Engine Fuel Consumption Evaluation via Accelerator and Speed Correlation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle condition evaluation systems, particularly for engine-driven traveling vehicles with mechanical governor controlled engines, face challenges in accurately calculating fuel consumption and engine load due to the need for costly sensors and complex hardware/software configurations.
Innovation Solution
A condition evaluation system that uses a rotational speed detecting section, an accelerator opening degree detecting section, and a fuel injection amount calculating means to estimate fuel injection amounts based on correlations between accelerator opening degrees and engine rotational speeds, allowing for simplified calculation of fuel consumption and engine load without requiring direct sensor inputs to the fuel system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a flowmeter is mounted in fuel piping to determine actual fuel flow rate, then measurement precision of fuel consumption is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical flowmeters with an electronic control system that calculates fuel injection amount based on accelerator opening degree and engine rotational speed. The ECU computes fuel consumption using correlation data between accelerator opening degree, rotational speed, and fuel injection amount, eliminating the need for physical flow measurement devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses correlation data (a digital model) that represents the relationship between accelerator opening degree, engine rotational speed, and fuel injection amount. This correlation table serves as a digital copy of the fuel consumption characteristics, allowing calculation without direct physical measurement of fuel flow.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors (fuel flowmeter, engine load sensor) are used to obtain control parameters, then measurement precision of fuel consumption and engine load is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the accelerator opening degree sensor serve multiple functions: it directly controls fuel injection amount and also provides input data for calculating fuel consumption and engine load. This single sensor replaces what would traditionally require multiple specialized sensors, reducing system complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The engine's own operational parameters (accelerator opening degree and rotational speed, which are naturally available) are used to calculate fuel consumption and engine load. The system leverages existing data from normal engine operation rather than requiring separate measurement devices, making the engine itself provide the information needed for evaluation.
3Reliability
If direct fuel flow measurement is implemented, then reliability of fuel consumption calculation is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical fuel flow measurement systems with an electronic calculation system that uses readily available sensor data from the engine control system. This substitution simplifies installation and manufacturing while maintaining calculation reliability through established correlation data between accelerator opening, rotational speed, and fuel injection.
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel consumption amount evaluation system is disclosed. The system includes a rotational speed detecting section (5b) for detecting an engine rotational speed of the engine-driven traveling vehicle as a measured rotational speed, an accelerator opening degree detecting section (5a) for detecting an accelerator opening degree, a fuel injection amount calculating means (50) for calculating a fuel injection amount per predetermined unit from the accelerator opening degree and the measured rotational speed, and a mileage evaluating section (54) for effecting a mileage evaluation based on the fuel injection amount calculated by the fuel injection amount calculating means (50).