Engine Oil Temperature Sensing for Rapid Fuel Injection Advancement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing engine systems face delays in cancelling advancement after a cold-start due to the time it takes for increased engine temperature to be sensed by temperature-sensing transducers, which affects exhaust-gas properties and noise reduction.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an oil-supply system that brings engine oil into contact with a temperature-sensing transducer, allowing for immediate temperature transmission and prompt cancellation of advancement, using a shape-memory spring and eccentric cam mechanism for compact and accurate timer operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a temperature-sensing transducer is used to sense atmospheric temperature for timer operation, then the device structure is simple, but the temperature sensing is delayed and advancement cancellation is not prompt

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature sensing speedVSAvoidtime delay in advancement cancellation
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Engine oil serves as an intermediary medium to transmit temperature from the engine to the temperature-sensing transducer. The oil supply system delivers hot engine oil to the timer housing where it contacts the transducer, enabling rapid temperature transmission without direct contact between the transducer and engine components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes the hydraulic system (engine oil circulation) to achieve temperature transmission. The oil supply port and oil supply passage form a hydraulic pathway that delivers temperature information rapidly from the engine to the sensing transducer, overcoming the limitations of atmospheric temperature sensing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Device complexity

If atmospheric temperature sensing is used, then the device complexity is low, but the advancement cancellation timing is delayed affecting exhaust-gas properties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature sensing system complexityVSAvoidexhaust-gas properties and noise
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Engine oil acts as a mediator that carries thermal energy from the engine to the temperature-sensing transducer. This intermediary approach enables rapid temperature detection while maintaining relatively simple device structure, allowing prompt advancement cancellation to improve exhaust-gas properties and reduce noise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The engine's own oil circulation system is utilized to provide temperature sensing functionality. The existing engine oil that circulates through the engine is redirected to also serve as the temperature transmission medium to the timer, eliminating the need for separate temperature sensing systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of time

If direct engine temperature contact is implemented, then temperature sensing is prompt, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime delay in temperature transmissionVSAvoidoil supply system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The engine oil serves multiple functions: it provides lubrication for the engine and simultaneously acts as a temperature transmission medium to the timer. This multi-functionality approach enables prompt temperature sensing without adding significant structural complexity, as the oil supply system already exists for lubrication purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The temperature sensing function is merged with the existing oil circulation system. The oil supply port and passage are integrated into the timer housing, combining the lubrication oil delivery function with the temperature transmission function in a unified structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables rapid cancellation of advancement after cold-start, improving exhaust-gas properties and reducing noise production by quickly sensing the increased engine temperature.

Implementation Method 1

a temperature-sensing transducer (7) which senses a temperature to operate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature sensing: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

using a shape-memory spring and eccentric cam mechanism for compact and accurate timer operation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectShape memory effect: Shape Memory Alloy

Implementation Method 3

using a shape-memory spring and eccentric cam mechanism for compact and accurate timer operation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEccentric mechanism: Eccentric

Data Source

PatentEP1840356B1Engine
Publication Date: 2011.05.11 KUBOTA CORP
  • EP1840356B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1840356B1 patent drawingFigure 2(A)~2(C)
  • EP1840356B1 patent drawingFigure 3(A)~3(F)

AI summary

An engine which has a fuel-injection advancement mechanism (20) under the control of a temperature-sensing transducer (7) such as a shape-memory spring such that an advancement operation is performed when the transducer senses a temperature less than the datum and the advancement operation is cancelled when the transducer senses a temperature not less than the datum. The transducer is disposed to sense the temperature of liquid oil (56) within the engine. In this engine, an oil pump for the engine oil (56) is in communication with an oil-supply port (58) and the engine oil (56) within the engine is supplied from the oil-supply port (58) to the timer (20), thereby enabling the engine oil (56) in liquid state to contact the temperature-sensing transducer (7).