Bi-fuel Injector Relay Diagnostic via Control Module
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing diagnostic systems for bi-fuel combustion engines require complex and costly circuitry to diagnose the operation of electrical relays controlling fuel injectors, necessitating dedicated diagnostic outputs and increased wiring for each set of fuel injectors.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a control module to transmit control signals to fuel injector relays and determine their state by comparing output signals to predetermined parameters, eliminating the need for dedicated diagnostic outputs and reducing wiring complexity, allowing a single fuel injection control system to manage multiple types of fuel injectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated diagnostic outputs are added to injector relays, then diagnostic capability is improved, but device complexity and wiring requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control module is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls the fuel injectors during normal operation and simultaneously performs diagnostic functions by monitoring the relay output signals. This eliminates the need for dedicated diagnostic outputs on the relays, as the same control module handles both control and diagnostics
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary monitoring approach where the control module acts as a mediator between the relay and the diagnostic system. Instead of requiring direct diagnostic outputs from the relay, the control module monitors the relay's output to the fuel injector and infers relay status from this signal, thereby avoiding additional wiring and relay complexity
2Measurement precision
If separate fuel injection control systems are used for each set of fuel injectors, then control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single control module is designed to control multiple sets of fuel injectors for different fuel types (liquid and gaseous). The control module maintains precise control over each injector set by individually managing control signals to each relay, while eliminating the need for separate dedicated control systems for each fuel type
3Reliability
If additional wiring is added for diagnostic outputs, then diagnostic reliability is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The existing wiring between the relay and fuel injector serves dual purposes: it provides the control signal path during normal operation and simultaneously serves as the diagnostic signal path. By monitoring the output signal on this existing wire, the system achieves diagnostic reliability without adding any additional wiring
Data Source
AI summary
An injector relay diagnostic system is provided. The system comprises a first fuel injector, a first electrical relay disposed between an electrical potential and the first fuel injector, wherein the first electrical relay is configured to connect the first fuel injector to the electrical potential upon receipt of a first control signal, and a control module configured to transmit the first control signal to the first electrical relay, receive an output from the first fuel injector, and determine a state of the first electrical relay by comparing the output from the first fuel injector to a predetermined parameter.