Engine Control Apparatus for Cold Start Lubrication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engines face breakdowns due to inadequate lubrication in cold driving conditions, where high viscosity engine oil reduces oil transfer speed, leading to insufficient lubrication of critical components like turbochargers.
Innovation Solution
An engine control apparatus that limits engine torque or speed based on oil temperature and pressure to prevent oil pressure drops, ensuring adequate lubrication by maintaining optimal oil pressure in the oil circuit and predicting oil pressure in the turbocharger to prevent breakdowns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If engine oil is used for cooling and lubrication in cold driving conditions, then the engine moving parts require adequate lubrication, but the high viscosity of cold engine oil reduces oil transfer speed and causes inadequate lubrication
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit limits engine torque or speed before oil pressure becomes insufficient, preventing the harmful effect of inadequate lubrication before it occurs. By proactively restricting engine output based on detected oil temperature and pressure, the system ensures oil is supplied to critical components before viscosity-related pressure drops cause breakdowns.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors oil temperature and oil pressure through sensors, and the control unit adjusts engine torque or speed based on this feedback. When oil pressure falls below a threshold or oil temperature indicates cold conditions, the control unit automatically limits engine output to maintain adequate lubrication pressure.
2Reliability
If engine torque or speed is limited to prevent oil pressure drop, then breakdowns of moving parts are prevented, but engine output is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The engine output limitation is not fixed but dynamically adjusted based on real-time oil temperature and oil pressure conditions. As oil warms up and viscosity decreases, the control unit gradually allows higher engine output. This dynamic adjustment ensures maximum power is available when conditions permit while preventing breakdowns when oil is cold or pressure is low.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters of the engine (torque or speed) based on detected oil conditions. When oil temperature is low or oil pressure is insufficient, the control unit modifies engine parameters to limit output. When oil conditions improve, the limitations are relaxed, allowing the engine to operate at full capacity.
3Reliability
If oil pressure is increased to ensure adequate lubrication, then turbocharger breakdowns are prevented, but oil pressure drop in cold conditions makes this difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit predicts when oil pressure will become insufficient based on oil temperature and current pressure, and limits engine torque or speed in advance. This preliminary action prevents oil pressure from dropping to dangerous levels that would cause turbocharger lubrication failure, especially during cold starts when viscosity is high.
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
Prevents engine moving part breakdowns by ensuring sufficient lubrication, maintaining optimal engine output, and protecting turbochargers from inadequate lubrication by smoothly increasing oil supply and pressure, thereby extending engine life and reliability in cold conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The engine oil stored in an oil pan may be supplied to a main gallery by an oil pump
Implementation Method 2
engine oil may be used for cooling and lubrication
Implementation Method 3
engine oil may be used for cooling and lubrication
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
An engine control apparatus includes a temperature sensor configured to detect engine-related temperature information, a first calculator configured to calculate a first limit output value of an engine based on the temperature information inputted from the temperature sensor, an oil pressure sensor configured to detect a pressure of engine oil, a second calculator configured to calculate a second limit output value of the engine based on the oil pressure inputted from the oil pressure sensor, and a determiner configured to determine one of the first and second limit output values inputted from the first and second calculators as an optimal limit output value of the engine.