Grille Shutter Control via Aircon Load and Ambient Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional opening/closing control devices for grille shutters in vehicles fail to adequately improve fuel economy due to reliance on radiator water temperature and aircon operating state, leading to increased fuel consumption when ambient conditions or aircon load are high.
Innovation Solution
An opening/closing control device that acquires load on the aircon, sets threshold values based on ambient air temperature, and adjusts the grille shutter's open/closed state to reduce aircon load, incorporating sensors for ambient temperature, aircon operating state, and vehicle speed to optimize fuel efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the grille shutter is closed to reduce air resistance and improve fuel economy, then fuel economy is improved under normal conditions, but fuel economy is degraded when ambient air temperature is high and aircon load is large
Solution Approach 1:
The grille shutter is changed from a static component to a dynamic one that can automatically adjust its opening/closing state based on real-time detection of ambient air temperature and aircon load conditions. The ECU controls the shutter to open when cooling demand is high and close when cooling demand is low, optimizing fuel economy adaptively across different operating conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by detecting ambient air temperature and aircon load conditions, comparing these parameters against threshold values, and adjusting the grille shutter state accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures the shutter responds appropriately to changing environmental conditions and aircon demands
2Temperature
If the grille shutter is opened to cool the aircon condenser, then aircon cooling efficiency is improved, but air resistance increases and fuel economy is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operational parameters of the grille shutter based on detected conditions. When ambient temperature is high and aircon load is large, the shutter opens to allow ambient air to cool the condenser, improving heat dissipation. When conditions are favorable, the shutter closes to reduce air resistance, optimizing the balance between cooling efficiency and fuel economy
3Device complexity
If the grille shutter is controlled based only on radiator water temperature and aircon operating state, then control simplicity is maintained, but fuel economy optimization is insufficient under varying ambient conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The ECU is enhanced to perform multiple functions: it not only controls the aircon system but also detects ambient air temperature, determines aircon load conditions, compares parameters against thresholds, and controls the grille shutter. This multi-functionality integrates temperature-based and load-based control logic into a single control unit, achieving fuel economy optimization without significantly increasing system complexity
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
The solution effectively reduces aircon load and improves fuel economy by dynamically controlling the grille shutter's position based on ambient conditions and aircon operating parameters, ensuring efficient vehicle operation.
Implementation Method 1
an ambient air temperature sensor (22) for detecting a temperature of ambient air (TAM)
Implementation Method 2
when opened, introduces ambient air into the vehicle for cooling refrigerant of an aircon
Implementation Method 3
introduces ambient air into the vehicle for cooling refrigerant
Data Source
AI summary
An opening/closing control device for a grille shutter is capable of appropriately opening and closing the grille shutter according to a vehicle outside environment and an operating state of an aircon while ensuring the operation of the aircon, and is capable of sufficiently improving vehicle operating efficiency. An aircon operating time ratio as a ratio of operation time of an aircon to overall time is calculated. When the calculated aircon operating time ratio is larger than the sum of a threshold value calculated according to an ambient air temperature and a hysteresis constant, the grille shutter is opened to promote cooling of refrigerant in the aircon and reduce motive power consumed by the aircon. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately open and close the grille shutter depending on the ambient air temperature and the operating ration of the aircon.