JP2014080044A - Grille shutter device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a grille shutter device capable of suppressing deterioration of durability of parts arranged in the vehicle body and occurrence of failures due to the deterioration of durability.SOLUTION: A grille shutter device includes a shutter mechanism capable of controlling the flow rate of air flowing into the engine room by opening and closing the opening of the grille in the front of the vehicle body and an ECU controlling the operation of the shutter mechanism. When the shutter mechanism is in a closed state, the ECU determines whether or not the engine room is in a high-temperature state, more specifically, whether or not individual parts arranged in the engine room are in such a thermal environment that deterioration of resins, rubbers, etc. constituting the individual parts worsens by the heat, or the temperature of the atmosphere. The ECU also measures the heat influence time t in which the engine room is in a high-temperature state and restricts the operation of the shutter mechanism on the basis of the heat influence time t.

Description

  The present invention relates to a grill shutter device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a grill shutter device capable of controlling the flow rate of air flowing into an engine room from the grill opening based on the opening / closing operation of a shutter mechanism provided at the grill opening at the front of the vehicle body (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).

  That is, for example, during high speed running, the aerodynamic performance (for example, “Cd value”) can be improved by closing the shutter mechanism and restricting the inflow of air into the engine room. Further, when the engine is started, the warm-up time can be shortened by suppressing the flow rate introduced into the radiator. When the engine temperature tends to increase, the engine temperature can be appropriately managed by increasing the flow rate of the shutter mechanism opened to flow into the engine room.

JP 2010-260440 A

  However, when the shutter mechanism is closed and the temperature in the engine room becomes high, there is a possibility that the constituent materials (resin, rubber, etc.) of the respective parts arranged in the vehicle body will deteriorate. And since the possibility that a failure will occur increases due to a decrease in durability caused by this, there is still room for improvement in this respect.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to suppress a decrease in durability that occurs in parts arranged in the vehicle body and the occurrence of failures due to this. An object of the present invention is to provide a grill shutter device that can be used.

  In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1 is a shutter mechanism capable of controlling a flow rate of air flowing into the vehicle body by opening and closing a grille opening at the front of the vehicle body, and an operation of the shutter mechanism. And a control means for controlling the control, the control means based on a value of a vehicle state quantity having a relationship with the temperature in the vehicle body when the shutter mechanism is in a closed state. A thermal environment determining means for determining whether or not the inside of the vehicle body is in a high temperature state, a thermal influence time measuring means for measuring a heat influence time in which the inside of the vehicle body is in a high temperature state, and the heat affected time And an operation limiting means for limiting the closing operation of the shutter mechanism.

  That is, by measuring the heat-affected time and restricting the closing operation of the shutter mechanism, it is possible to suppress the inside of the vehicle body from being in a high temperature state due to the closing operation of the shutter mechanism. As a result, it is possible to suppress the deterioration in durability that occurs in the components arranged in the vehicle body and the occurrence of failures due to the decrease in durability.

The gist of the invention described in claim 2 is that the operation limiting means limits the closing operation of the shutter mechanism when the total cumulative value of the heat affected time exceeds the total cumulative upper limit value.
That is, with the above-described configuration, it is possible to prevent further deterioration in durability by preventing the components in the vehicle body from being exposed to a thermal environment in which the deterioration of the constituent materials proceeds. Thus, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a failure due to the decrease in durability.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the cumulative value of the heat affected time measured in a unit section exceeds a section upper limit value, the operation limiting unit is configured to stop the shutter until the unit section has elapsed. The gist is to limit the closing operation of the mechanism.

  That is, when a state in which the inside of the vehicle body becomes hot is intensively generated, deterioration of the constituent material due to the heat of each component arranged in the vehicle body may be accelerated. Therefore, as described above, by limiting the closing operation of the shutter mechanism based on the section heat influence time, it is possible to effectively suppress a decrease in durability.

The gist of the invention described in claim 4 is that the closing operation restriction of the shutter mechanism prohibits the closing operation of the shutter mechanism, and prohibits the closing operation.
According to the said structure, it can suppress that the inside of the vehicle body becomes a high temperature state effectively.

The gist of the invention described in claim 5 is provided with a notifying means for notifying the closing operation restriction of the shutter mechanism.
According to the above configuration, early inspection can be promoted, and the uncomfortable feeling caused by the execution of the closing operation restriction can be alleviated.

The gist of the invention described in claim 6 is provided with a release means capable of releasing the restriction on the closing operation of the shutter mechanism.
According to the above configuration, the shutter mechanism can be closed again. As a result, the convenience of the user can be improved.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the thermal environment determination means determines whether or not the interior of the vehicle body is in a high temperature state based on the vehicle speed in addition to the value of the vehicle state quantity having a relationship with the temperature in the vehicle body. Is determined.

  That is, the cooling efficiency (air cooling effect) in the vehicle body depends on the flow rate of air flowing through the vehicle body. The flow rate increases as the vehicle speed increases even when the shutter mechanism is in the closed state. Therefore, according to the above configuration, it is possible to more accurately determine whether the interior of the vehicle body is in a thermal environment in which deterioration proceeds to the constituent materials of the components arranged in the vehicle body. As a result, it is possible to more effectively suppress a decrease in durability that occurs in the components arranged in the vehicle body and the occurrence of a failure due to this. In addition, execution of unnecessary closing operation restriction can be suppressed.

The gist of the invention described in claim 8 is that the control means includes a correction means for correcting the heat affected time based on a vehicle speed.
That is, the flow rate of the air flowing through the vehicle body increases as the vehicle speed increases, so that the components arranged in the vehicle body can be easily cooled. For this reason, the faster the vehicle speed, the shorter the actual heat-affected time, that is, the time during which the vehicle is in a high-temperature state where deterioration of the components of each component actually proceeds. Therefore, according to the above-described configuration, it is possible to more effectively suppress the deterioration in durability that occurs in the components arranged in the vehicle body and the occurrence of a failure due to this. In addition, execution of unnecessary closing operation restriction can be suppressed.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the fall of the durability which arises in the components arrange | positioned in a vehicle body, and generation | occurrence | production of the failure resulting from this can be suppressed.

The schematic diagram which shows schematic structure of the vehicle by which the grille shutter apparatus concerning this invention is mounted. The control block diagram of a grill shutter apparatus. The flowchart which shows the process sequence of thermal environment determination. The flowchart which shows the process sequence of the measurement of heat influence time, and the closing action restriction | limiting determination based on the said heat influence time. The flowchart which shows the process sequence of closed operation restriction | limiting based on heat influence time. The flowchart which shows the process sequence of the thermal environment determination of another example. The flowchart which shows the process sequence of the heat influence time measurement of another example.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the vehicle 1 shown in FIG. 1, a radiator 5 for cooling the engine 4 is accommodated in an engine room 3 formed inside the vehicle body 2. In addition, a grill opening 7 is formed in the front portion of the vehicle body 2 (the left end portion in the figure) to communicate the external space in front of the vehicle and the internal space of the vehicle body 2. The radiator 5 is arranged in front of the engine 4 so that air flowing from the grill opening 7 into the engine room 3 is hit.

  A fan 6 is provided behind the radiator 5 (on the right side in the figure). As the fan 6 rotates, air flows efficiently through the radiator 5.

  In the present embodiment, the grill opening 7 is formed below the bumper 8. A front grille 9 constituting a design surface (lower grille) is attached to the opening end 7 a of the grill opening 7. The vehicle 1 according to this embodiment includes a grill shutter device 10 that can control the flow rate of air flowing into the engine room 3 from the grill opening 7.

  More specifically, the grill shutter device 10 includes a shutter mechanism 11 that can control the flow rate of air based on the opening / closing operation, and an actuator 12 that opens / closes the shutter mechanism 11.

  The shutter mechanism 11 of the present embodiment is formed by arranging a plurality of movable fins 14 in a frame 13 formed in a substantially square frame shape. Specifically, the upper end of the frame 13 is fixed to the bumper reinforcement 15 so as to be disposed in the grill opening 7. Each of the movable fins 14 is rotatably supported by a rotation shaft 16 that extends over the width direction of the frame 13 (a direction orthogonal to the paper surface in the figure). Each movable fin 14 is provided with a fin portion 17 capable of closing the inside of the frame 13 by rotating about the rotation shaft 16.

  That is, in the shutter mechanism 11, each movable fin 14 rotates in a direction (see FIG. 1, clockwise direction) in which the fin portion 17 is parallel to the inflow direction of the air flowing from the grill opening 7. Open state. Further, the movable fins 14 are closed by rotating in a direction (see FIG. 1, counterclockwise direction) where the fin portions 17 intersect with the air inflow direction. And when each movable fin 14 exists in the rotation position corresponding to a fully closed state, the front-end | tip (fin tip of the fin part 17) of each adjacent movable fin 14 overlaps, and the inside of the flame | frame 13 is carried out. It can be blocked.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the actuator 12 of the present embodiment drives the shutter mechanism 11 to open and close by converting the rotation of the motor 18 into the rotation of each movable fin 14. In the present embodiment, the motor 18 serving as the drive source rotates based on the drive power supplied by the ECU 20. The ECU 20 serving as a control unit controls the operation of the shutter mechanism 11 through the supply of driving power to the motor 18.

  Specifically, in the present embodiment, various vehicle state quantities such as the vehicle speed V and the coolant temperature Tw of the engine 4 and the outside air temperature Tout are input to the ECU 20. Then, the ECU 20 performs operation control of the shutter mechanism 11 based on these vehicle state quantities.

  Specifically, the ECU 20 starts communication of each vehicle state quantity via an in-vehicle network (not shown), so that the ignition switch of the vehicle 1 is turned on (IG on), that is, the vehicle 1 travels. Recognize that the vehicle is in a state of preparation or running preparation. Then, until the cooling water temperature Tw rises, well-known operation control such as closing the shutter mechanism 11 or closing the shutter mechanism 11 by increasing the vehicle speed V is executed.

  Note that the ECU 20 of the present embodiment causes the ignition switch of the vehicle 1 to be turned off (IG off), that is, the vehicle 1 is in a running end state due to the interruption of communication of each vehicle state quantity via the in-vehicle network. Recognize that.

  In the present embodiment, the ECU 20 is connected to a pulse sensor 22 provided in the actuator 12, and the ECU 20 is based on a pulse signal Sp synchronized with the rotation of the motor 18 input from the pulse sensor 22. The operating amount of the shutter mechanism 11 is detected. Further, the ECU 20 is connected to a limit switch 23 capable of confirming the fully open or fully closed position of the shutter mechanism 11, that is, its end point operation. And ECU20 becomes a structure which performs the completion | finish determination of the operation | movement control based on the operation amount of the shutter mechanism 11 detected based on the said pulse signal Sp, and the output signal (on / off signal) Ssw of the limit switch 23. FIG. ing.

(Determining thermal environment and measuring heat affected time, and closing operation restriction based on the heat affected time)
Next, the thermal environment determination and the measurement of the heat affected time performed by the ECU 20 of the present embodiment, and the closing operation restriction of the shutter mechanism 11 based on the heat affected time will be described.

  In the present embodiment, the ECU 20 determines whether or not the engine room 3 is in a high temperature state when the shutter mechanism 11 is in a closed state. Specifically, the ECU 20 is a constituent material (resin) of each component arranged in the engine room 3. It is determined whether or not the heat environment is such that the deterioration of the rubber is progressing. Moreover, ECU20 measures the heat influence time t in which the engine room 3 is in such a high temperature state. Then, based on the heat affected time t, the closing operation of the shutter mechanism 11 is limited.

  More specifically, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3, the ECU 20 of the present embodiment determines whether or not the shutter mechanism 11 is in a closed state (step 101), and if it is in a closed state (step 101: YES). Then, it is determined whether or not the cooling water temperature Tw exceeds a predetermined value T1 (step 102) and whether or not the outside air temperature Tout exceeds a predetermined value T2 (step 103). That is, both the cooling water temperature Tw and the outside air temperature Tout are vehicle state quantities that are related to the temperature in the engine room 3, and it is estimated that the higher the value, the higher the temperature in the engine room 3. be able to. When the coolant temperature Tw exceeds the predetermined value T1 (Tw> T1, step 102: YES) and the outside air temperature Tout exceeds the predetermined value T2 (Tout> T2, step 103: YES), the ECU 20 A heat influence flag indicating that the room 3 is in a high temperature state as described above is set (step 104).

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step 101 that the shutter mechanism 11 is not in the closed state (step 101: NO), the ECU 20 clears the heat influence flag without executing the processing of steps 102 to 104. (Step 105). In step 102, when the coolant temperature Tw is equal to or lower than the predetermined value T1 (Tw ≦ T1, step 102: NO), or when the outside air temperature Tout is equal to or lower than the predetermined value T2 (Tout ≦ T2, step 103: NO). Similarly, in step 105, the heat influence flag is cleared (step 105). And ECU20 resets the heat influence time t which started measurement from establishment of the said heat influence flag at the timing which clears this heat influence flag.

  That is, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4, the ECU 20 determines whether or not the heat influence flag is set at a predetermined timing, and when the heat influence flag is set (step 201: YES). Then, the heat affected time t is measured (step 202). The heat affected time t is measured by an interrupt process using a timer (not shown).

  Further, the ECU 20 of the present embodiment calculates a total accumulated value (total heat affected time t_acc) of the heat affected time t starting from the time of product shipment based on the measurement of the heat affected time t, and calculates the value. Hold (step 203). Further, the ECU 20 calculates a cumulative value of the heat affected time t (section heat affected time t_sec) in the unit section with one day (24 hours) as a unit section, and holds the value (step 204). Then, the ECU 20 of the present embodiment executes the closing operation restriction determination of the shutter mechanism 11 based on the total heat affected time t_acc and the section heat affected time t_sec.

  Specifically, the ECU 20 of this embodiment first determines whether or not the total heat affected time t_acc exceeds the corresponding upper limit values (total cumulative upper limit value t1 and section upper limit value t2) (step 205). ). If the total heat affected time t_acc exceeds the total cumulative upper limit value t1 (t_acc> t1, step 205: YES), the closing operation restriction flag is set (step 206).

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step 205 that the total heat affected time t_acc is equal to or less than the total cumulative upper limit value t1 (t_acc ≦ t1, step 205: NO), the ECU 20 subsequently determines that the section heat affected time t_sec is the response. It is determined whether or not the upper limit value (section upper limit value t2) is exceeded (step 207). When the section heat affected time t_sec exceeds the section upper limit value t2 (t_sec> t2, step 207: YES), a section closing operation restriction flag is set (step 208).

  In the present embodiment, the total cumulative upper limit t1 is set in consideration of the durability (durability period) of the parts arranged in the engine room 3 that are most rapidly deteriorated by heat. The section upper limit value t2 is set based on an assumed use section (for example, a guarantee period) of the vehicle 1, a unit section, and a total cumulative upper limit value t1. Further, when the heat influence flag is not set in step 201 (step 201: NO), the ECU 20 does not execute the processes of steps 202 to 208. In step 207, when the section heat affected time t_sec is equal to or shorter than the section upper limit value t2 (t_sec ≦ t2, step 207: NO), the processing in step 208 is not executed.

  More specifically, the ECU 20 of the present embodiment closes the shutter mechanism 11 when the closing operation restriction flag is set in step 206, that is, when the total heat affected time t_acc exceeds the total cumulative upper limit value t1. Thereafter, the closing operation control is not executed as the operation restriction. In step 208, when the section closing operation restriction flag is set, that is, when the section heat affected time t_sec exceeds the section upper limit value t2, the shutter mechanism is operated until the unit section (one day) elapses. Does not execute the closing operation control.

  Specifically, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, the ECU 20 acquires various state quantities related to the operation control in the operation control start process (step 301), and then the unit interval has elapsed. Whether or not (step 302). If the unit section has elapsed (step 302: YES), the section heat affected time t_sec to be measured is reset (t_sec = 0, step 303), and the section closing operation restriction flag is cleared (step 304). ).

  Note that the ECU 20 according to the present embodiment determines that the unit section has elapsed with the update of the date confirmed by the clock function of the vehicle. In step 302, if the unit interval has not elapsed (step 302: NO), the processing in steps 303 and 304 is not executed.

  Next, the ECU 20 performs open operation condition determination (step 305) and close operation condition determination (step 306). When the opening operation condition is satisfied (step 307: YES), the opening operation control of the shutter mechanism 11 is executed (step 308).

  Further, when the closing operation condition is satisfied (step 309: YES), subsequently, whether or not the closing operation restriction flag is set (step 310), and whether or not the section closing operation restriction flag is set. It is determined whether or not (step 311). Then, only when the closing operation restriction flag and the section closing operation restriction flag are not set (step 310: NO, and step 311), the closing operation control of the shutter mechanism 11 is executed (step 312).

  In step 310 or step 311, if at least one of the closing operation restriction flag and the section closing operation restriction flag is set (step 310: YES or step 311: YES), the ECU 20 performs the closing operation. As in the case where the condition is not satisfied (step 309: NO), the closing operation control of the shutter mechanism 11 is not executed.

Next, the operation of the grill shutter device 10 according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.
In the grill shutter device 10 of the present embodiment, there is a possibility that deterioration of the constituent materials of the components arranged in the engine room 3 may progress due to the high temperature state in the engine room 3 as the shutter mechanism 11 is closed. When the total accumulated value of the time, that is, the total heat affected time t_acc exceeds the total accumulated upper limit value t1 (t_acc> t1), the execution of the closing operation control is prohibited. Further, even when the cumulative value of the time in the unit section in the thermal environment, that is, the section heat affected time t_sec exceeds the section upper limit value t2 (t_sec> t2), the closing operation is performed. Execution of control is prohibited. As a result, it is possible to prevent the interior of the engine room 3 from becoming hot due to the closing operation of the shutter mechanism 11, thereby suppressing a decrease in durability that occurs in each component disposed in the engine room 3.

  Even when the closing operation is restricted, the opening operation of the shutter mechanism 11 is not prohibited. In other words, when the closing operation of the shutter mechanism 11 is restricted, the shutter mechanism 11 is in an open state. Thus, the shutter mechanism 11 is prevented from remaining in the closed state, and the sufficient cooling performance is ensured.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the ECU 20 notifies the execution of the closing operation restriction via an output device (for example, a meter, a display, or a speaker) 25 installed in a vehicle interior (not shown). To do. Specifically, the ECU 20 as the notification means performs the closing operation restriction, and in addition, the heat affected time (t_acc, t_sec) caused by the closing operation of the shutter mechanism 11 exceeds the upper limit value (t1, t2). And that it is necessary to check each part in the engine room 3 (when the total heat affected time t_acc exceeds the total cumulative upper limit t1). Thus, an early inspection is promoted, and a sense of incongruity caused by the execution of the closing operation restriction is reduced.

  Furthermore, the ECU 20 of the present embodiment releases the restriction on the closing operation of the shutter mechanism 11 when the release signal S_clr is input via the in-vehicle network (not shown). The release signal S_clr is input to the ECU 20 as the release means via an input device (not shown) upon confirmation of the completion of the inspection worker or automatically by parts replacement.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The grill shutter device 10 includes a shutter mechanism 11 that can control the flow rate of air flowing into the engine room 3 by opening and closing the grill opening 7 at the front of the vehicle body, and an ECU 20 that controls the operation of the shutter mechanism 11. With. The ECU 20 as the thermal environment determination means determines whether or not the engine room 3 is in a high temperature state when the shutter mechanism 11 is in a closed state. Specifically, the ECU 20 is a constituent material of each component arranged in the engine room 3 ( It is determined whether or not the heat environment is such that the resin or rubber deteriorates. Further, the ECU 20 as the heat influence time measuring means measures the heat influence time t during which the engine room 3 is in a high temperature state. Then, the ECU 20 as the operation limiting means limits the closing operation of the shutter mechanism 11 based on the heat affected time t.

  That is, by measuring the heat-affected time t and restricting the closing operation of the shutter mechanism 11, it is possible to suppress the inside of the engine room 3 from being in a high temperature state due to the closing operation of the shutter mechanism 11. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in durability caused in each component arranged in the engine room 3 and a failure due to the decrease in the durability.

(2) When the total cumulative value of the heat affected time t, that is, the total heat affected time t_acc exceeds the total accumulated upper limit t1 (t_acc> t1), the ECU 20 prohibits the closing operation of the shutter mechanism 11.
That is, thereafter, by preventing the parts in the vehicle body from being exposed to a thermal environment in which the deterioration of the constituent materials proceeds, further deterioration in durability can be suppressed. And generation | occurrence | production of the failure resulting from the fall of the durability can be suppressed.

  (3) When the cumulative value of the heat affected time t in the unit section, that is, the section heat affected time t_sec exceeds the section upper limit value t2 (t_sec> t2), the ECU 20 keeps the shutter until the unit section elapses. The closing operation of the mechanism 11 is prohibited.

  That is, the state where the engine room 3 becomes hot is intensively generated, so that there is a possibility that the components of the parts arranged in the engine room 3 are deteriorated due to heat. Therefore, by performing the closing operation restriction of the shutter mechanism 11 based on the section heat influence time t_sec as in the above configuration, it is possible to effectively suppress the decrease in durability. In addition, the period until the total heat affected time t_acc reaches the total cumulative upper limit t1 can be delayed.

  (4) The ECU 20 as a notification unit notifies the execution of the closing operation restriction via the output device 25. As a result, early inspection can be promoted, and the uncomfortable feeling caused by the execution of the closing operation restriction can be alleviated.

  (5) The ECU 20 as the release means releases the closing operation restriction of the shutter mechanism 11 when the release signal S_clr is input. Thereby, the shutter mechanism 11 can be closed again. As a result, user convenience can be improved.

In addition, you may change the said embodiment as follows.
In the above embodiment, the air flowing from the grill opening 7 is taken into the engine room 3 formed in the vehicle body 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the air intake destination may not be the engine room 3 as long as it is an internal space of the vehicle body 2 that can control the flow rate of the air flowing in based on the opening / closing operation of the shutter mechanism 11. That is, for example, a space in which air flowing in from the grill opening 7 is introduced, such as a heat exchanger accommodating chamber such as the radiator 5, or a vehicle in which an engine is arranged at the rear or center of the vehicle body or an electric vehicle. For example, the present invention may be applied to a vehicle in which an engine is not mounted in a vehicle interior space ahead of the passenger compartment.

  In the above embodiment, the grill opening 7 is formed below the bumper 8. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention may also be applied to the grill opening 7 provided above the bumper 8. That is, the front grill 9 may be an upper grill.

  In the above embodiment, the shutter mechanism 11 opens and closes based on the rotation of each movable fin 14. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the form of the shutter mechanism may be, for example, a so-called slide type or a type in which the movable body swings in addition to the so-called rotation type.

  In the above embodiment, the shutter mechanism 11 is driven to open and close by the actuator 12 using the motor 18 as a drive source. However, an actuator unit corresponding to the actuator 12 may be built in the shutter mechanism.

  In the above embodiment, the ECU 20 measures the total heat affected time t_acc and the section heat affected time t_sec as the heat affected time t when the engine room 3 is in a high temperature state. When the measured total heat affected time t_acc exceeds the total cumulative upper limit t1 (t_acc> t1) and when the section heat affected time t_sec exceeds the section upper limit t2 (t_sec> t2), the shutter The closing operation of the mechanism 11 is limited. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and only the total heat affected time t_acc is measured (calculated / held) as the heat affected time t, and when the total heat affected time t_acc exceeds the total cumulative upper limit t1, the shutter mechanism 11 The structure which performs closing operation restriction | limiting may be sufficient. Then, only the section heat influence time t_sec is measured (calculated / held) as the heat influence time t, and when the section heat influence time t_sec exceeds the section upper limit value t2, the shutter mechanism 11 is closed. This is not excluded even in the configuration of limiting.

  In the above embodiment, one day (24 hours) is set as a unit section. Then, the cumulative value of the heat affected time t in the unit section is measured as the section heat affected time t_sec. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the unit section may be arbitrarily changed. For example, measurement may be performed in units of weeks, months, or years. Moreover, the section heat affected time t_sec does not necessarily have to be a cumulative value of the heat affected time t within a unit time. For example, the heat influence time t within the so-called “one trip”, that is, one time of vehicle travel may be set as the section heat influence time t_sec.

  In the above embodiment, when the heat affected time (t_acc, t_sec) caused by the closing operation of the shutter mechanism 11 exceeds the upper limit value (t1, t2), the closing operation of the shutter mechanism 11 is prohibited. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the form of the closed operation restriction is not necessarily limited to this.

  Specifically, for example, by reducing the chance that the shutter mechanism 11 is closed by tightening the closing operation condition or by reducing the opening operation condition, the time during which the shutter mechanism 11 is in the closed operation state is shortened. It may be a thing to do. As for “stricter closing operation conditions”, for example, with regard to the closing operation for improving the aerodynamic performance, it is conceivable to increase the vehicle speed V (threshold) for starting the closing operation. Regarding “relaxation of the opening operation condition”, for example, with respect to the closing operation for warming up, it is conceivable to lower the cooling water temperature Tw (the threshold value) at which the closing operation ends.

The configuration may be different between the closed operation restriction based on the total heat affected time t_acc and the closed operation restricted based on the section heat affected time t_sec.
In the above embodiment, the cooling water temperature Tw and the outside air temperature Tout of the engine 4 are used as the value of the state quantity having a relationship with the temperature in the engine room 3 (in the vehicle body), but either one of the values is used. It may be. Further, the value of the state quantity having a relationship with the temperature in the vehicle body may be changed as appropriate, for example, using the oil temperature of the engine 4 or the heat source temperature other than the engine 4. For example, when the temperature in the engine room 3 can be measured, a state quantity indicating the temperature in the vehicle body more directly, such as using the value, may be used.

  Further, when determining whether or not the engine room 3 is in a high temperature state (see FIG. 3, heat influence determination), the vehicle speed V may be considered. For example, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6, as in the above embodiment, the temperature condition determination regarding the temperature in the engine room 3 is executed (step 402), and when the temperature condition is satisfied (step 402: YES) Subsequently, vehicle speed condition determination is executed (step 403). Then, when the vehicle speed condition is satisfied (step 403: YES), the heat influence flag indicating that the engine room 3 is in the high temperature state as described above may be set (step 404).

  In addition, since each process of step 401, step 404, and step 405 is the same as each process of step 101, step 104, and step 105 shown by the flowchart of FIG. 3, the description is abbreviate | omitted for convenience. Further, the temperature condition determination in step 402 is, for example, whether or not the value of the vehicle state quantity having a relationship with the temperature in the vehicle body such as the cooling water temperature Tw and the outside air temperature Tout exceeds a predetermined value, as in the above embodiment. It may be set as appropriate, for example. The vehicle speed condition determination may be appropriately set, for example, by determining whether the vehicle speed V is within a predetermined speed range.

  That is, the cooling efficiency (air cooling effect) in the engine room 3 depends on the flow rate of air flowing in the engine room 3. The flow rate increases as the vehicle speed V increases even when the shutter mechanism 11 is in the closed state. Therefore, by adopting such a configuration, each component arranged in the engine room 3 is more accurately deteriorated by the heat (atmosphere temperature) of the resin, rubber, or the like constituting the component. It is possible to determine whether or not the user is in a heat environment. As a result, it is possible to more effectively suppress the deterioration in durability that occurs in the components arranged in the engine room 3 and the occurrence of failures due to this. In addition, execution of unnecessary closing operation restriction can be suppressed.

  -Moreover, it is good also as a structure which ECU20 as a correction | amendment means correct | amends the measured heat influence time t based on the vehicle speed V. FIG. For example, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7, after measuring the heat affected time t (step 502), it is subsequently determined whether or not a vehicle speed correction condition is satisfied (step 503). If the vehicle speed correction condition is satisfied (step 503: YES), the heat affected time t based on the vehicle speed V may be corrected (step 504).

  In addition, since each process after step 501, step 502, and step 505 is the same as each process after step 201, step 202, and step 203 shown by the flowchart of FIG. 4, the description is abbreviate | omitted for convenience. . The vehicle speed correction condition in step 503 may determine whether the vehicle speed V exceeds a predetermined value. And the correction process of the heat influence time t based on the vehicle speed V in the above step 504 is performed by, for example, a coefficient corresponding to the vehicle speed V (for example, 1.0 obtained by map calculation) to the heat influence time t measured in the step 502. For example, the following value may be multiplied.

  That is, by increasing the flow rate of the air flowing through the engine room 3 due to the increase in the vehicle speed V, the components arranged in the engine room 3 can be easily cooled. For this reason, the faster the vehicle speed V, the shorter the actual heat-affected time t, that is, the time during which the vehicle is in a high temperature state in which deterioration of the components of each component actually proceeds. Therefore, according to the above configuration, it is possible to more effectively suppress the deterioration in durability that occurs in the components arranged in the engine room 3 and the occurrence of a failure due to this. In addition, execution of unnecessary closing operation restriction can be suppressed.

Next, technical ideas that can be grasped from the above embodiments will be described together with effects.
(A) The section shutter upper limit value is set based on the assumed use section of the vehicle, the unit section, and the total cumulative upper limit value.

(B) The grille shutter device, wherein the period upper limit value is an upper limit value related to a cumulative value of the heat affected time per unit time.
(C) The period upper limit value is an upper limit value related to a cumulative value of the heat affected time per vehicle travel, and the grill shutter device is characterized in that:

  According to each said structure, the fall of the durability which arises in the components arrange | positioned in the vehicle body can be suppressed more suitably. Thus, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a failure due to the decrease in durability.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle, 2 ... Vehicle body, 3 ... Engine room, 7 ... Grill opening part, 10 ... Grill shutter apparatus, 11 ... Shutter mechanism, 12 ... Actuator, 20 ... ECU (control means, thermal environment determination means, heat influence time measurement) Means, operation restriction means, notification means, release means), 25 ... output device (notification means), t ... heat influence time, t_acc ... total heat influence time, t1 ... total cumulative upper limit value, t_sec ... interval heat influence time, t2 ... Section upper limit value, Tout ... Outside air temperature, Tw ... Cooling water temperature, T1, T2 ... Predetermined value, V ... Vehicle speed.

Claims (8)

A grille shutter device comprising: a shutter mechanism capable of controlling a flow rate of air flowing into the vehicle body by opening and closing a grille opening at the front of the vehicle body; and a control means for controlling the operation of the shutter mechanism,
The control means includes
Thermal environment determination means for determining whether the interior of the vehicle body is in a high temperature state based on a value of a vehicle state quantity having a relationship with the temperature in the vehicle body when the shutter mechanism is in a closed state;
A heat influence time measuring means for measuring a heat influence time in which the inside of the vehicle body is in a high temperature state;
An operation limiting means for limiting a closing operation of the shutter mechanism based on the heat affected time;
A grill shutter device comprising: The grill shutter device according to claim 1,
The grill shutter device, wherein the operation limiting means limits the closing operation of the shutter mechanism when the total cumulative value of the heat affected time exceeds a total cumulative upper limit value. In the grill shutter device according to claim 1 or 2,
The operation limiting means limits the closing operation of the shutter mechanism until the unit interval elapses when the cumulative value of the heat affected time measured in the unit interval exceeds the interval upper limit value. A grill shutter device characterized by the above. In the grill shutter device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The grill shutter device according to claim 1, wherein the closing operation restriction of the shutter mechanism prohibits the closing operation of the shutter mechanism. In the grill shutter device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Providing an informing means for informing a closing operation restriction of the shutter mechanism;
A grill shutter device characterized by the above. In the grill shutter device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
Comprising release means capable of releasing the closing operation restriction of the shutter mechanism;
A grill shutter device characterized by the above. In the grill shutter device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The thermal environment determining means determines whether or not the interior of the vehicle body is in a high temperature state based on the vehicle speed in addition to the value of the vehicle state quantity having a relationship with the temperature in the vehicle body;
A grill shutter device characterized by the above. In the grill shutter device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The control means comprises correction means for correcting the heat affected time based on the vehicle speed;
A grill shutter device characterized by the above.