Is Cylinder Deactivation a Viable Option for a Downsized 3-Cylinder Engine?

Authors

Dr. A. Schamel, Ford Forschungszentrum, Aachen; Dr. M. Scheidt, Schaeffler AG, Herzogenaurach; Dipl.-Ing. C. Weber, Ford Werke GmbH, Cologne;
Dr. H. Faust, LuK GmbH & Co. KG, Bühl

Year

2015

Print Info

Fortschritt-Berichte VDI, Reihe 12, Nr. 783

Summary

The highest priority in the development of new combustion engines for automotive applications is the ongoing reduction of fuel consumption. During the last years small gasoline engines with turbo charging and direct fuel injection have successfully entered the market. This concept, known as downsizing, is using the benefit of knock resistant combustion in combination with de-throttling to operate the engine in a more favourable area of the map. Mainly the driveability of the vehicle determined by the torque characteristic of the engine is limiting the degree of downsizing and with this the potential for further fuel economy improvements. An engine with variable displacement maintains low end torque capability while enabling further fuel economy improvement potential. Beside the classical methods for adjusting the effective engine displacement, the deactivation of cylinders is an interesting approach.