Misfire Detection Using Engine Vibration Analysis

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for detecting misfire in internal combustion engines are inadequate for identifying intermittent or partial misfire phenomena, which can lead to performance deterioration, environmental pollution, and equipment damage.

Innovation Solution

A method that involves determining whether a misfire condition exists, measuring vibrations generated by the engine, and identifying cylinders subjected to misfire based on these vibrations, using a control unit configured to perform these steps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If vibration measurement is added to misfire detection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemisfire detection precisionVSAvoiddetection system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines vibration measurement with existing misfire detection methods, merging multiple detection approaches into a unified system that leverages both traditional parameters and vibration signals to identify misfire conditions more accurately

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The vibration measurement system serves multiple functions: detecting misfire conditions, identifying affected cylinders, and providing diagnostic information, thereby making the detection system multi-functional and reducing the need for separate specialized systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If intermittent misfire detection is implemented, then reliability is improved, but difficulty of detecting and measuring increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine operation reliabilityVSAvoidintermittent misfire detection difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors engine operation and vibration signals throughout the engine cycle, ensuring that intermittent misfire events are captured regardless of when they occur, thereby maintaining continuous detection capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The detection system evaluates misfire conditions at regular intervals and across multiple engine cycles, using periodic assessment to distinguish intermittent misfire patterns from normal combustion variations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 method enables more accurate evaluation and classification of misfire phenomena, allowing for improved engine performance, reduced pollution, and timely maintenance by effectively identifying misfire occurrences in internal combustion engines.

Implementation Method 1

measuring vibrations generated upon operating the engine; identifying at least one cylinder subjected to a misfire in dependence on the measured vibrations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS12234785B2Method and control unit for identifying misfire subjected cylinders of an internal combustion engine

Publication Date: 2025.02.25 CATERPILLAR ENERGY SOLUTIONS

AI summary

Method for identifying cylinders of an internal combustion engine which are subjected to misfire during operation, comprising a step of determining whether the engine is subjected to a misfire condition; a step of measuring vibrations generated upon operating the engine; and a step of identifying at least one cylinder subjected to a misfire in dependence on the measured vibrations.