Engine Oil Viscosity Feedback Heating for Reliable Cold Starts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods struggle to effectively reduce engine oil viscosity for improved engine startability due to variations in oil type and deterioration state, making it difficult to improve engine startability through heater operation based solely on oil temperature.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle driving device incorporating an electric pump, electric heater, and starter motor, controlled by a processor and memory system, which calculates actual engine oil viscosity and adjusts heater energy input to achieve target viscosity for efficient engine startup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a heater is operated based on oil temperature to heat engine oil, then the oil viscosity can be reduced, but it is difficult to appropriately reduce oil viscosity due to variations in oil type and deterioration state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the control parameter from temperature-based to viscosity-based control. By directly measuring oil viscosity and using it as the feedback parameter for heater control, the system adapts to variations in oil type and deterioration state, achieving appropriate viscosity reduction regardless of oil characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control system where oil viscosity is measured, compared against target values, and used to adjust heater operation. The control unit continuously monitors viscosity and modifies heating intensity accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that maintains accurate viscosity control.
2Reliability
If a heater is operated based on oil temperature, then the startability of the engine can be improved, but it is difficult to improve startability due to inability to accurately control viscosity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces indirect temperature-based control with direct viscosity measurement and control. By substituting the mechanical/thermal control approach with a direct viscosity sensing and control system, the patent achieves reliable engine startability through precise viscosity management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the controlled parameter from temperature to viscosity. This parameter change enables direct control of the property that actually affects startability (viscosity), rather than controlling a related property (temperature) that does not directly correlate with oil characteristics and deterioration state.
3Device complexity
If the heater operates without viscosity feedback, then the control system is simpler, but the energy efficiency is reduced due to inability to optimize heater operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements viscosity feedback control where the measured viscosity directly determines heater operation intensity. This feedback mechanism optimizes energy efficiency by applying heat only when and to the extent needed to achieve target viscosity, avoiding unnecessary energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic control system where heater operation continuously adapts to changing oil viscosity conditions. The control unit adjusts heating intensity in real-time based on viscosity measurements, enabling energy-efficient operation that responds to actual oil conditions rather than following a fixed control schedule.
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
The system improves engine startability by accurately reducing oil viscosity, enhancing energy efficiency and reducing rotational resistance of the crankshaft.
Implementation Method 1
an electric pump provided in the engine and configured to pump an engine oil
Implementation Method 2
an electric heater provided in the engine and configured to heat the engine oil
Implementation Method 3
a starter motor provided in the engine and configured to cause an output shaft to perform starting rotation
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle driving device includes an engine, an electric pump, an electric heater, a starter motor, and a control system. The control system calculates a first actual viscosity of an engine oil based on a load torque of an electric pump. The control system causes an electric heater to operate by supplying a first energy to the electric heater and calculates a second actual viscosity of the engine oil based on the load torque of the electric pump. The control system calculates, based on the second actual viscosity of the engine oil and a target viscosity of the engine oil, a second energy that is to be supplied to the electric heater. The control system causes the electric heater to operate by supplying the second energy to the electric heater and then drives a starter motor so as to cause an output shaft to perform starting rotation.