JP4292395B2 - Radiator fan control device for vehicle - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle radiator fan control device.

  The vehicle is provided with a radiator fan control device for cooling the radiator device. Many of the radiator fan devices of the prior art can rotate the radiator fan only in one direction (forward direction). For this reason, there were various problems.

  For example, if a foreign object sticks to the cooling air inlet (cooling air intake port) at the front of the vehicle or if a foreign object gets caught in the fan, the fan motor will be locked and the radiator and condenser can be cooled. There was a problem of disappearing.

To solve this problem, the current flowing through the fan motor is detected, and when the detected current value exceeds a predetermined current value, it is determined that the fan motor is in a locked state, and the current flows through the fan motor. There is one that switches the direction of current between forward and reverse (see Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-138834 A

  However, according to the radiator fan control device for a vehicle described in the patent document, even when the air permeability of the outside air intake is hindered by snow, frost, etc., when the vehicle is not running, the current value There is a problem that the change width is small (not exceeding a predetermined current value), and the air permeability of the outside air intake cannot be secured immediately.

  Moreover, according to the conventional radiator fan control device for vehicles including the radiator fan control device for vehicles described in this patent document, it did not have the mechanism which changes a cooling rate according to the temperature in an engine room. For this reason, there has been a problem in that overheating occurs during high-speed traveling or long-distance traveling in summer.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been devised, and the present invention can ensure the air permeability of the outside air intake port regardless of the outside air temperature, and can be cooled according to the temperature in the engine room. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle radiator fan control device capable of changing the rate and reducing power consumption.

(Claim 1)
To achieve this object, a vehicle radiator fan control device according to claim 1 is a DC motor device that rotationally drives a radiator fan, motor rotation control means that controls the rotation of the DC motor device, and the DC motor device. In a vehicle radiator fan control device including a power supply line assembled in a bridge circuit for supplying power to
The motor rotation control means includes an intelligent power switch device in which the DC motor device is disposed on the bridge side of the power supply line and current detection means and switching means are provided on the non-bridge side of the power supply line, respectively. The rotation direction of the DC motor device can be switched between forward and reverse by switching the switching means constituting the intelligent power switch device.
The motor rotation control means includes an outside air inlet temperature measuring means for measuring the temperature of the cooling outside air inlet of the vehicle, and the measured value of the outside air inlet temperature measuring means is near 0 ° C. And when the cell motor is started or when the vehicle is stopped for a predetermined time or more, the rotation direction of the DC motor device is reversed to adhere to the cooling outside air intake port. It is configured to blow away and remove frost and ice .
(Claim 2)
The vehicle radiator fan control device according to claim 2 is the vehicle radiator fan control device according to claim 1, wherein the motor rotation control means includes PWM control means for PWM-controlling a current flowing through the power supply line, and Engine room temperature measuring means for measuring the temperature in the engine room,
It said PWM control means that are adapted to change the duty ratio in accordance with the measured value of the engine compartment temperature measuring means.
(Claim 3)
The vehicle radiator fan control device according to claim 3 is the vehicle radiator fan control device according to claim 2 , wherein the PWM control means includes an intelligent power switch device having a current detection sensor and a semiconductor switching element. cage, that is adapted to PWM control by repeating the switching of oN or oFF state of the semiconductor switching element.

(Claim 1)
According to the vehicle radiator fan control device of the first aspect, by switching the semiconductor switch element constituting the intelligent power switch device, the rotation direction of the DC motor device that rotationally drives the radiator fan is switched between forward and reverse. There is an effect that not only cooling of the coolant liquid in the radiator device but also air permeability of the cooling outside air intake port can be ensured.
In addition, since the current detection means is provided on the non-bridge side portion of the power supply line, it is possible to detect whether or not a current exceeding the rated capacity of the power supply line flows when the motor rotation direction is switched. There is also.
Furthermore, since the switching means and the current detection means are integrated by the intelligent power switch device, there is an effect that the mounting work can be simplified.
Further, since the rotation direction of the DC motor device is switched based on the measured value of the temperature measuring means, for example, when the outside air intake for cooling is clogged or frozen due to snow or frost, the snow or frost is removed. There is an effect that it is possible to always ensure the ventilation of the filter device by removing from the outside air intake for cooling .
(Claim 2)
According to the vehicle radiator fan control apparatus according to claim 2, in addition to the effects of the radiator fan control apparatus according to claim 1, together with the motor rotation control means comprises a temperature measuring means and a PWM control unit in the engine room, Since the duty ratio of the PWM control means is changed according to the measured value of the engine room temperature measuring means, there is an effect that the cooling rate can be changed according to the temperature in the engine room. Furthermore, there is an effect that power consumption during normal operation can be reduced.
(Claim 3 )
According to the vehicle radiator fan control apparatus according to claim 3, in addition to the effects of vehicle radiator fan control apparatus according to claim 2, the intelligent power switch device PWM control means has a current detection sensor and the semiconductor switching element In addition to being configured, PWM control is performed by repeatedly switching the semiconductor switching element between the on state and the off state, so that it is possible to ensure durability against repeated on / off (aging resistance). . In addition, there is an effect that feedback control can be executed by simultaneously detecting the current. Furthermore, since the current detection sensor and the semiconductor switching element are integrated, there is an effect that the assembling work can be simplified.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Of course, since the following examples are only preferred examples of the present invention, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a vehicle radiator fan control device (hereinafter simply referred to as a “radiator fan control device”) 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle 1000 in which the radiator fan control device 100 is provided. As shown in FIG. 1, the radiator fan control device 100 includes a DC motor device 110, a motor rotation control device 120, and a feeder line 130.

  The DC motor device 110 drives the radiator fan 510 to rotate, the motor rotation control device 120 controls rotation of the DC motor device 110, and the power supply line 130 supplies power to the DC motor device 110. It is assembled in the form of a bridge circuit.

  In the motor rotation control device 120, the DC motor device 110 is disposed on the bridge side 131 of the power supply line 130, and an intelligent power switch device (hereinafter simply referred to as a “conventional power switch device”) is provided on each non-bridge side 132 of the power supply line 130. (Referred to as “IPS”) 121, 122, 123, 124 (herein, as prior art documents relating to IPS, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-353404 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-2000). 312142 publication). Further, the motor rotation control device 120 includes an electric control system (hereinafter referred to as “ECS”) 125 which is a control device connected to each IPS 121, 122, 123, 124 via a signal line 126. I have.

All IPS, specifically, IPS (1) 121, IPS (2) 122, IPS (3) 123, and IPS (4) 124, are each a current detection sensor 121a, which is a type of current detection means, and switching means. It is comprised with the semiconductor switching element 121b which is 1 type. The current detection sensor 121a is for detecting a current value flowing through each non-bridge side portion 132 of the feeder 130, and the semiconductor switching element 121b is for switching each non-bridge side portion 132 to a connected state or a disconnected state. For example, it is comprised by semiconductor elements, such as MOSFET. As described above, since the current detection sensor 121a and the semiconductor switching element 121b are configured by an intelligent power switch device, that is, an integrated configuration, the current detection means and the switching means are connected to the feeder line 130. The work (attachment work) disposed on each non-bridge side portion 132 can be simplified.

The ECS 125 executes a process for controlling the radiator fan control device for the vehicle, and includes an A / D converter, a memory, a CPU, a D / A converter, and the like (not shown). As such processing, there is processing for switching the on state or the off state of the semiconductor switching element 121b constituting each IPS 121, 122, 123, 124 according to a predetermined trigger. For example, when the button 140 is pressed by a passenger, the semiconductor switching elements of IPS (1) and IPS (4) that are turned on before the button 140 is pressed via the operation signal transmission line 126a. 121b is turned off. Thus, for example, to come and foreign matter stuck in the cooling outside air intake port 520 for taking air into the radiator fan 510 also by reversing the radiator fan 510, not directly removed the foreign matter by hand Can be removed automatically. Here, when the foreign matter is snow, frost, or the like, if it is directly removed by hand, the hand gets swollen and it is difficult to drive with the swung hand. Also, when driving only on weekends, the snow freezes due to the temperature difference between day and night and becomes ice, making it difficult to remove by hand. According to the fan motor control device 100, even in such a case, snow, frost, and the like can be automatically removed (without forcing the driver or the like without performing the removal work by hand). is there.

  Further, since the switching means is constituted by the semiconductor switching element 121b, the value of the current flowing through the power supply line 130 when the rotation direction of the DC motor device 110 is switched can be reduced, and as a result, the durability against repeated switching (aging resistance) (Degradability) can be ensured.

  Further, when the signal value input via the current signal line 126b by the ECS 125, that is, the output signal value (detection value) of the current detection sensor 121a exceeds a predetermined threshold value (threshold value), all semiconductor switching is performed. Processing to turn off the element 121b is executed. Therefore, when the rotation direction of the DC motor device 110 is switched, a large current flows through the feed line 130. However, it is possible to prevent the feed line 130 from being damaged by this current. Of course, it goes without saying that all semiconductor switching elements 121b may be turned off when a predetermined threshold value is exceeded. Note that the processing may be executed when the output signal value of the current detection sensor 121a is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (hereinafter, the same applies when the detection value is processed according to the predetermined threshold). .

  Next, the operation of the radiator fan control device 100 configured as described above (radiator fan rotation control process S100) will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the process waits until a predetermined button 140 is pressed (S1: No). When a predetermined button 140 is pressed (S1: Yes), the ECS 125 causes the IPS (1) 121 and the IPS (4) 124 semiconductor switching elements 121b to reverse (reverse) the DC motor device 110. Is turned off, and the semiconductor switching element 121b of IPS (2) 122 and IPS (3) 123 is turned on (S2). Therefore, even if a foreign object is clogged in the cooling outside air intake port 520, the foreign object can be removed.

  After the reverse rotation of the DC motor device 110 (S2), it is determined whether the current detection sensor 121a constituting the IPS (2) 122 and IPS (3) 123 is below a predetermined current threshold (S3), and the detected current value is a predetermined current. When it is below the threshold (S5: No), the process of S2 is continued until the button 140 is released (S4: No). When the pressing of the button 140 is released (S4: Yes), the semiconductor switching element 121b of the IPS (2) 122 and IPS (3) 123 is turned off by the ECS 125 so that the DC motor device 110 returns to normal rotation. On the other hand, the semiconductor switching element 121b of the IPS (1) 121 and the IPS (4) 124 is turned on (S5), and then the process S100 is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the detection value of the current detection sensor 121a constituting the IPS (2) 122 and IPS (3) 123 is larger than the predetermined current threshold (S5: Yes), the non-bridge side portion 132 may be damaged. Then, the semiconductor switching element 121b is turned off (S6), and then the process S100 is terminated.

  Note that the process of S2 corresponds to the software part of the motor rotation control means described in the claims (hardware parts are IPS 121 to 124 and ECS 125).

(Second embodiment)
Next, another embodiment (second embodiment) different from the above-described embodiment (first embodiment) will be described with reference to FIGS. In describing the radiator fan control device 200 according to the second embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted, and different parts will be described.

  The radiator fan control device 200 has the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 1 and is provided with a cooling outside air inlet temperature sensor (hereinafter simply referred to as “outside air inlet temperature sensor”) in the vicinity of the cooling outside air inlet 520. .) 240 and when the measured value of the outside air inlet temperature sensor 240 is lower than the first predetermined temperature threshold value (a value near 0 degrees), the DC motor device 110 is reversed (reversed). Since the semiconductor switching element 121b of IPS (1) 121 and IPS (4) 124 is turned off by the ECS 125, the semiconductor switching element 121b of IPS (2) 122 and IPS (3) 123 is turned on. is there. Here, the trigger (timing) of temperature detection by the outside air inlet temperature sensor 240 includes a case where the cell motor is turned or a case where the vehicle is stopped for a predetermined time or more. Therefore, it is possible to remove snow, frost, and the like attached to the cooling outside air intake port 520 without any occupant pressing the button 140 (or without providing the button 140).

  In addition, the trigger (timing) of the reverse rotation of the DC motor device 110 is a case where the measured value of the outside air intake port temperature sensor 240 is lower than the first predetermined temperature threshold (a value near 0 degrees), but the first predetermined The temperature may be equal to or lower than the temperature threshold value, that is, it is executed based on the correlation between the measured value of the outside air inlet temperature sensor 240 and the first predetermined temperature threshold value.

  According to the radiator fan control device 200 configured as described above, the radiator fan rotation control process S200 shown in FIG. 5 is executed. According to the process of S200, when the outside air inlet temperature sensor 121b is smaller than the first predetermined temperature threshold (S21: Yes), until the outside air inlet temperature sensor 121b becomes equal to or higher than the first predetermined temperature threshold. (S24: No), it differs from the first embodiment in that the process of S2 is executed.

(Third embodiment)
Next, with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8, another embodiment (third embodiment) different from the above-described embodiments (first embodiment and second embodiment) will be described. In describing the radiator fan control device 300 according to the third embodiment, the same parts as those in the first and second embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted, and different parts will be described.

  The radiator fan control device 300 has a circuit configuration shown in FIG. 1 and, as shown in FIG. 6, a coolant liquid temperature measurement sensor 340 which is a kind of engine room temperature measurement means, and this coolant liquid temperature measurement sensor. PWM control means for performing PWM control according to the measured value of 340 is configured by IPS 121-124. When the measured temperature of the coolant temperature measuring sensor 340 is lower than the second predetermined temperature threshold, the PWM control is executed by each semiconductor switching element 121b so that the duty ratio becomes 50% as shown in FIG. On the other hand, when the measured temperature of the coolant temperature measuring sensor 340 is higher than the second predetermined temperature threshold, the PWM control is executed so that the time during which the duty ratio is on is increased. Therefore, in the case of normal operation (when the temperature of the coolant liquid is low), the cooling rate can be maintained and the power consumption can be reduced, while the temperature of the coolant liquid becomes high and overheated. In this case, the cooling rate can be improved by increasing the rotation speed of the radiator fan 510.

Further, since the PWM control is executed by switching the connection state or the cut-off state (on / off) of the semiconductor switching element 121b, that is, the on / off switching means is constituted by the semiconductor switching means, and therefore it is necessary and sufficient even if the on / off is repeated. it is of the Ru can to ensure such durability (with lapse year deterioration). Further, since current is detected by the current detection sensor 121a, feedback control can be performed. Furthermore, such a switching means (switching means) and the current detection means, by forming a semiconductor switching device 121b and the current detecting sensor 121a originally (Required) both construction of Bei obtaining IPS, to its realization is facilitated, Assembly work can also be simplified.

  The trigger (timing) for starting the duty ratio change in the PWM control of the DC motor device 110 is a case where the measured value of the coolant temperature sensor 340 is higher than the second predetermined temperature threshold, but the second predetermined temperature threshold. In such a case, it may be executed based on the correlation with the second predetermined temperature threshold.

  According to the radiator fan control device 300 configured as described above, the radiator fan rotation control process S300 shown in FIG. 8 is executed. First, when the measured temperature of the coolant temperature measuring sensor 340 is lower than the second predetermined temperature threshold (S31: Yes), each semiconductor switching element 121b is turned on / off so that the duty ratio becomes 50% (S32). ) When the measured temperature of the coolant temperature measuring sensor 340 is higher than the second predetermined temperature threshold (S31: Yes), each semiconductor switching element 121b is turned on / off so that the duty ratio is higher than 50%. Yes (S33). After execution of the processes of S32 and S33, the process proceeds to S31 again, and the measured value of the coolant temperature measurement sensor 340 is compared with the second predetermined temperature threshold (S31).

  Note that the processing of Yes in S31 and the processing of S33 correspond to the software portion of the PWM control means described in the claims (the hardware portion corresponds to IPS 121 to 124 and ECS 125).

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, with reference to FIG. 9, another embodiment (fourth embodiment) different from the above-described embodiments (first to third embodiments) will be described. In describing the radiator fan control device 400 of the fourth embodiment, the same parts as those in the first to third embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted, and different parts are described.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the radiator fan control device 400 according to the fourth embodiment is a combination of the radiator fan control device 200 and the radiator fan control device 300. The radiator fan control device 400 configured as described above executes the processing shown in FIGS. 5 and 8.

  The present invention has been described based on the embodiments. However, it goes without saying that the above embodiments can be variously improved and modified without departing from the gist of the present invention. These modifications are also included.

  For example, in the third embodiment, the coolant temperature measuring sensor 340 is used as the engine room temperature measuring means. However, for example, the engine oil temperature measuring sensor for measuring the temperature of the engine oil and other engine room temperature measuring means. May be used. The same applies to the fourth embodiment.

  Moreover, in the said Example, although the radiator fan control apparatus 400 of 4th Example is comprised by combining the radiator fan control apparatus 200 and the radiator fan control apparatus 300, the radiator fan control apparatus 100 and the radiator fan control are comprised. You may comprise by combining the apparatus 300. FIG.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, when the button 140 is pressed, the fan motor device 110 is reversed, but when the button 140 is pressed by the rider during traveling. May be provided with a function of ignoring the pressing operation. As a result, safety can be further improved, and it is possible to prevent the apparatus from being broken due to sudden stop and reverse rotation of the motor. Of course, the same applies to the case where the DC motor device 110 is reversed in accordance with the measured value of the cooling outside air inlet temperature sensor 240.

  It should be noted that, in order to avoid doubts in the interpretation of the scope of claims, the DC motor device disposed on the bridge side of the feeder line includes not only the DC motor device itself but also the motor. A driver (drive) device may be used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a basic block diagram (wiring diagram) of a vehicle radiator fan control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention (first embodiment). It is a block diagram of the radiator fan control apparatus for vehicles which is one Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the radiator fan rotation control process performed with the said radiator fan control apparatus. It is a block diagram of the radiator fan control apparatus for vehicles of 2nd Example. It is a flowchart which shows the radiator fan rotation control process performed with the radiator fan control apparatus of 2nd Example. It is a block diagram of the radiator fan control apparatus for vehicles of 3rd Example. It is a timing chart of operation | movement of the semiconductor switching element which comprises the radiator fan control apparatus for vehicles of 3rd Example. It is a flowchart which shows the radiator fan rotation control process performed with the radiator fan control apparatus of 3rd Example. It is a block diagram of the radiator fan control apparatus for vehicles of 4th Example.

100 Vehicle Radiator Fan Control Device 110 DC Motor Device 120 Motor Rotation Control Device 121 Intelligent Power Switch Device (IPS) (1)
121a Current detection sensor 121b Semiconductor switching element 122 IPS (2)
123 IPS (3)
124 IPS (4)
125 Electric Control System (ECS)
126 Signal line 126a Operation signal transmission line 126b Current signal line 130 Power supply line 131 Bridge side portion 132 Non-bridge side portion 140 Button 200 Radiator fan control device for vehicle 240 Outside air intake temperature sensor for cooling 300 Radiator fan control device for vehicle 340 Coolant liquid temperature measuring sensor 400 Radiator fan controller for vehicle 510 Radiator fan 520 Cooling outside air inlet 530 Radiator 1000 Vehicle

Claims (3)

A vehicle comprising: a DC motor device that rotationally drives a radiator fan; motor rotation control means that controls rotation of the DC motor device; and a power supply line assembled in a bridge circuit for supplying power to the DC motor device In the radiator fan control device,
The motor rotation control means includes an intelligent power switch device in which the DC motor device is disposed on the bridge side of the power supply line and current detection means and switching means are provided on the non-bridge side of the power supply line, respectively. The rotation direction of the DC motor device can be switched between forward and reverse by switching the switching means constituting the intelligent power switch device.
The motor rotation control means includes an outside air inlet temperature measuring means for measuring the temperature of the cooling outside air inlet of the vehicle, and the measured value of the outside air inlet temperature measuring means is near 0 ° C. And when the cell motor is started or when the vehicle is stopped for a predetermined time or more, the rotation direction of the DC motor device is reversed to adhere to the cooling outside air intake port. A radiator fan control device for a vehicle , which blows and removes frost and ice . The motor rotation control means includes PWM control means for performing PWM control on the current flowing through the power supply line, and engine room temperature measuring means for measuring the temperature in the engine room of the vehicle,
2. The vehicle radiator fan control device according to claim 1, wherein the PWM control unit changes a duty ratio in accordance with a measured value of an engine room temperature measuring unit.   The PWM control means is composed of an intelligent power switch device having a current detection sensor and a semiconductor switching element, and PWM control is performed by repeatedly switching the semiconductor switching element between an on state and an off state. The vehicle radiator fan control device according to claim 2, wherein the vehicle radiator fan control device is a vehicle.

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