CANbus Network Corrected Power Output for Consumable Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the performance of motor vehicle consumables like engine lubricants, fuel, and tires under real-world conditions are limited by the difficulty in achieving comparable operating conditions, especially when comparing different products.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a CANbus network in a vehicle with fuel injection valves and lubricating systems to transmit signals indicative of engine fuelling rate and power output, allowing for the calculation of corrected power output adjusted for vehicle operating conditions, enabling accurate performance assessment under actual driving conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If performance determination is conducted by operating the vehicle under standard laboratory conditions (rolling road) or on a test bed, then measurement precision is improved, but the operating conditions do not correspond to actual operating conditions in general use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a CANbus network to copy and transmit operational data from the actual vehicle environment to a computer system. This allows real-world operating conditions to be captured and analyzed without requiring physical laboratory testing, thus maintaining measurement precision while adapting to actual operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The CANbus network acts as an intermediary between the vehicle's various systems (fuel injection, engine control, sensor networks) and the computer system. It enables the collection and transmission of operational data, bridging the gap between actual vehicle operation and performance analysis.
2Adaptability or versatility
If performance determination is conducted by road testing the vehicle, then adaptability to actual operating conditions is improved, but great care has to be taken to achieve comparable operating conditions for comparison between different consumables
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously collects operational data through the CANbus network and provides feedback to the computer system. This automated feedback mechanism eliminates the need for manual monitoring and control of operating conditions, reducing complexity while maintaining adaptability to real-world conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle's existing CANbus system and operational parameters serve the dual purpose of normal vehicle operation and performance testing. The system automatically collects and transmits data without requiring external intervention or specialized test equipment, making the process self-sufficient and reducing operational complexity.
3Ease of operation
If fuel consumption measurement is based on the amount of fuel in the vehicle's fuel tank, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates compared to using fuelling rate based on fuel injection valve opening time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual fuel measurement methods with electronic sensing and data transmission through the CANbus network. Fuel injection valve opening time and fuelling rate are automatically measured and transmitted electronically, eliminating manual intervention while improving precision.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A method for determining the performance of at least one motor vehicle consumable selected from the group consisting of engine lubricant, fuel and tyres, in a motor vehicle having an engine with at least one fuel injection valve, a lubricating system and a CANbus network comprising at least three network nodes, each operably connected to a computer, which method comprises : operating the vehicle whilst supplying the engine with the fuel through at least one fuel injection valve and lubricating the engine with the engine lubricant characterised in that : a first CANbus network node transmits to the computer, a signal indicative of the engine fuelling rate based upon the opening time of at least one of the fuel injection valves; one or more second CANbus network nodes transmit one or more signals to the computer indicative of one or more variables indicative of the power output of the engine; one or more third CANbus network nodes transmit one or more signals to the computer indicative of the vehicle operating conditions; the computer calculates a variable (Corrected Power Output) indicative of the power output of the engine corrected for the vehicle operating conditions using the one or more signals transmitted to the computer by the one or more second CANbus network nodes, the one or more signals transmitted to the computer by the one or more third CANbus network nodes and a pre-determined algorithm; and the computer transmits and/or stores the Corrected Power Output and the signal indicative of the engine fuelling rate.