Engine Throttle Control via Torque Ratio Calculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional engine control systems rely on pressure sensors to calculate the target throttle valve opening, which can lead to reduced precision and controllability if the sensors fail or deteriorate, and require extensive data mapping for various driving conditions, increasing development costs and ROM space usage.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus that calculates a pressure ratio equivalent value based on the ratio of target and maximum torque equivalent values, allowing for the determination of target throttle valve opening without using measured pressures, using a first calculation device to determine the maximum torque equivalent value and a second device to calculate air flow velocity, enabling precise throttle control with simplified data storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pressure sensors are used to calculate the target throttle valve opening, then the precision of air amount estimation can be maintained, but the system reliability deteriorates when sensors fail or deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pressure ratio equivalent value as an intermediary parameter that mediates between the throttle valve opening and the air amount estimation. Instead of directly using pressure sensor outputs, the system calculates a pressure ratio equivalent value from torque equivalent values, which then serves as the basis for estimating air amount and determining throttle opening, thereby eliminating direct dependence on pressure sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical sensor-based pressure measurement system with a calculation-based system using torque equivalent values. The pressure ratio, which traditionally requires mechanical pressure sensors, is substituted by a calculated pressure ratio equivalent value derived from torque relationships, eliminating the need for physical pressure sensing components
2Measurement precision
If a map or table for air amount estimation is defined for various driving conditions, then the estimation accuracy can be improved, but the ROM space and development cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters used for air amount estimation from requiring extensive multi-dimensional maps to using a simplified calculation based on torque equivalent values and pressure ratio equivalent values. By transforming the estimation approach to rely on fundamental engine parameters and calculated ratios rather than pre-stored lookup tables, the system achieves accurate estimation with minimal data storage requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified computational model that copies the essential relationships between torque, pressure ratio, and air amount without replicating the complex multi-dimensional maps. The pressure ratio equivalent value serves as a simplified representation that captures the necessary information for accurate estimation while occupying minimal storage space
Data Source
AI summary
A first calculation device is provided that calculates a ratio of a target torque equivalent value of an engine to a maximum torque equivalent value of the engine, as a pressure ratio equivalent value. A second calculation device is also provided that calculates a flow velocity of air to flowing through a throttle valve in the engine, based on the pressure ratio equivalent value calculated by the first calculation device. A third calculation device is further provided that calculates a target throttle valve opening, based on the flow velocity calculated by the second calculation device. With this configuration, the target opening of a throttle valve corresponding to the requested engine torque, without using the pressures before and after the throttle valve section.