Throttle Valve Icing Detection and Removal via Torque Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional throttle control apparatuses for internal combustion engines are ineffective in accurately detecting icing of the throttle valve across varying environmental conditions and lack sufficient torque to remove solid ice, leading to potential engine stoppages.
Innovation Solution
A throttle control apparatus with an icing determination device that assesses the throttle valve's frozen state based on continuous driving current or duty and detected opening degree deviations, and a control device that supplies required driving torque for effective ice removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the control circuit prospectively detects icing based on specific environmental conditions (accelerator opening degree, temperature, humidity), then the control can be activated in advance, but the accuracy of icing detection is low because icing may not actually occur under these conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the prospective environmental condition-based detection method with a actual state detection method using a torque sensor. The torque sensor directly measures the torque required to rotate the throttle valve, providing accurate real-time detection of icing conditions without relying on environmental parameter estimation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the torque signal from the torque sensor and using this information to determine actual icing conditions. The control circuit adjusts the throttle valve operation based on real-time torque feedback, enabling accurate detection and response to actual icing rather than predicted icing conditions.
2Ease of operation
If the throttle valve is merely swung around a certain target opening degree to eliminate icing, then the operation is simple and engine speed variation is minimized, but insufficient torque is produced to remove solid or hard frozen ice
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic throttle valve operation with three distinct modes: normal operation mode, icing elimination mode with increased torque, and ice removal mode with maximum torque. The system dynamically transitions between these modes based on the detected icing condition severity, allowing the throttle valve to produce variable torque levels from gentle swinging to powerful ice breaking as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the throttle valve based on detected conditions. When icing is detected through torque sensor feedback, the control circuit modifies the throttle valve's opening degree, rotation speed, and applied torque to optimize ice removal effectiveness while minimizing impact on engine operation.
3Loss of energy
If the control circuit executes icing elimination control only when specific environmental conditions are satisfied, then unnecessary control operations are avoided, but icing cannot be coped with if it occurs under any other environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the environmental condition-based control activation logic with a torque-based activation logic. The torque sensor continuously monitors the actual torque required to rotate the throttle valve, enabling the control circuit to detect icing conditions and activate control operations based on actual mechanical resistance rather than predicted environmental conditions, ensuring coverage of all icing scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
A throttle control apparatus comprises a throttle valve placed in an intake passage, a motor for driving the throttle valve, an electronic control unit (ECU) for controlling the motor, and a throttle sensor for detecting an actual opening degree of the throttle valve. The ECU determines that the throttle valve is frozen when the actual opening degree does not reach a target opening degree even after a driving time for driving the motor has exceeded a predetermined time, and then stores the actual opening degree at the time as an icing opening degree. The ECU supplies a driving duty to cause the motor to produce required driving torque for removal of icing and reverses the driving duty by open control, and controls the motor to bring an accumulated value of a deviation between the target opening degree and the icing opening degree to zero, thereby repeatedly swinging the throttle valve.