Predicting Engine Oil Pressure Using Cam Phaser Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The addition of multiple oil pressure sensors in engines to monitor downstream oil pressure increases complexity and cost, particularly with the incorporation of hydraulically actuated components like cam phasers and multi-step lifters.
Innovation Solution
A control module that includes a cam phaser control module, a cam phaser oil pressure determination module, and a system oil pressure prediction module, which measures and predicts engine oil pressure by opening an oil control valve to actuate a cam phaser and determines oil pressure between the valve and the oil pump outlet, eliminating the need for additional sensors through calculations and empirical equations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional oil pressure sensors are installed at downstream locations to monitor oil pressure for hydraulically actuated components, then oil pressure monitoring accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary computational model that acts as a mediator between the upstream oil pressure sensor and downstream hydraulic components. This model uses the measured upstream pressure, along with engine operating parameters (RPM, load, temperature) and component states (cam phaser position, lifter step), to calculate and predict downstream oil pressure at cam phaser and multi-step lifter locations, eliminating the need for additional physical sensors while maintaining monitoring accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical approach of installing multiple oil pressure sensors with a computational/electronic system. The control module uses software algorithms and mathematical models to substitute for the physical sensing infrastructure, calculating downstream pressures through computation rather than direct mechanical measurement, thereby reducing hardware complexity while preserving measurement capability
2Reliability
If additional oil pressure sensors are installed to monitor downstream oil pressure, then oil pressure monitoring coverage is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy or mathematical model of the downstream oil pressure sensing function. Instead of installing physical sensors, the system generates a computational representation (copy) of what the downstream pressure would be, based on upstream measurements and system state data. This virtual copying approach provides the same monitoring coverage information without the cost of additional physical sensing hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The single upstream oil pressure sensor serves multiple functions: it directly measures upstream pressure for lubrication monitoring and simultaneously provides the foundational data for calculating downstream pressures at multiple locations. This multi-functional use of a single sensor replaces what would traditionally require multiple dedicated sensors, reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining comprehensive monitoring coverage
Data Source
AI summary
A control module may include a cam phaser control module, a cam phaser oil pressure determination module, and a system oil pressure prediction module. The cam phaser control module may control an oil control valve (OCV) to control an oil flow to a cam phaser. The cam phaser oil pressure determination module may be in communication with the cam phaser control module and may determine a first engine oil pressure at a location between the OCV and the cam phaser when the OCV is in a open position. The system oil pressure prediction module may determine a second engine oil pressure at a location between the OCV and an oil pump outlet based on the first engine oil pressure.