JP6367888B2 - Shutter grill device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a shutter grill device for a vehicle.

  2. Description of the Related Art There is known a device capable of controlling the flow rate of air flowing into an engine room based on an opening / closing operation of a shutter mechanism provided at a grill opening at the front of a vehicle body. The device described in Patent Document 1 calculates the current required rest time based on the previous operation time and rest time of the shutter mechanism. Here, in the apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the operation time of the shutter mechanism is basically the time from when the ignition switch is turned on until it is turned off, and the rest time is the time when the ignition switch is turned off. Is the time from turning on to turning on (see paragraphs 0025 to 0027). In the apparatus described in Patent Document 1, when the ignition switch is turned on before the calculated required rest time elapses, the shutter mechanism is not operated until the necessary rest time elapses. Overheating of the motor that is the drive source is suppressed.

JP 2014-80072 A

  However, whether or not the device described in Patent Document 1 can suppress the number of opening / closing operations of the shutter mechanism mainly depends on the time from when the ignition is turned on until it is turned on. In a usage mode in which each time interval is sufficiently free, the number of opening / closing operations of the shutter mechanism cannot be suppressed. Further, since the vehicle may travel without the shutter mechanism being operated at all, it is also considered that the vehicle travels without realizing the required functions (aerodynamic performance, high temperature avoidance of each device in the engine room, etc.). It is done.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and realizes the aerodynamic performance of the vehicle, the warming performance in the power room, and the cooling performance in the power room by opening and closing operations, and among these performances, in particular, in the power room. It is an object of the present invention to provide a shutter grill device capable of improving the cooling performance .

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a shutter grill device according to the present invention includes a shutter grill provided at an air inlet for introducing air to a power chamber provided with a power source of a vehicle, and a control for opening and closing the shutter grill. And the control unit prohibits the closing control of the shutter grill for the first interval time after the opening control of the shutter grill, and the opening control after the closing control of the shutter grill. The first interval time is set to be longer than the second interval time.

  The present invention includes a case where only the first interval time is set and the second interval time is not set (set to zero).

  According to this configuration, since the first interval time during which the closing control is prohibited after the opening control is set longer than the second interval time during which the opening control is prohibited after the closing control, the number of opening / closing operations is suppressed. Product life can be extended.

  The controller may be configured to set the first interval time so that the first interval time becomes longer as the vehicle speed is lower.

  According to this configuration, each device in the power chamber can be suitably cooled even when traveling at a low vehicle speed.

  The first interval time may be configured in advance based on a lifetime opening / closing durability frequency target of the shutter grille and a lifetime operation frequency prediction.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to extend the product life by suppressing the number of opening and closing operations while preferably exhibiting the effect of opening and closing the shutter grille.

  The control unit may be configured to set the first interval time based on a lifetime travel distance of the vehicle and a lifetime operation count of the shutter grille.

  According to such a configuration, for example, when the number of lifetime operations of the shutter grille is large, the first interval time can be set long, and the product life can be extended by suppressing the number of opening and closing operations.

  The control unit, after the first interval time has elapsed since the shutter grill is controlled to open, the outside air temperature, the load of the device provided in the power chamber, or the device provided in the power chamber When the parameter related to the estimated heat generation amount is equal to or greater than a threshold value, the prohibition of the shutter grill closing control is extended, and the prohibition of the shutter grill closing control is canceled when the parameter becomes less than the threshold value. It may be.

  According to such a configuration, after the elapse of the first interval time, when the parameter related to the outside air temperature, the load of the device provided in the power chamber, or the estimated heat generation amount of the device provided in the power chamber is equal to or greater than the threshold value. Since the prohibition of the shutter grill closing control is continued, the product life can be extended by more suitably suppressing the number of opening and closing operations.

  The control unit controls the closing of the shutter grill when it is predicted that the opening control is required following the closing control after the first interval time has elapsed after the opening control of the shutter grill. It may be configured to extend the prohibition.

  According to such a configuration, the product life can be extended by more suitably suppressing the number of opening and closing operations.

  The control device opens the shutter grille based on a parameter related to an outside air temperature, a load of the device provided in the power chamber, or an estimated heat generation amount of the device provided in the power chamber, and then When it is predicted that the opening control is necessary after the closing control after the elapse of one interval time, the prohibition of the shutter grill closing control may be extended.

  According to such a configuration, the product life can be extended by more suitably suppressing the number of opening and closing operations.

According to the present invention, the aerodynamic performance of the vehicle, the warming performance in the power compartment, and the cooling performance in the power compartment are realized by the opening / closing operation of the shutter grill device, and among these performances, the cooling performance in the power compartment can be improved. it can.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a vehicle to which a shutter grill device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of a vehicle to which a shutter grill device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. It is a graph which shows an example of the relationship between a vehicle speed and a 1st interval. It is a graph which shows an example of the relationship between the lifetime travel distance of a vehicle, the lifetime operation frequency of a shutter grille, and an operation frequency coefficient. It is a graph which shows an example of the relationship between an operation frequency coefficient and 1st interval time. It is a timing diagram for demonstrating the 1st operation example of the shutter grille apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a timing diagram for demonstrating the 2nd operation example of the shutter grille apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a timing diagram for demonstrating the operation example of the shutter grille apparatus which concerns on the reference form of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the operation example of the shutter grille apparatus which concerns on the reference form of this invention.

Next, embodiments and reference embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. Note that “front and rear” indicated by arrows in FIG. 1 indicates the front and rear direction of the vehicle, and “left and right” indicates the left and right direction (vehicle width direction) as viewed from the driver's seat.

<Embodiment>
As shown in FIG. 1, an engine room (power chamber) 2 in which a power source of the vehicle 1 is provided is configured at the front portion of the vehicle 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle 1 is formed on the front end face of the vehicle 1, the radiator 10 provided in the engine room 2, the engine (first power source) 20, the transmission 30, the motor (second power source) 40 and the air conditioner 50. And a shutter grill device 60 that opens and closes the opening 1a. That is, the vehicle 1 is a hybrid vehicle having both the engine 20 and the motor 40 as power sources. The radiator 10, the engine 20, the transmission 30, the motor 40, and the air conditioner device 50 provided in the engine room 2 are connected to the engine room 2 from the opening 1 a while the vehicle 1 is traveling in a state where the shutter grill device 60 is in an open state. It is cooled by the outside air that is guided inside.

<Sensors, etc.>
As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a radiator water temperature sensor 101, an engine water temperature sensor 102, an engine oil temperature sensor 103, an intake air temperature sensor 104, an intake air amount sensor 105, Engine torque sensor 106, engine rotation speed sensor 107, transmission oil temperature sensor 108, transmission torque sensor 109, transmission rotation speed sensor 110, motor torque sensor 111, motor rotation speed sensor 112, and refrigerant pressure sensor 113 And an outside air temperature sensor 114, an indoor temperature sensor 115, an air conditioner operation unit 116, and a wheel speed sensor 117 provided for each wheel.

  The radiator water temperature sensor 101 is a sensor that detects the temperature of the cooling water after passing through the radiator 10 and exchanging heat (that is, the radiator water temperature) and outputs the detected radiator water temperature to the ECU 200 described later.

The engine water temperature sensor 102 is a sensor that detects the temperature of the cooling water of the engine 20 (that is, the engine water temperature) and outputs the detected engine water temperature to the ECU 200.
The engine oil temperature sensor 103 is a sensor that detects the temperature of the lubricating oil of the engine 20 (that is, the engine oil temperature) and outputs the detected engine oil temperature to the ECU 200.
The intake air temperature sensor 104 is a sensor that detects the temperature of the intake air of the engine 20 (that is, the intake air temperature) and outputs the detected intake air temperature to the ECU 200.
The intake air amount sensor 105 is a sensor that detects the amount of intake air taken into the engine 20 and outputs the detected intake air amount to the ECU 200.
The engine torque sensor 106 is a sensor that detects torque of the output shaft of the engine 20 (that is, engine torque) and outputs the detected engine torque to the ECU 200.
The engine rotation speed sensor 107 is a sensor that detects the rotation speed of the output shaft of the engine 20 (that is, the engine rotation speed) and outputs the detected engine rotation speed to the ECU 200.

The transmission oil temperature sensor 108 is a sensor that detects the temperature of the lubricating oil in the transmission 30 (that is, the transmission oil temperature) and outputs the detected transmission oil temperature to the ECU 200.
The transmission torque sensor 109 is a sensor that detects the torque of the transmission 30 (ie, transmission torque) and outputs the detected transmission torque to the ECU 200.
The transmission rotational speed sensor 110 is a sensor that detects the rotational speed of the transmission (that is, transmission rotational speed) and outputs the detected transmission rotational speed to the ECU 200.

The motor torque sensor 111 is a sensor that detects the torque of the motor 40 (that is, the motor torque) and outputs the detected motor torque to the ECU 200.
The motor rotation speed sensor 112 is a sensor that detects the rotation speed of the motor 40 (that is, the motor rotation speed) and outputs the detected motor rotation speed to the ECU 200.

The refrigerant pressure sensor 113 is a sensor that detects a pressure (that is, a refrigerant pressure) after passing through the compressor of the air conditioner 50 and outputs the detected refrigerant pressure to the ECU 200.
The outside air temperature sensor 114 is a sensor that detects the temperature of outside air (that is, the outside air temperature) and outputs the detected outside air temperature to the ECU 200.
The indoor temperature sensor 115 is a sensor that detects the temperature inside the vehicle 1 of the vehicle 1 (that is, the indoor temperature) and outputs the detected indoor temperature to the ECU 200.
The air conditioner operation unit 116 is a button or the like provided in the passenger compartment of the vehicle 1 for setting the operating condition of the air conditioner device 50, and outputs an operation result to the ECU 200.

  The wheel speed sensor 117 is a sensor that detects the rotational speed of the wheel of the vehicle 1 (that is, the wheel speed), and outputs the detected wheel speed to the ECU 200.

<ECU>
The vehicle 1 also includes an ECU (Electrical Control Unit) 200. The ECU 200 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read-Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), an input / output circuit, and the like. The ECU 200 controls each device of the vehicle 1 based on detection results of various sensors. It is a control device to control. In the present embodiment, the ECU 200 outputs an opening request and a closing request for the shutter grill 63 to the control unit 65 of the shutter grill device 60 based on the viewpoints of fuel consumption, merchantability, and function guarantee.

<Open / close requests for fuel efficiency>
≪Function: Improvement of aerodynamic performance≫
-Outputs a close request except when an open request is made due to restrictions.
≪Function: Improved warm-up performance (heat dissipation suppression) ≫
-Outputs a close request when the transmission oil temperature is below the close threshold.
-Outputs a close request when the engine water temperature is lower than the close determination threshold.
≪Function: Avoiding engine high water temperature≫
-Outputs an open request when the engine water temperature is equal to or higher than the open determination threshold.
-An opening request is output immediately before the fan operation of the radiator 10 based on the radiator water temperature and the engine water temperature.
≪Function: Transmission high oil temperature avoidance≫
When the transmission oil temperature is equal to or higher than the open determination threshold (temperature at which the efficiency of the transmission 30 decreases), an open request is output.
≪Function: Avoiding engine high intake air temperature≫
-An opening request is output when the intake air temperature of the engine 20 is equal to or higher than the opening determination threshold.
≪Function: Avoidance of fuel efficiency device obstruction≫
・ Open request is output in the VTC (Valve Timing Control) operation prohibition area.
・ Output an open request in the idle rotation up area.
・ Open request is output in the VTEC (Variable valve Timing and lift Electronic Control system) operation prohibition area when the engine water temperature is high.

<Opening and closing requirements for merchandise>
≪Function: Ensure commerciality of air conditioners≫
When the refrigerant of the air conditioner 50 is at a high pressure, an opening request is output when the Hi request of the fan of the radiator 10 is requested.
≪Function: Avoiding deterioration of torque estimation accuracy of compressor of air conditioner 50≫
When the refrigerant of the air conditioner 50 is at a high pressure and a low vehicle speed, an opening request is output when the fan Lo of the radiator 10 is requested.
≪Function: Prevention of coking≫
-When the vehicle 1 is a turbocharger-equipped vehicle, an open request is made when the temperature of the air (intake air temperature) after being compressed by the compressor (not shown) of the turbocharger is equal to or higher than the coking generation temperature. Output.

<Open / close requests for function guarantee>
≪Function: Avoiding engine high oil temperature≫
When the Hi request for the fan of the radiator 10 is requested, an open request is output when the engine oil temperature is equal to or higher than the open determination threshold
≪Function: Avoiding engine high water temperature≫
-When the engine water temperature is equal to or higher than the heat resistance temperature of the parts in the engine room 2, an opening request is output.
≪Function: Transmission high oil temperature avoidance≫
-Outputs an open request when the transmission oil temperature is above the open determination threshold.

That is, ECU 200 outputs an open request when the temperature is equal to or higher than the open determination threshold based on the current temperature of each device in engine room 2 (radiator water temperature, engine water temperature, engine oil temperature, transmission oil temperature, etc.). When the temperature is lower than the closing determination threshold, a closing request is output.
Further, the ECU 200 outputs an opening request and a closing request based on parameters related to a temperature increase in the engine room 2 such as a refrigerant pressure and an outside air temperature.
Further, the ECU 200 outputs an opening request and a closing request based on the control state of the engine 20.

  The ECU 200 determines whether or not an opening request and a closing request should be periodically output for each parameter, and outputs either an opening request or a closing request based on the determination result. In the present embodiment, the ECU 200 has been described as a single control device. However, the ECU 200 may be divided into a plurality of control devices such as an engine ECU.

<Shutter grill device>
The shutter grill device 60 is a device that is provided in the opening 1a for guiding air into the engine room 2 and opens and closes the opening 1a. The shutter grill device 60 includes a motor 61 provided at the air guide opening, a transmission mechanism 62, a shutter grill 63, a return spring 64, and a control unit 65.

  In the present embodiment, the motor 61, the transmission mechanism 62, the return spring 64, and the control unit 65 are unitized. That is, the motor 61, the transmission mechanism 62, and the control unit 65 are housed in a housing (not shown), and the return spring 64 is attached to the output shaft of the transmission mechanism 62 protruding from the housing.

≪Motor≫
The motor 61 is a power source that generates a driving force (rotational force) for opening and closing the shutter grille 63.

≪Transmission mechanism≫
The transmission mechanism 62 is configured by a plurality of gears and the like, and transmits the rotational force generated by the motor 61 to the shutter grille 63.

≪Shutter grill≫
The shutter grill 63 is provided in an opening 1a formed on the front surface of the vehicle 1, and is a shutter body that opens and closes the opening 1a. The shutter grille 63 includes a plurality of blades arranged in the vertical direction. The shutter blades 63 are in a closed state in which the blades face in the substantially vertical direction and close the opening 1a, and the blades in the horizontal direction. Two states, an open state in which the opening 1a is opened, can be exhibited.

≪Return spring≫
The return spring 64 is a biasing unit that biases the shutter grille 63 in the opening direction . In the present embodiment, the return spring 64 is a mainspring spring attached to the output shaft of the transmission mechanism 63.

  In the present embodiment, the shutter grill device 60 is a normally open shutter. That is, the shutter grill 63 is opened by the urging force of the return spring 64 when the motor 61 is not driven. Further, the shutter grille 63 is closed by the rotational force of the motor 61 against the urging force of the return spring 64 when the motor 61 is driven. Therefore, the shutter grill device 60 requires electric power when closing the shutter grille 63 and maintaining the closed state, but does not require electric power when opening the shutter grille 63 and maintaining the open state.

  When the vehicle 1 with the shutter grille 63 closed is traveling, the outside air hits the shutter grille 63 with the closed state and is not guided into the engine room 2. In such a state, the aerodynamic performance of the vehicle 1 is improved and the warm-up performance in the engine room 2 is improved.

  When the vehicle 1 with the shutter grille 63 in the open state travels, outside air is guided into the engine room 2 through the shutter grille 63 with the open state. In such a state, the cooling performance in the engine room 2 is improved.

≪Control part≫
The control unit 65 acquires the opening request and closing request output by the ECU 200, controls the motor 61 based on the acquired opening request and closing request, and opens and closes the shutter grille 63. Further, the control unit 65 prohibits the closing control of the shutter grille 63 during the first interval time after the shutter grille 63 is controlled to open, and also controls the second interval time after the shutter grille 63 is closed. During this period, the opening control of the shutter grill 63 is prohibited. In other words, the control unit 65 enables the closing control of the shutter grill 63 after the first interval time has elapsed since the opening control has been performed, and the shutter grill 63 after the second interval time has elapsed since the closing control has been performed. 63 open control is enabled. Here, the first interval time is set longer than the second interval time.

  Hereinafter, a case where the second interval time is substantially zero will be described as an example. In this embodiment, the control unit 65 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an input / output circuit, and the like. As functional units, an open / close determination unit 65a, a close instruction prohibition determination unit 65b, and an open / close control unit 65c. A timer unit 65d.

≪Open / close judgment part≫
The opening / closing determination unit 65a acquires the opening request and the closing request output by the ECU 200, and determines whether to open or close the shutter grille 63 based on the acquired opening request and closing request. If the request acquired within the predetermined time includes an opening request, the opening / closing determination unit 65a determines that the shutter grill 63 is to be opened, and outputs an opening instruction to the opening / closing control unit 65c. When the request acquired within the predetermined time does not include an opening request and only includes a closing request, the open / close determination unit 65a determines that the shutter grill 63 is to be closed and instructs the closing to be closed. It outputs to the prohibition determination part 65b. Here, the predetermined time is set to a time sufficiently shorter than a first interval time described later.

  When the opening instruction is output, the open / close determination unit 65a continues to output the opening instruction until it is determined that the shutter grill 63 is to be closed next, and when the closing instruction is output, the shutter grill 63 next. Until it is determined to open, the close instruction is continuously output.

≪Closed instruction prohibition determination part≫
The closing instruction prohibition determination unit 65b is a functional unit that determines whether to permit or prohibit the shutter grill closing instruction, and during the first interval time after the shutter grill 63 is controlled to open, the shutter grill 63. Prohibits closing control of In the present embodiment, when the closing instruction prohibition determination unit 65b acquires the closing instruction prohibition signal output from the time measuring unit 65d, the closing control of the shutter grille 63 is performed until the next closing instruction permission signal is acquired. Is prohibited. Further, when the closing instruction prohibition determination unit 65b acquires the closing instruction permission signal output from the timing unit 65d, the closing instruction prohibition determination unit 65b permits the shutter grille 63 to be closed until the next closing instruction prohibition signal is acquired. . That is, when a closing instruction is acquired within a first interval time counted by the time measuring unit 65d described later, the closing instruction prohibition determination unit 65b prohibits the closing instruction and sends the closing instruction to the opening / closing control unit 65c. Do not output to. On the other hand, when the close instruction is acquired outside the first interval time, the close instruction prohibition determination unit 65b outputs the close instruction to the open / close control unit 65c.

  Note that the closing instruction prohibition determination unit 65b prohibits the closing control of the shutter grille 63 when it is predicted that the shutter grille 63 needs to be opened immediately even after the first interval time has elapsed. Can be extended. This control method will be described in a second operation example described later.

≪Open / close control part≫
The opening / closing control unit 65c acquires the instruction output from the opening / closing determination unit 65a, and controls the motor 61 based on the acquired instruction.
When the opening instruction output from the opening / closing determination unit 65 a is acquired, the opening / closing control unit 65 c outputs the opening instruction to the motor 61. The motor 61 acquires the opening instruction and rotates based on the acquired opening instruction. The shutter grille 63 is opened by such rotation. Such an open state is continued until the motor 61 obtains a close instruction next time.
When the closing instruction output from the opening / closing determination unit 65 a is acquired, the opening / closing control unit 65 b outputs the closing instruction to the motor 61. The motor 61 acquires the closing instruction and stops the operation based on the acquired closing instruction. The shutter grille 63 is closed by the urging force of the return spring 64. Such a closed state is continued until the motor 61 obtains an opening instruction next time.

The open / close control unit 65b sets and stores a flag indicating the open / close state of the shutter grille 63. The flag “0” represents a closed state, and the flag “1” represents an open state.
When the motor 61 obtains the opening instruction in a state where the operation is stopped (flag “0”), the motor 61 sets the flag to “1” and outputs a signal indicating that (timer start signal) to the time measuring unit 65d. To do.
Further, when the motor 61 obtains the close instruction in the operation state (flag “1”), the motor 61 sets the flag to “0”.

≪Timekeeping department≫
When the timer unit 65d acquires the timer start signal, the timer unit 65d counts the first interval time using a timer (not shown) and outputs a close instruction prohibition signal to the close instruction prohibition determination unit 65b. In addition, the time measuring unit 65d outputs a closing instruction permission signal to the closing instruction prohibition determining unit 65b when the first interval time elapses.

<First interval time setting method>
Here, an example of a first interval time setting method will be described.

1. Predetermined value When the vehicle 1 has traveled a predetermined distance for a predetermined number of years, a simulation and an experiment are performed on the relationship between the average vehicle speed of the vehicle 1 and the opening / closing interval time for preventing the shutter grille 63 from opening and closing the predetermined number of times. Etc. are obtained in advance. Based on the obtained relationship, the time measuring unit 65d previously sets an opening / closing interval time corresponding to the lower limit value of the market average vehicle speed when the vehicle 1 actually enters the market as a first interval time (for example, 90 seconds). Is set.

2. Setting of the first interval time based on the vehicle speed As in the case of “1. Predetermined value”, when the vehicle 1 has traveled a predetermined distance for a predetermined number of years, the lifetime average vehicle speed of the vehicle 1 and the opening / closing of the shutter grille 63 The relationship between the opening / closing interval time for preventing the number of times from exceeding a predetermined number is obtained in advance by simulation, experiment, or the like. In the time measuring unit 65d, the relationship (see FIG. 3) between the vehicle speed and the opening / closing interval time (first interval time) obtained in this way is stored in advance.
The timer unit 65d acquires the vehicle speed output from the ECU 200 (calculated based on the detection result of the wheel speed sensor 117), and refers to the relationship shown in FIG. One interval time is read, and the read first interval time is used.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the first interval time is set such that the first interval time becomes longer as the vehicle speed is lower. This is a measure for preventing the devices in the engine room 2 from being easily cooled even when the shutter grille 63 is in an open state when the vehicle speed is low.

3. Setting of the first interval time based on the cumulative number of operations of the shutter grill 63 The time counting unit 65d stores in advance the relationship between the lifetime travel distance of the vehicle 1 and the number of lifetime operations of the shutter grill 63 (see FIG. 4). ing. Further, in the timer unit 65d, a relationship (see FIG. 5) between the operation frequency coefficient in FIG. 4 and the first interval time is stored in advance.
The timer unit 65d refers to the relationship shown in FIG. 4 based on the lifetime travel distance output from the ECU 200 and the lifetime operation count output from the opening / closing controller 65c or counted by the timer unit 65d. Read the corresponding operating frequency coefficient.
Subsequently, the timer unit 65d reads the corresponding first interval time by referring to the relationship shown in FIG. 5 based on the read operation frequency coefficient, and the read first interval time. Use.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, when the lifetime distance is constant, the first interval time is longer as the lifetime operation count is larger, and the lifetime operation frequency is constant. In this case, the first interval time is set longer as the lifetime travel distance is shorter. In FIG. 4, the line between the operation frequency coefficients “2” and “3” is the upper limit target of the number of operations for the lifetime travel distance. Therefore, in FIG. 5, the slope of the line representing the first interval time with respect to the operation frequency coefficient is larger in the regions of the operation frequency coefficients “3” and “4” than in the regions of the operation frequency coefficients “1” and “2”. Yes.

  According to this setting, when the operating frequency of the shutter grill 63 is high, the first interval time can be set long to suppress the number of operations, and the product life of the shutter grill device 60 can be ensured.

<Operation example>
Subsequently, an operation example of the shutter grill device 60 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following first operation example and second operation example, only the opening request and the closing request based on the radiator water temperature detected by the radiator water temperature sensor 101 while the first interval time is a predetermined value for simplification. Will be described by way of example. The open / close state of the shutter grille 63 is not the output state of the open / close instruction of the open / close determination unit 65a, but coincides with the output state of the open / close instruction of the open / close control unit 65c.

<First operation example>
The first operation example is an operation example when various devices in the engine room 2 have a relatively low load. As shown in FIG. 6, before time t _11, the shutter grill 63 when the vehicle 1 in a closed state travels, the radiator water temperature to rise.

At time _{t 11,} when the radiator water temperature becomes equal to or higher than the opening determination threshold, ECU 200 outputs an open request to the closing judging unit 65a. The opening / closing determination unit 65a acquires the opening request and outputs an opening instruction to the opening / closing control unit 65c based on the acquired opening request. The opening / closing control unit 65c acquires an opening instruction, outputs the acquired opening instruction to the motor 61 to open the shutter grille 63, outputs a timer start signal to the timer unit 65d, and outputs it to the timer unit 65d. A time interval is counted.

  When the vehicle 1 with the shutter grille 63 opened is running, the radiator water temperature decreases.

At time t ₁₂ before the first interval time has elapsed, the radiator coolant temperature is less than the closing determination threshold, ECU 200 outputs a closing request to open the determination unit 65a. The open / close determination unit 65a acquires a close request, and outputs a close instruction to the close instruction prohibition determination unit 65b based on the acquired close request. The close instruction prohibition determination unit 65b acquires the close instruction, but does not output the close instruction to the open / close control unit 65c because the first interval time is being measured.

At time t ₁₃ where the first interval time has elapsed, since the radiator coolant temperature is less than the closing determination threshold, ECU 200 is continued output closed request to open the determination unit 65a. The open / close determination unit 65a acquires a close request, and outputs a close instruction to the close instruction prohibition determination unit 65b based on the acquired close request. The closing instruction prohibition determination unit 65b acquires the closing instruction, determines that the closing instruction is permitted since the first interval time has elapsed, and outputs the closing instruction to the opening / closing control unit 65c. The open / close control unit 65c acquires a close instruction, outputs the acquired close instruction to the motor 61, and closes the shutter grille 63.

According to such operation example, it is possible to delay the timing of closing the shutter grille 63 by the time t ₁₃ -t _12, it is possible to reduce the turn-off times of the shutter grille 63.

Even when ECU200 are respectively Shitsuryoku the open request and closed requests based on the plurality of types of parameters, the closing judging unit 65a outputs the open instruction between times t ₁₂ ~t ₁₃ is Since there is almost no closing instruction prohibition determination unit 65b, it can be said that the closing instruction prohibition determination unit 65b is a closing instruction standby unit that waits for transfer of the closing instruction output from the opening / closing determination unit 65a to the opening / closing control unit 65c for the first interval time. .

<Second operation example>
The second operation example is an operation example when various devices in the engine room 2 have a relatively high load. As shown in FIG. 7, before time t _21, the shutter grill 63 when the vehicle 1 in a closed state travels, the radiator water temperature to rise.

At time _{t 21,} when the radiator water temperature becomes equal to or higher than the opening determination threshold, ECU 200 outputs an open request to the closing judging unit 65a. The opening / closing determination unit 65a acquires the opening request and outputs an opening instruction to the opening / closing control unit 65c based on the acquired opening request. The opening / closing control unit 65c acquires an opening instruction, outputs the acquired opening instruction to the motor 61 to open the shutter grille 63, outputs a timer start signal to the timer unit 65d, and outputs it to the timer unit 65d. A time interval is counted.

  When the vehicle 1 with the shutter grille 63 opened is running, the radiator water temperature decreases.

At time t ₂₂ before the first interval time has elapsed, the radiator coolant temperature is less than the closing determination threshold, ECU 200 outputs a closing request to open the determination unit 65a. The open / close determination unit 65a acquires a close request, and outputs a close instruction to the close instruction prohibition determination unit 65b based on the acquired close request. The close instruction prohibition determination unit 65b acquires the close instruction, but does not output the close instruction to the open / close control unit 65c because the first interval time is being measured.

At time t ₂₃ where the first interval time has elapsed, since the radiator coolant temperature is less than the closing determination threshold, ECU 200 is continued output closed request to open the determination unit 65a. The open / close determination unit 65a acquires a close request, and outputs a close instruction to the close instruction prohibition determination unit 65b based on the acquired close request. On the other hand, the ECU 200 calculates the estimated engine heat generation amount and outputs the calculated engine estimated heat generation amount to the close instruction prohibition determination unit 65b. The close instruction prohibition determination unit 65b acquires the close instruction and the estimated engine heat generation amount, and determines whether the engine estimated heat generation amount is equal to or greater than a preset threshold value after the first interval time has elapsed. . At this timing, the estimated engine heat generation amount is equal to or greater than the threshold value, so that the prohibition of the closing control of the shutter grille 63 is extended and the closing instruction is not output to the opening / closing control unit 65c.

Thereafter, when the estimated engine heat generation amount becomes less than the threshold value at time t ₂₅ , the closing instruction prohibition determination unit 65 b cancels the prohibition of the closing control of the shutter grille 63. That is, the prohibition of the closing control is continued until the estimated engine heat generation amount becomes less than the threshold value. At time _{t 25,} since the radiator coolant temperature is less than the closing determination threshold, ECU 200 is continued output closed request to open the determination unit 65a. The open / close determination unit 65a acquires a close request, and outputs a close instruction to the close instruction prohibition determination unit 65b based on the acquired close request. The closing instruction prohibition determination unit 65b acquires the closing instruction, determines that the closing instruction is permitted because the first interval time has elapsed and the estimated engine heat generation amount is less than the threshold, and the closing instruction is sent to the opening / closing control unit. To 65c. The open / close control unit 65c acquires a close instruction, outputs the acquired close instruction to the motor 61, and closes the shutter grille 63.

In the second operation example, if the close instruction prohibition determination unit 65b permits the close instruction after the first interval time has elapsed without considering the estimated engine heat generation amount, the output of the open / close determination unit in FIG. timing unit of the timer, as in the dotted line portion of the graph of the output and the radiator coolant temperature of the switching control unit, also a shutter grille 63 as closed at time t _23, the heat generation of the engine 20, before the time t ₂₅ the time t _{At 24} , the radiator water temperature becomes equal to or higher than the open determination threshold value, and the shutter grille 63 is opened. In such a case, the opening / closing operation of the shutter grille 63 at times t ₂₃ and t ₂₄ is wasted. On the other hand, in the second operation example, the prohibition of the closing control of the shutter grille 63 is continued based on the estimated engine heat generation amount, so that the useless opening / closing operation of the shutter grille 63 can be suppressed. it can.

As described above, as a parameter for extending the prohibition of the closing control of the shutter grille 63, for example, one or a combination of two or more of the following parameters can be used.
The load factor or estimated heat value of the engine 20 (or the engine 20 and the transmission 30) The load factor or estimated heat value of the motor 40 (or PCU (Power Control Unit) including the motor 40) The load factor of the air conditioner 50 Outside air temperature (including the temperature difference between the outside air temperature and the temperature in the engine room 2 (for example, the temperature of each device in the engine room 2) or the room temperature)
For example, the estimated heat generation amount of the engine 20 can be calculated based on the output of the engine 20, the intake air amount, the engine torque, and the engine rotation speed.
Further, the estimated heat generation amount of the motor 40 can be calculated based on the motor torque and the motor rotation speed of the motor 40.
Further, the load factor of the air conditioner device 50 can be calculated based on the refrigerant pressure of the air conditioner device 50, the outside air temperature, the room temperature, and the set contents of the air conditioner device 50.

  That is, after the first interval time has elapsed since the shutter grill 63 was controlled to open, the control unit 65 has an outside air temperature, a load on the device provided in the engine room 2, or a device provided in the engine room 2. If the parameter related to the estimated heat generation amount is equal to or greater than the threshold, the prohibition of closing control of the shutter grille 63 is extended and continued, and when the parameter becomes less than the threshold, prohibition of closing control of the shutter grille 63 is prohibited. To release.

  Further, the control unit 65 uses a plurality of parameters among the parameters related to the outside air temperature, the load of the device provided in the engine room 2, or the estimated heat generation amount of the device provided in the engine room 2, and one parameter is If it is equal to or greater than the threshold value of the parameter, the prohibition of closing control of the shutter grille 63 is extended and continued, and when all parameters are less than the threshold value of the parameter, the prohibition of closing control of the shutter grille 63 is prohibited. The structure which cancels | releases may be sufficient.

  Note that the load factor or the estimated heat generation amount of each device may be calculated by the ECU 200 that has acquired the detection result of each sensor, and the detection result of each sensor is calculated by the closing instruction prohibition determination unit 65b transferred from the ECU 200. May be.

According to such operation example, it is possible to delay the timing of closing the shutter grille 63 by the time _t 23 further time in addition to the _{-t 22 t} 25 _{-t 23,} that closes the shutter grille 63 immediately after opening the shutter grille 63 It is possible to eliminate waste and to reduce the number of times the shutter grill 63 is opened and closed.

The shutter grill device 60 according to the embodiment of the present invention has a first interval time in which the closing control is prohibited after the opening control, and a second interval time in which the opening control is prohibited after the closing control (in this embodiment, Since it is set to be substantially longer than zero), the product life can be extended by reducing the number of opening and closing operations.

  Further, since the shutter grill device 60 is a mechanical normally-open type using a return spring 64, electric power is required only when the shutter grill device 60 is closed, and no electric power is required when opening, thereby realizing energy saving and cost reduction. it can.

  Further, when the first interval time is set so that the first interval time becomes longer as the vehicle speed is lower, the shutter grill device 60 is preferably each device in the engine room 2 even at low vehicle speed. Can be cooled to.

  Further, when the first interval time is preset based on the lifetime opening / closing durability number target of the shutter grille 63 and the lifetime operation number prediction, the shutter grille device 60 is suitable for the effect of opening and closing the shutter grille 63. In addition, the product life can be extended by reducing the number of opening and closing operations.

  Further, when the shutter grill device 60 sets the first interval time based on the lifetime travel distance of the vehicle 1 and the number of lifetime operations of the shutter grill 63, for example, when the number of lifetime operations of the shutter grill is large. The first interval time can be set long, and the product life can be extended by reducing the number of opening and closing operations.

  In addition, the shutter grill device 60 is a parameter relating to the outside air temperature, the load of the device provided in the engine room 2 or the estimated heat generation amount of the device provided in the engine room 2 after the first interval time has elapsed. When the value is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the prohibition of the closing control of the shutter grille 63 is continued, so that the product life can be extended by more suitably suppressing the number of opening / closing operations.

  Further, the shutter grill device 60 continues to prohibit the closing control of the shutter grille 63 when it is predicted that the opening control is required after the closing control after the first interval time has elapsed. The product life can be extended by more suitably suppressing the number of opening and closing operations.

<Reference form>
Subsequently, the shutter grille apparatus according to a reference embodiment of the present invention will be described focusing on differences from the shutter grille apparatus 60 according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the shutter grill device 60 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 65 controls the closing of the shutter grille 63 when the vehicle 1 travels a predetermined distance after opening the shutter grille 63. Allow. In other words, the control unit 65 prohibits the closing control of the shutter grille 63 when the traveling distance of the vehicle 1 after the opening control of the shutter grille 63 is less than the predetermined distance.

Here, as shown in FIG. 8, when the vehicle 1 is traveling at a high vehicle speed, the vehicle 1 performs predetermined control within a short time (time t ₃₁ to time t ₃₂ ) after opening the shutter grille 63. Travel the distance. Further, when the vehicle 1 is traveling at a medium vehicle speed, the vehicle 1 travels a predetermined distance in a medium time (time t ₃₁ to time t ₃₃ ) after the shutter grill 63 is opened. When the vehicle 1 is traveling at a low vehicle speed, the vehicle 1 travels a predetermined distance for a long time (time t ₃₁ to time t ₃₄ ) after opening the shutter grille 63.

That is, the control unit 65 permits the shutter grille 63 to be closed when the travel distance of the vehicle 1 reaches a predetermined distance, so that the first interval time becomes longer as the vehicle speed is lower in the embodiment . It is possible to achieve the same operational effects as when the first interval time is set.

In the present embodiment , the ECU 200 calculates the vehicle speed based on the detection result of the wheel speed sensor 117 and the wheel diameter stored in advance, and outputs the calculated vehicle speed to the close instruction prohibition determination unit 65b. The close instruction prohibition determination unit 65b acquires the vehicle speed output from the ECU 200, and calculates the travel distance of the vehicle 1 after opening the shutter grille 63 based on the acquired vehicle speed.

  The ECU 200 may calculate the travel distance of the vehicle 1 based on the calculated vehicle speed and output the calculated travel distance to the close instruction prohibition determination unit 65b. In this case, the close instruction prohibition determination unit 65b acquires the travel distance output from the ECU 200, and calculates the travel distance of the vehicle 1 after opening the shutter grille 63 based on the travel distance.

Further, the control unit 65 permits the shutter grill 63 to be closed even when the interval time has elapsed since the shutter grill 63 was opened. Here, the interval time is a time (time t ₃₁ to time t ₃₅ ) set for permitting the closing control of the shutter grille 63 when the vehicle speed is substantially equal to zero, and the vehicle 1 is operated at a low vehicle speed. It is set longer than the time (time t ₃₁ to time t ₃₄ ) for traveling a predetermined distance.

<Operation example>
Subsequently, an operation example of the shutter grill device 60 according to the reference embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 9 (see FIG. 2 and the like as appropriate).

  As shown in FIG. 9, first, the open / close determination unit 65a performs open / close determination of the shutter grille 63 based on the open request and the close request output by the ECU 200 (step S1). In this operation example, the open / close determination unit 65a determines that the open request is output when the ECU 200 outputs an open request, and the open request is not output from the ECU 200 (that is, when the open request is not acquired). ) Is closed.

  In the case of open determination in step S1, the open / close determination unit 65a outputs an open instruction to the close instruction prohibition determination unit 65b and the open / close control unit 65c, and the open / close control unit 65c outputs an open instruction to the motor 61 (shutter). Open control of the grill 63, step S11).

  Subsequently, the closing instruction prohibition determination unit 65b starts to accumulate the travel distance of the vehicle 1 after the shutter grille 63 is opened, and the time counting unit 65d counts the time after the shutter grille 63 is opened. Start (step S12).

  Here, the closing instruction prohibition determination unit 65b continues to accumulate the travel distance until the integrated value of the travel distance of the vehicle 1 reaches a predetermined distance, and the time measuring unit 65d continues to time until the time measurement result reaches the interval time. (No in step S13 and No in step S14). The opening / closing controller 65c cannot control the shutter grille 63 to be closed during a period in which at least one of the accumulated travel distance and the time count is continued.

  When the integrated value of the travel distance of the vehicle 1 has reached a predetermined distance (Yes in Step S13), or when the time measurement has reached the interval time (Yes in Step S14), the close instruction prohibition determination unit 65b The accumulation of the travel distance of the vehicle 1 is completed and the travel distance is reset, and the time measuring unit 65d ends the time measurement and resets the time measurement result (timer) (step S15). The opening / closing determination unit 65b can perform the closing control of the shutter grille 63 by resetting the travel distance and the timing result.

  Subsequently, after step S15, when the opening / closing determination unit 65a has acquired an opening request (Yes in step S16), the opening / closing control unit 65c continues to output an opening instruction to the motor 61 (step S17). . On the other hand, after step S15, when the opening / closing determination unit 65a has not acquired the opening request (No in step S16), the opening / closing determination unit 65a returns to step S1 and performs the opening / closing determination. In this case, the determination is closed.

  On the other hand, in the case of the closing determination in step S1, the opening / closing control unit 65a outputs a closing instruction to the opening / closing control unit 65c, and the opening / closing control unit 65c outputs a closing instruction to the motor 61 (closing control of the shutter grille 63). Step S21).

  Subsequently, after step S21, when the opening / closing determination unit 65a has not acquired an opening request (No in step S22), the opening / closing control unit 65c continues to output a closing instruction to the motor 61 (step S23). . On the other hand, after step S21, when the opening / closing determination unit 65a has acquired an opening request (Yes in step S22), the opening / closing determination unit 65a returns to step S1 and makes an opening / closing determination. In this case, an open determination is made.

The shutter grill device 60 according to the reference embodiment of the present invention permits the first interval time as the vehicle speed decreases in the embodiment by permitting the closing control of the shutter grill 63 when the travel distance of the vehicle 1 reaches a predetermined distance. It is possible to achieve the same operation and effect as when the first interval time is set so that the length becomes longer.
Since the shutter grill device 60 determines the timing for permitting the closing control of the shutter grill 63 based on the travel distance of the vehicle 1, compared with the embodiment in which the first interval time is changed when the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1 changes. Thus, the timing for permitting the closing control of the shutter grille 63 can be determined by a simple method.

  Further, since the shutter grill device 60 permits the closing control of the shutter grille 63 even when the interval time has passed since the shutter grille 63 was opened, the vehicle speed is very low (equivalent to zero). Also, the closing control of the shutter grille 63 can be preferably permitted.

As mentioned above, although embodiment and reference form of this invention were described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, In the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention, it can change suitably.
For example, the control unit 65 prohibits the closing control of the shutter grille 63 during the first interval time after the opening control of the shutter grille 63, and the second interval time after the closing control of the shutter grille 63. During this period, the opening control of the shutter grill 63 may be prohibited. In this case, an opening instruction prohibition determination unit similar to the closing instruction prohibition determination unit 65b is provided between the opening / closing determination unit 65a and the opening / closing control unit 65c, and for the start prohibition determination unit similar to the timing unit 65d. By providing the time measuring unit, it is possible to prohibit the opening control of the shutter grille 63 during the second interval time.
Regarding the setting method of the second interval time, it is possible to adopt a setting method based on the vehicle speed or the like as in the case of the first interval time, within a range in which the restriction of being shorter than the first interval time is observed.

  Further, the opening / closing control method of the shutter grill device 60 is not limited to the two options of the open state (fully open) and the closed state (fully closed) as described above, and may be stepwise or stepless open / close control.

  Further, the shutter grill device 60 is not limited to a mechanical normally open type using a return spring 64. For example, the shutter grill device 60 may be a device that omits the return spring 64 and controls the opening and closing of the shutter by a servo motor or the like instead of the normally open shutter.

In the reference embodiment , the method for calculating the travel distance of the vehicle 1 is not limited to the above-described method.

1 Vehicle 1a Opening (air inlet)
2 Engine room (power room)
60 Shutter grill device 63 Shutter grill 65 Control unit

Claims (7)

A shutter grill provided at an air inlet for introducing air into a power room provided with a power source of the vehicle;
A control unit for controlling opening and closing of the shutter grill;
With
The controller is
During the first interval time after the opening control of the shutter grill, the closing control of the shutter grill is prohibited and the second interval time from the closing control of the shutter grill until the opening control is enabled. Have
Said 1st interval time is set longer than said 2nd interval time. The shutter grille device characterized by things. The shutter grill device according to claim 1, wherein the controller sets the first interval time such that the first interval time becomes longer as the vehicle speed is lower. 2. The shutter grill device according to claim 1, wherein the first interval time is set in advance based on a lifetime opening / closing durability frequency target of the shutter grill and a lifetime operation frequency prediction. The shutter grill device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit sets the first interval time based on a lifetime travel distance of the vehicle and a lifetime operation count of the shutter grill. After the elapse of the first interval time since the control unit opened the shutter grille,
If the parameter regarding the outside air temperature, the load of the device provided in the power chamber, or the estimated heat generation amount of the device provided in the power chamber is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the prohibition of the shutter grill closing control is extended. ,
The shutter grill device according to claim 1, wherein when the parameter becomes less than the threshold value, the prohibition of the closing control of the shutter grill is canceled. The control unit controls the closing of the shutter grill when it is predicted that the opening control is required following the closing control after the first interval time has elapsed after the opening control of the shutter grill. The shutter grill device according to claim 1, wherein the prohibition of is extended. The control device opens the shutter grille based on a parameter related to an outside air temperature, a load of the device provided in the power chamber, or an estimated heat generation amount of the device provided in the power chamber, and then 7. The prohibition of the shutter grill closing control is extended when it is predicted that the opening control is required after the closing control after the elapse of one interval time. 8. Shutter grill device.

Images