Sub-Chamber Combustion Control Using Ignition Signal Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing internal combustion engines with sub-chambers face challenges in detecting and controlling various combustion states such as abnormal combustion, incomplete combustion, and excessive pressure without increasing manufacturing costs by adding additional sensors.
Innovation Solution
The engine control device estimates the intensity of flame jets in the sub-combustion chamber using existing ignition device signals, allowing control of the engine operation based on combustion states without requiring new sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sensor is installed near the sub-chamber to detect overload state, then pre-ignition can be prevented, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ignition device monitors its own operational parameters (current, voltage, power) to detect combustion states. The system uses self-diagnosis capability where the ignition device itself provides detection functions without requiring external sensors, thereby preventing pre-ignition while avoiding additional manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 2:
The ignition device is designed to perform multiple functions: it not only ignites the air-fuel mixture but also monitors combustion states by detecting its own operational parameters. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate sensors for detecting combustion conditions
2Measurement precision
If a pressure sensor or discharge voltage sensor is added to detect combustion states, then multiple combustion states can be monitored, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ignition device monitors its own operational parameters (current, voltage, power) to detect combustion states. The system uses self-diagnosis capability where the ignition device itself provides detection functions without requiring external sensors, thereby preventing pre-ignition while avoiding additional manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 2:
The control device acts as an intermediary that processes signals from the ignition device and determines combustion states. Instead of directly measuring physical parameters with separate sensors, the system uses the ignition device's operational characteristics as intermediaries to infer combustion conditions
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 enables effective control of the internal combustion engine by determining combustion states in the sub-chamber, preventing abnormal combustion and optimizing engine performance.
Implementation Method 1
an ignition plug that ignites an air-fuel mixture inside the sub-combustion chamber
Implementation Method 2
jet combustion in which flame combusted in a sub-combustion chamber is used as flame jets for ignition of an air-fuel mixture
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Conventionally, detection of the state of a sub-chamber has been impossible unless a sensor is installed near the sub-chamber, preventing appropriate engine control. An ECU 20 includes: a jet intensity estimating unit 51 for estimating the intensity of a flame jet by means of at least one of a primary current, a primary voltage, a secondary current, and a secondary voltage of an ignition device which is attached inside a sub-combustion chamber, injects into a main combustion chamber a flame jet generated by ignition of an air-fuel mixture inside the sub-combustion chamber, and supplies a secondary current to an ignition plug for igniting the air-fuel mixture in the main combustion chamber; and an engine control unit 52 which controls an internal combustion engine on the basis of a combustion state inside the sub-combustion chamber determined from the estimated intensity of the flame jet.