Water Injection Control for Internal Combustion Engine Freezing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current water injection systems in internal combustion engines struggle to operate effectively in freezing cold weather, as the electrical conductivity of frozen water cannot be measured, leading to prolonged cold start injection times due to the reliance on liquid water conductivity measurements.
Innovation Solution
A method that determines the temperature of the water around the conductivity sensor and uses this information to differentiate between demineralized and non-demineralized water, even when the water is frozen, by approving or disapproving water quality based on electrical conductivity thresholds, and optionally heating the water to a temperature range where demineralized water can be distinguished from non-demineralized water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electrical conductivity sensor measures water conductivity to ensure quality, then water injection system reliability is improved, but in freezing conditions the measurement cannot be performed and cold start time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from electrical conductivity (which cannot be measured in frozen water) to temperature. By measuring the temperature of water around the conductivity sensor and comparing it to a threshold value, the system can determine whether water is frozen without requiring conductivity measurement. This allows the system to proceed with water injection once the temperature indicates thawed water is available, significantly reducing cold start time while maintaining reliability through temperature-based quality assessment.
2Measurement precision
If the system waits for ice around the sensor to thaw before measuring conductivity, then measurement accuracy is improved, but water injection is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs a preliminary temperature check before attempting conductivity measurement. The temperature determining means measures the water temperature around the conductivity sensor in advance. If the temperature is above the threshold, the system proceeds with conductivity measurement and potential injection. If below threshold, the system waits only until temperature rises above threshold, rather than waiting for complete thawing. This preliminary temperature assessment action enables the system to minimize waiting time while ensuring measurement conditions are adequate.
3Quantity of substance
If the heater is used to thaw frozen water, then water availability is improved, but the water around the sensor remains frozen and conductivity cannot be measured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces temperature as an intermediary parameter that bridges the gap between heater operation and conductivity measurement. Instead of directly monitoring conductivity (which fails in frozen conditions), the system uses temperature as an intermediate indicator of water state. The temperature determining means continuously monitors water temperature around the sensor, providing real-time information about the local thawing status without requiring conductivity measurement. This intermediary temperature information allows the control unit to make informed decisions about when conductivity measurement is likely to succeed.
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 approach reduces cold start injection time by allowing water injection when the water quality is approved, even before the ice around the sensor has thawed, and improves the discrimination between demineralized and non-demineralized water, thereby enhancing the system's functionality in freezing conditions.
Implementation Method 1
A typical characteristic representative of the quality of the water is the electrical conductivity of the water to be injected
Implementation Method 2
determining a temperature T of the water contained in a water injection tank around a conductivity sensor
Implementation Method 3
a heater is used to thaw it because the water must be in liquid form to be able to be injected into an internal combustion engine
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling water injection in an internal combustion engine for a motor vehicle in case of freezing cold weather. The method includes: controlling the quality of the water, having a first sub-step of disapproving the quality of the water if the electrical conductivity σ of the water is not zero nor close to zero when the temperature T of the water is 0° C. or less and a second sub-step of approving the quality of the water if the electrical conductivity σ of the water is zero or close to zero when the temperature T of the water is higher than −4° C., preferably higher than −2° C. The method further includes a second sub-step of preventing water injection if the quality of the water is disapproved and a third step of allowing water injection if the quality of the water is approved.