Vehicle Powertrain Controller Actuator Failure Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle powertrains face compliance issues due to actuator failures, leading to non-compliance with emission standards, causing inconvenience to vehicle owners and requiring service interventions.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a controller to identify and automatically adjust key operation parameters within a vehicle powertrain, using a mathematical model to prioritize adjustments based on influence, to restore performance features like emissions to desired ranges, minimizing the need for service interventions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If actuator failures occur in the powertrain, then vehicle operation continues, but emission compliance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control system automatically detects actuator failures and adjusts operation parameters without requiring driver intervention or external service. The system self-diagnoses the failure condition and self-corrects the emission compliance issue by modifying other powertrain parameters, enabling the vehicle to maintain compliance autonomously after actuator failures.
Solution Approach 2:
When an actuator failure is detected, the system changes the values of other operation parameters to compensate for the failed actuator's effect on emissions. By adjusting parameters such as injection timing, EGR rates, or valve timing, the system modifies the powertrain operation to maintain emission compliance despite the actuator failure.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If automatic parameter adjustment is implemented, then emission compliance is maintained, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors emission-related parameters and actuator status, using this feedback to automatically adjust operation parameters. The control system compares actual emissions against compliance thresholds and dynamically modifies powertrain parameters in response to detected deviations, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains compliance automatically.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system serves multiple functions: it monitors actuator health, detects failures, determines their impact on emissions, and adjusts operation parameters to maintain compliance. This multi-functional approach consolidates what could be separate systems into a single integrated control unit, managing complexity through functional integration.
3Measurement precision
If manual service intervention is required for actuator failures, then proper diagnosis occurs, but vehicle availability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs the diagnostic function by monitoring actuator performance and detecting failures in real-time. Instead of requiring manual service intervention for diagnosis, the system continuously self-monitors and self-diagnoses actuator conditions, immediately identifying failures and initiating corrective parameter adjustments without taking the vehicle offline.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary diagnosis and corrective action automatically when actuator failures occur, before the vehicle reaches a service center. By pre-detecting the failure and pre-adjusting parameters to maintain compliance, the system eliminates the need for immediate service intervention, keeping the vehicle available for normal operation.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method of controlling a vehicle powertrain including determining that a performance feature associated with the powertrain is outside of a desired performance range. A plurality of operation parameters that are associated with the powertrain are identified that have a relationship to the performance feature. An adjustment is automatically made to at least one of the identified operation parameters to thereby bring the performance feature closer to the desired performance range. Preferably, the relationship comprises a mathematical model that corresponds to how the operation parameters influence whether the performance feature is within the desired performance range, the method further comprising identifying an actuator failure associated with the powertrain; determining at least one of the operation parameters corresponding to the actuator failure; determining a value of the corresponding operation parameter that is indicative of the actuator failure; and using the determined value as a fixed value for the corresponding operation parameter in the mathematical model.