Engine Controller Combustion Stability via Deterioration Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engines face instability in compression-ignited combustion due to actuator and fuel injection system deterioration, leading to variations between cylinders and cycles, with existing technologies failing to adequately address these issues, particularly in detecting and controlling deterioration.
Innovation Solution
An engine controller that recognizes deterioration states of actuators and fuel injection systems during spark-ignited combustion, adjusting switching conditions between spark-ignited and compression-ignited combustion modes, and operational conditions for compression-ignited combustion to ensure stable operation, using sensors like air-fuel ratio, O2, and cylinder pressure sensors to optimize fuel injection and valve timing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If compression-ignited combustion is used to reduce NOx emissions and improve efficiency, then environmental performance and fuel efficiency are improved, but combustion stability deteriorates when actuators or fuel injection systems become deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of fuel injection system deterioration during spark-ignited combustion operation by monitoring cylinder pressure variations between cylinders. Based on the detected deterioration state, the control unit pre-adjusts fuel injection quantities and timing before switching to compression-ignited combustion, ensuring stable combustion even with deteriorated components. This preliminary action prevents combustion instability that would otherwise occur when deterioration is present.
2Reliability
If multiple injection control is used to stabilize compression-ignited combustion, then combustion stability is improved, but the minimum reliable fuel injection quantity increases, reducing the usable operation range
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts fuel injection quantities and timing based on real-time detection of deterioration state and operating conditions. During spark-ignited combustion, the system detects cylinder pressure variations to determine deterioration level. When switching to compression-ignited combustion, the system dynamically optimizes injection parameters (quantity, timing, duration) according to the detected deterioration state, enabling stable combustion across a wide operation range without being constrained by fixed minimum injection quantities.
3Reliability
If combustion control based on cylinder pressure feedback is implemented, then combustion stability is improved, but the system complexity increases due to additional sensors and control algorithms
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the engine's own cylinder pressure data, already available for combustion monitoring, to detect fuel injection system deterioration. By analyzing pressure variations between cylinders during spark-ignited combustion, the system self-diagnoses injection system state without requiring external sensors. This self-service approach enables deterioration detection and adaptive control while minimizing additional system complexity.
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
The engine controller achieves stable compression-ignited combustion across a wide operation range, preventing knocking and misfire by adjusting fuel injection and valve timing based on deterioration states, ensuring optimal combustion even when actuators or fuel injection systems degrade.
Implementation Method 1
using sensors like air-fuel ratio, O2, and cylinder pressure sensors
Implementation Method 2
using sensors like air-fuel ratio, O2, and cylinder pressure sensors
Implementation Method 3
using sensors like air-fuel ratio, O2, and cylinder pressure sensors
Implementation Method 4
adjusting fuel injection and valve timing based on deterioration states
Implementation Method 5
adjusting fuel injection and valve timing based on deterioration states
Implementation Method 6
selectively executing compression-ignited combustion and spark-ignited combustion
Data Source
AI summary
An engine controller controls an actuator for selectively executing spark-ignited combustion and compression-ignited combustion of an internal combustion engine in accordance with an engine operational state. The controller is comprises of a deterioration recognition section for recognizing a deterioration state of the engine or the actuator during the spark-ignited combustion. The engine controller is configured to change at least one of a switching condition between the spark-ignited combustion and compression-ignited combustion and an operational condition for the compression-ignited combustion, during the spark-ignited combustion, in accordance with the deterioration state of the engine or the actuator recognized by the deterioration recognition section.