Vehicle Grille Shutter Control Using Exhaust Temperature Logic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional grille shutter control systems primarily focus on cooling performance, neglecting other performance considerations for internal combustion engines in vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A grille-shutter control apparatus that selects and executes specific opening-degree determination logics based on the temperature inside the exhaust pipe to control the grille shutter, prioritizing fuel economy or warm-up performance by adjusting the opening and closing of the shutter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the grille shutter is controlled based on cooling performance only, then the cooling performance of the internal combustion engine is maintained, but other performance aspects such as fuel economy and warm-up performance are neglected
Solution Approach 1:
The control logic is segmented into multiple determination logics (first through fourth logics) that are selectively executed based on engine operating conditions. Each logic addresses specific performance aspects: cooling performance, fuel economy, warm-up performance, and air intake performance. This segmentation allows the system to handle multiple performance considerations without creating a single overly complex control algorithm.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically selects which determination logic to execute based on real-time engine conditions, particularly engine temperature and water temperature. The control unit transitions between different logics as operating conditions change, enabling the system to adaptively prioritize different performance aspects (cooling vs. fuel economy vs. warm-up) without requiring a permanently complex control structure.
2Productivity
If the grille shutter opening degree is determined by multiple logics, then comprehensive performance optimization is achieved, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares multiple determination logics in advance, each optimized for specific operating conditions. Rather than using a single complex logic that handles all scenarios, the system pre-configures specialized logics (first logic for cooling, second for fuel economy, third for warm-up, fourth for air intake) and selects the appropriate one based on current conditions. This preliminary preparation of multiple specialized logics simplifies the overall control structure while achieving comprehensive performance optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system changes the operational parameter (which determination logic is executed) based on engine temperature and water temperature thresholds. By monitoring these parameters and switching between different logics, the system achieves comprehensive performance optimization without requiring all logics to operate simultaneously, thus avoiding excessive control system complexity.
3Loss of energy
If the grille shutter is closed to improve fuel economy, then fuel consumption decreases, but cooling performance and warm-up performance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts the grille shutter opening degree based on real-time engine conditions. When engine temperature is low, the system opens the shutter to prioritize warm-up performance. When engine temperature is normal and cooling demand is low, the system closes the shutter to improve fuel economy. This dynamic adjustment ensures that fuel economy improvements do not compromise cooling or warm-up performance, as the system adapts to current thermal conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors engine temperature and water temperature to determine the appropriate grille shutter opening degree. This feedback mechanism ensures that the shutter position is adjusted based on actual thermal conditions, preventing situations where fuel economy optimization would compromise cooling or warm-up performance. The system only closes the shutter for fuel economy improvement when thermal conditions permit.
Data Source
AI summary
This grille shutter control device controls opening and closing of a grille shutter, taking into account not only the cooling performance of a vehicle, but also other performance aspects. The grille shutter control device is a grille shutter control device for controlling opening and closing of a grille shutter in a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine, wherein a control device includes: a logic selecting unit for selecting one logic from among a plurality of opening degree determining logics for determining an opening degree of a grille shutter, on the basis of an atmospheric temperature inside an exhaust pipe (K1) of an engine; and a logic executing unit for controlling opening and closing of the grille shutter by executing the one logic selected by the logic selecting unit.