EP2140125B1 - Method and data storage medium for reading and/or storing injector-specific data for controlling an injection system of an internal combustion engine - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for reading out and / or storing injector-specific data according to the features of the preamble of patent claim 1 and a data carrier which can be activated in this regard.

Fuel injectors for operating an internal combustion engine have generally been known for many years. In a so-called common rail injection system, the fuel supply takes place in the respective combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine by injectors, in particular by piezo injectors. Among other things, the quality of the combustion depends on the injection accuracy of the injectors. To meet the requirements, such as To be able to comply with smaller quantity tolerances, it is necessary to measure each individual injector during production. With the calibration data determined thereby, which are stored in a control unit, the injector can then be controlled accordingly. During initial assembly, and especially when replacing the injectors and / or the control unit in a workshop, the calibration data must be retransmitted from the injectors to the control unit. For this, a communication possibility between the injectors and the control unit must be ensured.

From the publication DE 100 07 691 B4 A method for storing and / or reading out data of a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine is known in which injector-specific data stored in a data carrier is used to control the fuel injection system. In this case, the data carrier is connected to the control unit in a first time period and during a second time period, before a startup of the internal combustion engine, electrically and / or mechanically disconnected from the control unit.

However, there is a risk that due to a human error during assembly of the disk, a data carrier is assigned to the wrong injector, or due to a faulty mounting the data can not be read.

Another method is from the document EP-1026384 known.

The object underlying the present invention is now to optimize a method of the type mentioned in terms of storing and reading injector-specific data, as well as to provide a data carrier for storing and / or reading injector-specific data, which only has to be mounted once, and in which an electrical connection between the control unit and the data carrier does not have to be disconnected.

This object is achieved with respect to the method by the features of claim 1, and by a data carrier according to the features of claim 14. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are characterized in the subclaims.

The advantages achieved by the invention are in particular that no additional circuitry measures, such as. Wiring or connector pins, and / or no additional components, such. Writing instruments and readers are necessary to ensure communication between the control unit and the data carrier. It is only necessary to change the software on the control unit, which receives data from a measuring unit and sends the data to the data carrier. The transmission of the amount of data between the disk and the control unit takes place on the lines to which the injector is connected.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is that the data carrier is identical to the previously already used in the injector bleeder. The functionality of the bleeder resistor is integrated in the data carrier. Therefore, in the production of injectors, the settings of the production machines must not be changed because now instead of a bleeder a structurally identical data carrier is used. Furthermore, it is also possible to use a data carrier which is not identical to the bleeder resistor, with a cost saving in the case of high-volume production being obtained here.

Further, a power unit for discharging the injectors during normal injection operation is located entirely within the data carrier. This offers the advantage that the power loss in the control unit can be reduced. Furthermore, this also reduces the injector-specific electromagnetic interference. This offers a special advantage with overlapping multiple injections. These can now be made much more flexible.

As a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it proves that a direct assignment of injector-specific data stored on the disk, and the injectors is always guaranteed, since each injector is associated with a disk. Furthermore, this can fulfill future plausibility requirements demanded by the legislator.

Another embodiment of the invention is that a predefinable amount of data is read out or stored before or during or after a shutdown of the internal combustion engine. This reduces the requirements for the components of the data carrier and / or the number of components of the data carrier can be reduced.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is that the disk can be clamped directly to the high voltage line connected to the injector. A Power supply unit located on the data carrier is designed in such a way that, on the one hand, it supplies the injector with the necessary voltage, such as 3.3V, and on the other hand, it can be charged with an injector-specific drive voltage, such as, for example, 350V.

Furthermore, it has proved to be advantageous that the present method is applicable to all systems in which an energy-storing element is connected to a control unit. In particular, even with magnetic components, such as magnetic injectors or solenoid valves, when the principle of dual voltage and current and thus all voltage signals with current signals, parallel with series connection and the capacitive piezo is reversed with the inductive coil.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention consists in that the transmission reliability of the data is increased by error correction methods, in particular parity checks, checksums, or multiple transmissions.

As a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it turns out that operating data can also be stored in the data carrier, which can then be analyzed in returns, callbacks or exchange programs, and quality improvement measures can be initiated as a function of these operating data.

• Figur 1: eine Schaltanordnung mit einem Datenträger und einem Injektor in einer ersten Ausführungsform,
• Figur 2: eine Schaltanordnung mit einem Datenträger und einem Injektor gemäß Figur 1 in einer zweiten Ausführungsform,
• Figur 3: eine detaillierte Ausgestaltung der Schaltanordnung gemäß Figur 1,
• Figur 4: einen Spannungsverlauf, mittels dessen ein Abspeichern oder ein Auslesen einer Datenmenge erfolgt,
• Figur 5: ein Flussdiagramm zum Auslesen einer Datenmenge aus dem Datenträger,
• Figur 6: ein Flussdiagramm zum Speichern einer Datenmenge in den Datenträger.

Details of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. Showing:

• FIG. 1 a switching arrangement with a data carrier and an injector in a first embodiment,
• FIG. 2 a switching arrangement with a data carrier and an injector according to FIG. 1 in a second embodiment,
• FIG. 3 a detailed embodiment of the switching arrangement according to FIG. 1 .
• FIG. 4 : a voltage curve, by means of which a storage or readout of a data volume takes place,
• FIG. 5 : a flowchart for reading out a volume of data from the data carrier,
• FIG. 6 : A flow chart for storing a volume of data in the disk.

FIG. 1 shows a switching arrangement of a data carrier 2 and an injector 1. The switching arrangement includes an injector 1, which can be charged to a voltage value of 0V to 30V by a control unit, not shown. The discharge of the injector 1 is effected by a power unit located in the data carrier 2 or by the control unit, wherein the data carrier 2 is connected in parallel to the injector 1. The data carrier 2 is advantageously designed as an ASIC. During the injector discharge by the power unit, the injector voltage is measured by means of a measuring unit 3. The data carrier 2 and the injector 1 are connected by means of connecting lines 4 with the control unit, not shown.

FIG. 2 a switching arrangement with a data carrier and an injector according to FIG. 1 in a second embodiment. The disk 2 has here additional connections. Thus, the data carrier 2 can have a connection for an additional power supply line 8. Furthermore, two further connections are provided on the data carrier 2, via which measured values of at least one measuring unit 6 can be received. Further connections on the data carrier 2 are used to control actuators 7 and / or for data exchange with a data unit 5. For the data exchange, a bus line is preferably used.

FIG. 3 shows a circuit arrangement with an injector 1 and the individual components of the data carrier 2. The data carrier 2 has a power unit 23, by means of which the injector 1 is discharged. Control signals 25 of a storage unit 22 upstream of the power unit 23 determine the time and duration for the discharge of the injector 1. The data carrier further optionally comprises an activator 20 connected in parallel to the injector 1, which activates a power supply unit 21 only when a stored injector voltage pattern is present. This power supply unit 21 is connected to the voltage applied to the injector 1 line and supplies the memory unit 22 with energy. In the memory unit 22, for example, the rewritable calibration data of the injector 1 are stored.

The data exchange between the memory unit 22 and the control unit, not shown, via the same lines as the power supply of the data carrier. Thus, the memory unit 22 is communicated before a data exchange with the control unit, not shown, by means of a signal via a line 24, whether calibration data of the injector 1 are read or stored. The line 24 corresponds to a branch of the voltage applied to the power unit 23 line.

FIG. 4 shows a temporal voltage curve Sp in a memory or a read operation of a data amount. By an upper threshold value Uo and a lower threshold value Uu, a threshold range is defined, for example, between 0V and 30V. Furthermore, it has proved to be advantageous that the following relationship applies: $$\mathrm{0}\mathrm{V}<\mathrm{uu}<\mathrm{uo}<\mathrm{30}\mathrm{V}$$

This limit range is chosen such that on the one hand the injector is not yet injected, on the other hand the control unit can charge the injector and measure its voltage.

The data carrier is informed by the control unit based on the voltage curve measured at the injector, whether a data volume is to be read out or stored. The voltage curve at the injector is determined by the charge and / or the discharge of the injector. The charging of the injector is always carried out by the control unit, while the discharge of the injector takes place when storing the amount of data by the control unit and when reading the amount of data through the power unit. Further, the discharge of the injector takes place in the period between t2 and t3, as well as during synchronization by the control unit.

A read-out of the data quantity is detected by the data carrier when the first time period defined by the two times t1 and t2 is greater than a stored first desired time period, and the voltage curve measured at the injector is greater than the upper threshold value Uo. Furthermore, the voltage curve Sp must be below the threshold defined by the lower threshold value Uu for a second time interval between the times t3 and t4. It has proved to be advantageous that the first setpoint period, in which the voltage curve is greater than an upper threshold Uo, 5ms and the second period in which the voltage curve is below the lower threshold Uu, 1ms.

Furthermore, the data carrier recognizes that a data quantity is to be stored if the first period between the two times t1 and t2 is greater than a stored second target period. In addition, the voltage curve Sp for the second period between the predeterminable times t3 and t4 must be below the lower threshold value Uu. It has proven to be advantageous that the first setpoint period, in which the voltage curve is greater than an upper threshold Uo, 8ms and the second period in which the voltage curve is below the lower threshold Uu, 1ms.

The voltage drop between the times t1 and t2 and between the times t3 and t4 is due to the discharge of the injector by the power supply unit 21 of the data carrier.

From the time t4, when the voltage curve is below the lower threshold value Uu, the injector is charged by the control unit and the voltage curve Sp therefore rises again above the upper threshold value Uo. After it is determined in the period between the times t1 and t4, whether reading or storing a data amount, this amount of data must be read or stored in the following steps.

For a predeterminable third period of time, a predetermined amount of data is respectively read out or stored after the determination as to whether read-out or storage takes place. For example, the amount of data that is read out or stored is five-bit packets, with the fifth bit being used as the stop bit to synchronize the data. Furthermore, it is also conceivable that the data synchronization without stop bit, based on a stored code, such. of the Manchester code.

In FIG. 4 is the reading or storing of one bit in the period between the times t4 and t6 and for the period between the times t6 and t8 shown. The stored or read bit contains only two possible information. The value contained in the bit can only assume a 0 value or a 1 value, whereby the time period required for reading out or storing a single bit can be predetermined.

On the basis of the measured injector voltage curve, it is now possible to detect whether a bit contains a 0 value or a 1 value. In this case, a 1 value is recognized by the fact that at time t5 the voltage value is below the lower voltage value lies. In addition, the time interval between the times t4 and t5 can be predetermined and less than the time between the times t4 and t6, which is available for reading or storing a bit. Starting from the time t6 at which the injector is charged, the voltage value is above the upper voltage value at time t7. As a result, the data carrier recognizes that a 0-bit is to be read out or stored. The time interval between the times t6 and t7 corresponds to the time interval between the times t4 and t5. The time interval between the times t6 and t7 is again smaller than the time interval between the times t6 and t8, which is available for reading or storing a bit. It has proven to be advantageous for the period between times t4 and t5 to occupy 80% of the time period between times t4 and t6.

FIG. 5 shows a flowchart for reading a data amount from the disk. In this case, in step S1, the activator and thus the voltage unit is activated when a certain voltage pattern is measured at the injector. In step S2, the system waits until the voltage curve is above the upper threshold value for a predefinable time period. Furthermore, it is checked in step S3 whether a counter value is smaller than a stored value. The counter value depends on the number of bits read. It is incremented each time a bit is read. By means of the counter value can be recognized in the following, when a stop bit is sent for synchronization. This takes place as soon as the counter value is greater than a stored value. In this case, a stop bit for synchronizing the data amount is read out in step S4 'and the counter value is reset to an initial value.

If the counter value is smaller than the stored value, it is checked in step S4 whether the voltage profile is below the predetermined upper threshold value. If the Voltage curve is greater than the upper threshold, so in step S5 a bit is read out with the associated 0 value, otherwise in step S5 'a bit is read out with the associated 1 value. Finally, in step S7, the counter value from step S4 is increased by one value.

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart for storing a data amount in the disk. In this case, the activator and thus the power supply unit is activated in step S10. In step S20, it is waited until the voltage curve is above the upper threshold value for a predefinable time period.

Furthermore, it is checked in step S30 whether a counter value is smaller than a stored value. The counter value depends on the number of bits read. It is incremented each time a bit is stored. By means of the counter value it can therefore be recognized when a stop bit is sent for synchronization. If the counter value should be greater than the stored value, the system waits in step S40 'until the measured voltage curve has fallen below the predefinable lower threshold value. Further, in step S400, the counter value is reset to its starting point.

If the counter value is smaller than the stored value, it is waited in step S40 for a predeterminable period of time until it is checked in step S50 whether the measured voltage profile has dropped below the upper threshold value.

If the voltage curve has dropped below the upper threshold value, a bit with assigned 1 value is stored in the data carrier in step S60. However, if the measured voltage profile has not fallen below the upper threshold value, a bit with the assigned 0 value is stored in the data carrier in step S60. Finally, in step S80, the counter value is increased from step S30.

Claims (23)

1. Method for storing and/or reading injector-specific data for controlling an injection system of an internal combustion engine, characterized in that
   an injector voltage value is measured, and a predefinable quantity of data is read out or stored as a function of whether the respective determined voltage value is within or outside a predefinable limiting range for at least one predefined time period,
   wherein
   the quantity of data is read if

   - a first time period which is defined by times t1 and t2 is longer than a stored first setpoint time period, and

   - a voltage profile Sp which is measured at an injector is longer than an upper threshold value Uo and

   - the voltage profile Sp is below a limiting range defined by a lower threshold value Uu, for a second time period between times t3 and t4,

   or wherein
   the quantity of data is stored if

   - a first time period which is defined by times t1 and t2 is longer than a stored second setpoint time period, and

   - a voltage profile Sp which is measured at an injector is longer than an upper threshold value Uo, and

   - the voltage profile Sp is below a limiting range defined by a lower threshold value Uu, for a second time period between times t3 and t4.
2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that a predefinable quantity of data is read or stored if the respectively determined voltage value exceeds an upper threshold value for a first predefinable time period, and subsequent to the first time period the respectively determined voltage value is below the lower threshold value for a second predefinable time period.
3. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a predefinable quantity of data is stored if the respectively determined voltage value exceeds an upper threshold value for a first time period which is longer than 8 ms, and subsequent to the first time period of 8 ms the respectively determined voltage value is below the lower threshold value for the second time period of 1 ms.
4. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a predefinable quantity of data is read if the respectively determined voltage value exceeds an upper threshold value for a first time period which is longer than 5 ms, and subsequent to the first time period of 5 ms the respectively determined voltage value is below the lower threshold value for a second time period of 1 ms.
5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the limiting range which is encompassed by the lower and the upper threshold values is between the voltage values 0 V and 30 V.
6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that if the voltage value of the injector falls below a predefined lower threshold value, the injector is charged.
7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a predefinable quantity of data is read or stored before or during or after deactivation of the internal combustion engine.
8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that data packets of, in each case, 4 bits plus a stop bit are transmitted.
9. Method according to Claim 8, characterized in that a zero value of a bit is identified in that after a decision as to whether a quantity of data is to be read or stored, the measured injector voltage value is above the upper threshold value after a third time period, wherein the third time period is shorter than the time period which is required to read out or store a bit.
10. Method according to Claim 8, characterized in that a 1 value is identified in that after a decision as to whether a quantity of data is to be read or stored, the measured injector voltage value undershoots a lower threshold value after a predefinable third time period, wherein the third time period is shorter than the time period which is required to read out or store a bit.
11. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the exchange of data between the data carrier and the control unit is synchronized with a stop bit.
12. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the synchronization of the data between the control unit and the data carrier is carried out on the basis of a code or of a predefinable bit pattern.
13. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the transmission data is checked by means of fault correction methods, in particular parity checks, checksums or multiple transmissions.
14. Data carrier for storing and/or reading injector-specific data by means of a control unit, for controlling an injection system of an internal combustion engine, having a measuring unit for continuously measuring the voltage which is applied to the injector, wherein the data carrier has a memory unit for reading and/or storing the quantity of data, and a power unit for discharging the injector, and a predefinable quantity of data can be read out from the memory unit by means of the control unit or stored therein as a function of whether the voltage value which is respectively measured at the measuring unit is within or outside a predefinable limiting range for a predefined time period, wherein the quantity of data can be read out if

    - a first time period which is defined by times t1 and t2 is longer than a stored first setpoint time period, and

    - a voltage profile Sp which is measured at an injector is longer than an upper threshold value Uo and

    - the voltage profile Sp is below a limiting range defined by a lower threshold value Uu, for a second time period between times t3 and t4,
    or wherein
    the quantity of data can be stored if

    - a first time period which is defined by times t1 and t2 is longer than a stored second setpoint time period, and

    - a voltage profile Sp which is measured at an injector is longer than an upper threshold value Uo, and

    - the voltage profile Sp is below a limiting range defined by a lower threshold value Uu for a second time period between times t3 and t4.
15. Data carrier according to Claim 14, characterized in that the injectors can be charged by means of the control unit.
16. Data carrier according to Claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the data carrier is arranged inside an injector housing or is permanently connected to the injector housing.
17. Data carrier according to one of Claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the data carrier is embodied as an ASIC.
18. Data carrier according to one of Claims 14 to 17, characterized in that the data carrier has at least one interface for exchanging data with a measuring unit and/or an actuator unit.
19. Data carrier according to one of Claims 14 to 18, characterized in that the data carrier has at least one bus interface for exchanging data.
20. Data carrier according to one of Claims 14 to 19, characterized in that the data carrier has an interface with an additional power supply.
21. Data carrier according to one of Claims 14 to 20, characterized in that the design of the data carrier corresponds to that of a bleeder resistor.
22. Data carrier according to one of Claims 14 to 21, characterized in that a power supply unit is provided for supplying power to the data carrier, which power supply unit is connected to the injector or is directly integrated into the data carrier.
23. Data carrier according to one of Claims 14 to 22, characterized in that a power supply unit is provided for supplying power to the data carrier, which power supply unit is connected to the injector or directly integrated into the data carrier, wherein the power supply unit is activated by an actuator assigned to the data carrier only if the measured injector voltage has a predefinable data pattern.

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