Dual Injector Fuel Control for Transient Knock and Economy

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing engine control systems that use both port and direct fuel injection struggle to adapt to varying driver habits, leading to inconsistent fuel economy and ethanol consumption, as they rely on average driving cycles and knock sensor feedback, which can result in transient knock issues for aggressive drivers and reduced fuel efficiency for conservative drivers.

Innovation Solution

A method that adjusts fuel delivery by using a first and second fuel with different heat of vaporization, delivered through separate injectors, and adjusts their relative amounts based on driver-selected engine modes, reducing reliance on knock sensor feedback for aggressive driving and conserving fuel by anticipating engine constraints.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If predetermined fuel distribution settings are based on average driving cycles with knock sensor feedback, then fuel economy is improved for conservative drivers, but transient knock occurs for aggressive drivers before feedback can react

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel economyVSAvoidknock suppression responsiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by anticipating driver behavior patterns and pre-adjusting fuel injection settings before knock occurs. The controller learns from driving patterns and proactively modifies fuel distribution between port and direct injectors to prevent transient knock, rather than waiting for knock sensor feedback.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from knock sensors and driving pattern analysis to continuously refine fuel injection settings. The controller monitors actual driving behavior and adjusts predetermined settings based on learned patterns, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to individual driver habits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If knock sensor feedback is used to adjust fuel injection, then transient knock is suppressed, but conservative drivers experience reduced fuel economy gains and unnecessary ethanol consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveknock suppressionVSAvoidfuel economy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by anticipating driver behavior patterns and pre-adjusting fuel injection settings before knock occurs. The controller learns from driving patterns and proactively modifies fuel distribution between port and direct injectors to prevent transient knock, rather than waiting for knock sensor feedback.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes parameters by dynamically adjusting the ratio of port-injected fuel to direct-injected fuel based on learned driving patterns. For conservative drivers, the system increases port injection proportion to improve fuel economy, while for aggressive drivers, it increases direct injection with higher ethanol content to prevent knock.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If direct injection of ethanol is used with port injected gasoline, then knock suppression is improved, but fuel economy is reduced due to higher ethanol consumption rates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveknock suppression capabilityVSAvoidfuel economy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies dynamics by making the fuel injection system adaptive and variable rather than fixed. The controller dynamically adjusts the split between port-injected gasoline and direct-injected ethanol based on real-time driving patterns, engine load, and knock detection, optimizing the balance between knock suppression and fuel economy for each driving scenario.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes parameters by dynamically adjusting the ratio of port-injected fuel to direct-injected fuel based on learned driving patterns. For conservative drivers, the system increases port injection proportion to improve fuel economy, while for aggressive drivers, it increases direct injection with higher ethanol content to prevent knock.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 enhances engine performance and fuel economy by anticipating and managing engine constraints based on driver habits, reducing transient knock and optimizing fuel usage by dynamically adjusting fuel injection settings and engine parameters according to selected modes.

Implementation Method 1

delivering a second fuel to the cylinder of the engine from a second injector, (where, for example, the second fuel has a greater heat of vaporization than the first fuel)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat of vaporization: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS7890241B2Boosted engine control responsive to driver selected performance

Publication Date: 2011.02.15 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

Various systems and methods are described for operating an engine in a vehicle in response to a driver performance/economy mode. One example method comprises delivering a first fuel to a cylinder of the engine from a first injector, delivering a second, different, fuel to the cylinder of the engine from a second injector, varying a relative amount of said first and second fuel as an operating condition varies; and adjusting delivery of at least said second fuel based on a driver-selected performance mode.