Active Grille Shutter Position Diagnosis Using Light Sensor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing diagnostic systems for active grille shutter (AGS) systems in vehicles fail to accurately detect degradation due to faulty position sensors, leading to incomplete diagnostics and potential fuel consumption reduction losses when the AGS system is partially or completely disabled.

Innovation Solution

A method using a light sensor positioned behind the active grille shutters to diagnose the position of the AGS by monitoring changes in light levels, allowing for the determination of grille shutter adjustments and identifying degradation modes such as mechanical issues or sensor failures, enabling continued operation in a limited capacity to preserve fuel efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing diagnostic systems use position sensors to monitor AGS position, then the system can detect mechanical faults, but the diagnostic is incomplete when position sensors are faulty and the AGS system must be completely disabled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic completenessVSAvoidsystem operational capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a light sensor as an intermediary diagnostic tool positioned behind the AGS to detect light levels. This intermediary sensor provides an alternative method to verify AGS position when the primary position sensor is faulty, allowing the system to diagnose degradation without completely disabling AGS operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces reliance on mechanical position sensors with an optical measurement system. By using a light sensor to measure light levels that correlate with AGS position, the system substitutes a mechanical sensing approach with an optical one, enabling diagnostic functionality even when mechanical position sensors fail.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If the AGS system is completely disabled when degradation is detected, then system reliability is maintained, but fuel consumption reduction advantages are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem operational reliabilityVSAvoidfuel consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by allowing the AGS system to continue operating at reduced capacity rather than completely disabling it. When degradation is detected through light sensor monitoring, the system maintains partial AGS functionality to preserve fuel efficiency benefits while the degradation is monitored, rather than fully disabling the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining AGS operation even when degradation is detected. The light sensor diagnostic system allows the AGS to continue providing fuel economy benefits while monitoring its own degradation, ensuring uninterrupted useful action rather than complete system shutdown.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Measurement precision

If temperature monitoring is used to diagnose AGS position, then mechanical faults can be detected, but the diagnosis is delayed and less reliable due to temperature response lag

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition detection accuracyVSAvoiddiagnostic response time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes thermal-based diagnostic methods with an optical measurement system. The light sensor provides direct optical measurement of AGS position behind the shutters, replacing the indirect thermal method and eliminating the temperature response lag that causes diagnostic delays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The light sensor can provide continuous or periodic measurements of light levels behind the AGS, enabling real-time monitoring of AGS position. This periodic optical measurement approach provides timely diagnostic information compared to the delayed thermal response method.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 provides a more reliable diagnosis of AGS position and degradation, allowing for partial operation and maintaining fuel consumption reduction benefits, even when the system is partially degraded, by using light sensor feedback to adjust engine parameters and mitigate potential overheating issues.

Implementation Method 1

A method using a light sensor positioned behind the active grille shutters to diagnose the position of the AGS by monitoring changes in light levels

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS10464412B2Methods and system for diagnosing a position of active grille shutters of a vehicle

Publication Date: 2019.11.05 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

Methods and systems are provided for determining a position of active grille shutters (AGS) using a light sensor positioned behind the AGS. In one example, a method may include diagnosing a position of the AGS in response to an output of a light sensor positioned behind the active grille shutters (AGS), and responsive to the diagnosed position, adjusting an engine operating parameter. Further, the AGS diagnostic may be performed in response to an indication of ambient light external to a vehicle being over a threshold level.