Single-Stage Gear Transmission for Engine Fuel Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current internal combustion (IC) engine fuel efficiency remains low, and existing transmission technologies do not effectively optimize engine operation to achieve maximum fuel efficiency across various operating conditions, leading to suboptimal fuel consumption and mechanical efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A case-emphasized propulsion method using an n-ratio automatic single-stage gear transmission that controls IC engines to operate at their most-efficient speed and torque ranges, reducing fuel consumption by optimizing the transmission ratio to match the engine's most-used and most-desired working states, thereby improving fuel efficiency and mechanical efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If traditional automatic or CVT transmissions are used, then ease of operation is maintained, but fuel efficiency is suboptimal because the engine cannot operate continuously at its most-efficient speed and torque ranges
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission system dynamically adjusts the gear ratio to match the engine's operating conditions, enabling the engine to operate at its most-efficient speed and torque ranges across various driving scenarios. The controller continuously monitors engine parameters and selects optimal gear ratios from the predefined set, making the transmission adaptive rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the transmission ratio parameter to optimize engine operation. By providing a transmission with specifically designed gear ratios that correspond to the engine's efficient operating points, the system enables the engine to operate within its optimal efficiency range across different vehicle speeds and load conditions.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the transmission is designed with multiple gear ratios optimized for specific engine operating points, then fuel efficiency improves, but the device complexity and difficulty of detecting and measuring optimal operating conditions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The controller receives feedback from engine sensors that monitor speed, torque, and load conditions. Based on this feedback, the controller determines the current operating point and selects the appropriate gear ratio from the predefined set, enabling continuous optimization of fuel efficiency through real-time adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission is pre-configured with specific gear ratios that correspond to the engine's most-efficient operating points. This preliminary design allows the system to quickly switch to optimal operation without complex real-time calculations, as the optimal gear ratios are predetermined based on engine characteristics.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is used to allow continuous adjustment of transmission ratio, then adaptability improves, but mechanical efficiency decreases due to higher losses compared to fixed-ratio transmissions
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a continuous range of gear ratios like a CVT, the patent segments the transmission ratio range into discrete, optimized gear ratios. Each ratio is specifically selected to correspond to the engine's efficient operating points, providing sufficient adaptability while avoiding the mechanical losses inherent in continuous adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses simpler, more mechanically efficient fixed-ratio gear sets rather than complex CVT mechanisms. While CVTs offer continuous adjustability, they incur higher mechanical losses; the discrete ratio approach sacrifices minimal adaptability for significantly improved mechanical efficiency and lower energy losses.
Data Source
AI summary
A case-emphasized propulsion method improves vehicle fuel efficiency. The ratio of the most-used speed to the most-desired speed of an IC engine is employed to control the engine to always run at its optimal working state with an efficient single-stage gear transmission. The propulsion method used with different brands of IC engines demonstrates a reduction in fuel consumption between 5 and 39%. An n-ratio automatic single-stage gear transmission implements the propulsion method. The transmission design executes the proposed propulsion method as well a continuous transmission, but it can also increase the propulsion efficiency about 8 to 18% when applied to replace traditional automatic transmissions or continuously variable transmissions in vehicle drivetrains.