Engine Controller Combustion Mode Switching for Noise Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Premixed combustion in engines often generates loud noise due to its shorter combustion time, making it difficult to maintain vehicle quietness while improving emission performance and riding comfort.

Innovation Solution

An engine controller that switches between premixed and diffusion combustion operations based on noise level parameters, such as boost pressure and intake-air oxygen levels, to maintain quietness and improve emission performance by continuing premixed combustion when noise is acceptable and switching to diffusion combustion when noise increases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If premixed combustion operation is performed to improve emission performance, then NOx and soot emissions are reduced, but noise level increases due to shorter combustion time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemission performanceVSAvoidnoise level
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically switches between premixed combustion and diffusion combustion modes based on detected noise levels and vehicle traveling states. The combustion mode is not fixed but adapts in real-time to maintain optimal balance between emission performance and noise control, resolving the contradiction by making the system flexible rather than static.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes combustion mode parameters (switching between premixed and diffusion combustion) based on noise level parameters and vehicle state. By adjusting the combustion mode parameter according to detected conditions, the system achieves low emissions during normal operation while switching to noise-appropriate modes when noise becomes problematic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-generated harmful factors

If premixed combustion operation is continued to maintain emission performance, then emission control is improved, but vehicle quietness deteriorates when noise becomes excessive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemission controlVSAvoidvehicle quietness
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses noise level detection as feedback to determine whether to continue or switch combustion mode. The detected noise level feeds back to the combustion mode determination unit, which then adjusts the combustion mode accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by continuously monitoring and responding to noise conditions while maintaining emission performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically monitors its own noise impact and self-adjusts the combustion mode without external intervention. The noise detection unit and combustion mode determination unit work together to have the system serve itself by autonomously resolving the emission-noise contradiction based on real-time conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If diffusion combustion operation is switched to reduce noise, then vehicle quietness is improved, but emission performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle quietnessVSAvoidemission performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the combustion mode dynamic rather than static, switching between diffusion and premixed combustion based on real-time noise levels and vehicle states. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to achieve quietness when needed while maintaining emission performance when conditions permit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system periodically evaluates noise levels and vehicle traveling states to determine appropriate combustion mode switching. This periodic monitoring and switching mechanism allows the system to alternate between combustion modes as conditions change, resolving the contradiction between noise control and emission performance over time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 effectively reduces noise discomfort for the driver while enhancing emission performance and ride comfort by dynamically adjusting combustion modes based on noise-related parameters.

Implementation Method 1

The premixed combustion is a state of burning a premix of fuel and oxygen (oxidant) in, for example, a spark-ignition gasoline engine that injects fuel into an intake port

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPremixed combustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 2

The diffusion combustion is a state of burning a somewhat inhomogeneous mixture of fuel and oxygen (combustion with diffusion of fuel and oxygen)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion combustion: Combustion

Data Source

PatentEP3002438B1Engine controller
Publication Date: 2019.03.13 MITSUBISHI MOTORS CORP
  • EP3002438B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3002438B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2D
  • EP3002438B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A controller (1) of an engine performing a premixed combustion operation and a diffusion combustion operation that are switchable in accordance with the traveling state of a vehicle, includes a detector (2) detecting a sudden-acceleration request for sudden acceleration of the vehicle, on the basis of a driving operation from a driver, and a determiner (6) determining whether the premixed combustion operation is continued or switched to the diffusion combustion operation, using conditions including parameters correlated with the noise level of the engine (10), when the detector (2) detects the sudden-acceleration request in the premixed combustion operation.