Diesel Fuel Injector Disablement via ECM Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for disabling diesel engine fuel injectors during cranking are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and require specialized equipment or advanced training, making it difficult for technicians to perform diagnostic tests without triggering fault codes or emission issues.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that allows technicians to toollessly disable diesel engine fuel injectors by depressing the engine throttle to a predetermined level, actuating the compression-ignition cycle actuator, and holding the brake, which sends signals to the engine control module to disable the fuel injectors, allowing the engine to crank without starting, without removing the ECM wiring harness or using diagnostic tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a technician manually disables fuel injectors by unplugging sensors or actuators, then the engine can be cranked without starting, but this triggers fault codes to be broadcast to telematics monitoring centers and requires tools to clear fault codes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical disconnection of electrical connectors with an electronic control system. The ECM receives a disablement command through the existing diagnostic communication interface and electronically disables the fuel injectors by controlling their duty cycle, eliminating the need to physically unplug connectors and avoiding triggering fault codes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary control mechanism between the technician and the fuel injectors. Instead of directly disconnecting electrical connections, the technician sends a command through the diagnostic interface, which is mediated by the ECM to safely disable the injectors without triggering fault codes or requiring tool intervention to clear them.
2Reliability
If a diagnostic tool is used to disable fuel injectors, then fault codes are avoided, but the tool is expensive, requires advanced training, and is typically only available in dealership repair shop settings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the fuel injector disablement capability universally accessible through the existing diagnostic communication interface that is already present in all modern diesel vehicles. Any technician with a standard diagnostic interface can disable fuel injectors without needing expensive specialized tools, as the ECM handles the disablement function through normal communication protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The ECM itself provides the disablement functionality without requiring external specialized equipment. The control module uses its existing resources and communication capabilities to disable the fuel injectors, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for expensive external tools or advanced training.
3Ease of operation
If the ECM wiring harness is removed to disable fuel injectors, then the fuel injection system is disabled, but the wiring harness is locked in place and removing it requires unlocking electrical connections which triggers fault codes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of physically removing or disconnecting the ECM wiring harness with an electronic control approach. The ECM receives an electronic disablement command and controls the fuel injectors through their existing electrical connections, eliminating the need to unlock or disconnect wiring harnesses and avoiding triggering fault codes.
4Reliability
If emission monitoring equipment is added to meet regulations, then emission control is improved, but there is little open space in the engine area under the hood to work on the engine
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the existing diagnostic communication interface and ECM that are already present in all modern diesel vehicles for emission monitoring purposes. The same interface and control module are used to disable fuel injectors, eliminating the need for additional specialized equipment or wiring that would consume valuable under-hood workspace.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for toolless disablement of diesel engine fuel injectors during engine cranking to facilitate diagnostics by depressing an engine throttle to a predetermined minimum depression level, say, at least 90% of an engine throttle distance to a floor of a diesel vehicle, depressing a brake, actuating a compression-ignition cycle actuator to a crank position, and holding the depressed brake, depressed engine throttle to its predetermined depression level for a predetermined minimum period, for instance at least 3 seconds, sending signals from an engine throttle position sensor and an ignition sensor to an engine control module, receiving signals from the engine throttle position sensor and ignition sensor by the engine control module, sending signals from the engine control module to the at least one fuel injector to disable the at least one fuel injector, controlling cranking of an engine with the engine control module, and allowing the engine to crank with at least one disabled fuel injector and without the engine starting.