Pressure Sensor Recalibration With Fault Detection In Engine Air Intake
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for recalibrating pressure sensors in an air intake line of an internal combustion engine are inefficient, often resulting in non-starting or performance issues due to faulty sensor detection and temperature-related precision degradation, leading to unreliable engine operation.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves an internal diagnostic step to determine if recalibration compensation exceeds a maximum value before applying it to pressure sensors, suspending compensation if a fault is detected, and considering temperature ranges to prevent degradation, allowing for faster and accurate sensor recalibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a time delay is used for sensor recalibration, then measurement consistency is improved, but engine start time is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary sensor recalibration by comparing sensor readings at engine shutdown with reference values stored in memory. This preliminary action ensures sensors are calibrated before the next engine start, eliminating the need for time delays during startup while maintaining measurement consistency.
2Measurement precision
If recalibration compensation is applied without fault detection, then sensor accuracy is improved, but faulty sensor readings may cause non-starting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where sensor readings during recalibration are compared against valid ranges and previous shutdown values. If readings fall outside acceptable parameters, the system detects a fault condition and prevents recalibration compensation from being applied, thereby avoiding non-starting issues while maintaining accuracy when sensors are functioning properly.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary fault detection by comparing current sensor readings with stored reference values and checking against valid operating ranges before applying recalibration compensation. This preliminary validation ensures that only sensors providing reliable readings are recalibrated, preventing faulty sensors from causing engine non-starting.
3Reliability
If three pressure sensors are used in the air intake line, then measurement reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the third pressure sensor optional rather than mandatory. The system can function with one or two pressure sensors, and the third sensor is only required in specific applications where enhanced measurement reliability is needed. This universal approach allows the same basic system architecture to serve multiple application requirements without forcing unnecessary complexity on all installations.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention concerns a method for resetting at least two pressure sensors (Capatm, Capsural, Capadmi) positioned in an air-intake line of an internal combustion engine, the resetting compensation being calculated for at least one second sensor (Capsural, Capadmi) with respect to a first pressure sensor (Capatm) acting as a reference sensor between the respective pressure measurements of same at a so-called initial temperature of the sensors when the engine is stopped. Before applying the resetting compensation to said at least one second sensor (Capsural, Capadmi), an internal diagnostic step is carried out based on the value of the resetting compensation, consisting or determining whether the resetting compensation exceeds a maximum compensation value, in which case it is diagnosed that one of said at least two sensors is faulty. In this case, application of the resetting compensation is suspended.