part or entirely by a hardware circuit. Furthermore, the plurality of controllers may be communicatively linked to each other by a wired or wireless data communication line.

[0081] In FIG. 6, a protection process 170 is executed by the motor controller 13. In step 171, the motor controller 13 executes an initial setting process in response to power supply. In step 172, the motor controller 13 acquires a rotation instruction to rotate the motor 11 and the fan 12 from the external controller 40. In step 173, the motor controller 13 determines whether or not there is a rotation instruction. If there is a rotation instruction, the process branches to YES. The process proceeds to step 174. If there is no rotation instruction, the process branches to NO. The process returns to step 172 and repeats the process.

[0082] In step 174, the motor controller 13 acquires a flood history from the non-volatile memory 26. The flood history indicates that a flood state was detected before the previous power cut. The flood history indicates that a flood state was detected in the past. In step 175, the motor controller 13 determines whether or not there is a flood history. If there is a flood history, the determination in step 175 is affirmative, and the process branches to YES. In this case, the process proceeds to step 176. In step 176, the motor controller 13 stops the motor 11 by cutting off the power supply to the motor 11. If there is a flood history and the non-volatile memory 26 has not been reset, it is assumed that the motor 11 has a malfunction caused by a past flood state. In this case, supplying power to the motor 11 may cause a further malfunction. The process in step 176 provides a preliminary malfunction avoidance process.

[0083] If a negative determination is made in step 175 and the process branches to NO, the process proceeds to step 177. In step 177, the motor controller 13 rotates the motor 11. Furthermore, in step 177, the motor controller 13 executes a water submersion determination.

[0084] In FIG. 7, step 177 is executed by the motor controller 13. In step 178, the motor controller 13 rotates the motor 11. The motor controller 13 controls the inverter circuit 14 by the motor driver 20 so as to supply a drive current to the motor 11. In step 179, the motor controller 13 acquires input values. The input values ​​include the voltage Vin supplied to the motor 11, the current Im detected by the motor current detector 18, and the temperature Ts detected by the temperature detector 19. In step 180, the motor controller 13 calculates the power P consumed by the motor 11. In step 181, the motor controller 13 sets a power threshold Pth. The power threshold Pth is set to change according to the voltage Vin based on a function or a data map. In step 182, the motor controller 13 judges whether the motor 11 is in an electrically overloaded state. This judgment process is executed by comparing the power P with the power threshold Pth. If the determination in step 182 is affirmative and the process branches to YES, the process proceeds to step 183. On the other hand, if the determination in step 182 is negative and the process branches to NO, the process proceeds to RETURN and the process up to this point is repeated.

[0085] In step 183, the motor controller 13 executes overload protection control. The overload protection control limits the power supplied to the motor 11 so as to reduce the load. Here, the power limiting includes control to reduce the power supplied to the motor 11. Furthermore, the power limiting includes control to cut off the power supplied to the motor 11 and stop the motor 11.

[0086] In step 184, the motor controller 13 evaluates the progression of the temperature Ts. Here, the progression of the temperature Ts is evaluated as the slope of the temperature Ts over a predetermined period of time. If the temperature Ts increases, step 184 branches to "+". If the temperature Ts decreases, step 184 branches to "-". If the temperature Ts remains constant or within a predetermined range, step 184 branches to "=". In step 184, the thresholds for evaluating "+", "-", and "=" can be set experimentally. If the process branches to "+", this indicates a non-flooded state. In this case, the process proceeds to RETURN and the process up to this point is repeated. If the process branches to "-" or "=", this indicates a flooded state. In this case, the process branches to step 185.

[0087] In step 185, the motor controller 13 stores the flooded state in the non-volatile memory 26. In step 186, the motor controller 13 reports the flooded state to the external controller 40. As a result, the external controller 40 executes processing according to the flooded state. The processing in the external controller 40 will be described later. In step 187, the motor controller 13 judges whether or not there is a stop command for stopping the motor 11 from the external controller 40. If there is a stop command, the result is affirmative in step 187, and the processing branches to YES. In this case, the processing proceeds to step 188. If there is no stop command, the result is negative in step 187, and the processing branches to NO. In this case, the processing proceeds to RETURN, and the processing up to this point is repeated. In step 188, the motor controller 13 controls the inverter circuit 14 by the motor driver 20 to stop the motor 11. After step 188, the processing proceeds to RETURN, and the processing up to this point is repeated.

[0088] 8, an external process 190 is executed by the external controller 40. In step 191, the external controller 40 executes a vehicle control process. The vehicle control process is provided by various controls. For example, the vehicle control process can be provided by a process for controlling a power source of the vehicle, a process for controlling an air conditioner, a process for controlling the doors of the vehicle, etc.

[0089] In step 192, the external controller 40 determines whether or not a flooded state has been reported from the motor controller 13. If a flooded state has been reported, a positive determination is made in step 192, and the process branches to YES. In this case, the process proceeds to step 193. If a flooded state has not been reported, a negative determination is made in step 192, and the process branches to NO. In this case, the process proceeds to RETURN, and the process up to this point is repeated.

[0090] In step 193, the external controller 40 executes a process of acquiring vehicle information. The vehicle information includes information for determining whether or not the motor 11 should be stopped. The vehicle information may include, for example, whether or not the vehicle is moving, the moving speed of the vehicle, and the position where the vehicle is moving. The vehicle information may include, for example, a flooded state detected in a location other than the motor system 10. In step 194, the external controller 40 determines whether or not it is possible to stop the motor 11. The determination in step 194 is based on the vehicle information acquired in step 193. This determination may include, for example, a determination of whether or not it is acceptable to stop the motor 11 from the viewpoint of the usage state of the vehicle. If it is acceptable to stop the motor 11, a positive determination is made in step 194, and the process branches to YES. In this case, the process proceeds to step 195. If it is not acceptable to stop the motor 11, a negative determination is made in step 194, and the process branches to NO. In this case, the process proceeds to step 196.

[0091] In step 195, the external controller 40 transmits a stop instruction to the motor controller 13 to stop the motor 11. In step 196, the external controller 40 transmits a rotation instruction to the motor controller 13 to continue rotating the motor 11. Note that the rotation of the motor 11 may be stopped by the protection processing unit 27 provided in the motor controller 13.

[0092] In step 197, the external controller 40 judges whether or not to execute flooding processing in the vehicle. If the flooding processing is to be executed, a positive determination is made in step 197, and the processing branches to YES. In this case, the processing proceeds to step 198. If the flooding processing is not to be executed, a negative determination is made in step 197, and the processing branches to NO. In this case, the processing proceeds to RETURN, and the processing up to this point is repeated. In step 198, the external controller 40 executes the flooding processing. The flooding processing is an electrical protection processing for dealing with flooding in the vehicle. The protection processing includes processing for the motor 11. Furthermore, the protection processing includes processing for motors other than the motor 11. The flooding processing may include, for example, power limiting processing for motors other than the motor 11. The flooding processing may include protection processing in the high-voltage system. The flooding processing may include insulation processing in the high-voltage battery 51. For example, the flooding processing may include processing for controlling the relay element 56, which serves as a protection processing unit, to an interrupted state. The flooding process may include a process for increasing the sensitivity of sensors that detect flooding conditions other than the motor controller 13. For example, in response to detection of a flooding condition in the motor controller 13, another flooding sensor may be made more likely to detect the flooding condition. The flooding condition detected in the motor controller 13 can be used not only for control of the motor 11, but also for control within a variety of systems.

[0093] In the embodiment described above, when the motor 11 is overloaded, a flooded state or a non-flooded state is determined based on the transition of the temperature Ts observed at a predetermined position. This makes it possible to accurately determine whether the motor system 10 is in a flooded state or a non-flooded state.

[0094] Additionally, in this embodiment, when a flooded state is determined, the flooded state is stored in the non-volatile memory 26. The non-volatile memory 26 can be used to reproduce a past flooded state when the power is turned on again. A power turn-on refers to a case where power to the motor controller 13 is cut off and turned on again after a flooded state is detected. In this case, the history information provided by the non-volatile memory 26 provides a signal indicating the flooded state even after the power is turned on again. When the motor controller 13 rotates the motor 11 in response to a rotation command from the external controller 40, the history information stored in the non-volatile memory 26 enables a preliminary protection process for the motor 11 even if a flooded state is not detected based on the transition of the temperature Ts after the power is turned on again.

[0095] In this embodiment, when an overload of the motor 11 is detected, the motor controller 13 executes a protection process to protect the motor 11. Furthermore, when a flooding state is detected, the stop determination unit 42 of the external controller 40 determines whether or not to stop the motor 11. As a result, immediately after an overload is detected, the motor 11 is allowed to rotate while being protected by the motor controller 13. On the other hand, when the external controller 40 determines to stop the motor 11, the motor 11 can be stopped. Therefore, even if there is an overload, the motor 11 can be protected, and when flooding that may cause a serious malfunction is detected, the motor 11 can be stopped to protect the motor 11.

[0096] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the relay element 56 of the high-voltage battery 51 can be controlled from a conductive state to a cut-off state based on a flooded state detected in the motor system 10 without relying solely on a flood sensor installed in the high-voltage battery 51. Also, the flooded state detected in the motor system 10 may be easily determined by a flood sensor installed in the high-voltage battery 51. For example, a determination threshold for a flooded state by the flood sensor installed in the high-voltage battery 51 can be set to vary in response to a flooded state and a non-flooded state detected in the motor system 10. For example, the determination threshold when a flooded state is detected in the motor system 10 is set to a value that makes it easier to determine flooding than the determination threshold when a non-flooded state is detected in the motor system 10. This determination threshold may be a threshold that is compared with an observed value. Also, this threshold may be a duration threshold or a duration threshold for determining whether a predetermined state is continuously observed. According to this embodiment, the reliability of the high-voltage battery 51 can be improved.

[0097] Other embodiments In the above embodiment, the motor controller 13 and the external controller 40 include communication devices 28 and 41. The communication devices 28 and 41 may be provided by a data communication system installed in the vehicle. For example, the communication devices 28 and 41 may be provided by a network called a LAN, a CAN, or the like.

[0098] Also, in the above embodiment, the stopping of the motor 11 is determined in both the motor controller 13 and the external controller 40. Alternatively, the stopping of the motor 11 may be determined only in the motor controller 13. Alternatively, the stopping of the motor 11 may be determined only in the motor controller 13.

[0099] The disclosure in this specification and drawings, etc. is not limited to the exemplified embodiments. The disclosure includes the exemplified embodiments and modifications by those skilled in the art based thereon. For example, the disclosure is not limited to the combination of parts and / or elements shown in the embodiments. The disclosure can be implemented by various combinations. The disclosure can have additional parts that can be added to the embodiments. The disclosure includes the omission of parts and / or elements of the embodiments. The disclosure includes the substitution or combination of parts and / or elements between one embodiment and another embodiment. The disclosed technical scope is not limited to the description of the embodiments. Some disclosed technical scopes are indicated by the description of the claims, and should be interpreted as including all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the description of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0100] 1 system, 10 motor system, 11 motor, 12 fan, 13 motor controller, 14 inverter circuit, 15 control integrated circuit (control IC), 18 motor current detection circuit, 19 Temperature detector, 20 Motor driver, 21 Motor power calculation unit, 22 power threshold setting unit, 23 overload detection unit, 24 temperature detection unit, 25 water ingress determination unit, 26 non-volatile memory, 27 protection processing unit, 28 communication device, 29 history acquisition unit, 30 low voltage battery, 40 External controller, 41 Communication device, 42 Stop determination unit, 50 Heat generating equipment, 51 High voltage battery, 52 High voltage circuit, 53 Motor, 54 internal combustion engine, 55 power transmission system, 56 relay element, 60 heat transport system, 61 first heat exchanger, 62 second heat exchanger.

Claims

1. an overload detection unit (18, 21, 22, 23) that detects an electrical overload of a motor that drives a mechanical load; a temperature detection unit (19, 24) for detecting the temperature at a predetermined position receiving heat from the motor; a water-submersion determination unit (25) that, when an electrical overload of the motor is detected by the overload detection unit, determines whether the temperature detection unit is in a water-submerged state or a water-non-submerged state based on a change in temperature detected by the temperature detection unit; a non-volatile memory (26) that stores the result of the flooding state determination by the flooding determination unit; A water submersion determination device comprising a history acquisition unit that acquires, at startup, history information indicating a history of the water submersion state from the non-volatile memory.

2. The mechanical load is a fan (12) that blows air to a heat exchanger (62) mounted on a vehicle, The water submersion determining device according to claim 1 , wherein the motor is a fan motor that rotates the fan.

3. The water-submersion determination device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the specified position is a position where heat transfer from the motor to the specified position and / or heat dissipation from the specified position to the outside is identifiably different between the water-submerged state and the non-water-submerged state.

4. 4. The water submersion determining device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined position is inside an electric circuit that is mechanically connected to the motor.

5. The overload detection unit A voltage acquisition unit (20) that acquires an input voltage to the motor; A power acquisition unit (21) that acquires input power to the motor; a comparison unit (23) for detecting an electrical overload of the motor based on a comparison between the input power and a predetermined power threshold; The water submersion determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a setting unit (22) that sets the power threshold value so that the power threshold value varies depending on the input power.

6. 6. The water submersion determination device according to claim 1, further comprising a protection processing unit (27) that limits the supply of power to the motor when an overload of the motor is detected by the overload detection unit.

7. A motor controller (13) that is mechanically connected to the motor and includes the flooding determination unit; An external controller (40) that is installed away from the motor and includes a stop determination unit (42) that determines whether or not to stop the motor; A flooding determination device as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a communication device (28, 41) that transmits a signal indicating the flooding state from the flooding determination unit to the stop determination unit, and transmits a stop command to stop the motor from the stop determination unit to the motor controller.

8. A method for determining water ingress executed by a computer, comprising: Detecting electrical overloads in motors that drive mechanical loads; Detecting the temperature of a predetermined position receiving heat from the motor; When an electrical overload of the motor is detected, it is determined whether the predetermined position is in a flooded state or a non-flooded state based on a change in temperature of the predetermined position; storing the result of the determination of the water-submerged state in a non-volatile memory (26); The method for determining whether the computer is submerged in water includes obtaining, from the non-volatile memory, history information indicating a history of the submerged state when the computer is started.

9. an overload detection unit (18, 21, 22, 23) that detects an electrical overload of a motor that drives a fan of a vehicle; a temperature detection unit (19, 24) for detecting the temperature at a predetermined position receiving heat from the motor; a water-submersion determination unit (25) that, when an electrical overload of the motor is detected by the overload detection unit, determines whether the temperature detection unit is in a water-submerged state or a water-non-submerged state based on a change in temperature detected by the temperature detection unit; a protection processing unit (20, 27, 56) that performs electrical protection processing to counteract flooding in the vehicle; a non-volatile memory (26) that stores the result of the flooding state determination by the flooding determination unit; A flood protection system comprising: a history acquisition unit that acquires, at startup, history information indicating a history of the flooding state from the non-volatile memory.

Images