EP3347584B1 - Detection method for detecting a gap size of a gap between an injector valve assembly and piezo stack, and actuation method for actuating an actuator unit in a piezo stack - Google Patents
Detection method for detecting a gap size of a gap between an injector valve assembly and piezo stack, and actuation method for actuating an actuator unit in a piezo stack Download PDFInfo
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- EP3347584B1 EP3347584B1 EP16741260.0A EP16741260A EP3347584B1 EP 3347584 B1 EP3347584 B1 EP 3347584B1 EP 16741260 A EP16741260 A EP 16741260A EP 3347584 B1 EP3347584 B1 EP 3347584B1
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- Prior art keywords
- valve assembly
- gap
- actuator unit
- injector
- injector valve
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- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 title claims description 25
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 22
- 238000002485 combustion reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 18
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 claims description 17
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 claims 7
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 claims 2
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 12
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 12
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 7
- 230000005684 electric field Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000005299 abrasion Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000000418 atomic force spectrum Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000028161 membrane depolarization Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000032683 aging Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000033228 biological regulation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910010293 ceramic material Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
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- 230000000875 corresponding effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009365 direct transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005281 excited state Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002431 foraging effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000009349 indirect transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011835 investigation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001404 mediated effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
- F02D41/00—Electrical control of supply of combustible mixture or its constituents
- F02D41/20—Output circuits, e.g. for controlling currents in command coils
- F02D41/2096—Output circuits, e.g. for controlling currents in command coils for controlling piezoelectric injectors
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
- F02D41/00—Electrical control of supply of combustible mixture or its constituents
- F02D41/24—Electrical control of supply of combustible mixture or its constituents characterised by the use of digital means
- F02D41/2406—Electrical control of supply of combustible mixture or its constituents characterised by the use of digital means using essentially read only memories
- F02D41/2425—Particular ways of programming the data
- F02D41/2429—Methods of calibrating or learning
- F02D41/2451—Methods of calibrating or learning characterised by what is learned or calibrated
- F02D41/2464—Characteristics of actuators
- F02D41/2467—Characteristics of actuators for injectors
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
- F02M51/00—Fuel-injection apparatus characterised by being operated electrically
- F02M51/06—Injectors peculiar thereto with means directly operating the valve needle
- F02M51/0603—Injectors peculiar thereto with means directly operating the valve needle using piezoelectric or magnetostrictive operating means
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
- F02M57/00—Fuel-injectors combined or associated with other devices
- F02M57/005—Fuel-injectors combined or associated with other devices the devices being sensors
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
- F02D41/00—Electrical control of supply of combustible mixture or its constituents
- F02D41/20—Output circuits, e.g. for controlling currents in command coils
- F02D2041/202—Output circuits, e.g. for controlling currents in command coils characterised by the control of the circuit
- F02D2041/2044—Output circuits, e.g. for controlling currents in command coils characterised by the control of the circuit using pre-magnetisation or post-magnetisation of the coils
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
- F02D41/00—Electrical control of supply of combustible mixture or its constituents
- F02D41/20—Output circuits, e.g. for controlling currents in command coils
- F02D2041/202—Output circuits, e.g. for controlling currents in command coils characterised by the control of the circuit
- F02D2041/2051—Output circuits, e.g. for controlling currents in command coils characterised by the control of the circuit using voltage control
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
- F02D41/00—Electrical control of supply of combustible mixture or its constituents
- F02D41/20—Output circuits, e.g. for controlling currents in command coils
- F02D2041/202—Output circuits, e.g. for controlling currents in command coils characterised by the control of the circuit
- F02D2041/2055—Output circuits, e.g. for controlling currents in command coils characterised by the control of the circuit with means for determining actual opening or closing time
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
- F02M2200/00—Details of fuel-injection apparatus, not otherwise provided for
- F02M2200/24—Fuel-injection apparatus with sensors
- F02M2200/244—Force sensors
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
- F02M2200/00—Details of fuel-injection apparatus, not otherwise provided for
- F02M2200/70—Linkage between actuator and actuated element, e.g. between piezoelectric actuator and needle valve or pump plunger
- F02M2200/701—Linkage between actuator and actuated element, e.g. between piezoelectric actuator and needle valve or pump plunger mechanical
- F02M2200/702—Linkage between actuator and actuated element, e.g. between piezoelectric actuator and needle valve or pump plunger mechanical with actuator and actuated element moving in different directions, e.g. in opposite directions
Definitions
- Detection method for detecting a gap size of a gap between an injector valve assembly and a piezo stack and driving method for driving an actuator in a piezo stack Detection method for detecting a gap size of a gap between an injector valve assembly and a piezo stack and driving method for driving an actuator in a piezo stack.
- the invention relates to a detection method for detecting a gap size of a gap between an injector valve assembly and a piezo stack, which is intended to actuate the injector valve assembly. Furthermore, the invention relates to a driving method for driving an actuator unit in the piezo stack, which is used for actuating the Injektorventilbaueria.
- An actuator unit in a piezo stack used to actuate an injector valve assembly in an internal combustion engine typically includes a stacked device having a plurality of electrode layers and a plurality of material layers responsive to application of an electric field. Each material layer is arranged between two of the electrode layers. When an electric field is applied to the actuator unit via the electrode layers, the material layers react by expanding, so that the actuator unit as a whole extends along an actuator unit longitudinal axis. This deflection can then be transferred to other components, such as an injector valve assembly of an internal combustion engine to lift an injector needle from a needle seat and thereby inject fuel into the combustion chambers of the internal combustion engine.
- the injector needle in the injector valve assembly is opened and closed by direct or indirect Transmission of the longitudinal extent of the actuator unit to the Injektorventilbauè, wherein for transmitting the longitudinal extent at any point between the piezo stack, which has the actuator unit, and the injector valve assembly is a force closure.
- the DE 10 2011 005 285 A1 discloses a method for detecting the gap size of a gap (idle stroke) of a piezoelectric injector having a piezoelectric actuator and a directly actuated by the piezoelectric actuator nozzle needle, wherein the piezoelectric actuator, a test pulse is applied, which causes a steady increase of the piezo stroke.
- the time interval between the start of the test pulse and the time when the idle stroke is overcome is measured.
- the idle stroke of the piezoelectric actuator is determined from the measured time span. Measured thereby are electrical signals of the piezoelectric actuator, which are caused by mechanical influences.
- the DE 10 2008 023 373 A1 discloses a method of controlling a piezoelectrically actuated injector.
- the method is based on the fact that the force exerted by the piezoactuator force depends on the voltage applied to the piezoelectric actuator and the charge shifted by the piezoactuator and the position of the maximum of the force curve is correlated with a point in time at which the closing element actually opens and the injector releases a path for fuel injection.
- the determination of the position of the maximum of the force curve of the force exerted by the piezoelectric actuator allows a conclusion on the time of the actual opening of the injection valve.
- the DE 10 2011 004 613 A1 discloses a method for monitoring the state of a piezo injector of a fuel injection system. In a partial stroke, the course of an electrical parameter over time is detected in order to draw conclusions about the state of the piezo injector.
- the DE 199 01 711 A1 discloses a method of operating a fuel injector with piezoelectric actuator. Depending on a temperature-dependent linear expansion of the actuator is acted upon by a first actuating voltage, which is dimensioned such that a trained in a non-excited state of rest of the actuator in the operating path gap disappears or is reduced. With a second actuation voltage, the fuel injection valve is opened.
- the object of the invention is therefore to propose a detection method for detecting this gap size.
- Another object is to propose a driving method for driving the actuator unit, with which the gap size can be compensated.
- a driving method for driving an actuator unit in a piezo stack is the subject of the independent claim.
- a second voltage gradient in the voltage signal of the sensor unit is detected in a third point in time in which an injector needle of the injector valve assembly lifts off from a needle seat.
- a negative voltage gradient is detected in the voltage signal of the sensor unit.
- a third voltage gradient is detected in the voltage signal of the sensor unit, wherein between the fourth time and the second time is the third time. At the fourth time a positive voltage gradient is detected.
- the knowledge is used that a frictional connection between the piezo stack and the injector valve assembly leads to a force surge in the piezo stack.
- the force impulse corresponds to a force gradient, which is a charge in generated, so that, for example, a voltage can be tapped from the outside.
- the frictional connection and thus the force gradient occur in the moment in which the gap between the piezo stack and Injektorventilbaueria is overcome. Since the voltage with which the actuator unit is subjected to expansion is known, the gap size of the gap can be deduced over a measured period of time until the sensor unit detects the frictional connection with the injector valve assembly.
- a previously determined characteristic field is advantageously stored which, for predefined voltage pulses, sets a gap size of the gap as a function of a time duration of the voltage pulse application.
- the modular construction of the piezo stack consisting of an actuator unit and a sensor unit is advantageously used in order to determine the gap size. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide further sensors, via which the gap size is to be determined, since already the existing sensor unit is used.
- the sensor unit detects an increase in force in the second time point in which the piezo stack reaches a force fit to the injector valve assembly.
- the signs can be used to detect whether a force gradient in the piezo stack has been caused by the fact that a frictional connection has taken place between the piezo stack and injector valve assembly, or in that the injector needle has lifted off the needle seat.
- the gap size of the gap between the piezo stack and the injector valve assembly is detected at each actuation cycle of the injector valve assembly.
- it is possible to record further data on aging phenomena of the elements for example a depolarization of the actuator unit or wear or abrasion phenomena of the elements, which are reflected in the life span of the gap.
- a positive voltage gradient in the voltage signal of the sensor unit is detected at the second time. Accordingly, if the signal of the sensor unit representing the voltage gradient is positive, it can be immediately recognized that the second time is present.
- the gap size is now known, it is possible to compensate for the gap by readjusting the actuator unit by applying a pre-voltage pulse to the actuator unit so that it deflects and overcomes the gap.
- the actuator unit can therefore be operated based on the highly accurate measurement in the detection method with said pre-voltage pulse, so that at the respective time at which the injection is to start, a reproducible gap-free state between the piezo stack and injector valve assembly is reached.
- the injection control can thus be completely independent of an absolute length of the piezo stack, of closure phenomena, etc.
- negative disturbance variables such as the absolute change in the length of the piezo stack and signs of wear, in particular at the needle seat, can be eliminated, resulting in a reproducible opening and closing behavior of the injector needle.
- a signal can be output as a wear indicator to the outside.
- the pre-voltage pulse is determined from the gap size determined by the detection method, wherein the pre-voltage pulse is redetermined, in particular during each actuation cycle of the injector valve assembly.
- the gap size which changes over the service life can also be continuously compensated over the life of the arrangement.
- the detection method is carried out in a first actuation cycle of the injector valve assembly, wherein the actuation of the actuator unit with the pre-voltage pulse is performed at a second actuation cycle of the injector valve assembly that is temporally downstream of the first actuation cycle. Therefore, it is advantageously first detected with the detection method how large the gap size currently is, so that the necessary pre-voltage pulse can be determined. Only in the next cycle of operation, this pre-voltage pulse is used to compensate for the gap.
- the pre-voltage pulse is given to the actuator unit so early that a voltage pulse for opening the injector needle can be output as intended to the actuator unit without any time delay.
- the pre-voltage pulse can also be given immediately after the detection process has been carried out, even if the actual subsequent injection should take place much later in time.
- first actuation cycle and the second actuation cycle follow one another directly in time.
- a total injector comprises an actuator, a valve assembly with a valve seat and a valve piston, and a nozzle with a nozzle seat and a needle.
- An injector unit for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine has an injector valve assembly with an injector needle, wherein the injector needle forms an injector valve with a needle seat. Furthermore, the injector unit has a piezo stack with an actuator unit and a sensor unit, which are coupled to one another in a force-locking manner. The sensor unit is designed to detect force gradients acting on the actuator unit, and the actuator unit is designed to actuate the injector valve assembly. Between the piezo stack and the Injektorventilbauzy a gap with an unknown gap size is formed. Furthermore, a control unit is provided, which is designed to detect a voltage signal of the sensor unit and to act on the actuator unit with a voltage pulse. The control unit is designed to carry out the detection method described above or to carry out the drive method described above.
- control unit has, for example, the two named maps, as well as means for detecting voltage gradients of the voltage signal of the sensor unit.
- control unit advantageously has elements with which the gap size of the gap and the required size of the pre-voltage pulse for closing the gap can be determined from various parameters.
- control unit advantageously has an output device in order to output voltage pulses to the actuator unit so that they can vary in their length along the actuator unit longitudinal axis.
- Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show in each case schematic representations of an injector unit 10, which is used for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine.
- the injector unit 10 has an injector valve assembly 12 and a piezo stack 14 with which the injector valve assembly 12 can be actuated.
- an injector needle 16 is arranged, which cooperates with a needle seat 18 so that an injector valve 20 is formed. If the injector needle 16 is lifted off the needle seat 18, the injector valve 20 is opened and fuel can be injected into the respective combustion chamber connected to the injector unit 10. However, if the injector needle 16 again comes into frictional connection with the needle seat 18, the injector valve 20 is closed, and the injection of fuel is terminated.
- the piezo stack 14 has, as later with reference to Fig. 3 will be explained in more detail, an actuator unit 22 and a sensor unit 24. These are arranged one above the other in the piezo stack 14 along an actuator unit longitudinal axis 26, the sensor unit 24 being arranged above the actuator unit 22 (cf. Fig. 3 ) or under the actuator unit 22 may be arranged.
- the piezo stack 14 is connected to a control unit 28, which on the one hand can detect voltage signals from the sensor unit 24, but on the other hand can also output voltage pulses to the actuator unit 22 so that it expands along the actuator unit longitudinal axis 26.
- Fig. 1 In this case, a directly operated functional system is shown, in which the operating unit 36 lifts the injector needle 16 out of the needle seat 18 during a force application from the piezo stack 14 via lever 38.
- Fig. 2 shows an alternative embodiment in which the injector 10 operates via a servo operation, wherein the operating unit 36 has a liquid-filled control chamber 40, which exerts a closing force by the existing in the control chamber 40 fluid pressure on the Injektornadel 16, and holds them in the needle seat 18 , Upon contact of the piezo stack 14 via the pin 30 with a valve element 42 of the operating unit 36, a fluid pressure in the control chamber 40 is reduced, so that the injector needle 16 can lift out of the needle seat 18.
- Fig. 3 shows a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the piezo stack 14 from Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 in greater detail.
- the piezo stack 14 has the actuator unit 22 and the sensor unit 24, which along the Aktoriserlticiansachse 26 in the in Fig. 3 shown embodiment are arranged one above the other, in such a way that the sensor unit 24 is arranged on the side of the actuator unit 22, which faces away from the injector valve assembly 12.
- actuator unit 22 and sensor unit 24 it is also possible a reverse arrangement of actuator unit 22 and sensor unit 24.
- the actuator unit 22 includes a plurality of electrode layers and a plurality of reacting on application of an electric field material layers, which are arranged alternately stacked along the actuator unit longitudinal axis 26.
- the electrode layers and the material layers are in Fig. 3 not shown for reasons of clarity.
- the electrical contacting of the electrode layers takes place via external electrodes 44, which are electrically connected to the electrode layers via electrical conductors 46. However, a contacting of the outer electrode 44 can also be done differently.
- the outer electrodes 44 are connected to the control unit 28, which can deliver voltage pulses to the actuator unit 22 via the outer electrodes 44, so that it expands along the Aktortechniklticiansachse 26.
- the actuator unit 22 is non-positively connected to the sensor unit 24.
- the sensor unit 24 also advantageously has a sensor body 48, which is formed, for example, from the same material that also forms the material layers of the actuator unit 22.
- a sensor body 48 On the sensor body 48 electrode layers 50 are arranged, in particular on two opposite side surfaces 52, which are arranged along the Aktoriserlticiansachse 26.
- the electrode layers 50 are connected to a voltage measuring device 54, which forwards a voltage signal of the sensor unit 24 to the control unit 28.
- control unit 28 can detect voltage signals of the sensor unit 24, mediated via the voltage measuring device 54, all power gradients occurring within the piezo stack 14 can be detected by the control unit 28.
- FIG Fig. 4 A flow chart for detecting this gap size 34 is shown in FIG Fig. 4 shown.
- first time t 1 is detected, at which the charging of the actuator unit 22 is effected with a voltage pulse from the control unit 24th Thereafter, it is detected when a voltage gradient dU occurs at a second time t 2 in a voltage signal, which is reported by the sensor unit 24 to the control unit 28. From the two time points t1, t2 may be the length of time .DELTA.t are detected, the elapsed before the occurrence of the voltage gradient dU. Using a first characteristic diagram K 1 , which sets the gap size 34 as a function of the time duration ⁇ t, the gap size 34 present at the present time can then be determined.
- the voltage signal of the sensor unit 24 is further detected by the control unit 28, so that a third time t 3 can be determined, to which a further voltage gradient dU occurs, namely when the injector needle 16 lifts off from the needle seat 18.
- the sign of the voltage gradient is used, which is positive at time t 2 and negative at time t 3 .
- a further voltage gradient dU detected in a fourth time t4 which has a positive sign, which is due to a closing of the Injektornadel 16.
- a flow chart is shown, which shows a driving method schematically, with which the actuator unit 22 can be controlled via the control unit 28.
- the gap size 34 of the gap 32 between the Injektorventilbaueria 12 and the piezo stack 14 determined.
- the size of the pre-voltage pulse is determined, which is necessary to close the gap 32.
- the actuator unit 22 is then subjected to this pre-voltage pulse. Subsequently, the actuator unit 22 is then subjected to an opening pulse in order to lift the injector needle 16 from the needle seat 18.
- the control unit 28 is configured both in Fig. 4 presented preliminary investigation as well as in Fig. 5 to perform illustrated driving method.
- the control unit 28, as in Fig. 6 is shown schematically, the maps K 1 and K 2 on.
- detecting means 56 for detecting a voltage gradient dU in the voltage signal from the sensor unit 24 is provided.
- the control unit 28 comprises a time measuring device 58 and an output device 60, which comprises an opening pulse output device 62, from which an opening pulse is output to the actuator unit 22 for opening the injector needle 16.
- the opening pulse output device 62 gives a signal to the time measuring device 58 when it receives an opening pulse to the time Actuator 22 has issued.
- the detection device 56 sends a signal to the time measuring device 58 when a voltage gradient dU has been determined via the sensor unit 24. From this, the time measuring device 58 can determine the time duration ⁇ t.
- a determination unit 64 is further provided, which can determine the gap size 34. For this purpose, it is supplied from the time measuring device 58, the detected time duration .DELTA.t and the map K 1 and the size of the opening pulse. From this data it is possible to determine the gap size 34, since the map K 1 sets the gap size 34 in dependence on the time duration ⁇ t and the size of the opening pulse.
- a determination unit 66 is provided to determine the size of the pre-voltage pulse, namely on the basis of the determined gap size 34 and the second map K 2 , which sets the necessary pre-voltage pulse for closing the gap 32 in dependence the determined gap size 34.
- the output device 60 also includes a pre-voltage pulse output device 68, to which the determined pre-voltage pulse from the determination unit 66 is supplied. The pre-voltage pulse output device 68 then outputs a signal to the actuator unit 22, which corresponds to the specific pre-voltage pulse, so that the actuator unit 22 can extend along the Aktoriserlticiansachse 26 such that the gap 32 disappears.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
- Fuel-Injection Apparatus (AREA)
- Electrical Control Of Air Or Fuel Supplied To Internal-Combustion Engine (AREA)
Description
Erfassungsverfahren zum Erfassen einer Spaltgröße eines Spaltes zwischen einer Injektorventilbaugruppe und einem Piezostapel sowie Ansteuerungsverfahren zum Ansteuern einer Aktoreinheit in einem Piezostapel.Detection method for detecting a gap size of a gap between an injector valve assembly and a piezo stack and driving method for driving an actuator in a piezo stack.
Die Erfindung betrifft ein Erfassungsverfahren zum Erfassen einer Spaltgröße eines Spaltes zwischen einer Injektorventilbaugruppe und einem Piezostapel, der dazu vorgesehen ist, die Injektorventilbaugruppe zu betätigen. Weiter betrifft die Erfindung ein Ansteuerungsverfahren zum Ansteuern einer Aktoreinheit in dem Piezostapel, der zum Betätigen der Injektorventilbaugruppe verwendet wird.The invention relates to a detection method for detecting a gap size of a gap between an injector valve assembly and a piezo stack, which is intended to actuate the injector valve assembly. Furthermore, the invention relates to a driving method for driving an actuator unit in the piezo stack, which is used for actuating the Injektorventilbaugruppe.
Eine Aktoreinheit in einem Piezostapel, der zum Betätigen einer Injektorventilbaugruppe in einer Brennkraftmaschine verwendet wird, umfasst typischerweise ein als Stapel ausgebildetes Bauelement, das eine Mehrzahl von Elektrodenschichten sowie eine Mehrzahl von auf Anlegen eines elektrischen Feldes reagierenden Werkstoffschichten aufweist. Dabei ist jede Werkstoffschicht zwischen zwei der Elektrodenschichten angeordnet. Wenn ein elektrisches Feld über die Elektrodenschichten an die Aktoreinheit angelegt wird, reagieren die Werkstoffschichten, indem sie sich ausdehnen, sodass sich die Aktoreinheit insgesamt entlang einer Aktoreinheitlängsachse verlängert. Diese Auslenkung kann dann auf weitere Bauelemente übertragen werden, beispielsweise auf eine Injektorventilbaugruppe einer Brennkraftmaschine, um eine Injektornadel von einem Nadelsitz abzuheben und dadurch Kraftstoff in Brennräume der Brennkraftmaschine einzuspritzen.An actuator unit in a piezo stack used to actuate an injector valve assembly in an internal combustion engine typically includes a stacked device having a plurality of electrode layers and a plurality of material layers responsive to application of an electric field. Each material layer is arranged between two of the electrode layers. When an electric field is applied to the actuator unit via the electrode layers, the material layers react by expanding, so that the actuator unit as a whole extends along an actuator unit longitudinal axis. This deflection can then be transferred to other components, such as an injector valve assembly of an internal combustion engine to lift an injector needle from a needle seat and thereby inject fuel into the combustion chambers of the internal combustion engine.
Das Öffnen und Schließen der Injektornadel in der Injektorventilbaugruppe erfolgt durch direkte oder indirekte Übertragung der Längsausdehnung der Aktoreinheit auf die Injektorventilbaugruppe, wobei zum Übertragen der Längsausdehnung an irgendeinem Punkt zwischen dem Piezostapel, der die Aktoreinheit aufweist, und der Injektorventilbaugruppe ein Kraftschluss erfolgt.The injector needle in the injector valve assembly is opened and closed by direct or indirect Transmission of the longitudinal extent of the actuator unit to the Injektorventilbaugruppe, wherein for transmitting the longitudinal extent at any point between the piezo stack, which has the actuator unit, and the injector valve assembly is a force closure.
Aus
Im eingebauten Zustand ist zwischen dem Piezostapel und der Injektorventilbaugruppe ein Spalt vorhanden, der sich über die Lebensdauer der beiden Elemente aufgrund beispielsweise von Verschleiß bzw. Abrieb an den beiden Elementen bzw. einer Depolarisation der Aktoreinheit verändert.In the installed state, a gap exists between the piezo stack and the injector valve assembly, which changes over the life of the two elements due to, for example, wear or abrasion on the two elements or depolarization of the actuator unit.
Mit zunehmenden Anforderungen an Emission und Verbrauch steigen die Anforderungen an die Einspritzung des Kraftstoffes in die Brennräume, wobei höhere Drücke, höhere Temperaturen, sowie Mehrfacheinspritzungen eine höhere Genauigkeit bei der Zumessung des eingespritzten Kraftstoffes erfordern. Um die geforderten Genauigkeiten zu erreichen, ist es nicht hinreichend, einen Injektor in Stellbetrieb zu fahren, sondern eine Regelung ist unumgänglich. Unter anderem ist es bei dieser Regelung auch wichtig, den Spalt zwischen Injektorventilbaugruppe und Piezostapel kompensieren zu können, wozu die Kenntnis der Spaltgröße, vor allem auch der sich über Lebensdauer ändernden Spaltgröße, notwendig ist.As emission and fuel consumption requirements increase, fuel injection requirements increase in the combustion chambers, with higher pressures, higher temperatures, and multiple injections requiring greater accuracy in metering the injected fuel. In order to achieve the required accuracies, it is not sufficient to drive an injector into actuating mode, but regulation is unavoidable. Among other things, it is also important in this scheme to be able to compensate for the gap between injector valve assembly and piezo stack, including the knowledge of Gap size, especially over the lifetime changing gap size, is necessary.
Die
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Die
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Aufgabe der Erfindung ist es daher, ein Erfassungsverfahren zum Erfassen dieser Spaltgröße vorzuschlagen.The object of the invention is therefore to propose a detection method for detecting this gap size.
Diese Aufgabe wird mit einem Erfassungsverfahren mit den Merkmalen des Anspruches 1 gelöst.This object is achieved by a detection method having the features of claim 1.
Eine weitere Aufgabe ist es, ein Ansteuerungsverfahren zum Ansteuern der Aktoreinheit vorzuschlagen, mit der die Spaltgröße kompensiert werden kann.Another object is to propose a driving method for driving the actuator unit, with which the gap size can be compensated.
Ein Ansteuerungsverfahren zum Ansteuern einer Aktoreinheit in einem Piezostapel ist Gegenstand des nebengeordneten Anspruches.A driving method for driving an actuator unit in a piezo stack is the subject of the independent claim.
Vorteilhafte Ausgestaltungen der Erfindung sind Gegenstand der abhängigen Ansprüche.Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.
Ein Erfassungsverfahren zum Erfassen einer Spaltgröße eines Spaltes zwischen einer Injektorventilbaugruppe einer Brennkraftmaschine und einem Piezostapel zum Betätigen der Injektorventilbaugruppe weist die folgenden Schritte auf:
- Bereitstellen eines Piezostapels mit einer Aktoreinheit und einer Sensoreinheit, die kraftschlüssig miteinander gekoppelt sind, wobei die Sensoreinheit zum Erfassen von an der Aktoreinheit wirkenden Kräftegradienten ausgebildet ist;
- Bereitstellen einer Injektorventilbaugruppe, die im Betrieb über die Aktoreinheit betätigt wird, wobei die Injektorventilbaugruppe und der Piezostapel über einen Spalt mit unbekannter Spaltgröße voneinander beabstandet angeordnet sind;
- Erfassen eines Spannungssignals der Sensoreinheit;
- Beaufschlagen der Aktoreinheit mit einem definierten Spannungspuls, sodass sich die Aktoreinheit unter Verringerung des Spaltes entlang einer Aktoreinheitlängsachse auslenkt;
- Erfassen einer Zeitdauer der Spannungspulsbeaufschlagung der Aktoreinheit ausgehend von einem ersten Zeitpunkt, in dem die Spannungspulsbeaufschlagung beginnt, bis zu einem zweiten Zeitpunkt, in dem in dem erfassten Spannungssignal der Sensoreinheit ein Spannungsgradient auftritt;
- Ermitteln der Spaltgröße des Spaltes aus der erfassten Zeitdauer und dem definierten Spannungspuls.
- Providing a piezo stack with an actuator unit and a sensor unit, which are coupled to one another in a force-locking manner, wherein the sensor unit is designed to detect force gradients acting on the actuator unit;
- Providing an injector valve assembly that is actuated via the actuator unit in operation, wherein the injector valve assembly and the piezo stack are spaced apart from each other via a gap of unknown gap size;
- Detecting a voltage signal of the sensor unit;
- Actuation of the actuator unit with a defined voltage pulse, so that the actuator unit deflects while reducing the gap along an actuator unit longitudinal axis;
- Detecting a time duration of the voltage pulse application of the actuator unit from a first point in time when the voltage pulse application starts, to a second point in time in which a voltage gradient occurs in the detected voltage signal of the sensor unit;
- Determining the gap size of the gap from the detected time duration and the defined voltage pulse.
Erfindungsgemäß wird in einem dritten Zeitpunkt, in dem eine Injektornadel der Injektorventilbaugruppe von einem Nadelsitz abhebt, ein zweiter Spannungsgradient in dem Spannungssignal der Sensoreinheit erfasst. Dabei wird ein negativer Spannungsgradient in dem Spannungssignal der Sensoreinheit erfasst. In einem vierten Zeitpunkt, in dem die Injektornadel in Kraftschluss mit dem Nadelsitz kommt, wird ein dritter Spannungsgradient in den Spannungssignal der Sensoreinheit erfasst, wobei zwischen dem vierten Zeitpunkt und dem zweiten Zeitpunkt der dritte Zeitpunkt liegt. In dem vierten Zeitpunkt wird ein positiver Spannungsgradient erfasst.According to the invention, a second voltage gradient in the voltage signal of the sensor unit is detected in a third point in time in which an injector needle of the injector valve assembly lifts off from a needle seat. In this case, a negative voltage gradient is detected in the voltage signal of the sensor unit. In a fourth time, in which the injector needle comes into frictional engagement with the needle seat, a third voltage gradient is detected in the voltage signal of the sensor unit, wherein between the fourth time and the second time is the third time. At the fourth time a positive voltage gradient is detected.
Bei dem Erfassungsverfahren wird die Erkenntnis genutzt, dass ein Kraftschluss zwischen dem Piezostapel und der Injektorventilbaugruppe zu einem Kraftstoß in dem Piezostapel führt. Der Kraftstoß entspricht einem Kräftegradienten, der eine Ladung in der generiert, sodass beispielsweise eine Spannung von außen abgreifbar ist. Der Kraftschluss und somit der Kräftegradient treten in dem Moment auf, in dem der Spalt zwischen Piezostapel und Injektorventilbaugruppe überwunden ist. Da die Spannung, mit der die Aktoreinheit zum Ausdehnen beaufschlagt wird, bekannt ist, kann über eine gemessene Zeitdauer, bis die Sensoreinheit den Kraftschluss mit der Injektorventilbaugruppe erfasst, auf die Spaltgröße des Spaltes zurückgeschlossen werden.In the detection method, the knowledge is used that a frictional connection between the piezo stack and the injector valve assembly leads to a force surge in the piezo stack. The force impulse corresponds to a force gradient, which is a charge in generated, so that, for example, a voltage can be tapped from the outside. The frictional connection and thus the force gradient occur in the moment in which the gap between the piezo stack and Injektorventilbaugruppe is overcome. Since the voltage with which the actuator unit is subjected to expansion is known, the gap size of the gap can be deduced over a measured period of time until the sensor unit detects the frictional connection with the injector valve assembly.
Dazu wird vorteilhaft ein zuvor ermitteltes Kennfeld hinterlegt, das für vordefinierte Spannungspulse eine Spaltgröße des Spaltes in Abhängigkeit einer Zeitdauer der Spannungspulsbeaufschlagung setzt.For this purpose, a previously determined characteristic field is advantageously stored which, for predefined voltage pulses, sets a gap size of the gap as a function of a time duration of the voltage pulse application.
Um später die Spaltgröße des Spaltes beispielsweise über eine Regelung kompensieren zu können, ist es nötig, definierte Messgrößen aus dem System zu ermitteln, um daraus die entsprechenden Regelgrößen zu berechnen. Vorliegend wird vorteilhaft der modulare Aufbau des Piezostapels aus einer Aktoreinheit und einer Sensoreinheit verwendet, um die Spaltgröße zu ermitteln. Daher ist es nicht nötig, weitere Sensoren vorzusehen, über die die Spaltgröße ermittelt werden soll, da bereits die vorhandene Sensoreinheit verwendet wird. Die Sensoreinheit detektiert dabei einen Kraftanstieg in dem zweiten Zeitpunkt, in dem der Piezostapel einen Kraftschluss zu der Injektorventilbaugruppe erreicht.In order later to be able to compensate the gap size of the gap, for example via a control, it is necessary to determine defined measured variables from the system, in order to calculate the corresponding control variables therefrom. In the present case, the modular construction of the piezo stack consisting of an actuator unit and a sensor unit is advantageously used in order to determine the gap size. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide further sensors, via which the gap size is to be determined, since already the existing sensor unit is used. The sensor unit detects an increase in force in the second time point in which the piezo stack reaches a force fit to the injector valve assembly.
Dadurch, dass in dem dritten Zeitpunkt, in dem eine Injektornadel der Injektorventilbaugruppe von einem Nadelsitz abhebt, ein zweiter Spannungsgradient in dem Spannungssignal der Sensoreinheit erfasst wird, kann vorteilhaft exakt der Zeitpunkt erfasst werden, in dem ein Injektor zum Einspritzen von Kraftstoff öffnet. Insbesondere wird dabei ein negativer Spannungsgradient in dem Spannungssignal der Sensoreinheit erfasst. Über die Vorzeichen kann demgemäß erfasst werden, ob ein Kräftegradient in dem Piezostapel dadurch verursacht wurde, dass ein Kraftschluss zwischen Piezostapel und Injektorventilbaugruppe erfolgt ist, oder dadurch, dass sich die Injektornadel von dem Nadelsitz abgehoben hat.By detecting a second voltage gradient in the voltage signal of the sensor unit in the third point in time in which an injector needle of the injector valve assembly lifts from a needle seat, it is advantageously possible to detect exactly the point in time at which an injector opens for injecting fuel. In particular, there is a negative voltage gradient in the voltage signal of the sensor unit detected. Accordingly, the signs can be used to detect whether a force gradient in the piezo stack has been caused by the fact that a frictional connection has taken place between the piezo stack and injector valve assembly, or in that the injector needle has lifted off the needle seat.
Auch durch das Schließen des Injektors und somit das Beendigen der Kraftstoffeinspritzung tritt ein Kräftegradient in dem Piezostapel auf, der über die Sensoreinheit durch einen Spannungsgradienten erfasst werden kann. Daher kann über die Sensoreinheit nun exakt erfasst werden, wann ein Kraftschluss mit der Injektorventilbaugruppe vorliegt, wann sich die Injektornadel öffnet, und auch wann sich die Injektornadel wieder schließt. Somit kann der eingespritzte Kraftstoff exakt dem jeweiligen Brennraum zugemessen werden. Aus den gemessenen Daten ist es auch möglich, eine Regelung vorzusehen, die Alterungserscheinungen kompensieren kann, sodass weiterhin eine exakte Einspritzung des Kraftstoffes in den jeweiligen Brennraum möglich bleibt.Also, by closing the injector and thus terminating the fuel injection, a force gradient occurs in the piezo stack, which can be detected by the sensor unit by a voltage gradient. Therefore, it can now be accurately detected via the sensor unit when there is a force fit with the injector valve assembly, when the injector needle opens, and also when the injector needle closes again. Thus, the injected fuel can be metered exactly to the respective combustion chamber. From the measured data, it is also possible to provide a control that can compensate for aging phenomena, so that an exact injection of the fuel into the respective combustion chamber remains possible.
Vorzugsweise wird die Spaltgröße des Spaltes zwischen dem Piezostapel und der Injektorventilbaugruppe bei jedem Betätigungszyklus der Injektorventilbaugruppe erfasst. So ist es möglich, weitere Daten über Alterungserscheinungen der Elemente zu erfassen, beispielsweise eine Depolarisation der Aktoreinheit oder Verschleiß bzw. Abrieberscheinungen der Elemente, die sich in der sich über die Lebensdauer verändernden Spaltgröße widerspiegeln.Preferably, the gap size of the gap between the piezo stack and the injector valve assembly is detected at each actuation cycle of the injector valve assembly. Thus, it is possible to record further data on aging phenomena of the elements, for example a depolarization of the actuator unit or wear or abrasion phenomena of the elements, which are reflected in the life span of the gap.
In vorteilhafter Ausgestaltung wird in dem zweiten Zeitpunkt ein positiver Spannungsgradient in dem Spannungssignal der Sensoreinheit erfasst. Ist demgemäß das Signal der Sensoreinheit, das den Spannungsgradienten darstellt, positiv, kann sofort erkannt werden, dass der zweite Zeitpunkt vorliegt.In an advantageous embodiment, a positive voltage gradient in the voltage signal of the sensor unit is detected at the second time. Accordingly, if the signal of the sensor unit representing the voltage gradient is positive, it can be immediately recognized that the second time is present.
In einem Ansteuerungsverfahren zum Ansteuern einer Aktoreinheit in einem Piezostapel zum Betätigen einer Injektorventilbaugruppe in einer Brennkraftmaschine wird die Aktoreinheit mit einem vorbestimmten Öffnungsspannungspuls zum Abheben einer Injektornadel der Injektorventilbaugruppe von einem Nadelsitz beaufschlagt. Vor der Beaufschlagung der Aktoreinheit mit dem Öffnungsspannungspuls werden die folgenden Schritte durchgeführt:
- Durchführen des oben beschriebenen Erfassungsverfahrens, um eine Spaltgröße eines Spaltes zwischen dem Piezostapel und der Injektorventilbaugruppe zu erfassen;
- Beaufschlagen der Aktoreinheit mit einem Prä-Spannungspuls zum Schließen des Spaltes zwischen dem Piezostapel und der Injektorventilbaugruppe.
- Performing the detection method described above to detect a gap size of a gap between the piezo stack and the injector valve assembly;
- Actuation of the actuator unit with a pre-voltage pulse for closing the gap between the piezo stack and the Injektorventilbaugruppe.
Dadurch, dass die Spaltgröße nun bekannt ist, ist es möglich, den Spalt durch Nachregelung der Aktoreinheit zu kompensieren, indem ein Prä-Spannungspuls auf die Aktoreinheit aufgebracht wird, sodass sich diese auslenkt und den Spalt überwindet.Because the gap size is now known, it is possible to compensate for the gap by readjusting the actuator unit by applying a pre-voltage pulse to the actuator unit so that it deflects and overcomes the gap.
Dazu ist es vorteilhaft, wenn ein weiteres Kennfeld hinterlegt wird, aus dem eine für das Schließen des Spaltes notwendige Größe des Prä-Spannungspulses ausgelesen werden kann.For this purpose, it is advantageous if a further characteristic field is deposited, from which a size of the pre-voltage pulse necessary for closing the gap can be read out.
Die Aktoreinheit kann daher basierend auf der hochgenauen Messung in dem Erfassungsverfahren mit dem genannten Prä-Spannungspuls betrieben werden, sodass zum jeweiligen Zeitpunkt, zu dem die Einspritzung starten soll, ein reproduzierbarer spaltfreier Zustand zwischen Piezostapel und Injektorventilbaugruppe erreicht ist. Die Einspritzansteuerung kann somit völlig unabhängig von einer Absolutlänge des Piezostapels, von Verschließerscheinungen usw. sein. Dadurch können negative Störgrößen wie die Absolutlängenveränderung des Piezostapels und Verschleißerscheinungen, insbesondere an dem Nadelsitz, eliminiert werden, und es ergibt sich ein reproduzierbares Öffnungs- und Schließverhalten der Injektornadel.The actuator unit can therefore be operated based on the highly accurate measurement in the detection method with said pre-voltage pulse, so that at the respective time at which the injection is to start, a reproducible gap-free state between the piezo stack and injector valve assembly is reached. The injection control can thus be completely independent of an absolute length of the piezo stack, of closure phenomena, etc. As a result, negative disturbance variables such as the absolute change in the length of the piezo stack and signs of wear, in particular at the needle seat, can be eliminated, resulting in a reproducible opening and closing behavior of the injector needle.
Gleichzeitig kann durch den benötigen Prä-Spannungspuls auch erfasst werden, wann der Spalt durch Beaufschlagung mit dem Prä-Spannungspuls nicht mehr kompensiert werden kann, sodass eine Wartung nötig ist. In diesem Fall kann ein Signal als Verschleißanzeiger nach außen abgegeben werden.At the same time, it can also be detected by the required pre-voltage pulse when the gap can no longer be compensated by being subjected to the pre-voltage pulse, so that a maintenance is necessary. In this case, a signal can be output as a wear indicator to the outside.
Vorzugsweise wird der Prä-Spannungspuls aus der mit dem Erfassungsverfahren ermittelten Spaltgröße bestimmt, wobei der Prä-Spannungspuls insbesondere bei jedem Betätigungszyklus der Injektorventilbaugruppe neu bestimmt wird. So kann auch die sich über die Lebensdauer verändernde Spaltgröße kontinuierlich über die Lebensdauer der Anordnung kompensiert werden.Preferably, the pre-voltage pulse is determined from the gap size determined by the detection method, wherein the pre-voltage pulse is redetermined, in particular during each actuation cycle of the injector valve assembly. As a result, the gap size which changes over the service life can also be continuously compensated over the life of the arrangement.
Vorzugsweise wird das Erfassungsverfahren in einem ersten Betätigungszyklus der Injektorventilbaugruppe durchgeführt, wobei das Beaufschlagen der Aktoreinheit mit dem Prä-Spannungspuls zu einem dem ersten Betätigungszyklus zeitlich nachgelagerten zweiten Betätigungszyklus der Injektorventilbaugruppe durchgeführt wird. Daher wird vorteilhaft mit dem Erfassungsverfahren zunächst erfasst, wie groß die Spaltgröße derzeit ist, sodass der nötige Prä-Spannungspuls ermittelt werden kann. Erst in dem nächsten Betätigungszyklus wird dieser Prä-Spannungspuls verwendet, um den Spalt zu kompensieren.Preferably, the detection method is carried out in a first actuation cycle of the injector valve assembly, wherein the actuation of the actuator unit with the pre-voltage pulse is performed at a second actuation cycle of the injector valve assembly that is temporally downstream of the first actuation cycle. Therefore, it is advantageously first detected with the detection method how large the gap size currently is, so that the necessary pre-voltage pulse can be determined. Only in the next cycle of operation, this pre-voltage pulse is used to compensate for the gap.
Dabei ist es vorteilhaft, wenn der Prä-Spannungspuls so früh an die Aktoreinheit gegeben wird, dass ein Spannungspuls zum Öffnen der Injektornadel ohne Zeitverzögerung wie vorgesehen an die Aktoreinheit ausgegeben werden kann. Beispielsweise kann der Prä-Spannungspuls auch bereits sofort nach Durchführung des Erfassungsverfahrens gegeben werden, auch wenn die eigentliche nachfolgende Einspritzung erst zeitlich deutlich später erfolgen soll.It is advantageous if the pre-voltage pulse is given to the actuator unit so early that a voltage pulse for opening the injector needle can be output as intended to the actuator unit without any time delay. For example, the pre-voltage pulse can also be given immediately after the detection process has been carried out, even if the actual subsequent injection should take place much later in time.
Es ist vorteilhaft, wenn der erste Betätigungszyklus und der zweite Betätigungszyklus zeitlich unmittelbar aufeinander folgen.It is advantageous if the first actuation cycle and the second actuation cycle follow one another directly in time.
Insgesamt umfasst ein Gesamt-Injektor einen Aktor, eine Ventilbaugruppe mit einem Ventilsitz und mit einem Ventilkolben, sowie eine Düse mit einem Düsensitz und einer Nadel.Overall, a total injector comprises an actuator, a valve assembly with a valve seat and a valve piston, and a nozzle with a nozzle seat and a needle.
Eine Injektoreinheit zum Einspritzen von Kraftstoff in eine Brennkammer einer Brennkraftmaschine weist eine Injektorventilbaugruppe mit einer Injektornadel auf, wobei die Injektornadel mit einem Nadelsitz ein Injektorventil bildet. Weiter weist die Injektoreinheit einen Piezostapel mit einer Aktoreinheit und einer Sensoreinheit auf, die kraftschlüssig miteinander gekoppelt sind. Die Sensoreinheit ist dabei zum Erfassen von an der Aktoreinheit wirkenden Kräftegradienten ausgebildet, und die Aktoreinheit ist zum Betätigen der Injektorventilbaugruppe ausgebildet. Zwischen dem Piezostapel und der Injektorventilbaugruppe ist ein Spalt mit einer unbekannten Spaltgröße ausgebildet. Weiter ist eine Steuereinheit vorgesehen, die zum Erfassen eines Spannungssignals der Sensoreinheit und zum Beaufschlagen der Aktoreinheit mit einem Spannungspuls ausgebildet ist. Die Steuereinheit ist dabei zum Ausführen des oben beschriebenen Erfassungsverfahrens bzw. zum Ausführen des oben beschriebenen Ansteuerverfahrens ausgebildet.An injector unit for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine has an injector valve assembly with an injector needle, wherein the injector needle forms an injector valve with a needle seat. Furthermore, the injector unit has a piezo stack with an actuator unit and a sensor unit, which are coupled to one another in a force-locking manner. The sensor unit is designed to detect force gradients acting on the actuator unit, and the actuator unit is designed to actuate the injector valve assembly. Between the piezo stack and the Injektorventilbaugruppe a gap with an unknown gap size is formed. Furthermore, a control unit is provided, which is designed to detect a voltage signal of the sensor unit and to act on the actuator unit with a voltage pulse. The control unit is designed to carry out the detection method described above or to carry out the drive method described above.
Dazu weist die Steuereinheit beispielsweise die beiden genannten Kennfelder auf, sowie Mittel, um Spannungsgradienten des Spannungssignals der Sensoreinheit zu erfassen. Weiter weist die Steuereinheit vorteilhaft Elemente auf, mit denen aus verschiedenen Parametern die Spaltgröße des Spaltes und die nötige Größe des Prä-Spannungspulses zum Schließen des Spaltes ermittelt werden können. Zusätzlich weist die Steuereinheit vorteilhaft eine Ausgabeeinrichtung auf, um Spannungspulse an die Aktoreinheit auszugeben, sodass diese sich in ihrer Länge entlang der Aktoreinheitlängsachse verändern kann.For this purpose, the control unit has, for example, the two named maps, as well as means for detecting voltage gradients of the voltage signal of the sensor unit. Furthermore, the control unit advantageously has elements with which the gap size of the gap and the required size of the pre-voltage pulse for closing the gap can be determined from various parameters. In addition, the control unit advantageously has an output device in order to output voltage pulses to the actuator unit so that they can vary in their length along the actuator unit longitudinal axis.
Vorteilhafte Ausgestaltungen der Erfindung werden nachfolgend anhand der beigefügten Zeichnungen näher erläutert. Darin zeigt:
- Fig. 1
- eine schematische Darstellung einer ersten Ausführungsform einer Injektoreinheit mit einem Piezostapel und einer Injektorventilbaugruppe, wobei die Injektoreinheit gemäß dem direkt betriebenen Funktionsprinzip funktioniert;
- Fig. 2
- eine schmematische Darstellung einer zweiten Ausführungsform einer Injektoreinheit mit einem Piezostapel und einer Injektorventilbaugruppe, wobei die Injektoreinheit gemäß dem Funktionsprinzip des Servobetriebes funktioniert;
- Fig. 3
- eine schematische Längsschnittdarstellung durch den Piezostapel aus
Fig. 1 und Fig. 2 in größerem Detail; - Fig. 4
- ein Flussdiagramm, das ein Erfassungsverfahren zum Erfassen einer Spaltgröße eines Spaltes zwischen dem Piezostapel und der Injektorventilbaugruppe in
Fig. 1 und Fig. 2 darstellt; - Fig. 5
- ein Flussdiagramm, das ein Ansteuerungsverfahren einer Aktoreinheit in dem Piezostapel aus den
Fig. 1 -Fig. 3 zum Überwinden des gemäßFig. 4 erfassten Spaltes darstellt, und - Fig. 6
- eine schematische Darstellung einer Steuereinheit, die zum Ausführungen des Erfassungsverfahrens gemäß
Fig. 4 bzw. des Ansteuerungsverfahrens gemäßFig. 5 ausgebildet ist.
- Fig. 1
- a schematic representation of a first embodiment of an injector with a piezo stack and an injector valve assembly, the injector operates according to the directly operated operating principle;
- Fig. 2
- a schematic representation of a second embodiment of an injector with a piezo stack and an injector valve assembly, the injector operates according to the operating principle of the servo operation;
- Fig. 3
- a schematic longitudinal section through the piezo stack
Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 in greater detail; - Fig. 4
- a flowchart illustrating a detection method for detecting a gap size of a gap between the piezo stack and the Injektorventilbaugruppe in
Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 represents; - Fig. 5
- a flowchart illustrating a driving method of an actuator in the piezo stack of the
Fig. 1 -Fig. 3 to overcome the according toFig. 4 recorded gap, and - Fig. 6
- a schematic representation of a control unit, the embodiments of the detection method according to
Fig. 4 or the driving method according toFig. 5 is trained.
Der Piezostapel 14 weist, wie später anhand von
Der Piezostapel 14 ist mit einer Steuereinheit 28 verbunden, die einerseits Spannungssignale von der Sensoreinheit 24 erfassen kann, andererseits aber auch Spannungspulse an die Aktoreinheit 22 ausgeben kann, sodass diese sich entlang der Aktoreinheitlängsachse 26 ausdehnt.The
Eine solche Ausdehnung entlang der Aktoreinheitlängsache 26 führt dazu, dass sich der Piezostapel 14, beispielsweise über einen daran befestigten Pin 30, auf die Injektorventilbaugruppe 12 zu bewegt. Dabei wird ein Spalt 32 überwunden, der im eingebauten Zustand der Injektorventilbaugruppe 12 bzw. des Piezostapels 14 immer vorhanden ist, und sich auch über die Lebensdauer der einzelnen Elemente in seiner Spaltgröße 34 verändert. Ist der Spalt 32 überwunden, und lenkt sich die Aktoreinheit 22 weiter entlang der Aktoreinheitlängsachse 26 aus, wird über eine Betriebseinheit 36 durch die von dem Piezostapel 14 auf die Betriebseinheit 36 wirkende Kraft die Injektornadel 16 aus dem Nadelsitz 18 gehoben. Wird die Spannungsbeaufschlagung der Aktoreinheit 22 beendet, zieht diese sich wieder entlang der Aktoreinheitlängsachse 26 zusammen, sodass der Kontakt zwischen Injektorventilbaugruppe 12 und Piezostapel 14 beendet wird, und die Injektornadel 16 wieder in den Nadelsitz 18 zurückkehren kann.Such an expansion along the
In
Der Piezostapel 14 weist die Aktoreinheit 22 und die Sensoreinheit 24 auf, die entlang der Aktoreinheitlängsachse 26 in dem in
Die Aktoreinheit 22 umfasst eine Mehrzahl an Elektrodenschichten und eine Mehrzahl an auf Anlegen eines elektrischen Feldes reagierenden Werkstoffschichten, die entlang der Aktoreinheitlängsachse 26 abwechselnd übereinander gestapelt angeordnet sind. Die Elektrodenschichten und die Werkstoffschichten sind in
Dadurch, dass die Steuereinheit 28 Spannungssignale der Sensoreinheit 24, vermittelt über die Spannungsmesseinrichtung 54, erfassen kann, können sämtliche Kräftegradienten, die innerhalb des Piezostapels 14 auftreten, von der Steuereinheit 28 erfasst werden.Because the
Dadurch ist es möglich, mit der Steuereinheit 28 auch ein Erfassungsverfahren durchzuführen, mit dem die Spaltgröße 34 des Spaltes 32 zwischen der Injektorventilbaugruppe 12 und dem Piezostapel 14 zuverlässig erfasst werden kann.This makes it possible to carry out with the
Ein Flussdiagramm zum Erfassen dieser Spaltgröße 34 ist dazu in
Zunächst wird dabei ein erster Zeitpunkt t1 erfasst, zu dem die Beaufschlagung der Aktoreinheit 22 mit einem Spannungspuls ausgehend von der Steuereinheit 24 erfolgt. Danach wird erfasst, wann zu einem zweiten Zeitpunkt t2 in einem Spannungssignal, das von der Sensoreinheit 24 zu der Steuereinheit 28 gemeldet wird, ein Spannungsgradient dU auftritt. Aus den beiden Zeitpunkten t1, t2 kann dann die Zeitdauer Δt erfasst werden, die bis zum Auftreten des Spannungsgradienten dU vergangen ist. Unter Heranziehung eines ersten Kennfeldes K1, das die Spaltgröße 34 in Abhängigkeit der Zeitdauer Δt setzt, kann dann die zum aktuellen Zeitpunkt vorliegende Spaltgröße 34 ermittelt werden. Gleichzeitig wird das Spannungssignal der Sensoreinheit 24 weiter von der Steuereinheit 28 erfasst, sodass ein dritter Zeitpunkt t3 ermittelt werden kann, zu dem ein weiterer Spannungsgradient dU auftritt, nämlich dann, wenn sich die Injektornadel 16 von dem Nadelsitz 18 abhebt. Um den zweiten Zeitpunkt t2 von dem dritten Zeitpunkt t3 unterscheiden zu können, wird das Vorzeichen des Spannungsgradienten herangezogen, der zum Zeitpunkt t2 positiv, und zum Zeitpunkt t3 negativ ist. Im weiteren Verlauf kann vor allem bei direkt angetriebenen Injektoreinheiten auch in einem vierten Zeitpunkt t4 ein weiterer Spannungsgradient dU erfasst, der ein positives Vorzeichen hat, was auf ein Schließen der Injektornadel 16 zurückzuführen ist. In
In einem nachfolgenden Schritt wird dann die Aktoreinheit 22 mit diesem Prä-Spannungspuls beaufschlagt. Nachfolgend wird dann die Aktoreinheit 22 mit einem Öffnungspuls beaufschlagt, um die Injektornadel 16 von dem Nadelsitz 18 abzuheben.In a subsequent step, the
Die Steuereinheit 28 ist ausgebildet, sowohl das in
In der Steuereinheit 28 ist weiter eine Ermittlungseinheit 64 vorgesehen, die die Spaltgröße 34 ermitteln kann. Dazu wird ihr aus der Zeitmesseinrichtung 58 die erfasste Zeitdauer Δt sowie das Kennfeld K1 und die Größe des Öffnungspulses zugeführt. Aus diesen Daten ist es möglich, die Spaltgröße 34 zu ermitteln, da das Kennfeld K1 die Spaltgröße 34 in Abhängigkeit setzt von der Zeitdauer Δt und der Größe des Öffnungspulses.In the
Weiter ist in der Steuereinheit 28 eine Bestimmungseinheit 66 vorgesehen, um die Größe des Prä-Spannungspulses zu bestimmen, und zwar anhand der ermittelten Spaltgröße 34 und des zweiten Kennfeldes K2, das den notwendigen Prä-Spannungspuls zum Schließen des Spaltes 32 in Abhängigkeit setzt zu der ermittelten Spaltgröße 34. Die Ausgabeeinrichtung 60 umfasst neben der Öffnungspulsausgabeeinrichtung 62 auch eine Prä-Spannungspulsausgabeeinrichtung 68, der der bestimmte Prä-Spannungspuls aus der Bestimmungseinheit 66 zugeführt wird. Die Prä-Spannungspulsausgabeeinrichtung 68 gibt dann ein Signal an die Aktoreinheit 22 aus, die dem bestimmten Prä-Spannungspuls entspricht, sodass die Aktoreinheit 22 sich derart entlang der Aktoreinheitlängsachse 26 ausdehnen kann, dass der Spalt 32 verschwindet.Further, in the
Claims (8)
- Detection method for detecting a gap size of a gap between an injector valve assembly (12) of an internal combustion engine and a piezo stack (14) for activating the injector valve assembly (12), having the steps of:- providing a piezo stack (14) having an actuator unit (22) and a sensor unit (24) that are coupled to one another with a force fit, wherein the sensor unit (24) is configured to detect force gradients acting on the actuator unit (22);- providing an injector valve assembly (12) that is activated during operation by means of the actuator unit (22), wherein the injector valve assembly (12) and the piezo stack (14) are arranged at a distance from one another across a gap (32) having an unknown gap size (34);- detecting a voltage signal of the sensor unit (24);- applying a defined voltage pulse to the actuator unit (22), so that the actuator unit (22) deflects along an actuator unit longitudinal axis (26) while decreasing the gap (32);- detecting a period (Δt) for which the voltage pulse is applied to the actuator unit starting from a first time (t1), at which the voltage pulse begins to be applied, up to a second time (t2), at which a voltage gradient (dU) occurs in the detected voltage signal of the sensor unit (24);- ascertaining the gap size (34) of the gap (32) from the detected period (Δt) and the defined voltage pulse; characterized in that- a second voltage gradient (dU) is detected in the voltage signal of the sensor unit (24) at a third time (t3), at which an injector needle (16) of the injector valve assembly (12) lifts off from a needle seat (18), wherein a negative voltage gradient (dU) is detected in the voltage signal of the sensor unit (24), and- a third voltage gradient (dU) is detected in the voltage signal of the sensor unit (24) at a fourth time (t4), at which the injector needle (16) comes into force-fitting contact with the needle seat (18), the fourth time (t4) and the second time (t2) enclosing the third time (t3), wherein a positive voltage gradient (dU) is detected in the voltage signal of the sensor unit (24) at the fourth time (t4).
- Detection method according to Claim 1,
characterized in that the gap size (34) of the gap (32) between the piezo stack (14) and the injector valve assembly (12) is detected for every activation cycle of the injector valve assembly (12). - Detection method according to either of Claims 1 and 2,
characterized in that a positive voltage gradient (dU) is detected in the voltage signal of the sensor unit (24) at the second time (t2) . - Actuation method for actuating an actuator unit (22) in a piezo stack (14) for activating an injector valve assembly (12) in an internal combustion engine, wherein the actuator unit (22) has a predetermined opening voltage pulse applied to it to lift off an injector needle (16) of the injector valve assembly (12) from a needle seat (18), wherein the application of the opening voltage pulse to the actuator unit (22) is preceded by the following steps being performed:- performing the detection method according to one of Claims 1 to 3 to detect a gap size (34) of a gap (32) between the piezo stack (14) and the injector valve assembly (12);- applying a preliminary voltage pulse to the actuator unit (22) to close the gap (32) between the actuator unit (22) and the injector valve assembly (12).
- Actuation method according to Claim 4,
characterized in that the preliminary voltage pulse is determined from the gap size (34) ascertained using the detection method, wherein the preliminary voltage pulse is particularly determined afresh for each activation cycle of the injector valve assembly (12). - Actuation method according to either of Claims 4 and 5,
characterized in that the detection method is performed in a first activation cycle of the injector valve assembly (12), and in that the application of the preliminary voltage pulse to the actuator unit (22) is performed for a second activation cycle of the injector valve assembly (12) that occurs at a time after the first activation cycle. - Actuation method according to Claim 6,
characterized in that the first activation cycle and the second activation cycle succeed one another directly in time. - Injector unit (10) for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, having:- an injector valve assembly (12) having an injector needle (16), wherein the injector needle (16) and a needle seat (18) form an injector valve (20);- a piezo stack (14) having an actuator unit (22) and a sensor unit (24) that are coupled to one another with a force fit, wherein the sensor unit (24) is configured to detect force gradients acting on the actuator unit (22), and wherein the actuator unit (22) is configured to activate the injector valve assembly (12);
wherein the piezo stack (14) and the injector valve assembly (12) have a gap (32) having an unknown gap size (34) formed between them;- a control unit (28) that is configured to detect a voltage signal of the sensor unit (24) and to apply a voltage pulse to the actuator unit (22),
wherein the control unit (28) is configured to carry out the detection method according to one of Claims 1 to 3 and/or to carry out the actuation method according to one of Claims 4 to 7.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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DE102015217193.0A DE102015217193A1 (en) | 2015-09-09 | 2015-09-09 | Detection method for detecting a gap size of a gap between an injector valve assembly and a piezo stack and driving method for driving an actuator in a piezo stack. |
PCT/EP2016/066021 WO2017041923A1 (en) | 2015-09-09 | 2016-07-06 | Detection method for detecting a gap size of a gap between an injector valve assembly and piezo stack, and actuation method for actuating an actuator unit in a piezo stack |
Publications (3)
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EP3347584A1 EP3347584A1 (en) | 2018-07-18 |
EP3347584B1 true EP3347584B1 (en) | 2019-09-11 |
EP3347584B8 EP3347584B8 (en) | 2019-12-18 |
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EP16741260.0A Active EP3347584B8 (en) | 2015-09-09 | 2016-07-06 | Detection method for detecting a gap size of a gap between an injector valve assembly and piezo stack, and actuation method for actuating an actuator unit in a piezo stack |
Country Status (6)
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EP (1) | EP3347584B8 (en) |
JP (1) | JP6667619B2 (en) |
KR (1) | KR102027076B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN107923334B (en) |
DE (1) | DE102015217193A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2017041923A1 (en) |
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DE102017209235B3 (en) * | 2017-05-31 | 2018-05-30 | Continental Automotive Gmbh | Method for operating a common rail injection system and common rail injection system |
Family Cites Families (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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DE19901711A1 (en) * | 1999-01-18 | 2000-07-20 | Bosch Gmbh Robert | Fuel injector and method for operating a fuel injector |
DE10319530B4 (en) * | 2003-04-30 | 2007-01-25 | Siemens Ag | Method and device for monitoring an electromechanical actuator |
JP2006226137A (en) * | 2005-02-15 | 2006-08-31 | Denso Corp | Fuel injection device |
DE102005046933B4 (en) * | 2005-09-30 | 2015-10-15 | Continental Automotive Gmbh | Method for controlling a piezo-actuated injection valve |
DE102008020931A1 (en) * | 2008-04-25 | 2009-11-19 | Continental Automotive Gmbh | Method for controlling a piezoelectric actuator in a fuel injector |
JP4715864B2 (en) * | 2008-05-07 | 2011-07-06 | 株式会社デンソー | Inspection method and inspection apparatus for piezoelectric actuator. |
DE102008023373B4 (en) * | 2008-05-13 | 2010-04-08 | Continental Automotive Gmbh | Method of controlling an injector, fuel injection system and internal combustion engine |
US8863727B2 (en) * | 2010-05-20 | 2014-10-21 | Cummins Intellectual Property, Inc. | Piezoelectric fuel injector system, method for estimating timing characteristics of a fuel injection event |
DE102011003751B4 (en) * | 2011-02-08 | 2021-06-10 | Vitesco Technologies GmbH | Injector |
DE102011004613A1 (en) * | 2011-02-23 | 2012-08-23 | Continental Automotive Gmbh | Method for monitoring the state of a piezo injector of a fuel injection system |
DE102011005285B4 (en) * | 2011-03-09 | 2015-08-20 | Continental Automotive Gmbh | Method for determining the idle stroke of a piezo injector with directly actuated nozzle needle |
DE102013206933A1 (en) | 2013-04-17 | 2014-10-23 | Continental Automotive Gmbh | Modular actuator unit for an injection valve |
-
2015
- 2015-09-09 DE DE102015217193.0A patent/DE102015217193A1/en active Pending
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2016
- 2016-07-06 KR KR1020187006809A patent/KR102027076B1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2016-07-06 JP JP2018512562A patent/JP6667619B2/en active Active
- 2016-07-06 WO PCT/EP2016/066021 patent/WO2017041923A1/en unknown
- 2016-07-06 EP EP16741260.0A patent/EP3347584B8/en active Active
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KR20180037049A (en) | 2018-04-10 |
CN107923334B (en) | 2021-01-22 |
JP2018527512A (en) | 2018-09-20 |
JP6667619B2 (en) | 2020-03-18 |
DE102015217193A1 (en) | 2017-03-09 |
WO2017041923A1 (en) | 2017-03-16 |
KR102027076B1 (en) | 2019-09-30 |
EP3347584A1 (en) | 2018-07-18 |
EP3347584B8 (en) | 2019-12-18 |
CN107923334A (en) | 2018-04-17 |
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