Vehicle Grille Shutter Control for Brake Rotor Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle grille shutter systems are inefficient in cooling brake rotors based on temperature, leading to unnecessary air resistance and potential overheating.
Innovation Solution
A grille shutter control device with an actuator and control unit that adjusts the degree of opening of the grille shutter based on the temperature of the brake rotor, utilizing a temperature estimation unit and considering factors like battery output and road gradient to optimize cooling without increasing air resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the grille shutter is kept fully open to cool the brake rotor, then the cooling effect is improved, but the air resistance to the vehicle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The grille shutter is designed to be dynamically adjustable rather than fixed, allowing it to change its opening degree based on real-time brake rotor temperature conditions. The control unit receives temperature information and adjusts the shutter opening accordingly, making the system adaptive to varying thermal conditions while minimizing unnecessary air resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the opening parameter of the grille shutter based on temperature parameters. When the brake rotor temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold, the shutter opening degree is increased to enhance cooling; when the temperature is within normal range, the opening degree is reduced or closed to minimize air resistance, thus optimizing the balance between cooling effectiveness and aerodynamic performance
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the grille shutter is kept fully closed to reduce air resistance, then the air resistance is reduced, but the brake rotor cooling effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors brake rotor temperature through temperature information input and uses this feedback to adjust the grille shutter opening degree. This closed-loop control ensures that the shutter remains closed or partially closed during normal operation to minimize air resistance, while automatically opening when temperature feedback indicates overheating conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary cooling by opening the grille shutter in advance when temperature rise is detected, preventing the brake rotor from reaching excessive temperatures. This proactive approach allows the shutter to be closed most of the time for aerodynamic efficiency while being ready to open quickly when cooling is needed
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
Effectively cools the brake rotor using the grille shutter while minimizing air resistance and preventing excessive temperatures, even without direct temperature sensors, by dynamically adjusting the grille shutter opening based on estimated and actual temperature values.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator that adjusts a degree of opening of the grille shutter by applying a driving force to the grille shutter
Implementation Method 2
Air (a travel wind) coming out of a rear-end opening of each first duct is discharged to the outside of the vehicle while air coming out of a rear-end opening of each second duct is supplied to a brake member of a front wheel
Data Source
AI summary
A grille shutter control device in a vehicle includes: a grille shutter provided at a front part of the vehicle; an actuator that adjusts a degree of opening of the grille shutter by applying a driving force to the grille shutter; a brake rotor that is provided in a front wheel located rearward of the grille shutter and that is reachable for a travel wind having passed through the grille shutter in a state different from a fully closed state; and a control unit that controls the actuator based on a value associated with a temperature of the brake rotor.