Electronic active air dam
An active air dam system includes an air dam comprising a static portion and a sliding portion driven by an actuator system. A controller system is provided, configured to cause the actuator system to translate the sliding portion vertically between a retracted position and a plurality of deployed positions according to one or more of a vehicle under-engine heat exchanger input and a vehicle drive train mode input. Methods for controlling the air dam system are provided.
1. An active air dam system, comprising:
an air dam comprising a static portion and a sliding portion driven by an actuator system; and
a controller system configured to cause the actuator system to translate the sliding portion vertically between a retracted position and a plurality of deployed positions according to one or both of a vehicle under-engine temperature value input and a vehicle drive train mode input.
2. The active air dam system of claim 1 , wherein the static portion includes one or more guide structures along which the sliding portion translates.
3. The active air dam system of claim 1 , wherein the actuator system comprises a pair of screw jacks carried by the static portion and a pair of cooperating nuts carried by the cooperating vertically sliding portion.
4. The active air dam system of claim 3 , wherein each of the pair of screw jacks is rotationally actuated by a rotary actuator.
5. The active air dam system of claim 4 , wherein the rotary actuator comprises a stepper or a position sensor function.
6. The active air dam system of claim 1 , wherein the controller system comprises a control module system selected from one or both of a vehicle powertrain control module and a vehicle body control module.
7. The active air dam system of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle under-engine temperature value input is provided by a temperature sensor selected from one or more of the group consisting of a vehicle exhaust outlet temperature sensor, a vehicle transmission oil temperature sensor, and a vehicle water temperature sensor.
8. The active air dam system of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle drive train mode input is indicative that the vehicle drive train has been placed in a trailer tow mode.
9. In a vehicle, a method for controlling an active air dam, comprising:
providing an air dam comprising a static portion and a sliding portion driven by an actuator system; and
by a controller system, causing the actuator system to translate the sliding portion vertically between a retracted position and a plurality of deployed positions according to one or more of a vehicle under-engine temperature value input and a vehicle drive train mode input.
10. The method of claim 9 , including providing the static portion including one or more guide structures along which the sliding portion translates.
11. The method of claim 9 , including providing the actuator system comprising a pair of screw jacks carried by the static portion and a pair of cooperating nuts carried by the cooperating vertically sliding portion.
12. The method of claim 11 , including rotationally actuating each of the pair of screw jacks by a rotary actuator.
13. The method of claim 12 , including providing the rotary actuator configured comprising a stepper or a position sensor function.
14. The method of claim 9 , including providing the controller system selected from one or both of a vehicle powertrain control module and a vehicle body control module.
15. The method of claim 9 , including providing the vehicle under-engine temperature value input by a temperature sensor selected from one or more of the group consisting of a vehicle exhaust outlet temperature sensor, a vehicle transmission oil temperature sensor, and a vehicle water temperature sensor.
16. The method of claim 9 , including providing the vehicle drive train mode input indicative that the vehicle drive train has been placed in a trailer tow mode.
17. A method for controlling an active air dam position, comprising configuring a controller system operationally linked to an active air dam actuator system to translate the active air dam from one of a plurality of deployed positions to a retracted position according to one or more of a vehicle under-engine temperature value input and a vehicle drive train mode input.
18. The method of claim 17 , including providing the controller system selected from one or both of a vehicle powertrain control module and a vehicle body control module.
19. The method of claim 17 , including providing the vehicle under-engine temperature value input by a temperature sensor selected from one or more of the group consisting of a vehicle exhaust outlet temperature sensor, a vehicle transmission oil temperature sensor, and a vehicle water temperature sensor.
20. The method of claim 17 , including providing the vehicle drive train mode input indicative that the vehicle drive train has been placed in a trailer tow mode.