Engine Torque Control via Accelerator Pedal Interval Partitioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional engine management systems fail to optimize fuel efficiency in real-world driving conditions, often keeping vehicles in zones of lower efficiency despite driver input.
Innovation Solution
A method that partitions the accelerator pedal depression range into intervals to determine torque setpoints, prioritizing higher efficiency zones by varying torque increase rates across these intervals, guiding the vehicle into zones of maximum engine efficiency even when driven by a driver seeking lower efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the torque setpoint increases linearly or continuously with accelerator pedal depression, then the driver's torque demand is met, but the engine operates in low-efficiency zones increasing fuel consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The accelerator pedal depression range is divided into at least three intervals: a first interval with a first torque increase rate, a second interval with a second torque increase rate (lower than the first), and a third interval with a third torque increase rate (higher than the second). This segmentation allows the system to guide the engine into high-efficiency operating zones while still responding to driver torque demands across the full pedal range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of torque increase rate across different pedal depression intervals. By varying this rate parameter - using a lower rate in the second interval and higher rates in the first and third intervals - the system optimizes engine operating points to reduce fuel consumption while maintaining adequate torque response to driver input.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the engine operates in zones of maximum efficiency, then fuel consumption is reduced, but the torque response to driver input may be delayed or reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The torque setpoint determination is made dynamic by adjusting the torque increase rate based on the current pedal depression interval. The system transitions between different torque response characteristics - more conservative in the second interval to maintain efficiency, and more aggressive in the first and third intervals to ensure adequate power delivery when the driver demands it.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by proactively guiding the torque setpoint into efficiency-optimized ranges before the driver's full torque demand is realized. The modified torque increase rates pre-position the engine in favorable operating zones, reducing fuel consumption while maintaining the ability to deliver required torque through the interval-based approach.
3Use of energy by moving object
If conventional torque setting curves are used, then the system is simple to implement, but fuel efficiency cannot be optimized under real-world driving conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The torque determination logic is segmented into discrete intervals based on accelerator pedal depression ranges. This segmentation provides a structured, implementable approach that balances complexity with fuel efficiency optimization, using clearly defined threshold values and corresponding torque increase rates for each interval.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for managing an engine of a motor vehicle provided with an accelerator pedal, including: receiving (21) a value of a parameter that is representative of a depression of the accelerator pedal (X_pedal); on the basis of the received value, determining (23, 24) a torque set value (C); and controlling (25) the operation of the engine depending on the determined torque set value. According to the invention, a torque set value is associated with each value of the parameter representative of accelerator pedal depression, such that, this part of the depression range being divided into at least three intervals, the torque set value increases more with the parameter representative of accelerator pedal depression over the end intervals than over the intermediate interval.