JP2010242651A - Water pump control system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a water pump control system capable of suppressing an increase of a power generation load applied to an alternator and suppressing the deterioration of an effect of fuel economy. <P>SOLUTION: The water pump control system includes a water pump 2 with an electromagnetic clutch connecting an engine 4 to the water pump 2 when electric power supply is blocked and also disconnecting the engine 4 from the water pump 2 according to the electric power supply. The electric power supply from a battery 12 to the water pump 2 with the electromagnetic clutch is controlled based on the operating state of the engine 4. Furthermore, charging from the alternator 6 to the battery 12 is controlled based on the drive of the water pump 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a water pump control system having an electromagnetic clutch.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a water pump with an electromagnetic clutch is known as a pump for circulating cooling water for cooling a vehicle engine. The water pump with an electromagnetic clutch performs transmission and interruption of power from the engine to the water pump by an electromagnetic clutch in order to perform drive / non-drive control and rotation speed control. In addition, the electric power to an electromagnetic clutch is supplied from the battery and alternator mounted in the vehicle.

  In such a water pump with an electromagnetic clutch, when the electromagnetic clutch is energized, the clutch is connected and the water pump is driven, and when the electromagnetic clutch is de-energized, the clutch is disconnected and the water pump is not driven. Some are configured to do so.

  However, in such a water pump with an electromagnetic clutch, it is necessary to energize the electromagnetic clutch in order to drive the water pump. Then, for example, when the electromagnetic clutch breaks down and the situation where the connection between the engine and the water pump continues to be released even though the electromagnetic clutch is energized, the water pump becomes non-driven, There is a risk that engine coolant will not circulate.

Therefore, contrary to the conventional case, when the energization to the electromagnetic clutch is interrupted, the engine and the water pump are connected, the engine power is continuously transmitted to the water pump, and the engine is energized when the electromagnetic clutch is energized. It can be considered that the connection between the water pump and the water pump is released and the water pump is not driven.
However, in this case, since it is necessary to energize the electromagnetic clutch when driving of the water pump is stopped, there is a problem that a power generation load is greatly applied to the alternator that supplies power to the electromagnetic clutch, and the fuel efficiency effect is reduced.

  As described above, in order to cope with a large power generation load applied to the alternator and a reduction in fuel efficiency, a technique using a sub-battery in addition to the main battery as disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, has been proposed. . As described above, when a plurality of batteries are used, it is considered that the generated power of the alternator can be charged more efficiently, thereby contributing to the fuel efficiency effect.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-46919

The technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 is intended to provide a circuit configuration suitable for separating the main battery and the sub-battery, and the technique as described above for an engine including a water pump with an electromagnetic clutch. Even if it is used, it is not a fundamental measure to reduce the fuel consumption effect due to a large power generation load on the alternator.
Therefore, in view of the problems of the prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide a water pump control system that can suppress an increase in power generation load applied to an alternator and suppress a decrease in fuel efficiency.

  In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, a water pump that circulates cooling water that cools the engine, and the engine and the water pump are interposed between the engine and the water pump. While connecting a water pump, the electromagnetic clutch which cancels | releases the connection of the said engine and the said water pump according to supply of electric power, The alternator which produces electric power with the drive of the said engine, and supplying electric power to the said electromagnetic clutch A battery capable of charging the generated power of the alternator, an operating state detecting means for detecting an operating state of the engine, and an electric power from the battery to the electromagnetic clutch based on the operating state detected by the operating state detecting means By controlling the supply of the water pump. And supply control means, characterized in that a, a charging control means for controlling the charging of the battery from the alternator on the basis of the drive of the water pump being controlled by said power supply control means.

Thus, when the electromagnetic clutch is de-energized, the clutch is connected and the water pump is driven, and when the electromagnetic clutch is energized, the clutch is disconnected and the water pump is stopped. Therefore, for example, even if the electromagnetic clutch fails, it is possible to prevent the water pump from being in a non-driven state when the water pump needs to be driven.
Further, by providing the power supply means, an appropriate amount of power can be supplied to the electromagnetic clutch based on the operating state.

The battery has a sub-battery for an electromagnetic clutch that mainly supplies power to the electromagnetic clutch separately from a main battery that mainly supplies power to an electric load of a vehicle on which the engine is mounted. It is characterized by.
Since the electric power is supplied to the electromagnetic clutch mainly by the electromagnetic clutch sub-battery, it is possible to suppress an increase in the power generation load applied to the alternator when the water pump is stopped. It is possible to suppress a reduction in fuel consumption effect.

In addition, when the operation state detection unit detects that the engine is in a low rotation and low load operation state, the power supply control unit is configured to remove the water pump from the electromagnetic clutch sub battery. The power supply to the electromagnetic clutch is controlled, and the charge control means prohibits charging from the alternator to the electromagnetic clutch sub-battery.
The suppression of the water pump drive includes stopping the water pump.

  Thus, when the engine is in a low rotation and low load operation state, the power supply from the electromagnetic clutch sub-battery to the electromagnetic clutch is controlled so as to suppress the drive of the water pump, and the water pump It is possible to prevent the deterioration of fuel consumption by reducing the operation load. Further, since charging from the alternator to the electromagnetic clutch sub-battery is prohibited, the power generation load of the alternator is also reduced, and fuel efficiency can be further improved.

  In addition, when the operating state detecting unit detects that the engine is in an operating state at a predetermined number of revolutions or a load exceeding a predetermined level, the power supply control unit is configured to output the electromagnetic clutch sub battery from the electromagnetic clutch sub battery. The supply of electric power to the clutch is cut off and the water pump is controlled so as to continuously drive, and the charge control means charges at least one of the main battery and the electromagnetic clutch sub-battery from the alternator. It is characterized by controlling as follows.

  Thus, when the engine operating state is an operating state at a predetermined number of revolutions or a load exceeding a predetermined level, the power supply from the electromagnetic clutch sub-battery to the electromagnetic clutch is shut off, and the water pump Are controlled so as to be continuously driven, and during this time, the sub-battery for the electromagnetic clutch can be charged. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently charge the electromagnetic clutch battery during high-rotation and high-load operation where the generator load of the alternator does not greatly affect the engine load.

In addition, a second generator that generates electric power by a cooling water flow accompanying driving of the water pump is provided, and the charging control means controls charging the battery with electric power generated by the second generator. It is characterized by that.
In this case, the second generator generates electricity with the cooling water flowing when the water pump is driven. And more efficient charge can be implemented by charging the generated electric power of a 2nd generator, and the electric power generation load of an alternator can be suppressed more.
In addition, as a 2nd generator, the turbine arrange | positioned in the vicinity of the inlet_port | entrance of a water pump with much flow volume of cooling water can be used.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a water pump control system that can suppress an increase in power generation load applied to an alternator and suppress a decrease in fuel efficiency.

It is the schematic of the electric supply system | strain to the water pump with an electromagnetic clutch in Example 1. FIG. 2 is a control flow sheet in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a map used for judgment of the drive stop area | region of a water pump. 5 is a control flow sheet in Embodiment 2. FIG. It is the schematic of the electric supply system to the water pump with an electromagnetic clutch of the premise of this invention.

  Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the components described in this embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention unless otherwise specified, but are merely illustrative examples. Not too much.

  First, as described above, in the water pump with an electromagnetic clutch that drives by energizing the electromagnetic clutch when the engine is operating at a high speed and a high load, for example, the electromagnetic clutch fails and the electromagnetic clutch is energized. Regardless, if a situation occurs in which the connection between the engine and the water pump continues to be released, the water pump is in a non-driven state, and the engine coolant may not be circulated. Therefore, in the present invention, when the water pump with an electromagnetic clutch is disconnected from the electromagnetic clutch, the engine and the water pump are connected, and the engine power is continuously transmitted to the water pump. It is assumed that the engine is disconnected from the water pump and the water pump is not driven when the power is supplied to the engine.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an electricity supply system to the water pump with an electromagnetic clutch based on the premise.
In FIG. 5, reference numeral 2 denotes a water pump with an electromagnetic clutch. When the water pump 2 with an electromagnetic clutch is driven, cooling water is sent from the water pump 2 with an electromagnetic clutch to the cooling passage 18, and the cooling sent to the cooling passage 18. After cooling the engine 4, part of the water is returned again to the suction side of the water pump 2 with an electromagnetic clutch, and the remaining part is cooled by a radiator (not shown) and then sucked by the water pump 2 with an electromagnetic clutch. Back to the side. The cooling passage 18 is connected to a radiator (not shown) via a thermostat 20.

The water pump 2 with an electromagnetic clutch is connected to the engine 4 via an electromagnetic clutch. In the water pump 2 with an electromagnetic clutch, as described above, the engine 4 and the water pump are connected when the electromagnetic clutch is de-energized, and the power of the engine 4 is continuously transmitted to the water pump. When the power is turned on, the connection between the engine 4 and the water pump is released and the water pump is not driven.
Electric power to the electromagnetic clutch is supplied from an alternator 6 that converts mechanical kinetic energy transmitted from the engine 4 into alternating electric energy, or a main battery 8 that is charged with a voltage generated by the alternator 6.

  By using the electricity supply system shown in FIG. 5, even if the electromagnetic clutch fails, it is possible to avoid the water pump from being in a non-driven state when the water pump needs to be driven. In this case, since it is necessary to energize the electromagnetic clutch when the water pump is stopped, there is a problem in that the power generation load is greatly applied to the alternator 6 that supplies electric power to the electromagnetic clutch, and the fuel efficiency effect is reduced.

  Therefore, the present inventor continues to further study, and when the water pump needs to be driven, the electromagnetic clutch capable of solving the problem of reduction in the fuel efficiency effect while avoiding the water pump not being driven. Completed the invention of the water pump control system.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an electricity supply system to a water pump with an electromagnetic clutch according to the first embodiment.
First, the structure of the electricity supply system to the water pump with an electromagnetic clutch in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 1, 2 is a water pump with an electromagnetic clutch.
Electric power to the water pump 2 with an electromagnetic clutch is mainly supplied from an electromagnetic clutch sub-battery 12 described later.

  A charge control circuit 10 receives a command from a controller 14 (to be described later) and controls the charging of an electromagnetic clutch sub battery 12 (to be described later). The charging control circuit 10 controls whether or not the electromagnetic clutch sub-battery 12 is charged, and the electromagnetic clutch sub-battery 12 is charged by the voltage generated in the alternator 6 as necessary.

  Reference numeral 12 denotes an electromagnetic clutch sub-battery, which is charged by the alternator 6 under the control of the charging control circuit 10 and supplies power to the water pump 2 with an electromagnetic clutch under the control of the controller 14 described later.

In the cooling passage 18, a turbine (second generator) 22 is provided between the water pump 2 with the electromagnetic clutch 2 and the thermostat 20. The turbine 22 is connected to the main battery 8 and the electromagnetic clutch sub-battery 12. The generated power of the turbine 22 can be charged into the main battery 8 or the electromagnetic clutch sub-battery 12 under the control of the charging control circuit 10. The turbine 22 is preferably provided in the vicinity of the inlet of the water pump 2 with an electromagnetic clutch at a position where it is easy to receive a large amount of water and is not affected by the thermostat 20.
Reference numeral 14 denotes a controller that receives a detection value detected by a detector 16 that detects the engine speed and engine load of the engine 4 and, based on the detection value, supplies the main battery 8 or the electromagnetic clutch battery to the charging control circuit 10. 12 is instructed whether or not to charge the battery 12, and the amount of power supplied from the electromagnetic clutch sub-battery 12 to the electromagnetic pump-equipped water pump 2 is controlled.
The power supply to the water pump 2 with an electromagnetic clutch is supplied from the electromagnetic clutch sub-battery 12. However, depending on the situation, for example, when the charging amount of the electromagnetic clutch sub-battery 12 is insufficient. Electric power can also be supplied from the main battery 8. The power generation voltage of the alternator 6 and the power generation voltage of the turbine 22 can be charged to either the main battery 8 or the electromagnetic clutch battery 12.

Control of power supply to the water pump 2 with an electromagnetic clutch in the electricity supply system shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 2 is a control flow sheet in the first embodiment.

When the process is started, the process proceeds to step S1.
In step S1, the detector 16 detects the engine speed and the engine load.

When step S1 ends, the process proceeds to step S2.
In step S2, the controller 14 determines whether or not the detection value detected in step S1 is in the water pump drive suppression region. Here, a water pump drive suppression area | region means the area | region which needs to suppress the drive of the water pump 2 with an electromagnetic clutch.

The determination of whether or not the water pump drive suppression region is set will be described.
FIG. 3 is a map used for determining the drive suppression area of the water pump. In FIG. 3, the vertical axis represents the engine load, and the horizontal axis represents the engine speed. In the map shown in FIG. 3, a boundary line 1 is drawn according to a predetermined engine speed (2000 rpm in FIG. 3) and engine load (40% in FIG. 3).
In the area indicated by A in FIG. 3, the engine 4 is operating at a low rotation and a low load, so that the amount of cooling water required for cooling the engine 4 is suppressed using the water pump 2, that is, the water pump is driven. It is a water pump drive suppression area | region which suppresses. Control of suppression of driving of the water pump can be performed by duty-controlling the operating current of the electromagnetic clutch supplied from the electromagnetic clutch sub-battery 12. In addition, the suppression of the driving of the water pump includes stopping the driving of the water pump (that is, when the driving duty is zero).
Further, the region indicated by B in FIG. 3 is controlled so that the water pump 2 is continuously driven because the engine 4 is driven at a rotational speed of a predetermined value or higher or a load of a predetermined value or higher. It is an area that needs to be cooled.
A map as shown in FIG. 3 is built in the controller 14 in advance, and by comparing the value detected by the detector 16 with the map, the value detected by the detector 16 is driven by the water pump. It can be determined whether or not it is a suppression region.
The boundary line l is determined by the performance and size of the engine 4 and the water pump 2 with an electromagnetic clutch.

If YES is determined in the step S2, the process proceeds to a step S3.
In step S <b> 3, the control device 14 supplies the operating current from the electromagnetic clutch sub-battery 12 to the electromagnetic clutch of the water pump 2 with the electromagnetic clutch under duty control. Thereby, the drive of the water pump 2 with an electromagnetic clutch can be suppressed.

When step S3 ends, the process proceeds to step S4.
In step S4, a command for prohibiting charging of the electromagnetic clutch sub-battery 12 is transmitted from the control device 14 to the charging control circuit 10. By this command, the charging control circuit 10 is disconnected, and charging of the electromagnetic clutch sub-battery 12 by the voltage generated in the alternator 6 is stopped.
In the first embodiment, step S4 is performed after step S3 is completed. However, step S3 and step S4 can be performed simultaneously.

  When step S4 ends, the process returns and returns to step S1.

On the other hand, if NO is determined in step S2, the process proceeds to step S5.
In step S5, the control device 14 performs control so as to cut off the supply of electric power from the electromagnetic clutch sub-battery 12 to the water pump 2 with an electromagnetic clutch. Thereby, the clutch of the water pump 2 with an electromagnetic clutch is connected, and the water pump 2 with an electromagnetic clutch drives continuously.

When step S5 ends, the process proceeds to step S6.
In step S <b> 6, a command is transmitted from the control device 14 to the charge control circuit 10 to charge the electromagnetic clutch sub battery 12. By this command, the charging control circuit 10 is connected, and charging of the electromagnetic clutch sub-battery 12 by the voltage generated in the alternator 6 is performed.
In the above processing, when the water pump 2 with an electromagnetic clutch is driven (when the drive duty is not zero), the turbine 22 generates power by the cooling water flow. The generated power is charged in the electromagnetic clutch sub-battery 12, but is charged in the main battery 8 when charging is not required, such as when the electromagnetic clutch sub-battery 12 is fully charged.

  When step S6 ends, the process returns and returns to step S1.

According to the first embodiment, when the electromagnetic clutch water pump 2 is deenergized, the engine 4 and the water pump are connected, and the power of the engine 4 is continuously transmitted to the water pump. When the electromagnetic clutch is energized, the connection between the engine 4 and the water pump is released and the water pump is not driven, so that the engine is operating at high speed and high load, and the water pump needs to be driven. Sometimes energization of the electromagnetic clutch can be cut off.
Therefore, even if the electromagnetic clutch fails, it can be avoided that the water pump is not driven when the water pump needs to be driven.

Further, since the electromagnetic clutch sub-battery 12 is provided and the electric power is supplied to the electromagnetic clutch by the electromagnetic clutch sub-battery 12, the electric power is not directly supplied from the alternator 6 to the electromagnetic clutch.
Therefore, it is possible to prevent an increase in the power generation load applied to the alternator 6 when the water pump 2 is stopped driving, and to suppress a reduction in fuel consumption effect due to the increase in the power generation load applied to the alternator 6.

  Further, when the operating state of the engine 4 is an operating state at a predetermined number of revolutions or a load exceeding a predetermined level as in the region B shown in FIG. 3, power supply from the electromagnetic clutch battery 12 to the electromagnetic clutch is suppressed. be able to. For this reason, since the alternator 6 can charge the electromagnetic clutch battery 12 when the engine 4 is operating at a predetermined number of revolutions or a load greater than a predetermined value, it can be charged efficiently.

In the second embodiment, a thermometer 26 for detecting the temperature of the cooling water circulated by the water pump 2 with an electromagnetic clutch is provided instead of the detector 16 for detecting the engine speed and the engine load. This is the same except that the controller 14 performs control based on the detected value of the thermometer 26 instead of the detector 16.
In the control system diagram in the second embodiment, the detector 16 in FIG. 1, which is the control system diagram in the first embodiment, is replaced with a thermometer 26, and the description of the same parts as in the first embodiment is omitted.

FIG. 4 is a control flow sheet in the second embodiment.
When the process is started, the process proceeds to step S11.
In step S11, the temperature of the cooling water circulated by the water pump 2 with the electromagnetic clutch is detected by the thermometer 26.

When step S11 ends, the process proceeds to step S12.
In step S12, the controller 14 determines whether or not the detected value detected in step S11 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature. Here, there is no particular limitation on the predetermined temperature, and it can be appropriately determined according to the actual device, for example, 60 ° C.

If NO is determined in step S12, the process proceeds to step S13.
In step S13, the control device 14 supplies the operation current from the electromagnetic clutch sub-battery 12 to the electromagnetic clutch of the water pump with electromagnetic clutch 2 under duty control. Thereby, the drive of the water pump 2 with an electromagnetic clutch can be suppressed.

When step S13 ends, the process proceeds to step S14.
In step S <b> 14, a command for prohibiting charging of the electromagnetic clutch sub-battery 12 is transmitted from the control device 14 to the charging control circuit 10. By this command, the charging control circuit 10 is disconnected, and charging of the electromagnetic clutch sub-battery 12 by the voltage generated in the alternator 6 is stopped.
In the second embodiment, step S14 is performed after step S13. However, step S13 and step S14 can be performed simultaneously.

  When step S14 ends, the process returns and returns to step S11.

On the other hand, if Yes is determined in step S12, the process proceeds to step S15.
In step S15, the control device 14 performs control so as to cut off the supply of electric power from the electromagnetic clutch sub-battery 12 to the water pump 2 with an electromagnetic clutch. Thereby, the clutch of the water pump 2 with an electromagnetic clutch is connected, and the water pump 2 with an electromagnetic clutch drives continuously.

When step S15 ends, the process proceeds to step S16.
In step S16, a command is transmitted from the control device 14 to the charging control circuit to charge the electromagnetic clutch sub-battery 12. By this command, the charging control circuit 10 is connected, and charging of the electromagnetic clutch sub-battery 12 by the voltage generated in the alternator 6 is performed.

  When step S6 ends, the process returns and returns to step S1.

According to the second embodiment, in addition to the same effects as those of the first embodiment, it is possible to reduce the size and cost of the entire apparatus by using the small thermometer 26.
Of course, the control based on the engine speed and the engine load of the first embodiment may be combined with the control based on the cooling water temperature of the second embodiment.

  It can be used as a water pump control system capable of suppressing an increase in power generation load applied to the alternator and suppressing a decrease in fuel efficiency.

2 Water Pump with Electromagnetic Clutch 4 Engine 6 Alternator 8 Main Battery 10 Charging Control Circuit 12 Sub Battery for Electromagnetic Clutch 14 Controller 16 Detector 26 Thermometer

Claims (5)

A water pump for circulating cooling water for cooling the engine,
When the power supply is interrupted, the engine and the water pump are connected between the engine and the water pump, and the engine and the water pump are connected according to the power supply. An electromagnetic clutch to be released,
An alternator that generates electricity as the engine is driven;
A battery capable of supplying electric power to the electromagnetic clutch and capable of charging the generated power of the alternator;
An operating state detecting means for detecting an operating state of the engine;
Power supply control means for controlling the drive of the water pump by controlling the supply of power from the battery to the electromagnetic clutch based on the operating state detected by the operating state detecting means;
Charge control means for controlling charging from the alternator to the battery based on driving of the water pump controlled by the power supply control means;
A water pump control system characterized by comprising: The battery is
A water pump characterized by having a sub-battery for an electromagnetic clutch mainly for supplying electric power to the electromagnetic clutch separately from a main battery for supplying electric power to an electric load of a vehicle in which the engine is mainly mounted. Control system. When it is detected by the operation state detection means that the engine is in a low rotation and low load operation state,
The power supply control means controls power supply from the electromagnetic clutch sub-battery to the electromagnetic clutch so as to suppress driving of the water pump,
3. The water pump control system according to claim 2, wherein the charging control unit prohibits charging from the alternator to the electromagnetic clutch sub-battery. When it is detected by the operating state detection means that the engine is in an operating state at a predetermined number of revolutions or a predetermined load or more,
The power supply control means controls the water pump to continuously drive by cutting off the power supply from the electromagnetic clutch sub-battery to the electromagnetic clutch,
4. The water pump control system according to claim 2, wherein the charging control unit controls charging from the alternator to at least one of the main battery and the electromagnetic clutch sub-battery. 5. A second generator for generating electricity by a cooling water flow accompanying the driving of the water pump is provided;
5. The water pump control system according to claim 1, wherein the charging control unit controls charging of the battery with electric power generated by the second generator.

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