Ambient Air Temperature Sensor Correction for Radiant Heat Errors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle systems fail to accurately measure ambient air temperature due to excessive radiant heat and precipitation, leading to erroneous measurements that can misidentify faulty sensors, reduce vehicle drivability, increase fuel consumption, and emissions.
Innovation Solution
A method that adjusts vehicle actuators to reduce radiant heat and precipitation exposure to the ambient air temperature sensor, allowing for remeasurement to ensure accurate temperature readings and prevent misidentification of faulty sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the AAT sensor is positioned to measure ambient air temperature, then the temperature measurement function is provided, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates due to radiant heat from engine, sun load, and road surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a correction mechanism that acts as an intermediary between the raw AAT sensor measurement and the final temperature value used by vehicle systems. The correction algorithm compensates for radiant heat effects by calculating the difference between expected and actual temperatures, thereby eliminating the harmful influence without moving the sensor or adding physical shielding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter being measured from raw sensor output to corrected temperature by applying compensation algorithms. The system adjusts the temperature reading based on detected deviations caused by radiant heat, effectively transforming the inaccurate measurement into an accurate one through parameter transformation rather than physical modification.
2Measurement precision
If the AAT sensor measures temperature under existing vehicle conditions, then the measurement is obtained, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates due to precipitation contact and evaporative cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors AAT measurements and compares them against expected values. When precipitation causes deviation, the system detects this through the correction algorithm and adjusts subsequent measurements or triggers warnings, creating a closed-loop system that compensates for precipitation-induced errors.
3Productivity
If erroneous AAT measurements are used in OBD and engine controls, then the vehicle systems operate, but vehicle drivability deteriorates and fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary correction to AAT measurements before they are used by OBD and engine control systems. By pre-processing the temperature data through correction algorithms that account for radiant heat and precipitation effects, the system ensures that downstream applications receive accurate measurements, preventing drivability issues and fuel efficiency problems before they occur.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach improves the accuracy of ambient air temperature measurements, maintaining vehicle integrity, reducing fuel consumption and emissions, and enhancing drivability by correcting for radiant heat and precipitation-induced errors.
Implementation Method 1
the measured AAT by AAT sensors can be inflated due to excessive radiant heat transferred to the AAT sensor from the engine, sun load, road surface
Implementation Method 2
the measured AAT by AAT sensors may be depressed due to snow or rain contacting the surface or the AAT sensor, and evaporative cooling of the contacting precipitation
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for conducting an ambient air temperature (AAT) sensor test. In one example, a method may include adjusting a vehicle actuator to reduce a deviation of the AAT measured by an AAT sensor on board a vehicle from an expected AAT and remeasuring the AAT with the AAT sensor in response to the AAT measured by the AAT sensor deviating from the expected AAT by more than a threshold temperature difference. In this way, excessively inflated or depressed AAT measurements at the AAT sensor can be reduced, the accuracy and the reliability of the AAT sensor measurements can be increased, vehicle fuel consumption and emissions can be reduced, and vehicle drivability can be increased.