IP Library Granted Patent US 11,273,728
Granted Patent B2
US 11,273,728 · App. 16/142,807 · Granted Mar 15, 2022

Automobile cooling device

Inventors: Takehiro Inagaki (Kasugai, JP); Makoto Kuze (Chiryu, JP)
Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
B60L58/26B60H1/004B60H1/00778B60H1/00828B60K1/00F01P3/18F01P5/02B60K6/46B60K6/48B60K11/02B60K2001/005B60Y2200/92F01P5/04F01P2003/185F01P2005/046F01P2050/24
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,273,728
App. No.
16/142,807
Granted
Mar 15, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

An automobile includes a fan configured to send cooling air, a fan driving apparatus, a first electronic control unit, and a second electronic control unit. The first electronic control unit is configured to output a first driving control signal to the fan driving apparatus when an ignition switch is turned off and a predetermined condition is established. The second electronic control unit is configured to determine whether or not the first driving control signal has been output by monitoring the signal line when the ignition switch is turned off. The second electronic control unit is configured to output a second driving control signal to the fan driving apparatus when determination is made that the first driving control signal has not been output to the fan driving apparatus from the first electronic control unit, the ignition switch is turned off, and the predetermined condition is established.

Claims (12)

1. An automobile comprising:

a fan configured to send cooling air to at least one of a cooling device for an engine, an air conditioner performing air conditioning within an occupant compartment, and a cooling device for an object to be cooled which is different from the engine;

a fan driving apparatus configured to drive the fan;

a first electronic control unit connected to the fan driving apparatus through a signal line, the first electronic control unit being configured to output a first driving control signal to the fan driving apparatus through the signal line when an ignition switch is turned off and a predetermined condition is established; and

a second electronic control unit connected to the signal line, the second electronic control unit being configured to determine whether or not the first driving control signal has been output to the fan driving apparatus from the first electronic control unit by monitoring the signal line when the ignition switch is turned off, and configured to output a second driving control signal to the fan driving apparatus through the signal line when determination is made that the first driving control signal has not been output to the fan driving apparatus from the first electronic control unit, the ignition switch is turned off, and the predetermined condition is established.

2. The automobile according to claim 1 , wherein the second electronic control unit is configured to determine that a request for driving the fan is given when the ignition switch is turned off and pre-air conditioning which is air conditioning within the occupant compartment is executed by the air conditioner.

3. The automobile according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a power storage device configured to exchange electric power with a motor; and

a charger configured to execute external charging for charging the power storage device by using electric power received from an external power supply, wherein:

the object to be cooled is the power storage device; and

the second electronic control unit is configured to determine that a request for driving the fan is given when the ignition switch is turned off and the external charging is executed.

4. The automobile according to claim 1 , wherein the signal line includes a filter circuit.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 26, 2018
From: INAGAKI, TAKEHIRO; KUZE, MAKOTO
To: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 047155/0347 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP JP2017-217043 · Nov 10, 2017 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20190143837A1 · May 16, 2019