Fuel Reform Apparatus Ignition Timing Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fuel reform apparatuses struggle to effectively handle both low octane gasoline and regular octane gasoline, as they are not designed to cope with the varying ignitability of these fuels, leading to potential misfires and reduced exhaust gas performance in compression-ignition engines.

Innovation Solution

A fuel reform apparatus that includes a reform unit with a reformer for oxidative fuel reforming and a controller to determine the need for reforming based on ignition timing and peroxide concentration, switching between reforming and non-reforming fuel supply paths to ensure suitable ignitability for compression-ignition combustion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fuel reforming is always performed to ensure compression-ignition combustion, then ignitability is improved, but energy consumption increases and regular octane gasoline cannot be supplied without reforming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecombustion stabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the fuel supply path based on real-time ignition timing detection. When ignition timing indicates poor ignitability, the system switches to the reformed fuel path; when ignitability is sufficient, it switches to the non-reformed fuel path. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction by making reforming conditional rather than continuous.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of the fuel supply system by switching between different fuel paths based on detected ignition timing. This parameter change allows the system to adapt to different fuel types and conditions, enabling regular octane gasoline to be supplied without reforming when appropriate, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining combustion reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If a single fuel supply path is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the system cannot adapt to different fuel types (low octane vs regular octane gasoline)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel type adaptabilityVSAvoidfuel supply path complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fuel supply system is designed with multiple paths that can handle different fuel types. The first fuel supply path is configured for reformed fuel while the second path handles non-reformed fuel, allowing the system to universally accommodate both low octane gasoline requiring reforming and regular octane gasoline that does not require reforming.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The fuel supply controller acts as an intermediary that manages the switching between different fuel supply paths. Based on ignition timing detection, the controller selectively activates the appropriate path, mediating between the conflicting requirements of fuel type adaptability and system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If fuel reforming is performed continuously, then ignitability is maintained, but regular octane gasoline cannot be supplied directly to the injector

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveignitabilityVSAvoidfuel supply flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between reformed and non-reformed fuel supply based on real-time ignition timing detection. This dynamic operation allows the system to maintain ignitability when needed while providing the flexibility to supply regular octane gasoline directly without reforming when conditions permit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 apparatus ensures stable and efficient compression-ignition combustion for both low and regular octane gasoline by dynamically adjusting the fuel reforming process, maintaining optimal peroxide concentration for improved engine performance and torque output.

Implementation Method 1

a reformer configured to reform fuel stored in the fuel tank by oxidation reaction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation reaction: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentUS11466647B2Fuel reform apparatus

Publication Date: 2022.10.11 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

Fuel reform apparatus includes: internal combustion engine including injector and configured so that compression-ignition combustion is carried out in combustion chamber; reform unit interposed in fuel supply path from fuel tank to injector and including reformer reforming fuel stored in fuel tank by oxidation reaction; ignition timing detector detecting ignition timing of fuel in combustion chamber; and controller including CPU and memory. Controller performs: determining whether fuel has been supplied into fuel tank; determining whether reforming is needed based on ignition timing when it is determined that fuel has been supplied; controlling operation of reform unit so as to reform fuel stored in fuel tank to supply to injector when it is determined that reforming is needed; and controlling operation of reform unit so as to supply fuel stored in fuel tank to injector without reforming when it is determined that reforming is not needed.