Engine Control Unit Ignition Timing and Throttle Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Advancing engine ignition timing to improve fuel efficiency can lead to increased engine torque, causing vehicles to accelerate unexpectedly, which lowers maneuverability and is undesirable for drivers.
Innovation Solution
An engine control device that electronically controls throttle opening angles and ignition timing, allowing for further advancement of ignition timing while maintaining constant engine torque by reducing throttle opening angles, thus preventing unexpected acceleration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the engine ignition timing is advanced to improve fuel efficiency, then fuel efficiency is improved, but engine torque increases causing unexpected acceleration and reduced maneuverability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by simultaneously adjusting two parameters: ignition timing is advanced to improve fuel efficiency, while throttle opening angle is reduced to compensate for the torque increase. This coordinated parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction by maintaining constant engine torque while achieving better fuel efficiency. The control unit monitors engine operating conditions and dynamically adjusts these parameters based on the relationship between ignition timing and throttle opening angle.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the ignition timing is advanced further during vehicle cruising, then fuel efficiency increases further, but the vehicle accelerates unexpectedly lowering maneuverability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring engine torque and throttle opening angle, and adjusting these parameters to maintain constant engine torque during cruising. The control unit uses feedback from sensors to detect changes in engine operating conditions and dynamically adjusts the throttle opening angle in response to ignition timing changes, ensuring vehicle speed stability while achieving improved fuel efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by establishing a predetermined relationship between ignition timing and throttle opening angle. When ignition timing is advanced during cruising, the throttle opening angle is automatically reduced according to this relationship, maintaining constant engine torque and preventing unexpected acceleration. This coordinated parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between fuel efficiency improvement and vehicle speed stability.
Data Source
AI summary
An engine control device includes: an electronically controlled throttle which controls a flow rate of air-fuel mixture flowing into a cylinder of an engine by controlling a throttle opening angle electronically; an ignition device which ignites an air-fuel mixture existing in the cylinder; and an engine control unit which executes an ignition timing/throttle opening angle changing process of controlling the ignition device and the electronically controlled throttle while an operation of a body to be driven by the engine is in a steady state so as to advance a timing of ignition of an air-fuel mixture existing in the cylinder and to reduce the throttle opening angle while torque of the engine is kept constant.