Secondary Controller via Diagnostic Port for Engine Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Aftermarket modifications to automobile engine control units to improve fuel efficiency often void warranties and pose risks of engine damage, as they require modifying factory settings or overwriting software while the vehicle is non-operational.

Innovation Solution

A secondary control unit (SCU) that communicates with the engine control unit via the diagnostic port, allowing for real-time control commands to be sent during vehicle operation without modifying the factory settings or falsifying data, thereby preserving the engine's operational bounds while enhancing performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If aftermarket devices overwrite factory software and control algorithms in the engine control unit, then engine performance can be modified to improve fuel efficiency, but the warranty is voided and engine damage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel efficiencyVSAvoidwarranty protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a secondary control unit that acts as an intermediary between the user and the engine control unit. This SCU communicates with the ECU through the diagnostic port and sends control commands without directly modifying the ECU's factory software or control algorithms, thus preserving warranty protection while still enabling performance modifications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The secondary control unit creates a functional copy of control capabilities by implementing its own control algorithms and sending commands to the ECU through the diagnostic port, rather than directly modifying the original ECU software. This allows performance modification while maintaining the integrity of the factory control unit

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Power

If aftermarket devices overwrite factory look-up tables and control algorithms, then engine performance can be enhanced, but engine damage and reduced lifetime become possible risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine performanceVSAvoidengine damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The secondary control unit serves as a protective intermediary that sends controlled commands through the diagnostic port rather than directly modifying ECU parameters. This approach allows performance enhancement while maintaining factory safety constraints and preventing engine damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial modification by only sending specific control commands through the diagnostic port rather than completely overwriting the ECU software. This selective approach enables performance gains while preserving the protective factory settings that prevent engine damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Use of energy by moving object

If factory settings are modified to improve fuel efficiency, then operational lifetime may be reduced, but the modification process requires the vehicle to be non-operational

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel efficiencyVSAvoidengine operational lifetime

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The secondary control unit enables continuous operation by communicating through the diagnostic port during vehicle operation, eliminating the need to take the vehicle out of service for modifications. This preserves both fuel efficiency improvements and engine operational lifetime

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If a secondary control unit communicates via diagnostic port during vehicle operation, then warranty is preserved and real-time control is enabled, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time control capabilityVSAvoidcontrol system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The secondary control unit utilizes the existing diagnostic port infrastructure, which is a universal interface already present in modern vehicles. This approach enables real-time control functionality without adding complex custom communication hardware, thus reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9488116B2Supplementing engine control via a diagnostics port

Publication Date: 2016.11.08 POWERTEQ LLC

AI summary

A secondary controller for controlling the performance of a vehicle is described. The secondary controller sends control commands to a vehicle controller while the vehicle is being driven to effect the operation of the vehicle's power train without requiring any modification of the vehicle controller and without falsifying any information sent to the vehicle controller. In some embodiments, the secondary controller communicates with the vehicle controller via the vehicle's diagnostic port, such as an OBD-II port. In one aspect, the secondary controller is used to direct the vehicle controller not to utilize a start/stop feature to automatically turn off the engine in the selected circumstances during normal operation of the vehicle. As such, the control command causes the vehicle controller to operate the vehicle in the selected operating mode in manner dictated by the engine controller.