Engine Vacuum Optimization for Emergency Braking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing braking systems in motor vehicles face challenges in generating sufficient vacuum assistance at low engine rotational speeds, leading to inadequate braking assistance, which can result in reduced comfort, efficiency, and increased pollutant emissions.

Innovation Solution

A method that detects a critical vacuum threshold in the braking system's amplifier and applies optimized engine operations by adjusting factors such as load torque, idle speed, or accessory load shedding to generate a greater depression for a calibrated time delay, ensuring safe braking without unnecessary prolonged modifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the engine operates at low rotational speed close to idle, then fuel efficiency is improved, but the vacuum generation in the amplifier becomes insufficient for safe braking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel efficiencyVSAvoidbraking assistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts engine operating parameters (camshaft synchronization, valve timing) in response to detected vacuum levels. When vacuum becomes insufficient during low-speed operation, the control system temporarily modifies engine operation to increase vacuum generation, then returns to optimal fuel-efficient operation once vacuum is restored.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes engine operational parameters including camshaft synchronization timing and valve opening/closing timing to optimize vacuum generation. These parameter modifications allow the engine to generate sufficient vacuum even at low rotational speeds without permanently departing from fuel-efficient operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the camshaft synchronization is modified to increase vacuum generation, then braking assistance is improved, but comfort and efficiency deteriorate over prolonged time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebraking assistanceVSAvoidcomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies camshaft synchronization modifications periodically rather than continuously. The control method monitors vacuum levels and only activates optimization actions when vacuum falls below critical thresholds, maintaining normal comfortable operation during most of the time while providing enhanced braking assistance only when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies partial optimization actions - modifying camshaft synchronization only to the extent necessary to restore vacuum to safe levels, rather than maintaining excessive optimization continuously. This minimizes the duration and intensity of non-optimal engine operation, preserving comfort and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If the optimization action is applied for extended duration, then vacuum level is maintained, but fuel efficiency and emissions performance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevacuum levelVSAvoidfuel efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The control system continuously monitors vacuum levels in the amplifier and uses this feedback to determine when optimization actions are needed. When vacuum reaches critical thresholds, the system activates camshaft synchronization modifications, and monitors the response to determine when to deactivate them, creating a closed-loop control that maintains vacuum only when necessary.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system detects vacuum trends and applies optimization actions before vacuum becomes critically low, preventing complete loss of braking assistance. By acting preliminarily based on threshold detection, the system maintains adequate vacuum levels with minimal intervention rather than allowing vacuum to deplete and requiring extended correction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 ensures safe braking with minimized duration of optimization actions, reducing adverse effects on comfort and emissions, and avoids permanent load shedding, thus optimizing vehicle performance and fuel efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a depression due to the suction of air in the chambers burning

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

the pressure difference on the two sides of the membrane then generating the assistance force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3092392B1Method for optimizing the operation of a vehicle engine in order to obtain a vacuum that provides emergency braking

Publication Date: 2019.03.20 PSA AUTOMOBILES SA

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AI summary

Method for optimizing the operation of a petrol engine (2) of a motor vehicle that makes it possible to obtain a sufficient vacuum in this engine (4) which vacuum is applied to a brake boosting system (12) at low rotational speeds of the engine so that emergency braking can be obtained, characterized in that, once a critical vacuum threshold has been detected in the booster (12), the method applies an action to optimize the operation of the engine by influencing one or more adjustable factors that make it possible to generate a greater vacuum, for a time that is regulated by a time period calibrated according to a vacuum recovery duration.