Dual Supercharging Engine Control for Load-Adaptive Torque
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engines in semi-trailers face torque shortages and inefficient fuel consumption due to varying load conditions, particularly during starting and transient phases, as existing supercharging systems either waste energy or experience turbo lag.
Innovation Solution
An internal combustion engine with a control system that switches between combined supercharging by a supercharger and a turbocharger at heavy loads and single supercharging by the turbocharger at light loads, using a load sensor to determine the appropriate mode and optimize engine performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a large displacement engine with high output and multi-stage transmission is used to handle heavy load conditions, then the torque and power requirements are met, but the fuel consumption increases and the engine operates inefficiently during light load conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the supercharging system adjustable and adaptable to different operating conditions. The control device dynamically switches between single-stage and two-stage supercharging modes based on load conditions, enabling the engine to operate efficiently across a wide range of power requirements without being locked into a fixed high-power configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the supercharging function into two distinct stages: a first-stage turbocharger for light to medium loads and a second-stage supercharger for heavy loads. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific operating range, preventing the engine from consuming excessive fuel during light load conditions while still meeting high power demands when needed.
2Power
If a two-stage turbo system with VGS is used to achieve high torque across the engine working range, then the fuel consumption and output are improved, but torque shortage occurs at starting time and transient time due to supercharging response delay
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the first-stage turbocharger begin supercharging operations in advance before the second-stage supercharger is fully activated. This staged approach ensures that torque is available immediately at starting and transient times, eliminating the turbo lag problem while still achieving high torque output when full load is required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuity of useful action by overlapping the operation of the first-stage turbocharger and second-stage supercharger during transition periods. This continuous supercharging action maintains torque availability throughout the transient phase, preventing torque shortages while the system transitions between operating modes.
3Power
If combined supercharging by supercharger and turbocharger is performed at heavy load time, then the torque shortage is compensated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the control device to manage multiple supercharging modes using a single integrated control system. The control device can operate the first-stage turbocharger alone, the second-stage supercharger alone, or both in combination, providing multi-functionality without requiring separate control systems for each mode, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
4Use of energy by moving object
If single supercharging by turbocharger is performed at light load time, then the fuel consumption is improved, but the torque output is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the supercharging pressure and airflow parameters based on load conditions. During light load operation, the first-stage turbocharger provides optimized supercharging parameters that improve fuel consumption. When high torque is needed, the system transitions to two-stage supercharging with adjusted parameters to compensate for the torque reduction.
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 solution compensates for torque shortages at heavy loads and improves fuel efficiency at light loads, enabling downsizing and speeding down of the engine while reducing the need for high-torque gear ratios and minimizing fuel consumption.
Implementation Method 1
there is also an apparatus which realizes the high torque in a whole of an engine working range and achieves improvement of the fuel consumption and the output, by using an engine which is based on combination of a two-stage turbo system and a VGS (a variable blade turbo mechanism)
Implementation Method 2
it is thought to utilize a supercharger (a mechanical supercharging device; hereinafter refer to as S/C) which picks up rotary motion from an engine crank shaft so as to supercharge
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(c)
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An S/C (15) and a T/C (14) are provided, a load sensor (S1) detecting a traction load (W1) of a trailer (3) towed by a semi-trailer (1) is arranged in a coupler (5a), a combined supercharging by the S/C (15) and the T/C (14) is performed in the case where the traction load (W1) is heavier than a previously defined traction determination value (Wn), and a single supercharging only by the T/C (14) is performed in the case where the traction load (W1) is not more than the traction determination value (Wn). Accordingly, it is possible to perform the supercharging adapted to increase and decrease of a load applied to a vehicle.