SPCCI Engine Combustion Control for Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Compression autoignition in engines leads to increased pressure variation and combustion noise, which affects fuel economy and noise levels.

Innovation Solution

A combustion mode combining Spark Ignition (SI) and Compression Ignition (CI) combustion, known as SPCCI, where a spark plug ignites the air-fuel mixture by flame propagation, enhancing chamber temperature for autoignition, thereby reducing pressure variation and noise. This mode, controlled by a controller, adjusts valve timing and fuel injection to optimize combustion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If compression autoignition is performed to improve fuel economy, then fuel economy is improved, but pressure variation increases and combustion noise increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel economyVSAvoidcombustion noise
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines spark ignition (SI) and compression ignition (CI) into a hybrid combustion mode called SPCCI. The spark plug initiates combustion to reduce pressure variation and noise, while compression autoignition continues to improve fuel economy. This merging of two ignition methods resolves the contradiction between fuel economy and combustion noise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the combustion parameters by controlling the ignition timing and fuel injection timing to achieve optimal SPCCI combustion. By adjusting these parameters, the system maintains low pressure variation and combustion noise while preserving fuel economy benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-generated harmful factors

If the temperature in the combustion chamber is reduced to extend the SI combustion period, then combustion noise is reduced, but the combustion efficiency may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombustion noiseVSAvoidcombustion efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses preliminary spark ignition to start the combustion process before compression autoignition occurs. This preliminary action ensures that combustion begins in a controlled manner with lower pressure variation, then continues efficiently through compression autoignition, maintaining both low noise and high efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent ensures continuous combustion by transitioning from spark ignition to compression autoignition without interruption. The SI combustion starts the process and CI combustion continues it, maintaining useful action throughout the combustion stroke while managing noise and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

The SPCCI combustion mode reduces combustion noise while improving fuel economy by controlling the timing and amount of fuel combustion, ensuring efficient engine operation across varying load conditions.

Implementation Method 1

The SI combustion causes flame propagation that starts by forcibly igniting air-fuel mixture in a combustion chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlame propagation: Combustion

Implementation Method 2

The CI combustion starts by compression autoignition of air-fuel mixture in a combustion chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression autoignition: Combustion

Data Source

PatentEP3418540B1engine
Publication Date: 2020.12.16 MAZDA MOTOR CORP
  • EP3418540B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3418540B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3418540B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This control apparatus for an engine includes an engine (1), an injector (6), a spark plug (25), an intake electric S-VT (23), an exhaust electric S-VT (24), and a controller (ECU 10). The controller outputs a control signal to at least one of the intake electric S-VT and the exhaust electric S-VT so as to perform valve control of opening an intake valve (21) when an exhaust valve (22) is open, and then outputs a control signal to the spark plug at predetermined ignition timing such that, after air-fuel mixture is ignited and combustion is started, unburned air-fuel mixture is combusted by autoignition.