Blower Control Using Operational Air Density Under Sensor Faults

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Solution Overview

Problem

Blower control systems face challenges in accurately determining air density and managing faulty sensors, leading to potential inadequate cooling in vehicles due to sensor failures and wear over time.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a blower, a blower sensor, and a processor that determines operational-based power and air density, allowing for blower control and fault detection by comparing operational-based and sensor-based densities, enabling continued operation even with faulty sensors through estimation and compensation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If sensor-based air density measurement is used, then cooling control accuracy is improved, but system reliability deteriorates when sensors become damaged or faulty

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair density measurement accuracyVSAvoidsystem reliability under sensor failure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from relying solely on sensor-based air density measurement to using operational parameters (blower power, speed) to calculate air density. This parameter substitution allows the system to maintain functionality and approximate cooling control even when ambient sensors fail, thereby improving reliability without completely sacrificing measurement capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The blower system uses its own operational data (power consumption, speed) to self-determine air density conditions rather than relying entirely on external ambient sensors. This self-service approach enables the system to detect and compensate for sensor failures using internally generated information

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If vehicle operation is restricted when sensors are faulty, then component protection is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to reduced operating capacity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent protectionVSAvoidvehicle operating capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of completely restricting vehicle operation when sensors fail, the system applies partial action by using operational-based air density estimation to maintain sufficient cooling capability. This allows the vehicle to continue operating at reduced but adequate cooling performance, balancing component protection with productivity needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The operational-based air density calculation serves as an intermediary solution between complete sensor failure and ideal cooling control. It provides a compromise measurement that enables continued vehicle operation while protecting against the risks of complete sensor dependency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11780289B2Systems and methods for blower control

Publication Date: 2023.10.10 TRANSPORTATION IP HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

A system includes a blower, a blower sensor, and at least one processor. The blower sensor is operably coupled to the blower and configured to obtain blower operational information. The at least one processor is operably coupled to the blower and the blower sensor, and is configured to determine an operational-based power using the blower operational information; determine an operational-based density using the operational-based power; and control the blower using the operational-based density.