U.S. patent application number 13/879669 was filed with the patent office on 2013-08-22 for abnormality determination apparatus and abnormality determination method for coolant temperature sensor, and engine cooling system.
This patent application is currently assigned to TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA. The applicant listed for this patent is Tatsuki Saitoh. Invention is credited to Tatsuki Saitoh.
Application Number | 20130213600 13/879669 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45569695 |
Filed Date | 2013-08-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130213600 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Saitoh; Tatsuki |
August 22, 2013 |
ABNORMALITY DETERMINATION APPARATUS AND ABNORMALITY DETERMINATION
METHOD FOR COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR, AND ENGINE COOLING
SYSTEM
Abstract
A coolant temperature sensor abnormality determination apparatus
opens a changeover valve to increase the temperature of a coolant
in a heater passageway if the amount of increase of the detected
heater inlet coolant temperature value obtained when the intake air
amount of an engine becomes equal to or greater than a
predetermined value is small. Then, if the amount of increase in
the detected heater inlet coolant temperature value after the
changeover valve opens is greater than or equal to the
predetermined value, the apparatus determines that the heater inlet
coolant temperature sensor is normal. If the amount of increase in
the detected heater inlet coolant temperature value is smaller than
the predetermined value, the apparatus determines that the heater
inlet coolant temperature sensor is abnormal.
Inventors: |
Saitoh; Tatsuki;
(Susono-shi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Saitoh; Tatsuki |
Susono-shi |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI
KAISHA
Toyota-shi, Aichi-ken
JP
|
Family ID: |
45569695 |
Appl. No.: |
13/879669 |
Filed: |
November 8, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
November 8, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB2011/002627 |
371 Date: |
April 16, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/11.1 ;
236/34.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F01P 7/16 20130101; F01P
11/18 20130101; F01P 7/165 20130101; F01P 2025/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/11.1 ;
236/34.5 |
International
Class: |
F01P 11/18 20060101
F01P011/18; F01P 7/16 20060101 F01P007/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 11, 2010 |
JP |
2010-253208 |
Claims
1. A coolant temperature sensor abnormality determination apparatus
which is applied to an engine cooling system that includes a
coolant passageway comprising an engine coolant passageway and a
bypass passageway that bypasses an engine, a control valve that can
be in an open state to allow mixing of coolant from the engine
coolant passageway and coolant from the bypass passageway at a
confluence between the engine coolant passageway and the bypass
passageway and that can be in a closed state to restrict the mixing
of the coolant from the engine coolant passageway and the coolant
from the bypass passageway at the confluence between the engine
coolant passageway and the bypass passageway, and a bypass coolant
temperature sensor that is arranged in the coolant passageway,
downstream of the confluence between the engine coolant passageway
and the bypass passageway, and that detects a bypass coolant
temperature, and which determines whether the bypass coolant
temperature sensor is abnormal, the coolant temperature sensor
abnormality determination apparatus comprising a determination
portion that opens the control valve if an amount of increase of a
detected value of the bypass coolant temperature obtained when the
bypass coolant temperature is estimated to be equal to or greater
than a first predetermined value is smaller than a second
predetermined value, and that determines whether the bypass coolant
temperature sensor is abnormal based on an amount of change in the
detected value of the bypass coolant temperature obtained after the
control valve opens.
2. The coolant temperature sensor abnormality determination
apparatus according claim 1, wherein: the determination portion
determines that the bypass coolant temperature sensor is normal, if
the amount of increase in the detected value of the bypass coolant
temperature becomes equal to or greater than the second
predetermined value after the control valve opens; and the
determination portion determines that the bypass coolant
temperature sensor is abnormal, if the amount of increase in the
detected value of the bypass coolant temperature is smaller than
the second predetermined value after the control valve opens.
3. The coolant temperature sensor abnormality determination
apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bypass passageway is
provided with at least one of an exhaust heat recovery device and
an EGR cooler.
4. The coolant temperature sensor abnormality determination
apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the control valve is a
temperature-sensitive operation valve that has a temperature
sensitive portion that displaces a valve body; and the coolant
temperature sensor abnormality determination apparatus includes an
open-valve state determination portion that determines that the
control valve has opened, when an estimated value of an ambient
coolant temperature of the control valve becomes equal to or
greater than a valve-opening temperature of the control valve.
5. The coolant temperature sensor abnormality determination
apparatus according to claim 1, wherein after a predetermined time
elapses following opening of the control valve, the determination
portion executes determination regarding the bypass coolant
temperature sensor.
6. A coolant temperature sensor abnormality determination method
which is for use in an engine cooling system that includes a
coolant passageway comprising an engine coolant passageway and a
bypass passageway that bypasses an engine, a control valve that can
be in an open state to allow mixing of coolant from the engine
coolant passageway and coolant from the bypass passageway at a
confluence between the engine coolant passageway and the bypass
passageway and that can be in a closed state to restrict the mixing
of the coolant from the engine coolant passageway and the coolant
from the bypass passageway at the confluence between the engine
coolant passageway and the bypass passageway, and a bypass coolant
temperature sensor that is arranged in the coolant passageway,
downstream of the confluence between the engine coolant passageway
and the bypass passageway, and that detects a bypass coolant
temperature, and which determines whether the bypass coolant
temperature sensor is abnormal, the coolant temperature sensor
abnormality determination method comprising: detecting the bypass
coolant temperature by using the bypass coolant temperature sensor
when the bypass coolant temperature is estimated to be equal to or
greater than a first predetermined value, determining that the
bypass coolant temperature sensor is normal if an amount of
increase in the bypass coolant temperature detected is greater than
or equal to a second predetermined value; and opening the control
valve if the amount of increase in the bypass coolant temperature
detected is smaller than the second predetermined value, and
detecting the bypass coolant temperature again by using the bypass
coolant temperature sensor after the control valve opens, and
determining whether the bypass coolant temperature sensor is
abnormal on the basis of an amount of change in the bypass coolant
temperature between before and after the control valve opens.
7. An engine cooling system comprising: a coolant passageway
comprising an engine coolant passageway and a bypass passageway
that bypasses an engine; a control valve that can be in an open
state to allow mixing of coolant from the engine coolant passageway
and coolant from the bypass passageway at a confluence between the
engine coolant passageway and the bypass passageway and that can be
in a closed state to restrict the mixing of coolant from the engine
coolant passageway and the coolant from the bypass passageway at
the confluence between the engine coolant passageway and the bypass
passageway; a bypass coolant temperature sensor that is arranged in
the coolant passageway, downstream of the confluence between the
engine coolant passageway and the bypass passageway, and that
detects a bypass coolant temperature; and a coolant temperature
sensor abnormality determination portion that opens the control
valve if an amount of increase of a detected value of the bypass
coolant temperature obtained when the bypass coolant temperature is
estimated to be equal to or greater than a first predetermined
value is smaller than a second predetermined value, and that
determines whether the bypass coolant temperature sensor is
abnormal based on an amount of change in the detected value of the
bypass coolant temperature obtained after the control valve opens.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to a cooling system of an engine
(internal combustion engine) and, more particularly, to a coolant
temperature sensor abnormality determination apparatus and a
coolant temperature sensor abnormality determination method that
determine the presence or absence of abnormality of a coolant
temperature sensor of the cooling system.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] With regard to an engine mounted in a vehicle or the like, a
coolant jacket as a coolant passageway is provided in the engine (a
cylinder block or a cylinder head), and the entire engine is cooled
(or warmed) by circulating a coolant via the coolant jacket by a
coolant pump. In conjunction with such a cooling system, there
exists a technology in which a changeover valve that restricts the
circulation of the coolant between an engine coolant passageway and
a heater system (heater passageway) is provided, and while the
engine is cold, the changeover valve is closed to stop passage of
the coolant within the engine (within the coolant jacket) (to
perform an in-engine coolant stop) so that quick warm-up of the
engine is accomplished (e.g., see Japanese Patent Application
Publication No. 2009-150266 (JP-A-2009-150266)).
[0005] A cooling system that performs the aforementioned in-engine
coolant stop is provided with, for example, an engine coolant
temperature sensor that detects the outlet coolant temperature of
the engine, and a heater-system coolant temperature sensor (e.g., a
heater inlet coolant temperature sensor) that detects the coolant
temperature in a heater system. As an abnormality detection method
of detecting abnormality of the heater-system coolant temperature
sensor, there exists a method in which it is determined that the
heater-system coolant temperature sensor is abnormal in the case
where after elapse of a certain period following the start of the
engine, it is found that the detected coolant temperature value
detected by the heater-system coolant temperature sensor has not
risen by a predetermined value or more (e.g., see Japanese Patent
Application Publication No. 10-073047 (JP-A-10-073047)).
Incidentally, an example of the abnormality of the coolant
temperature sensor is a stuck abnormality in which the sensor value
is fixed to a certain value.
[0006] By the way, as for the cooling system that performs the
aforementioned in-engine coolant stop, in the case where the
foregoing abnormality detection method is applied to the
abnormality determination regarding the heater-system coolant
temperature sensor, if a heat source (e.g., an exhaust heat
recovery device or the like) disposed in the heater system has a
fault or the like, the temperature of the coolant in the heater
system does not rise even after a certain period of time elapses
following the start of the engine. Therefore, since the detected
coolant temperature value provided by the heater-system coolant
temperature does not rise, it sometimes happens that the
heater-system coolant temperature sensor is falsely determined as
being abnormal although the sensor is actually normal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The invention provides a coolant temperature sensor
abnormality determination apparatus and a coolant temperature
sensor abnormality determination method that are capable of
precisely determining whether a coolant temperature sensor that
detects the temperature of a coolant in a heater system is abnormal
without making a false determination, in a cooling system that
stops passage of a coolant within an engine.
[0008] A coolant temperature sensor abnormality determination
apparatus in accordance with a first aspect of the invention is a
coolant temperature sensor abnormality determination apparatus
which is applied to an engine cooling system (a cooling system that
performs an in-engine coolant stop) that includes an engine coolant
passageway, a bypass passageway (heater passageway) that bypasses
an engine, a control valve (changeover valve) that restricts
circulation of a coolant between the engine coolant passageway and
the bypass passageway, and a bypass coolant temperature sensor
(heater inlet coolant temperature sensor) that detects bypass
coolant temperature in the bypass passageway, and which determines
whether the bypass coolant temperature sensor is abnormal, and
which includes determination means for opening the control valve if
amount of increase of a detected value of the bypass coolant
temperature obtained when the bypass coolant temperature is
estimated to be equal to or greater than a predetermined value
(concretely, for example, when the amount of intake air taken into
the engine (the integrated intake air amount value following the
time of the start of the engine) becomes equal to or greater than a
predetermined value) is smaller than the predetermined value, and
for determining that the bypass coolant temperature sensor is
abnormal based on amount of change in the detected value of the
bypass coolant temperature obtained after the control valve
opens.
[0009] Besides, in the coolant temperature sensor abnormality
determination apparatus in accordance with the foregoing aspect,
the determination means may determine that the bypass coolant
temperature sensor is normal, if the amount of increase in the
detected value of the bypass coolant temperature becomes equal to
or greater than the predetermined value after the control valve
opens that the bypass coolant temperature sensor is normal, if the
amount of increase in the detected value of the bypass coolant
temperature becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined
value after the control valve opens, and the determination means
may determine that the bypass coolant temperature sensor is
abnormal, if the amount of increase in the detected value of the
bypass coolant temperature is smaller than the predetermined value
after the control valve opens.
[0010] Besides, in the coolant temperature sensor abnormality
determination apparatus in accordance with the foregoing aspect,
the bypass passageway (heater passageway) may be provided with at
least one of an exhaust heat recovery device and an EGR (Exhaust
Gas Recirculation) cooler.
[0011] In the coolant temperature sensor abnormality determination
apparatus in accordance with the foregoing aspect, firstly, in the
case where the amount of increase of a detected bypass coolant
temperature value obtained when the bypass coolant temperature is
estimated to be equal to or greater than a predetermined value
(when the amount of air taken into the engine (the integrated
intake air amount value following the start of the engine) becomes
equal to or greater than a predetermined value) (the deviation of
the detected bypass coolant temperature value from the detected
bypass coolant temperature value obtained when the engine is
started) is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, the
apparatus determines that the bypass coolant temperature sensor is
normal. On the other hand, in the case where the foregoing amount
of increase in the detected bypass coolant temperature value is
smaller than the predetermined value, "abnormality of the bypass
coolant temperature" or "a fault of a heat source of the bypass
passageway" is conceivable, so that the apparatus opens the control
valve that restricts the circulation of the coolant between the
engine coolant passageway and the bypass passageway.
[0012] Because the control valve opens, the coolants from the two
systems, that is, the engine coolant passageway and the bypass
passageway, circulate through the two systems, and the
high-temperature coolant warmed by the engine flows into the bypass
passageway. This increases the temperature of the coolant in the
bypass passageway even if the bypass passageway has no heat source
available (even if a heat source, such as an exhaust heat recovery
device, an EGR cooler, etc., has a fault), so that the detected
bypass coolant temperature value detected by the coolant
temperature sensor increases provided that the bypass coolant
temperature sensor is normal. Therefore, in the foregoing aspect of
the invention, utilizing these points, the apparatus determines
that the bypass coolant temperature sensor is normal in the case
where the amount of change in the detected bypass coolant
temperature value after the control valve opens is greater than or
equal to a predetermined value, and determines that the bypass
coolant temperature sensor is abnormal (has a stuck abnormality) in
the case where the amount of change in the detected bypass coolant
temperature value is smaller than a predetermined value.
[0013] As described above, according to the coolant temperature
sensor abnormality determination apparatus in accordance with the
foregoing aspect, in the case where the amount of increase of the
detected bypass coolant temperature value obtained when the bypass
coolant temperature is estimated to be equal to or greater than a
predetermined value (when the amount of air taken into the engine
becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value) is smaller
than the predetermined value, the apparatus opens the control valve
to allow the high-temperature coolant from the engine to flow into
the bypass passageway so that the temperature of the coolant in the
bypass passageway increases, and while such a state of increased
coolant temperature is maintained, determination regarding the
bypass coolant temperature sensor is performed on the basis of the
amount of change in the detected bypass coolant temperature value
detected by the bypass coolant temperature sensor. Therefore, even
if the bypass passageway does not have a heat source available due
to a fault of an exhaust heat recovery device, an EGR cooler, etc.,
the apparatus is able to precisely determine whether the bypass
coolant temperature sensor is abnormal without making a false
determination.
[0014] Besides, in the coolant temperature sensor abnormality
determination apparatus in accordance with the foregoing aspect,
the control valve that restricts the circulation of the coolant
between the engine coolant passageway and the bypass passageway may
be a temperature-sensitive operation valve that has a temperature
sensitive portion that displaces a valve body, and the coolant
temperature sensor abnormality determination apparatus may
determine that the control valve has opened, when an estimated
value of ambient coolant temperature of the control valve becomes
equal to or greater than a valve-opening temperature of the control
valve. Adoption of this construction makes it possible to shorten
the time that is needed for determination whether the control valve
has opened. This will be explained below.
[0015] Firstly, a cooling system (a cooling system that performs an
in-engine coolant stop) to which the coolant temperature sensor
abnormality determination apparatus in accordance with the
foregoing aspect uses, for example, a temperature-sensitive
operation valve that has a temperature sensitive portion that
displaces a valve body, as a control valve provided at a coolant
outlet of the engine. In this case, an electric heater is buried in
the temperature sensitive portion so that the control valve can
also be forced to open by melting the thermo-wax through the use of
heat produced by electrifying the electric heater (i.e. to open by
electrification of the heater). The valve is opened by electrifying
the heater when the foregoing amount of increase in the detected
bypass coolant temperature value is smaller than the predetermined
value. An example of the method of determining whether the control
valve has opened is a method of determining whether the valve has
opened by using the elapsed time following the start of
electrification of the electric heater.
[0016] In the case where it is determined that the control valve
has opened on the basis of the duration of electrification of the
heater, in order to prevent a false determination that the control
valve has opened when the valve actually has not opened, an
open-valve state criterion value is adapted on the basis of the
condition in which it takes the longest time before the control
valve is opened. However, as for such an adaptation, the margin is
very large, so that there is inevitably a long time before the
determination regarding the normality or abnormality of the bypass
coolant temperature sensor is performed. However, by adopting a
method in which it is determined that the control valve has opened
when the estimated value of the ambient coolant temperature of the
control valve becomes equal to or greater than the valve-opening
temperature, it becomes possible to determine that the control
valve has opened according to the actual open state of the valve.
Since this eliminates the need to provide the aforementioned
margin, only a short time is needed before it is determined that
the valve has opened, so that the time prior to the determination
regarding the normality or abnormality of the bypass coolant
temperature sensor can be shortened.
[0017] It is to be noted herein that in the coolant temperature
sensor abnormality determination apparatus in accordance with the
foregoing aspect, if the determination regarding the bypass coolant
temperature sensor is performed during a state in which the
high-temperature coolant in the engine coolant passageway and the
coolant in the bypass passageway are not sufficiently mixed
together (a state in which the temperature of the coolant in the
bypass passageway has not sufficiently increased) after the control
valve has opened, there is a possibility of making a false
determination that the sensor is abnormal when the sensor is
actually normal. Hence, in the coolant temperature sensor
abnormality determination apparatus in accordance with the
foregoing aspect, in order to prevent the false abnormality
determination, the determination regarding the bypass coolant
temperature sensor may be executed after elapse of a predetermined
time following the opening of the control valve, that is, after
elapse of a time that is needed for the coolant temperature in the
bypass passageway to sufficiently increase.
[0018] According to the coolant temperature sensor abnormality
determination apparatus in accordance with the foregoing aspect, if
the amount of increase in the detected bypass coolant temperature
value obtained when the bypass coolant temperature is estimated to
be equal to or greater than a predetermined value is relatively
small, the control valve is opened to increase the coolant
temperature in the bypass passageway, and then the determination
regarding abnormality of the coolant temperature sensor is
performed on the basis of the amount of change in the detected
bypass coolant temperature value after the control valve has
opened. Therefore, the presence of abnormality of the bypass
coolant temperature sensor can be precisely determined without
making a false determination.
[0019] A coolant temperature sensor abnormality determination
method in accordance with a second aspect of the invention is a
coolant temperature sensor abnormality determination method which
is for use in an engine cooling system that includes an engine
coolant passageway, a bypass passageway that bypasses an engine, a
control valve that restricts circulation of a coolant between the
engine coolant passageway and the bypass passageway, and a bypass
coolant temperature sensor that detects bypass coolant temperature
in the bypass passageway, and which determines whether the bypass
coolant temperature sensor is abnormal, and the method includes:
detecting the bypass coolant temperature by using the bypass
coolant temperature sensor when the bypass coolant temperature is
estimated to be equal to or greater than a predetermined value,
determining that the bypass coolant temperature sensor is normal if
amount of increase in the bypass coolant temperature detected is
greater than or equal to the predetermined value; and opening the
control valve if the amount of increase in the bypass coolant
temperature detected is smaller than the predetermined value, and
detecting the bypass coolant temperature again by using the bypass
coolant temperature sensor after the control valve opens, and
determining whether the bypass coolant temperature sensor is
abnormal on the basis of the amount of change in the bypass coolant
temperature between before and after the control valve opens.
[0020] An engine cooling system in accordance with a third aspect
of the invention includes: an engine coolant passageway; a bypass
passageway that bypasses an engine; a control valve that restricts
circulation of a coolant between the engine coolant passageway and
the bypass passageway; a bypass coolant temperature sensor that
detects bypass coolant temperature in the bypass passageway; and a
coolant temperature sensor abnormality determination portion that
opens the control valve if amount of increase of a detected value
of the bypass coolant temperature obtained when the bypass coolant
temperature is estimated to be equal to or greater than a
predetermined value is smaller than the predetermined value, and
that determines whether the bypass coolant temperature sensor is
abnormal based on amount of change in the detected value of the
bypass coolant temperature obtained after the control valve
opens.
[0021] According to the coolant temperature sensor abnormality
determination method in accordance with the second aspect and the
engine cooling system in accordance with the third aspect, it is
possible to achieve substantially the same effects as those
achieved by the coolant temperature sensor abnormality
determination apparatus in accordance with the first aspect.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial
significance of exemplary embodiments of the invention will be
described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which like numerals denote like elements, and wherein:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a general construction diagram showing an example
of a cooling system of an engine to which an embodiment of the
invention is applied;
[0024] FIG. 2A is a sectional view showing a structure of a
changeover valve for use in the cooling system shown in FIG. 1, and
showing a closed valve state of the changeover valve;
[0025] FIG. 2B is a sectional view showing a structure of the
changeover valve for use in the cooling system shown in FIG. 1, and
showing an open valve state of the changeover valve;
[0026] FIG. 3A is a diagram showing the flow of the coolant
circulating in a coolant passageway during a cold state of the
engine in the cooling system of the engine shown in FIG. 1;
[0027] FIG. 3B is a diagram showing the flow of the coolant
circulating in the coolant passageway during a semi-warmed-up state
of the engine in the cooling system of the engine shown in FIG.
1;
[0028] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the flow of the coolant
circulating in the coolant passageway during a completely warmed-up
state of the engine in the cooling system of the engine shown in
FIG. 1;
[0029] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a coolant
temperature sensor abnormality determination process that an ECU
executes in the embodiment of the invention; and
[0030] FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing an example of the coolant
temperature sensor abnormality determination process in the
embodiment of the invention
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0031] Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be described
with reference to the drawings.
[0032] A cooling system of an engine 1 (an in-engine coolant stop
cooling system) will be described with reference to FIG. 1.
[0033] The cooling system of this embodiment includes an electric
coolant pump 2, a radiator 3, a thermostat 4, a heater 5, an
exhaust heat recovery device 6, an EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation)
cooler 7, a changeover valve 10, a coolant passageway 200 for
circulating a coolant to these appliances, etc.
[0034] The coolant passageway 200 includes an engine coolant
passageway 201 that circulates the coolant (e.g., LLC (Long Life
Coolant)) via the engine 1, the radiator 3 and the thermostat 4,
and a heater passageway 202 that circulates the coolant via the EGR
cooler 7, the exhaust heat recovery device 6, the heater 5 and the
thermostat 4. In this embodiment, for both the circulation of the
coolant through the engine coolant passageway 201 and the
circulation of the coolant through the heater passageway 202, one
electric coolant pump (electric water pump) 2 is employed.
[0035] The engine 1 is a gasoline engine, a diesel engine, etc.,
that is mounted in a conventional vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, etc.,
and a cylinder block and a cylinder head of the engine are provided
with a coolant jacket (not shown). The engine 1 is provided with an
engine coolant temperature sensor 21 that detects the coolant
temperature at a coolant outlet (a coolant jacket outlet of the
cylinder head) 1b. Besides, in an intake passageway of the engine
1, there are disposed an intake air temperature sensor 23 that
detects the temperature of intake air, and an air flow meter 24
that detects the amount of air taken into the engine 1. Output
signals of the engine coolant temperature sensor 21, the intake air
temperature sensor 23 and the air flow meter 24 are input to an ECU
(Electronic Control Unit) 300.
[0036] The electric coolant pump 2 is a coolant pump whose
discharge flow amount (discharge pressure) can be variably set by
controlling the rotation speed of an electric motor. The electric
coolant pump 2 is disposed so that a discharge port thereof
communicates with a coolant inlet 1a of the engine 1 (an inlet of
the coolant jacket). The operation of the electric coolant pump 2
is controlled by the ECU 300. Besides, the electric coolant pump 2
is driven along with the starting of the engine 1, and the
discharge flow amount thereof is controlled according to the
operation state of the engine 1, and the like.
[0037] The thermostat 4 is a valve device that operates by, for
example, expansion and contraction of a thermo-wax of a temperature
sensitive portion, and is designed so that when the coolant
temperature is relatively low, the coolant passageway between the
radiator 3 and the electric coolant pump 2 is shut down so as to
keep the coolant from flowing into the radiator 3 (the engine
coolant passageway 201). On the other hand, when the warm-up of the
engine 1 has been completed, that is, when the coolant temperature
is relatively high, the thermostat 4 operates (opens its valve)
according to the coolant temperature so as to allow a part of the
coolant to flow into the radiator 3, so that heat recovered by the
coolant is released from the radiator 3 into the atmosphere.
Incidentally, in this embodiment, the thermostat 4 has been set so
as to open when the ambient coolant temperature of the temperature
sensitive portion (.apprxeq.the wax temperature) reaches a coolant
temperature (e.g., 82.degree. C. or higher) that is higher than the
valve opening temperature of the changeover valve 10 (e.g.,
70.degree. C.) described later.
[0038] The heater passageway 202 is a bypass passageway that
bypasses the engine 1. The EGR cooler 7, the exhaust heat recovery
device 6 and the heater 5 are connected in series on the heater
passageway 202, in that order from the upstream side in terms of
the flow of the coolant. The coolant discharged from the electric
coolant pump 2 circulates in the order of "the EGR cooler
7.fwdarw.the exhaust heat recovery device 6.fwdarw.the heater
5.fwdarw.the thermostat 4.fwdarw.the electric coolant pump 2". A
heater connection passageway 202a is connected to the heater
passageway 202 between the EGR cooler 7 and the exhaust heat
recovery device 6. The heater connection passageway 202a is
connected, via the changeover valve 10, to a coolant outlet 1b of
the engine 1 (a coolant jacket outlet of the cylinder head). The
changeover valve (control valve) 10 opens and closes the heater
connection passageway 202a. Details of the changeover valve 10 will
be described later.
[0039] The heater 5 is a heat exchanger for heating a cabin of the
vehicle by utilizing heat of the coolant, and is disposed facing a
blow duct of the air-conditioner. Specifically, a design is made
such that when the cabin is heated (when the heater is on), the
air-conditioned air that flows in the blow duct is passed through
the heater 5 (a heater core) and the obtained warmed air is
supplied into the cabin, and such that in the other times (e.g.,
during the cooling) (when the heater is off), the air-conditioned
air bypasses the heater 5. On the heater 5, there is disposed a
heater inlet coolant temperature sensor 22. An output signal of the
heater inlet coolant temperature sensor 22 is input to the ECU 300.
Incidentally, since the inlet coolant temperature of the heater 5
is equivalent to the temperature of the coolant that flows in the
heater passageway 202 (bypass passageway), the heater inlet coolant
temperature sensor 22 corresponds to a bypass coolant temperature
sensor.
[0040] The exhaust heat recovery device 6 is a heat exchanger that
is disposed on an exhaust passageway of the engine 1 for the
purpose of recovering heat from the exhaust gas by using the
coolant. The heat recovered by the exhaust heat recovery device 6
is utilized for the warm-up of the engine and the heating of the
cabin. The EGR cooler 7 is a heat exchanger that is disposed on an
EGR passageway that returns a part of the exhaust gas that flows in
the exhaust passageway of the engine 1 to an intake passageway for
the purpose of cooling the EGR gas that passes (refluxes) in the
EGR passageway.
[0041] Next, the changeover valve 10 for use in the cooling system
will be described with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B.
[0042] The changeover valve 10 in this embodiment includes a
housing 11, a valve body 12, a compression coil spring 13, a
temperature sensitive portion 14, etc.
[0043] The housing 11 is provided with a coolant inlet 11a that is
connected to the coolant outlet (the coolant jacket opening of the
cylinder head) 1b of the engine 1 shown in FIG. 1, a radiator
connection opening 11b that is connected to the radiator 3, and a
heater connection opening 11c. The heater connection opening 11c is
connected to the heater passageway 202 via the heater connection
passageway 202a shown in FIG. 1.
[0044] Inside the housing 11, a valve seat 111 and a spring seat
112 are provided, facing each other. A space between the valve seat
111 and the spring seat 112 (a space on an upstream side of the
valve body 12) forms a coolant lead-in portion 11d. The coolant
inlet 11a communicates with the coolant lead-in portion 11d. Via
the coolant lead-in portion 11d, the radiator connection opening
11b communicates with the coolant inlet 11a. Besides, a space on a
downstream side of the valve body 12 forms a coolant lead-out
portion 11e with which the heater connection opening 11c
communicates.
[0045] The valve body 12 is disposed between the valve seat 111 and
the spring seat 112 inside the housing 11 so as to be able to
contact the valve seat 111 and separate therefrom. This valve body
12 and a case 141 of the temperature sensitive portion 14
(described later) are integrated together. Besides, the compression
coil spring 13 is placed between the valve body 12 and the spring
seat 112. Due to the elastic force of the compression coil spring
13, the valve body 12 is urged toward the valve seat 111.
[0046] The temperature sensitive portion (temperature sensitive
actuator) 14 includes a case 141 and a rod 142. The rod 142 is a
rod-shape member extending in the opening-closing direction of the
valve body 12, and disposed freely slidably relative to the case
141. The rod 142 penetrates the valve body 12. The valve body 12 is
slidable in the opening-closing direction relative to the rod 142.
Besides, a distal end portion of the rod 142 penetrates a wall body
11f of the housing 11 (a wall body at the opposite side to the
coolant inlet 11a), and the distal end portion is retained by a rod
retainer member 16.
[0047] An interior of the case 141 of the temperature sensitive
portion 14 is filled with a thermo-wax 143 that expands and
contracts due to changes in the ambient coolant temperature of the
temperature sensitive portion 14 (hereinafter, also referred to as
changeover valve's ambient coolant temperature) (i.e., changes in
the wax temperature). The expansion and contraction of the
thermo-wax 143 changes the amount of protrusion of the rod 142
relative to the case 141. Incidentally, the thermo-wax 143 is
housed within a seal member 144 that is made of rubber or the
like.
[0048] In the changeover valve 10 having a structure as described
above, when the changeover valve's ambient coolant temperature (the
wax temperature) Tvw is lower than a predetermined value
(70.degree. C. in this embodiment), there occurs a state in which
the amount of protrusion of the rod 142 from the case 141 is small
(i.e., the amount of immersion of the rod 142 in the case 141 is
large) so that the valve body 12 is seated on the valve seat 111
(i.e., is closed) by the elastic force of the compression coil
spring 13 (FIG. 2A). When, from this closed valve state, the
changeover valve's ambient coolant temperature Tvw becomes equal to
or higher than the predetermined value (equal to or higher than
70.degree. C.), the thermo-wax 143 of the temperature sensitive
portion 14 expands. Due to the expansion of the thermo-wax 143, the
amount of protrusion of the rod 142 from the case 141 increases,
the entire temperature sensitive portion 14, that is, the valve
body 12, moves in a direction away from the valve seat 111,
overcoming the elastic force of the compression coil spring 13, so
that the valve body 12 separates from the valve seat 111 (opens)
(FIG. 2B).
[0049] Thus, when the changeover valve's ambient coolant
temperature Tvw is lower than the predetermined value (70.degree.
C.), the changeover valve 10 in this embodiment assumes a closed
state, in which the coolant outlet 1b of the engine 1 (the engine
coolant passageway 201) shown in FIG. 1 and the heater passageway
202 shown in FIG. 1 are shut off from each other (the circulation
of the coolant between the engine coolant passageway and the bypass
passageway is restricted). On the other hand, when the changeover
valve's ambient coolant temperature Tvw is greater than or equal to
the predetermined value (greater than or equal to 70.degree. C.),
the changeover valve 10 assumes an open valve state, in which the
coolant outlet 1b of the engine 1 (the engine coolant passageway
201) and the heater passageway 202 shown in FIG. 1 communicate with
each other. Incidentally, when the thermostat 4 shown in FIG. 1 is
in the closed valve state although the coolant inlet 11a and the
radiator connection opening 11b communicate with each other, the
coolant having flown into the coolant inlet 11a does not flow into
the radiator connection opening 11b.
[0050] It is to be noted herein that in the changeover valve 10 in
this embodiment, an electric heater 15 is buried within the
temperature sensitive portion 14. By electrifying the electric
heater 15 so that heat generated by the electric heater 15 melts
the thermo-wax 143, the changeover valve 10 can be forced to assume
the open state. The opening of the changeover valve 10 due to the
heater electrification is performed during a coolant temperature
sensor abnormality determination process described later (at the
time of the second determination regarding normality of the heater
inlet coolant temperature 22), or the like. Incidentally, the
electric heater 15 of the changeover valve 10 is operated by a
changeover valve controller (not shown). The changeover valve
controller performs electrification of the electric heater 15 of
the changeover valve 10 according to a valve opening request from
the ECU 300.
[0051] The flow of the coolant circulating through the coolant
passageway of the cooling system of the engine 1 shown in FIG. 1
will be described with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.
[0052] Firstly, during the cold state of the engine, since the
ambient coolant temperature Tvw of the temperature sensitive
portion 14 of the changeover valve 10 is low (less than 70.degree.
C.), the changeover valve 10 assumes the closed state, so that the
passage of the coolant within the engine 1 (within the coolant
jacket) is stopped (in-engine coolant stop). Due to this, the
engine 1 is quickly warmed up. Besides, when the changeover valve
10 is in the closed state, the coolant circulates through the
heater passageway 202 as shown in FIG. 3A due to operation of the
electric coolant pump 2, and the coolant flows in the sequence of
"the electric coolant pump 2.fwdarw.the EGR cooler 7.fwdarw.the
exhaust heat recovery device 6.fwdarw.the heater 5.fwdarw.the
thermostat 4.fwdarw.the electric coolant pump 2". If there is a
cabin-heating request during the quick warm-up as described above,
it suffices that the amount of heat needed for the heater 5 is
covered by the heat that is recovered by the exhaust heat recovery
device 6.
[0053] Next, when the engine 1 becomes semi-warmed up and the
ambient coolant temperature Tvw of the temperature sensitive
portion 14 of the changeover valve 10 becomes equal to or higher
than the predetermined value (equal to or higher than 70.degree.
C.), the changeover valve 10 opens. When the changeover valve 10 is
open, the coolant flows in the sequence of "the electric coolant
pump 2.fwdarw.the coolant inlet 1a of the engine 1.fwdarw.the
inside of the engine 1 (within the coolant jacket).fwdarw.the
coolant outlet 1b of the engine 1.fwdarw.the changeover valve
10.fwdarw.the heater connection passageway 202a'', in addition to
the circulation of the coolant in the heater passageway 202, as
shown in FIG. 3B, so that the engine 1 is cooled. Besides, when the
changeover valve 10 assumes the open state, the coolant in the
engine coolant passageway 201 (in the engine 1) and the coolant in
the heater passageway (bypass passageway) 202 are mixed.
[0054] Then, when the engine 1 reaches a completely warmed-up
state, the thermostat 4 operates (opens its valve) so that a
portion of the coolant flows into the radiator 3, as shown in FIG.
4, and therefore heat recovered by the coolant is released from the
radiator 3 into the atmosphere.
[0055] Next, the ECU 300 will be described. The ECU 300 includes a
CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a back-up RAM, etc. The ROM stores various
control programs, maps that are referred to at the time of
execution of the various control programs, etc. The CPU executes
computation processes on the basis of the various control programs
or maps stored in the ROM. Besides, the RAM is a memory for
temporarily storing results of computations by the CPU, data input
from various sensors, etc. The back-up RAM is a non-volatile memory
for storing data or the like that needs to be stored, when the
engine 1 is stopped.
[0056] The ECU 300 is connected to various sensors that detect
states of operation of the engine 1, including the engine coolant
temperature sensor 21, the intake air temperature sensor 23 and the
air flow meter 24, as shown in FIG. 1. Besides, the ECU 300 is also
connected to the heater inlet coolant temperature sensor 22, an
ignition switch (not shown), etc.
[0057] The ECU 300, on the basis of output signals from various
sensors that detect the states of operation of the engine, executes
various controls of the engine 1 that include an opening degree
control of a throttle valve of the engine 1, a fuel injection
amount control (an opening/closing control of injectors), etc.
Besides, the ECU 300 also executes a "coolant temperature sensor
abnormality determination process" described below.
Example 1 of Determination Process
[0058] An example of the abnormality determination process for the
heater inlet coolant temperature sensor 22 will be described with
reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. 5. The process routine shown
in FIG. 5 is executed by the ECU 300.
[0059] The process routine shown in FIG. 5 is started at the time
point (IG-ON) when the ignition switch is turned on. When the
process routine shown in FIG. 5 is started, the ECU 300, firstly in
step ST101, picks the heater inlet coolant temperature thw2
occurring at the time of start of the engine from the output signal
of the heater inlet coolant temperature sensor 22. Next, in step
ST102, the ECU 300 reads in an abnormality determination value
.alpha. (.degree. C.) for use in the determination processes of
step ST105 and step ST110 that are described later. This
abnormality determination value a may be a constant value (e.g.,
.alpha.=5.degree. C.), or may also be variably set according to the
coolant temperature occurring at the time of start of the engine,
with reference to a map or the like. Incidentally, the abnormality
determination value a (constant value) or a map for calculating the
abnormality determination value a is stored in the ROM of the ECU
300.
[0060] In step ST103, ECU 300 calculates an integrated value
(.SIGMA.ga) of the amount of intake air from the time of start of
the engine, on the basis of the output signal of the air flow meter
24. In step ST 104, the ECU 300 determines whether the integrated
intake air amount value (.SIGMA.ga) is greater than or equal to a
prescribed value .beta. [g]. At the time point when the result of
the determination is found to be an affirmative determination (YES)
(the time point when the state of .SIGMA.ga.gtoreq..beta. [g] is
reached), the ECU 300 determines that a pre-determination condition
is satisfied, and then proceeds to step ST105.
[0061] Incidentally, as for the prescribed value .beta. [g],
through experiments, simulation, etc., an integrated value
(.SIGMA.ga) of the amount of intake air is acquired beforehand
which is needed for the amount of change (deviation) in the
detected coolant temperature value provided by the heater inlet
coolant temperature sensor 22 (in the normal state) from the time
of start of the engine to become equal to or greater than a
predetermined value (the abnormality determination value .alpha.=5
or more [.degree. C.]) in the process in which the coolant
temperature in the heater passageway 202 increases due to the heat
quantity that transfers to the coolant circulating in the heater
passageway 202 from the heat of the exhaust gas by the exhaust heat
recovery device 6, the EGR cooler 7, etc., and the prescribed value
.beta. [g] is adapted on the basis of the result of the
acquisition, and then is stored into the ROM of the ECU 300.
[0062] In step ST105, the ECU 300 calculates a deviation of the
heater inlet coolant temperature thw2 (detected value) (i.e., a
deviation thereof (thw2 deviation) from the detected heater inlet
coolant temperature value obtained at the time of start of the
engine)) on the basis of the output signal of the heater inlet
coolant temperature sensor 22 obtained when the integrated intake
air amount value (.SIGMA.ga) becomes equal to or greater than the
prescribed value .beta. [g], and then determines whether the thw2
deviation is greater than or equal to the abnormality determination
value a [.degree. C.] read in in step ST102 (the first normality
determination to be made). If the result of the determination is an
affirmative determination (YES) (if thw2 deviation.gtoreq..alpha.),
the ECU 300 determines that the heater inlet coolant temperature
sensor 22 is normal (step ST111). If the result of the
determination in step ST105 is a negative determination (NO) (if
thw2 deviation<.alpha.), the ECU 300 proceeds to step ST106.
[0063] It is to be noted herein that if the result of the
determination in step ST105 is a negative determination (NO), the
ECU 300 cannot determine whether there exists a situation in which
"the heater inlet coolant temperature sensor 22 is abnormal" or a
situation in which "the exhaust heat recovery device 6 or the EGR
cooler 7 has a fault".
[0064] Therefore, in this example, after the changeover valve 10 is
forced to be opened, the second normality determination regarding
the heater inlet coolant temperature sensor 22 is performed, as
described later.
[0065] In step ST106, the ECU 300 starts electrification of the
electric heater 15 of the changeover valve 10 by outputting a valve
opening request to the changeover valve controller. Incidentally,
the ECU 300 counts the elapsed time from the time point of starting
electrification of the electric heater 15 of the changeover valve
10.
[0066] Next in step ST107, the ECU 300 determines whether "the
changeover valve is free of a closed-state fault". If the result of
the determination is an affirmative determination (YES), the ECU
300 proceeds to step ST108. If the result of the determination in
step ST107 is a negative determination (NO), the ECU 300 does not
perform the determination regarding the normality or abnormality of
the heater inlet coolant temperature sensor 22 (step ST113, in
which the determination is skipped). Incidentally, the term
"closed-state fault" herein refers to a fault in which the valve is
in a closed state and is not able to be opened.
[0067] An example of the determination process of step ST107 will
be concretely described. In the case where the changeover valve 10
has the closed-state fault, the coolant in the engine 1 remains
still even if the heater 15 is electrified, and therefore the
amount of increase in the engine coolant temperature thw1 detected
by the engine coolant temperature sensor 21 is large. On the other
hand, in the case where the changeover valve 10 is normal (the case
where low-temperature coolant flows into the engine 1), the amount
of increase in the engine coolant temperature thw1 (detected value)
is relatively small (or the detected coolant temperature value thw1
declines). Utilizing this point, if the amount of increase in the
engine coolant temperature thw1 detected by the engine coolant
temperature sensor 21 after the heater 15 is electrified is smaller
than a predetermined value, the ECU 300 determines that "the
changeover valve is free of the closed-state fault", and proceeds
to step ST108. Incidentally, in the case where it is necessary to
obtain a determination that the engine coolant temperature sensor
21 is normal, the ECU 300, for example, calculates a difference
[thw1-tha] between the engine coolant temperature thw1 (detected
value) and the intake air temperature tha (detected value), and
determines whether the temperature difference [thw1-tha] is within
a predetermined range (e.g., -20.degree.
C..ltoreq.thw1-tha.ltoreq.20.degree. C.), and determines that the
engine coolant temperature sensor 21 is normal if the result of the
determination is an affirmative determination (YES).
[0068] Incidentally, in the case where the changeover valve 10 is
equipped with a sensor that detects the amount of valve lift, the
presence or absence of the "closed-state fault of the changeover
valve" may be determined on the basis of a detected value provided
by the valve lift sensor.
[0069] In step ST108, the ECU 300 determines whether a coolant
mixture criterion time has elapsed following the time point of
starting the electrification of the electric heater 15 of the
changeover valve 10. The "coolant mixture criterion time" for use
in the process of step ST108 is adapted on the basis of the amount
of time from the start of the electrification of the electric
heater 15 to the actual opening of the changeover valve 10 and the
amount of time from the opening of the changeover valve 10 to when
the coolant in the engine coolant passageway 201 (in the engine 1)
and the coolant in the heater passageway 202 sufficiently mix (to
when the temperature of the coolant in the heater passageway 202
sufficiently rises).
[0070] Concretely, on the basis of a condition in which it takes
the longest time from when the electric heater 15 of the changeover
valve 10 starts to be electrified to when the changeover valve 10
is opened (e.g., a condition in which the idling operation is being
performed and the engine is in a low-temperature environment), the
time time1 (see FIG. 6) needed for opening the changeover valve 10
is adapted by experiments, simulation, etc. Besides, as for the
time time2 needed for sufficient mixture of the coolant in the
engine coolant passageway 201 (in the engine 1) and the coolant in
the heater passageway 202 (see FIG. 6), the time time2 is inversely
proportional to the amount of flow of the coolant in the engine 1
occurring after the changeover valve 10 is opened, and therefore
this point is taken into account in adapting the time time2 on the
basis of experiments, simulations, etc. A "value [time1+time2]"
obtained by summing the adapted "time time1 needed for opening the
valve" and the adapted "time time2 needed for mixing the coolant"
is set as a "coolant mixture criterion time" for use in the
determination process of step ST107.
[0071] Then, at the time point when the elapsed time following the
start of the electrification of the electric heater 15 reaches the
aforementioned coolant mixture criterion time (the time point when
the result of the determination in step ST108 is found to be an
affirmative determination (YES)), the ECU 300 discontinues the
changeover valve-opening request, and stops the electrification of
the electric heater 15 of the changeover valve 10 (step ST109), and
then proceeds to step ST110.
[0072] In step ST110, the ECU 300 calculates a deviation of the
heater inlet coolant temperature thw2 (detected value) (i.e., a
deviation thereof (thw2 deviation) from the detected heater inlet
coolant temperature value obtained when the changeover valve is
opened (when the engine is started)) on the basis of the output
signal of the heater inlet coolant temperature sensor 22, and then
determines whether the thw2 deviation is greater than or equal to
the abnormality determination value a [.degree. C.] read in in step
ST102 (the second normality determination). If the result of the
determination is an affirmative determination (YES) (if thw2
deviation.gtoreq..alpha.), the ECU 300 determines that the heater
inlet coolant temperature sensor 22 is normal (step ST111). If the
result of the determination in step ST110 is a negative
determination (NO) (if thw2 deviation<.alpha.), the ECU 300
determines that the heater inlet coolant temperature sensor 22 has
the stuck abnormality (step ST112).
[0073] Next, a concrete example of the abnormality determination
process regarding the heater inlet coolant temperature sensor 22
will be described with reference to FIG. 6. Incidentally, FIG. 6
shows an example of changes in the heater inlet coolant temperature
thw2 (detected value) in the case where the heater inlet coolant
temperature sensor 22 is normal and where the bypass passageway has
no heat source available due to faults of the exhaust heat recovery
device 6 and the EGR cooler 7.
[0074] Firstly, in the case where the deviation of the heater inlet
coolant temperature thw2 (detected value) obtained when the
integrated intake air amount value (.SIGMA.ga) from the start of
the engine becomes greater than or equal to the prescribed value
.beta. [g] (the first normality determination) is greater than or
equal to the abnormality determination value .alpha. [.degree. C.],
the ECU 300 determines that the heater inlet coolant temperature
sensor 22 is normal. On the other hand, in the case where the
deviation of the heater inlet coolant temperature thw2 (detected
value) obtained when the integrated intake air amount value
(.SIGMA.ga) becomes greater than or equal to the prescribed value
.beta. [g] (the first normality determination) is smaller than the
abnormality determination value a [.degree. C.] (the case where the
ECU 300 cannot determine whether there exists a situation in which
"the heater inlet coolant temperature sensor 22 is abnormal" or a
situation in which "the exhaust heat recovery device 6 or the EGR
cooler 7 has a fault"), the ECU 300 starts electrification of the
electric heater 15 of the changeover valve 10, as shown in FIG.
6.
[0075] After the changeover valve 10 is actually opened by
electrification of the electric heater, the high-temperature
coolant from the engine 1 flows into the heater passageway 202 and
therefore the coolant temperature in the heater passageway 202
increases even if the exhaust heat recovery device 6 and/or the EGR
cooler 7 has a fault. Then, when there is reached a state in which
the coolant in the engine coolant passageway 201 (in the engine 1)
and the coolant in the heater passageway 202 are sufficiently
mixed, the temperature of the coolant in the heater passageway 202
becomes sufficiently high. At this time, if the heater inlet
coolant temperature sensor 22 is normal, the amount of change in
the heater inlet coolant temperature thw2 (detected value) detected
by this coolant temperature sensor 22 becomes large, so that the
deviation of the heater inlet coolant temperature thw2 becomes
equal to or greater than the abnormality determination value a
[.degree. C.] (FIG. 6). On the other hand, in the case where the
heater inlet coolant temperature sensor 22 has the stuck
abnormality (an abnormality in which the detected value is stuck to
a low coolant temperature value), the coolant temperature inlet
coolant temperature thw2 (detected value) does not increase
although the temperature of the coolant in the heater passageway
202 actually increases, so that the deviation of the heater inlet
coolant temperature thw2 does not become equal to or greater than
the abnormality determination value a [.degree. C.].
[0076] In view of these points, in this example, in the case where
the deviation of the heater inlet coolant temperature thw2 detected
by the heater inlet coolant temperature sensor 22 when the coolant
in the engine coolant passageway 201 (in the engine 1) and the
coolant in the heater passageway 202 become sufficiently mixed (the
deviation thereof from the detected heater inlet coolant
temperature value obtained when the changeover valve is opened
(when the engine is started)) is greater than or equal to the
abnormality determination value .alpha.(e.g., .alpha.=5 [.degree.
C.]) (i.e., the case where thw2 deviation.gtoreq..alpha.), the ECU
300 determines that the heater inlet coolant temperature sensor 22
is normal. In the case where the deviation of the heater inlet
coolant temperature thw2 is smaller than the abnormality
determination value a, the ECU 300 determines that the heater inlet
coolant temperature sensor 22 has the stuck abnormality.
[0077] As described above, in the abnormality determination process
of this example, in the case where it is determined that the heater
inlet coolant temperature sensor 22 is not normal by the first
normality determination regarding the heater inlet coolant
temperature sensor 22 (the case where the heater inlet coolant
temperature sensor 22 is abnormal or the exhaust heat recovery
device 6 or the EGR cooler 7 has a fault), the changeover valve 10
is opened, so that the high-temperature coolant from the engine 1
is caused to flow into the heater passageway 202 and therefore the
temperature of the coolant in the heater passageway 202 increases.
During such a state of increased coolant temperature, the second
normality determination regarding the heater inlet coolant
temperature sensor 22 is performed on the basis of the thw2
deviation (amount of change) of the bypass coolant temperature
detected by the heater inlet coolant temperature sensor 22.
Therefore, the presence or absence of an abnormality of the heater
inlet coolant temperature sensor 22 (a bypass coolant temperature
sensor) can be precisely determined without making a false
determination, even when the bypass passageway does not have a heat
source available due to a fault of the exhaust heat recovery device
6 or the EGR cooler 7, or the like.
[0078] Incidentally, although in the aforementioned example, the
process routine shown in FIG. 5 is started at the time point
(IG-ON) when the ignition switch is turned on, the process routine
shown in FIG. 5 may also be started when there is an
engine-starting request in the case where the vehicle equipped with
the engine 1 is a hybrid vehicle.
Example 2 of Determination Process
[0079] Although in the example 1 of the determination process, it
is determined that the changeover valve 10 has opened, at the time
point when a certain time (time time 1) elapses following the start
of electrification of the electric heater 15 of the changeover
valve 10, it is also permissible to estimate the ambient coolant
temperature Tvw of the temperature sensitive portion 14 of the
changeover valve 10, and determine whether the changeover valve 10
has opened on the basis of the estimated value of the changeover
valve's ambient coolant temperature Tvw.
[0080] Concretely, using the engine coolant temperature thw1
detected by the engine coolant temperature sensor 21, the ECU 300
estimates the changeover valve's ambient coolant temperature Tvw on
the basis of a map or a calculation expression. At the time point
when the estimated value of the changeover valve's ambient coolant
temperature Tvw reaches the valve-opening temperature (70.degree.
C.) of the changeover valve 10, the ECU 300 determines that "the
changeover valve 10 has opened". Then, after the aforementioned set
time time2 (a time needed before the coolant temperature in the
heater passageway 202 sufficiently rises) elapses following the
time point when it is determined that the valve 10 has opened, the
normality determination regarding the heater inlet coolant
temperature sensor 22 is performed (the determination process of
step ST110 in FIG. 5 is executed).
[0081] Thus, in the open-valve state determination process of this
example, since the presence of an open state of the changeover
valve 10 is determined on the basis of the estimated value of the
changeover valve's ambient coolant temperature Tvw, the second
normality determination regarding the heater inlet coolant
temperature sensor 22 can be carried out in a short time, in
comparison with the above-described open-valve state determination
process of the example 1 of the determination process, that is, in
comparison with the case where the presence of an open state of the
changeover valve 10 is determined on the basis of the elapsed time
following the start of electrification of the electric heater
15.
[0082] That is, in the example 1 of the determination process, in
order to prevent a false determination that the changeover valve 10
has opened when the changeover valve 10 actually has not opened,
the coolant mixture criterion time is adapted on the basis of the
condition in which it takes the longest time before the changeover
valve 10 is opened (e.g., a condition in which the engine is idling
and the engine is in a low-temperature environment). However, as
for such an adaptation, the margin is very large, so that there is
inevitably a long time before the second normality determination
regarding the heater inlet coolant temperature sensor 22 is
performed. However, by adopting a design such that it is determined
that the changeover valve 10 has opened when the estimated value of
the changeover valve's ambient coolant temperature (.apprxeq.the
wax temperature) Tvw reaches the valve-opening temperature
(70.degree. C.), it becomes possible to determine that the
changeover valve 10 has opened according to the actual opening of
the changeover valve 10. This eliminates the need to provide the
aforementioned margin, so that it becomes possible to shorten the
time prior to the normality determination (the second normality
determination) regarding the heater inlet coolant temperature
sensor 22.
[0083] Incidentally, although in the forgoing example, the detected
coolant temperature value detected by the engine coolant
temperature sensor 21 is used to estimate the changeover valve's
ambient coolant temperature Tvw, an estimated value of the engine
coolant temperature thw1 may instead be used to estimate the
changeover valve's ambient coolant temperature Tvw. An example of
the estimation will be described below.
[0084] Firstly, the ECU 300 calculates a cooling loss Qw in the
engine 1 with reference to a map adapted beforehand by experiments,
simulations, etc., on the basis of the engine rotation speed Ne and
the load factor kl calculated from output signals of an engine
rotation speed sensor (not shown). Incidentally, the load factor kl
can be calculated, for example, as a value that indicates the
proportion of the present load to the maximum engine load, by
referring to a map or the like on the basis of the engine rotation
speed Ne and the intake air pressure.
[0085] Next, using a calculated cooling loss Qw, the ECU 300
calculates an estimated value of the engine coolant temperature
thw1 on the basis of the following expression (1), that is, a
Laplace transform expression of the engine coolant temperature
thw1. Furthermore, using the calculated estimated value of the
engine coolant temperature thw1, the ECU 300 calculates an
estimated value of the changeover valve's ambient coolant
temperature Tvw from the following expression (2).
L ( thw 1 ) = L .lamda. A ( CL .lamda. A ) 2 S 2 + 2 CL .lamda. A S
L ( Qw ( kl , Ne ) ) ( 1 ) ##EQU00001## [0086] (______): Laplace
transform [0087] C: heat capacity [J/.degree. C.] [0088] .lamda.:
heat conductivity between thermal points [W/(m.degree. C.)] [0089]
L: distance between thermal points [m] [0090] A: heat conduction
area between thermal points [m.sup.2]
[0090] thw 1 - Tvw = .alpha. .beta. s + 1 ( 2 ) ##EQU00002## [0091]
.alpha. and .beta.: constants
[0092] Herein, the parameters C, .lamda., L and A in the foregoing
expression (1) are set at values that are adapted on the assumption
of a coolant mass around a highest-temperature portion in the
coolant jacket of the cylinder head during a stop of the coolant in
the engine 1.
[0093] Besides, an estimated value of the changeover valve's
ambient coolant temperature Tvw may also be calculated by other
techniques. For example, the following calculation technique may be
employed. That is, using the engine rotation speed Ne and the load
factor kl as parameters, the coolant temperature at the coolant
outlet 1b of the engine 1 is acquired through experiments,
simulations, etc. On the basis of results of the acquisition,
estimated values of the changeover valve's ambient coolant
temperature Tvw are adapted and mapped beforehand by experiments,
simulations, or the like. Then, by referring to the map on the
basis of the actual engine rotation speed Ne and the actual load
factor kl, an estimated value of the changeover valve's ambient
coolant temperature Tvw is calculated.
[0094] Although in the foregoing embodiments and examples, the
changeover valve 10 equipped with the temperature sensitive portion
that displaces the valve body is used as a control valve that
controls the circulation of the coolant between the engine coolant
passageway and the heater passageway (bypass passageway), the
invention is not limited so, that is, it is also permissible to use
a control valve that is opened and closed by a different type of
actuator, for example, a solenoid or the like.
[0095] Although in the foregoing embodiments and examples, the
electric coolant pump is used for the circulation of the coolant,
the invention is not limited so, that is, it is also permissible to
use a mechanical coolant pump for the circulation of the
coolant.
[0096] Although in the foregoing embodiments and examples, the
invention is applied to a cooling system in which a heater, an
exhaust heat recovery device and an EGR cooler are incorporated as
heat exchangers, the invention is also applicable to cooling
systems in which, in addition to the exhaust heat recovery device
and the EGR cooler, heat exchangers, such as an ATF (Automatic
Transmission Fluid) warmer, an ATF cooler, etc., are
incorporated.
[0097] The invention can be utilized for a coolant temperature
sensor abnormality determination apparatus that determines the
presence or absence of abnormality of a coolant temperature sensor
that detects the coolant temperature of a heater system in a
cooling system of an engine (internal combustion engine).
* * * * *