Engine Controller Asynchronous Data Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing controllers for internal combustion engines face increased processing load and control accuracy issues due to delayed communication timing and error in high-speed communication, particularly at high engine rotation speeds, where detection data from high-speed communication sensors is not synchronized with engine rotation.

Innovation Solution

A controller system that includes a crank angle sensor, an A/F sensor, and an engine ECU, which calculates rotation angles and transmission timing independently of engine rotation, allowing for asynchronous data transmission and correction, reducing processing load and improving control accuracy by storing and transmitting detection data at arbitrary communication timings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If detection data is transmitted at predetermined rotation angle timing synchronized with engine rotation, then control accuracy is improved, but processing load increases at high engine rotation speeds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol accuracyVSAvoidprocessing load

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides sensors into two categories: high-speed communication sensors for critical detection data requiring synchronization with engine rotation, and low-speed communication sensors for other detection data. This segmentation allows the controller to selectively process only essential data at high speeds, reducing overall processing load while maintaining control accuracy for critical parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a buffer memory as an intermediary component between the sensor and controller. The buffer temporarily stores detection data, allowing the controller to read data at optimal moments without being constrained by strict real-time synchronization requirements. This mediator decouples the timing constraints between data acquisition and processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If communication interval is shortened for high-speed rotation, then detection timing accuracy is improved, but communication timing delay occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection timing accuracyVSAvoidcommunication timing delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-processing and buffering detection data in the buffer memory before the controller needs to access it. This allows data to be ready for immediate retrieval without causing communication timing delays, as the data preparation occurs in advance during available time windows.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent maintains continuous data acquisition and buffering operations independent of engine rotation speed. The buffer continuously receives and stores detection data from sensors, ensuring that data is always available when needed without interruption or delay, regardless of how fast the engine is rotating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If detection data is transmitted asynchronously independent of engine rotation, then processing load is reduced, but control accuracy deteriorates due to lack of rotation angle information

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing loadVSAvoidcontrol accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The buffer memory acts as an intermediary that preserves the relationship between detection data and engine rotation angle. It stores data with associated timing information, allowing the controller to retrieve data synchronized with specific rotation angles without requiring continuous high-speed communication, thus maintaining accuracy while reducing processing load.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a copy of the essential synchronization information by storing detection data in the buffer with metadata indicating the corresponding engine rotation angle or timing. This copied timing information allows the controller to accurately associate detection data with the correct engine state without requiring real-time synchronous communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS10954871B2Control unit of internal combustion engine

Publication Date: 2021.03.23 DENSO CORP

AI summary

A controller of an internal combustion engine includes a sensor, a control unit controlling the engine, and a detector obtaining detection data from the sensor and transmitting the data to the control unit. The detector includes a detection data obtainer obtaining the detection data and storing the detection data in a storage upon having an input of a trigger signal, and a detection data transmitter transmitting the detection data stored in the storage to the control unit, and the control unit includes a trigger output unit outputting the trigger signal at a certain rotation angle timing of the internal combustion engine, and a detection data receiver obtaining the detection data from the detector.