Engine Starting System Feedback Signal Latent Degradation Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current engine starting system diagnostics are limited in detecting latent degradation, often only indicating successful engine cranking without providing insights into individual component performance, which can lead to missed detection of issues in systems that operate briefly and are not evaluated post-operation.
Innovation Solution
A method involving sampling and storing engine starting system feedback signals during engine starts, ceasing sampling when the engine speed exceeds a threshold, and indicating degradation if the signals do not conform to expected patterns, allowing for more sophisticated diagnostics and improved detection of latent issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If simple diagnostics indicating only successful engine cranking are used, then the diagnostic system is simple and easy to implement, but latent degradation of engine starting system components cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary sampling and storage of feedback signals during the engine cranking operation itself, before the engine starts running. This allows diagnostic data to be captured during the critical evaluation period when starting components are actively engaged, enabling detection of latent degradation without requiring separate diagnostic procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by sampling engine starting system feedback signals during cranking operations and comparing them against expected patterns. This feedback mechanism enables the diagnostic system to detect deviations indicating component degradation, transforming a simple cranking indication system into an intelligent diagnostic system that provides insights into component health.
2Loss of information
If feedback signals are sampled continuously during all engine operations, then complete operational data is captured, but memory resources are wasted on data from operations where starting components are not engaged
Solution Approach 1:
The diagnostic approach segments the engine operation into distinct phases: cranking operation (when starting components are engaged) and running operation (when they are not). Feedback signal sampling is selectively applied only to the cranking phase, ensuring diagnostic data is captured when relevant while avoiding unnecessary memory consumption during running phases when starting components are inactive.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial sampling action by capturing feedback signals only during the specific time window when engine starting components are engaged (during cranking), rather than continuously during all engine operations. This partial action approach captures all necessary diagnostic information while minimizing memory resource consumption by excluding redundant data from periods when starting components are not operational.
3Measurement precision
If diagnostics only indicate whether engine started successfully, then the diagnostic system is simple to implement, but individual component performance cannot be evaluated
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback signals from engine starting system components during cranking operations to evaluate individual component performance. By sampling and analyzing these feedback signals against expected patterns, the system can identify which specific components are performing degraded, transforming a simple pass/fail diagnostic into a detailed component-level evaluation system.
Solution Approach 2:
The diagnostic evaluation is performed preliminarily during the cranking operation itself, analyzing feedback signals as they are generated. This allows component performance to be assessed in real-time during the actual operational stress period, providing immediate insights into component health without requiring separate post-operation analysis procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for operating a vehicle that includes feedback of operating status of an engine starting system is described. In one example, the method inhibits automatic engine pull-down in response to feedback from an engine starting system that does not meet expectations. The system and method may provide diagnostics for the engine starting system.