Vehicle Control Device Combustion Frequency Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle attitude control systems using cylinder deactivation engines experience response degradation and discomfort due to varying torque reduction times and low combustion frequencies during steering operations, especially at low engine speeds.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control device that includes an engine control mechanism and a processor to maintain a minimum combustion frequency during vehicle attitude control by preventing the engine from switching to reduced-cylinder operation, ensuring consistent torque reduction and improved steering stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the engine performs reduced-cylinder operation to reduce fuel consumption, then fuel efficiency improves, but the combustion frequency per unit time decreases causing torque reduction response degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The engine control device dynamically switches between reduced-cylinder operation and all-cylinder operation based on driving conditions. During cornering maneuvers where rapid torque reduction is needed, the system temporarily cancels reduced-cylinder operation and switches to all-cylinder operation to ensure sufficient combustion frequency and rapid torque response, while maintaining fuel efficiency during steady-state driving
Solution Approach 2:
The control system changes the operational parameters of the engine by adjusting the number of active cylinders based on detected cornering conditions. When cornering is detected through steering angle and vehicle speed parameters, the system changes from reduced-cylinder mode to all-cylinder mode to increase combustion frequency and improve torque response characteristics
2Loss of energy
If the engine operates at low speed to improve fuel efficiency, then fuel consumption decreases, but the combustion frequency becomes too low causing delayed torque reduction response
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs preliminary detection of cornering conditions using steering angle and vehicle speed parameters before the driver actually needs torque reduction. By anticipating the need for rapid torque response and pre-switching to all-cylinder operation, the system ensures that sufficient combustion frequency is maintained before the torque reduction becomes critical
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors steering angle, vehicle speed, and engine operating conditions to provide feedback for real-time control adjustments. This feedback mechanism allows the system to detect cornering maneuvers and adjust cylinder operation mode accordingly, ensuring that combustion frequency remains sufficient for rapid torque response when needed
3Loss of energy
If reduced-cylinder operation is used during cornering, then fuel economy improves, but vehicle attitude control performance deteriorates due to insufficient torque response
Solution Approach 1:
The engine control device dynamically adjusts the number of active cylinders based on detected cornering conditions. When cornering is detected through steering angle and vehicle speed parameters, the system temporarily switches from reduced-cylinder operation to all-cylinder operation to ensure sufficient combustion frequency and rapid torque response for proper vehicle attitude control
Solution Approach 2:
The control system changes the operational parameters of the engine by adjusting the number of active cylinders based on detected cornering conditions. When cornering is detected through steering angle and vehicle speed parameters, the system changes from reduced-cylinder mode to all-cylinder mode to increase combustion frequency and improve torque response characteristics for reliable vehicle attitude control
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
The solution ensures a consistent and responsive torque reduction, enhancing vehicle behavior during turns and reducing driver discomfort by maintaining a stable combustion frequency, even at low engine speeds.
Implementation Method 1
combustion of a mixture gas is performed in all cylinders, and in the reduced-cylinder operation, the combustion of the mixture gas in one or some of the cylinders is suspended
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle control device is provided, which includes an engine, an engine control mechanism configured to control torque generated by the engine, and a processor configured to execute a vehicle attitude controlling module to perform a vehicle attitude control in which the engine control mechanism is controlled to reduce the torque so as to decelerate the vehicle, when a condition that the vehicle is traveling and a steering angle related value that is related to a steering angle of a steering device increases is satisfied, and a preventing module to prevent a combustion frequency of the engine per unit time from falling below a given value while the vehicle attitude controlling module executes the vehicle attitude control.