Vehicle Fan Control via Object Detection to Prevent Ingestion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicles operating in forward or reverse modes often encounter objects near the fan end, leading to air ingestion and potential damage to heat exchangers, which existing systems fail to effectively prevent or manage.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a fan, an object detector, and a controller that adjusts fan operation based on detected objects within a certain distance, limiting inward air movement and controlling fan speed and pitch to prevent object ingestion, while maintaining airflow for cooling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the fan operates continuously to cool the heat exchanger, then the cooling efficiency is improved, but objects may be ingested into the airflow path causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat exchanger coolingVSAvoidobject ingestion

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The object detector is positioned to detect objects before they reach the fan airflow path. By detecting objects in advance and controlling the fan to stop or reduce operation when objects are detected, the system prevents object ingestion while maintaining cooling when safe, thus resolving the contradiction between continuous cooling and preventing harmful object ingestion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the object detector to dynamically control fan operation. When objects are detected within a certain distance, the controller stops or reduces fan operation to prevent ingestion; when no objects are present, the fan operates at full capacity for optimal cooling. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adapt fan operation to real-time conditions, resolving the contradiction between maintaining cooling efficiency and preventing object damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If the fan speed is increased to improve airflow, then the cooling performance is improved, but the risk of object ingestion increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairflow rateVSAvoidobject ingestion risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fan speed is made dynamic rather than fixed. The controller adjusts fan speed based on real-time object detection data - operating at high speed when no objects are present to maximize cooling efficiency, and reducing or stopping when objects are detected to prevent ingestion. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between maintaining high airflow productivity and preventing object ingestion risks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the vehicle operates in reverse mode, then the travel flexibility is improved, but the fan may ingest objects from the reverse direction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetravel direction flexibilityVSAvoidobject ingestion from reverse

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The object detection system is designed to detect objects from all directions around the vehicle, not just from the forward direction. The detector can identify objects whether the vehicle is moving forward or in reverse, and the controller adjusts fan operation accordingly. This universal detection capability allows the vehicle to operate flexibly in any travel direction while maintaining protection against object ingestion from any direction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The system effectively prevents object ingestion into the vehicle's airflow path, ensuring continuous operation and extending the life of heat exchangers by controlling fan actuation and airflow direction based on detected objects.

Implementation Method 1

one or more fans that move air through or around the heat exchanger(s) in order to cool one or more fluids of an engine, motor, or other component of the vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 2

an object detector mounted at the fan end of the vehicle and configured to detect an object within a detection distance from the fan end of the vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadar: Radar

Data Source

PatentUS11319962B2Vehicle and system and method of controlling air movement with a fan of a vehicle

Publication Date: 2022.05.03 DEERE & CO

AI summary

A vehicle, a system, and a method for controlling air movement through the vehicle with a fan of the vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes the fan mounted to the vehicle and configured to move air at a fan end of the vehicle, an object detector mounted at the fan end of the vehicle and configured to detect an object within a detection distance from the fan end of the vehicle, and a controller configured to control actuation of the fan based on detection of the object within the detection distance at the fan end of the vehicle.