Vehicle Air Flap Control for Pedestrian Hot Air Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial buses face complaints about hot air and noise transmission to pedestrians and bus users due to the lack of effective control over air flap openings, which are intended to cool the engine but often result in unwanted emissions during stops.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a GPS receiver, data storage unit, and electronic control unit to determine vehicle location and presence of pedestrians, adjusting the air flap opening degree based on predefined parameters such as engine coolant temperature, vehicle speed, and pedestrian presence, with additional considerations for downtown travel sections and ambient conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the air flap is kept open to cool the engine, then engine cooling efficiency is improved, but hot air and noise are transmitted to pedestrians
Solution Approach 1:
The air flap opening degree is dynamically adjusted based on real-time conditions including vehicle location (stop section detection via GPS), engine coolant temperature, vehicle speed, and pedestrian presence (detected by imaging means). The electronic control unit continuously modifies the opening degree to balance engine cooling needs with pedestrian comfort, rather than maintaining a fixed open position.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the opening degree parameter of the air flap based on multiple input parameters: location information from GPS receiver, temperature from coolant temperature sensor, vehicle speed from speed sensor, and pedestrian detection from imaging means. These parameter changes allow the system to optimize both engine cooling and pedestrian protection under different operating conditions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the air flap opening degree is reduced to protect pedestrians, then hot air and noise transmission is minimized, but engine cooling efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic control unit receives continuous feedback from multiple sensors including coolant temperature sensor, GPS receiver, speed sensor, and imaging means. Based on this feedback, the control unit adjusts the air flap opening degree in real-time, ensuring that engine cooling requirements are met while minimizing hot air and noise transmission to pedestrians when appropriate.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically determines the optimal opening degree by considering real-time conditions such as engine temperature status, vehicle location (whether in stop section), vehicle speed, and pedestrian presence. This dynamic adjustment ensures engine cooling efficiency is maintained when needed while protecting pedestrians when conditions permit.
3Productivity
If the air flap is fully opened during vehicle operation, then engine cooling is maximized, but pedestrian comfort at bus stops deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses GPS receiver to detect vehicle location in advance and determines when the vehicle is approaching or stopped at a stop section. The imaging means is activated to detect pedestrian presence before the vehicle actually stops. Based on this preliminary information, the electronic control unit pre-adjusts the air flap opening degree to minimize hot air and noise transmission to pedestrians while maintaining adequate engine cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening degree parameter is changed based on the vehicle's operational state: fully opened or near-full opening during normal operation for maximum cooling, and reduced opening degree when detected to be in stop sections with pedestrians present. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction between cooling performance and pedestrian comfort.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for controlling an air flap of a vehicle such as a commercial bus is intended to control an opening degree amount of an air flap installed for cooling an engine mounted in the vehicle. The system controls an open amount of the air flap when the vehicle enters a specified stop section such as a bus stop of a bus service route, so that the transmission of hot air and noise of the engine to pedestrians is minimized.