Exhaust Device Temperature Control via Pre-calculated Delay Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Internal combustion engines with variable valves, exhaust turbo superchargers, and idle stop mechanisms face challenges in precisely forecasting and controlling exhaust device temperatures due to numerous affecting factors, leading to inefficiencies and increased man-hours for setting delay times in fuel injection systems.

Innovation Solution

A control method that computes exhaust gas temperature based on rotating speed, charging efficiency, ignition timing, equivalent ratio, external EGR rate, and supercharging pressure, and estimates exhaust device temperature using intake air amount, fluid temperature, and flow rate, allowing for transient corrections in ignition timing, equivalent ratio, and exhaust valve opening timing to maintain optimal temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If statistical models with constants corresponding to heat capacity or heat resistance are used to forecast exhaust device temperature, then temperature forecasting capability is improved, but device complexity and man-hours for matching increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexhaust device temperature forecasting precisionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex statistical models with disposable, pre-calculated temperature rise delay time data that is stored in memory. Instead of using expensive and complex constant identification through parameter matching, the system uses simple lookup tables that can be easily stored and retrieved, achieving the same forecasting function with minimal complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the mechanical process of parameter identification and constant matching with an electronic data storage and retrieval system. The complex process of identifying heat capacity and heat resistance constants through experimental matching is replaced by storing pre-calculated delay time data in memory and simply retrieving it based on operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If delay time is previously set in accordance with matching for systems with increased degree of freedom, then temperature control accuracy is improved, but man-hours for matching increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature control accuracyVSAvoidman-hours for matching
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs the time-consuming matching process in advance during system design or initialization, storing the results as pre-calculated temperature rise delay time data. During actual operation, the system simply retrieves this pre-computed data based on current operating conditions, eliminating the need for repeated matching operations and significantly reducing operational man-hours.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Temperature

If fuel supply amount is increased without considering exhaust device temperature, then fuel consumption increases, but exhaust device temperature control is achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexhaust device temperature controlVSAvoidfuel consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback control system that continuously monitors exhaust device temperature and adjusts fuel supply accordingly. By using the estimated exhaust device temperature (retrieved from stored delay time data and current operating conditions), the system determines the appropriate fuel increase amount, ensuring temperature control while minimizing unnecessary fuel consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts the fuel supply parameter based on the estimated exhaust device temperature and operating conditions. Instead of using a fixed fuel increase amount, the system varies the fuel supply parameter according to the retrieved temperature rise delay time and current temperature, achieving optimal balance between temperature control and fuel efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 enables precise control of exhaust device temperatures, prevents excessive temperature rises, reduces fuel consumption, and minimizes damage by allowing for real-time adjustments based on estimated temperatures, improving engine efficiency and reducing operational complexity.

Implementation Method 1

the exhaust gas temperature can be indirectly detected on the basis of an internal resistance of an air fuel ratio sensor element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInternal resistance change: Electrical Resistance

Implementation Method 2

a forecasting of a delay behavior of the exhaust device temperature from a change of the exhaust gas temperature is described by a statistical model having the exhaust gas temperature forecasting value as an input

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal inertia: Heat Sink

Data Source

PatentEP2366879B1Control method of internal combustion engine
Publication Date: 2016.09.14 HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYST LTD
  • EP2366879B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2366879B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2366879B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention provides a method for preferably controlling an internal combustion engine by precisely estimating a current value of a temperature of an exhaust device of an internal combustion engine provided with a variable valve, an exhaust turbo supercharger and the like, and controlling an affector of a temperature of an exhaust gas on the basis of a difference between a reference value of the exhaust device temperature and the current value of the exhaust device temperature. The method computes a temperature of an exhaust gas on the basis of a rotating speed, a charging efficiency, an ignition timing, an equivalent ratio, an external EGR rate, an exhaust valve opening timing, and a supercharging pressure, estimates a temperature of an exhaust device on the basis of the exhaust gas temperature, an amount of an intake air, a temperature of a fluid around the exhaust device and a flow rate around the exhaust device, and transiently corrects at least one of the ignition timing, the equivalent ratio, the external EGR rate, and the exhaust valve opening timing, on the basis of the estimation value and the reference value.