ACTIVE HOOD VENT SYSTEM AND METHOD OF ADJUSTING AERO BALANCE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE

• US 20180297650A1
• Filed: 04/14/2017
• Published: 10/18/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Titus, Matthew Arthur, Cunningham, Andrew Thomas, Sylvester, Michael Stephen
• Granted Patent: US 10,486,754 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2300/022 Stability in turns or during cornering
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2400/304 Acceleration sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2400/40 Actuators for moving a controlled member
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/12 Parts or details thereof locks E05B, E05B83/16; devices for holding open E05C17/00, e.g. while carrying oversize objects E05C17/042; hinges E05D; counterbalancing means E05F; checks, stops, buffers E05F5/00; springs, e.g. pneumatic springs F16F
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 37/02 by aerodynamic means

Abstract

An active hood vent system for a motor vehicle includes a hood vent, having a closure displaceable between a closed position and an opened position, and a control module. That control module is configured to adjust the aero balance of the motor vehicle by opening and closing the closure. Further, the control module may be configured to close the closure and thereby minimize engine compartment air from entering an HVAC inlet of the motor vehicle when the current operating temperature of the motor vehicle is below a predetermined temperature requiring engine cooling, and a current motor vehicle speed is below a predetermined speed where airflow over the hood limits ingestion of engine compartment air by the HVAC inlet.

Claims

1. An active hood vent system for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a hood vent including a closure displaceable between a closed position and an opened position; and

a control module configured to adjust aero balance of said motor vehicle by opening and closing said closure.

2. The active hood vent system of claim 1, wherein said control module includes a controller and an actuator, said actuator opening and closing said closure in response to said controller.

3. The active hood vent system of claim 2, wherein said controller is configured to close said closure to reduce front downforce and increase rear downforce of said motor vehicle when motor vehicle deceleration exceeds a predetermined deceleration.

4. The active hood vent system of claim 2, wherein said controller is configured to open said closure to increase front downforce and reduce rear downforce of said motor vehicle when current motor vehicle cornering force exceeds a predetermined cornering force.

5. The active hood vent system of claim 2, wherein said controller is configured to close said closure to reduce front downforce and increase rear downforce of said motor vehicle when applied brake pressure exceeds a predetermined brake pressure.

6. The active hood vent system of claim 2, wherein said controller is configured to open said closure to increase front downforce and reduce rear downforce of said motor vehicle when current steering wheel angle exceeds a predetermined steering wheel angle.

7. The active hood vent system of claim 2, wherein said controller is configured to open said closure to increase front downforce and reduce rear downforce of said motor vehicle when current wheel yaw position exceeds a predetermined wheel yaw position.

8. The active hood vent system of claim 2, wherein said controller is configured to open said closure to increase front downforce and reduce rear downforce of said motor vehicle when current motor vehicle lateral acceleration exceeds a predetermined lateral acceleration.

9. The active hood vent system of claim 2, wherein said controller is configured to close the closure to reduce front downforce and increase rear downforce of the motor vehicle when a current motor vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined speed.

10. The active hood vent system of claim 2, wherein said controller is configured to close the closure to reduce front downforce and increase rear downforce of the motor vehicle when current motor vehicle acceleration exceeds a predetermined acceleration.

11. The active hood vent system of claim 2, wherein said controller is configured to close said closure and thereby minimize engine compartment air from entering an HVAC fresh air inlet of said motor vehicle.

12. The active hood vent system of claim 2, wherein said controller is configured to close said closure when a current operating temperature of said motor vehicle is below a predetermined temperature and a current motor vehicle speed is below a predetermined speed.

13. An active hood vent system for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a hood vent including a closure displaceable between a closed position and an open position; and

a control module configured to close said closure and thereby minimize engine compartment air from entering an HVAC fresh air inlet of said motor vehicle.

14. The active hood vent system of claim 13, wherein said control module is configured to close said closure when a current operating temperature of said motor vehicle is below a predetermined temperature and a current motor vehicle speed is below a predetermined speed.

15. A method of adjusting aero balance of a motor vehicle including an active hood vent with a closure displaceable between an opened position and a closed position, comprising:

opening said closure to increase front downforce and reduce rear downforce of said motor vehicle; and

closing said closure to reduce front downforce and increase rear downforce of said motor vehicle.

16. The method of claim 15, including closing said closure when decelerating above a predetermined deceleration rate.

17. The method of claim 15, including opening said closure when cornering above a predetermined cornering force.

18. The method of claim 15, including closing said closure when accelerating above a predetermined acceleration rate.

19. The method of claim 15, including closing said closure when driving above a predetermined speed.

20. The method of claim 15, including monitoring, by at least one monitoring device, a parameter selected from a group consisting of vehicle acceleration, vehicle deceleration, vehicle lateral acceleration, vehicle cornering force, brake pressure, steering wheel angle, vehicle wheel yaw position, vehicle height, vehicle speed, engine operating temperature and combinations thereof.