Ignition Advance Control for Exhaust Thermal Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for controlling internal combustion engines in vehicles fail to simultaneously optimize fuel consumption, driving pleasure, performance, pollutant emission minimization, mechanical and thermal resistance, and driver safety, often requiring prioritization of constraints which can lead to suboptimal engine management.

Innovation Solution

A control method that transforms engine torque setpoints into ignition advance setpoints, calculating minimum and maximum ignition advance setpoints, and dynamically adjusting based on thermal state, thermal damage occurrences, and user safety conditions to ensure optimal thermal protection and compliance with torque demands while maintaining driving comfort and safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the ignition advance setpoint is reduced to comply with low torque demand from the programmed electro-stabilizer, then the torque demand is met, but the thermal resistance of the exhaust line deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengine torqueVSAvoidexhaust line thermal resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The control system dynamically adjusts the ignition advance setpoint based on real-time thermal state monitoring of the exhaust line. When thermal damage risk is detected, the system adaptively modifies the ignition timing to prevent thermal damage, and can restore the setpoint when the thermal state improves, creating a dynamic response to thermal conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism by monitoring the thermal state of the exhaust line and using this information to adjust the ignition advance setpoint. The control unit receives thermal state information and modifies the ignition timing accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that balances torque demand with thermal protection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Temperature

If the minimum ignition advance setpoint is maintained to protect exhaust line elements, then thermal resistance is improved, but compliance with torque setpoint deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexhaust line thermal protectionVSAvoidtorque setpoint compliance
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the ignition advance setpoint based on real-time thermal state monitoring of the exhaust line. When thermal damage risk is detected, the system adaptively modifies the ignition timing to prevent thermal damage, and can restore the setpoint when the thermal state improves, creating a dynamic response to thermal conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism by monitoring the thermal state of the exhaust line and using this information to adjust the ignition advance setpoint. The control unit receives thermal state information and modifies the ignition timing accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that balances torque demand with thermal protection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If multiple constraints are simultaneously optimized, then overall performance improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengine management performanceVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit integrates multiple constraint evaluations (torque demand, thermal state, safety conditions) into a single unified control decision-making process. By combining these constraints into one control algorithm, the system manages multiple objectives without requiring separate complex subsystems for each constraint

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2917559B1Method for controlling an internal combustion engine
Publication Date: 2017.04.26 PSA AUTOMOBILES SA
  • EP2917559B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2917559B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method (1) for controlling an internal combustion engine fitted to a motor vehicle. The control method (1) comprises a step (5) of converting at least one engine torque reference (3) into an ignition advance reference (C). The control method (1) comprises a first step (6) of calculating a minimum ignition advance reference (Cmin). The control method (1) comprises a step (8) of suppressing the minimum ignition advance reference (Cmin).