Abstract:
The present invention relates to an apparatus for regulating a flow rate of cooling air for a vehicle, and a cooling apparatus for a hybrid vehicle using the same. The apparatus for regulating a flow rate of cooling air for a vehicle comprises: a front plate and a rear plate each having a plurality of cooling holes, the cooling holes of the front plate corresponding to the cooling holes of the rear plate; and solenoids provided on opposite sides of the front plate or rear plate and configured to drive slide movement of the front plate or rear plate. A first introduction region and a second introduction region are formed in the stacked front plate and rear plate such that the cooling holes of the first introduction region have a size different from that of the cooling hole of the second introduction region.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-0122444 filed Dec. 3, 2010, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    (a) Technical Field 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to an apparatus for regulating a flow rate of cooling air for a vehicle and a cooling apparatus for a hybrid vehicle using the same. More particularly, it relates to an apparatus for regulating a flow rate of cooling air for vehicle by using slide movements of plates having cooling holes of different sizes, thereby reducing an air resistance of a vehicle and optimizing a cooling effect, and a cooling apparatus for a hybrid vehicle using the same. 
         [0004]    (b) Background Art 
         [0005]    A typical hybrid vehicle generally radiates a very large amount of heat as compared with other combustion engine vehicles. It therefore requires a very high level of requirements such as a cooling temperature. 
         [0006]    To this end, a conventional cooling apparatus for a hybrid vehicle includes a condenser, an electric part radiator, an engine radiator, and a cooling fan. In particular, an electric part radiator in charge of cooling electric parts (e.g., a travelling motor) is generally arranged in front of an engine radiator together with a condenser. 
         [0007]    Referring to  FIG. 5  which illustrates an arrangement of elements of a cooling apparatus  10 , an electric part radiator  12  is arranged on the foremost side of the front of a vehicle, and a condenser  14  and an engine radiator  16  are arranged in that order on the rear side of the electric part radiator  12  while maintaining certain distances from the electric part radiator  12 . It is also possible to dispose the electric part radiator  12  and the condenser  14  on the front of the vehicle from left to right or from top to bottom and to dispose the engine radiator  16  on the rear side thereof. 
         [0008]    The electric part radiator  12  and the condenser  14  perform cooling operations independently. Generally, the condenser  14  serves to cool the interior of the vehicle while forming a refrigerant cycle together with a compressor. An evaporator and the electric part radiator  12  serve to cool down cooling water after heat-exchange with a junction box, various batteries, and a controller as well as a travelling motor. It is apparent that the engine radiator  16  serves to cool engine cooling water independently. 
         [0009]    A radiator grill (not shown) configured to guide exterior cooling air toward the radiators  12  and  16  and the condenser  14  is formed at an upper portion of the front of the radiators  12  and  16  and the condenser  14 . Exterior cooling gas, which has passed the radiator grill, is introduced into the radiators  12  and  16  and the condenser  14  to prevent them from becoming overheated. Meanwhile, if the radiator grill remains open, the engine cooling water cannot be rapidly warmed up at the initial stage of start-up with a relatively low exterior temperature, thus lowering operation efficiency of the engine. Fuel efficiency is also lowered because the open radiator grill increases resistance by air while the vehicle travels. 
         [0010]    In an attempt to address the above-mentioned problems, there has been developed an active air flap device, which is configured to open and close a plurality of flaps formed at locations where exterior air is introduced to the engine room, and which can prevent introduction of exterior air in some situations. 
         [0011]    However, since the flaps are collectively opened in a situation where only one of the electric part radiator, the engine, or the condenser need to be cooled, they are closed substantially for a short period of time. Accordingly, the active air flap device can neither reduce resistance by air while the vehicle travels, nor can it maximize an effect of improving fuel efficiency. Furthermore, since a motor should be situated at a central portion of the active air flap device to smoothly control the flaps, there are limitations in design and an increase in costs due to the presence of a motor. 
         [0012]    Meanwhile, Korean Patent No. 10-0508176 suggests a wind flow regulating apparatus for a radiator grill which has a radiator structure having a front mesh plate and a rear mesh plate in which the rear mesh plate can be moved by a certain section by a modulator according to a temperature of cooling water of an engine. However, the wind flow regulating apparatus has a drawback when it is applied to a hybrid vehicle having a plurality of heat exchangers. In particular, it requires cooling of all the heat exchangers (radiators and condenser) even when there is a need for cooling only a single heat exchanger. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0013]    The present invention provides an apparatus for regulating a flow rate of cooling air for a vehicle and a cooling apparatus for a hybrid vehicle using the same. In particular, the present invention provides an apparatus that regulates a flow rate of cooling air according to cooling requirement situations of individual heat exchangers, thereby reducing air resistance and optimizing a cooling effect while the vehicle is travelling. 
         [0014]    In one aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for regulating a flow rate of cooling air for a vehicle, the apparatus comprising: a front plate and a rear plate each having a plurality of cooling holes, the cooling holes of the front plate corresponding to the cooling holes of the rear plate; and solenoids provided on both end sides of the front plate and configured to drive slide movement of the front plate, wherein a first introduction region and a second introduction region are formed in the stacked front plate and rear plate such that the cooling holes of the first introduction region have a size different from that of the cooling hole of the second introduction region. 
         [0015]    In certain preferred embodiments, solenoids may be provided on both end sides of the rear plate and may be configured to drive slide movement of the rear plate. 
         [0016]    Preferably, a width of the cooling holes formed in the second introduction region of the front plate and the rear plate, with respect to a slide movement direction of the front plate, are larger than the cooling holes formed in the first introduction region of the front plate and the rear plate. In various embodiments, width of these cooling holes formed in the second introduction region of the front plate and the rear plate may be twice as large as that of the cooling holes formed in the first introduction region of the front plate and the rear plate. 
         [0017]    Preferably, the solenoids may perform a drive operation such that a state of the apparatus is one of: (i) a first state where both the first introduction region and the second introduction region are blocked, (ii) a second state where the first introduction region is fully opened and the second introduction is partially opened, and (iii) a third state where the first introduction region is blocked and the second introduction region is fully opened. 
         [0018]    In another aspect, the present invention provides a cooling apparatus for a hybrid vehicle comprising: an apparatus for regulating a flow rate of cooling air for a vehicle in accordance with the present invention; a condenser arranged to face the first introduction region of the apparatus for regulating a flow rate of cooling air for a vehicle; an electric part cooling radiator arranged to face the second introduction region of the apparatus for regulating a flow rate of cooling air for a vehicle; and an engine cooling radiator arranged on a rear side of the condenser and the electric part cooling radiator. 
         [0019]    According to an apparatus for regulating a flow rate of cooling air for a vehicle and a cooling apparatus for a hybrid vehicle using the same, a flow rate of cooling air can be regulated according to cooling requirement situations of individual heat exchangers, thereby reducing air resistance and optimizing a cooling effect when the vehicle travels. 
         [0020]    Further, according to the present invention, space availability can be increased by providing the plates in a sliding configuration instead of a conventional flap rotating manner, making it possible to avoid restrictions in design. 
         [0021]    Moreover, the apparatus for regulating a flow rate of cooling air for a vehicle of the present invention uses solenoids to drive plates instead of a motor, thereby reducing manufacturing cost. 
         [0022]    It is understood that the term “vehicle” or “vehicular” or other similar term as used herein is inclusive of motor vehicles in general such as passenger automobiles including sports utility vehicles (SUV), buses, trucks, various commercial vehicles, watercraft including a variety of boats and ships, aircraft, and the like, and includes hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles and other alternative fuel vehicles (e.g., fuels derived from resources other than petroleum). As referred to herein, a hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that has two or more sources of power, for example both gasoline-powered and electric-powered vehicles. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]    The above and other features of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawings which are given hereinbelow by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein: 
           [0024]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating an apparatus for regulating a flow rate of cooling air for a vehicle and a cooling apparatus for a hybrid vehicle using the same according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating an opening/closing operation of the apparatus for regulating a flow rate of cooling air for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is a flow chart illustrating a method of controlling the cooling apparatus for a hybrid vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is a view illustrating control conditions of the cooling apparatus for a hybrid vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram illustrating a conventional cooling apparatus for a hybrid vehicle. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0029]    Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings such that those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains can easily practice the present invention. 
         [0030]    In the detailed description of the invention, a cooling apparatus for a hybrid vehicle including an electric part cooling radiator, a condenser, and an engine cooling radiator will be exemplified. However, an apparatus for regulating a flow rate of cooling air for a vehicle and a cooling apparatus for a vehicle using the same according to the present invention may be applied to various other types of vehicles having multiple (particularly three or more) heat exchangers. 
         [0031]      FIG. 1  illustrates an apparatus for regulating a flow rate of cooling air for a vehicle and a cooling apparatus  100  for a hybrid vehicle using the same according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the cooling apparatus  100  for a hybrid vehicle may include a condenser  14  and an electric part radiator  12  arranged on the left and right sides of the front of a vehicle, and an engine cooling radiator  16  arranged on the rear side thereof. 
         [0032]    In various embodiments, the apparatus for regulating a flow rate of cooling air for a vehicle may be provided in front of the radiators  12  and  16  and the condenser  14 . The apparatus for regulating a flow rate of cooling air includes a front plate  110  and a rear plate  120 , wherein a plurality of cooling holes  112 ,  113 ,  122 , and  123  are formed in the plates  110  and  120 , respectively. 
         [0033]    As shown, the cooling holes  112  and  122  in the front plate  110  and the rear plate  120  are arranged on the side of the condenser  14  to form a first introduction region  20 . The cooling holes  113  and  123  are arranged on the side of the electric part cooling radiator  12  to form a second introduction region  30 . The cooling holes  112  and  113  formed in the front plate  110  and the cooling holes  122  and  123  formed in the rear plate  120  are disposed at corresponding locations such that they coincide with each other (i.e. are in alignment) or deviate from each other (i.e. are out of alignment) as the front plate  110  and/or the rear plate  120  slides to thereby open and close the first introduction region  20  and the second introduction region  30 . 
         [0034]    In an embodiment of the present invention, the cooling holes  112  and  122  formed in the first introduction region  20  and the cooling holes  113  and  123  formed in the second introduction region  30  may differ in their size. Preferably, the size of the cooling holes  113  and  123  formed in the second introduction region  30  may be larger than those of the cooling holes  112  and  122  formed in the first introduction region  20  (as depicted in  FIG. 1 ). In certain preferred embodiments, the width of the cooling holes  113  and  123  formed in the second introduction region  30  in the direction of slide movement may be twice as large as those of the cooling holes  112  and  122  formed in the first introduction region  20 . Of course, other relationships between the sizes of the cooling holes could also be provided as desired. 
         [0035]    As shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , solenoids  130   a  and  130   b  for slide movement of the front plate  110  are provided on both end sides of the front plate  110 . The solenoids  130   a  and  130   b  move the front plate  110  to the left and right to regulate an opening/closing operation of the first introduction region  20  and the second introduction region  30 . 
         [0036]    Meanwhile, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the solenoids  130   a  and  130   b  are provided on both end sides of the rear plate  120  to thereby move the rear plate  120  and regulate the opening/closing operation of the first introduction region  20  and the second introduction region  30 . In various embodiments, the apparatus for regulating a flow rate of cooling air may open or close the first introduction region  20  and the second introduction region  30  by moving the plates up and down. That is, the solenoids  130   a  and  130   b  may be provided on upper and lower sides of the front plate  110  or the rear plate  120  so as to move the front plate  110  and the rear plate  120  up and down. It is further noted that while solenoids  120   a  and  130   b  are described as being provided in the front plate  110  or rear plate  120 , the solenoids could also be provided in both the front and rear plates  110 ,  120  if desired. 
         [0037]      FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention for the opening/closing operation of the apparatus for regulating a flow rate of cooling air for a vehicle according to the operations of the solenoids  130   a  and  130   b .  FIG. 2A  illustrates a state where the first introduction region  20  and the second introduction region  30  are all closed.  FIG. 2B  illustrates a state where the first introduction region  20  is opened and the second introduction region  30  is partially opened.  FIG. 2C  illustrates a state where the first introduction region  20  is closed and the second introduction region  30  is fully opened. 
         [0038]    According to an embodiment of the present invention, the front plate  110  and the rear plate  120  form the first introduction region  20  and the second introduction region  30 , and the condenser  14  of the cooling apparatus may be arranged to face the first introduction region  20  while the electric part cooling radiator  12  may be arranged to face the second introduction region  30 . 
         [0039]    According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first introduction region  20  facing the condenser may have an area larger than that of the second introduction region  30  facing the electric part cooling radiator. This can be beneficial because the amount of required heat rejection of the condenser  14  is generally larger than that of heat rejection of the electric part cooling radiator  12 . 
         [0040]    Then, the opening/closing operations of the first introduction region  20  and the second introduction region  30  may be performed by the solenoid  130   a  and  130   b  provided on both end sides of the front plate  110 . That is, as the front plate  110  slides, the cooling holes  112  and  113  formed in the front plate  110  are moved together, and as the relative positions of the cooling holes  112  and  113  of the front plate  110  with respect to the cooling holes  122  and  123  formed in the rear plate  120  are changed, the opening degrees of the first introduction region  20  and the second introduction region  30  may be regulated together. As noted above, in certain embodiments the solenoid  130   a  and  10   b  can be provided on opposite sides of the rear plate  120 , and would thus similarly move so as to vary the relative positions of the cooling holes  112 ,  113 ,  122 ,  123 . 
         [0041]    First, if the second solenoid  130   b  provided on the left side of the front plate  110  is driven in a reference state (second state) shown in  FIG. 2B , the front plate  110  is slid to the right by one section relative to the width of the cooling holes  112  and  122  formed in the first introduction region  20  into a first state shown in  FIG. 2A . 
         [0042]    In the first state, the cooling holes  112  and  122 ,  113  and  123  formed in the front plate  110  and the rear plate  120  correspondingly are alternately disposed such that both the first introduction region  20  and the second introduction region  30  can be closed. Accordingly, all the introduction regions of the apparatus for regulating a flow rate of cooling air for a vehicle according to the present invention are closed, preventing exterior cooling air from being introduced. 
         [0043]    Next, the reference state (second state) shown in  FIG. 2B  is a state formed by moving the front plate  110  by one section relative to the width of the cooling holes  112  and  122  formed in the first introduction region  20  with respect to the first state. That is, according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the width of the cooling holes  113  and  123  formed in the second introduction region  30  is formed to be larger than the width of the cooling holes  112  and  122  formed in the first introduction region  20 , when the cooling holes  112  and  122  formed in the first introduction region  20  coincide with each other, the cooling holes  113  and  123  formed in the second introduction region  30  may be partially deviated (i.e. partially out of alignment). 
         [0044]    Accordingly, exterior cooling air can be introduced maximally in the first introduction region  20  of the apparatus for regulating a flow rate of cooling air for a vehicle according to the present invention, and exterior cooling air can be partially introduced in the second introduction region  30 . 
         [0045]    Preferably, in some embodiments the width of the cooling holes  113  and  123  formed in the second introduction region  30  may be twice as large as those of the cooling holes  112  and  122  formed in the first introduction region  20 . Accordingly, when the first introduction region  20  is fully opened, a half of the second introduction region  30  may be opened. 
         [0046]    Meanwhile, if the first solenoid  130   a  provided on the left side of the front plate  110  is driven in the reference state (second state) shown in  FIG. 2B , the front plate  110  is slid by one section relative to the width of the cooling holes  112  and  122  formed in the first introduction region  20  into a third state shown in  FIG. 2C . 
         [0047]    In the third state, the cooling holes  112  and  122  formed in the first introduction region  20  are deviated (i.e. out of alignment) and the cooling holes  113  and  123  formed in the second introduction region  30  coincide with each other (i.e. are in alignment), closing the first introduction region  20  and fully opening the second introduction region  30 . That is, in the third state, the first introduction region  20  of the apparatus for regulating a flow rate of cooling water for a vehicle according to the present invention blocks exterior cooling air from being introduced into the first introduction region  20 , and allows exterior cooling air to be introduced maximally the second introduction region  30 . 
         [0048]    The apparatus for regulating a flow rate of cooling air for a vehicle according to the present invention variably regulates a first state where both the first introduction region and the second introduction region are blocked, a second state where the first introduction region is fully opened and the second introduction region is partially opened, and a third state where the first introduction region is blocked and the second introduction region is fully opened. 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in the first state, the condenser  14 , the electric part cooling radiator  12 , and the engine cooling radiator  16  are not cooled, and the resistance of air due to travelling of the vehicle is reduced to the greatest extent. 
         [0050]    In the second state, the condenser  14  arranged in the first introduction region  20  is cooled (wherein the cooling air is fully allowed to enter the first introduction region through the completely open cooling holes  112 ,  122 ), and the electric part cooling radiator  12  arranged in the second introduction unit  30  cooled to some extent (wherein the cooling air is allowed to enter the second introduction region through the partially open cooling holes  113 ,  123 ). Then, as exterior cooling air is maximally introduced (in other words, is allowed to enter the fully open cooling holes  112 ,  122 ) through the first introduction region  20  having an area larger than that of the second introduction region  30 , the engine cooling radiator  16  arranged on the rear side of the condenser  14  and the electric part cooling radiator  12  is also cooled maximally (in other words, at this state the greatest amount of cooling air is introduced to the engine cooling radiator  12  to cool it) by the air entering the fully open cooling holes  112 ,  122  and the partially open cooling holes  113 ,  123 . 
         [0051]    Meanwhile, in the third state, the condenser  14  arranged in the first introduction region  20  is not cooled because the cooling holes  112 , 122  are closed, and the electric part cooling radiator  12  arranged in the second introduction region  30  is cooled maximally because the cooling holes  113 ,  123  are completely open. At this time, the engine cooling radiator  16  arranged on the rear side of the electric part cooling radiator  12  is also partially cooled. 
         [0052]    Thus, the apparatus for regulating a flow rate of cooling air for a vehicle according to the present invention can regulate a flow rate of cooling air according to cooling requirement situations of the individual heat exchangers, thereby reducing air resistance and optimizing a cooling effect at the same time. 
         [0053]      FIG. 3  is illustrates a method of controlling a cooling apparatus for a hybrid vehicle to which the apparatus for regulating a flow rate of cooling air for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0054]      FIG. 4  illustrates control conditions of the cooling apparatus for a hybrid vehicle. 
         [0055]    First, referring to  FIG. 4 , the cooling apparatus for a hybrid vehicle according to the present invention can regulate a flow rate of cooling air according to a temperature of cooling water for an engine ( FIG. 4A ) and regulate a flow rate of cooling air according to a temperature of cooling water for an electric part. 
         [0056]    That is, referring to  FIG. 3 , if an air conditioner of a hybrid vehicle is operated (S 110 ) or a temperature of cooling water for an engine exceeds a first reference temperature (S 120 ), a second state where the first introduction region on the side of the condenser is fully opened is entered. In the second state, as discussed previously, the condenser is cooled and the engine cooling radiator is cooled maximally. 
         [0057]    Meanwhile, if a temperature of cooling water for the engine is between a second engine cooling reference temperature and a first engine cooling reference temperature (S 130 ) or a temperature of cooling water for electric parts exceeds an electric part cooling reference temperature (S 140 ), a third state where the second introduction region on the side of the electric part cooling radiator may be entered. In the third state, as discussed previously, the electric part cooling radiator is cooled maximally and the engine cooling radiator is partially cooled at the same time. 
         [0058]    If both conditions of S 110  to S 140  are not satisfied, the first state where both the first introduction region and the second introduction region are blocked will be entered. In this state, the radiator and the condenser are not cooled down by cooling air. 
         [0059]    According to the apparatus for regulating a flow rate of cooling air for a vehicle according to the present invention, the condenser, the electric part cooling radiator, and the engine cooling radiator of the hybrid vehicle can be cooled at an optimum efficiency depending on cooling requirements. 
         [0060]    Moreover, the apparatus for regulating a flow rate of cooling air for a vehicle may be applied to various types of vehicles having multiple, preferably three or more, heat exchangers as well as to a hybrid vehicle as in Table 1, and a cooling apparatus for a vehicle using the same may be constructed. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Hybrid 
                 Gasoline 
                 Fuel Cell 
                 General 
               
               
                   
                 Vehicle 
                 Vehicle 
                 Vehicle 
                 Properties 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Heat 
                 Engine 
                 Engine 
                 Stack 
                 High Heat 
               
               
                 Exchanger 1 
                 Cooling 
                 Cooling 
                 Cooling 
                 Rejection 
               
               
                   
                 Radiator 
                 Radiator 
                 Radiator 
                 Temperature 
               
               
                 Heat 
                 Condenser 
                 Condenser 
                 Condenser 
                 Intermediate 
               
               
                 Exchanger 2 
                   
                   
                   
                 Heat Rejection 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Temperature 
               
               
                 Heat 
                 Electric Part 
                 None or Oil 
                 None or Oil 
                 Low Heat 
               
               
                 Exchanger 3 
                 Cooling 
                 Cooling 
                 Cooling 
                 Rejection 
               
               
                   
                 Radiator 
                   
                   
                 Temperature 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0061]    That is, according to the apparatus for regulating a flow rate of cooling air for a vehicle according to the present invention, the first introduction region faces a second heat exchanger, the second introduction region faces a third heat exchanger, and a first heat exchanger is arranged on the rear side of the second heat exchanger and the third heat exchanger, realizing a cooling apparatus for various types of vehicles. 
         [0062]    The invention has been described in detail with reference to an exemplary embodiment thereof. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents. Further, many modifications may be made to specific situations and materials without departing from the essence of the invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the detailed description of the preferred embodiment but includes all embodiments within the scope of the attached claims.