Vehicle Radiator Grille Compulsory Air Intake Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grille devices for vehicles fail to prevent engine overheating when the output voltage of the battery is abnormal, leading to inadequate movement of the adjustment member to the permission position, especially during periods when the engine is started but the vehicle has not yet begun traveling, and when the power generation capability of the electric generator deteriorates, causing the movable fin to remain in the block position.
Innovation Solution
A grille device with a controller that performs a compulsory movement control to ensure the adjustment member is moved to the permission position by setting minimum and maximum voltage thresholds and power generation levels, thereby preventing overheating by interrupting or terminating the grille opening and closing control when these thresholds are exceeded or fallen below.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the battery voltage is monitored and control is interrupted when voltage is abnormal, then the electric motor is protected, but the adjustment member cannot be moved to prevent overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage converter serves as a mediator that enables safe operation during abnormal voltage conditions. It converts the abnormal battery voltage into a suitable voltage for directly driving the adjustment member, allowing the system to protect the electric motor from damage while simultaneously ensuring the adjustment member can still be moved to prevent engine overheating.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operating parameters by switching from motor-driven operation to direct battery-driven operation when voltage conditions change. The controller detects abnormal voltage and switches the power transmission method, using the voltage converter to adapt the battery output to match the adjustment member's requirements, thus maintaining functionality across different voltage parameters.
2Reliability
If the adjustment member is moved to the permission position during abnormal voltage conditions, then air intake is permitted, but the electric motor cannot be energized
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the traditional power transmission path by using the battery to directly drive the adjustment member through the voltage converter, rather than using the electric motor. This alternative energy utilization path allows the system to achieve the desired air intake control function without relying on the electric motor, thus maintaining functionality when electric power is insufficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage converter acts as an intermediary that enables efficient energy transfer from the battery to the adjustment member during abnormal voltage conditions. It converts the battery's high voltage output into the appropriate voltage for the adjustment member, ensuring reliable operation while optimizing energy utilization and avoiding the inefficiency of attempting to operate the electric motor with insufficient voltage.
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
This solution effectively prevents engine overheating by ensuring the adjustment member is moved to the permission position even when battery voltage is below the startup voltage of the electric motor, and by setting voltage and power generation thresholds, it ensures the grille control operates within safe limits, preventing abnormal voltage from causing engine overheating.
Implementation Method 1
an electric motor configured to move the adjustment member
Implementation Method 2
a battery configured to supply electric power to the electric motor
Implementation Method 3
an electric generator configured to be operated by a vehicle drive engine to generate electric power to be charged in the battery
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A grille device (A) for a vehicle is provided. The grille device includes an adjustment member (29,30) provided to be movable between a block position and a permission position for blocking and permitting intake of air into a radiator (2), respectively; a motor which moves the adjustment member; a battery for the motor; an electric generator which generates electric power for the battery; a motor controller which moves the adjustment member; and a grille controller which performs a first control for adjusting an air intake amount into the radiator and a second control for stopping the first control and compulsorily moving the adjustment member to the permission position. The grille controller performs the second control when an output voltage of the battery becomes a voltage value outside a predetermined range and otherwise when an amount of power generation by the electric generator becomes smaller than a set minimum amount of power generation.