Throttle Device Cranking Detection Battery Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrically-actuated throttle devices for general-purpose engines consume excessive battery power during engine startup, degrading starting performance and potentially leading to battery discharge, as they initialize the actuator simultaneously with power-up.
Innovation Solution
An electrically-actuated throttle device that uses an electronic control unit to start current supply to the actuator only when engine cranking is detected, via a pulse signal from a power coil, thereby minimizing unnecessary battery power consumption and optimizing engine starting performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If current is supplied to the electrically-driven actuator simultaneously with power-up for initialization, then the valve opening can be set to the initial position, but battery power is excessively consumed before engine starting
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic control unit performs the initialization of the actuator in advance, but only when engine cranking is detected. This preliminary action ensures the valve is properly positioned before the engine starts, while avoiding unnecessary power consumption during idle periods when the engine is not being cranked.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the engine cranking signal from the power coil to automatically trigger the actuator initialization. The electronic control unit monitors the power coil output and autonomously decides when to initialize the actuator, eliminating the need for manual intervention or continuous power supply.
2Measurement precision
If current is supplied to the electrically-driven actuator simultaneously with power-up, then the actuator can be initialized, but engine starting performance is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator initialization is performed in advance of engine operation, but specifically timed to occur only when cranking is detected. This ensures the actuator is ready before the engine needs to run, while not interfering with the critical starting phase when power must be conserved for the starter motor.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic control unit monitors the power coil output signal to detect engine cranking status. Based on this feedback, the system intelligently controls when to supply current to the actuator, ensuring initialization occurs at the optimal moment without compromising starting performance.
3Measurement precision
If current is supplied to the electrically-driven actuator simultaneously with power-up, then the valve opening can be initialized, but the battery may become excessively discharged
Solution Approach 1:
The system initializes the actuator in advance of engine operation, but conditions this initialization on the detection of engine cranking. This ensures the valve is positioned correctly before the engine runs, while avoiding battery discharge during periods when the engine is not being started.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic control unit automatically monitors the power coil signal and autonomously controls actuator initialization based on actual engine starting conditions. This self-service approach ensures power is only consumed when necessary, preventing unnecessary battery discharge.
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 configuration reduces battery power consumption between power-up and engine starting, enhancing engine starting performance and preventing excessive battery discharge, while accurately initializing valve openings once cranking begins.
Implementation Method 1
a power coil generating a pulse signal indicative of a rotating speed of the engine
Data Source
AI summary
In an electrically-actuated throttle device for a general-purpose engine, supply of current to the throttle motor and choke motor for moving the throttle valve and choke valve is started when cranking is detected after activation (power-up) of the electronic control unit (ECU). In other words, supply of current is not started simultaneously with activation of the ECU but is delayed until cranking is detected. Owing to this configuration, no power of the battery is consumed unnecessarily between power-up and starting of the engine. Decrease in the power supplied to the starter motor is therefore prevented, thereby improving the starting performance of the engine. In addition, even if starting of the engine is not commenced after power-up, the battery is not likely to be excessively discharged.