Dynamic Fuel Pump Shutoff Threshold for Aggressive Driving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel cut-off control strategies in vehicles cannot accurately distinguish between aggressive driving and collision events, leading to false positives that result in unnecessary fuel pump shutdown during aggressive driving conditions.
Innovation Solution
A control system that adjusts the fuel pump shutoff threshold based on data from various sensors, including accelerometers, driver behavior sensors, and external road condition sensors, to differentiate between aggressive driving and collision events, thereby preventing improper fuel pump shutdown during aggressive driving.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed fuel pump shutoff threshold is used to ensure safety during collisions, then safety is improved, but false positives occur during aggressive driving causing unnecessary fuel pump shutdown
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel pump shutoff threshold is changed from a fixed value to a dynamic value that adjusts based on detected driving conditions. The controller monitors multiple sensor inputs (accelerometer data, steering angle, brake status, engine RPM) and dynamically modifies the threshold to distinguish between aggressive driving and actual collisions, thereby reducing false positives while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of the shutoff threshold based on detected driving conditions. When aggressive driving is detected (through patterns in accelerometer data, steering input, brake usage, and engine RPM), the threshold parameter is adjusted to prevent unnecessary shutdowns. When normal driving is detected, the threshold remains at its safety-critical level.
2Measurement precision
If the fuel pump shutoff threshold is lowered to prevent false shutdowns during aggressive driving, then false positives are reduced, but safety response to actual collisions may be delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The threshold dynamically adjusts based on real-time analysis of multiple sensor parameters. The controller evaluates patterns across accelerometers, steering angle sensors, brake status, and engine RPM to determine whether the vehicle is in aggressive driving mode or experiencing a collision, switching between threshold levels accordingly to maintain both accuracy and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from multiple sensors to continuously monitor driving conditions and adjust the shutoff threshold accordingly. The controller processes sensor data to detect patterns indicative of aggressive driving versus collision events, and modifies the threshold in real-time based on this feedback, ensuring both accurate detection and maintained safety.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to detect aggressive driving conditions, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller utilizes existing multi-functional sensors already present in the vehicle for other purposes (accelerometers for airbag deployment, steering angle sensors for stability control, brake sensors for anti-lock braking) and repurposes them for aggressive driving detection. This approach improves detection accuracy without significantly increasing device complexity, as the sensors serve multiple functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines data from multiple existing sensors (accelerometers, steering angle sensors, brake status sensors, engine RPM sensors) into a unified aggressive driving detection algorithm. By merging these sensor inputs and analyzing their combined patterns, the system achieves high detection accuracy while leveraging already-installed hardware rather than adding dedicated new sensors.
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
The system increases the accuracy of determining collision events and reduces false fuel pump shutdowns during aggressive driving, ensuring proper engine fuel delivery and enhancing vehicle performance and safety.
Implementation Method 1
The accelerometer is configured to detect acceleration of a vehicle component
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a fuel pump configured to deliver fuel to an internal combustion engine. The vehicle also includes an accelerometer configured to detect acceleration of a vehicle component. A plurality of sensors are provided about the vehicle for detecting conditions that would indicate aggressive driving. At least one controller is provided and is in communication with the fuel pump, the accelerometer, and the sensors. The at least one controller is programmed to adjust a fuel pump shutoff threshold to an adjusted shutoff threshold in response to one or more conditions indicating aggressive driving. The at least one controller then shuts off the fuel pump in response to the acceleration exceeding the adjusted shutoff threshold.