Evaporated Fuel Pump Speed Control for Temperature Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

The temperatures in the pump and pump controller of evaporated fuel processing devices can rise, leading to potential component deterioration and reduced durability.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a controller that monitors temperature indices such as ambient temperature, intake passage gas temperature, and engine cooling water temperature to restrict the operation of the pump when these indices exceed predetermined thresholds, thereby preventing excessive heat generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the pump body operates continuously to pump evaporated fuel, then the productivity of the evaporated fuel processing device is improved, but the temperature of the pump unit rises causing component deterioration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveevaporated fuel processing efficiencyVSAvoidpump durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pump controller implements periodic operation by alternately driving and stopping the pump body based on temperature monitoring. When the temperature index exceeds the threshold, the pump is stopped; when the temperature drops below the threshold, the pump resumes operation. This periodic on-off control prevents continuous operation-induced overheating while maintaining adequate evaporated fuel processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Productivity

If the pump body speed is increased to enhance fuel pumping capacity, then the productivity is improved, but the heat generation and temperature rise in the pump unit increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel pumping capacityVSAvoidpump unit temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The pump controller dynamically adjusts the pump body speed based on real-time temperature monitoring. The control strategy varies pump speed according to temperature conditions: reducing speed or stopping the pump when temperature exceeds thresholds, and allowing higher speeds when temperature is acceptable. This dynamic adjustment optimizes the balance between pumping capacity and temperature control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If the pump operates in high ambient temperature conditions, then the evaporated fuel processing continues, but the temperature of the pump controller and pump body rises causing component deterioration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous processing capabilityVSAvoidambient temperature effect

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature sensor provides continuous feedback to the pump controller about the pump unit's temperature status. The controller uses this feedback to make real-time decisions about pump operation, stopping or reducing operation when temperature thresholds are exceeded even in high ambient temperature conditions. This feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt to environmental temperature variations and prevent overheating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11274614B2Evaporated fuel processing device having selectively adjustable pump body speed based on temperature

Publication Date: 2022.03.15 AISAN IND CO LTD

AI summary

The evaporated fuel processing device may include a pump unit including a pump body configured to pump out evaporated fuel generated in a fuel tank to an intake passage, and a pump controller configured to drive the pump body; and a controller configured to cause the pump controller to control the pump body. When an index related to a temperature of the pump unit exceeds a predetermined range, the controller may restrict the driving of the pump body.