Apparatus and method for judging flap failure in active air flap system

• Main Author: KIM JANG HO
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; Korean
• Published: 20.05.2021
• Subjects: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS INVEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OFTRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GASEXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS, IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; BLASTING; COOLING OF INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES; COOLING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; HEATING; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIRCHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES; LIGHTING; MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; MEASURING; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PHYSICS; STEAM ENGINES; TESTING; TRANSPORTING; VEHICLES IN GENERAL; WEAPONS

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for judging a flap failure in an active air flap (AAF), improved for cost reduction and accurate failure diagnosis by changing the method of detecting failures such as flap breakage of the AAF. Instead of magnet-type sensors having been individually installed for each flap as in a prior art, only one set of sensors and related parts using light such as infrared light or the like is used to detect when even any one of multiple flaps is out of order such that cost saving can be realized. In addition, as in a prior art, a failure detection error when several flaps are connected to one flap shaft is improved such that accurate failure diagnosis can be performed. According to one aspect of the present invention, the apparatus for judging the flap failure in the AAF comprises: a light emitting source located on one side of the flap in the AAF including at least one flap; a light receiving sensor located on the side opposite to the position of the light emitting source of the flap; and a means for passing or blocking the light, irradiated from the light emitting source to advance to the light receiving sensor, by opening and closing operations of the flap. 능동에어플랩(AAF)의 플랩 파손 등의 고장을 감지하는 방식을 변경하여 원가절감 및 정확한 고장진단을 하고자 개선된 능동에어플랩의 플랩고장 판단장치 및 방법에 관한 발명이다. 종래와 같이 각 플랩마다 개별적으로 설치되던 마그넷류의 센서 대신에, 적외선 등의 광을 이용한 센서 및 관련 부품을 1세트만 사용하여 다수의 플랩 중 어느 하나라도 고장일 때를 감지할 수 있도록 하여 원가절감을 이루고자 한다. 또한, 종래와 같이 하나의 플랩축에 여러 개의 플랩이 연결된 경우의 고장발생 감지 오류를 개선하여 정확한 고장진단을 하고자 한다. 본 발명의 한 측면에 따르면, 적어도 하나의 플랩이 포함된 능동에어플랩에 상기 플랩의 일측에 위치하는 발광원; 상기 플랩의 상기 발광원의 위치와 반대측에 위치하는 수광센서; 및 상기 발광원에서 조사되어 상기 수광센서로 진행되는 광을 상기 플랩의 개방 및 폐쇄 동작에 의해 통과 또는 차단시키는 수단이 포함된다.