External Timer Module for Engine Off-Time Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current engine control systems face challenges in determining the off-time of an internal combustion engine efficiently, leading to increased complexity, cost, and reduced battery life due to the need for real-time clocks and external batteries, especially in applications where cold soak tracking is not required.
Innovation Solution
A timer apparatus that includes a monitor module to track power connection states, a timer module to calculate off-time intervals, and a communication module to convey this information to the engine control unit using a separate switch connection, potentially powered by an internal battery, thereby reducing reliance on external power and data bus communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a real time clock (RTC) is included within the ECM circuitry to track engine off-time, then the ECM can accurately determine cold soak duration for OBD compliance, but the useful life of the ECM is reduced due to battery depletion or failure requiring ECM replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the time tracking function into two separate components: the ECM that performs cold soak monitoring and the external module (with RTC and battery) that provides the time measurement. This segmentation allows the ECM to avoid containing its own battery, thereby extending its useful life while still achieving accurate cold soak measurement through the external time source.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If an external battery is provided within the ECM to power the RTC, then the RTC can run continuously to track engine off-time, but the ECM complexity, bulk, and cost increase due to additional internal components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the battery and RTC components from the ECM and places them in a separate external module. This extraction eliminates the need for internal battery management, power regulation circuits, and associated harnesses within the ECM, thereby reducing complexity, bulk, and cost while maintaining continuous time tracking capability through the external powered module.
3Device complexity
If the ECM relies on another module connected to the data bus to provide real time information, then the ECM can obtain cold soak data without internal battery, but compatibility issues arise due to varied vehicle configurations and data bus connection availability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dedicated external module as an intermediary between the ECM and the time tracking function. This module connects through a separate dedicated communication interface rather than relying on the vehicle's data bus, ensuring reliable communication regardless of vehicle configuration variations. The intermediary module guarantees compatible connections for time information transmission without depending on the presence or configuration of other vehicle modules.
Data Source
AI summary
An approach to tracking the engine off time of a system including an internal combustion engine. A timer apparatus may electrically couple to the engine control unit by way of a power connection that provides electrical power to the timer apparatus from the engine control unit. The timer apparatus may include a monitor module that monitors the power connection. A timer module may begin a time interval in response to the power connection transitioning from a powered state to an unpowered state. The timer module may end the time interval in response to the power connection transitioning from the unpowered state to the powered state. A communication module may communicate the time interval to the engine control unit by switching the power connection between the high state and the low state.