Fuel Pump Speed Detection via Pressure Pulsation Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fuel supply systems fail to detect the rotation speed of the fuel pump and fully utilize the pressure sensor, as they do not account for pulsation components caused by the pump, leading to difficulties in controlling the fuel supply system effectively.

Innovation Solution

A fuel supply system that includes a fuel pump driven by an electric motor, a sensor to detect pulsation components in the fuel pressure, and a speed detection mechanism to indirectly determine the rotation speed of the fuel pump based on periodic components of the detected pulsation, allowing for improved control and utilization of the pressure sensor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a pressure sensor is provided to the fuel rail to detect pressure linear to fuel injection quantity, then fuel injection quantity can be controlled, but pulsation components due to the fuel pump cannot be detected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel injection quantity detectionVSAvoidpulsation component information

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the pulsation component information from the pressure sensor signal by separating it from the fuel injection quantity signal. The pressure sensor detects both components, and the control unit extracts only the pulsation component related to the fuel pump by analyzing pressure changes during periods when the fuel pump operates, thereby obtaining pump-related information without interfering with fuel injection control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the pressure signal into two distinct components: one related to fuel injection quantity and another related to fuel pump operation. By analyzing the pressure changes at specific time intervals corresponding to fuel pump operation cycles, the system separates and processes the pulsation component independently from the fuel injection control function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If the pressure sensor is positioned on the fuel rail, then fuel pressure can be monitored, but pulsation components due to the fuel pump are attenuated and overlapped with injector pulsation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel pressure detectionVSAvoidpump pulsation component detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by analyzing pressure changes during specific time intervals when the fuel pump is known to be operating. The control unit pre-determines the timing of fuel pump operation and focuses detection on these periods, thereby isolating the pump pulsation component before it can be fully attenuated or overlapped by injector pulsation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts the detection strategy based on the operational state of the fuel pump. By monitoring the timing and characteristics of pressure changes relative to the fuel pump's on/off cycles, the system dynamically identifies and extracts pump-related pulsation components even though they are attenuated and overlapped in the overall pressure signal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If no apparatus detects pump rotation speed, then the system structure remains simple, but no control can be executed based on pump rotation speed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem structureVSAvoidpump speed control capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the pressure sensor multi-functional by using it for both fuel injection quantity control and fuel pump rotation speed detection. The same pressure sensor that monitors fuel pressure for injection control also detects pump operation through its pulsation components, thereby obtaining pump speed information without adding separate detection apparatus and maintaining system simplicity while enhancing versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables effective detection and control of the fuel pump rotation speed, allowing for better management of fuel pressure and reduction of pulsation components, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency and accuracy of the fuel supply system.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor detecting a pulsation component included in a pressure of the fuel which is supplied to the fuel-consuming apparatus from the pump

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPulsation detection: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

a speed detection means for detecting a rotation speed of the fuel pump based on a periodic component of the pulsation component detected by the sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPeriodic vibration analysis: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS8562303B2Fuel supply system

Publication Date: 2013.10.22 AISAN IND CO LTD

AI summary

A fuel supply system has an in-tank module. The in-tank module is provided with a pump, a filter, a pressure regulator and a pressure sensor detecting a fuel pressure. The pressure sensor is disposed on or at a vicinity of the fuel pump so that the pressure sensor easily detects a pulsation component due to the pump. A fuel pump controller includes a speed detection module which detects the rotation speed of the fuel pump based on a cycle of the pulsation component of the pressure detected by the pressure sensor. Thus, the rotation speed of the fuel pump can be indirectly detected by means of the pressure sensor.