Preactivated Compressor for Engine Boost Response

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Solution Overview

Problem

Internal combustion engines with exhaust gas turbochargers without electrical charging support slowly build up boost pressure, leading to sluggish torque response when starting, especially during rapid acceleration or when the engine is restarted after coasting.

Innovation Solution

A method and control device that preconditions the internal combustion engine by directing a mass flow through an air supply duct and activating an actively controllable compression component before starting, using an electrically operated compressor to increase boost pressure quickly, even when the engine is stopped.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If an exhaust gas turbocharger without electrical charging support is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the boost pressure build-up speed is slow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging system complexityVSAvoidboost pressure build-up speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The compressor is preactivated before the engine start to build up boost pressure in advance. This preliminary action ensures that when the engine starts, the required boost pressure is already available or close to available, eliminating the sluggish torque response that would otherwise occur during engine start-up.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system detects start anticipation events (such as coasting conditions or idle states) and activates the compressor beforehand to counteract the expected slow boost pressure build-up. This preliminary anti-action prevents the problematic slow response from occurring in the first place.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Productivity

If the compressor is activated before engine start, then the torque response is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque response speedVSAvoidenergy consumption during preactivation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The compressor is activated only when start anticipation events are detected (such as during coasting or idle conditions), performing the energy-consuming action in advance when the vehicle is already stationary or moving at constant speed, rather than during acceleration when torque is critically needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically activates the compressor based on detected operating conditions (coasting, idle, accelerator pedal position). The compressor operation is made conditional and adaptive, running only when beneficial and not when it would waste energy during situations where natural boost build-up is sufficient.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Speed

If the compressor is preactivated during coasting or idle, then the acceleration performance is improved, but the loss of time for unnecessary activation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveacceleration performanceVSAvoidtime lost due to premature activation
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary activation only when specific start anticipation events are detected, such as when the vehicle is coasting or idle and the driver has indicated intent to accelerate (accelerator pedal position). This targeted preliminary action avoids unnecessary activation during normal cruising or when acceleration is not imminent.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control system continuously monitors multiple parameters (accelerator pedal position, vehicle speed, engine operating state) and uses this feedback to determine whether preactivation conditions are met. This feedback mechanism ensures the compressor is activated only when truly necessary and beneficial, minimizing unnecessary time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 approach allows for a quicker generation of target charge pressure and torque upon engine start, improving acceleration and responsiveness, especially during start-up from coasting or idle conditions.

Implementation Method 1

activating the compression component

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

directing a mass flow through a portion of the air duct

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3303799B1Method and control device for operating a drive device
Publication Date: 2021.07.07 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3303799B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3303799B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3303799B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for operating a drive device (AV) comprising an internal combustion engine (1), an air supply channel (20) for supplying air to the internal combustion engine (1), and an actively controllable compression component (3) for influencing a pressure in the air supply channel (20). According to the invention, when the internal combustion engine (1) is switched off, the presence of an expected start event is determined (70), as a result of which event the internal combustion engine (1) can be started. If a starter maintenance event is occurring, a mass flow is guided (71) through a section of the air supply channel (20) before the switched off internal combustion engine (1) is started, and the compression component (3) is activated (72).