Engine Operation Parameter Determination During Gear Shift

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for determining engine operation parameter values during gear shifts in heavy vehicles are inaccurate, leading to suboptimal gear selection and inefficient engine operation, which affects emissions, efficiency, and driveability.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize an engine operation simulation model to determine desired engine operation parameter values prior to gear shifts by analyzing initial conditions such as torque demand, engine speed, and other parameters like boost pressure and turbine speed, reducing the need for extensive calculations and storage, and enabling improved engine control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If engine operation parameter values are determined during gear shift operation using conventional methods, then gear shift control is provided, but the determination is inaccurate leading to suboptimal gear selection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of engine operation parameter determinationVSAvoidefficiency of engine operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by determining engine operation parameter values (boost pressure, turbine speed, compressor speed, exhaust gas temperature) before the gear shift operation occurs. The simulation model predicts these parameters in advance based on initial conditions and planned torque/engine speed development courses, allowing accurate gear selection without waiting for actual measurements during the shift.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an engine operation simulation model as an intermediary between the control system and actual engine parameters. This simulation model acts as a mediator that predicts future parameter values based on current conditions and planned operations, providing accurate predictions without requiring direct measurement during the dynamic gear shift process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If extensive calculations and storage are performed to determine accurate engine operation parameters, then measurement precision improves, but computational load and storage requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of engine operation parameter determinationVSAvoidcomputational complexity and storage requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The simulation model is configured with planned torque and engine speed development courses as inputs, allowing it to predict parameter values without performing extensive real-time calculations. By preparing the simulation framework in advance with the intended operation profile, the system achieves accurate predictions with reduced computational burden during actual gear shift execution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If gear shift operation is controlled based on assessed available engine torque, then gear shifting is enabled, but the assessment is inaccurate due to boost pressure variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegear shift operation capabilityVSAvoidaccuracy of available engine torque assessment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces direct mechanical measurement and assessment of available engine torque with a simulation-based prediction approach. Instead of relying on physical sensors and complex real-time calculations during gear shift, the system uses a virtual simulation model that predicts torque based on engine operation parameters, providing more accurate assessment without mechanical measurement limitations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The simulation model serves as an intermediary between the control system and actual engine torque. Rather than directly measuring torque during the dynamic gear shift process, the model predicts torque values based on engine operation parameters, providing a more accurate intermediate assessment that accounts for boost pressure variations and other dynamic effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3377381B1Method and system for determining engine operation parameter values during a gear shift operation
Publication Date: 2020.12.23 SCANIA CV AB
  • EP3377381B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3377381B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b
  • EP3377381B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for determining engine operation parameter values during and/or after a gear shift operation prior to performing said gear shift operation. The method comprises the steps of, prior to the gear shift operation: determining (S1) initial conditions comprising torque demand and engine speed and certain other engine operation parameter values; providing (S2) said initial conditions to an engine operation simulation model; providing (S3) a torque development course as well as an engine speed development course during the intended gear shift operation to said engine operation simulation model; and determining (S4) desired engine operation parameter values by means of said engine operation simulation model based upon the information thus provided to said engine operation simulation model. The present invention also relates to a system for determining engine operation parameter values during and/or after a gear shift operation prior to performing said gear shift operation. The present invention also relates to a vehicle. The present invention also relates to a computer program and a computer program product.