U.S. patent application number 16/940997 was filed with the patent office on 2021-07-22 for method of controlling an air blowing apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY. The applicant listed for this patent is HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Seung Sik Han, Nak Kyoung Kong, Ki Hong Lee, Jong Min Park.
Application Number | 20210221335 16/940997 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004993265 |
Filed Date | 2021-07-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210221335 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Park; Jong Min ; et
al. |
July 22, 2021 |
METHOD OF CONTROLLING AN AIR BLOWING APPARATUS
Abstract
A method of controlling an air blowing apparatus includes:
determining whether there is precipitation through a rain sensor by
a controller; determining whether the air blowing apparatus is in
an automatic mode in a precipitation condition by the controller;
determining a vehicle speed when the air blowing apparatus is in
the automatic mode in the precipitation condition; and setting
power and a spray angle of the air blowing apparatus by comparing a
rainfall received from the rain sensor to a stored rainfall by the
controller.
Inventors: |
Park; Jong Min; (Seoul,
KR) ; Han; Seung Sik; (Hwaseong-si, KR) ; Lee;
Ki Hong; (Seoul, KR) ; Kong; Nak Kyoung;
(Seongnam-si, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
KIA MOTORS CORPORATION |
Seoul
Seoul |
|
KR
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
Seoul
KR
KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
1000004993265 |
Appl. No.: |
16/940997 |
Filed: |
July 28, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01W 1/14 20130101; B60S
1/54 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60S 1/54 20060101
B60S001/54; G01W 1/14 20060101 G01W001/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 16, 2020 |
KR |
10-2020-0005713 |
Claims
1. A method of controlling an air blowing apparatus, the method
comprising: determining whether there is precipitation through a
rain sensor by a controller; determining whether the air blowing
apparatus is in an automatic mode in a precipitation condition by
the controller; determining a vehicle speed when the air blowing
apparatus is in the automatic mode in the precipitation condition;
and setting power and a spray angle of the air blowing apparatus by
comparing a measured rainfall received from the rain sensor to a
stored rainfall by the controller.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising, in the determining of
the vehicle speed: comparing a vehicle speed received from the
controller with a first vehicle speed; determining a stop condition
of the vehicle when the vehicle speed is the first vehicle speed or
less, and comparing the vehicle speed with a second vehicle speed
when the vehicle speed exceeds the first vehicle speed; determining
a low-speed state of the vehicle when the vehicle speed is the
second vehicle speed or less, and comparing the vehicle speed with
a third vehicle speed when the vehicle speed exceeds the second
vehicle speed; and determining that the vehicle is in a
medium-speed state when the vehicle speed is the third vehicle
speed or less, and determining that the vehicle is in a high-speed
state when the vehicle speed exceeds the third vehicle speed.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein when the state of the vehicle is
determined in the determining of the vehicle speed, the controller
compares the measured rainfall received from the rain sensor to the
stored rainfall, in which the method further comprises: comparing
the measured rainfall with a first rainfall stored in the
controller; determining a weak precipitation condition when the
measured rainfall is the first rainfall or less, and comparing the
measured rainfall with a second rainfall stored in the controller
when the measured rainfall exceeds the first rainfall; and
determining a medium precipitation condition when the measured
rainfall is the second rainfall or less, and determining a heavy
rain condition when the measured rainfall exceeds the second
rainfall.
4. The method of claim 3, further comprising controlling the air
blowing apparatus to have a first spray angle and a first discharge
amount when the measured rainfall is the first rainfall or less in
a stop condition of the vehicle.
5. The method of claim 3, further comprising controlling the air
blowing apparatus to have a first spray angle and a second
discharge amount when the measured rainfall exceeds the first
rainfall and is the second rainfall or less in a stop condition of
the vehicle.
6. The method of claim 3, further comprising controlling the air
blowing apparatus to have a first spray angle and a third discharge
amount when the measured rainfall exceeds the second rainfall in a
stop condition of the vehicle.
7. The method of claim 3, further comprising controlling the air
blowing apparatus to have a third spray angle and a second
discharge amount when the measured rainfall is the first rainfall
or less in a low-speed condition of the vehicle.
8. The method of claim 3, further comprising controlling the air
blowing apparatus to have a third spray angle and a third discharge
amount when the measured rainfall exceeds the first rainfall and is
the second rainfall or less in a low-speed condition of the
vehicle.
9. The method of claim 3, further comprising controlling the air
blowing apparatus to have a first spray angle and a third discharge
amount when the measured rainfall exceeds the second rainfall in a
low-speed condition of the vehicle.
10. The method of claim 3, further comprising controlling the air
blowing apparatus to have a second spray angle and a first
discharge amount when the measured rainfall is the first rainfall
or less in a medium-speed condition of the vehicle.
11. The method of claim 3, further comprising controlling the air
blowing apparatus to have a second spray angle and a second
discharge amount when the measured rainfall exceeds the first
rainfall and is the second rainfall or less in a medium-speed
condition of the vehicle.
12. The method of claim 3, further comprising controlling the air
blowing apparatus to have a first spray angle and a third discharge
amount when the measured rainfall exceeds the second rainfall in a
medium-speed condition of the vehicle.
13. The method of claim 3, further comprising controlling the air
blowing apparatus to have a first spray angle and a first discharge
amount when the measured rainfall is the first rainfall or less in
a high-speed condition of the vehicle.
14. The method of claim 3, further comprising controlling the air
blowing apparatus to have a first spray angle and a third discharge
amount when the measured rainfall exceeds the first rainfall and is
the second rainfall or less in a high-speed condition of the
vehicle.
15. The method of claim 3, further comprising controlling the air
blowing apparatus to have a first spray angle and a third discharge
amount when the measured rainfall exceeds the second rainfall in a
high-speed condition of the vehicle.
16. The method of claim 1, wherein setting the power and the spray
angle of the air blowing apparatus further comprises compensating
the spray angle and a spray amount of the air blowing apparatus by
measuring a flow speed and a flow angle of rainwater through the
rain sensor by the controller.
17. The method of claim 1, wherein setting the power and the spray
angle of the air blowing apparatus further comprises: measuring a
flow speed and a flow angle of rainwater on a windshield glass
through the rain sensor; and controlling the power of the air
blowing apparatus in accordance with the measured flow speed and
flow angle of the rainwater.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: measuring whether
the flow speed of the rainwater measured by the rain sensor is a
first reference value or more and measuring whether the flow angle
is less than a second reference value by the controller;
determining whether a discharge amount of the air blowing apparatus
is a maximum amount by the controller when the flow speed of the
rainwater is the first reference value or more and the flow angle
of the rainwater is less than the second reference value;
determining whether the flow angle of the rainwater exceeds the
second reference value by the controller when the discharge amount
of the air blowing apparatus is the maximum amount; determining
whether a spray angle of the rainwater is a minimum angle by the
controller when the discharge amount of the air blowing apparatus
is the maximum amount and the flow angle of the rainwater is the
second reference value or less; and providing notification to a
user by the controller when the spray angle of the rainwater is the
minimum angle.
19. The method of claim 17, further comprising: determining whether
the flow speed of the rainwater measured by the rain sensor is less
than a first reference value and whether the flow angle of the
rainwater is a second reference value or more by the controller;
setting a discharge amount of the air blowing apparatus to a
maximum by the controller when the flow speed of the rainwater is
less than the first reference value and the flow angle of the
rainwater is the second reference value or more; determining
whether the flow speed of the rainwater is less than the first
reference value by the controller when the discharge amount of the
air blowing apparatus is set to the maximum; and coating a top
surface of the windshield glass by the controller when the flow
speed of the rainwater is less than the first reference value.
20. The method of claim 17, further comprising: determining whether
the flow speed of the rainwater measured by the rain sensor is less
than a first reference value and whether the flow angle of the rain
water is less than a second reference value by the controller;
determining whether the flow speed and flow angle of the rainwater
is less than a third reference value by the controller when the
flow speed of the rainwater is less than the first reference value
and the flow angle of the rainwater is less than the second
reference value; measuring external information of the vehicle when
the flow speed and the flow angle of the rainwater are the third
reference value by the controller; determining whether the
windshield glass is in a dew point saturation state base on the
measured external information by the controller; and operating a
glass heater and a blow heater and controlling the spray angle and
a discharge amount of the air blowing apparatus to a maximum by the
controller when the windshield glass is in the dew point saturation
state.
21. The method of claim 1, further comprising, when a precipitation
condition is not satisfied in determining of whether there is
precipitation through the rain sensor by the controller, measuring
the vehicle speed and a current opening angle of a cover of the air
blowing apparatus, and calculating an ideal opening angle according
to the vehicle speed; determining whether the vehicle speed exceeds
a fourth vehicle speed; determining whether the opening angle of
the cover of the air blowing apparatus is a predetermined angle or
more; and operating a motor fastened to the cover such that the
opening angle of the cover coincides with the predetermined angle.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims priority to Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2020-0005713, filed Jan. 16, 2020, the entire
contents of which is incorporated herein for all purposes by this
reference.
BACKGROUND
Field of the Disclosure
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a method of controlling an
air blowing apparatus and, more particularly, a method of
controlling a discharge amount and a spray angle of an air blowing
apparatus in accordance with a rainfall condition and a speed
condition of a vehicle.
Description of the Related Art
[0003] In general, a vehicle is equipped with a wiper system for
the windshield glass.
[0004] In the related art, a wiper system that can move on the
surface of the glass is used to secure a visual field through the
glass when it rains.
[0005] Further, washer fluid is sprayed through nozzles and wiper
arms are operated by the wiper system. In this way, the glass is
washed and the visual field for the driver is secured.
[0006] However, according to the wiper system of the related art,
the wiper arms reciprocate on the glass, so there is a defect that
the wipers interfere with the visual field of the driver. Further,
there is a problem that the wipers have to be frequently replaced
as a consumable.
[0007] Recently, the function and the size of the engines used in
the related art are decreased with development of hybrid or plug-in
hybrid vehicles that can be electrically driven. This results in
additional spatial room in the front part of the vehicles.
[0008] Accordingly, it is required to develop a technology for
securing a visual field through the windshield glass when it rains
by discharging compressed air using an air fan in the front part of
a vehicle.
SUMMARY
[0009] The present disclosure has been made in an effort to solve
the problems of the related art. An objective of the present
disclosure is to provide a method of controlling an air blowing
apparatus for securing a visual field through a windshield glass by
discharging compressed air.
[0010] Another objective of the present disclosure is to provide a
method of controlling an air blowing apparatus, the method being
able to control the pressure and the left-right angle of discharged
air in correspondence to the surrounding environment of a
vehicle.
[0011] The objectives of the present disclosure are not limited to
those described above and other objectives not stated herein may be
understood through the following description and may be clear by
embodiments of the present disclosure. Further, the objectives of
the present disclosure are achieved by the configurations described
in the claims and combinations thereof.
[0012] A method of controlling an air blowing apparatus for
achieving the objects of the present disclosure includes the
following configuration.
[0013] A method of controlling an air blowing apparatus according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: determining
whether there is precipitation through a rain sensor by a
controller; determining whether the air blowing apparatus is in an
automatic mode in a precipitation condition by the controller;
determining a vehicle speed when the air blowing apparatus is in
the automatic mode in the precipitation condition; and setting
power and a spray angle of the air blowing apparatus by comparing a
measured rainfall received from the rain sensor to a stored
rainfall by the controller.
[0014] The method may further include, in the determining of a
vehicle speed: comparing a vehicle speed received from the
controller with a first vehicle speed; determining a stop condition
of the vehicle when the vehicle speed is the first vehicle speed or
less, and comparing the vehicle speed with a second vehicle speed
when the vehicle speed exceeds the first vehicle speed; determining
a low-speed state of the vehicle when the vehicle speed is the
second vehicle speed or less, and comparing the vehicle speed with
a third vehicle speed when the vehicle speed exceeds the second
vehicle speed; and determining that the vehicle is in a
medium-speed state when the vehicle speed is the third vehicle
speed or less, and determining that the vehicle is in a high-speed
state when the vehicle speed exceeds the third vehicle speed.
[0015] When the state of the vehicle is determined in the
determining of a vehicle speed, the controller may compare a
measured rainfall received from the rain sensor to a stored
rainfall. The method may further include: comparing the measured
rainfall with a first rainfall stored in the controller;
determining a weak precipitation condition when the measured
rainfall is the first rainfall or less, and comparing the measured
rainfall with a second rainfall stored in the controller when the
measured rainfall exceeds the first rainfall; and determining a
medium precipitation condition when the measured rainfall is the
second rainfall or less, and determining a heavy rain condition
when the measured rainfall exceeds the second rainfall.
[0016] The method may further include controlling the air blowing
apparatus to have a first spray angle and a first discharge amount
when the measured rainfall is the first rainfall or less in a stop
condition of the vehicle.
[0017] The method may further include controlling the air blowing
apparatus to have a first spray angle and a second discharge amount
when the measured rainfall exceeds the first rainfall and is the
second rainfall or less in a stop condition of the vehicle.
[0018] The method may further include controlling the air blowing
apparatus to have a first spray angle and a third discharge amount
when the measured rainfall exceeds the second rainfall in a stop
condition of the vehicle.
[0019] The method may further include controlling the air blowing
apparatus to have a third spray angle and a second discharge amount
when the measured rainfall is the first rainfall or less in a
low-speed condition of the vehicle.
[0020] The method may further include controlling the air blowing
apparatus to have a third spray angle and a third discharge amount
when the measured rainfall exceeds the first rainfall and is the
second rainfall or less in a low-speed condition of the
vehicle.
[0021] The method may further include controlling the air blowing
apparatus to have a first spray angle and a third discharge amount
when the measured rainfall exceeds the second rainfall in a
low-speed condition of the vehicle.
[0022] The method may further include controlling the air blowing
apparatus to have a second spray angle and a first discharge amount
when the measured rainfall is the first rainfall or less in a
medium-speed condition of the vehicle.
[0023] The method may further include controlling the air blowing
apparatus to have a second spray angle and a second discharge
amount when the measured rainfall exceeds the first rainfall and is
the second rainfall or less in a medium-speed condition of the
vehicle.
[0024] The method may further include controlling the air blowing
apparatus to have a first spray angle and a third discharge amount
when the measured rainfall exceeds the second rainfall in a
medium-speed condition of the vehicle.
[0025] The method may further include controlling the air blowing
apparatus to have a first spray angle and a first discharge amount
when the measured rainfall is the first rainfall or less in a
high-speed condition of the vehicle.
[0026] The method may further include controlling the air blowing
apparatus to have a first spray angle and a third discharge amount
when the measured rainfall exceeds the first rainfall and is the
second rainfall or less in a high-speed condition of the
vehicle.
[0027] The method may further include controlling the air blowing
apparatus to have a first spray angle and a third discharge amount
when the measured rainfall exceeds the second rainfall in a
high-speed condition of the vehicle.
[0028] The method may further include, in setting the power and the
spray angle of the air blowing apparatus, compensating the spray
angle and a spray amount of the air blowing apparatus by measuring
a flow speed and a flow angle of rainwater through the rain sensor
by the controller.
[0029] The method may further include, in setting the power and the
spray angle of the air blowing apparatus: measuring a flow speed
and a flow angle of rainwater on a windshield glass through the
rain sensor; and controlling the power of the air blowing apparatus
in accordance with the measured flow speed and flow angle of the
rainwater.
[0030] The method may further include: measuring whether the flow
speed of the rainwater measured by the rain sensor is a first
reference value or more and measuring whether the flow angle is
less than a second reference value by the controller; determining
whether a discharge amount of the air blowing apparatus is a
maximum amount by the controller when the flow speed of the
rainwater is the first reference value or more and the flow angle
of the rainwater is less than the second reference value;
determining whether the flow angle of the rainwater exceeds the
second reference value by the controller when the discharge amount
of the air blowing apparatus is the maximum amount; determining
whether a spray angle of the rainwater is a minimum angle by the
controller when the discharge amount of the air blowing apparatus
is the maximum amount and the flow angle of the rainwater is the
second reference value or less; and providing notification to a
user by the controller when the spray angle of the rainwater is the
minimum angle.
[0031] The method may further include: determining whether the flow
speed of the rainwater measured by the rain sensor is less than a
first reference value and whether the flow angle of the rainwater
is a second reference value or more by the controller; setting a
discharge amount of the air blowing apparatus to a maximum by the
controller when the flow speed of the rainwater is less than the
first reference value and the flow angle of the rainwater is the
second reference value or more; determining whether the flow speed
of the rainwater is less than the first reference value by the
controller when the discharge amount of the air blowing apparatus
is set to the maximum; and coating a top surface of the windshield
glass by the controller when the flow speed of the rainwater is
less than the first reference value.
[0032] The method may further include: determining whether the flow
speed of the rainwater measured by the rain sensor is less than a
first reference value and whether the flow angle of the rainwater
is less than a second reference value by the controller;
determining whether the flow speed and flow angle of the rainwater
is less than a third reference value by the controller when the
flow speed of the rainwater is less than the first reference value
and the flow angle of the rainwater is less than the second
reference value; measuring external information of the vehicle when
the flow speed and the flow angle of the rainwater is the third
reference value by the controller; determining whether the
windshield glass is in a dew point saturation state based on the
measured external information by the controller; and operating a
glass heater and a blow heater and controlling the spray angle and
a discharge amount of the air blowing apparatus to a maximum by the
controller when the windshield glass is in the dew point saturation
state.
[0033] The method may further include, when a precipitation
condition is not satisfied in determining of whether there is
precipitation through the rain sensor by the controller; measuring
a vehicle speed and a current opening angle of a cover of the air
blowing apparatus, and calculating an ideal opening angle according
to the vehicle speed; determining whether the vehicle speed exceeds
a fourth vehicle speed; determining whether the opening angle of
the cover of the air blowing apparatus is a predetermined angle or
more; and operating a motor fastened to the cover such that the
opening angle of the cover coincides with the predetermined
angle.
[0034] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to
achieve the following effects from the configuration, combination,
and operation relationship described below.
[0035] The present disclosure has an effect of providing an
improved visual field during driving because it is possible to
control the pressure and angle of a discharged air in consideration
of the driving environment condition for a user.
[0036] The present disclosure has an effect of providing a method
of controlling an air blowing apparatus that discharges air in
consideration of precipitation and a wind direction around a
vehicle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0037] The above and other objects, features and other advantages
of the present disclosure should be more clearly understood and
apparent from the following detailed description when taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0038] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an air blowing apparatus
mounted on a cowl top cover assembly as an embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0039] FIG. 2 is a view showing the configuration of the air
blowing apparatus as an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0040] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a duct of the air
blowing apparatus as an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0041] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a method of controlling an air
blowing apparatus as an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0042] FIG. 5A is a flowchart showing a method of controlling an
air blowing apparatus in a vehicle stop condition as an embodiment
of the present disclosure;
[0043] FIG. 5B is a flowchart showing a method of controlling an
air blowing apparatus in a low-speed condition as an embodiment of
the present disclosure;
[0044] FIG. 5C is a flowchart showing a method of controlling an
air blowing apparatus in a medium-speed condition as an embodiment
of the present disclosure;
[0045] FIG. 5D is a flowchart showing a method of controlling an
air blowing apparatus in a high-speed condition as an embodiment of
the present disclosure;
[0046] FIG. 6 is a view showing a method of controlling a discharge
amount of an air blowing apparatus in accordance with a flow speed
and a flow angle of water according to an external wind amount as
an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0047] FIG. 7 is a view showing a method of controlling the opening
amount of a nozzle cover according to a vehicle speed as an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0048] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure are
described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Embodiments of the present disclosure may be modified in various
ways and the scope of the present disclosure should not be
construed as being limited to the embodiments described below. The
embodiments are provided to more completely explain the present
disclosure to those having ordinary skill in the art.
[0049] Terms ".about.er", ".about.unit", ".about.module", and the
like used herein mean the units for processing at least one
function or operation and may be implemented by hardware, software,
or a combination of hardware and software.
[0050] The "opening amount" and "opening angle" stated herein are
terms that mean the degree of opening of a nozzle cover 430, and
include the same meaning.
[0051] The "left-right opening amount" and "left-right opening
angle" stated herein are terms that mean the angle at which a
nozzle blade 420 inclines in a width direction of a vehicle with
respect to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and include
the same meaning.
[0052] The "closed state" of the nozzle cover 430 stated herein
means that the state in which an outlet of a nozzle housing 410 is
covered with the nozzle cover 430.
[0053] A reference value stored in a controller may be set to
increase with an increase of the number that the reference value
represents.
[0054] Although the configuration in which the air blowing
apparatus is disposed inside a cowl top cover assembly is described
herein, the air blowing apparatus may be disposed in an area close
to a windshield glass and may be disposed inside the hood of a
vehicle or at the upper end of a roof of a vehicle. However, it is
exemplified herein that the air blowing apparatus is disposed
inside a cowl top cover assembly.
[0055] The present disclosure relates to an air blowing apparatus
100 configured to face a windshield glass 600. The air blowing
apparatus 100 is disposed close to the windshield glass 600 and is
able to remove dirt on the windshield glass 600 and to improve
aerodynamic performance in accordance with the driving state of a
vehicle.
[0056] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the air blowing apparatus
100 of the present disclosure. The air blowing apparatus 100 is
disposed in a cowl top cover assembly 500 that is adjacent to the
windshield glass 100. The air blowing apparatus 100 includes an
outlet of nozzles 400 to face the windshield glass 600.
[0057] The air blowing apparatus 100 includes air nozzles 400
disposed at both ends of the cowl top cover assembly 500 and facing
the windshield glass 600. The air blowing apparatus 100 is
configured such that air flowing inside through sides is compressed
by air fan assemblies 200 and is discharged along the windshield
glass 600 through the air nozzles 400 along a duct 300 connecting
fluid between the air nozzles 400 and the air fan assemblies
200.
[0058] The air fan assembly 200 includes a flow guide cover 240
that guides flow of the inflow air and blades 230 for compressing
the air flowing inside along the fluid guide cover 240.
[0059] That is, the air fan assembly 200 includes a housing 210
with both open sides. The air flowing through the flow guide cover
240 is compressed through the blades 230 rotatably fastened to a
motor assembly 220. The compressed air flows to the air nozzle 400
through an opening at an end fastened to the duct 300.
[0060] A controller 800 may include an electronic control unit
(ECU) disposed in a vehicle and receives the amount of rainwater
sensed and transmitted from a rain sensor. The controller 800 also
receives the current driving speed of the vehicle measured by a
vehicle sensor, an acceleration sensor, and the like.
[0061] The controller 800 can measure the flow speed and the flow
angle of rainwater on the windshield glass through several sensing
areas positioned at the rain sensor.
[0062] The controller 800 can control operation of the motor
assembly 200 to control the torque of the blades 230 of the air fan
assembly 200.
[0063] Accordingly, the controller 800 of the present disclosure
can control the amount of air flowing into the air fan assembly 200
in correspondence to the driving environment of the vehicle. The
controller 800 can also control the compression amount of the air
flowing inside by controlling the power of the motor assembly
220.
[0064] Further, when a washer fluid spray pressure is applied in
accordance with a request from a user, the controller 800 of the
present disclosure can control the air fan assembly 200 such that
the amount of compressed air is maximized in accordance with the
washer fluid spray pressure. The compression amount of air, the
amount of discharged air, or both of the compression amount of air
and the amount of discharged air are controlled to be
maximized.
[0065] The combination relationship of the components of the air
blowing apparatus 100 is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0066] As shown in the figures, the air blowing apparatus 100
includes the air fan assembly 200 fixed to the cowl top cover
assembly 500 and the duct 300 connecting fluid between the air fan
assembly 200 and the air nozzle 400.
[0067] The air fan assembly 200 includes the housing 210 with both
open sides and includes the fluid guide cover 240. The fluid guide
cover 240 guides the flow of air flowing inside, on the inner side
of the housing 210. The air fan assembly 200 also includes the
blades 230 disposed adjacent to the fluid guide cover 240, the
blades 230 receiving torque from the motor assembly 220.
[0068] The air fan assembly 200 suctions air through a side of a
vehicle, so an open end of the housing 210 may be disposed adjacent
to the side of the vehicle.
[0069] The housing 210 being adjacent to a side of the vehicle is
fastened to a cover 250 such that the blades 230 are not exposed to
the outside.
[0070] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the air fan
assembly 200 may be disposed in the width direction of the vehicle
such that an open end of the housing 210 faces a side of the
vehicle.
[0071] Air flowing inside through an opening of the housing 210 and
flowing inside along the fluid guide cover 240 is compressed by
torque of the blades 230 and then discharged through the other
opening of the housing 210.
[0072] The compressed air discharged through the other opening of
the housing 210 flows into one end of the duct 300. The other end
of the duct 300 is fastened to an end of the nozzle housing 410 of
the air nozzle 400.
[0073] The nozzle housing 410 of the present disclosure may be
configured to have a nozzle for discharging compressed air in the
same direction as the end fastened to the duct 300. The nozzle
housing 410 has an opening fastened to the duct 300 at a lower end
and a nozzle facing the windshield glass 600 at an upper end, such
that the nozzle housing 410 is able to discharge compressed air at
the upper end.
[0074] The rotational speed of the blades 230 is controlled by the
controller 800. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the
operational amount of the motor assembly 220 and the rotational
speed of the blades 230 rotated by the motor assembly 220 are
controlled by the controller 800. The compression amount of inflow
air is determined in accordance with the surrounding environment of
the vehicle.
[0075] The nozzle means a space that is defined in the nozzle
housing 410 to discharge compressed air toward the windshield glass
600, so it may be used as the same meaning as the air nozzle
410.
[0076] The nozzle housing 410 includes a nozzle cover 430 that is
disposed between discharge spaces of the nozzle and includes a
nozzle blade 420 being able to guide the left-right direction of
air. The nozzle cover 430 opens when the pressure of compressed air
is a predetermined pressure or more.
[0077] One or more nozzle blades 420 may be disposed in the nozzle
housing 410. The left-right angle of the nozzle blades 420 may be
set by an angle regulation boss 460 disposed on the rear surface of
the nozzle cover 430.
[0078] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the
discharge amount of the air blowing apparatus may be determined in
accordance with the opening amount of the nozzle cover 430, in
which the opening amount may be divided into three or more
steps.
[0079] The nozzle blade 420 can set the spray angle of discharged
air. The nozzle cover 430 and the nozzle blade 420 may be
controlled by respective driving motors.
[0080] The cowl top cover assembly 500 disposed adjacent to the air
nozzle 400 includes washer fluid nozzles 700. Washer fluid is
sprayed along the windshield glass 600 together with the compressed
air discharged through the air nozzles 400.
[0081] The washer fluid nozzles 700 may be disposed respectively
between several air nozzles 400. According to an embodiment of the
present disclosure, two air nozzles 400 and three washer fluid
nozzles 700 may be provided.
[0082] The nozzle cover 430 is disposed at the opening of the
housing 410 of the air nozzle 400 and hinged to the upper end of
the housing 410 of the air nozzle 400 such that the nozzle cover
430 opens when the pressure of the discharged air is a
predetermined pressure or more. The opening angle of the nozzle
cover 430 increases in proportion to an increase of the pressure of
the discharged air.
[0083] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a method of controlling an air
blowing apparatus as an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0084] As shown in the figure, the method determines whether there
is rainwater through a rain sensor disposed on the windshield glass
of a vehicle (S110) and then determines whether the air blowing
apparatus is automatically operated (S120).
[0085] When the air blowing apparatus is automatically operated by
a request from a user, the method determines the speed of the
vehicle (S130). When the air blowing apparatus is not automatically
operated, the method determines that the air blowing apparatus is
in a manual mode (S200).
[0086] When it is determined that the air blowing apparatus is
automatically operated (S120), the method determines the speed of
the vehicle (S130) and determines (i.e., sets) the power and the
spray angle of the air blowing apparatus in consideration of the
rainfall (S140).
[0087] The method compares the current speed of the vehicle (S130)
with three predetermined reference values, in which the rainfall is
divided into three sections for two reference values.
[0088] Further, the spray angle and the discharge amount of air to
be output may be divided into three sections and set in the
controller in accordance with the speed of the vehicle and a
rainfall.
[0089] A flowchart that determines the spray angle of the air
blowing apparatus and a discharge amount based on the speed of a
vehicle and a rainfall is described hereafter.
[0090] FIG. 5A shows a process of controlling the air blowing
apparatus in accordance with a rainfall when the vehicle speed is
equal to or lower than a first vehicle speed (S131).
[0091] As shown in the figure, when the current vehicle speed is
the first vehicle speed or less (S131) in the process of
determining the speed of the vehicle (S130), and when the current
rainfall is the first rainfall stored in the controller or less
(S141), the method controls the spray angle of the air blowing
apparatus to a first spray angle (S151) and controls the discharge
amount to a first discharge amount (S161).
[0092] When the vehicle speed is the first vehicle speed or less,
it may be determined as a stop condition of the vehicle. In this
case, the discharge amount and the spray angle of the air blowing
apparatus are controlled in accordance with a rainfall condition
when the vehicle is stopped.
[0093] When the vehicle speed of the vehicle is the first vehicle
speed or less (S131) and when the current rainfall exceeds the
first rainfall and is a second rain fall stored in the controller
or less (S142), the method controls the spray angle of the air
blowing apparatus to the first spray angle (S151) and controls the
discharge amount to a second discharge amount (S162).
[0094] When the vehicle speed of the vehicle is the first vehicle
speed or less (S131) and when the current rainfall exceeds the
second rainfall stored in the controller (S143), the method
controls the spray angle of the air blowing apparatus to the first
spray angle (S151) and controls the discharge amount to a third
discharge amount (S163).
[0095] That is, when the vehicle is at a speed close to stoppage
(the first vehicle speed or less), the air blowing apparatus forms
the first spray angle to blow air intensively to the main visual
field area of the windshield glass. As the rainfall increases, the
discharge amount is proportionally increased.
[0096] FIG. 5B shows a flowchart of the method of controlling an
air blowing apparatus in a low-speed condition (when the current
vehicle speed exceeds the first vehicle speed and is the second
vehicle speed or less).
[0097] As shown in the figure, when the current vehicle speed
exceeds the first vehicle speed and is the second vehicle speed or
less (S132) in the process of determining the speed of the vehicle
(S130), and when the current rainfall is the first rainfall stored
in the controller or less (S141), the method controls the spray
angle of the air blowing apparatus to a third spray angle (S153)
and controls the discharge amount to a second discharge amount
(S162).
[0098] However, when the current vehicle speed exceeds the first
vehicle speed and is the second vehicle speed or less (S132) in the
process of determining the speed of the vehicle (S130), and when
the current rainfall exceeds the first rainfall and is a second
rainfall stored in the controller or less (S142), the method
controls the spray angle of the air blowing apparatus to the third
spray angle (S153) and controls the discharge amount to a third
discharge amount (S163).
[0099] Further, when the current vehicle speed exceeds the first
vehicle speed and is the second vehicle speed or less (S132) in the
process of determining the speed of the vehicle (S130), and when
the current rainfall exceeds the second rainfall stored in the
controller (S142), the method controls the spray angle of the air
blowing apparatus to the first spray angle (S151) and controls the
discharge amount to the third discharge amount (S163).
[0100] As described above, in a low-speed condition, control is
performed to provide a visual field of the windshield glass by
providing a large discharge amount to as wide an area as
possible.
[0101] However, as the rainfall increases, the spray angle is
controlled to decrease. Controlling the air blowing apparatus in
this way solves the problem of securing a visual field during a
large amount of rainwater.
[0102] FIG. 5C shows a flowchart of the method of controlling an
air blowing apparatus at a medium-speed condition (when the current
vehicle speed exceeds the second vehicle speed and is the third
vehicle speed or less).
[0103] As shown in the figure, when the current vehicle speed
exceeds the second vehicle speed and is the third vehicle speed or
less (S133) in the process of determining the speed of the vehicle
(S130), and when the current rainfall is the first rainfall stored
in the controller or less (S141), the method controls the spray
angle of the air blowing apparatus to the second spray angle (S152)
and controls the discharge amount to the first discharge amount
(S161).
[0104] However, when the current vehicle speed exceeds the second
vehicle speed and is the third vehicle speed or less (S133) in the
process of determining the speed of the vehicle (S130), and when
the current rainfall exceeds the first rainfall and is a second
rainfall stored in the controller or less (S142), the method
controls the spray angle of the air blowing apparatus to the second
spray angle (S152) and controls the discharge amount to the second
discharge amount (S162).
[0105] Further, when the current vehicle speed exceeds the second
vehicle speed and is the third vehicle speed or less (S133) in the
process of determining the speed of the vehicle (S130), and when
the current rainfall exceeds the second rainfall stored in the
controller (S143), the method controls the spray angle of the air
blowing apparatus to the first spray angle (S151) and controls the
discharge amount to the third discharge amount (S163).
[0106] FIG. 5D shows a flowchart of the method of controlling an
air blowing apparatus at a high-speed condition (when the current
vehicle speed exceeds the third vehicle speed).
[0107] As shown in the figure, when the current vehicle speed
exceeds the third vehicle speed (S134) in the process of
determining the speed of the vehicle (S130), and when the current
rainfall is the first rainfall stored in the controller or less
(S141), the method controls the spray angle of the air blowing
apparatus to the first spray angle (S151) and controls the
discharge amount to the first discharge amount (S161).
[0108] However, when the current vehicle speed exceeds the third
vehicle speed (S134) in the process of determining the speed of the
vehicle (S130), and when the current rainfall exceeds the first
rainfall and is a second rainfall stored in the controller or less
(S142), the method controls the spray angle of the air blowing
apparatus to the first spray angle (S151) and controls the
discharge amount to the third discharge amount (S163).
[0109] Further, when the current vehicle speed exceeds the third
vehicle speed (S134) in the process of determining the speed of the
vehicle (S130), and when the current rainfall exceeds the second
rainfall stored in the controller (S143), the method controls the
spray angle of the air blowing apparatus to the first spray angle
(S151) and controls the discharge amount to the third discharge
amount (S163).
[0110] As described above, the air blowing apparatus is controlled
to have the first spray angle and the first discharge amount in a
weak precipitation condition with a small amount of rainfall (the
current rainfall is the first rainfall or less) in a high-speed
condition. The air blowing apparatus is controlled to have the
first spray angle and the third discharge amount in the medium
precipitation condition (the current rainfall exceeds the first
rainfall and is the second rainfall or less) and a heavy rain
condition (the current condition exceeds the second rainfall).
[0111] That is, the spray angle and the discharge amount is
controlled in a high-speed condition in which the vehicle speed
exceeds the third vehicle speed such that the discharge amount is
maximized and instantaneous block of the visual field is prevented
at a predetermined rainfall or more.
[0112] Further, the rain sensor measures the flow angle and the
flow speed of the rainwater flowing on the windshield glass. The
spray angle is compensated in consideration of the flow angle and
the flow speed of rainwater when it is set in FIGS. 5A-5D.
[0113] As described with reference to FIGS. 5A-5D, the spray angle
and the discharge amount of the air blowing apparatus are
controlled based on the vehicle speed divided into four parts and
the precipitation condition divided into three parts.
[0114] Hereafter, a method of controlling the discharge amount of
the air blowing apparatus in accordance with the flow speed and the
flow angle of water according to an external wind amount is
described with reference to FIG. 6.
[0115] FIG. 6 shows a method of measuring the flow speed and the
flow angle of rainwater on a windshield glass and controlling the
corresponding discharge amount of the air blowing apparatus.
[0116] As described above, the flow angle and speed of rainwater on
the windshield glass depends on the external wind amount. The rain
sensor has one or more sensing areas and can measure the speed of
rainwater by measuring the time that the rainwater takes to pass
the sensing areas.
[0117] The controller sets the power and the spray angle of the air
blowing apparatus by comparing the rainfall received from the rain
sensor with stored values. In other words, the controller measures
the flow speed and flow angle of rainwater on the windshield glass
through the rain sensor when it is determined that the air blowing
apparatus is in a precipitation condition in an automatic mode.
[0118] Thereafter, the controller controls the power of the air
blowing apparatus in accordance with the measured flow speed and
flow angle of the rainwater. The controller compares a first
reference value stored therein with the flow speed of the rainwater
and compares a second reference value stored therein with the flow
angle of the rainwater.
[0119] The first reference value is a flow speed at which it is
impossible to remove rainwater by blowing air and the second
reference value is a critical flow angle of water that interferes
with a visual field.
[0120] The controller determines whether the discharge amount of
the air blowing apparatus is maximum when the flow speed of
rainwater is the first reference value or more and the flow angle
of rainwater is less than the second reference value (S310).
[0121] The first reference value and the second reference value are
respectively a speed reference value (first reference value) and an
angle reference value (second reference value) of rainwater flowing
on the windshield glass that are determined in consideration of the
operation of the air blowing apparatus in an external wind
condition. The first reference value and the second reference value
are set in the controller.
[0122] The second reference value is the flow angle of water that
interferes with the visual field of a user. When a measured value
is less than the second reference value, it means the there is no
problem with the visual field of the user due to the flow angle of
rainwater.
[0123] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the controller
can determine a value less than the second reference value when the
flow angle of rainwater has a small angle in the width direction of
the windshield glass.
[0124] The controller determines that the flow angle of rainwater
exceeds the second reference value when the discharge amount of the
air blowing apparatus is maximum (S313). When the flow angle of
rainwater exceeds the second reference value, the controller
decreases the spray angle of the air blowing apparatus (S314) and
determines whether the spray angle is minimum (S315).
[0125] When the spray angle of the air blowing apparatus is minimum
(S315) in the condition described above (S313), the controller
informs a user that the visual field cannot be improved through
additional control through an alarm (S316).
[0126] When the discharge amount of the air blowing apparatus is
not maximum (S312) or when the flow angle of rainwater is the
second reference value or less (S313), the method returns to the
initial step.
[0127] As described above, when the flow speed of rainwater is
higher than the first reference value, there is flow of rainwater,
and when the flow angle of the rainwater is less than the second
reference value, the problem of blocking the visual field of a user
is generated. In this case, the controller controls the discharge
amount of the air blowing apparatus to the maximum and the spray
angle to the minimum.
[0128] Alternatively, the controller controls the discharge amount
of the air blowing apparatus to the maximum (S321) when the flow
speed of rainwater is less than the first reference value and when
the flow angle of rainwater is the second reference value or more
(S320).
[0129] Thereafter, the controller determines whether the flow speed
of the rainwater exceeds the first reference value (S322). When the
flow speed of the rainwater exceeds the first reference value, the
controller operates a coating fluid operator so that coating fluid
is sprayed to the top surface of the windshield glass (S323).
[0130] However, when the flow speed of the rainwater is the first
reference value or less (S322), the method returns to the first
step.
[0131] When the flow speed of rainwater less than the first
reference value, it means the speed of the rainwater is not applied
in accordance with a blowing discharge amount. In this case, the
top surface of the windshield glass is coated, thereby preventing
rainwater from remaining on the windshield glass.
[0132] Further, the controller determines whether the flow speed
and the flow angle of rainwater are a third reference value (S331)
when the flow speed of rainwater is less than the first reference
value and the flow angle of the rainwater is less than the second
reference value (S330).
[0133] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the third value
is substantially close to 0, which means that rainwater remains on
the windshield glass.
[0134] When the flow speed and the flow angle of rainwater are the
third reference value (S331), information outside the vehicle is
measured (S332). In other words, in an embodiment of the present
disclosure, the controller measures external humidity, external
temperature, and glass temperature information as the information
outside the vehicle.
[0135] However, when the flow speed and the flow angle of rainwater
are not the third reference value (S331), the discharge amount of
the air blowing apparatus is controlled to the maximum and the
spray angle is controlled to the minimum (S336).
[0136] That is, when the flow speed and the flow angle of rainwater
are not the third reference value and when there is flow of
rainwater and an angle is measured by the flow, the air blowing
apparatus is controlled to operate to provide a visual field to a
user.
[0137] The controller determines whether it is in a dew point
saturation state of the windshield glass through the measured
external information (S333). When it is the dew point saturation
state of the windshield glass, the controller operates a glass
heater and a blow heater (S334) and controls the spray angle and
the discharge amount of the air blowing apparatus to the maximum
(S335).
[0138] As described above, it is possible to determine whether
condensation occurs in accordance with the flow speed and flow
angle of rainwater on the windshield glass. The controller controls
the glass heater, the blower heater, and the air blowing apparatus
to provide an instantaneous visual field and a consistent visual
field through the windshield glass with condensate water
thereon.
[0139] FIG. 7 shows a control method that performs a spoiler
function by adjusting the angle of the nozzle cover 430 in
correspondence to a vehicle speed as an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0140] As shown in the figure, when precipitation is not measured
(S420) in the automatic mode (S410), the controller measures the
current position of a motor for opening the cover and calculates
the opening angle of the cover of the air blowing apparatus in
correspondence to the current vehicle speed (S430).
[0141] Thereafter, whether the vehicle speed exceeds a fourth
vehicle speed is determined (S440). When the vehicle speed exceeds
the fourth vehicle speed, the controller determines whether the
opening angle of the cover of the air blowing apparatus is a
predetermined angle or more (S450).
[0142] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the fourth
vehicle speed may be set as 140 km/h.
[0143] When the opening angle calculated based on the vehicle speed
is the current opening angle or more of the cover of the air
blowing apparatus, the controller rotates forward the motor
fastened to the cover such that the opening angle of the cover
coincides with the predetermined angle (S460).
[0144] Further, when the opening angle calculated based on the
vehicle speed is less than the current opening angle of the cover
of the air blowing apparatus, the controller rotates backward the
motor fastened to the cover such that the opening angle of the
cover coincides with the predetermined angle (S470).
[0145] Accordingly, the calculated opening angle of the nozzle
cover 430 that performs a spoiler function and the current opening
angle are compared, whereby the nozzle cover 430 is controlled to
the calculated opening angle by the motor fastened to the nozzle
cover 430.
[0146] However, when the air blowing apparatus is not in the
automatic mode, the mode is changed to the manual mode (S411). When
there is precipitation, a fundamental precipitation mode is turned
on and the spray angle and the discharge amount of the air blowing
apparatus are controlled (S421).
[0147] As described above, the present disclosure provides a method
of controlling an air blowing apparatus including a nozzle cover
that provides a visual field through a windshield glass and
performs a spoiler function.
[0148] The specification provides examples and embodiments of the
present disclosure. Further, the present disclosure may be used in
other various combinations, changes, and environments. That is, the
present disclosure may be changed or modified within the scope of
the present disclosure described herein, a range equivalent to the
description, and/or within the knowledge or technology in the
related art. The embodiments show an optimum state for achieving
the spirit of the present disclosure and may be changed in various
ways for the detailed application fields and use of the present
disclosure. Therefore, the detailed description is not intended to
limit the present disclosure to the embodiments disclosed. Further,
the claims should be construed as including other embodiments.
* * * * *