Controlled Air Inlet Positioning for Ice Blockage Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Controlled air intakes in motor vehicles face challenges in high-speed and low-temperature conditions, requiring improved monitoring strategies to ensure proper operation and account for potential malfunctions, especially in extreme cold where ice can block the air inlets, leading to false diagnostic issues and reduced engine compartment ventilation.
Innovation Solution
A control module for controlled air inlets that issues positioning commands, monitors arrival at predetermined positions, and after repeated failed attempts, signals non-operation, allowing the air inlet to be safely repositioned to ensure ventilation, incorporating a pre-established number of attempts and duration to avoid counterproductive positioning and account for ice blocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the controlled air inlet is repeatedly commanded to the given position to overcome ice blocking, then the air inlet may be unblocked and ventilation restored, but the duration of repeated commands may drive the air intake to a position contrary to ventilation needs
Solution Approach 1:
The control module implements periodic positioning commands to the air inlet at predetermined time intervals rather than continuous commands. This allows the air inlet to be tested repeatedly for ice blocking while providing rest periods where it can return to a ventilation-friendly position, thus balancing reliability testing with ventilation productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the air inlet position between the given position (for testing) and an initial position (for ventilation). The control module alternates between commanding the air inlet to the given position for malfunction detection and returning it to the initial position to maintain ventilation, creating a dynamic positioning strategy that addresses both reliability and productivity
2Measurement precision
If monitoring strategies are implemented to detect air inlet positioning defects, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but the complexity of the control system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control module receives feedback from the air inlet position sensor to determine whether the air inlet has arrived at the predetermined position. This feedback mechanism enables accurate detection of positioning defects and ice blocking conditions without requiring complex external monitoring systems, as the control module itself performs the monitoring based on sensor feedback
Solution Approach 2:
The control system performs self-diagnosis by commanding the air inlet to specific positions and monitoring whether it arrives at those positions using existing sensors. The system detects its own malfunctions through autonomous positioning tests and feedback analysis, eliminating the need for separate complex monitoring systems
3Loss of energy
If the controlled air inlet is kept closed to reduce vehicle drag, then aerodynamic efficiency is improved, but engine compartment ventilation is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The air inlet is designed as a dynamic component that can switch between closed and open positions based on operational conditions. During normal operation, it remains closed to reduce drag. During malfunction detection or when ice blocking is suspected, it is commanded to the given position for testing, and during ventilation needs, it can be opened to the initial position, providing dynamic adaptability between aerodynamic efficiency and thermal management
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a module for controlling the air intake of the engine compartment of a motor vehicle, the module transmitting the positioning command (20) in a repetitive manner in the event of non-arrival in the given position (10,12,13), the module being configured to deliver a signal of non-operation (30, 40) of the controlled air intake in response to non-arrival in said given position (10,12,13) after the positioning command has been transmitted successively a pre-established number of times.