ECU Wake-Up Control for Engine Startability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing engine startability improvement methods for GDI, LPI, and diesel engine vehicles are hindered by the need for additional hardware and extra ECU pins, leading to increased costs and reduced layout flexibility, and struggle to prevent ignition delays due to fuel phase changes when the ignition key is turned off after high-speed travel.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing hardware wake-up period control, where a low-pressure fuel pump is operated by the ECU based on a key-off timer during the engine soaking time, preventing fuel phase changes and maintaining pressure in the fuel line by controlling battery voltage and temperature conditions, without requiring separate hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hardware-based engine startability improvement logic is used to improve restartability, then engine restartability is improved, but device complexity increases due to addition of separate hardware and extra ECU pins
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the engine startability improvement function into the existing ECU by utilizing the ECU's wake-up period control capability. The low-pressure fuel pump control logic is integrated into the ECU's existing key-off timer and wake-up control mechanisms, eliminating the need for separate hardware components and extra ECU pins while maintaining improved restartability.
Solution Approach 2:
The ECU is made multi-functional by enabling it to perform both its primary engine control functions and the additional function of improving engine restartability through wake-up period control. The ECU's existing wake-up control mechanism is repurposed to activate the low-pressure fuel pump during the wake-up period, allowing one component to serve multiple purposes.
2Loss of time
If low-pressure pump is operated in hardware-based engine startability improvement logic, then ignition delay is reduced, but cost increases due to addition of separate hardware
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the low-pressure pump control function with the ECU's existing wake-up control system. By integrating the pump control logic into the ECU's key-off timer and wake-up period management, the system reduces ignition delay without requiring separate hardware components, thereby avoiding additional manufacturing costs.
3Stability of the object's composition
If low-pressure pump is operated continuously to maintain fuel pressure, then fuel phase changes are prevented, but energy consumption increases causing battery discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by operating the low-pressure fuel pump only during the ECU's wake-up period after key-off, rather than continuously. The pump is activated for a specific duration (e.g., 1-5 seconds) during the wake-up period to maintain fuel pressure and prevent phase changes, then deactivated to conserve battery energy. This periodic operation balances fuel stability with energy conservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by activating the low-pressure fuel pump during the ECU's wake-up period before the engine is actually started. This preliminary pump operation ensures that fuel pressure is maintained and fuel remains in liquid phase before ignition is attempted, preventing fuel phase changes that would occur if the pump were not operated in advance.
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 startability by preventing fuel phase changes and reducing ignition delays, even after extended vehicle stops, while avoiding battery discharge and maintaining uniform fuel pressure, thus improving restartability without the need for additional hardware.
Implementation Method 1
maintaining pressure in the fuel line by controlling battery voltage and temperature conditions
Implementation Method 2
preventing fuel phase changes when the ignition key is turned off after high-speed travel
Implementation Method 3
operated by the ECU based on a key-off timer during the engine soaking time
Implementation Method 4
after the pressure in a fuel line is increased by the high-temperature thermal expansion therein
Implementation Method 5
the pressure (i.e. the residual pressure) in the fuel line is decreased by the low-temperature contraction therein
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a vehicle having improved engine startability using hardware wake-up period control by performing a vehicle state detection mode to which a battery voltage, an engine oil temperature, and an engine coolant temperature are applied by a controller in a key-off state of an engine, a wake-up fuel pressure control mode for determining whether a soaking time reaches a wake-up set time by the count of a key-off timer for 80 minutes, a pump operation control mode for operating a low-pressure fuel pump for approximately 1 second by the current supplied in response to a key-off output signal over the period of 80 minutes, and a wake-up repetition control mode for repeating a number of times the low-pressure fuel pump is operated to maximum 6 times.