Grille Shutter Control Device Abnormality Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional grille shutter control devices do not detect abnormalities in shutter operation, leading to reduced cooling performance, potential engine overheating, and accelerated deterioration of engine components due to unnoticed shutter malfunctions.

Innovation Solution

A grille shutter control device incorporating a control section, abnormality detection section, and informing section to detect and alert users to shutter abnormalities, with retry and abnormality determining sections to prevent unnecessary alarms and ensure timely repair.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the shutter operation is not monitored for abnormalities, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of engine cooling performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshutter control system complexityVSAvoidengine cooling reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control unit continuously monitors the shutter's operation state and compares it with expected operational parameters. When deviations are detected, the system generates abnormality signals and alerts the user, ensuring reliable engine cooling while maintaining relatively simple system architecture through intelligent monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the shutter abnormality detection and alerting system is added, then the reliability of engine cooling is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengine cooling reliabilityVSAvoidshutter control system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit serves multiple functions: it controls the shutter operation based on engine temperature, monitors shutter position and operation status, detects abnormalities through multiple detection methods, and provides user alerts. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby improving reliability while limiting the increase in overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If the shutter operation is monitored continuously, then the reliability is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshutter operation reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption for monitoring
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs periodic monitoring of shutter operation rather than continuous monitoring. The control unit checks shutter status at predetermined intervals and only activates full detection and alerting mechanisms when abnormality indicators are detected, thereby maintaining reliable monitoring while significantly reducing overall energy consumption during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP2687394B1Grille shutter control device
Publication Date: 2015.12.16 AISIN SEIKI KK
  • EP2687394B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2687394B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2687394B1 patent drawingFigure 4A

AI summary

A grille shutter control device is provided with a control section configured so as to open and close a shutter adapted to be provided in an air introduction path for introducing air ahead of the vehicle into an engine compartment. The grille shutter control device drives and controls first and second drive units. The grille shutter control device is provided with: an abnormality detecting section configured to detect an abnormality in the operation of the shutter on the basis of the condition of the shutter after the start of operation thereof; and an informing section for informing, on the basis of an abnormality in the operation detected by the abnormality detection section, the user of the abnormality in the operation of the shutter.