JP2004162542A - Control system of vehicular fan clutch - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve fuel economy without causing overheat by controlling a fan clutch in a cutoff state when a travel load of a vehicle is low or when the travel load of the vehicle is high in a short time. <P>SOLUTION: Switching of this fan clutch to a connecting state or a cutoff state is performed by a switching means 14 by intermitting the transmission of motive power to a cooling fan 12 of an engine from the engine 11 of the vehicle by the fan clutch 13. Travel expected road information of the vehicle is acquired by a road information acquiring means 32, and a position of the vehicle is detected by a vehicle position sensor 33. A controller 38 is constituted so as to control the switching means on the basis of an operation condition of the engine, respective detecting outputs of the vehicle position sensor and the road information acquired by the road information acquiring means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device for controlling a fan clutch for interrupting transmission of power from a vehicle engine to a cooling fan of the engine.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as this type of control device, when the transmission of power from the engine to the cooling fan of the engine is interrupted by a fan clutch and the vehicle equipped with the engine is detected to be on a downhill, the fan 2. Description of the Related Art There is known a fan clutch control device for an internal combustion engine configured to control a clutch in a connected state (for example, see Patent Document 1).
With the fan clutch control device for an internal combustion engine configured as described above, the load on the engine that drives the cooling fan increases when the vehicle is on a downhill, so that the cooling fan uses the auxiliary braking of the engine. Act as a device. As a result, the braking of the vehicle when the vehicle is downhill is assisted, so that the load on the braking means such as the exhaust brake and the wheel brake during the downhill can be reduced.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Published Japanese Utility Model Application No. 6-18625
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the fan clutch control device for the internal combustion engine disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a problem that the fuel efficiency cannot be improved even though the braking of the vehicle can be assisted.
An object of the present invention is to improve fuel efficiency without causing overheating by switching the fan clutch to a disconnected state when the running load of the vehicle is low or when the running load of the vehicle is short and high. It is an object of the present invention to provide a control device for a vehicle fan clutch.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the invention according to claim 1 is a state in which a fan clutch 13 that interrupts transmission of power from an engine 11 of a vehicle to a cooling fan 12 of the engine 11 is connected to the fan clutch 13. Alternatively, the present invention is an improvement of a control device for a vehicle fan clutch including a switching unit 14 for switching to a disconnected state and a controller 38 for controlling the switching unit 14 in accordance with an operating condition of the engine 11.
The characteristic configuration further includes a road information acquisition unit 32 that acquires road information of a planned travel of the vehicle, and a vehicle position sensor 33 that detects the position of the vehicle. The switching unit 14 is configured to be controlled based on each detection output of 33 and the road information obtained by the road information obtaining unit 32.
[0006]
In the control device for a vehicle fan clutch according to the present invention, the controller 38 performs the control based on the operating conditions of the engine 11, each detection output of the vehicle position sensor 33, and the road information acquired by the road information acquiring means 32. When the load of the engine 11 when traveling on the road to be traveled is predicted and it is determined that the traveling load of the vehicle is low or that the traveling load of the vehicle is high for a short time, the fan clutch 13 is disconnected. To control the state.
[0007]
The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, and further includes, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a sensor that detects an operating condition of the engine 11 detects a temperature of a coolant of the engine 11. It has a sensor 34 and a vehicle speed sensor 36 for detecting the speed of the vehicle, and the road information obtaining means 32 is configured to obtain the gradient information and the traffic congestion information of the road on which the vehicle is to run. .
In the vehicle fan clutch control device according to the second aspect, even when the temperature of the cooling water of the engine 11 is within the predetermined range for switching the fan clutch 13 to the connected state, the gradient of the road is less than the predetermined value. When the road is not congested for a predetermined distance or more and the speed of the vehicle is equal to or more than a predetermined value, that is, when the traveling load of the vehicle is low, the controller 38 switches the fan clutch 13 to the disengaged state to perform cooling. The rotation of the fan 12 is stopped.
[0008]
The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1, and further includes, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a sensor that detects an operating condition of the engine 11 detects a temperature of a coolant of the engine 11. It has a sensor 34 and an accelerator sensor 37 for detecting the accelerator opening of the vehicle, and the road information obtaining means 32 is configured to obtain gradient information of a road on which the vehicle is to run.
In the vehicle fan clutch control device according to the third aspect, even when the temperature of the cooling water of the engine 11 is within the predetermined range for switching the fan clutch 13 to the connected state, the gradient of the road is less than the predetermined value. The controller 38 switches the fan clutch 13 to the disengaged state when there is a vehicle and the opening speed of the accelerator opening is equal to or more than a predetermined value, that is, when the load of the vehicle is a high load and the time of the high load is short. Then, the rotation of the cooling fan 12 is stopped.
[0009]
The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claim 1, further comprising: a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of cooling water for the engine, wherein the sensor for detecting an operating condition of the engine of the vehicle further includes: And a road information acquisition unit configured to acquire gradient information of a road on which the vehicle is to travel.
In the vehicle fan clutch control device according to the fourth aspect, even if the temperature of the engine cooling water is within a predetermined range for switching the fan clutch to the connected state, the gradient of the road is less than the predetermined value. When the vehicle is empty, that is, when the running load of the vehicle is low, the controller switches the fan clutch to the disconnected state and stops the rotation of the cooling fan.
[0010]
When the vehicle is a truck, the empty state detection sensor according to the fourth aspect is preferably a vehicle height sensor that detects the distance between the axle and the chassis frame.
Further, when the vehicle is a tractor capable of towing a trailer, it is preferable that the empty state detection sensor described in claim 4 is a connection detection sensor that detects whether or not the trailer is connected to the tractor.
[0011]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, transmission of power from the engine 11 of the vehicle to the cooling fan 12 of the engine 11 is interrupted by a fan clutch 13, and the fan clutch 13 is switched to a connected state or a disconnected state by switching means 14. It is configured as follows. The power generated by the engine 11 is converted into the torque of the crankshaft 16, and a rotating shaft 17 is rotatably mounted on the cylinder block 11a of the engine 11 in a state protruding from the front surface of the block 11a. A drive pulley 18 is fitted on the crankshaft 16, a driven pulley 19 is fitted on the rotating shaft 17, and a fan belt 21 is stretched over these pulleys 18 and 19. The fan clutch 13 is provided at the tip of a rotating shaft 17, and the cooling fan 12 is attached to a case 22 of the fan clutch 13. Reference numeral 23 in FIG. 1 denotes a radiator, and the rotation of the cooling fan 12 generates a flow of air passing between a plurality of fins (not shown) of the radiator 23, and the air flows through the radiator 23. The cooling water of the engine 11 is cooled.
[0012]
As shown in FIG. 2, the fan clutch 13 is a viscous fluid coupling, and includes a disk 24 fitted to the tip of a rotating shaft 17, which accommodates the disk 24 and is attached to the rotating shaft 17 so as to be relatively rotatable. And the case 22 described above. The case 22 is formed by abutting the peripheral edges of a pair of bowl-shaped members 22a and 22b with each other and bolting them (not shown). The inside of the case 22 is partitioned into a storage chamber 22c and a working chamber 22d by a partition 26, and the disk 24 is accommodated in the working chamber 22d. The partition 26 includes an annular body 26a fixed to one of the bowl-shaped members 22a, and a partition main body 26b fixed in the annular body 26a. A viscous fluid is stored in the storage chamber 22c, and the viscous fluid is configured to be able to flow through the working chamber 22d. The viscous fluid is silicone oil in this embodiment.
[0013]
Further, toothed portions 24a and 22e, which are complemented by an annular ring and an annular concave portion, are formed on opposing surfaces of the disk 24 and the other bowl-shaped member 22b, respectively. A labyrinth (maze) 27 through which a viscous fluid can pass is formed between the toothed portions 24a and 22e. Further, a pump chamber 22f is provided on an outer peripheral portion of the working chamber 22d, and a pump projection (not shown) and a pump hole (not shown) are provided in the pump chamber 22f. The pump projection applies a static pressure to the viscous fluid by slippage based on a difference in rotation speed between the disk 24 and the case 22, and the static pressure returns the viscous fluid from the working chamber 22d to the storage chamber 22c through the pump hole. It has become.
[0014]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the switching means 14 includes a valve 28 for starting or stopping the introduction of the viscous fluid in the storage chamber 22c into the working chamber 22d, and a driving unit for driving the valve 28. 28b. The valve 28a includes a pair of through-holes 28a, 28a disposed above and below the partition wall main body 26b, a valve body 28b formed of a flat bar and capable of opening and closing the pair of through-holes 28a, 28a, and one bowl-shaped member. A swing shaft 28c rotatably inserted into the valve body 22a and having one end inserted into the center of the valve body 28b. A torsion coil spring (not shown) for urging the valve body 28b in a direction to open the pair of through holes 28a, 28a is loosely fitted to the swing shaft 28c.
[0015]
The drive unit 29 has an armature 29a fitted to the swing shaft 28c, and a field 29b fixed in the cover 31 so as to face the armature 29a. The cover 31 is attached to the outer surface of one of the bowl-shaped members 22a so as to accommodate the protrusion of the swing shaft 28c. When a predetermined current is applied to the field 29b via a slip ring (not shown), the armature 29a closes the pair of through holes 28a, 28a against the elastic force of the torsion coil spring due to the electromagnetic force. Is configured to rotate the valve body 28b. When the pair of through holes 28a and 28a are opened, the viscous fluid flows into the labyrinth 27, and the viscosity causes the case 22 to follow the disk 24 and the fan clutch 13 to be in a connected state. When the pair of through holes 28a, 28a is closed, the viscous fluid in the labyrinth 27 is discharged, the rotation of the case 22 is stopped, and the fan clutch 13 is brought into a disconnected state. Note that reference numerals 24b, 24b in FIG. 2 denote a pair of through holes formed in the disk.
[0016]
Returning to FIG. 1, the road information of the planned travel of the vehicle is obtained by the road information obtaining means 32, and the position of the vehicle is detected by the vehicle position sensor 33. A system in which the road information acquisition means 32 and the vehicle position sensor 33 are combined is generally called a car navigation system. This car navigation system is based on vehicle position information transmitted from a GPS satellite, map information stored in an on-board CD-ROM or DVD-ROM, and traffic congestion information transmitted from a road traffic communication center (VICS center). This is a system that supports running and driving of the vehicle by combining.
[0017]
In this embodiment, the information obtained by the road information obtaining means 32 is road gradient information and traffic congestion information. The sensors for detecting the operating conditions of the engine 11 include a temperature sensor 34 for detecting the temperature of the cooling water of the engine 11, a vehicle speed sensor 36 for detecting the speed of the vehicle, and an accelerator sensor 37 for detecting the accelerator opening of the vehicle. Having. The road information obtained by the road information obtaining means 32 and the detection outputs of the vehicle position sensor 33, the temperature sensor 34, the vehicle speed sensor 36, and the accelerator sensor 37 are electrically connected to the control input of the controller 38, and are controlled by the controller 38. The output is electrically connected to the field 29a of the drive unit 29 of the switching means 14.
[0018]
The operation of the control device for the vehicle fan clutch 13 thus configured will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
When the temperature sensor 34 detects that the temperature of the cooling water of the engine 11 is within a predetermined range for switching the fan clutch 13 to the connected state (80 to 95 ° C., preferably 80 to 90 ° C.), the controller 38 sets the fan clutch 13 Is switched to the connected state, and the cooling fan 12 is rotated. The vehicle travels in a state where the cooling fan 12 is rotating, and the road information acquisition means 32 acquires that the gradient of the road is less than a predetermined value (less than 3%, preferably less than 2%). When the accelerator sensor 37 detects that the opening speed of the vehicle is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (10% or more for 0.5 seconds, preferably 20% or more for 0.5 seconds), the controller 38 determines that the load on the vehicle is high. However, since it is determined that the time of the high load is short, that is, it is determined that the vehicle is rapidly accelerating on a relatively flat road, the rotation of the cooling fan 12 is stopped. As a result, the vehicle is quickly accelerated, and the fuel efficiency can be improved without causing the engine 11 to overheat.
[0019]
On the other hand, the vehicle travels while the cooling fan 12 is rotating, and the road information acquisition means 32 acquires that the gradient of the road is less than a predetermined value (less than 3%, preferably less than 2%). The road information acquisition means 32 acquires that there is no traffic congestion for a predetermined distance or more (1 km or more, preferably 2 km or more), and the speed of the vehicle is a predetermined value or more (60 km / h or more, preferably 80 km / h or more). When the vehicle speed sensor 36 detects this, the controller 38 determines that the traveling load of the vehicle is low, that is, determines that the vehicle is traveling at a high speed on a relatively flat road. Switch to. As a result, fuel efficiency can be improved without causing the engine 11 to overheat.
[0020]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In this embodiment, the sensor for detecting the operating condition of the engine of the vehicle has a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the cooling water of the engine, and an empty state detection sensor for detecting whether or not the vehicle is empty, The road information obtaining means is configured to obtain gradient information of a road on which the vehicle is to travel. The vehicle is a truck, and the empty state detection sensor is a vehicle height sensor that detects the distance between the axle and the chassis frame. Except for the above, the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.
[0021]
The operation of the thus configured fan clutch control device will be described.
Even when the temperature sensor detects that the temperature of the cooling water of the engine has reached a predetermined range (80 to 95 ° C., preferably 80 to 90 ° C.) for switching the fan clutch to the connected state during traveling of the truck, When the road information acquisition means acquires that the slope of the road is less than a predetermined value (less than 3%, preferably less than 2%), and when the vehicle height sensor detects that no luggage is loaded on the truck, Even if the engine coolant temperature is relatively high, the controller switches the fan clutch to the disconnected state when the running load of the truck is low. As a result, since the power of the engine is not consumed for driving the cooling fan, fuel efficiency can be improved without causing overheating.
[0022]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In this embodiment, the sensor for detecting the operating condition of the engine of the vehicle has a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the cooling water of the engine, and an empty state detection sensor for detecting whether or not the vehicle is empty, The road information obtaining means is configured to obtain gradient information of a road on which the vehicle is to travel. The vehicle is a tractor capable of towing the trailer, and the empty state detection sensor is a connection detection sensor that detects whether the trailer is connected to the tractor, that is, whether the kingpin of the trailer is connected to the coupler of the tractor. Except for the above, the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.
[0023]
The operation of the thus configured fan clutch control device will be described.
While the tractor is traveling, even if the temperature of the engine cooling water is within a predetermined range (80 to 95 ° C., preferably 80 to 90 ° C.) for switching the fan clutch to the connected state, the gradient of the road is less than the predetermined value ( (Less than 3%, preferably less than 2%) by the road information acquisition means, and when the connection detection sensor detects that the tractor is not pulling the trailer, that is, when the cooling water temperature of the engine is relatively high. However, when the traveling load on the tractor is low, the controller switches the fan clutch to the disconnected state. As a result, since the power of the engine is not consumed for driving the cooling fan, fuel efficiency can be improved without causing overheating.
[0024]
In the above embodiment, the viscous fluid coupling is used as the fan clutch, but an electromagnetic clutch may be used.
Further, in the above embodiment, silicone oil is used as the viscous fluid, but oil for automatic transmission (ATM oil) may be used.
[0025]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the switching unit switches the fan clutch between the connected state and the disconnected state, the road information on which the vehicle is to travel is obtained by the road information obtaining unit, and the position of the vehicle is detected by the vehicle position sensor. Since the controller is configured to detect, based on the driving conditions of the engine, the respective detection outputs of the vehicle position sensor, and the road information acquired by the road information acquiring means, the controller determines the load of the engine when traveling on the road to be traveled. If it is predicted that the running load of the vehicle is low or the running load of the vehicle is high for a short time, the fan clutch is controlled to be in the disconnected state. As a result, the cooling fan does not rotate or the rotation of the cooling fan stops, so that fuel efficiency can be improved without overheating.
[0026]
The sensor for detecting the operating condition of the engine has a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the cooling water of the engine, and a vehicle speed sensor for detecting the speed of the vehicle. And the traffic congestion information, even if the temperature of the engine cooling water is within the predetermined range for switching the fan clutch to the connected state, the gradient of the road is less than the predetermined value and the road is congested for a predetermined distance or more. When the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than the predetermined value, the controller switches the fan clutch to the disconnected state. As a result, the controller stops the rotation of the cooling fan when the running load of the vehicle is low even if the cooling water temperature of the engine is high, so that fuel efficiency can be improved without overheating.
[0027]
The sensor for detecting the operating condition of the engine has a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the cooling water of the engine, and an accelerator sensor for detecting the accelerator opening of the vehicle. If the gradient information is obtained, the gradient of the road is less than the predetermined value and the opening speed of the accelerator opening is equal to or more than the predetermined value even if the temperature of the engine coolant is within the predetermined range for switching the fan clutch to the connected state. , The controller switches the fan clutch to the disconnected state. As a result, even when the engine cooling water temperature is high and the vehicle load is high, when the high load time is short, the controller stops the rotation of the cooling fan, so that overheating does not occur. Fuel efficiency can be improved.
[0028]
Further, the sensor for detecting the operating condition of the engine of the vehicle has a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the cooling water of the engine, and an empty state detection sensor for detecting whether or not the vehicle is empty. If the gradient information of the road on which the vehicle is scheduled to travel is acquired, even if the temperature of the engine cooling water is within the predetermined range for switching the fan clutch to the connected state, the gradient of the road is less than the predetermined value and When the vehicle is empty, the controller switches the fan clutch to the disconnected state. As a result, even when the temperature of the cooling water of the engine is high, when the running load of the vehicle is low, the controller stops the rotation of the cooling fan, so that fuel efficiency can be improved without overheating.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a main part configuration diagram of an engine including a fan clutch control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the fan clutch.
FIG. 3 is an essential part perspective view of the fan clutch including a partition main body and a valve main body.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the first half of the operation of the fan clutch control device.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the latter half of the operation of the fan clutch control device.
[Explanation of symbols]
11 Engine 12 Cooling Fan 13 Fan Clutch 14 Switching Means 32 Road Information Acquisition Means 33 Vehicle Position Sensor 34 Temperature Sensor 36 Vehicle Speed Sensor 37 Accelerator Sensor 38 Controller

Claims (6)

A fan clutch (13) for intermittently transmitting power from an engine (11) of the vehicle to a cooling fan (12) of the engine (11), and switching means for switching the fan clutch (13) to a connected state or a disconnected state. (14) A controller for a fan clutch for a vehicle, comprising: a controller (38) for controlling the switching means (14) in accordance with operating conditions of the engine (11);
A road information acquisition unit (32) for acquiring road information of a planned travel of the vehicle, and a vehicle position sensor (33) for detecting a position of the vehicle;
The controller (38) controls the switching means (14) based on the operating conditions of the engine (11), each detection output of the vehicle position sensor (33), and the road information acquired by the road information acquiring means (32). A control device for a fan clutch for a vehicle, wherein the control device is configured to control the fan clutch. A sensor for detecting operating conditions of the engine (11) includes a temperature sensor (34) for detecting a temperature of cooling water of the engine (11), and a vehicle speed sensor (36) for detecting a speed of the vehicle;
A road information acquisition means (32) for acquiring slope information and traffic congestion information of a road on which the vehicle is to travel,
Even if the temperature of the cooling water of the engine (11) is within a predetermined range for switching the fan clutch (13) to the connected state, the speed of the vehicle is higher than a predetermined value and the gradient of the road is lower than a predetermined value. The control device for a vehicle fan clutch according to claim 1, wherein the controller (38) switches the fan clutch (13) to a disconnected state when the road is not congested for a predetermined distance or more. A sensor for detecting operating conditions of the engine (11) includes a temperature sensor (34) for detecting a temperature of cooling water of the engine (11), and an accelerator sensor (37) for detecting an accelerator opening of the vehicle;
A road information acquisition means (32) for acquiring slope information of a road on which the vehicle is to travel,
Even when the temperature of the cooling water of the engine (11) is within a predetermined range for switching the fan clutch (13) to the connected state, the gradient of the road is less than a predetermined value and the opening speed of the accelerator opening is reduced. The control device for a vehicle fan clutch according to claim 1, wherein the controller (38) switches the fan clutch (13) to a disengaged state when the value is equal to or more than a predetermined value. A sensor for detecting an operating condition of the engine of the vehicle has a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the cooling water of the engine, and an empty state detection sensor for detecting whether or not the vehicle is empty,
The road information acquisition means acquires the slope information of the road on which the vehicle is to travel,
The controller disconnects the fan clutch when the gradient of the road is less than a predetermined value and the vehicle is empty even if the temperature of the cooling water of the engine is within a predetermined range for switching the fan clutch to the connected state. The control device for a vehicle fan clutch according to claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to switch to a state. The vehicle fan clutch control device according to claim 4, wherein the vehicle is a truck, and the empty vehicle state detection sensor is a vehicle height sensor that detects a distance between the axle and the chassis frame. The vehicle fan clutch control device according to claim 4, wherein the vehicle is a tractor capable of towing a trailer, and the empty vehicle state detection sensor is a connection detection sensor that detects whether the trailer is connected to the tractor.

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