Description:Field of Invention
[001] The invention relates to method of fuel injection employed while injecting fuel in internal combustion engine. It more particularly relates to method of fuel injection employed in commercial vehicles provided with different sensors, electronically controllable fuel injection valves, and electronic control unit for controlling fuel injections.
Background of the Invention
[002] As the demand for improved fuel efficiency (FE) continues to grow, it is crucial to develop intelligent solutions that optimise vehicle performance and fuel economy based on real-time usage. Conventional fuel injection mode selection systems used in commercial vehicles typically depend on driver inputs through switches or push buttons that function according to prefixed calibrations. However, these conventional methods fail to adapt to changing driving conditions in real-time, leading to less-than-optimal fuel efficiency. It must be noted that even though such solutions are cost-effective in terms of their initial cost of implementation, they cost a lot in terms of lost fuel efficiency in the long run. It may be noted that typical artificial intelligence-based solutions for fuel injection are also expected to add to the manufacturing and maintenance cost of the vehicle.
[003] The lack of dynamic fuel injection decision-making in commercial vehicles can lead to considerable fuel wastage as the commercial vehicle continues to operate based on a mode selected for loading conditions that do not match the actual loading condition and the vehicle operating environment. This lack of dynamism is something that needs to be remedied if fuel economy has to be improved and excessive emissions are to be reduced. The efforts in this field have been continuously ongoing to deal with different situations based on commonly faced problems in vehicle operating environments. As effectively balancing different requirements is challenging, no pre-existing solution can be stated to have effectively satisfied the requirement. Therefore, the present invention's objective is to provide an intelligent fuel injection mode selection method that considers most of the essential vehicle parameters to cause effective alteration in the fuel injection mode of the vehicle.
[004] It is another objective of the present invention to provide a fuel injection mode selection method that can cause fuel injection to be altered in real-time to ensure maximum fuel efficiency.
[005] It is still another objective of the present invention to provide a fuel injection mode selection method that is capable of taking into account the changes in vehicle operating environment to optimise fuel injection accordingly.
[006] It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a fuel injection mode selection method that can enable seamless mode switching in commercial vehicles.
[007] It is still another objective of the present invention to provide a fuel injection mode selection method that can be economically implemented.
[008] It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a fuel injection mode selection method that does not impose excessive hardware requirements for its implementation.

Summary of the Invention
[009] The invention achieving the stated objective, that is an intelligent fuel injection mode selection method for improving fuel economy is implemented by a system comprising, intermediate commercial vehicle drive mode selector switch, an Electrically Controlled Solenoid Valve for fuel injection, a vehicle’s Control Area Network (CAN) connected to vehicle-mounted sensors, vehicle-mounted sensors provided for extracting data on engine speed, gear selection, air mass flow, vehicle speed, pedal position, and estimation of vehicle mass, and an Engine Control Module. As per the intelligent fuel injection mode selection method for improving fuel economy, as executed by the Engine Control Module, as a step 1, the Engine Control Module considers inputs on engine speed and pedal position as received from the vehicle’s control area network to compare their values as those against a stored calibration, for FE-0 mode, for enhancing acceleration and vehicle performance, a stored calibration, for FE-1 mode, for balancing power and fuel economy for moderate driving conditions, a stored calibration, for FE-2 mode, for maximising fuel savings in steady state highway and low-load condition, and the intermediate commercial vehicle drive mode selector switch state, to arrive at an assigned value for intermediate commercial vehicle (ICV) drive mode pedal. As a step 2, the Engine Control Module considers inputs on gear selection, and vehicle speed to compare against stored values for gear input to arrive at an assigned value for intermediate commercial vehicle (ICV) driving mode gear. As a step 3, the Engine Control Module considers inputs from vehicle mounted sensors transmitted via CAN to arrive at an assigned value of an intermediate commercial vehicle (ICV) driving mode vehicle mass estimation. As a step 4, the Engine Control Module considers inputs from intermediate commercial vehicle drive mode selector switch to arrive at an assigned value for intermediate commercial vehicle (ICV) driving mode driver input switch. As a step 5, the Engine Control Module considers assigned values for ICV driving mode gear, vehicle mass estimation, and driver input switch to select the maximum assigned value out of the considered assigned values. As a step 6, the Engine Control Module considers assigned value for ICV driving mode pedal and the maximum of the assigned value out of the considered values in step 5 to select the overall minimum assigned value out of all the assigned values. As a step 7, the Engine Control Module considers the overall minimum assigned value as arrived in step 6 to assign and execute a fuel injection mode as selected from the three possible modes FE-0, FE-1 and FE-2 through the linked Electrically Controlled Solenoid Valve for fuel injection.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0010] The present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings that contain references numerals for indicating its various parts. The description of the present invention would therefore be better understood with reference to accompanying diagrams, wherein
[0011] Figure 1 discloses a block diagram explaining the fuel injection mode selection method in accordance with the present invention.
[0012] Figure 2 discloses the workflow during the implementation of the present invention.
[0013] Figure 3 discloses the logic underlying the method in accordance with the present invention.
[0014] Figure 4 discloses a table indicating the logic calculation without driver input that happens during the implementation of the present invention as per Figure 1.
Detailed Description of the Invention
[0015] Referring to the set of figures 1, 2, and 3, the intelligent fuel injection mode selection method for improving fuel economy in accordance with the disclosed invention is implemented by a system comprising, an intermediate commercial vehicle drive mode selector switch, an Electrically Controlled Solenoid Valve for fuel injection, a vehicle’s Control Area Network (CAN) connected to vehicle-mounted sensors, vehicle-mounted sensors provided for extracting data on engine speed, gear selection, air mass flow, vehicle speed, pedal position, and estimation of vehicle mass, and an Engine Control Module. The invention is as shown in the figures 1 to 4 and as described hereinafter.
[0016] Referring to Figures 1 and 3, it is stated that, in the intelligent fuel injection mode selection method for improving fuel economy, as a step 1, the Engine Control Module considers inputs on engine speed and pedal position as received from the vehicle’s control area network to compare their values as those against a stored calibration, for FE-0 mode, for enhancing acceleration and vehicle performance, a stored calibration, for FE-1 mode, for balancing power and fuel economy for moderate driving conditions, a stored calibration, for FE-2 mode, for maximising fuel savings in steady state highway and low-load condition, and the intermediate commercial vehicle drive mode selector switch state, to arrive at an assigned value for intermediate commercial vehicle (ICV) drive mode pedal. The ICV driving mode pedal mapping, maps the pedal position against the appropriate throttle response curve to ensure smooth acceleration while maximizing fuel economy.
[0017] Referring to Figures 1 and 3, it is stated that, in the intelligent fuel injection mode selection method for improving fuel economy, as a step 2, the Engine Control Module considers inputs on gear selection, and vehicle speed to compare against stored values for gear input to arrive at an assigned value for intermediate commercial vehicle (ICV) driving mode gear. In the intelligent fuel injection mode selection method for improving fuel economy, as a step 3, the Engine Control Module considers inputs from vehicle mounted sensors transmitted via CAN to arrive at an assigned value of an intermediate commercial vehicle (ICV) driving mode vehicle mass estimation.
[0018] Referring to Figures 1 and 3, it is stated that, in the intelligent fuel injection mode selection method for improving fuel economy, as a step 4, the Engine Control Module considers inputs from intermediate commercial vehicle drive mode selector switch to arrive at an assigned value for intermediate commercial vehicle (ICV) driving mode driver input switch. In the intelligent fuel injection mode selection method for improving fuel economy, as a step 5, the Engine Control Module considers assigned values for ICV driving mode gear, vehicle mass estimation, and driver input switch to select the maximum assigned value out of the considered assigned values.
[0019] Referring to Figures 1 and 3, it is stated that, in the intelligent fuel injection mode selection method for improving fuel economy, as a step 6, the Engine Control Module considers assigned value for ICV driving mode pedal and the maximum of the assigned value out of the considered values in step 5 to select the overall minimum assigned value out of all the assigned values. In the intelligent fuel injection mode selection method for improving fuel economy, as a step 7, the Engine Control Module considers the overall minimum assigned value as arrived in step 6 to assign and execute a fuel injection mode as selected from the three possible modes FE-0, FE-1 and FE-2 through the linked Electrically Controlled Solenoid Valve for fuel injection. The ICV driving mode internal control therefore regulates the minimum and maximum threshold for each driving mode and ensures seamless and automatic switching between FE-0, FE-1, and FE-2. The steps 1 to 7 are executed continuously and simultaneously after the vehicle’s engine has been turned on.
[0020] Additionally, for the ECM, the intermediate commercial vehicle (ICV) driving mode (refer to Fig. 1) determines the best mode based on pedal input, gear selection, vehicle mass estimation, and driver input switch (where the driver input switch has been given to intervein in the fuel mode selection as per the method). ICV driving mode, adjusts fuel injection, air intake, and throttle response to achieve the objectives as per the selected fuel injection mode.
[0021] Referring to figures 1 and 3, it is stated that, in step 7 if the mode chosen for assignment and execution by the Electronic Control Module is FE-2, which, when it is the same as that selected by the driver at the intermediate commercial vehicle drive mode selector switch, the mode chosen for assignment and execution is considered as the default fuel injection state.
[0022] Referring to Figure 4, it is stated that, when the vehicle is unladen as estimated by the Engine Control Module through inputs from vehicle mounted sensors, when there is no driver input (i.e. chart value for driver is 0), there is no gear input (i.e. chart value for gear is 0), the pedal input is 10 to 50 % (value for pedal is 3), the assigned and executed fuel injection mode by the ECM is FE-2 (value of Final OP (Min)). Again, when the vehicle is partially laden as estimated by the Engine Control Module through inputs from vehicle mounted sensors, when there is no driver input (i.e. chart value for driver is 0), there is no gear input (i.e. chart value for gear is 0), the pedal input is 10 to 50 % (value for pedal is 3), the assigned and executed fuel injection mode by the ECM is FE-1 (value of Final OP (Min)). Again, when the vehicle is fully laden as estimated by the Engine Control Module through inputs from vehicle mounted sensors, when there is no driver input (i.e. chart value for driver is 0), there is no gear input (i.e. chart value for gear is 0), the pedal input is 10 to 50 % (value for pedal is 3), the assigned and executed fuel injection mode by the ECM is FE-0 (value of Final OP (Min)).
[0023] The intermediate value (I/m OP (Max)) as given in the table included in figure 4 for unladen, partially laden and fully laden vehicle condition, represents the value maximum value as arrived in step 5 of the intelligent fuel injection mode selection method for improving fuel economy. The system implementing the disclosed method is provided with a driver input switch to allow for manual intervention about the implemented fuel injection mode (FE-0, FE-1, FE-2) if so desired by the driver.
[0024] Referring to Figure 2, it is stated that, when the vehicle has been turned on, that is battery power supply is made available to the components of the vehicle, and also the fuel economy switch has been turned ‘ON’. The Engine Management System (EMS) (alternatively identified as Engine Control Module (ECM)) causes the execution of the intelligent fuel injection mode selection method for improving fuel economy to start. The ECM then considers inputs like engine speed, pedal position, vehicle speed, gear ration, vehicle speed along with the received from input intermediate commercial vehicle drive mode selector switch and the determined driving condition based on the inputs from the vehicle mounted sensors, to cause execution of fuel injection modes FE-0, FE-1, and FE-2 in accordance with the intelligent fuel injection mode selection method for improving fuel economy. The throttle and the fuel injection are adjusted based on the mode selected. The ECM then continuously monitors the values of accepted inputs to dynamically adjust the fuel injection modes between FE-0, FE-1 and FE-2.
[0025] The values (refer to Fig. 1) for fuel injection are predetermined and stored into maps for FE-0, FE-1 and FE-2 to respectively optimize for performance, balance and efficiency and drivability, and to maximize fuel savings. Each of these modes give the best possible fuel efficiency for their respective driving condition. Similarly, the values for ICV driving mode pedal, gear, and vehicle mass estimation corresponding to inputs received from vehicle mounted sensors are predetermined and stored into maps for these values. The ICV driving mode driver input switch value is determined as per the value assigned to each state of its corresponding switch, which is intermediate commercial vehicle drive mode selector switch.
[0026] Technical advantages offered by the invention, i.e., intelligent fuel injection mode selection method for improving fuel economy, are-
- It considers all the essential vehicle parameters like load variations, gear position, engine speed and torque, vehicle speed, pedal position, and vehicle mass estimation to cause effective alteration in the fuel injection mode of the vehicle.
- It enables real-time fuel injection mode alteration to ensure maximum fuel efficiency.
- It is capable of taking into account the changes in the vehicle operating environment to optimise fuel injection accordingly.
- It can enable seamless fuel injection mode switching in commercial vehicles.
- It can be economically implemented because it does not impose excessive hardware requirements for its implementation.
- It allows the vehicle to alter its fuel injection and hence performance in accordance with the changing operating environment.
[0027] The disclosed invention, i.e. the intelligent fuel injection mode selection method for improving fuel economy, achieves all the set-out objectives.
[0028] It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the present invention has been herein described in terms of its preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will recognize that the preferred embodiment herein disclosed, can be practiced with modifications within the scope of the invention herein described.
, Claims:We Claim,
1. An intelligent fuel injection mode selection method for improving fuel economy as implemented by a system comprising,
• intermediate commercial vehicle drive mode selector switch,
• an Electrically Controlled Solenoid Valve for fuel injection,
• a vehicle’s Control Area Network (CAN) connected to vehicle-mounted sensors,
• vehicle-mounted sensors provided for extracting data on engine speed, gear selection, air mass flow, vehicle speed, pedal position, and estimation of vehicle mass
• an Engine Control Module,
wherein,
- as a step 1, the Engine Control Module considers inputs on engine speed and pedal position as received from the vehicle’s control area network to compare their values as those against a stored calibration, for FE-0 mode, for enhancing acceleration and vehicle performance, a stored calibration, for FE-1 mode, for balancing power and fuel economy for moderate driving conditions, a stored calibration, for FE-2 mode, for maximising fuel savings in steady state highway and low-load condition, and the intermediate commercial vehicle drive mode selector switch state, to arrive at an assigned value for intermediate commercial vehicle (ICV) drive mode pedal;
- as a step 2, the Engine Control Module considers inputs on gear selection, and vehicle speed to compare against stored values for gear input to arrive at an assigned value for intermediate commercial vehicle (ICV) driving mode gear;
- as a step 3, the Engine Control Module considers inputs from vehicle mounted sensors transmitted via CAN to arrive at an assigned value of an intermediate commercial vehicle (ICV) driving mode vehicle mass estimation;
- as a step 4, the Engine Control Module considers inputs from intermediate commercial vehicle drive mode selector switch to arrive at an assigned value for intermediate commercial vehicle (ICV) driving mode driver input switch;
- as a step 5, the Engine Control Module considers assigned values for ICV driving mode gear, vehicle mass estimation, and driver input switch to select the maximum assigned value out of the considered assigned values;
- as a step 6, the Engine Control Module considers assigned value for ICV driving mode pedal and the maximum of the assigned value out of the considered values in step 5 to select the overall minimum assigned value out of all the assigned values; and
- as a step 7, the Engine Control Module considers the overall minimum assigned value as arrived in step 6 to assign and execute a fuel injection mode as selected from the three possible modes FE-0, FE-1 and FE-2 through the linked Electrically Controlled Solenoid Valve for fuel injection.
2. The intelligent fuel injection mode selection method for improving fuel economy as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in step 7 if the mode chosen for assignment and execution by the Electronic Control Module is FE-2, which, when it is the same as that selected by the driver at the intermediate commercial vehicle drive mode selector switch, the mode chosen for assignment and execution is considered as the default fuel injection state.
3. The intelligent fuel injection mode selection method for improving fuel economy as claimed in claim 1, wherein, when the vehicle is unladen as estimated by the Engine Control Module through inputs from vehicle mounted sensors, when there is no driver input, there is no gear input, the pedal input is 10 to 50 %, the assigned and executed fuel injection mode is FE-2.
4. The intelligent fuel injection mode selection method for improving fuel economy as claimed in claim 1, wherein, when the vehicle is partially laden as estimated by the Engine Control Module through inputs from vehicle mounted sensors, when there is no drive input, there is no gear input, the pedal input is 10 to 50 %, the assigned and executed fuel injection mode is FE-1.
5. The intelligent fuel injection mode selection method for improving fuel economy as claimed in claim 1, wherein, when the vehicle is fully laden as estimated by the Engine Control Module through inputs from vehicle mounted sensors, when there is no drive input, there is no gear input, the pedal input is 10 to 50 %, the assigned and executed fuel injection mode is FE-01.
6. The intelligent fuel injection mode selection method for improving fuel economy as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the steps 1 to 7 are executed continuously and simultaneously after the vehicle’s engine has been turned on.

Dated 24th day of February 2025

VIDIT CHOUBEY
(IN P/A 5566)
AGENT FOR THE APPLICANT(S)

To,
The Controller of Patents,
The Patent Office, at Mumbai