CN116968830A - Active air dam notification method and system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an "active dam notification method and system". An active dam notification method, particularly includes transitioning a dam of a vehicle between a first position and a second position and providing an alert to a user. The alarm indicates that the air dam is transitioning. The air dam is vertically higher when the air dam is in the first position than when the air dam is in the second position.

Description

Active air dam notification method and system

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to an active air dam for a vehicle, and more particularly, to providing an alert when the active air dam is lowering, raising, or both.

Background

Some vehicles include an active air dam. Active air dams may be lowered and raised to manage air flow. The active air dam may be located in front of the vehicle.

Disclosure of Invention

An active air dam notification method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, transitioning an air dam of a vehicle between a first position and a second position, and providing an alert to a user. The alarm indicates that the air dam is transitioning. The air dam is vertically higher when in the first position than when in the second position.

Another example of the foregoing method includes providing a first type of alert when the active dam transitions from the first location to the second location and providing a second, different type of alert when the active dam transitions from the second location to the first location.

In another example of any of the foregoing methods, the alert is an audible alert.

In another example of any of the foregoing methods, the alert is a visual alert.

In another example of any of the foregoing methods, the visual alert is displayed within an instrument cluster of the vehicle.

Another example of any of the foregoing methods includes providing an alert by adjusting light emitted by a lighting system of the vehicle.

In another example of any of the foregoing methods, the adjusting light comprises flashing light.

In another example of any of the foregoing methods, adjusting the light comprises changing a color of the light.

In another example of any of the foregoing methods, the lighting system is an ambient lighting system of a vehicle.

Another example of any of the foregoing methods includes providing an alert by vibrating a steering wheel of the vehicle.

Another example of any of the foregoing methods includes providing an alert by vibrating a seat of the vehicle.

Another example of any of the foregoing methods includes providing an alert by inflating or deflating a seat of the vehicle.

Another example of any of the foregoing methods includes providing an alert by tightening the restriction device.

Another example of any of the foregoing methods includes providing an alert to a user within a passenger compartment of the vehicle.

In another example of any of the foregoing methods, the vehicle is moving during the transition and the providing.

Another example of any of the foregoing methods includes predicting that the vehicle will travel from the first area through the second area and, in response, transitioning the air dam by raising the air dam from a lowered position to a raised position before reaching the second area.

In another example of any of the foregoing methods, the transition is based on the second area having a rougher terrain than the first area based on previous travel through the second area.

In another example of any of the foregoing methods, the transitioning is based on the vehicle needing to turn while traveling through the second area.

In another example of any of the foregoing methods, the amount of air dam lift during the transition is dependent on the speed of the vehicle, the roughness of the terrain in the second area, or both.

An active air dam system according to another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things: an air dam of the vehicle; an actuator assembly that transitions the air dam between a raised position and a lowered position; and a notification system that provides an alert to the user. The alarm indicates that the air dam is transitioning.

The embodiments, examples and alternatives of the foregoing paragraphs, claims or the following description and drawings (including any of their various aspects or respective individual features) may be employed independently or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments unless such features are incompatible.

Drawings

The various features and advantages of the disclosed examples will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows:

fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a vehicle having an active air dam according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of a front portion of the vehicle of FIG. 1, showing the active air dam in an exemplary raised position.

Fig. 3 shows a side view of a front portion of the vehicle of fig. 2, but showing the active air dam in an exemplary lowered position.

Fig. 4 shows a high-level schematic view of selected portions of the vehicle of fig. 1.

Fig. 5 illustrates a flow of a method of storing a location according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow of another method of storing a location according to another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 7 illustrates a flow of a method of storing active dam retraction time according to yet another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure details exemplary methods and systems for notifying a user (such as a driver of a vehicle) that an active air dam is descending or ascending.

Referring to fig. 1, the vehicle 10 includes an air dam 14 under a front bumper 18 of the vehicle 10. The air dam 14 is an active air dam that is transitionable back and forth between a first position and a second position.

In the exemplary embodiment, air dam 14 extends continuously from a passenger side of vehicle 10 to a driver side of vehicle 10. In another example, the air dam 14 includes a first air dam portion on the passenger side and a second air dam portion on the driver side. The first air dam portion and the second air dam portion may be located in front of the passenger-side front wheel and the driver-side front wheel, respectively. The first air dam portion and the second air dam portion may be independently controllable.

In the exemplary embodiment, air dam 14 is vertically taller in the first position shown in FIG. 2 than in the second position shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. Thus, the first position is a raised position and the second position is a lowered position. The first position may be a fully raised or fully retracted position, but this is not required. The second position may be a fully lowered or fully extended position, but this is not required.

When the air dam 14 is in the first raised position, the air dam 14 does not block the air flow a under the vehicle 10 as much as when the air dam 14 is in the second lowered position. At some speeds, the vehicle 10 may operate more efficiently as the airflow A under the vehicle 10 decreases. Thus, when the vehicle 10 is operating at these speeds, it may be desirable to transition the air dam 14 to the second position.

It will be appreciated that when the air dam 14 is in the second lowered position, the air dam 14 is closer to the ground G than in the first raised position. Thus, when the air dam 14 is in the second position, the air dam 14 is more likely to contact the ground G than when the air dam 14 is in the first position.

The vehicle 10 includes an actuator assembly 22 and a control module 26. Actuator assembly 22 may transition air dam 14 back and forth between the first position and the second position. Actuator assembly 22 may transition air dam 14 in response to a command from control module 26.

In an exemplary embodiment, an alert is provided to a user of the vehicle 10, such as a driver of the vehicle 10, when the air dam 14 is transitioning. The component providing the alert may be considered a notification system. The transition is not easily visible to the user when the user is seated in the vehicle 10 and the vehicle 10 is moving. The alert informs the user that a transition is occurring and emphasizes that the vehicle 10 is equipped with an active air dam, which may be an optional feature that the user has paid for. In some examples, the alert may also indicate that the air dam 14 is moving to the first position or is moving to the second position. For aesthetic reasons, a user may desire the air dam 14 to be in the first raised position when the vehicle 10 is stopped. The alert may emphasize that the air dam 14 has moved or is moving to a desired location when the vehicle 10 completes its journey.

The alarm indicates that the air dam 14 is transitioning. Accordingly, the user is continually alerted that the vehicle 10 includes an air dam 14 that is transitionable between a first position and a second position. Because the air dam 14 is typically transitioning when the user is driving the vehicle 10, the user does not observe the transition of the air dam 14. An alert is provided to notify the user that a transition is occurring. Thus, the vehicle 10 may move during the transition and during the provision of the alert.

If the user knows the location of the air dam 14, the user may drive the vehicle 10 differently. When the air dam 14 is deployed, the user may be more careful when operating the vehicle 10 over some type of terrain. If the user knows that the air dam 10 is retracted, the user can confidently operate off-road or maneuver at low speed under uneven or bumpy conditions, including parking lots with rail sleepers, snow piles, etc.

If the user knows the location of the air dam 14, the user may drive the vehicle 10 differently. When the air dam 14 is deployed, the user may be more careful when operating on some types of terrain. If the user knows that the air dam 14 is retracted, the user can confidently operate off-road or maneuver at low speed in uneven or bumpy conditions (including parking lots with rail sleepers, snow piles, etc.).

Referring now to the schematic diagram of fig. 4 and with continued reference to fig. 1-3, the alarm may be an audible alarm, a visual alarm, a tactile alarm, or some combination of these alarms. In some examples, the user may disable the alert feature, or customize the type of alert.

Typically, the user may hear an audible alarm. An exemplary audible alarm may be an audible jingle or bell sound emitted from the speaker 30. In this example, an audible alert may be heard by a user within the passenger compartment 34 of the vehicle 10.

Typically, the user can see a visual alert. An exemplary visual alert may include illuminating an icon 38 within an instrument cluster 42 of the vehicle 10. Another example visual alert may be an adjustment to the light emitted by the lighting system 46 of the vehicle 10. Such adjustment may be a blinking of one or more lights 50 of the vehicle 10, such as a cup holder light. Another adjustment may be to change the color of the lamp 50, for example from blue to red. Another adjustment may be to change the intensity or color of the lights 50 within the vehicle 10, such as ambient light or exterior decorative signage illumination of the vehicle 10.

Typically, the user may feel a tactile alert. Exemplary tactile alerts may include vibratory devices such as a steering wheel 54 or a seat 58 within the vehicle 10. Other exemplary tactile alerts may include raising or lowering the steering column 62 of the vehicle 10, or inflating or deflating an airbag 66 within the seat 58 of the vehicle 10, such that an area of the seat 58 is inflated or deflated and may be perceived by a person sitting in the seat 58. Yet another example tactile alert may include tightening the restraint 70 more tightly around the user or causing the massager 74 of the seat 58 to vibrate the user within the seat 58.

In some examples, the type of alert changes based on the transition. For example, a first type of alert may be provided when the air dam 14 is lowered and transitions from a first position to a second position. Then, when the air dam 14 is raised and transitioned from the second position to the first position, a second, different type of alert may be provided. The first alarm may include a single audible beep and an icon 38 that is illuminated within the instrument cluster 42. The second alarm may include two audible beeps and a different second icon that is illuminated within the instrument cluster 42.

Another example of changing the alert type may include vibrating the seat 58 of the vehicle 10 according to a first sequence while the air dam 14 is descending, and vibrating the seat 58 of the vehicle 10 according to a second, different sequence while the air dam 14 is ascending. Vibration of the seat 58 may occur by actuating the massager system 74 of the seat 58.

In some examples, the transition of the air dam 14 may be relatively slow. For example, the actuator assembly 22 may be relatively small and lack the power required for the air dam 14 to transition faster. The actuator assembly 22 may also take a significant amount of time to transition the air dam 14 due to temperature effects, aging/dirty mechanisms, etc.

If the vehicle 10 is traveling at a high speed, it may be beneficial to transition faster than if the vehicle 10 is traveling at a lower speed. That is, if the vehicle 10 travels at a high speed and enters a rough road section with the air dam 14 in the second position, there may be little time to raise the air dam 14.

The example vehicle 10 is configured to continuously retrieve information related to road conditions (and particularly, terrain irregularities). For example, during a driving cycle, if the vehicle 10 traverses particularly rough terrain that may potentially result in damaging contact between the road surface and the air dam 14, the vehicle 10 may record information regarding the location of the rough terrain. The information may be stored as global positioning system coordinates. The information may be stored remotely from the vehicle 10, in the memory portion 78 of the vehicle 10, or both.

During a subsequent driving cycle, as the vehicle 10 approaches the location of rough terrain, the control module 26 may command the actuator assembly 22 to actively retract the air dam 14 to avoid damage.

In this example, control module 26 initiates elevation of air dam 14 based at least in part on information obtained during a previous trip of vehicle 10 over rough terrain. In another example, control module 26 may obtain information from GPS mapping indicating that rough terrain is forthcoming, which may include road surface information in some examples.

In this example, control module 26 may therefore predict that vehicle 10 will travel from the first zone through the second zone and, in response, transition air dam 14 by raising air dam 14 from the lowered position to the raised position before reaching the second zone. The prediction of the travel of the vehicle 10 through the second area may be based on a route entered by the user, or may be based on the road on which the vehicle 10 is currently traveling and the upcoming segment of the road. The transition may have a rougher terrain than the first area based on the second area based on previous travel through the second area.

It will be appreciated that braking and cornering of the vehicle 10, particularly jerky braking and jerky cornering, may cause the air dam 14 to move vertically relative to the road R, which may potentially damage the air dam 14. In addition to invoking information about rough terrain, the vehicle 10 may invoke information about areas on the road R where jerk turns or jerk braking is potentially required. Then, the vehicle 10 may actively raise the air dam 14 when approaching these areas of the road.

For example, if the vehicle 10 is heavily tilted as it bypasses the highway clover, the air dam 14 may be raised as the vehicle 10 approaches the clover. Information relating to rough terrain, jerk turns, and jerk braking may be stored in a lookup table within memory portion 78 or external to vehicle 10.

Sway or braking of the vehicle 10 due to avoidance of objects such as other vehicles may be identified by machine learning of advanced driver assistance system camera pictures. Since these types of operations are unlikely to be repeated or associated with a particular region, these types of operations may not be stored for later recall in connection with the transition gas dam 14.

The distance that the air dam 14 retracts in response to an upcoming rough terrain, an upcoming jerk turn, or jerk braking may be stored in a lookup table and may vary based on, for example, temperature and vehicle speed. The temperature portion of the lookup table may be continuously updated based on a moving average of the shrink time at a certain temperature.

Referring to fig. 5, an example method 100 of storing information for a dam transition begins at step 110. Next, at step 120, the terrain roughness is compared to a roughness threshold while the vehicle 10 is traveling. If the terrain roughness does not exceed the roughness threshold, the method 100 returns to the beginning. If the terrain roughness does exceed the roughness threshold, the method 100 moves to step 130 where the location of the rough terrain is stored, for example using GPS coordinates, at step 130.

Referring to fig. 6, an example method 200 of storing information for a dam transition begins at step 210. Next, at step 220, roll and braking of the vehicle 10 is continuously monitored while the vehicle 10 is traveling. If rocking or braking at a particular location causes the air dam 14 to contact the surface of the roadway, the method 200 moves to step 230. At step 230, the method 200 evaluates whether the sway or brake is due to an object or vehicle in the road. If so, the method 200 returns to step 210. If the sway or braking is not due to an object or vehicle on the road, then the specific location is saved at step 240.

Referring to fig. 7, a method 300 of allocating retract time for an air dam 14 begins at step 310. Next, at step 320, the method 300 evaluates whether the air dam 14 has been commanded to retract. If not, the method 300 returns to step 310. If the air dam 14 has been commanded to retract, the method 300 moves to step 330 where the time taken for the air dam 14 to retract is measured and stored in a look-up table.

It will be appreciated that the return air dam 14 may take more time in cold weather than in warm weather. By storing the time associated with the temperature in a lookup table, the command to transition the air dam 14 may be issued far enough before approaching a rough road segment to permit the air dam 14 to transition completely to the elevated position. That is, in colder weather, the command to transition to the raised position in response to the upcoming rough terrain may be issued faster than if the vehicle 10 were traveling in warmer weather.

In addition to commanding retraction of the air dam 14, the control module 26 may also preload the brakes or adjust trailer brake sensitivity in response to upcoming road conditions, such as tight turns or rough terrain. Preloading the brakes of the vehicle 10 may enhance braking readiness, which in turn may reduce stopping distances in an emergency situation. The pre-load may cause the brake pads to lightly press against the brake disc, ensuring that the brake system is optimally prepared for upcoming braking.

In addition to commanding retraction of the air dam 14, the control module 26 may also temporarily close the active grille shutter in response to an upcoming road condition, such as a tight turn or rough terrain. Closing the active grille shutter may protect the cooling system of the vehicle from potentially damaging debris.

In addition to commanding retraction of the air dam 14, the control module 26 may also lock the electric glove box release and/or prevent seat and steering wheel adjustment in response to upcoming road conditions, such as tight turns or rough terrain.

In addition to commanding retraction of the air dam 14, the control module 26 may also desensitize the capacitive switch within the vehicle 10 in response to upcoming road conditions, such as tight turns or rough terrain. Decreasing the sensitivity of the capacitive switch may prevent accidental actuation. The switch may be located in an overhead console or instrument panel of the vehicle 10.

The amount by which the air dam 14 is extended or retracted may vary based on the ride height of the vehicle 10. For example, if the vehicle 10 is carrying a relatively heavy load, the air dam 14 may need to retract farther than if the vehicle 10 is carrying a light load to avoid contact with the road. The vehicle 10 may include a sensor with vibration of the vehicle 10 that monitors the location of the vibration to assess the proper height of the vehicle. In other examples, the vehicle 10 may include a height sensor that relies on ultrasound or radar to assess the ride height of the vehicle 10.

In some examples, the sensor in vibration may indicate that the vehicle 10 is loaded at its rear, which may cause the front of the vehicle 10 to rise slightly. When the vehicle 10 is loaded in this manner, rather than if the vehicle 10 is loaded more evenly, the air dam 14 may be extended further. For example, if the vehicle is heavily loaded, the air dam may not extend too far.

Some features of the disclosed examples include alerting a user of a transition of the air dam using an alert. For example, a user may turn the alert feature off or on via a touch screen interface. The alarm may be an audible jingle or chime (similar to that done on an aircraft to warn of turbulence) as well as a visual indication on the instrument cluster.

The alarm may be a change in interior/exterior lighting, tightening of a restriction device, or some combination of these.

Features that provide improved control of the air dam may include "remembering" rough road segments of the road via GPS and reacting before encountering these rough road segments again via proactive transitions of the air dam. Another feature is to distinguish between vehicle sway caused by speed (e.g., around a turn), remembering this for later use, and unlearned vehicle sway caused by objects/vehicles on the road.

The distance the dam begins to retract before the previous rough road is a SW look-up table based on temperature and vehicle speed. In addition to the transition air dam, the vehicle brakes and/or the trailer brakes may be preloaded and the active grille system may be turned off. The preload provides for the use of the brake. The closing of the active grille system helps prevent road debris from damaging vehicle components. The motorized glove box release may be locked prior to rough terrain and may prevent adjustment of the position of the seat or steering wheel. In addition, the switch sensitivity may be reduced to prevent inadvertent actuation. The air dam extension may vary depending on the vehicle ride height. When evaluating the ride height, both uniform and non-uniform loads can be considered (rear load overload causes the front to rise slightly).

The preceding description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed examples may become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not necessarily depart from the essence of this disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of legal protection given to this disclosure can only be determined by studying the following claims.

Claims (15)

1. An active dam notification method, comprising:

vertically transitioning an air dam of a vehicle between a first position and a second position, the air dam being vertically higher when in the first position than when in the second position; and

an alert is provided to a user, the alert indicating that the air dam is transitioning.

2. The active dam notification method of claim 1, further comprising providing a first type of alert when the active dam transitions from the first location to the second location and providing a second, different type of alert when the active dam transitions from the second location to the first location.

3. The active dam notification method of claim 1, wherein the alert is an audible alert.

4. The active dam notification method of claim 1, wherein the alert is a visual alert and optionally wherein the visual alert is displayed within an instrument cluster of the vehicle.

5. The active dam notification method of claim 1, further comprising providing the alert by adjusting light emitted by a lighting system of the vehicle and optionally wherein the lighting system is an ambient lighting system of the vehicle.

6. The active air dam notification method of claim 5, wherein adjusting the light comprises flashing the light, changing a color of the light, or both.

7. The active air dam notification method of claim 1, further comprising providing the alert by vibrating a steering wheel, vibrating a seat of the vehicle, or both.

8. The active dam notification method of claim 1, further comprising providing the alert by inflating or deflating a seat of the vehicle.

9. The active dam notification method of claim 1, further comprising providing the alert by tightening a restriction device.

10. The active air dam notification method of claim 1, further comprising providing the alert to the user within a passenger compartment of the vehicle.

11. The active dam notification method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is moving during the transition and the providing.

12. The active air dam notification method of claim 1, further comprising predicting that the vehicle will travel from a first area through a second area and in response, transitioning the air dam by elevating the air dam from the second position to the first position before reaching the second area and optionally wherein the transitioning has a rougher terrain than the first area based on previous travel through the second area based on the second area.

13. The active air dam notification method of claim 12, wherein the transition is based on the vehicle needing to turn while traveling through the second zone.

14. The active dam notification method of claim 12, wherein an amount of the dam elevation during the transition depends on a speed of the vehicle, a roughness of terrain in the second area, or both.

15. An active air dam system, comprising:

an air dam of the vehicle;

an actuator assembly that transitions the air dam between a raised position and a lowered position; and

a notification system that provides an alert to a user, the alert indicating that the air dam is transitioning.