Fuel Heating Device for Vehicle with Independent CAN Failure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heated injector systems in vehicles fail to improve engine startability during low temperatures due to CAN communication failures, as they require control signals from the ECU to operate, leading to difficulties in starting the engine when ethanol-based fuel mixtures are used in cold conditions.
Innovation Solution
A fuel heating device that includes a start sensor, a CAN communication device, a resistance sensor, and a controller to measure the heater's resistance and operate it to heat the fuel to a reference temperature when CAN communication fails, ensuring the heater functions independently of ECU control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the heated injector system operates under ECU control through CAN communication, then the stability and safety of the system is improved, but the system fails to operate when CAN communication fails, worsening the startability under low temperature conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The heater is equipped with an independent temperature sensor and control circuit that allows it to autonomously measure fuel temperature and activate heating when needed, without requiring ECU control signals. This self-service capability ensures the heater operates reliably even when CAN communication fails, resolving the contradiction between ECU-controlled stability and independent operation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary temperature measurement and assessment before ECU control is established, allowing the heater to be pre-positioned and ready to operate independently if communication fails. This preliminary action ensures the system can transition to independent operation seamlessly, maintaining startability despite communication issues.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the heater operates independently without ECU control, then the startability under CAN communication failure is improved, but the safety control and stability monitoring may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The independent control circuit incorporates a temperature sensor that continuously monitors fuel temperature and provides feedback to the control circuit. This feedback mechanism ensures safe operation by preventing overheating and maintaining controlled heating even when operating independently from the ECU, thus preserving safety and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The independent control circuit acts as an intermediary between the heater and the fuel, providing localized temperature monitoring and control. This intermediary layer ensures that even without ECU oversight, the heating process remains safe and controlled through direct temperature feedback from the fuel.
3Measurement precision
If the resistance sensor continuously measures heater resistance to determine fuel temperature, then the temperature measurement accuracy is improved, but the energy consumption and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resistance sensor operates periodically rather than continuously, measuring heater resistance only when heating is required or at scheduled intervals. This periodic measurement approach maintains sufficient temperature measurement accuracy while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the heater's resistance measurement not only for temperature control but also for fault detection and safety monitoring. This multi-purpose use of the same measurement mechanism provides excessive functionality that justifies the energy expenditure, as it prevents additional sensors and reduces overall system energy requirements.
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 solution allows the fuel heating device to safely operate the heater and improve vehicle startability even during CAN communication failures, ensuring the engine can start in low-temperature conditions without relying on ECU control.
Implementation Method 1
a resistance sensor measuring a resistance of a heater provided inside an injector
Implementation Method 2
operating the heater to heat the fuel to a reference temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel heating device for a vehicle may include a start sensor detecting a starting of a vehicle; a controller area network (CAN) communication device transmitting and receiving various signals to and from an engine control device; a resistance sensor measuring a resistance of a heater provided inside an injector; and a controller controlling the resistance sensor to measure the resistance of the heater when the starting of the vehicle is detected in a state in which a failure occurs in the CAN communication device, converting the measured resistance of the heater into a temperature of a fuel, and operating the heater to heat the fuel to a reference temperature when the converted temperature is lower than or equal to a threshold.