Multi-Cylinder Engine Pressure Sensor Timing Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing control systems for multi-cylinder internal combustion engines face challenges in effectively monitoring combustion conditions across a large number of cylinders due to increased processing loads and reduced data acquisition time from cylinder pressure sensors, especially during engine regeneration processes.

Innovation Solution

A control apparatus with timing adjustment circuitry that optimizes the duration of angular regions for data acquisition from cylinder pressure sensors, allowing for more comprehensive monitoring of combustion conditions across multiple cylinders, even with a large number of cylinders, by adjusting the timing based on current engine operating conditions and fuel injection modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If multiplexing is applied to cylinder pressure sensor signals to handle multiple cylinders, then the processing load is reduced, but the data acquisition time for each cylinder is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing loadVSAvoiddata acquisition time

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the multiplexing timing adjustable rather than fixed. The control apparatus dynamically changes the timing of data acquisition intervals based on engine operating conditions, allowing optimization of the balance between processing load and data acquisition time for each cylinder.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the timing parameter of data acquisition intervals. By adjusting when data are acquired from each cylinder's pressure sensor during the engine cycle, the system can accommodate varying combustion monitoring needs while managing the multiplexed data acquisition timeline efficiently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If data are acquired continuously for each cylinder, then combustion monitoring is comprehensive, but the processing load increases with the number of cylinders

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecombustion monitoring accuracyVSAvoidprocessing load

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by acquiring data from cylinder pressure sensors at specific intervals rather than continuously. The control apparatus periodically samples data at optimized timing intervals, which reduces the processing load while still providing sufficient combustion monitoring accuracy through strategic sampling points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Power

If the number of cylinders increases, then engine power output increases, but the data acquisition time for each cylinder decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine power outputVSAvoiddata acquisition time per cylinder

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the data acquisition timing dynamic and adaptable. As the number of cylinders increases, the system automatically adjusts the timing intervals to ensure adequate data acquisition time for each cylinder, preventing the acquisition time from being excessively reduced while maintaining comprehensive monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If fuel injection is extended for exhaust gas purification regeneration, then combustion monitoring requirements increase, but the data acquisition time window is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexhaust gas purification capabilityVSAvoiddata acquisition time window

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically adjusts data acquisition timing based on engine operating modes. During exhaust gas purification regeneration, the control apparatus modifies the timing of data acquisition intervals to align with the extended combustion period, ensuring adequate monitoring time while accommodating the reduced time window imposed by the regeneration process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS7606651B2Apparatus for controlling timings of intervals in which combustion chamber pressure data are acquired from output signals of cylinder pressure sensors of multi-cylinder internal combustion engine

Publication Date: 2009.10.20 DENSO CORP

AI summary

A control apparatus for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine includes pressure sensors used for acquiring combustion chamber pressure data for each engine cylinder, during each of a series of selection intervals respectively corresponding to that cylinder, with each selection interval corresponding to a specific angular displacement of the crankshaft and having a timing determined with respect to a reference piston position in the corresponding cylinder. The timing of the selection intervals is adjusted in accordance with current conditions of the engine, such as a fuel injection mode, to be appropriate for monitoring combustion conditions in the cylinders.