Engine Start Control Using Open Exhaust Valves for Cold Ignition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Diesel engines struggle to ignite fuel at low temperatures, leading to fuel ejection into the atmosphere and battery depletion, contributing to pollution and operational inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

An engine control system that manages valve positions and crankshaft rotations to preheat combustion chambers before fuel injection, utilizing a phased approach to enhance temperature and ensure ignition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If diesel fuel is injected into the combustion chamber at low temperatures, then the engine can be started, but the fuel fails to ignite and is ejected into the atmosphere causing pollution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine start capabilityVSAvoidfuel ejection pollution

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary heating of the combustion chamber by controlling the exhaust valve to remain open during crankshaft rotation before fuel injection, raising the temperature to a level that ensures fuel ignition and prevents unburned fuel ejection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the exhaust valve remains open during crankshaft rotation before fuel injection, then the combustion chamber temperature increases for better ignition, but the engine control system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel ignition reliabilityVSAvoidengine control system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts exhaust valve timing based on operating conditions, specifically keeping the exhaust valve open during crankshaft rotation when temperature is low to ensure reliable fuel ignition, while returning to normal operation when conditions improve

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Improves fuel ignition reliability and reduces pollution by optimizing engine start-up at low temperatures, enhancing efficiency and reducing battery drain.

Implementation Method 1

causing, for each combustion chamber of at least one combustion chamber of the engine, an exhaust valve of the combustion chamber to remain in an opened position while the crankshaft rotates through the first plurality of rotations and prior to fuel being injected into the combustion chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS12486816B2Engine control systems and methods for starting an engine

Publication Date: 2025.12.02 PACCAR INC

AI summary

An engine control system for a vehicle includes at least one processor; and a memory, operatively connected to the at least one processor and storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor and in response to receiving an engine start signal, cause the engine control system to perform a method, the method including causing a crankshaft of an engine of the vehicle to begin to rotate and to rotate through a first plurality of rotations, and causing, for each combustion chamber of at least one combustion chamber of the engine, an exhaust valve of the combustion chamber to remain in an opened position while the crankshaft rotates through the first plurality of rotations and prior to fuel being injected into the combustion chamber.