Accelerometer-Based Combustion Diagnosis and Ignition Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional in-cylinder pressure sensors used for diagnosing and controlling internal combustion engines are expensive and prone to damage from high temperatures and pressures, necessitating a low-cost and durable alternative for collecting combustion data.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method utilizing a vibration sensor, such as an accelerometer, to filter and analyze vibration data to determine peak cylinder pressure (PCP) and location of peak cylinder pressure (LPP), which are used to modify ignition timing and diagnose engine performance without the need for structural modifications or high-temperature resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If in-cylinder pressure sensors are used to collect combustion data, then measurement precision is improved, but device cost increases and reliability decreases due to damage from high temperatures and pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses engine block vibration as an intermediary to indirectly measure in-cylinder pressure. Instead of placing a sensor directly in the harsh combustion environment, the system attaches an accelerometer to the engine block and uses the vibrations generated by combustion to infer pressure characteristics. This mediator approach allows accurate combustion data collection without exposing sensors to damaging temperatures and pressures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the direct mechanical pressure sensing system with a vibration-based measurement system. By substituting the traditional pressure sensor approach with accelerometer-based vibration analysis, the system achieves comparable measurement precision while eliminating the reliability issues associated with direct pressure sensing in high-temperature, high-pressure environments.
2Measurement precision
If in-cylinder pressure sensors are installed in combustion chambers, then combustion data collection is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs engine block vibration as an intermediary measurement medium, allowing combustion data to be collected through external accelerometer attachment rather than expensive in-cylinder pressure sensor installation. This approach significantly reduces manufacturing and installation costs while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a vibration-based copy or proxy measurement of in-cylinder pressure events. By measuring the vibrations transmitted through the engine block and processing this data to extract combustion characteristics, the system obtains equivalent information to direct pressure sensing at a fraction of the cost.
3Ease of manufacture
If vibration sensors are used instead of pressure sensors, then device cost decreases and reliability improves, but measurement precision may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary signal processing actions including filtering, rectification, and integration to the raw vibration data. These preprocessing steps enhance the quality and accuracy of the combustion-derived signals extracted from the vibration data, ensuring that the lower-cost vibration sensor approach achieves measurement precision comparable to expensive pressure sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through iterative signal processing and comparison with expected combustion patterns. By continuously refining the vibration signal analysis and comparing results against known combustion characteristics, the system compensates for the inherently lower signal quality from vibration sensors, maintaining high measurement precision.
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 allows for effective engine diagnosis and control, achieving comparable results to in-cylinder pressure sensors while being more cost-effective and durable, improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions.
Implementation Method 1
vibration data indicative of a vibration of an internal combustion engine
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for diagnosis and control of an internal combustion engine using vibration data obtained from a vibration sensor mounted on the engine includes filtering vibration data within a predetermined engine combustion time period, where the vibration data is indicative of a vibration of an internal combustion engine, determining a peak cylinder pressure (PCP) of a combustion cycle of the internal combustion engine based on the filtered vibration data, determining a location of peak cylinder pressure (LPP) of the combustion cycle of the internal combustion engine based on the filtered vibration data, where the PCP and the LPP are indicative of a performance characteristic of the combustion cycle, and modifying an ignition timing of the internal combustion engine based on the determined PCP and LPP.