Glow Plug Power Control via Engine Sensor Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current glow plug control methods in diesel engines are inadequate in accurately modeling power supply to achieve targeted temperatures, leading to deviations in glow plug temperature and reduced effectiveness in improving combustion stability and reducing harmful emissions.
Innovation Solution
A mathematical model using engine sensors and stored vehicle data to determine the power applied to glow plugs based on parameters like fresh air intake mass airflow, intake manifold total mass airflow, intake manifold temperature, coolant temperature, and total fuel injection quantity, ensuring accurate temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If glow plugs are activated for extended periods (pre-glow and post-glow) to improve combustion stability and reduce hydrocarbon emissions, then combustion stability improves and harmful emissions decrease, but fuel consumption and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the electrical power supplied to glow plugs based on multiple engine operating parameters including coolant temperature, intake manifold temperature, engine speed, load, and accelerator pedal position. Instead of using fixed pre-glow and post-glow periods, the system continuously modifies power levels to achieve optimal glow plug temperature for combustion stability while minimizing energy consumption. This resolves the contradiction by making the energy use adaptive to actual engine conditions rather than always maximum.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by using a mathematical model that incorporates real-time sensor data from the engine control unit to determine the required glow plug power. The system monitors engine temperature, airflow, fuel injection quantity, and other parameters, then adjusts glow plug power accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures glow plugs operate at optimal temperature to reduce hydrocarbon emissions while avoiding excessive power consumption by adapting to actual engine warm-up progress and operating conditions.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional look-up table methods are used to determine glow plug power based on engine speed and pedal position, then control implementation is simple, but glow plug temperature deviates significantly from targeted ranges reducing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the control approach from simple look-up tables to a comprehensive mathematical model that considers multiple dynamic parameters: coolant temperature, intake manifold temperature, engine speed, load, accelerator pedal position, mass airflow, and fuel injection quantity. This multi-parameter model significantly improves glow plug temperature control accuracy by accounting for thermal inertia, heat transfer conditions, and combustion demands. The increased complexity is justified by the substantial improvement in temperature precision and combustion effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mathematical model as an intermediary between the engine control unit and the glow plug power supply. This model acts as a mediator that processes multiple sensor inputs and translates them into optimal power commands. The mathematical relationships in the model capture the complex thermal dynamics and heat transfer processes, providing accurate temperature control without requiring direct physical modification of the glow plug hardware. This intermediary approach balances control precision with implementation feasibility.
3Reliability
If fuel injection quantity is increased during cold start-up to compensate for unevaporated fuel, then combustion completeness improves, but unburned hydrocarbon emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by activating glow plugs before fuel injection during cold start-up (pre-glow period). The glow plugs heat the combustion chamber and fuel injection system components in advance, improving fuel vaporization and evaporation before the fuel is injected. This preliminary heating action ensures that when fuel is injected, it vaporizes more completely and burns more efficiently, reducing unburned hydrocarbon emissions while maintaining combustion completeness. The glow plugs prepare the thermal environment beforehand to prevent the problem of fuel not evaporating.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes to dynamically adjust both glow plug power and fuel injection quantity based on real-time engine conditions. During cold start-up, the system increases glow plug power to achieve higher temperatures that improve fuel vaporization. Simultaneously, the fuel injection quantity and timing are optimized based on the thermal state of the combustion chamber. This coordinated parameter adjustment ensures complete combustion of the injected fuel while minimizing unburned hydrocarbons, resolving the contradiction between combustion completeness and emission reduction.
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 achieves improved combustion stability and significant reduction in hydrocarbon emissions by maintaining the glow plug temperature within targeted ranges, even during cold start-ups and warm-up periods, while minimizing fuel and power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
A glow plug includes a heating element at the tip which, when electrified, heats by means of electrical resistance
Implementation Method 2
Determination and application of the power level for glow plugs during engine warm-up generally varies by vehicle manufacturer
Data Source
AI summary
A glow plug control apparatus for an engine of a motor vehicle, comprising at least one glow plug; a power source to apply electric power to the at least one glow plug; and a control unit comprising a microprocessor configured and arranged to determine glow plug supply power to be applied from the power source to the at least one glow plug based on input from stored vehicle data and from a plurality of engine sensors, wherein the input includes data of engine operating parameters including fresh air intake mass airflow, intake manifold total mass airflow, intake manifold temperature, coolant temperature, glow plug temperature and total fuel injection quantity.