Variable Grille Opening Control for Vehicle Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle engine component cooling systems face a challenge in balancing aerodynamic drag, air cooling efficiency, and power consumption across various vehicle operating conditions, as traditional grille openings increase drag and reduce fuel efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A variable front end grille opening system that adjusts based on engine component cooling demands and vehicle conditions, combined with an algorithm to optimize grille opening and engine cooling fan speed to minimize power consumption, including a deceleration cooling mode that maximizes air intake during deceleration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If grille openings are increased to improve air cooling efficiency, then cooling performance is improved, but aerodynamic drag increases and fuel efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the grille opening variable rather than fixed. The adjustable grille allows the opening area to be dynamically changed based on operating conditions, enabling the system to optimize between cooling performance and aerodynamic drag in different situations, directly resolving the contradiction between these two opposing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of grille opening area from a fixed value to a variable parameter that can be adjusted based on temperature sensors, vehicle speed, and operating conditions. This parameter change enables the system to adaptively balance cooling requirements against aerodynamic drag losses.
2Temperature
If grille openings are increased to improve air cooling efficiency, then cooling performance is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamically adjustable grille opening allows the system to optimize power consumption by opening the grille only when and to the extent needed for cooling, rather than maintaining a large fixed opening. This reduces unnecessary aerodynamic drag and associated power consumption during conditions when full cooling capacity is not required.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the grille opening area parameter based on real-time monitoring of temperature and operating conditions, the system minimizes power consumption while maintaining adequate cooling, avoiding the constant energy penalty of a permanently large opening.
3Device complexity
If sequential checks of individual components are used to determine cooling requirements, then system complexity is reduced, but control efficiency and optimization deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control of multiple engine components' cooling requirements into a single integrated control system. Instead of sequentially checking individual components, the system simultaneously monitors temperatures of multiple components and coordinates grille opening and fan speed together, improving overall control efficiency and enabling holistic optimization of the cooling system.
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 achieves an optimal balance between aerodynamic effects, air cooling, and power consumption by dynamically controlling grille openings and engine cooling fan speeds, reducing drag and fuel consumption while ensuring efficient engine component cooling.
Implementation Method 1
a powered engine cooling fan that draws air into the engine compartment
Implementation Method 2
increase the overall aerodynamic drag friction of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling a vehicle engine compartment cooling system by cooperatively controlling both a variable grille opening and engine cooling fan based on a number of vehicle inputs. Maximum component cooling demand, vehicle speed, and ambient temperature are inputs to lookup tables that issue grille opening demand and engine cooling fan demand. Additionally, vehicle overall power consumption is considered in the development of the lookup tables. A vehicle computing unit selects grille opening settings and cooling fan speeds that correspond to demands from lookup tables. A control signal is sent to an adjustable grille actuator and to a fan motor. Further, vehicle deceleration events are used to trigger a full open grille opening setting, allowing increased cooling at little or no loss to vehicle efficiency. A benefit of the disclosed method is optimal settings to minimize the grille opening for aerodynamic performance while providing required engine component cooling.