Detonation Detection via Statistical Distribution Transformation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for detecting detonation phenomena in internal combustion engines are inefficient, leading to reduced thermodynamic efficiency and increased fuel consumption, as they require reducing spark advance to prevent detonation, which affects combustion efficiency and pollutant generation.

Innovation Solution

A control method using a control unit with detonation sensors that process signals from voltage, pressure, or accelerometer sensors to detect detonation energy, transforming log-normal distributions into Gaussian distributions for accurate mean and standard deviation calculation, allowing for precise adjustment of spark advance to prevent detonation without significant losses in efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If spark advance is reduced to prevent detonation, then detonation is eliminated, but combustion efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetonation preventionVSAvoidcombustion efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the statistical distribution of detonation energy measurements from a log-normal distribution to a Gaussian distribution by applying a logarithmic transformation to the measured values. This parameter change in the statistical model enables more accurate detection thresholds and reduces false positives, allowing the system to maintain higher spark advance values without triggering unnecessary detonation prevention actions, thereby preserving combustion efficiency while still preventing actual detonation events.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If detonation detection methods are simplified, then implementation cost is reduced, but detection accuracy is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplementation costVSAvoiddetonation detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical or hardware-based detonation detection systems with an electronic control unit that performs statistical analysis on sensor signals. By using software-based signal processing and statistical transformation (converting log-normal distributions to Gaussian distributions), the system achieves high detection accuracy without requiring expensive or complex additional hardware, thus maintaining ease of manufacture while improving measurement precision.

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

Effectively detects and controls detonation phenomena in internal combustion engines, maintaining high combustion efficiency and reducing fuel consumption and pollutant generation by allowing for precise spark advance adjustments based on real-time data analysis.

Implementation Method 1

a detonation sensor arranged to detect the ignition of the compressed gases within each cylinder 2 is provided for each spark plug 15

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2803966B1Method for detecting detonation phenomena in an internal combustion engine
Publication Date: 2016.07.06 FAB ITAL MAGNETI MARELLI SPA
  • EP2803966B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2803966B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2803966B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for detecting the development of detonation phenomena in an internal combustion engine (1) which includes determining the variance (σi) of each combustion taken into account for a given cylinder (2) and in a given engine point as a function of the comparison between the detonation energy (µi) of each combustion taken into account and the self-learnt mean detonation energy (µi_m) for the given cylinder (2) and in the given engine point; calculating the maximum variance (σi_max) for a given cylinder (2) and in a given engine point by means of a reduction of the spark advance actuated in the given cylinder (2); and determining the development of detonation phenomena for each combustion taken into account as a function of the comparison between the maximum variance (σi_max) and the variance (σi) of each combustion taken into account for a given cylinder (2) and in a given engine point.