Engine Speed PI Control with Derivative-Limited Integral Action

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing speed control methods for internal combustion engines face challenges in providing quick and precise responses due to intrinsic delays, such as the capacitive effect of the intake manifold, leading to instability and unpredictable behavior when using PID controllers, especially during sudden load changes or gear shifts.

Innovation Solution

A control method utilizing a PI controller with a derivative contribution that intervenes to saturate the integral controller's output based on speed error and derivative, minimizing over- and underelongations without compromising stability, by incorporating a saturator that adjusts the integral controller's input and output signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a PID controller is used to improve response speed, then the response quickness is improved, but the system stability deteriorates due to high-frequency dynamics introduced by the derivative term

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse quicknessVSAvoidcontroller stability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the derivative term from the traditional PID controller structure and applies it specifically to the integral contribution rather than adding it as a separate parallel term. This selective extraction and repositioning of the derivative function allows capturing its beneficial quick-response特性 while avoiding the destabilizing high-frequency dynamics that would result from a full PID implementation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The derivative contribution is applied locally to the integral term rather than globally to the entire controller output. This localized application means the derivative action only modifies the integral contribution, allowing precise control over where and how the derivative effect is introduced into the system, thereby maintaining stability while improving response.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If the integral term is saturated to limit over- and underelongations, then the system stability is improved, but the response precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem stabilityVSAvoidspeed control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The derivative term acts in advance on the integral contribution before the integral term can generate large deviations. By anticipating the integral term's behavior and pre-adjusting it with the derivative action, the system prevents over- and underelongations before they occur, maintaining both stability and precision without needing aggressive saturation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If the integral term is reset to zero based on error sign change to limit over- and underelongations, then the system stability is improved, but the engine behavior becomes edgy and unpredictable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem stabilityVSAvoidengine behavior predictability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of a static reset-to-zero approach, the patent implements a dynamic adjustment where the derivative term continuously modifies the integral contribution based on the current error and its rate of change. This dynamic approach maintains stability while preserving smooth, predictable engine behavior by avoiding abrupt resets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3775522B1Speed control method for an internal combustion engine
Publication Date: 2023.05.24 FPT IND SPA
  • EP3775522B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3775522B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3775522B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Method to control an internal combustion engine by means of a feedback control based on an engine speed error (Err) calculated between a reference value (Ref) and a measured value (Speed), wherein said control comprises a proportional contribution (P) and an integral contribution (I), the method comprising a step of saturating said integral contribution as a function of a derivative (ΔSpeed) of said measured value of the speed (Speed) of the engine and of said speed error (Err).