Engine Starting Fuel Injection Timing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing engine starting methods often result in increased emissions and inconsistent starting times, as they involve arbitrary fuel injection to engine cylinders, which can lead to engine misfires and disappointing driver experiences.
Innovation Solution
A method where fuel is selectively injected to an engine cylinder with an open intake valve a predetermined number of crankshaft degrees before the intake valve closes, allowing for evaporated and liquid fuel to enter the cylinder, thereby reducing emissions and cranking time, and improving starting consistency and driver perception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fuel is injected to all engine cylinders simultaneously or arbitrarily, then engine starting may be achieved at times, but engine emissions increase and starting consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fuel injection process by selecting a specific cylinder for the first fuel injection event rather than injecting fuel to all cylinders simultaneously. This segmentation allows for optimized fuel delivery timing and location, improving starting consistency while reducing emissions through targeted fuel injection based on intake valve status and crankshaft position
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by injecting fuel to a specific cylinder (cylinder 1) with optimal characteristics (open intake valve, appropriate crankshaft position) rather than treating all cylinders uniformly. This localized approach ensures fuel is delivered where and when it is most effective, improving starting reliability and reducing wasted fuel that would contribute to emissions
2Productivity
If fuel injection timing is not optimized relative to intake valve closing, then injection may be completed early enough for fuel to enter cylinder, but engine cranking time increases and starting performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by selecting and preparing the optimal cylinder for fuel injection before the actual injection occurs. By evaluating intake valve status and crankshaft position in advance and selecting cylinder 1 as the target for first fuel injection, the system ensures fuel is delivered at the optimal moment, reducing cranking time while maintaining reliable starting performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamics by making the fuel injection strategy adaptive based on real-time engine conditions (intake valve status, crankshaft position, fuel type, engine temperature). The control system dynamically selects the optimal cylinder and timing for fuel injection, allowing the engine to achieve reliable starting with optimized cranking time across varying operating conditions
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 approach reduces engine emissions and cranking time, improves starting consistency, and enhances the driver's perception of engine starting by optimizing fuel injection timing based on engine temperature, alcohol content, and crankshaft position.
Implementation Method 1
selecting a cylinder of an engine to receive a first port injection of fuel to the engine since engine stop
Implementation Method 2
allowing a desired amount of evaporated fuel and/or liquid fuel to enter the cylinder
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for improving starting of an engine is presented. In one example, the method selects a first cylinder to receive fuel since engine stop based on intake valve closing time. The method also describes selecting the first cylinder to receive fuel since engine stop based on an end of fuel injection time.