Vehicular Starting System Cranking Capability Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle starting systems lack an effective method to evaluate the cranking capability, which is crucial for determining the state of function and identifying potential failures in the battery or starter motor, leading to vehicle breakdowns due to inadequate power supply during engine cranking.
Innovation Solution
An onboard monitoring system that measures the average power output of the battery during engine cranking, considers temperature, and compares it to predetermined power output capabilities for a fully charged battery to determine the cranking capability of the starting system, distinguishing between battery and starter motor issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If no monitoring method is implemented, then the system remains simple, but the cranking capability cannot be evaluated leading to vehicle breakdowns
Solution Approach 1:
The starting system monitors its own cranking capability by measuring voltage and current during engine cranking operations. The control module calculates power output and compares it against temperature-compensated thresholds to self-diagnose battery or starter motor deficiencies without requiring external monitoring equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously measures voltage and current during cranking operations, calculates the actual power output, and compares it against predetermined thresholds stored in memory. This feedback mechanism enables real-time evaluation of cranking capability and identification of component deficiencies.
2Measurement precision
If temperature compensation is implemented, then the power output comparison becomes accurate, but the monitoring process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-stores minimum power output thresholds at various temperatures in memory during the design phase. During operation, the control module simply retrieves the appropriate threshold based on the current temperature reading, eliminating the need for complex real-time calculations while maintaining measurement accuracy.
3Loss of information
If the system distinguishes between battery and starter motor issues, then the diagnosis becomes specific, but the analysis complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system divides the starting system into two distinct components: battery and starter motor. By comparing the actual power output against the minimum threshold, the system can identify which specific component is deficient - either the battery cannot provide sufficient power or the starter motor cannot utilize the available power - enabling targeted diagnosis and repair.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for determining a cranking capability of a starting system for an internal combustion engine. An average power output of a battery is determined for the starting system during a start engine cranking interval. A temperature of the starting system is determined at an initiation of the start engine cranking interval. A predetermined average power output capability for a battery having a full state of charge at the determined temperature is looked up. A predetermined minimum average power output required of the battery for starting the respective engine at the determined temperature is looked up. A state of function based on the determined average power outputs is determined. The cranking capability of the starting system is identified in response to the determined state of function.