Spark Ignition Timing Adjustment for Engine Restart
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Solution Overview
Problem
Frequent use of conventional start-stop technology in vehicles shortens the lifespan of starter motors due to high demand for initial engine starts, and expansion combustion (EC) efficiency is low due to non-ideal spark ignition timing and low cylinder turbulence, leading to increased fuel consumption and dependency on the starter motor.
Innovation Solution
Adjusting spark ignition timing based on estimated fuel-air equivalence ratio and cylinder turbulence during engine restart to optimize combustion conditions, reducing the load on the starter motor and improving torque output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If expansion combustion is used to restart the engine, then the load on the starter motor is reduced, but the combustion efficiency is low due to non-optimal spark timing and low cylinder turbulence
Solution Approach 1:
The spark ignition timing is dynamically adjusted based on real-time cylinder turbulence conditions during expansion combustion. The system transitions from fixed timing to adaptive timing that responds to changing turbulence levels, optimizing combustion efficiency while maintaining starter motor protection
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the spark ignition timing parameter in response to detected cylinder turbulence conditions. By modifying this critical parameter based on actual combustion chamber conditions, the system achieves efficient combustion without requiring high starter motor torque
2Ease of operation
If conventional spark ignition timing is used during engine restart, then the system is simple to operate, but the torque output is insufficient due to poor fuel-air mixing
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback from turbulence detection during expansion combustion and uses this information to adjust spark ignition timing. This closed-loop approach maintains system simplicity while significantly improving torque output through data-driven timing optimization
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces purely mechanical timing determination with a hybrid approach that uses electronic turbulence detection and computational timing adjustment. This substitution enables precise timing control without adding complex mechanical components
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 approach enhances the efficiency of expansion combustion, reduces the load on the starter motor, and increases fuel economy and starter motor longevity by providing more efficient torque assistance during engine restarts.
Implementation Method 1
fuel is injected into a cylinder of the engine during an expansion stroke of a cylinder piston. Subsequent combustion of the injected fuel provides an initial burst of torque to assist in rotating the engine
Implementation Method 2
adjusting a spark ignition timing based on an estimation of a fuel-air equivalence ratio in a cylinder
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for restarting an engine following an engine idle-stop. In one example, a method may include, prior to an engine restart following an idle-stop, adjusting a spark ignition timing based on an estimation of a fuel-air equivalence ratio (phi) and an estimation of a cylinder turbulence. Optimal spark ignition timing based on estimated phi and cylinder turbulence during engine restart may result in stabilized combustion and a torque output sufficient to at least partially relieve demand on the starting device.