Engine Bench Torque Control via Intermediate Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional engine bench systems struggle to accurately measure engine performance during racing tests due to inertia loading on the engine, which affects measurement accuracy and introduces temperature drift and vibration issues when the shaft torque sensor is positioned closer to the engine.

Innovation Solution

The engine bench system includes a dynamometer and a shaft torque detector positioned closer to the dynamometer, with an intermediate coupling body to redistribute inertia, allowing the dynamometer to handle torque proportional to the inertia moment of this body, thereby reducing load on the engine and improving measurement accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the shaft torque sensor is positioned closer to the engine, then the inertia loading on the engine is reduced, but temperature drift and vibration issues increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidtemperature drift and vibration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediate coupling body as a mediator between the engine and the shaft torque sensor. This intermediary component allows the sensor to be positioned closer to the engine (improving measurement accuracy) while the intermediate body absorbs and isolates the harmful effects of temperature drift and vibration from reaching the sensor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the shaft torque sensor is positioned closer to the dynamometer, then temperature drift and vibration are reduced, but the inertia of the output shaft causes loading on the engine

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature drift and vibrationVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the coupling system into segments: the engine, the intermediate coupling body, and the shaft torque sensor. This segmentation allows the sensor to be optimally positioned closer to the engine while the intermediate body handles the inertia management, resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and harmful factor isolation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If the shaft torque sensor is positioned closer to the engine, then the measurement accuracy is improved, but the inertia of the output shaft causes loading on the engine during racing tests

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidinertia loading on engine

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediate coupling body acts as a mediator that decouples the inertia effects from the engine. By positioning the shaft torque sensor closer to the engine through this intermediary, the measurement accuracy is improved while the intermediate body absorbs and manages the inertia loading during dynamic operations like racing tests.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 configuration enables accurate evaluation of engine performance during racing tests by minimizing load on the engine, reducing temperature drift, and maintaining measurement accuracy while controlling torque effectively.

Implementation Method 1

a shaft torque detector that detects torsional torque at a coupling unit between the output shaft of the dynamometer and the test body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTorsional torque detection: Torque

Implementation Method 2

the inertia of a portion from the shaft torque sensor to the crankshaft of the engine, i.e. output shaft, must cause loading on the side of the engine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInertia: Inertia

Data Source

PatentUS9400231B2Engine bench system

Publication Date: 2016.07.26 MEIDENSHA CORP

AI summary

Provided is an engine bench system capable of performing a racing test with good precision. A test body is separated into an engine main body and intermediate coupling body for connecting a crankshaft and an output shaft of the dynamometer. The engine bench system is provided with: a shaft torque sensor for detecting torsional torque; a shaft torque command generation apparatus for calculating a dynamo-side shaft torque command value by summing an engine-side shaft torque command value, and a torque value proportional to the moment of inertia of the intermediate coupling body; and a shaft torque controller for generating a torque control signal on the basis of the dynamo-side shaft torque command value and the output value of the shaft torque sensor.