Glowplug Temperature Estimation via Voltage Power Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glowplug control systems fail to accurately control and estimate the temperature of glowplugs, which is crucial for determining their remaining life and optimal operation, as they rely solely on voltage or power without considering the upper limits of applicable voltage and power.
Innovation Solution
A glowplug control device that calculates target applied voltage or power to adjust the glowplug temperature to a predetermined target, applying maximum applicable voltage or power when necessary, and estimates temperature based on differences between target and maximum values, while also considering engine operating states and fuel injection patterns to accurately determine temperature and remaining life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the target applied voltage or power is calculated to adjust the glowplug temperature to a predetermined target temperature, then the temperature control precision is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need to consider maximum applicable voltage and power limits
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the control parameter from simple voltage or power application to a corrected applied voltage or power that accounts for the relationship between target temperature and maximum applicable limits. By calculating the corrected applied voltage/power based on the difference between target and maximum values, the system achieves accurate temperature estimation without requiring complex direct temperature sensing hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct temperature measurement mechanisms with an electrical parameter-based estimation system. Instead of using physical temperature sensors or complex thermal modeling hardware, the system uses the relationship between applied voltage/power, maximum applicable limits, and temperature to calculate the glowplug temperature through electrical parameter analysis alone.
2Reliability
If the maximum applicable voltage or power is applied when the target value exceeds the maximum, then the glowplug can be protected from damage, but the temperature control accuracy deteriorates because the glowplug cannot reach the target temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously calculating the difference between the target applied voltage/power and the maximum applicable voltage/power, and using this difference to determine the temperature decrease amount. This feedback mechanism allows the system to account for the limitation of maximum voltage/power application and adjust temperature estimation accordingly, maintaining both reliability and estimation accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
When the target applied voltage or power exceeds the maximum applicable limit, the system applies only the maximum applicable voltage or power (partial action) rather than the full target value. The temperature estimation then accounts for this partial application by calculating the temperature decrease amount based on the difference between target and maximum values, ensuring accurate estimation despite the limitation.
3Measurement precision
If the temperature of the glowplug is accurately estimated to determine remaining life, then the remaining life estimation accuracy is improved, but the data storage requirements increase to store temperature data for various engine states
Solution Approach 1:
The system makes the control device self-sufficient by calculating the temperature estimation directly from the applied voltage/power and the relationship with maximum applicable limits, without requiring external temperature sensor data or large databases of temperature information for various engine states. The device uses its own operational parameters to generate the necessary temperature data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the temperature estimation function from complex data storage and processing systems. Instead of storing and retrieving temperature data for various engine states from large databases, the system extracts the essential temperature information by calculating it directly from the applied voltage/power and the maximum applicable limits relationship, significantly reducing data storage requirements.
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 precise temperature control and estimation of glowplug temperature, reducing data storage needs and enhancing the accuracy of remaining life estimation by accounting for various engine states and fuel injection patterns.
Implementation Method 1
a glowplug is provided in an engine to improve ignitability and combustibility
Data Source
AI summary
A glowplug control device for controlling an applied voltage or power for a glowplug is provided, which includes a target calculating module for calculating a target applied voltage or power to adjust a glowplug temperature to a predetermined target temperature, an output module for applying the target applied voltage or power to the glowplug when the target applied voltage or power is below a maximum applicable voltage or power, and applying the maximum applicable voltage or power to the glowplug when the target applied voltage or power is above the maximum applicable voltage or power, and a temperature estimating module for estimating the glowplug temperature to be the target temperature when the target applied voltage or power is applied to the glowplug, and estimating the glowplug temperature to be below the target temperature by a temperature decrease amount when the maximum applicable voltage or power is applied to the glowplug.