Electric Machine Controller Engine State Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the operating state of an internal combustion engine rely on complex communication between the engine control unit and the electrical machine controller, using control specifications rather than objective state variables, which can be unreliable and require continuous communication links.
Innovation Solution
A method using a control unit coupled to the electrical machine to analyze phase signals, such as phase voltage or current, to determine the rotational speed profile and identify characteristic speed patterns that reflect the operating state of the internal combustion engine, allowing for direct determination of operating states without external communication, using adaptive frequency bandpass filters and movement sensors for redundancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the engine control unit determines operating states and transmits control specifications to the electric machine controller, then the electric machine can be controlled based on engine state, but the system complexity increases and continuous communication links are required
Solution Approach 1:
The electric machine controller independently determines the operating state of the internal combustion engine by analyzing its own measured operating parameters (phase currents, voltages, rotational speed) without requiring control specifications from the engine control unit. This self-service approach eliminates the need for continuous communication links and reduces system complexity while maintaining reliable operating state determination.
Solution Approach 2:
The determination function for engine operating states is extracted from the engine control unit and transferred to the electric machine controller. The electric machine controller extracts and analyzes its own measured parameters directly, removing the dependency on external control specifications and simplifying the overall control architecture.
2Ease of operation
If control specifications are used to determine engine operating states, then the electric machine controller can be instructed on engine state, but the method becomes unreliable and requires continuous communication
Solution Approach 1:
The electric machine controller independently determines engine operating states by analyzing its own measured parameters rather than relying on control specifications from external sources. This self-determination approach improves reliability by using direct measurements while maintaining ease of operation through automatic analysis of the controller's own data.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication-based control specification system is replaced with a direct measurement and analysis system. Instead of receiving instructions through communication links, the controller directly measures and analyzes its own operating parameters (phase currents, voltages, rotational speed) to determine engine state, eliminating communication dependencies.
3Loss of information
If a communication link between controller and engine control unit is maintained, then control specifications can be transmitted, but the system becomes more complex and less robust
Solution Approach 1:
The information determination function is extracted from the engine control unit and performed independently by the electric machine controller using its own measured parameters. This eliminates the need for information transmission through communication links, removing the associated complexity and improving system robustness.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric machine controller serves itself by independently determining operating states from its own measurements rather than relying on information transmission from the engine control unit. This self-sufficient approach eliminates communication infrastructure requirements and reduces system complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1~2a
Figure 2b~2c
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for determining an operating state (128a - 136a) of an internal combustion engine (112) by means of a control unit (118), preferably a regulator (120) of an electric machine (114) which is coupled to the internal combustion engine (112) and which comprises the steps of determining the time profile of at least one phase signal (121) of the electric machine (114), of determining the time profile of a rotational speed (122) of the electric machine (114) from the phase signal (121), of analysing the time profile of the rotational speed (122) and of deriving at least one rotational speed pattern (128 - 136), brought about by the internal combustion engine (112), from the time profile of the rotational speed (122), and of determining at least one operating state (128a - 136a) of the internal combustion engine (112) on the basis of the at least one derived rotational speed pattern (128 - 136). Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding computing unit (118) which is configured to carry out the method, to an electric machine (114) having the computing unit (118) and to a corresponding computer program.