Adaptive Spark Timing Control for Engine Fuel Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional engine control systems struggle to maintain optimal spark timing for achieving mean best torque (MBT) due to production variations and component aging, leading to suboptimal brake-specific fuel consumption and increased risk of detonation.

Innovation Solution

An adaptive engine control system that adjusts spark timing values stored in a non-volatile memory based on real-time operating conditions, optimizing spark timing throughout the engine's lifespan by incrementally advancing or retarding spark timing to achieve MBT without causing engine knock.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If spark timing values are set to achieve mean best torque in tabulated data, then brake-specific fuel consumption is optimized at stoichiometry, but production differences and aging cause the spark timing to deviate from optimal values

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrake-specific fuel consumptionVSAvoidconsistency of spark timing performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adaptation of spark timing values through continuous learning algorithms that adjust the timing based on actual engine performance feedback. The system transitions from static tabulated values to dynamically optimized values that adapt to production variations and aging effects, ensuring consistent optimal fuel consumption throughout the engine lifecycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The engine control system performs self-optimization by automatically learning and adjusting spark timing values without external intervention. The learning algorithm continuously monitors engine performance and autonomously updates the spark timing map to compensate for manufacturing variations and component aging, enabling the system to maintain optimal fuel efficiency independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Use of energy by moving object

If spark timing is advanced to achieve mean best torque, then fuel efficiency improves, but the risk of detonation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel efficiencyVSAvoiddetonation risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor engine knock conditions and use this information to adjust spark timing adjustments. The learning algorithm receives feedback from knock sensors and performance measurements, continuously refining the spark timing map to maximize fuel efficiency while maintaining safe operating margins that prevent detonation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If spark timing values are optimized for specific operating conditions, then performance is maximized, but the system cannot adapt to aging and production variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine performanceVSAvoidadaptability to changing conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary optimization by pre-learning and storing corrected spark timing values in lookup tables for various operating conditions. These pre-computed adaptive values account for production variations and can be quickly retrieved during operation, enabling the system to maintain optimal performance across different engine states without real-time computation delays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

The system continuously optimizes spark timing to achieve MBT, improving fuel efficiency and reducing the risk of detonation by dynamically updating spark timing values, ensuring consistent performance across varying engine conditions.

Implementation Method 1

A spark generated by a sparkplug ignites a mixture of air and fuel within the cylinders to cause combustion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectric Spark: Electric Spark

Implementation Method 2

The ignition module can adjust the spark timing during engine operation within a predetermined operating window

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTime delay control:

Implementation Method 3

A spark generated by a sparkplug ignites a mixture of air and fuel within the cylinders to cause combustion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Data Source

PatentUS7469678B2Adaptive MBT spark advance for conventional powertrains

Publication Date: 2008.12.30 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

An engine control system to adaptively adjust the spark timing values in spark timing tables to achieve a mean best torque. The engine control system utilizes a spark timing module that contains spark timing values as a function of one or more operating conditions of an engine. An ignition module can command spark timing based on the timing values in the spark timing module. The ignition module can adjust the spark timing during engine operation within a predetermined operating window. The spark timing values in the spark timing module can be changed based on changes in engine operation as a result of the adjustment to the spark timing. The adjusting of the spark timing and the replacing of the spark timing values in the spark timing module can allow the spark timing in the spark timing module to be optimized.