Adaptive Fuel Injector Pulse Linking for Diesel Engine Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for controlling fuel injectors in Diesel engines face inefficiencies due to fixed modes of linking injection pulses, either by time or angular distance from the Top Dead Compression Centre, which can lead to errors and inefficiencies under varying engine conditions.

Innovation Solution

A method that selectively determines the start of each fuel injection pulse based on either a time distance or angular distance from the Top Dead Compression Centre, depending on instantaneous operating conditions, allowing for flexible pulse linking to adapt to changing engine conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the start of each injection pulse is determined as a time distance from the end of the preceding injection pulse (time-linked mode), then the time distance between two subsequent pulses is guaranteed, but errors concerning the actual duration of each pulse affect the start and end of all subsequent pulses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime distance guaranteeVSAvoidpulse start timing accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the pulse linking mode selectable and adaptable rather than fixed. The control system dynamically switches between time-linked mode and angle-defined mode based on operating conditions, allowing the system to optimize between time guarantee and timing accuracy depending on the situation. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction by not committing to a single mode but rather selecting the appropriate mode contextually.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If the start of each injection pulse is determined as an angular distance from the relevant TDCC (angle-defined mode), then errors in pulse duration do not affect subsequent pulses, but problems occur in some operating conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepulse start timing accuracyVSAvoidoperating condition adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the pulse linking mode dynamic and adaptable by allowing selection between time-linked mode and angle-defined mode based on instantaneous operating conditions. This resolves the contradiction between timing accuracy and operating condition adaptability by enabling the system to switch modes contextually - using angle-defined mode when timing accuracy is critical and time-linked mode when other operating conditions require it.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the linking parameter (time distance vs. angular distance) based on operating conditions. The control system changes the fundamental parameter used for pulse start determination according to the specific operating context, thereby resolving the contradiction between the advantages of angle-defined mode and its limitations in certain operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If a fixed mode of linking injection pulses is used, then the control method is simple, but it leads to errors and inefficiencies under varying engine conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol method simplicityVSAvoidfuel injection efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the contradiction between control simplicity and injection efficiency by implementing a dynamic mode selection mechanism. While the basic control method remains relatively simple, the system dynamically adapts between time-linked and angle-defined modes based on operating conditions, thereby maintaining simplicity while achieving high efficiency across varying engine conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies universality by creating a control system that can perform multiple functions through a single unified framework. The control method universally handles both time-linked and angle-defined pulse linking approaches within one system, allowing it to adapt to different operating conditions without requiring separate control systems, thus maintaining simplicity while achieving versatility and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2083162B1A method for controlling two consecutive injection pulses in an electrically-actuated fuel injector system for an internal combustion engine
Publication Date: 2012.11.21 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
  • EP2083162B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2b

AI summary

At each engine cycle, nearby the TDCC an injector is driven so as to perform a fuel injection sequence according to a predetermined pattern (A-Z), including a plurality of successive, separate fuel injection pulses (pulse 1 - pulse N) having respective predetermined durations. The start of the first injection pulse (Pulse 1) of the sequence is defined as a predetermined angular distance from the TDCC. For each injection pulse (pulse 2 - pulse N) following the first one (pulse 1) the respective start is selectively determined either as a time distance from the end of the immediately preceding injection pulse (pulse 1 - pulse N-1) or as an angular distance from the relevant TDCC, in dependence on the instantaneous value of at least one predetermined parameter.