Engine efficiency system for a vehicle and operating procedures of an engine efficiency system

Abstract

Engine efficiency system (12) for a vehicle (10), comprising: an electromechanically operated oil distribution device (14) arranged near an oil environment of the vehicle (10); and a current detection system (16) designed to detect a current change rate of the electromechanically operated oil distribution device (14); characterized in that the current detection system (16) is further equipped to determine a viscosity of an oil corresponding to the rate of change of current, which is arranged in the oil environment of the vehicle (10); and that at least one efficiency device (18) is provided which is activated over a predetermined range of the viscosity of the oil.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to vehicles and in particular to an engine efficiency system for a vehicle as well as a method for operating such systems according to the preamble of claim 1 or claim 9, as essentially known, for example, from DE 10 2009 005 767 A1. BACKGROUND

[0002] Vehicles are increasingly implementing various efficiency systems for numerous purposes. Two popular efficiency systems, for example, relate to emissions control and fuel economy. Devices associated with such efficiency systems are typically programmed to operate during predetermined operating conditions, such as the predetermined conditions of the oil used in conjunction with the engine.

[0003] Typically, oil viscosity is a property of the oil that determines appropriate use of efficiency system devices. Oil temperature is often used as an indicator of oil viscosity; however, the use of specific sensors to determine oil temperature is expensive, and therefore, oil temperature is often estimated in an effort to optimize the use of devices associated with efficiency systems. Unfortunately, oil temperature estimation can be inaccurate, with inaccuracies typically being more prevalent during certain operating stages, such as a transient engine warm-up phase. Additional sources of inaccuracy exist associated with oil viscosity estimation, such as oil age, oil weight as currently designed, oil brand and fuel dilution, and water contamination. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, an engine efficiency system for a vehicle includes an electromechanically operated oil distribution device disposed proximate an oil environment of the vehicle. Also included is a current detection system for detecting a current change rate of the electromechanically operated oil distribution device, wherein the current change rate corresponds to a viscosity of an oil disposed in the oil environment of the vehicle. Furthermore, at least one efficiency device is included that is activated over a predetermined range of oil viscosity.

[0005] In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method for operating an engine efficiency system for a vehicle is provided. The method includes monitoring a current of an electromechanically operated oil distribution device with a current detection system. Also included is calculating a current change rate of the electromechanically operated oil distribution device. Further included is determining a viscosity of an oil corresponding to a current change rate. Still further included is activating at least one efficiency device over a predetermined range of oil viscosity.

[0006] The above features and advantages as well as other features and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Other features, advantages and details will become apparent by way of example only in the following detailed description of embodiments, which detailed description makes reference to the drawings in which: Fig. Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an engine efficiency system for a vehicle; Fig. 2 is a plot illustrating a relationship between the viscosity of an oil and a current rise rate of an electromechanically operated oil distribution device as a function of temperature in the engine efficiency system; and Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing a method of operating the engine efficiency system. DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0008] The following description is merely exemplary in nature. It should be understood that corresponding reference characters throughout the drawings indicate like or corresponding parts or features.

[0009] Referring to Fig. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a vehicle in the form of a motor vehicle is shown and generally designated by reference numeral 10. Although the vehicle 10 is shown as a motor vehicle, it should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein may be used in combination with various alternative types of vehicles. With respect to a motor vehicle, it should be further noted that the specific type of motor vehicle is not relevant to practicing the embodiments as described below. For example, the motor vehicle may comprise a car, a truck, an off-road vehicle (SUV), or a van. The foregoing list is merely illustrative and is not intended to limit the numerous types of motor vehicles that may benefit from the embodiments of the invention.

[0010] The vehicle 10 includes an engine 11 and an engine efficiency system 12 that increases the efficiency of at least one operational aspect of the vehicle 10. An exemplary embodiment uses the engine efficiency system 12 to increase fuel efficiency in a variety of ways. An additional embodiment uses the engine efficiency system 12 to provide greater control over emissions from the vehicle 10 during operation. The use of the engine efficiency system 12 to increase fuel efficiency and / or to control emissions includes only exemplary embodiments, and it should be understood that numerous other components or systems associated with the vehicle may be used in conjunction with the engine efficiency system 12 as described herein. Engine efficiency devices may include, for example, a fuel efficiency system or an emissions control system.Regardless of the operational aspect benefiting from the engine efficiency system 12, oil is used to lubricate various components of an engine of the vehicle 10 during operation. The oil includes a number of properties that may vary based on brand, grade, etc. During operation of the vehicle 10, the properties of the oil are modified based on the operating conditions of the vehicle and, in particular, the operating conditions of the engine. For example, during a period of time closely proximate to the ignition of the engine, oil is subject to a transient warm-up phase. During this time, the oil is heated, resulting in an increase in the temperature of the oil as well as a change in the viscosity of the oil. Various other operating conditions are present during operation of the engine that also result in modifications and transformations of the oil properties.

[0011] The engine efficiency system 12 includes various components that support efficient oil distribution during operation of the vehicle 10. These components, as well as additional components that enhance efficiency, depend at least in part on oil properties. An illustrative but non-exhaustive list of components that may be directly or indirectly dependent on oil properties includes an oil pump, at least one cam phaser, a piston, and a valve train.

[0012] An electromechanically operated oil distribution device 14 is disposed near an oil environment of the vehicle 10, where the oil is stored and distributed, as discussed above. The distribution of the oil is achieved by the operation of the electromechanically operated oil distribution device 14, which typically includes an oil control valve formed from a solenoid and a valve. The electromechanically operated oil distribution device 14, and more specifically the oil control valve, may be disposed at a number of locations near the oil environment, with one such location being in an oil pan. It should be noted that any oil control valve may be used, such as a control valve for a cam phaser. A current detection system 16 is in operable communication with at least one component 18 of the electromechanically operated oil distribution device 14, such as the solenoid.The current detection system 16 is configured to monitor a current associated with the operation of the electromechanically operated oil distribution device 14. Fast multiple current readings provide data on a current change rate of the electromechanically operated oil distribution device 14. The current detection system may, for example, include a controller and a current sensor, wherein the controller and / or current sensor are configured to detect a current and determine a rate of change of the current as a function of temperature.

[0013] Now referring to Fig. 2 shows a plot of a relationship between the current change rate of the electromechanically operated oil distribution device 14 and oil viscosity. Such a relationship can be empirically determined to be a close relationship, with the current change rate being a strong indicator of oil viscosity. As described above, the at least one component 18 of the engine efficiency system 12 is dependent on oil properties, with viscosity being a precise property as a basis for the operation of the at least one component 18 of the engine efficiency system 12.It is shown that as oil temperature increases, viscosity decreases, however, strict reliance on the relationship between oil temperature and oil viscosity may result in unreliable viscosity predictions and therefore improper use of one or more components of engine efficiency system 12 because the oil is still too viscous to allow proper use of engine efficiency system 12, which may cause premature engine wear or damage.

[0014] Advantageously, the engine efficiency system 12 and precisely the at least one component 18 associated with efficiency improvement operate over a predetermined range of oil viscosity readings. The current detection system 16 provides an accurate measurement of the viscosity of the oil that can be relied upon to ensure that the at least one component 18 operates over an optimal amount of the allowable predetermined range. By maximizing the operating range of the engine efficiency system 12, more efficient overall vehicle operation is achieved while also avoiding premature operation of the engine efficiency system 12, which can result in undesirable outcomes, such as triggering a service engine light.

[0015] There is also provided a method of operating an engine efficiency system for a vehicle 100 as in Fig. 3 and with reference to the Fig.1-2. The vehicle 10, and more specifically the engine efficiency system 12, have been described previously, and specific structural components need not be described in detail. The method of operating an engine efficiency system for a vehicle 100 includes monitoring a current of an electromechanically operated oil distribution device with a current detection system 102. A current change rate of the electromechanically operated oil distribution device 14 is calculated 104 to determine a viscosity of an oil 106 corresponding to the current change rate of the electromechanically operated oil distribution device 14. Over a predetermined range of oil viscosity, at least one efficiency device is activated 108.

Claims

[1] An engine efficiency system (12) for a vehicle (10), comprising: an electromechanically operated oil distribution device (14) arranged near an oil environment of the vehicle (10); and a current detection system (16) configured to detect a current change rate of the electromechanically operated oil distribution device (14); characterized by , that the current detection system (16) is further configured to determine a viscosity of an oil arranged in the oil environment of the vehicle (10) corresponding to the current change rate; and that at least one efficiency device (18) is provided which is activated over a predetermined range of oil viscosity. [2] The engine efficiency system of claim 1, wherein the electromechanically operated oil distribution device (14) comprises an oil control valve comprising a solenoid and a valve. [3] The engine efficiency system of claim 2, wherein the current detection system (16) determines the current change rate of the solenoid. [4] The engine efficiency system of claim 2, wherein the oil control valve is located near an oil pump. [5] The engine efficiency system of claim 2, wherein the oil control valve is located near at least one cam phaser. [6] The engine efficiency system of claim 2, wherein the oil control valve is disposed in an oil pan. [7] The engine efficiency system of claim 1, wherein the at least one efficiency device (18) comprises a fuel efficiency system. [8] The engine efficiency system of claim 1, wherein the at least one efficiency device (18) comprises an emissions control system. [9] A method of operating an engine efficiency system (12) for a vehicle (10), comprising: Monitoring a current of an electromechanically operated oil distribution device (14) with a current detection system (16); and Calculating a current change rate of the electromechanically operated oil distribution device (14); characterized by Determining a viscosity of an oil corresponding to the current change rate; and Activating at least one efficiency device (18) over a predetermined range of oil viscosity. [10] Vehicle (10), comprising: an engine; and an engine efficiency system (12) according to claim 1.

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