Engine Starting Control via Oil Pressure Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern diesel engines face a lag in lubrication of components like crankshaft and turbocharger bearings at low ambient temperatures, leading to potential damage, as existing solutions require operator intervention or modifications to oil viscosity or heating systems.

Innovation Solution

An electronically controlled engine starting method that uses an electronic control module, oil pressure sensor, and fuel injector to manage fuel injection rates based on oil pressure thresholds, ensuring timely lubrication and preventing excessive engine speed that could damage components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the engine starts at low ambient temperatures with standard fuel injection rates, then the engine can start and operate, but insufficient lubrication occurs causing component damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine component protectionVSAvoidcomponent wear from insufficient lubrication

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by delaying full fuel injection rates until oil pressure reaches a threshold level. During the preliminary phase, reduced fuel injection rates are used until sufficient lubrication is confirmed, preventing component damage before it occurs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from oil pressure sensors to dynamically adjust fuel injection rates. The ECU continuously monitors oil pressure and modifies fuel injection accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to real-time lubrication conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If oil with lower viscosity number is used to improve flow at low temperatures, then lubrication effectiveness improves, but operator intervention is required to select appropriate oil

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic lubrication managementVSAvoidoil viscosity selection complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically managing lubrication adequacy through electronic control. The ECU autonomously adjusts fuel injection rates based on oil pressure feedback, eliminating the need for operator intervention in viscosity selection and simplifying operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If block heater or oil heater is provided to warm the engine, then oil circulation improves at low temperatures, but additional heating equipment is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine start reliabilityVSAvoidheating system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces mechanical heating systems with an electronic control approach. Instead of using block heaters or oil heaters to physically warm the oil, the system uses electronic fuel injection rate control to adapt to cold temperature conditions, eliminating the need for additional heating equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Speed

If full fuel injection rate is applied immediately at engine start, then engine starts quickly, but excessive speed before lubrication causes damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine speed controlVSAvoidcomponent protection during startup

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies dynamics by making fuel injection rates variable rather than fixed. The ECU dynamically adjusts fuel injection rates based on real-time oil pressure conditions, transitioning from reduced rates during startup to full rates once lubrication is sufficient, optimizing both speed control and component protection

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

This method ensures timely lubrication of engine components, reducing the risk of damage by automatically adjusting fuel injection rates in response to oil pressure, thereby protecting the engine from low-temperature-related wear and tear.

Implementation Method 1

An output signal of an oil pressure sensor is generated indicative of engine oil pressure. The output signal of the oil pressure sensor is transmitted to an electronic control module.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure sensing:

Implementation Method 2

Fuel in the at least one cylinder of the engine combusts to operate the engine at generally the first speed imparted to the crankshaft of the engine by the starter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Data Source

PatentUS8140245B2Engine with electronically controlled starting method

Publication Date: 2012.03.20 INT ENGINE INTPROP CO LLC

AI summary

A method of starting an engine is provided. A starter is initiated to impart a first engine speed to a crankshaft of the engine. Fuel injects at a first rate into at least one cylinder of the engine. Fuel in the at least one cylinder of the engine combusts to operate the engine at generally the first speed imparted to the crankshaft of the engine by the starter until a predetermined oil pressure develops within the engine.