PHEV Fuel Injection Control for Seasonal Grade Mismatch
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) often run on the wrong fuel grade due to infrequent gasoline usage, leading to degraded vehicle performance and emissions, as winter-grade fuel can negatively impact emissions in summer and summer-grade fuel can degrade engine cold-starts in winter, due to differences in fuel volatility.
Innovation Solution
A method to adjust engine fuel injection based on the age and seasonal grade of fuel in the tank, using a fuel correction factor to compensate for differences in volatile compound composition and fuel volatility, thereby improving emissions and performance by determining the fuel age through distance traveled, fuel consumption, and season information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a PHEV runs on winter-grade fuel during summer season, then engine operation is simplified, but exhaust emissions are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts engine operating parameters (fuel injection amount, boost pressure, valve timing, throttle position) based on the detected fuel seasonal grade mismatch. By changing these parameters in response to the incorrect fuel type, the system compensates for the volatility differences and maintains acceptable emissions performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller determines fuel age and seasonal grade information, compares it with the mandated seasonal grade, and applies corrective actions when a mismatch is detected. This feedback loop allows the system to identify and respond to fuel-seasonal grade mismatches, adjusting engine parameters to compensate and reduce harmful emissions.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a PHEV runs on summer-grade fuel during winter season, then fuel storage stability is improved, but engine cold-start performance is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The system adjusts engine parameters including fuel injection amount, ignition timing, and throttle position based on the detected fuel seasonal grade. These parameter changes compensate for the lower volatility of summer-grade fuel during cold winter starts, improving engine startability and early operation reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller continuously monitors fuel age and seasonal grade information, and when a mismatch between stored fuel and seasonal requirements is detected, applies appropriate corrective parameter adjustments. This feedback mechanism ensures that engine parameters are optimized for the actual fuel composition being used.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a PHEV frequently charges and reduces gasoline usage, then electric mode operation increases, but fuel grade mismatch occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system proactively determines fuel age and seasonal grade information before engine operation occurs. By performing this assessment in advance, the system can pre-calculate the appropriate fuel correction factors and adjust engine parameters before the fuel-seasonal grade mismatch causes performance or emissions problems.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller uses fuel age and seasonal grade information to detect mismatches between the fuel in the tank and the mandated seasonal grade. This feedback allows the system to adapt engine parameters to the actual fuel composition, maintaining proper operation despite infrequent refueling and fuel grade changes.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for adjusting operation of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle responsive to a seasonal grade of the fuel available in the vehicle's fuel tank. If the seasonal grade of fuel in the fuel tank does not correspond to the seasonal grade of fuel mandated during the time of engine operation, a fuel injection amount is adjusted to compensate for differences between seasonal grades of a fuel.