Alcohol-Fuel Control Device for Low-Temperature Starting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Spark ignition internal combustion engines using alcohol-containing fuel face starting failures in low temperature environments due to the difficulty in vaporizing alcohols like methanol and ethanol, which have higher latent heat of vaporization than gasoline.

Innovation Solution

A control device that controls the injection timing and ignition of alcohol-containing fuel in the cylinder, executing spark ignition during the fuel injection period when ambient temperature is low, with additional conditions based on alcohol concentration and engine parameters to improve startability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If alcohol-containing fuel is used in spark ignition internal combustion engines, then carbon dioxide emissions are reduced, but starting failure occurs more likely under low temperature environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarbon dioxide emissionsVSAvoidstartability under low temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The controller changes the ignition timing parameter based on ambient temperature detection. When the ambient temperature is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, the controller executes spark ignition during the fuel injection period, adjusting the timing parameter to ensure reliable starting under low temperature conditions while maintaining the use of alcohol-containing fuel for emission reduction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The controller performs preliminary detection of ambient temperature before fuel injection and ignition. Based on the detected temperature, the controller pre-determines the optimal ignition timing strategy, ensuring that the engine is ready to handle low temperature starting conditions before the actual fuel injection occurs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If alcohol-containing fuel is directly injected into the cylinder, then fuel efficiency is improved, but vaporization difficulty increases under low temperature due to higher latent heat of vaporization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel efficiencyVSAvoidvaporization temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The controller adjusts the ignition timing parameter based on ambient temperature detection. When the ambient temperature is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, the controller executes spark ignition during the fuel injection period, adjusting the timing parameter to ensure reliable starting under low temperature conditions while maintaining the use of alcohol-containing fuel for emission reduction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces reliance on natural vaporization (thermal process) with active spark ignition (electrical energy input) during cold starting conditions. This substitution ensures that fuel combustion occurs reliably even when vaporization is insufficient due to low temperature and high latent heat of alcohol-containing fuel

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enhances the startability of spark ignition engines by ensuring alcohol-containing fuel vaporizes effectively, reducing starting failures and maintaining stable combustion even in low temperature conditions.

Implementation Method 1

an ambient temperature detecting part (20) configured to detect an ambient temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature detection:

Implementation Method 2

a fuel injection device (4) configured to inject the fuel into the cylinder (3a)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFuel injection: Injector

Implementation Method 3

ignition timing when the fuel in the cylinder (3a) is ignited by a spark

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 4

the controller (2) executes spark ignition of the fuel in a fuel injection period

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpark ignition: Electric Spark

Data Source

PatentUS20250305466A1Control device for internal combustion engine

Publication Date: 2025.10.02 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is a control device for an internal combustion engine, which is a control device for a spark ignition internal combustion engine, configured to directly inject alcohol-containing fuel into a cylinder, the control device including a controller configured to control injection timing when the fuel is injected into the cylinder from a fuel injection device and ignition timing when the fuel in the cylinder is ignited by a spark; and an ambient temperature detecting part configured to detect an ambient temperature, the controller executing spark ignition of the fuel in a fuel injection period in which the fuel is injected into the cylinder when the ambient temperature is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value.