Grille Shutter Control for Battery SOC Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle systems do not effectively manage the state of charge (SOC) of electric power storage devices, such as in electric and hybrid cars, which can lead to overcharging and battery deterioration, despite grille shutter controls for fuel economy and overheating prevention.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system that includes an electric power storage device, electric motors, and a grille shutter, controlled by an electronic control unit to adjust air intake based on SOC levels, increasing air resistance and power consumption when SOC exceeds a predetermined value to maintain it within a safe range, thereby preventing overcharging.
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 efficiency is improved, but the electric power storage device may become overcharged and suffer deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The grille shutter is controlled dynamically based on real-time SOC levels. When SOC exceeds the upper threshold, the shutter opens to increase air resistance and power consumption, thereby reducing SOC. When SOC is between thresholds, the shutter closes to reduce air resistance and improve fuel economy. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting the shutter position to current battery charge levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors the SOC of the electric power storage device and uses this feedback to adjust the grille shutter position. The feedback loop ensures that the shutter is opened when SOC is high (preventing overcharge) and closed when SOC is appropriate (improving fuel economy), thus resolving the contradiction between fuel efficiency and battery management.
2Reliability
If the grille shutter is opened to introduce more air into the vehicle, then air resistance increases and power consumption increases, but this helps manage high SOC levels
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the air intake parameter (grille shutter position) based on SOC levels. When SOC is high, the shutter opens to increase air resistance, which increases power consumption and reduces SOC. When SOC is appropriate, the shutter closes to reduce air resistance and power consumption. This parameter change strategy resolves the contradiction by adjusting air intake based on battery charge levels.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the grille shutter is closed to reduce air resistance, then fuel economy is improved, but the engine temperature may increase leading to overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit monitors both SOC and engine temperature to adjust the grille shutter position. When SOC is high, the shutter opens to manage charge levels, and when temperature exceeds thresholds, the shutter opens to prevent overheating. This multi-parameter feedback control resolves the contradiction by balancing fuel economy with both battery management and temperature control.
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 manages the SOC of electric power storage devices by increasing air resistance and power consumption when necessary, reducing the risk of overcharging and battery deterioration, while ensuring reliable driving force and fuel efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The air resistance of the vehicle increases as the amount of the air that is introduced into the vehicle from the outside of the vehicle increases
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes an electric power storage device, motors, a grille shutter and at least one ECU. The ECU is configured to: (i) control the motors and the grille shutter, (ii) calculate the SOC of an electric power storage device, and (iii) execute opening control of the grille shutter such that a first amount of the air exceeds a second amount of the air. The first amount of the air is an amount of the air introduced into the vehicle from the outside of the vehicle when the SOC exceeds a predetermined value. The second amount of the air is an amount of the air introduced into the vehicle from the outside of the vehicle when the SOC does not exceed the predetermined value.