Active Grille Shutter Cold-Start Control for Fuel Efficiency
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional coolant circuit control devices in vehicles, such as electric thermostats and coolant control valves, increase complexity, cost, and mass while aiming to improve engine operation efficiency, necessitating a simpler and cost-effective solution for controlling active grille shutters during cold starts.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that control active grille shutters to maintain them in a closed position until the engine coolant temperature overshoots a predetermined steady-state target, rapidly raising the engine oil temperature and reducing viscosity, thereby enhancing fuel efficiency without the need for additional electronic control devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional coolant circuit control devices (electric thermostats, coolant control valves) are used to control engine temperature, then engine operation efficiency is improved, but device complexity, cost, and mass increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the temperature control function from the coolant circuit and relocates it to the air intake system via AGS flaps. By controlling airflow through the grille rather than controlling coolant flow, the system achieves temperature management without requiring electric thermostats or coolant control valves, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining engine operation efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electronic coolant control system with an aerodynamic-based control system. Instead of using mechanically actuated thermostats or electronically controlled valves in the coolant circuit, the system uses airflow control through AGS flaps to manage engine temperature, substituting a complex mechanical/electronic system with a simpler aerodynamic solution
2Temperature
If AGS flaps are opened during cold-startup to increase airflow, then cooling is improved, but engine oil temperature rises slowly and fuel efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-warming the engine oil through controlled airflow restriction during cold-startup. By keeping AGS flaps closed initially, the system creates a warm environment that pre-heats the engine oil before full operation begins, reducing initial viscosity and improving fuel efficiency without requiring additional heating devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the AGS flaps based on engine temperature conditions. During cold-startup, the flaps are maintained in a closed position to restrict airflow and allow temperature to rise, whereas during normal operation they are opened to provide cooling. This dynamic parameter adjustment optimizes both temperature management and fuel efficiency across different operating conditions
3Use of energy by moving object
If AGS flaps are closed during cold-startup to retain heat, then engine oil viscosity reduction is improved, but engine coolant temperature may overshoot the target
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring engine coolant temperature and adjusting AGS flap position accordingly. When the coolant temperature approaches or overshoots the target during cold-startup, the control system responds by opening the flaps to increase airflow and reduce temperature. This feedback mechanism prevents excessive temperature overshoot while maintaining the fuel efficiency benefits of reduced oil viscosity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the AGS flap position dynamically adjustable based on real-time temperature conditions. Rather than maintaining a fixed closed position, the flaps transition from closed to open states as needed to regulate temperature, creating a dynamic balance between heat retention for fuel efficiency and heat dissipation to prevent overheating
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach improves fuel efficiency by rapidly reducing engine oil viscosity and maintaining fluid temperatures at optimal levels, extending fluid life without the added complexity and cost of electronic thermostats or coolant control valves.
Implementation Method 1
the flaps of the grille shutter can be open or closed... When the vehicle is moving at lower speeds or decelerating, the flaps can be opened to increase the airflow across the radiator
Implementation Method 2
The initial overshoot of the ECT during cold-startup is configured to rapidly raise an engine oil temperature (EOT) to a predetermined continuous EOT target
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for controlling an active grille shutter system for a vehicle upon startup of an associated engine includes determining if flaps of the AGS system are in a closed position upon cold-startup of the vehicle; moving the flaps to the closed position if it is determined that the flaps are not in the closed position upon cold-startup of the vehicle; and maintaining the flaps in the closed position until an engine coolant temperature (ECT) reaches a predetermined temperature that initially overshoots a predetermined continuous ECT target associated with steady-state operation of the engine. The initial overshoot of the ECT during cold-startup is configured to rapidly raise an engine oil temperature (EOT) to a predetermined continuous EOT target thereby reducing viscosity of the engine oil during cold-startup operation and increasing fuel efficiency of the vehicle.