JP2014080072A - Grille shutter device - Google Patents

Abstract

A grill shutter device capable of effectively suppressing overheating of a motor serving as a driving source with a simple configuration.
A grill shutter device includes a shutter mechanism that opens and closes by a motor drive (actuator), and an ECU as a control unit that controls the operation of the shutter mechanism. The ECU measures an operation time (t1) when the operation control of the shutter mechanism is executed and a pause time (t2) when the operation control is not executed, and holds the previous operation time t1 ′ and the previous pause time t2 ′. To do. In addition, the ECU sets the required pause time t0 after the end of the actuation control based on the previous actuation time t1 ′ and the previous pause time t2 ′ of the shutter mechanism, the engine coolant temperature (Tw), and the outside air temperature (Tout ′). To do. Then, the ECU does not start a new operation control until the required pause time t0 has elapsed.
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a grill shutter device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a grill shutter device capable of controlling the flow rate of air flowing into an engine room from the grill opening based on the opening / closing operation of a shutter mechanism provided at the grill opening at the front of the vehicle body (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).

  That is, for example, during high speed running, the aerodynamic performance (for example, “Cd value”) can be improved by closing the shutter mechanism and restricting the inflow of air into the engine room. Further, when the engine is started, the warm-up time can be shortened by suppressing the flow rate introduced into the radiator. When the engine temperature tends to increase, the engine temperature can be appropriately managed by increasing the flow rate of the shutter mechanism opened to flow into the engine room.

  Further, in such a grille shutter device, the shutter mechanism is normally controlled so as to be either the fully open or fully closed end point. In many cases, a so-called retry operation is performed so that the operation control is continued or intermittently repeated until it is confirmed that the terminal is at the end point.

JP 2010-260440 A

  However, in the case of a shutter mechanism using a motor as a drive source, there is a problem that the motor generates heat due to its energization. Then, since the motor may be overheated, there is a possibility that the service life of the motor may be shortened. Therefore, there is still room for improvement in this respect.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a grill shutter device capable of effectively suppressing overheating of a motor serving as a drive source with a simple configuration. It is to provide.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 is a shutter mechanism capable of controlling the flow rate of air flowing into the vehicle body from the grille opening at the front of the vehicle body by opening and closing with a motor as a drive source. And a control means for controlling the operation of the shutter mechanism, wherein the control means is an operation time measuring means for measuring an operation time during which the operation control of the shutter mechanism is executed, and Based on the pause time measuring means for measuring the pause time when the shutter mechanism actuation control is not performed, the holding means for holding the previous actuation time and the previous pause time of the shutter mechanism, and the previous actuation time and the previous pause time. A necessary rest time setting means for setting a necessary rest time after the end of the operation control, and prohibiting the start of the new operation control until the necessary rest time has elapsed. It and a operation restricting means, and the gist.

  That is, the previous operation time of the shutter mechanism corresponds to the increase in motor temperature due to energization, and the previous pause time corresponds to the decrease in motor temperature due to the energization stop. Therefore, based on these previous operating time and previous operating time, it is possible to calculate (estimate) the operating time required for the motor temperature to decrease to the extent that the overheating can be suppressed after the operation control ends. Then, as in the above configuration, the necessary stop time is set by this, and the start of a new operation control is prohibited until the required stop time elapses. Overheating can be suppressed. As a result, for example, an increase in the size of the device and an increase in manufacturing cost due to the addition of a temperature sensor (such as a thermistor) can be avoided, and at the same time, an unnecessary delay in the operation of the shutter mechanism is suppressed. Can do.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the required pause time setting means is based on a value of a vehicle state quantity having a relationship with the ambient temperature of the motor in addition to the previous operation time and the previous pause time of the shutter mechanism. The gist is to set the necessary downtime.

  That is, the motor cooling efficiency (air cooling effect, temperature change per unit time) depends on the ambient temperature. Therefore, according to the above configuration, a more accurate required pause time can be set. As a result, it is possible to effectively suppress overheating of the motor while suppressing unnecessary delay from occurring in the operation of the shutter mechanism.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the value of the vehicle state quantity having a relationship with the ambient temperature of the motor is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the operation restricting means is before the elapse of the necessary rest time. The gist is to allow the start of the operation control.

  That is, at low temperatures, it is difficult for the motor temperature to rise. Therefore, according to the above configuration, it is possible to effectively suppress overheating of the motor while suppressing unnecessary delay from occurring in the operation of the shutter mechanism.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the control means includes an integrated value calculating means for calculating an integrated value of the previous operating time, and the operation limiting means is configured such that when the integrated value is equal to or less than a predetermined value, The gist is that the start of the operation control is allowed even before the required pause time has elapsed.

  That is, when the integrated value of the previous operation time is small, it can be estimated that the motor temperature has not increased significantly. Therefore, according to the above configuration, it is possible to effectively suppress overheating of the motor while suppressing unnecessary delay from occurring in the operation of the shutter mechanism.

  According to the present invention, overheating of a motor serving as a drive source can be effectively suppressed with a simple configuration.

The schematic diagram which shows schematic structure of the vehicle by which the grille shutter apparatus concerning this invention is mounted. The control block diagram of a grill shutter apparatus. Explanatory drawing which shows the operation | movement restriction | limiting before the required rest time after completion | finish of operation | movement control, and the said required rest time. The flowchart which shows the process sequence about the measurement of the operating time of a shutter mechanism, and a rest time. The flowchart which shows the setting procedure of the required rest time after completion | finish of operation control, and the process sequence of the operation | movement restriction | limiting before the said required rest time elapses. The flowchart which shows the process sequence of an operation time integrated value calculation. The flowchart which shows the process sequence (exceptional allowable condition determination) of the operation | movement restriction | limiting based on an operation time integrated value. The flowchart which shows an example of retry control.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the vehicle 1 shown in FIG. 1, a radiator 5 for cooling the engine 4 is accommodated in an engine room 3 formed inside the vehicle body 2. In addition, a grill opening 7 is formed in the front portion of the vehicle body 2 (the left end portion in the figure) to communicate the external space in front of the vehicle and the internal space of the vehicle body 2. The radiator 5 is arranged in front of the engine 4 so that air flowing from the grill opening 7 into the engine room 3 is hit.

  A fan 6 is provided behind the radiator 5 (on the right side in the figure). As the fan 6 rotates, air flows efficiently through the radiator 5.

  In the present embodiment, the grill opening 7 is formed below the bumper 8. A front grille 9 constituting a design surface (lower grille) is attached to the opening end 7 a of the grill opening 7. The vehicle 1 according to this embodiment includes a grill shutter device 10 that can control the flow rate of air flowing into the engine room 3 from the grill opening 7.

  More specifically, the grill shutter device 10 includes a shutter mechanism 11 that can control the flow rate of air based on the opening / closing operation, and an actuator 12 that opens / closes the shutter mechanism 11.

  The shutter mechanism 11 of the present embodiment is formed by arranging a plurality of movable fins 14 in a frame 13 formed in a substantially square frame shape. Specifically, the upper end of the frame 13 is fixed to the bumper reinforcement 15 so as to be disposed in the grill opening 7. Each of the movable fins 14 is rotatably supported by a rotation shaft 16 that extends over the width direction of the frame 13 (a direction orthogonal to the paper surface in the figure). Each movable fin 14 is provided with a fin portion 17 capable of closing the inside of the frame 13 by rotating about the rotation shaft 16.

  That is, in the shutter mechanism 11, each movable fin 14 rotates in a direction (see FIG. 1, clockwise direction) in which the fin portion 17 is parallel to the inflow direction of the air flowing from the grill opening 7. Open state. Further, the movable fins 14 are closed by rotating in a direction (see FIG. 1, counterclockwise direction) where the fin portions 17 intersect with the air inflow direction. And when each movable fin 14 exists in the rotation position corresponding to a fully closed state, the front-end | tip (fin tip of the fin part 17) of each adjacent movable fin 14 overlaps, and the inside of the flame | frame 13 is carried out. It can be blocked.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the actuator 12 of the present embodiment drives the shutter mechanism 11 to open and close by converting the rotation of the motor 18 into the rotation of each movable fin 14. In the present embodiment, the motor 18 serving as the drive source rotates based on the drive power supplied by the ECU 20. The ECU 20 serving as a control unit controls the operation of the shutter mechanism 11 through the supply of driving power to the motor 18.

  Specifically, in the present embodiment, various vehicle state quantities such as the vehicle speed V and the coolant temperature Tw of the engine 4 and the outside air temperature Tout are input to the ECU 20. Then, the ECU 20 performs operation control of the shutter mechanism 11 based on these vehicle state quantities.

  Specifically, the ECU 20 starts communication of each vehicle state quantity via the in-vehicle network 21 to turn on the ignition switch of the vehicle 1, that is, the vehicle 1 is in a traveling state or traveling state. Recognize that you are ready. Then, until the cooling water temperature Tw rises, well-known operation control such as closing the shutter mechanism 11 or closing the shutter mechanism 11 by increasing the vehicle speed V is executed.

  Note that the ECU 20 of the present embodiment causes the ignition switch of the vehicle 1 to be turned off (IG off), that is, the vehicle 1 is brought into a running end state, by the communication of each vehicle state quantity via the in-vehicle network 21 being interrupted. Recognize that there is. In this embodiment, the actuator 12 is provided with a pulse sensor 22 as pulse output means for outputting a pulse signal Sp synchronized with the rotation of the motor 18, and the ECU 20 detects the pulse signal Sp (the edge thereof). Is counted to detect the operation amount of the shutter mechanism 11. And based on the operation amount of this shutter mechanism 11, it becomes the structure which performs the completion | finish determination of the operation control.

(Necessary stop time after the end of operation control and operation limit before the required stop time elapses)
Next, the setting of the required rest time after the end of the operation control executed by the ECU 20 of the present embodiment and the operation restriction before the necessary rest time elapses will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the ECU 20 according to the present embodiment includes the operation time (t1) of the shutter mechanism 11 in which the above-described opening / closing operation control is executed, and the shutter mechanism 11 in which the operation control is not executed. The pause time (t2) is measured.

  Specifically, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4, the ECU 20 determines whether or not the shutter mechanism 11 is in operation (step 101), and when it is not in operation (step 101: NO), Condition determination for starting the operation control is executed (operation start determination, step 102). If the start condition is satisfied (step 103: YES), the measurement of the operation time t1 is started (step 104). In addition, ECU20 of this embodiment measures the operation time t1 using the timer which is not shown in figure.

  At this time, the ECU 20 ends the measurement of the pause time t2 that has been executed using a timer (not shown) (step 105), and holds the determined pause time t2 as the previous pause time t2 ′ (step 106). ). In the present embodiment, the ECU 20 as a holding unit holds the previous pause time t2 ′ by updating a value stored in a storage area (memory) (not shown). Then, operation control of the shutter mechanism 11 is started by supplying driving power to the motor 18 of the actuator 12 (step 107).

  On the other hand, when the shutter mechanism 11 is in operation in step 101 (step 101: YES), the ECU 20 subsequently executes a condition determination for ending the operation control (operation end determination, step 108). If the end condition is satisfied (step 109: YES), the process of step 107 is not executed. That is, the operation control of the shutter mechanism 11 that supplies driving power to the motor 18 ends.

  At this time, the ECU 20 ends the measurement of the operating time t1 that has been executed (step 110), and holds the determined operating time t1 as the previous operating time t1 ′ (step 111). In the present embodiment, the ECU 20 as the holding means holds the previous operation time t1 ′ by updating a value stored in a storage area (memory) (not shown), similar to the previous pause time t2 ′. To do. Then, in accordance with the end of the operation control, the measurement of the pause time t2 is started (step 112).

  In step 103, when the start condition is not satisfied (step 103: NO), the ECU 20 does not execute the processing after step 104. That is, the operation control of the shutter mechanism 11 is not started. If the end condition is not satisfied in step 109 (step 109: NO), the operation of the shutter mechanism 11 is performed by executing step 107 without executing steps 110 to 112. Continue control.

  Thus, ECU20 of this embodiment starts the operation control of the shutter mechanism 11, and complete | finishes the operation control by performing each process of said step 101-step 112 periodically in this way. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, in accordance with the start and end timing of the operation control, the operation time t1 of the shutter mechanism 11 in which driving power is supplied to the motor 18 and the pause of the shutter mechanism 11 in which the driving power is not supplied. The time t2 is measured.

  In addition, the ECU 20 of the present embodiment performs the previous operation time (time from the start to the end of the previous operation control) t1 ′ held in step 111 and the previous pause time (previous operation control performed before the previous operation control). Based on (time from the end to the start of the previous operation control) t2 ′, the necessary rest time t0 after the end of the operation control is set. Then, new operation control is not started until the necessary pause time t0 has elapsed.

  More specifically, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, in the operation start determination (see FIG. 4, step 102), the ECU 20 acquires various state quantities (step 201), and subsequently determines an open operation condition (step 202). ) And the closing operation condition determination (step 203). When either the opening operation condition or the closing operation condition is satisfied (step 204: YES or step 205: YES), the calculation of the necessary pause time t0 is executed (step 206).

  Specifically, the ECU 20 of the present embodiment calculates the necessary stop time t0 based on the cooling water temperature Tw and the outside air temperature Tout of the engine 4 in addition to the previous operation time t1 ′ and the previous stop time t2 ′.

  That is, the previous operation time t1 ′ of the shutter mechanism 11 corresponds to the increase in the motor temperature due to energization, and the previous stop time t2 ′ corresponds to the decrease in the motor temperature due to the energization stop. Further, the cooling efficiency (air cooling effect, temperature change per unit time) of the motor 18 depends on the ambient temperature. The cooling water temperature Tw and the outside air temperature Tout of the engine 4 are related to the ambient temperature of the motor 18.

  That is, the motor temperature after the end of the operation control can be estimated based on the previous operation time t1 ′ and the previous stop time t2 ′. Moreover, the estimation can be performed with high accuracy by considering the ambient temperature of the motor 18. Based on this estimation, it is possible to calculate the downtime necessary for the motor temperature to fall to such an extent that the overheating can be suppressed.

  In the present embodiment, the relationship between the previous operation time t1 ′, the previous stop time t2 ′, the cooling water temperature Tw, and the outside air temperature Tout is functionalized. The “temperature at which overheating of the motor can be suppressed” is defined as “a temperature at which it is estimated that the motor 18 is not overheated even by execution of new operation control” (t0 = f (t1 ′, t2 ', Tw, Tout)). And ECU20 becomes a structure which sets the value calculated using the function as said required rest time t0.

  Next, the ECU 20 determines whether or not the currently measured pause time t2 has passed the required pause time t0 (step 207). If the necessary pause time t0 has elapsed (t2> t0, step 207: YES), it is determined that the operation start condition is satisfied (step 208).

  In addition, when the ECU 20 of the present embodiment is in step 207 before the required pause time t0 has elapsed (t2 ≦ t0, step 207: NO), the cooling water temperature Tw and the outside air temperature Tout are It is determined whether or not each is below the corresponding predetermined values T1, T2 (steps 209, 210). And when the cooling water temperature Tw is below the predetermined value T1 (Tw ≦ T1, step 209: YES), or when the outside air temperature Tout is below the predetermined value T2 (Tout ≦ T2, step 210: YES). Exceptionally, it is determined in step 208 that the operation start condition is satisfied.

  That is, if neither the opening operation condition nor the closing operation condition is satisfied in steps 204 and 205 (step 204: NO and step 205: NO), the ECU 20 executes steps 206 to 210. Without determining that the operation start condition is not satisfied (step 211). And before the lapse of the required rest time t0 (t2 ≦ t0, step 207: NO), the cooling water temperature Tw is higher than the predetermined value T1 (Tw> T1, step 209: NO), and the outside air temperature Tout is the predetermined value T2. In the same manner, it is determined in step 211 that the operation start condition is not satisfied even when the value is higher (Tout> T2, step 210: NO).

Next, the operation of the grill shutter device 10 according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.
In the present embodiment, even when other operation start conditions are satisfied, new operation control of the shutter mechanism 11 is not started until the necessary pause time t0 set after the end of the operation control elapses. The new operation control is started immediately after the necessary pause time t0 has elapsed.

  Further, when the cooling water temperature Tw of the engine 4 is equal to or lower than the predetermined value T1 (Tw ≦ T1) and when the outside air temperature Tout is equal to or lower than the predetermined value T2 (Tout ≦ T2), before the required rest time t0 elapses. Even if it exists, the operation control of the new shutter mechanism 11 is started. That is, at low temperatures, it is difficult for the motor temperature to rise. In this embodiment, in such a case, the start of the operation control is allowed exceptionally, thereby suppressing an unnecessary delay in the operation of the shutter mechanism 11.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The grille shutter device 10 includes a shutter mechanism 11 that opens and closes by driving a motor, and an ECU 20 that controls the operation of the shutter mechanism 11. The ECU 20 as the operation time measuring means, the rest time measuring means, and the holding means measures the operation time (t1) when the operation control of the shutter mechanism 11 is executed and the stop time (t2) when the operation control is not executed. The previous operation time t1 ′ and the previous stop time t2 ′ are held. Further, the ECU 20 as the necessary stop time setting means is required stop after the end of the operation control based on the previous operation time t1 ′ and the previous stop time t2 ′ of the shutter mechanism, the cooling water temperature Tw and the outside air temperature Tout of the engine 4. Time t0 is set. Then, the ECU 20 as the operation limiting means does not start a new operation control until the required pause time t0 has elapsed.

  That is, the previous operation time t1 ′ of the shutter mechanism 11 corresponds to the increase in the motor temperature due to energization, and the previous stop time t2 ′ corresponds to the decrease in the motor temperature due to the energization stop. Therefore, based on the previous operation time t1 ′ and the previous operation time t2 ′, the operation time is calculated (estimated) after the operation control is completed so that the motor temperature can be lowered to the extent that the overheating can be suppressed. Can do. Then, as in the above configuration, the necessary rest time t0 is set by this, and until the necessary rest time t0 elapses, the start of a new operation control is prohibited, thereby effectively with a simple configuration. The overheating of the motor 18 can be suppressed. As a result, for example, an increase in the size of the device and an increase in manufacturing cost due to the addition of a temperature sensor (such as a thermistor) can be avoided, and at the same time, an unnecessary delay in the operation of the shutter mechanism 11 is suppressed. be able to.

  (2) The cooling efficiency (air cooling effect, temperature change per unit time, air cooling effect) of the motor 18 depends on the ambient temperature. The cooling water temperature Tw and the outside air temperature Tout of the engine 4 are related to the ambient temperature of the motor 18. Therefore, by using the cooling water temperature Tw and the outside air temperature Tout in addition to the previous operation time t1 ′ and the previous stop time t2 ′, a more accurate required stop time t0 can be set. As a result, it is possible to effectively suppress overheating of the motor 18 while suppressing unnecessary delay from occurring in the operation of the shutter mechanism 11.

  (3) When the coolant temperature Tw of the engine 4 is equal to or lower than the predetermined value T1 (Tw ≦ T1) and when the outside air temperature Tout is equal to or lower than the predetermined value T2 (Tout ≦ T2), the ECU 20 Even before the elapse of time, operation control of a new shutter mechanism 11 is started.

  That is, at low temperatures, it is difficult for the motor temperature to rise. Therefore, according to the above configuration, it is possible to effectively suppress the overheating of the motor 18 while suppressing an unnecessary delay in the operation of the shutter mechanism 11.

In addition, you may change the said embodiment as follows.
In the above embodiment, the air flowing from the grill opening 7 is taken into the engine room 3 formed in the vehicle body 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the air intake destination may not be the engine room 3 as long as it is an internal space of the vehicle body 2 that can control the flow rate of the air flowing in based on the opening / closing operation of the shutter mechanism 11. That is, for example, a space in which air flowing in from the grill opening 7 is introduced, such as a heat exchanger accommodating chamber such as the radiator 5, or a vehicle in which an engine is arranged at the rear or center of the vehicle body or an electric vehicle. For example, the present invention may be applied to a vehicle in which an engine is not mounted in a vehicle interior space ahead of the passenger compartment.

  In the above embodiment, the grill opening 7 is formed below the bumper 8. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention may also be applied to the grill opening 7 provided above the bumper 8. That is, the front grill 9 may be an upper grill.

  In the above embodiment, the shutter mechanism 11 opens and closes based on the rotation of each movable fin 14. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the form of the shutter mechanism may be, for example, a so-called slide type or a type in which the movable body swings in addition to the so-called rotation type.

  In the above embodiment, the shutter mechanism 11 is driven to open and close by the actuator 12 using the motor 18 as a drive source. However, an actuator unit corresponding to the actuator 12 may be built in the shutter mechanism.

  In the above embodiment, the ECU 20 calculates the necessary rest time t0 after the end of the operation control based on the previous operation time t1 ′, the previous stop time t2 ′ of the shutter mechanism 11, the cooling water temperature Tw of the engine 4 and the outside air temperature Tout. It was decided to set. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the necessary pause time t0 may be set based only on the previous operation time t1 ′ and the previous pause time t2 ′. In this case, for example, a predetermined value (for example, a temperature according to the season) is used for the ambient temperature of the motor 18 or an arithmetic expression obtained by coefficientizing the cooling efficiency (air cooling effect, temperature change per unit time) is used. It may be used.

  In the above embodiment, the cooling water temperature Tw and the outside air temperature Tout of the engine 4 are used as the value of the state quantity having a relationship with the ambient temperature of the motor 18, but either one of the values is used. Also good. Furthermore, the value of the state quantity having a relationship with the ambient temperature of the motor 18 may be changed as appropriate, for example, using the oil temperature of the engine 4 or the heat source temperature other than the engine 4. For example, when the temperature in the engine room 3 can be measured, a state quantity that directly indicates the ambient temperature of the motor 18 may be used, such as using that value.

  -Furthermore, it is good also as a structure which considers the vehicle speed V when calculating the required rest time t0. That is, the cooling efficiency of the motor 18 depends on the flow rate of air flowing in the vicinity of the motor 18. The flow rate changes depending on the vehicle speed V. Therefore, by adopting such a configuration, it is possible to set a more accurate required pause time t0. As a result, it is possible to effectively suppress overheating of the motor 18 while suppressing unnecessary delay from occurring in the operation of the shutter mechanism 11.

  In the above embodiment, when the coolant temperature Tw of the engine 4 is equal to or lower than the predetermined value T1 (Tw ≦ T1) and when the outside air temperature Tout is equal to or lower than the predetermined value T2 (Tout ≦ T2), the necessary pause time t0 Even before the lapse of time, the start of a new operation control is allowed exceptionally. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be configured to allow the start of new operation control only when these two conditions are satisfied at the same time. And it is good also as a structure which does not provide such exceptional allowance conditions.

  As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6, the ECU 20 as the operation time integrated value calculating means calculates (holds) the integrated value t_int of the previous operation time t1 ′ (see step 312 and FIG. 3, t_int = t1 ′). + T1 "+, ...). Then, the ECU 20 as the operation restricting means makes an exceptional permissible condition determination regarding prohibition of a new operation control start before the required rest time t0 based on the integrated value t_int of the previous operation time t1 ′. It may be configured to execute.

  Specifically, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7, it is determined whether or not the integrated value t_int is equal to or less than a predetermined value t_int0 (step 409). If the integrated value t_int is less than or equal to the predetermined value t_int0 (t_int ≦ t_int0, step 409: YES), even before the required pause time t0 has elapsed (t2 ≦ t0, step 407: NO) It may be determined that the operation start condition is satisfied (step 408) and a new operation control can be started.

  That is, when the integrated value t_int of the previous operating time t1 ′ is small, it can be estimated that the motor temperature has not increased significantly. Therefore, in such a case, overheating of the motor 18 can be suppressed by allowing the start of the operation control exceptionally.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 6, the processes of Step 301 to Step 311 and Step 313 are the same as the processes of Step 101 to Step 111 and Step 112 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4. Similarly, in the flowchart of FIG. 7, the processes of Step 401 to Step 408 and Step 410 are the same as the processes of Step 201 to Step 208 and Step 211 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5. For this reason, illustration (part) and description thereof are omitted for convenience.

  The exceptional allowable condition determination shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 (steps 209 and 210 in FIG. 5 and step 409 in FIG. 7) is executed individually or in any combination. Also good.

  In addition, for what performs a so-called retry operation when the end point (the position corresponding to the fully open or fully closed state) of the shutter mechanism 11 is not confirmed, such setting of the required pause time t0 and before the required pause time t0 has elapsed. A new start restriction of operation control may be applied. That is, the motor 18 is easily overheated by intermittently repeating the operation control. Therefore, a more remarkable effect can be acquired by applying to such a thing.

  Further, in this case, the configuration may be such that a plurality of retry operations are handled as a single operation control, and each retry operation may be handled as a plurality of independent operation controls.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 8, in the operation end determination (see FIG. 3, step 108), the pulse count (edge count of the pulse signal Sp) is a predetermined value set corresponding to the end point of the shutter mechanism 11. It is determined whether or not this is the case (step 501). Next, when the pulse count is equal to or greater than the predetermined value (step 501: YES), subsequently, the limit switch (fully opened SW or fully closed SW) provided at the end point of the shutter mechanism 11 is turned on. It is determined whether or not (step 502). If the limit switch is “ON” (step 502: YES), it is determined that the operation control has been completed normally (step 503).

  On the other hand, if the limit switch is not “ON” in step 502 (step 502: NO), it is determined that the operation control has ended abnormally, and a retry flag is set (step 504). Based on this retry flag, the operation control for performing the retry operation may be started in the operation start determination (see FIG. 3, step 108). With such a configuration, each retry operation is handled as an independent operation control.

  It should be noted that any aspect of control regarding the retry operation may be used. If the pulse count is less than the predetermined value in step 501 (step 501: NO), it is determined whether the operating time t1 during the measurement exceeds a predetermined threshold t_th (step 505). . Even when the operation time t1 exceeds the predetermined threshold value t_th (step 505: YES), it is preferable to determine that the operation control has ended abnormally in step 504 and set the retry flag.

  In the above embodiment, “the motor temperature at which overheating can be suppressed” is “the temperature at which it is estimated that the motor 18 will not be overheated by the execution of new operation control”. It may be changed.

Next, technical ideas that can be grasped from the above embodiments will be described together with effects.
(A) The grille shutter device characterized in that the required pause time setting means sets the required pause time based on the vehicle speed in addition to the previous operation time and the previous pause time of the shutter mechanism. That is, the cooling efficiency of the motor depends on the flow rate of air flowing in the vicinity of the motor. And the flow volume changes with vehicle speed. Therefore, according to the above configuration, a more accurate required pause time can be set. As a result, it is possible to effectively suppress overheating of the motor while suppressing unnecessary delay from occurring in the operation of the shutter mechanism.

  (B) The control means includes end point confirmation means capable of confirming that the shutter mechanism has been operated to an end point at which the shutter mechanism is fully opened or fully closed, and when the end point is not confirmed by execution of the operation control, A grill shutter device characterized by executing the operation control. That is, the motor is easily overheated by intermittently repeating the operation control. Therefore, by applying to such a configuration, a more remarkable effect can be obtained.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle, 2 ... Vehicle body, 3 ... Engine room, 4 ... Engine, 7 ... Grill opening part, 10 ... Grill shutter apparatus, 11 ... Shutter mechanism, 12 ... Actuator, 18 ... Motor, 20 ... ECU (control means, operation | movement) Time measuring means, rest time measuring means, holding means, required rest time measuring means, operation restricting means, operating time integrated value calculating means), t0 ... required rest time, t1 ... acting time, t1 '... previous actuating time, t2 ... Stop time, t2 '... last stop time, t_int ... integrated value, t_int0 ... predetermined value, Tout ... outside air temperature, Tw ... cooling water temperature, T1, T2 ... predetermined value, V ... vehicle speed.

Claims (4)

A grille shutter comprising a shutter mechanism capable of controlling the flow rate of air flowing into the vehicle body from the grille opening at the front of the vehicle body by opening and closing using a motor as a drive source, and a control means for controlling the operation of the shutter mechanism. A device,
The control means includes
An operation time measuring means for measuring an operation time during which the operation control of the shutter mechanism is executed;
A pause time measuring means for measuring a pause time during which the operation control of the shutter mechanism is not executed;
Holding means for holding the previous operating time and the previous pause time of the shutter mechanism;
Based on the previous operation time and the previous operation time, the required operation time setting means for setting the required operation time after the end of the operation control, and
A grill shutter device, comprising: an operation limiting unit that prohibits the start of a new operation control until the required pause time elapses. The grill shutter device according to claim 1,
The required stop time setting means sets the required stop time based on a value of a vehicle state quantity having a relationship with an ambient temperature of the motor in addition to the previous operation time and the previous stop time. Grill shutter device to perform. In the grill shutter device according to claim 2,
The operation restricting means allows the start of the operation control even when the required stop time has not elapsed when the value of the vehicle state quantity having a relationship with the ambient temperature of the motor is equal to or less than a predetermined value. And a grill shutter device. In the grill shutter device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The control means includes an operating time integrated value calculating means for calculating an integrated value of the previous operating time,
The operation limiting means allows the start of the operation control even when the required pause time has not elapsed when the integrated value is equal to or less than a predetermined value;
A grill shutter device characterized by the above.