GB2463024A - A method for controlling an actuator using MOSFETs - Google Patents

A method for controlling an actuator using MOSFETs Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2463024A
GB2463024A GB0815616A GB0815616A GB2463024A GB 2463024 A GB2463024 A GB 2463024A GB 0815616 A GB0815616 A GB 0815616A GB 0815616 A GB0815616 A GB 0815616A GB 2463024 A GB2463024 A GB 2463024A
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Prior art keywords
mosfet
current
voltage
pin
actual
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GB0815616A
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GB2463024B (en
GB0815616D0 (en
Inventor
Paolo Casasso
Massimo Lucano
Filippo Parisi
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GM Global Technology Operations LLC
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GM Global Technology Operations LLC
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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
    • 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
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05F—SYSTEMS FOR REGULATING ELECTRIC OR MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G05F3/00—Non-retroactive systems for regulating electric variables by using an uncontrolled element, or an uncontrolled combination of elements, such element or such combination having self-regulating properties
    • G05F3/02—Regulating voltage or current
    • G05F3/08—Regulating voltage or current wherein the variable is dc
    • G05F3/10—Regulating voltage or current wherein the variable is dc using uncontrolled devices with non-linear characteristics
    • G05F3/16—Regulating voltage or current wherein the variable is dc using uncontrolled devices with non-linear characteristics being semiconductor devices
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05F—SYSTEMS FOR REGULATING ELECTRIC OR MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G05F3/00—Non-retroactive systems for regulating electric variables by using an uncontrolled element, or an uncontrolled combination of elements, such element or such combination having self-regulating properties
    • G05F3/02—Regulating voltage or current
    • G05F3/08—Regulating voltage or current wherein the variable is dc
    • G05F3/10—Regulating voltage or current wherein the variable is dc using uncontrolled devices with non-linear characteristics
    • G05F3/16—Regulating voltage or current wherein the variable is dc using uncontrolled devices with non-linear characteristics being semiconductor devices
    • G05F3/20—Regulating voltage or current wherein the variable is dc using uncontrolled devices with non-linear characteristics being semiconductor devices using diode- transistor combinations
    • G05F3/24—Regulating voltage or current wherein the variable is dc using uncontrolled devices with non-linear characteristics being semiconductor devices using diode- transistor combinations wherein the transistors are of the field-effect type only
    • 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
    • F02D2041/2017—Output circuits, e.g. for controlling currents in command coils using means for creating a boost current or using reference switching
    • 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
    • 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
    • F02D2041/2058—Output circuits, e.g. for controlling currents in command coils characterised by the control of the circuit using information of the actual current value
    • 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
    • F02D2041/2068—Output circuits, e.g. for controlling currents in command coils characterised by the circuit design or special circuit elements
    • F02D2041/2072—Bridge circuits, i.e. the load being placed in the diagonal of a bridge to be controlled in both directions
    • 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
    • F02D2041/2068—Output circuits, e.g. for controlling currents in command coils characterised by the circuit design or special circuit elements
    • F02D2041/2075—Type of transistors or particular use thereof
    • 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
    • F02D2041/2086—Output circuits, e.g. for controlling currents in command coils with means for detecting circuit failures
    • F02D2041/2093—Output circuits, e.g. for controlling currents in command coils with means for detecting circuit failures detecting short circuits
    • 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
    • F02D41/2438—Active learning methods
    • 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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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Nonlinear Science (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • Electrical Control Of Air Or Fuel Supplied To Internal-Combustion Engine (AREA)

Abstract

A method for controlling an actuator (L), particularly for an injector, in an internal combustion engine, the actuator (L) comprising an excitation circuit connected between a first pin (HS) and a second pin (LS), the method comprising the steps of:- applying a predetermined voltage (Vcc) across the excitation circuit, through a supply voltage source (2);acquiring signals representative of the actual voltage (VL) present across the excitation circuit of the actuator (L) and the actual current (IL) flowing into the circuit;- setting a current setpoint and a voltage setpoint based on said actual voltage (VL) and actual current (IL); andforcing the actual voltage (VL) to be equal to the voltage setpoint and the actual current (IL) to be equal to the current setpoint. The method is characterized in that it further comprises the steps of:- providing a control circuit arrangement for the actuator (L) having a first MOSFET (M1) connected between the supply voltage source (2) and the said first pin (HS) of the excitation cicuit, an inductance (6) connected between the first MOSFET (M1) and the said first pin (HS), a second MOSFET (M2) connected between the second pin (LS) of the excitation circuit and a voltage reference, a third MOSFET (M3) connected between the said second pin (LS) and the supply voltage source (2) and a fourth MOSFET (M4) connected between the said first pin (HS) and the second pin (LS);and forcing said actual voltage (VL) and actual current (IL) by controlling the switching of the four MOSFETs (M1-M4) according to at least one of a predetermined set of operating modes.

Description

A method for controlling the actuators of an injection system in an internal combustion engine The present invention relates to the control of the actuators of injectors in internal combustion engines.
More specifically, the invention relates to a method for controlling actuators according to the preamble of claim 1.
The invention further relates to a control circuit arrangement according to the preamble of claim 8.
In conventional engines there are two different kind of electrical actuators used to operate the injectors of the cylinders, electromagnetic actuators or piezoelectric actuators. These actuators are controlled by an electronic control unit (ECU) which comprises different electronic control modules, each module being capable of controlling only a kind of actuator. Said modules are designed to operate respectively inductive or capacitive loads and each module comprises dedicated hardware components and control software.
It is therefore not possible to use the same control module to operate both an electromagnetic actuator and a piezoelectric actuator.
In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method and circuit for controlling both electromagnetic and piezoelectric actuators using a single common electronic control module.
This and other objects are achieved according to the present invention by a method, the main features of which are defined in annexed claim 1, and by a circuit arrangement as claimed in claim 8.
Particular embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims, whose content is to be understood as integral or
integrating part of the present description.
Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, provided merely by way of a non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: figure 1 is a block diagram of a circuit arrangement according to the invention; figure 2 is a diagrammatic representation of an actuator L; figure 3 is a flow chart of a "load learning procedure" of the method according to the invention; figure 4 is flow chart of a "fast voltage discharge" procedure of the method according to the invention; figure 5 is a flow chart of a "current/time based control" procedure of the method according to the invention; figure 6 is a flow chart of an alternative "time based control", and figure 7 is a flow chart of an alternative "current based control".
The invention is applicable in both Diesel and gasoline engines with any number of cylinders and can be used for driving solenoid injectors and piezoelectric injectors.
Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a circuit arrangement according to the invention. HS and LS indicate two pins to which a load L is connected (see figure 2). Said load L is an actuator (of the electromagnetic or piezoelectric type) having an excitation circuit. An actual current IL flows into the load L when an actual voltage VL is applied across the load L. The actual voltage VL is the differential voltage between voltage at pin HS and at pin LS. The circuit arrangement of figure 1 is arranged to drive unidirectional current into the load L and to control bi-directional current flowing through said load L and due to the operation of the load L. An energy source 1, for example a battery, is arranged to provide energy to an high voltage supply block 2, which is adapted to provide a predetermined supply voltage Vcc to the circuit, for example comprised in a range from 30V to 250V, on a supply voltage line.
A first mosfet Mi is connected between the high voltage supply block 2 and the cathode of a first diode 4; said first diode 4 is connected to a voltage reference, particularly a ground conductor. Alternatively, the first diode 4 may not be present.
Independently of the number of cylinders, the high voltage supply block 2 is preferably common to all the injectors.
An inductance 6 is connected between a node A, common to the first mosfet Ml and the first diode 4, and pin HS. A second mosfet M2 is connected between pin LS and the voltage reference, while a third mosfet M3 is connected between pin LS and the high voltage supply line. A fourth mosfet M4 is connected in parallel between the pin HS and the pin LS. A resistor R and a second diode 7 are connected in series to the fourth mosfet M4.
Alternatively, the four mosfets Ml, M2, M3 and M4 are changed with four IGBT; in this case, the resistor R and the second diode 7 are not present.
A microprocessor 8 of an ECU of the engine is arranged to send control signals to the high voltage supply block 2 and to the gate terminals of the four mosfets Ml, M2, M3 and M4 so as to set a supply voltage setpoint and to turn on or turn off the four rnosfets Ml, M2, M3 and M4 as here below disclosed. The microprocessor 8 is also arranged to receive a signal representative of the supply voltage Vcc so as to verify if the supply voltage Vcc is equal to the voltage setpoint, and to control the high voltage supply block 2 accordingly.
The microprocessor 8 is also arranged to recognize the load L, that is to identify if the load L is an electromagnetic load or a piezoelectric load. This is done thanks to a "load learning procedure" here below disclosed.
Furthermore, the microprocessor 8 is arranged to receive signals representative of the actual current IL and the actual voltage VL and to set a current setpoint and a voltage setpoint based on said monitored values.
The circuit arrangement shown in figure 1 is adapted to prevent short circuits between pins HS or LS and the energy source 1 or the voltage reference from damaging the ECU (external fault protection) If pin I-IS or pin LS are directly connected to the voltage reference or to the energy source 1, the four mosfet Ml, M2, M3 and M4 are turned off by the microprocessor 8.
In case of electromagnetic loads, if the actual current IL is different from the current setpoint, the microprocessor 8 performs a "current based control" here below disclosed and turns on or off the four mosfets Ml, M2, M3 and M4 so as to force the actual current IL to be equal to the current setpoint. When the current setpoint is lower than the actual current IL of a predetermined quantity Q, for example 7A, the microprocessor performs a "fast current discharge" procedure herein below disclosed, in order to reach as fast as possible the current setpoint.
The microprocessor 8 is also arranged to perform a "time based control" in which it sets a predetermined current gradient, positive or negative, and a predetermined period T. The microprocessor 8 turns on or off the four mosfets Ml, M2, M3 and M4 as herein below disclosed so as to have a current increase or decrease, according to said gradient, for all the period T. Alternatively, it is possible to mix the above described control ("current/time based control") In case of piezoelectric loads, if the actual voltage VL is different from the voltage setpoint, the microprocessor 8 performs a "voltage based control" here below disclosed and turns on or off the four mosfets Ml, M2, M3 and M4 so as to force the actual voltage VL to be equal to the voltage setpoint. When the voltage setpoint is lower than the actual voltage VL of a predetermined quantity R, for example 30V, the microprocessor performs a "fast voltage discharge" procedure herein below disclosed, in order to reach as fast as possible the voltage setpoint.
The first mosfet Ml is used for the "fast current discharge": when the current setpoint is lower (but positive) than the actual current IL, Ml is turned off in order to achieve quickly the current setpoint. In case the "fast current discharge" is not required, the mosfet Ml can be common for all the injectors.
The second mosfet M2 is used to control the current when the current setpoint is higher than zero. Particularly, the mosfet M2 is turned on if the current must be increased and it is turned off if the current must be decreased.
The third mosfet M3 is used to control the current when the current setpoint is lower than zero. Particularly, the mosfet M3 is turned on if the current must be decreased and it is turned off if the current must be increased.
The fourth mosfet M4, the resistor R and the second diode 7 are used for the "fast voltage discharge": when it is necessary to discharge quickly the voltage across a piezoelectric load L, the mosfet M4 is turned on until the actual voltage VL reaches the voltage setpoint. If the voltage setpoint is equal to zero volt, the microprocessor 8 turns off the mosfet M4 only if both the actual voltage VL and the actual current IL are equal to zero.
The first diode 4 is used for the "fast current discharge": it allows to speed the decrease of current. If the first diode 4 is not present, this "fast current discharge" configuration is not realized.
The inductance 6 is used for limiting current gradients in a known manner.
Figure 3 shows a flow chart of the steps of the "load learning procedure". At step 50 the procedure is initiated by the microprocessor 8 and at step 52 an high voltage setpoint is selected, for example 50V, so that the high voltage block 2 provides the supply voltage Vcc having a value equal to said voltage setpoint.
At step 54, the first rnosfet Ml and the second mosfet M2 are turned on by the microprocessor 8, the third mosfet M3 and the fourth mosfet M4 are turned off. At step 56 the microprocessor 8 waits for a predetermined time to elapse, for example lOps. At step 57, the second mosfet M2 is turned off while the other three mosfets Ml, M3 and M4 remain in the previous condition. Then, at step 58 it is verified if the actual current IL is greater than zero: in the affirmative, the procedure repeats the step 58, otherwise, at step 60 it is verified if the actual voltage VL is greater than zero.
If the actual voltage VL is greater than zero, the load L is identified as a piezoelectric one (step 62), then a "fast voltage discharge" procedure is performed at step 64 and finally, at step 66, the current setpoint and the supply voltage setpoint are set.
If the actual voltage VL is lower than zero, the load L is identified as an electromagnetic one (step 68) and then step 66 is performed.
Figure 4 shows a flow chart of the steps of the "fast voltage discharge" procedure. At step 80 the procedure is initiated by the microprocessor 8 and at step 82 it is verified if the actual voltage VL is greater than zero.
If the actual voltage VL is lower than zero, at step 84 the four mosfet Ml, M2, M3 and M4 are turned off, and then, at step 85, the procedure is stopped.
If the actual voltage VL is greater than zero, at step 86 the first three mosfet Ml, M2 and M3 are turned off, the fourth rnosfet M4 is turned on.
After that, at step 88 it is verified if the actual voltage VL is equal to zero: if not, the procedure repeats the step 88, otherwise, at step 90 it is verified if the actual current IL is equal to zero. If not, the procedure repeats the step 90, otherwise, at step 92 the procedure is stopped.
Figure 5 shows a flow chart of the steps of the "current/time based control". At step 100 the procedure is initiated by the microprocessor 8 and at step 102 a first parameter seti and a second parameter T1 are determined by the microprocessor. The first parameter seti indicates if the current must be increased or decreased; the second parameter T1 represents the duration of the current decrease if the current setpoint is lower than the actual current IL.
At step 104 it is verified if the actual current IL is greater than zero; if so, at step 106 it is verified if the actual current IL is greater than the first parameter setl if so, at step 108 the first mosfet r41 is turned on, and the other three mosfets M2, M3 and M4 are turned off. After that, at step 110 a counter C is activated and at step 112 it is verified if the value reached by the counter C is greater or equal to the second parameter T1. If not, step 112 is repeated until the condition is verified, and then the procedure returns to step 102.
At step 106, if the actual current IL is lower than the first parameter seti, the procedure goes on to step 114 in which the first and second mosfet Ml and M2 are turned on, the third and fourth mosfet M3 and M4 are turned off. After that, at step 116 it is verified if the actual current IL is greater or equal to the first parameter seti. If no, step 116 is repeated until the condition is verified, and then the procedure returns to step 102.
At step 104, if the actual current IL is lower than zero, the procedure goes on to step 118 in which it is verified if the actual current IL is lower than the first parameter seti. If so, at step 120 the first mosfet Ml and the third mosfet M3 are turned on, the second mosfet M2 and the fourth mosfet M4 are turned off. Then, the procedure proceeds to step 116.
At step 118, if the actual current IL is greater than the first parameter seth the procedure goes on to step 122 in which the first mosfet Ml is turned on, the other three mosfet M2, M3 and M4 are turned off. After that, the procedure goes on to step 110.
Figure 6 shows a flow chart of the steps of the "time based control". At step 130 the procedure is initiated by the microprocessor 8 and at step 132 a third parameter dir and a fourth parameter T2 are determined by the microprocessor. The third parameter dir indicates if the current must be increased or decreased; the fourth parameter T2 represents the duration of the current decrease or increase.
At step 134 it is verified if the actual current IL is greater than zero; if so, at step 136 it is verified if the third parameter dir is greater than zero; if so, at step 138 the first mosfet Ml and the second mosfet M2 are turned on, while the third rnosfet M3 and the fourth rnosfet M4 are turned off. After that, at step 140 a counter C' is activated and at step 142 it is verified if the value of counter C' is greater or equal to the fourth parameter T2. If not, step 142 is repeated until the condition is verified, and then the procedure returns to step 132.
At step 136, if the third parameter dir is lower than zero, the procedure advances to step 144 in which the first mosfet Ml is turned on, while the other three mosfet M2, M3 and M4 are turned off. After that, the procedure advances to step 140.
At step 134, if the actual current IL is lower than zero, the procedure goes on to step 146 in which it is verified if the third parameter dir is lower than zero. If so, at step 148 the first mosfet Ml and the third rnosfet M3 are turned on, the second mosfet M2 and the fourth mosfet M4 are turned off.
Then, the procedure goes on to step 140.
At step 146, if the third parameter dir is greater than zero, the procedure goes on to step 150 in which the first mosfet Ml is turned on, while the other three mosfet M2, M3 and M4 are turned off. After that, the procedure goes on to step 140.
In order to reduce the power dissipation, every time the second mosfet M2 is turned off, the third mosfet M3 can be switched on so that the current recirculates via the third mosfet M3 and not via the body diode which is present inside it. This must be avoided when the second mosfet M2 is turned off for protecting the circuit from external faults.
Figure 7 shows a flow chart of the steps of the "current based control". At step 160 the procedure is initiated by the microprocessor 8 and at step 162 a fifth parameter set2 1S determined by the microprocessor 8. The fifth parameter set2 is the current setpoint.
At step 164 it is verified if the actual current IL is greater than zero; in the affirmative, at step 166 it is verified if the actual current IL is lower than the fifth parameter Iset2e if so, at step 168 the first mosfet Ml and the second mosfet M2 are turned on, while the third mosfet M3 and the fourth mosfet M4 are turned off. After that, at step it is verified if the actual current is greater or equal to the fifth parameter set2, if not, step 170 is repeated until the condition is verified, and then the procedure returns to step 162.
At step 166, if the actual current IL is greater than the fifth parameter set2, the procedure advances to step 172 in which it is verified if the difference between the actual current IL and the fifth parameter set2 is greater than a predetermined current threshold the for example comprised in the range from 7A to 9A.
If said difference is greater than the current threshold thi at step 174 the four rnosfet Ml, M2, M3 and M4 are turned off ("fast current discharge") . After that, at step 176 it is verified if the actual current IL is lower or equal to the fifth parameter Iset2 if not, step 176 is repeated until the condition is verified, and then the procedure returns to step 162.
At step 172, if the difference is lower than the current threshold th, at step 178 the first mosfet Ml is turned on, while the other three mosfet M2, M3 and M4 are turned off.
Then, the procedure goes to step 176.
At step 164, if the actual current IL is lower than zero, the procedure advances to step 179 in which it is verified if the actual current IL is lower than the fifth parameter Iset2; if so, at step 180 the first mosfet Ml and the third mosfet M3 are turned on, the second mosfet M2 and the fourth mosfet M4 are turned off. After that, at step 182 it is verified if the actual current IL is greater or equal to the fifth parameter Iset2 if not, step 182 is repeated until the condition is verified, and then the procedure returns to step 162.
At step 179, if the actual current IL is greater than the fifth parameter set2, the procedure goes on to step 184 in which the first mosfet Ml is turned on, while the other three mosfet M2, M3 and M4 are turned off. After that, at step 186 it is verified if the actual current IL is lower or equal to the fifth parameter iset2 if riot, step 186 is repeated until the condition is verified, and then the procedure returns to step 162.
Clearly, the principle of the invention remaining the same, the embodiments and the details of production can be varied considerably from what has been described and illustrated purely by way of non-limiting example, without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention as defined by the attached claims.

Claims (8)

  1. CLA I MS1. A method for controlling an actuator (L), particularly for an injector, in an internal combustion engine, said actuator (L) comprising an excitation circuit connected between a first pin (HS) and a second pin (LS), the method comprising the steps of: -applying a predetermined voltage (Vcc) across the excitation circuit, through a supply voltage source (2); -acquiring signals representative of the actual voltage (VL) present across the excitation circuit of the actuator (L) and the actual current (IL) flowing into said circuit; -setting a current setpoint and a voltage setpoint based on said actual voltage (VL) and actual current (IL); and -forcing the actual voltage (VL) to be equal to the voltage setpoint and the actual current (IL) to be equal to the current setpoint; the method being characterized in that it further comprises the steps of: -providing a control circuit arrangement for the actuator (L) having a first mosfet (Ml) connected between the supply voltage source (2) and the said first pin (HS) of the excitation circuit, an inductance (6) connected between the first mosfet (Ml) and the said first pin (HS), a second mosfet (M2) connected between the second pin (LS) of the excitation circuit and a voltage reference, a third mosfet (M3) connected between the said second pin (LS) and the supply voltage source (2) and a fourth mosfet (M4) connected between the said first pin (FiS) and the second pin (LS); and -forcing said actual voltage (VL) and actual current (IL) by controlling the switching of the four mosfets (Ml-M4) according to at least one of a predetermined set of operating modes.
  2. 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising a learning procedure for recognizing if the actuator (L) is of an electromagnetic or piezoelectric type based on the actual voltage (VL) and actual current (IL) and at least one further control step of said actuator (L) based on the results of the learning procedure.
  3. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the learning procedure comprises the steps of: -turning on the first mosfet (Ml) and the second mosfet (M2) -turning off the third mosfet (M3) and the fourth mosfet (M4); -waiting for a predetermined time to elapse; -turning off the second mosfet (M2); -verifying if the actual current (IL) and the actual voltage (VL) is greater than zero; -identifying if the actuator (L) is an electromagnetic or a piezoelectric one according to the result of said verification.
  4. 4. The method according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a fast voltage discharge step, including: -verifying if the actual voltage (VL) is greater than zero; -turning off the first mosfet (Ml), the second mosfet (M2) and the third mosfet (M3); -turning on or off the four mosfet (M4) according to the results of said verification.
  5. 5. The method according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a current-time first operation mode of the actuator (L) including: a) determining a first parameter (Iseti) representative of a current threshold and a second parameter (T1) representative of a time duration; b) comparing the actual current (IL) with said first current threshold (Iseti) ; c) turning on and off said mosfets (M1-M4) in a predetermined manner according to the result of said comparison; d) activating a counter (C); e) verifying if said counter (C) is greater or equal to said second parameter (Ti); f) repeating step a) according to the results of said verification.
  6. 6. The method according to any of the claims 1 to 4, comprising a time second operation mode of the actuator (L) including: a) determining a first parameter (dir) which indicates if the current must be increased or decreased and a second parameter (T2) representative of a time duration; b) verifying if the actual current (IL) is greater than zero; C) verifying if the first parameter (dir) is greater or lower than zero, according to the result of the verification of step b); d) turning on and off said mosfets (M1-M4) in a predetermined manner according to the result of the verifications of steps b) and c); e) activating a counter (C'); f) verifying if said counter (C') is greater or equal to said second parameter (T2); g) repeating step a) according to the results of said verification.
  7. 7. The method according to any of the claims 1 to 4, comprising a current third operation mode of the actuator (L) including: -determining a first parameter (Ith) representative of a current threshold; -comparing the actual current (IL) with the current setpoint and with said first parameter (Ih); -c) turning on and off said mosfets (Ml-M4) in a predetermined manner according to the result of said comparison.
  8. 8. A control circuit arrangement for an actuator (L) in an internal combustion engine, said actuator (L) comprising an excitation circuit connected between a first pin (FIS) and a second pin (LS), the circuit arrangement comprising a supply voltage source (2) for applying a predetermined voltage (Vcc) to said circuit; the circuit being characterized in that it further comprises: -a first mosfet (Ml) connected between the supply voltage source (2) and the first pin (HS) -an inductance (6) connected between the first mosfet (Ml) and the first pin (HS); -a second mosfet (M2) connected between the second pin (LS) and a voltage reference; -a third mosfet (M3) connected between the second pin (LS) and the supply voltage source (2); -a fourth mosfet (M4) connected between the first pin (HS) and the second pin (LS); -a microprocessor (8) arranged to acquire signals representative of the actual voltage (VL) present across the excitation circuit of the actuator (L) and the actual current (IL) flowing into said circuit and arranged to set a current setpoint and a voltage setpoint based on said actual voltage (VL) and actual current (IL), said microprocessor (8) being further arranged to force the actual voltage (VL) to be equal to the voltage setpoint and the actual current (IL) to be equal to the current setpoint by controlling the switching of the four mosfets (Ml-M4) according to at least one of a predetermined set of operating modes.
GB0815616A 2008-08-28 2008-08-28 A method for controlling the actuators of an injection system in an internal combustion engine Expired - Fee Related GB2463024B (en)

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WO2018015241A1 (en) * 2016-07-22 2018-01-25 Continental Automotive Gmbh Method and device for controlling a piezo actuator of an injection valve of a motor vehicle
EP3661838A4 (en) * 2017-08-01 2021-03-31 Cummins Inc. Control logic circuit for connecting multiple high side loads in engine control module

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US5341032A (en) * 1990-12-21 1994-08-23 S.G.S.-Thomson Microelectronics S.R.L. Inductive load drive circuit, particularly for fuel injections
EP1825123B1 (en) * 2004-12-06 2008-06-04 Robert Bosch Gmbh Electrical circuit for controlling a piezoelectric element, particularly of a fuel injection system of a motor vehicle

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US5341032A (en) * 1990-12-21 1994-08-23 S.G.S.-Thomson Microelectronics S.R.L. Inductive load drive circuit, particularly for fuel injections
EP1825123B1 (en) * 2004-12-06 2008-06-04 Robert Bosch Gmbh Electrical circuit for controlling a piezoelectric element, particularly of a fuel injection system of a motor vehicle

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2018015241A1 (en) * 2016-07-22 2018-01-25 Continental Automotive Gmbh Method and device for controlling a piezo actuator of an injection valve of a motor vehicle
KR20190026932A (en) * 2016-07-22 2019-03-13 콘티넨탈 오토모티브 게엠베하 Method and device for controlling a piezoelectric actuator of an injection valve of an automobile
CN109477440A (en) * 2016-07-22 2019-03-15 大陆汽车有限公司 Method and apparatus for actuating the piezoelectric actuator of the injection valve of motor vehicles
KR102144238B1 (en) 2016-07-22 2020-08-12 콘티넨탈 오토모티브 게엠베하 Method and device for controlling piezoelectric actuators of injection valves in automobiles
US11352972B2 (en) 2016-07-22 2022-06-07 Vitesco Technologies GmbH Actuator for a piezo actuator of an injection valve
EP3661838A4 (en) * 2017-08-01 2021-03-31 Cummins Inc. Control logic circuit for connecting multiple high side loads in engine control module
US11168638B2 (en) 2017-08-01 2021-11-09 Cummins Inc. Control logic circuit for connecting multiple high side loads in engine control module
US11668260B2 (en) 2017-08-01 2023-06-06 Cummins Inc. Control logic circuit for connecting multiple high side loads in engine control module

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