Throttle Valve Controller for Accurate Engine Output

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle systems face challenges in accurately controlling engine output to a medium range due to dimension inaccuracies and assembling errors in throttle valve configurations, leading to deviations from target values.

Innovation Solution

A throttle valve controller with a memory section storing pre-measured medium output control commands and a learning section that learns the fully closed and open positions of the throttle valve, allowing for precise control of engine output by adjusting the throttle valve opening based on both pre-stored commands and learning values.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the medium opening degree of the throttle valve is set based on a ratio with respect to the fully closed position or fully open position, then the control system is simple, but the engine output deviates from the target value due to dimension accuracy and assembling errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengine output control accuracyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing the medium output opening degree in the memory section before the vehicle operation begins. This value is determined in advance through measurement and is stored for direct retrieval during medium output control, eliminating the need for real-time calculations based on fully closed or fully open positions and thereby improving control accuracy without significantly increasing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If the medium output opening degree is pre-stored in the memory section, then the engine output control accuracy is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemedium output control accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing process simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The medium output opening degree is determined and stored in advance during the manufacturing or setup phase. This preliminary determination allows the control system to use a pre-calibrated value that accounts for specific dimensional characteristics of the throttle valve, thereby improving control accuracy while keeping the manufacturing process straightforward through a one-time calibration approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the throttle valve position is controlled based on learning values, then the system adapts to actual positions, but the learning operation may disrupt engine speed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethrottle valve position adaptationVSAvoidengine speed stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The learning operation is performed in advance during a dedicated learning period when the engine is operated under controlled conditions. By completing the learning process beforehand, the system acquires accurate throttle valve position information without causing engine speed disruptions during normal operation, thereby maintaining both adaptability and operational stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3147486B1Vehicle and manufacturing method of vehicle
Publication Date: 2019.12.04 KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KK
  • EP3147486B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3147486B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3147486B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A vehicle comprises an engine, a throttle body including a passage section and a throttle valve, and a throttle valve controller which controls opening or closing of the throttle valve, wherein the throttle valve controller includes: a memory section which contains therein a medium output control command in such a manner that the medium output control command continues to be stored in the memory section in a state in which electric power supply to the throttle valve controller is ceased, the medium output control command indicating an opening degree of the throttle valve, corresponding to a preset medium output range, and wherein the throttle valve controller controls opening or closing of the throttle valve, in accordance with the medium output control command read from the memory section, when an engine output meets a medium output condition in which the engine output is controlled to fall into the medium output range.