Internal Combustion Engine Probe Aging Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engine probes, such as oxygen and nitrogen oxide sensors, deteriorate over time, leading to reduced measurement accuracy and suboptimal engine control, especially due to humidity effects during overrun cut-off phases.
Innovation Solution
A method involving pump electrodes to establish an aging factor by controlling first and second pump currents to decompose water into oxygen and hydrogen, allowing for adaptive calibration of the probe characteristics independently of humidity, using a low-pass filter to ensure accurate operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the probe is used to establish gas concentration during overrun cut-off phase, then the measurement can be performed, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates due to humidity influence on oxygen concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing an aging factor that accounts for humidity effects on oxygen concentration measurements. The control unit calculates this aging factor based on the determined oxygen concentration and uses it to adapt the probe characteristic, thereby compensating for humidity-induced measurement deviations and maintaining accuracy throughout the probe's operational life.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the oxygen concentration during overrun cut-off phase and using this information to calculate an aging factor. This feedback loop allows the system to adapt the probe characteristic dynamically, compensating for both aging effects and humidity influences on measurements.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the probe operates for extended duration, then continuous monitoring is achieved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to probe aging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by determining the oxygen concentration during the overrun cut-off phase before normal operation continues. This preliminary measurement allows the system to calculate an aging factor that can be used to adapt the probe characteristic in advance, compensating for aging effects before they significantly degrade measurement accuracy during subsequent operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the oxygen concentration and using this information to calculate and apply an aging factor. This feedback loop allows the system to adapt the probe characteristic dynamically throughout its operational life, maintaining measurement accuracy despite extended usage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If adaptation is performed during overrun cut-off phase, then probe characteristic can be adjusted, but the adaptation is affected by humidity-dependent oxygen concentration variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing an aging factor that separates humidity effects from actual probe aging. By calculating this factor based on oxygen concentration measurements and using it to adapt the probe characteristic, the system compensates for both humidity influences and aging effects, maintaining accurate measurements throughout operation.
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
This method maintains probe accuracy by compensating for water content and humidity, enabling continuous optimal operation of internal combustion engines by adapting the probe characteristics based on the determined aging factor, even in dynamic conditions.
Implementation Method 1
controlling a first pump current (IP1) at the at least one pump electrode in such a way that a first pump voltage (V1) is obtained, controlling a second pump current (IP2) at the at least one pump electrode in such a way that a second pump voltage (V2) is obtained
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of the teachings herein may include a method for operating an internal combustion engine having probe measuring a gas concentration of a gas mixture, said probe comprising a pump electrode, comprising: controlling a first pump current at the pump electrode to provide a resulting first pump voltage; controlling a second pump current at the pump electrode to provide a resulting second pump voltage, wherein the second pump voltage is greater than the first pump voltage; calculating an aging factor for the probe on the basis of the first pump current and the second pump current; and adapting operation of the internal combustion engine based on a characteristic of the probe corresponding to the calculated aging factor.