Glow Plug Control Unit Dynamic Temperature Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glow plug control systems are inflexible and require adaptation of both the engine control unit and glow plug control unit, limiting their independent configuration and operation, and do not effectively adapt the glow plug temperature to varying engine operating conditions, which can lead to inefficient combustion and increased emissions.
Innovation Solution
The engine control unit determines a reference steady-state temperature for the glow plug heater element, which is then adjusted by the glow plug control unit using stored algorithms and characteristics to change the temperature dynamically based on engine operating states, allowing for multiple reference temperatures and independent operation of the control units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the glow plug control unit and engine control unit are tightly coupled with mutual adaptation requirements, then the system can maintain stable operation, but the device complexity and difficulty of independent configuration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into independent functional modules: the engine control unit determines reference steady-state temperature, while the glow plug control unit independently adjusts the actual temperature using stored algorithms and characteristics. This segmentation eliminates the need for mutual adaptation between control units, reducing configuration complexity while maintaining system stability through defined functional boundaries
Solution Approach 2:
A standardized communication interface acts as an intermediary between the engine control unit and glow plug control unit. The engine control unit provides reference temperature values through this interface, and the glow plug control unit receives and processes these values independently using its internal algorithms, mediating the interaction without requiring direct coupling or mutual adaptation
2Ease of operation
If a fixed reference steady-state temperature is used for glow plugs, then the control system is simple to operate, but the adaptability to varying engine operating conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The glow plug control unit dynamically adjusts the heater element temperature based on the reference steady-state temperature from the engine control unit and stored characteristics data. The system transitions from a static fixed temperature approach to a dynamic adaptation mechanism that responds to varying engine operating conditions while maintaining operational simplicity through automated control algorithms
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameter (glow plug temperature) from a fixed value to a variable parameter that adapts to engine conditions. The glow plug control unit modifies the temperature parameter in real-time based on the reference value and stored characteristics, enabling adaptability without complicating the user interface
3Device complexity
If the glow plug temperature is not dynamically adapted to engine operating conditions, then the device complexity is reduced, but harmful emissions increase due to inefficient combustion
Solution Approach 1:
The glow plug control unit implements a feedback mechanism where it continuously monitors the reference steady-state temperature from the engine control unit and adjusts the heater element temperature accordingly using stored characteristics. This feedback loop ensures optimal combustion conditions are maintained, reducing emissions without requiring complex additional hardware
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 approach allows for optimized glow plug temperature adaptation to engine conditions, extending their operational period, reducing emissions, and improving engine performance and service life, while minimizing the dependence between engine and glow plug control units.
Implementation Method 1
glow plugs (4) that project with a heater element into a diesel engine... controls the electric power supplied to the glow plugs (4)... determined as a function of the operating state of the diesel engine
Data Source
AI summary
The invention describes a method for operating glow plugs in a diesel engine that comprises a housing and a heater element projecting beyond that housing which interacts with an engine control unit and a glow plug control unit which, following a preheating phase, controls the electric power supplied to the glow plugs in dependence on an input received from the engine control unit. According to the invention it is provided that the engine control unit determines a value representative of a temperature that is to be reached at the heater element and the engine control unit transmits that value as target value to the glow plug control unit which converts that target value using an algorithm stored in the glow plug control unit and taking into account the characteristic values stored in the glow plug control unit.