Electromechanical Camshaft Adjuster Phase Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for controlling electromechanical camshaft adjusters in internal combustion engines are inefficient in terms of resource utilization for data processing, particularly in achieving precise angular position calculations without direct measurement of the camshaft's angular position.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a three-shaft gearing system, such as a harmonic drive, where the angular position of the crankshaft is continuously detected and stored in a ring buffer, allowing for the calculation of the camshaft's angular position through the transmission ratio of the actuating gearing, enabling precise phase difference control without direct camshaft measurement, using Hall sensors and an electric motor with a camshaft control unit linked to the engine control unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If direct measurement of camshaft angular position is implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and resource usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the rotor position as an intermediary measurement point instead of directly measuring camshaft position. The rotor position detection serves as a mediator that, when combined with the known transmission ratio of the three-shaft gearing, allows calculation of the camshaft angular position without requiring direct sensors on the camshaft, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical measurement of camshaft position with a calculation-based approach using transmission ratio and rotor position data. This substitutes a potential mechanical sensing system on the camshaft with computational processing of existing sensor data, reducing hardware complexity and resource usage
2Measurement precision
If high-resolution angular position determination is achieved through calculation, then measurement precision is improved, but data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by continuously detecting and storing crankshaft angular positions in a ring buffer before they are needed for camshaft position calculation. This pre-prepared data structure allows efficient retrieval and processing when calculating camshaft position, reducing real-time computational burden and energy consumption while 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 high-resolution angular position determination of the camshaft, achieving at least five times higher accuracy than crankshaft detection, enabling efficient operation of the camshaft adjuster with reduced resource usage and improved data processing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
changes in the angular position of a rotor of an electric motor driving an adjusting shaft of the actuating gearing are detected
Data Source
AI summary
An internal combustion engine comprises a crankshaft, at least one camshaft adjustable electromechanically by an actuating gearing, an engine control unit, and a camshaft control unit for controlling an actuating motor which operates the actuating gearing. The engine control unit is linked to a device for detecting the angular position of the crankshaft, and the camshaft control unit is linked to the engine control unit. A device for detecting a reference position of the camshaft and a device for detecting the angular position of the shaft of the actuating motor are provided as sole mechanisms for detecting the angular position of the camshaft. The camshaft control unit is designed to determine the phase angle of the camshaft in relation to the crankshaft on the basis of the information items provided by said devices in combination with the detected angular position of the crankshaft and the transmission ratio of the actuating gearing.