Throttle Valve Sensitivity Control for Low Air Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
In low intake air density environments, such as highland areas, existing engine control systems experience sensitivity issues with throttle valve opening, leading to hunting and compromised drivability and comfort due to excessive responsiveness to minor accelerator pedal movements.
Innovation Solution
An engine control apparatus that includes a throttle valve, an accelerator opening detector, and an intake air density detector, which adjusts the sensitivity of the throttle opening relative to the accelerator opening in low intake air density states by using a conversion rate map to moderate the throttle opening response, preventing excessive sensitivity and hunting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the throttle opening sensitivity relative to accelerator opening is increased in low intake air density environments, then the engine responds more quickly to driver input, but hunting occurs and drivability deteriorates due to excessive responsiveness to minor pedal movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the accelerator opening conversion rate variable rather than fixed. The conversion rate is dynamically adjusted based on intake air density conditions and accelerator opening ranges, allowing the system to optimize responsiveness while preventing hunting. In low intake air density states, the conversion rate is reduced in specific accelerator opening ranges to dampen excessive sensitivity, while maintaining higher responsiveness in other ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of accelerator opening conversion rate based on intake air density and accelerator opening range. By modifying this conversion parameter dynamically, the system adapts throttle response characteristics to environmental conditions, reducing sensitivity in low density states to prevent hunting while maintaining drivability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the throttle opening sensitivity is decreased in low intake air density states to prevent hunting, then throttle opening stability improves, but engine responsiveness to driver input deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing different accelerator opening conversion rates for different ranges of accelerator opening. Rather than uniformly reducing sensitivity across all accelerator positions, the system applies targeted conversion rate adjustments only in specific ranges where hunting occurs in low intake air density states, preserving responsiveness in other ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects appropriate conversion rates based on the current accelerator opening range and intake air density conditions, optimizing the balance between stability and responsiveness for each operating condition rather than using a fixed conservative setting.
3Device complexity
If a fixed accelerator opening conversion rate is used, then the control system is simple, but it cannot adapt to varying intake air density conditions leading to hunting or poor drivability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic control system where the accelerator opening conversion rate is automatically adjusted based on detected intake air density and accelerator opening position. This dynamic adaptation enables the system to handle varying environmental conditions without requiring complex manual intervention or multiple fixed modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the intake air density detector and accelerator opening detector to automatically adjust the conversion rate. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows the control system to adapt to changing conditions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, as the adjustment is automatic rather than requiring complex operator intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
An engine control apparatus includes a throttle valve, an accelerator opening detector, a throttle opening controller, and an intake air density detector. The throttle valve is configured to regulate an intake air volume of an engine. The accelerator opening detector is configured to detect an accelerator opening that is an operation amount of an accelerator operation member with which a driver operates an accelerator. The throttle opening controller is configured to increase a throttle opening of the throttle valve in accordance with an increase in the accelerator opening. The intake air density detector is configured to detect information about an intake air density of the engine. In a low intake air density state where the intake air density is a predetermined value or lower, the throttle opening controller decreases a sensitivity of the throttle opening relative to the accelerator opening in a partial range of a range where the accelerator opening is variable.