Engine Torque Control via Generator Counter Torque

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing internal combustion engine control methods require a torque limiter damper to manage excessive torque during misfires, which increases load on the damper stopper and is costly, and may cause resonance and noise issues when trying to prevent abutting.

Innovation Solution

A control method that limits the internal combustion engine's torque within a range where the damper's displacement is controlled to avoid abutting on the stopper by using a counter torque from the electric generator, eliminating the need for a torque limiter damper and reducing load on the stopper.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a torque limiter damper is adopted to limit excessive torque during misfire, then the transmission of excessive torque is limited, but the load on the damper stopper increases and the device becomes more costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelimitation of excessive torque transmissionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical torque limiter damper with an electric generator that produces counter torque to limit excessive torque during misfire. The electric generator converts mechanical energy from the engine into electrical energy, and the counter torque it generates naturally limits the torque transmission, eliminating the need for mechanical torque limiting components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The electric generator serves dual functions: it generates electrical energy from the engine power and simultaneously provides counter torque to limit excessive torque during misfire. This self-service approach allows one component to perform multiple functions, reducing the need for additional specialized components like torque limiter dampers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Force

If the damper displacement is suppressed to prevent abutting on the stopper, then the load on the stopper is reduced, but the torque fluctuation during misfire exceeds the suppression capability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload on stopperVSAvoidtorque fluctuation during misfire

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The electric generator produces counter torque that acts against the excessive torque fluctuation during misfire. This counter torque functions as a balancing force that offsets the harmful torque variations, allowing the damper displacement to be controlled within safe limits without causing stopper abutting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the torque output of the electric generator based on the operating conditions, particularly during misfire events. By changing the torque parameter of the electric generator, the system can suppress damper displacement to prevent stopper abutting while still managing the overall torque fluctuation effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If the damper displacement is reduced to avoid stopper abutting, then the device complexity is reduced, but resonance and noise issues occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidresonance and noise

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The electric generator's counter torque action dampens the torsional vibrations in the power transmission system during misfire. By providing a stabilizing counter torque, the system reduces resonant vibrations and associated noise without requiring complex damper designs with stoppers, thus eliminating both the harmful vibrations and the need for complex mechanical protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

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

Effectively limits excessive torque transmission without a torque limiter damper, reducing load on the stopper and preventing resonance-related noise and function degradation, while maintaining efficient power transmission.

Implementation Method 1

an electric generator driven by a power of the internal combustion engine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS11679756B2Control method and control device for internal combustion engine

Publication Date: 2023.06.20 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed is a control method for an internal combustion engine (3) including a power generation motor (4) driven by a power of the internal combustion engine (3) and a damper (30) provided between the internal combustion engine (3) and the power generation motor (4) in a power transmission path, wherein a maximum value of a torque fluctuation generated in an event of a misfire occurring in a cylinder of the internal combustion engine (3) is larger than a value at which a displacement of a main damper (30a) of the damper (30) is allowed to be suppressed to be smaller than a displacement at which abutting occurs on a first stopper (31a) by a counter torque of the power generation motor (4), and the control method includes limiting a torque (Te) of the internal combustion engine (3) within a range in which a displacement of the main damper (30a) is allowed to be controlled to be smaller than a displacement at which abutting occurs on the first stopper (31a) by a counter torque of the power generation motor (4).