Engine Warm-up Control Using Spark Plug Seat Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional engine warm-up control systems that increase fuel injection based on lubricating oil temperature are inefficient, leading to prolonged warm-up times and increased fuel consumption, as the temperature increase is not immediately reflected in the lubricating oil, hindering accurate fuel injection calculations.
Innovation Solution
A warm-up control apparatus for internal combustion engines that calculates a fuel injection amount based on the temperature change of the spark plug seat, throttle opening, and operating machine output, allowing for precise adjustment of fuel injection during the warm-up process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fuel injection amount is increased based on lubricating oil temperature during warm-up operation, then fuel injection control is attempted, but the warm-up condition of the engine is not immediately reflected causing delayed response and prolonged warm-up time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using engine block temperature as a leading indicator that reflects warm-up conditions earlier than lubricating oil temperature. Since the engine block heats up faster and its temperature more directly reflects the current warm-up state, the control system can adjust fuel injection amounts based on this earlier signal, enabling proactive fuel management during warm-up rather than reacting to delayed oil temperature changes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces engine block temperature as an intermediary parameter between the warm-up process and fuel injection control. This intermediary provides a more immediate and accurate reflection of engine warm-up conditions compared to lubricating oil temperature, allowing the control system to mediate fuel injection adjustments based on real-time engine state rather than delayed thermal feedback from the lubrication system
2Stability of the object's composition
If warm-up operation continues for extended period to ensure proper engine temperature, then engine temperature stability is improved, but fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring engine block temperature and using it to dynamically adjust fuel injection amounts during warm-up operation. The control system compares the current engine temperature state against target warm-up criteria and modifies fuel injection accordingly, reducing fuel injection as the engine approaches optimal temperature. This closed-loop feedback mechanism prevents both premature termination of warm-up (which would compromise temperature stability) and excessive continuation (which would increase fuel consumption)
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making fuel injection amount a dynamic variable that continuously adapts to changing engine temperature conditions during warm-up. Rather than using a fixed or overly conservative fuel injection strategy, the system dynamically adjusts injection amounts based on real-time engine block temperature readings, allowing the warm-up process to efficiently progress while maintaining temperature stability control
Data Source
AI summary
In an apparatus for controlling warm-up operation of a general-purpose internal combustion engine having a throttle valve installed in an air intake pipe and connectable to an operating machine to be used as a prime mover of the machine, it is configured to calculate a basic fuel injection amount based on an engine speed and a throttle opening and control engine warm-up operation by calculating a warm-up time fuel injection amount by correcting the calculated basic fuel injection amount based on one of a temperature change amount of a spark plug seat of the engine, the throttle opening and an output of the operating machine and injecting fuel from an injector by the calculated warm-up time fuel injection amount. With this, it becomes possible to calculate a fuel injection amount suitable for the engine warm-up condition by using an appropriate parameter in place of the lubricating oil temperature.