Sealing Valve Control for Vapor Fuel Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The decreasing negative pressure in intake manifolds of vehicles with hybrid or Atkinson cycle engines complicates the canister purge process, leading to reduced gas quantity and increased inconvenience during refueling, as existing systems require time to reduce fuel tank pressure, potentially causing evaporated fuel to be emitted to the atmosphere.
Innovation Solution
A vapor fuel processing apparatus with a sealing valve and control section that detects lid opening and user refueling intentions, estimating the time needed to release pressure in the fuel tank and opening the sealing valve accordingly to prevent evaporated fuel emission, even when the lid is closed, ensuring efficient absorption and supply of evaporated fuel to the engine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the sealing valve is opened to release pressure in the fuel tank, then evaporated fuel can be prevented from being emitted to the atmosphere, but the refueling process becomes slower and more inconvenient for users
Solution Approach 1:
The control section opens the sealing valve in advance based on estimated refueling intention (detected through sensor signals before the lid is actually opened) and predicted pressure release time period, so that pressure reduction is already underway or completed by the time the user opens the lid for refueling, preventing evaporated fuel emission without delaying the refueling process
2Ease of operation
If the sealing valve is opened early based on estimated refueling intention, then user convenience is improved by allowing faster refueling, but there is a risk that evaporated fuel may be emitted if the pressure is not released in time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by opening the sealing valve in advance based on estimated refueling intention and predicted pressure release time, ensuring pressure is reduced before the lid is opened while maintaining the ability to prevent emission through accurate timing prediction
Solution Approach 2:
The control section continuously monitors sensor signals (lid opening detection, refueling intention estimation) and adjusts the sealing valve operation timing based on feedback from the system state, ensuring reliable prevention of evaporated fuel emission while optimizing refueling convenience
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 solution effectively restricts the emission of evaporated fuel during refueling, enhancing user convenience by allowing for smoother and faster refueling processes without unnecessary manipulation of the sealing valve, thereby reducing energy consumption and maintaining efficient fuel processing.
Implementation Method 1
a canister (37) configured to absorb evaporated fuel produced in the fuel tank (31)
Data Source
AI summary
A canister absorbs evaporated fuel produced in a fuel tank and supplies the absorbed evaporated fuel to an engine. A sealing valve is equipped between the fuel tank and the canister. A detection unit detects a state of a lid of the fuel tank. An intention estimation unit estimates existence of a refueling intention according to an activity of a user. A release time period estimation unit estimates a release time period, which is needed to release a pressure in the fuel tank, according to a state of a vehicle. A manipulation control unit opens the sealing valve when the lid is opened. The manipulation control unit opens the sealing valve, even in a case where the lid is closed, on estimation that the refueling intention exists, and on determination that the estimated release time period is greater than a predetermined time period.