U.S. patent application number 14/938196 was filed with the patent office on 2016-05-26 for apparatus and method for controlling cooling fan of vehicle.
The applicant listed for this patent is Hyundai Motor Company. Invention is credited to Young Jun Kim.
Application Number | 20160146091 14/938196 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55534643 |
Filed Date | 2016-05-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160146091 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim; Young Jun |
May 26, 2016 |
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING COOLING FAN OF VEHICLE
Abstract
An apparatus and method for controlling a cooling fan of a
vehicle are provided. The apparatus includes an information
detector that is configured to detect information for operating the
cooling fan and a blower assembly including a motor driving the
cooling fan and a resistor adjusting a speed of the motor. A relay
unit is configured to selectively supply power to the blower
assembly. A connecting unit includes a high speed connector that is
directly connected to the motor, a low speed connector that is
connected to the motor via the resistor, and a ground connector
that connects the motor to a ground. Additionally, a controller is
configured to operate the relay unit based on the information
detected by the information detector.
Inventors: |
Kim; Young Jun; (Suwon,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hyundai Motor Company |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
55534643 |
Appl. No.: |
14/938196 |
Filed: |
November 11, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
123/41.11 ;
417/14; 417/42; 417/44.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F01P 2050/30 20130101;
F04D 27/008 20130101; F01P 7/048 20130101; F04D 27/004
20130101 |
International
Class: |
F01P 7/04 20060101
F01P007/04; F01P 11/20 20060101 F01P011/20; F04D 15/00 20060101
F04D015/00; F01P 11/16 20060101 F01P011/16; F01P 7/08 20060101
F01P007/08; F04D 15/02 20060101 F04D015/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 24, 2014 |
KR |
10-2014-0164784 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for controlling a cooling fan of a vehicle,
comprising: an information detector configured to detect
information for operating the cooling fan; a blower assembly
including a motor configured to drive the cooling fan and a
resistor configured to adjust a speed of the motor; a relay unit
configured to selectively supply power to the blower assembly; a
connecting unit including a high speed connector directly connected
to the motor, a low speed connector connected to the motor via the
resistor, and a ground connector connecting the motor to a ground;
a controller configured to operate the relay unit based on the
information detected by the information detector, wherein the
controller is configured to turn the relay unit on or off based on
a state of an air conditioner switch, an air conditioner pressure,
and a coolant temperature when an external air temperature is less
than a reference temperature.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the relay unit includes: a
first relay connected to the high speed connector; and a second
relay connected to the low speed connector.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, the second relay is maintained in an
off-state when the external air temperature is less than the
reference temperature.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the controller is configured
to turn on the first relay when the external air temperature is
less than the reference temperature, the air conditioner switch is
in an on-state, the air conditioner pressure is greater than a
reference pressure, and the coolant temperature is greater than a
first preset temperature.
5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the controller is configured
to turn on the first relay when the external air temperature is
less than the reference temperature, the air conditioner switch is
in an on-state, the air conditioner pressure is equal to or less
than a reference pressure, and the coolant temperature is greater
than a second preset temperature.
6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the controller is configured
to turn on the first relay when the external air temperature is
less than the reference temperature, the air conditioner switch is
in an off-state, and the coolant temperature is greater than a
third preset temperature.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the information detector
includes: an air conditioner switch sensor configured to detect the
state of the air conditioner switch; an external air temperature
sensor configured to detect the external air temperature; a
pressure sensor configured to detect the air conditioner pressure;
and a coolant temperature sensor configured to detect the coolant
temperature.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the information detector
further includes a vehicle speed sensor configured to detect a
vehicle speed, and the controller is configured to turn the relay
unit on or off based on the state of the air conditioner switch,
the air conditioner pressure, the coolant temperature, and the
vehicle speed when the external air temperature is equal to or
greater than the reference temperature.
9. An method for controlling a cooling fan of a vehicle,
comprising: detecting, by a controller, information for operating
the cooling fan; selectively supplying, by the controller, power to
a blower assembly including a motor configured to drive the cooling
fan and a resistor configured to adjust a speed of the motor;
operating, by the controller, a relay unit to supply the power to
the blower assembly based on the detected information, turning the
relay unit on or off, by the controller, based on a state of an air
conditioner switch, an air conditioner pressure, and a coolant
temperature when an external air temperature is less than a
reference temperature.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the relay unit includes: a first
relay connected to the high speed connector; and a second relay
connected to the low speed connector.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: maintaining, by the
controller, the second relay in an off-state when the external air
temperature is less than the reference temperature.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: turning on, by the
controller, the first relay when the external air temperature is
less than the reference temperature, the air conditioner switch is
in an on-state, the air conditioner pressure is greater than a
reference pressure, and the coolant temperature is greater than a
first preset temperature.
13. The method of claim 11, further comprising: turning on, by the
controller, the first relay when the external air temperature is
less than the reference temperature, the air conditioner switch is
in an on-state, the air conditioner pressure is equal to or less
than a reference pressure, and the coolant temperature is greater
than a second preset temperature.
14. The method of claim 11, further comprising: turning on, by the
controller, the first relay when the external air temperature is
less than the reference temperature, the air conditioner switch is
in an off-state, and the coolant temperature is greater than a
third preset temperature.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of
Korean Patent Application No. 10-2014-0164784 filed in the Korean
Intellectual Property Office on Nov. 24, 2014, the entire contents
of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] (a) Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for
controlling a cooling fan of a vehicle, and more particularly, to
an apparatus and method for controlling a cooling fan of a vehicle
that prevents the cooling fan and a motor from being damaged in a
cold weather.
[0004] (b) Description of the Related Art
[0005] Since there is a risk of explosion due to excessive heat
generated at a vehicle engine, coolant for cooling the engine is
circulated throughout the engine. The heat of the coolant is
radiated at a radiator, and a cooling fan is installed in an engine
room of the vehicle to improve heat radiating effect of the
radiator. The cooling fan prevents an engine from being overheated
by maintaining the coolant temperature at an appropriate
temperature, and thus superior performance of the engine may be
achieved. The cooling fan is operated by a motor that may be
operated at different speeds. A resistor may be used to adjust the
speed of the motor. When power is supplied to the motor via the
resistor, the motor may be operated at a low speed.
[0006] During colder weather (e.g., winter weather conditions or
the like), a freezing phenomenon is often generated due to moisture
or snow flowing into the cooling fan. The cooling fan is not
generally operated in such colder weather conditions, but when a
defrost function is engaged to remove frost, an air conditioner is
operated and then an air conditioner pressure is gradually
increased. When the air conditioner pressure is greater than a
threshold, the cooling fan should be operated. However, since
rotation movement of the motor is restricted due to the freezing
phenomenon, the cooling fan may be not appropriately operated. When
the motor is operated at the low speed when the freezing phenomenon
is generated, a substantial amount of heat may be generated at the
resistor due to the restriction of the motor, and in severe cases,
the resistor and the vehicle may be damaged by the heat.
[0007] The above information disclosed in this section is merely
for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention
and therefore it may contain information that does not form the
prior art that is already known in this country to a person of
ordinary skill in the art.
SUMMARY
[0008] The present invention provides an apparatus and method for
controlling a cooling fan of a vehicle having advantages of
preventing a resistor included in a blower assembly from being
damaged in a during colder weather conditions.
[0009] An apparatus for controlling a cooling fan of a vehicle
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may
include: an information detector configured to detect information
for operating the cooling fan; a blower assembly including a motor
driving the cooling fan and a resistor configured to adjust a speed
of the motor; a relay unit configured to selectively supply power
to the blower assembly; a connecting unit including a high speed
connector directly connected to the motor, a low speed connector
connected to the motor via the resistor, and a ground connector
that connects the motor to a ground; a controller configured to
operate the relay unit based on the information detected by the
information detector, wherein the controller is configured to turn
the relay unit on or off based on a state of an air conditioner
switch, an air conditioner pressure, and a coolant temperature when
an external air temperature is less than a reference
temperature.
[0010] The relay unit may include: a first relay connected to the
high speed connector; and a second relay connected to the low speed
connector. The second relay may be maintained in an off-state when
the external air temperature is less than the reference
temperature. The controller may be configured to turn on the first
relay when the external air temperature is less than the reference
temperature, the air conditioner switch is in an on-state, the air
conditioner pressure is greater than a reference pressure, and the
coolant temperature is greater than a first preset temperature.
[0011] The controller may be configured to turn on the first relay
when the external air temperature is less than the reference
temperature, the air conditioner switch is in an on-state, the air
conditioner pressure is equal to or less than a reference pressure,
and the coolant temperature is greater than a second preset
temperature. The controller may further be configured to turn on
the first relay when the external air temperature is less than the
reference temperature, the air conditioner switch is in an
off-state, and the coolant temperature is greater than a third
preset temperature.
[0012] The information detector may include: an air conditioner
switch sensor configured to detect the state of the air conditioner
switch; an external air temperature sensor configured to detect the
external air temperature; a pressure sensor configured to detect
the air conditioner pressure; and a coolant temperature sensor
configured to detect the coolant temperature. The information
detector may further include a vehicle speed sensor configured to
detect a vehicle speed, and the controller may be configured to
turn the relay unit on or off based on the state of the air
conditioner switch, the air conditioner pressure, the coolant
temperature, and the vehicle speed when the external air
temperature is equal to or greater than the reference
temperature.
[0013] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, when the vehicle travels in a cold weather condition,
the cooling fan may be operated without using the resistor included
in the blower assembly, thereby preventing the resistor 153 from
being damaged. Further, the vehicle may be prevented from being
damaged due to heat generated by the resistor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] A brief description of each drawing is provided to more
sufficiently understand drawings used in the detailed description
of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an apparatus for controlling a
cooling fan of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is an operation chart, used when an external air
temperature is less than a reference temperature, of an apparatus
for controlling a cooling fan of a vehicle according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and
[0017] FIG. 3 is an operation chart, used when an external air
temperature is greater than or equal to a reference temperature, of
an apparatus for controlling a cooling fan of a vehicle according
to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS
[0018] 50: an apparatus for controlling a cooling fan of a vehicle
[0019] 110: controller [0020] 120: information detector [0021] 121:
air conditioner switch sensor [0022] 123: external air temperature
sensor [0023] 125: pressure sensor [0024] 127: coolant temperature
sensor [0025] 129: vehicle speed sensor [0026] 130: relay unit
[0027] 131: first relay [0028] 133: second relay [0029] 140:
connecting unit [0030] 143: high speed connector [0031] 146: low
speed connector [0032] 149: ground connector [0033] 150: blower
assembly [0034] 153: resistor [0035] 157: motor [0036] 160: cooling
fan
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0037] Hereinafter, an operation principle of an apparatus for
controlling a cooling fan of a vehicle according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail
with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the attached
drawings and a detailed description to be given later relate to an
exemplary embodiment of several exemplary embodiments for
effectively describing a characteristic of the present invention.
Therefore, the present invention is not limited to only the
following drawings and description.
[0038] It is understood that the term "vehicle" or "vehicular" or
other similar term as used herein is inclusive of motor vehicles in
general such as passenger automobiles including sports utility
vehicles (SUV), buses, trucks, various commercial vehicles,
watercraft including a variety of boats and ships, aircraft, and
the like, and includes hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles,
combustion, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered
vehicles and other alternative fuel vehicles (e.g. fuels derived
from resources other than petroleum).
[0039] Although exemplary embodiment is described as using a
plurality of units to perform the exemplary process, it is
understood that the exemplary processes may also be performed by
one or plurality of modules. Additionally, it is understood that
the term controller/control unit refers to a hardware device that
includes a memory and a processor. The memory is configured to
store the modules and the processor is specifically configured to
execute said modules to perform one or more processes which are
described further below.
[0040] Furthermore, control logic of the present invention may be
embodied as non-transitory computer readable media on a computer
readable medium containing executable program instructions executed
by a processor, controller/control unit or the like. Examples of
the computer readable mediums include, but are not limited to, ROM,
RAM, compact disc (CD)-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, flash
drives, smart cards and optical data storage devices. The computer
readable recording medium can also be distributed in network
coupled computer systems so that the computer readable media is
stored and executed in a distributed fashion, e.g., by a telematics
server or a Controller Area Network (CAN).
[0041] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and
"the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood
that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this
specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude
the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As
used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of
one or more of the associated listed items.
[0042] In addition, detailed descriptions of well-known functions
and structures incorporated herein may be omitted to avoid
obscuring the subject matter of the present invention. The terms
used herein are defined according to the functions of the present
invention, and may vary depending on a user's or an operator's
intention and usage. Therefore, the terms used herein should be
understood based on the descriptions made herein. Further, to
effectively describe technical characteristics of the present
invention, the following exemplary embodiment may appropriately
change, integrate, or separate terms to be clearly understood by a
person of ordinary skill in the art, and the present invention is
not limited thereto.
[0043] Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention will be described in detail with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
[0044] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an apparatus for controlling a
cooling fan of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, an apparatus 50 for
controlling a cooling fan 160 of a vehicle according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a
controller 110, an information detector 120, a relay unit 130, a
connecting unit 140, and a blower assembly 150. The controller 110
may be configured to operate the information detector 120, the
relay unit 130, the connecting unit 140, and the blower assembly
150.
[0045] The information detector 120 may be configured to detect
information for operating (e.g., controlling) the cooling fan 160,
and the information detected by the information detector 120 may be
transmitted to the controller 110. The information detector 120 may
include an air conditioner switch sensor 121, an external air
temperature sensor 123, a pressure sensor 125, a coolant
temperature sensor 127, and a vehicle speed sensor 129. The air
conditioner switch sensor 121 may be configured to detect a state
of an air conditioner switch (i.e., detect whether the air
conditioner switch is turned on or off), and transmit a signal that
corresponds thereto to the controller 110.
[0046] The external air temperature sensor 123 may be configured to
detect an external air temperature and transmit a signal that
corresponds thereto to the controller 110. The pressure sensor 125
may be configured to detect an air conditioner pressure (i.e., a
pressure of a refrigerant) and transmit a signal that corresponds
thereto to the controller 110. The coolant temperature sensor 127
may be configured to detect a coolant temperature and transmit a
signal that corresponds thereto to the controller 110. The vehicle
speed sensor 129 may be configured to detect a vehicle speed and
transmit a signal that corresponds thereto to the controller 110.
The controller 110 may be implemented with one or more processors
executed by a predetermined program. The predetermined program may
include a series of commands for performing each step in a method
for controlling a cooling fan of a vehicle according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0047] Further, the relay unit 130 may be configured to selectively
supply power to the blower assembly 150. The relay unit 130 may
include a first relay 131 and a second relay 133. In particular,
the first relay 131 and the second relay 133 may be turned on or
off by the controller 110, to supply power to the blower assembly
150 or block the supply of power to the blower assembly 150. The
connecting unit 140 may connect the blower assembly 150 to the
relay unit 130. In addition, the connecting unit 140 may include a
high speed connector 143, a low speed connector 146, and a ground
connector 149. The high speed connector 143 may be directly
connected to the motor 157, and the low speed connector 146 may be
connected to the motor 157 via a resistor 153. The high speed
connector 143 may be connected to the first relay 131, and the low
speed connector 146 may be connected to the second relay 133. The
ground connector 149 may connect the motor 157 to a ground GND.
[0048] The blower assembly 150 may include the motor 157 and the
resistor 153. One end of the motor 157 may be connected to the high
speed connector 143 and the other end of the motor 157 may be
connected to the ground GND. The motor 157 may be configured to
operate the cooling fan 160 by rotating a blade within the cooling
fan 160. The resistor 153 may be configured to adjust a speed of
the motor 157. In other words, as resistance of the resistor 153
increases, the speed of the motor 157 may be decreased. When the
first relay 131 is in an off-state and the second relay 133 is
turned on, the motor 157 may be operated at a low speed (e.g.,
about 1400 rpm). In contrast, when the first relay 131 is turned on
and the second relay 133 is in the off-state, the motor 157 may be
operated at a high speed (e.g., about 1800 rpm). The cooling fan
160 may be operated by the motor 157 mounted within the blower
assembly 150. The cooling fan 160 may prevent an engine from being
overheated by maintaining the coolant temperature at an appropriate
temperature, and thus superior performance of the engine may be
achieved.
[0049] FIG. 2 is an operation chart, used when an external air
temperature is less than a reference temperature, of an apparatus
for controlling a cooling fan of a vehicle according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2,
when the external air temperature is less than a reference
temperature, the controller 110 may be configured to operate the
cooling fan 160 without using the resistor 153. In other words,
when the external air temperature is less than the reference
temperature, the second relay 133 may be maintained in an
off-state. The reference temperature may be set a value which is
determined by a person of ordinary skill in the art to determine
whether the vehicle travels in a cold weather condition.
[0050] When the external air temperature is less than the reference
temperature, the controller 110 may be configured to operate the
cooling fan 160 based on the state of the air conditioner switch,
the air conditioner pressure, and the coolant temperature. The
external air temperature may be detected by the external air
temperature sensor 123, the state of the air conditioner switch may
be detected by the air conditioner switch sensor 121, the air
conditioner pressure may be detected by the pressure sensor 125,
and the coolant temperature may be detected by the coolant
temperature sensor 127.
[0051] In particular, when the air conditioner switch is in an
on-state, the air conditioner pressure is greater than a reference
pressure (e.g., about 1521 kPa), and the coolant temperature is
greater than a first preset temperature, the controller 110 may be
configured to turn on the first relay 131. Additionally, the motor
157 may be operated at the high speed. The reference pressure may
be set by a person of ordinary skill in the art to prevent an
excessive increase of the air conditioner pressure. The first
preset temperature may be set by a person of ordinary skill in the
art in consideration of the reference temperature and the reference
pressure. The first preset temperature is exemplified in FIG. 2 as
30.degree. C.
[0052] Meanwhile, when the air conditioner switch is in the
on-state, the air conditioner pressure is equal to or less than the
reference pressure, and the coolant temperature is greater than a
second preset temperature, the controller 110 may be configured to
turn on the first relay 131. The second preset temperature may be
set by a person of ordinary skill in the art in consideration of
the reference temperature and the reference pressure. The second
preset temperature is exemplified in FIG. 2 as 105.degree. C.
[0053] Meanwhile, when the air conditioner switch is in the
off-state and the coolant temperature is greater than a third
preset temperature, the controller 110 may be configured to turn on
the first relay 131. The third preset temperature may be set by a
person of ordinary skill in the art in consideration of the
reference temperature and the reference pressure. The third preset
temperature is exemplified in FIG. 2 as 105.degree. C. Since the
cooling fan 160 may be operated without using the resistor 153 when
the external air temperature is less than the reference
temperature, even though rotation movement of the motor 157 is
restricted, the resistor 153 may be prevented from being
damaged.
[0054] FIG. 3 is an operation chart, used when an external air
temperature is equal to or greater than a reference temperature, of
an apparatus for controlling a cooling fan of a vehicle according
to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in
FIG. 3, when the external air temperature is equal to or greater
than the reference temperature, the controller 110 may be
configured to operate the cooling fan by selectively using the
resistor 153.
[0055] When the external air temperature is equal to or greater
than the reference temperature, the controller 110 may be
configured to operate the cooling fan 160 based on the state of the
air conditioner switch, the air conditioner pressure, the coolant
temperature, and the vehicle speed. The vehicle speed may be
detected by the vehicle speed sensor 129. The operation chart shown
in FIG. 3 is an example of the present invention, and the present
invention is not limited thereto. An air conditioner switch state
condition, an air conditioner pressure condition, a coolant
temperature condition, and a vehicle speed condition under which
the motor 157 is operated at the high speed or the low speed may be
appropriately modified.
[0056] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, when the vehicle travels in a cold weather condition,
the cooling fan 160 may be operated without using the resistor 153
mounted within the blower assembly 150, thereby preventing the
resistor 153 from being damaged.
[0057] While this invention has been described in connection with
what is presently considered to be exemplary embodiments, it is to
be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed
exemplary embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover
various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within
the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *