Programmable Protected Input Circuits for Engine Controllers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current engine controllers are limited in flexibility and specificity, often being purpose-built for specific engine types and injector configurations, which restricts their multipurpose use and adaptability, especially in research and low-volume production settings.
Innovation Solution
The development of a generic and flexible engine control module (ECM) and standalone direct injector driver module (SDIDM) with advanced multiplexing schemes and input protection circuits, allowing for various injector configurations and protection against transient voltage levels, enabling more versatile and efficient engine control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If engine controllers are purpose-built for specific engine types and injector configurations, then control precision and reliability are improved, but flexibility and adaptability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal engine controller design with standardized input circuits that can accommodate multiple sensor types and injector configurations through software programming rather than hardware specialization. The protected input circuits are designed to universally interface with various sensors while maintaining reliable control across different engine types.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller employs dynamically configurable input circuits where protection characteristics and signal processing parameters can be adjusted through software to match different sensor and actuator requirements. This dynamic adaptability allows the same hardware to reliably control different engine configurations without requiring purpose-built specialized circuits for each application.
2Adaptability or versatility
If engine controllers are designed for multipurpose use with various injector configurations, then flexibility and adaptability are improved, but control precision and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates protection circuits with transient voltage suppression capabilities that cushion against voltage spikes and electrical noise before they can affect the control signals. This beforehand protection ensures that even when the controller interfaces with various different sensors and actuators, the control precision and reliability are maintained by filtering out harmful electrical transients.
Solution Approach 2:
The protected input circuits serve as intermediary components between external sensors/actuators and the internal controller logic. These intermediary circuits provide galvanic isolation and signal conditioning that maintain control reliability while enabling the controller to interface with multiple different types of sensors and actuators, thus supporting multipurpose use without sacrificing precision.
3Ease of manufacture
If standardized protected input circuits are used, then manufacturing ease and cost are improved, but customization capability for specific applications deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/custom hardware customization with software-based configuration. The standardized protected input circuits use programmable logic and software settings to adapt to different application requirements, eliminating the need for custom circuit board designs or hardware modifications for each application while maintaining full customization capability through code.
Data Source
AI summary
An input protection circuit may include an input node to receive an input signal, and may further include an output node to provide a protected output signal based on the input signal. Protection circuitry may be coupled between the input node and the output node to establish a current path that bypasses the input node and pulls the output pin to a specified reference voltage level in the event of a transient at the input node. A push-pull power supply may be used to provide the reference voltage to the current path, and dissipate any excess voltage by burning it off in a semiconductor device included in the push-pull power supply circuitry.