Active Air Flap Control for Vehicle Cooling Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle systems fail to optimize cooling performance for various apparatuses within a vehicle, leading to excessive cooling and increased air resistance, which reduces fuel efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method for controlling an active air flap that calculates individual cooling demands of multiple apparatuses, adjusts the air flap opening based on a maximum 'final duty' considering outside temperature and refrigerant pressure, to provide optimal cooling while minimizing air resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the active air flap is opened to improve cooling performance of apparatuses, then cooling performance is improved, but air resistance increases and fuel efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The active air flap opening degree is dynamically adjusted based on real-time cooling demands of different apparatuses (engine, PE components, air conditioner) and environmental conditions (outside temperature). The controller continuously calculates required opening degrees and adjusts the flap position to match actual cooling needs, avoiding excessive opening that would increase air resistance unnecessarily.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the opening degree parameter of the active air flap based on calculated cooling demands. By computing the required opening degree from cooling demand parameters and outside temperature, the system optimizes the flap position to provide adequate cooling while minimizing air resistance and energy loss.
2Temperature
If the active air flap is opened based on single apparatus cooling demand, then that apparatus cooling is improved, but excessive cooling occurs and air resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the cooling demands of multiple apparatuses (engine, PE components, air conditioner) into a unified control strategy. The controller calculates the opening degree required for each apparatus and determines the final flap position based on the maximum requirement, ensuring all apparatuses receive adequate cooling without excessive opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller receives feedback from temperature sensors and cooling demand signals of different apparatuses, continuously monitors the cooling requirements, and adjusts the active air flap opening degree accordingly. This closed-loop control prevents excessive cooling by responding only to actual cooling needs.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling an active air flap of a vehicle is provided. The method includes receiving individual amounts of cooling demand required by a plurality of apparatuses requiring cooling that are installed within an engine room. Demand duties are then calculated based on the amounts of cooling demand required by the respective apparatuses and correction duties for the respective apparatuses are calculated by multiplying the demand duties for the respective apparatuses by an outside temperature factor according to the outside temperature of the vehicle. A maximum value out of the correction duties for the respective apparatuses is selected as a final duty and the active air flap is operated with an opening degree based on the selected final duty.