Active vehicle engine fuel pulsation attenuator and control method thereof

Abstract

The present invention discloses an active fuel pulsation attenuator for a vehicle engine, which relates to the field of fuel pulsation attenuators for a vehicle engine, and includes an elastic diaphragm and a chamber formed by an upper shell and a lower shell, wherein an air spring for pulling the elastic diaphragm toward the lower chamber is arranged in the upper chamber of the chamber, and a temperature regulating component for adjusting the stiffness of the air spring is also arranged at one end of the air spring. Based on the characteristics of semiconductor materials that can quickly cool and heat, the present invention combines the cooling and heating effects of semiconductor materials and applies them to the fuel pulsation attenuator for a vehicle engine, and can quickly and accurately control the semiconductor cooling sheet to adjust the air spring through the precise acquisition of the fuel pressure sensor, thereby realizing the active fuel pulsation regulation function.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of vehicle engine fuel pulsation attenuators, in particular to an active vehicle engine fuel pulsation attenuator and a control method thereof. Background Art

[0002] In the fluid pipeline system, there are problems such as liquid pressure pulsation and pipe wall structure vibration, which may cause equipment vibration and noise, and in severe cases may cause damage to the pipeline system or machine. Among them, the most significant measure to control pipeline vibration is to reduce the pressure and flow pulsation in the pipeline. Existing literature points out that pressure pulsation is the main cause of pipeline vibration, and liquid pressure pulsation is caused by flow pulsation through system impedance, so the control of pressure pulsation can be considered from the aspects of reducing flow pulsation and system impedance. Pulsation attenuation / damper is a facility for absorbing and attenuating pressure pulsation. The fuel pulsation attenuator in the existing vehicle engine is usually passive, with a pressure container, and an elastic diaphragm is installed inside to divide the container into two upper and lower cavities. The lower cavity transports liquid, and the upper cavity is filled with inert gas according to the size of the use pressure, which is generally 60%-80% of the use pressure.

[0003] The fuel of a vehicle engine is in a pulsating state in the distribution pipe. Therefore, a pulsation attenuator is provided at the inlet of the fuel distribution pipe or the oil outlet of the oil pump. The deformation of the diaphragm and spring is used to change the volume with the pressure, thereby alleviating and attenuating the pulsation of the oil pressure in the distribution pipe, stabilizing the oil pressure and ensuring accurate fuel metering.

[0004] On the one hand, the fuel pressure in the high-pressure fuel pipe fluctuates due to the non-continuous and pulsed fuel injection of the fuel injection nozzle of the vehicle engine, and the pressure fluctuation in the fuel pipe leads to unstable fuel injection volume in the combustion chamber, while the passive pulsation damper cannot be actively adjusted according to the pulsation of the fuel, and the pulsation attenuation function is poor; on the other hand, the diaphragm, spring and other structures of the existing passive fuel pulsation attenuator make its pulsation attenuation range small, and the structure occupies a large space, and there are also disadvantages such as long response time. In view of this, the present application provides an active fuel pulsation attenuator for vehicle engines. Summary of the invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an active fuel pulsation attenuator for a vehicle engine and a control method thereof, which combines automatic control technology with the actual working conditions in the oil circuit of a vehicle engine, so that the fuel pulsation of the vehicle engine is greatly reduced. At the same time, compared with other fuel pulsation attenuators with complex structures and high installation and maintenance difficulties, the number of parts is significantly reduced, the cost is reduced, and the maintenance difficulty is reduced to a certain extent. Furthermore, the fuel consumption during the driving process of the vehicle can be reduced to a certain extent, and the fuel economy can be improved.

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned invention object, the present invention adopts the following technical scheme:

[0007] The present invention provides an active fuel pulsation attenuator for a vehicle engine, comprising a chamber formed by an upper shell and a lower shell, wherein the chamber is divided into an upper chamber and a lower chamber by an elastic diaphragm fixedly arranged between the upper shell and the lower shell, a fuel pressure sensor is fixedly arranged in the lower chamber, an air spring for retracting and pulling the elastic diaphragm toward the lower chamber is arranged in the upper chamber, and a temperature regulating component for adjusting the stiffness of the air spring is also arranged at one end of the air spring;

[0008] The temperature adjustment component includes a heat-conducting end cap and a semiconductor cooling sheet, wherein the heat-conducting end cap is mounted on the upper shell corresponding to the end of the air spring, and the bottom of the heat-conducting end cap is engaged with the end of the air spring, the semiconductor cooling sheet is fixed on the top surface of the heat-conducting end cap, and a heat-conducting medium material is coated between the heat-conducting end cap and the semiconductor cooling sheet;

[0009] The air spring comprises annular air bags which are stacked and arranged along the expansion and contraction direction of the air spring, and a columnar air bag which runs through the middle of the annular air bags.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the columnar airbag is integrally formed of a plurality of adjacent regular hexagonal prism airbags, and its cross section is honeycomb-shaped.

[0011] As a preferred solution of the present invention, the air spring is filled with inert gas or carbon dioxide.

[0012] As a further solution of the present invention, the wall thickness of the regular hexagonal prism airbag gradually increases from the middle section to both ends, forming a spindle-shaped cavity.

[0013] As a further solution of the present invention, the thermal conductive end cap includes an air spring limiting end threadedly connected to the upper shell from the inside to the outside, the upper shell is correspondingly provided with a threaded through hole, and the thermal conductive end cap also includes a locking cap outside the upper shell for locking the air spring limiting end.

[0014] As a further solution of the present invention, the heat-conductive end cap includes a circular groove for clamping into the end of the air spring, and also includes an elastic rubber sleeve that is sleeved outside the circular groove and used to sleeve the air spring. The elastic rubber sleeve is fixed by a crimping ring that is threadedly connected to the end of the air spring.

[0015] As a preferred solution of the present invention, the end surface of the air spring is bonded to or in contact with the elastic diaphragm.

[0016] The present invention also provides a control method for the active fuel pulsation attenuator for a vehicle engine, wherein the fuel pressure sensor detects the fuel pressure value and transmits it to the single chip microcomputer, which compares it with a set threshold value;

[0017] When the fuel pressure value is lower than the set threshold, the single chip microcomputer outputs a heating signal, the semiconductor cooling plate passes the positive current, the contact surface heats up rapidly, and heats the air spring through the heat-conducting end cap, so that the air spring expands and stretches rapidly due to the heat, driving the elastic diaphragm to bend downward to reduce the volume of the fuel chamber, so that the fuel pressure increases;

[0018] When the fuel pressure value is higher than the set threshold, the microcontroller outputs a cooling signal, the semiconductor cooling plate passes a reverse current, the contact surface cools down rapidly, and the air spring is quickly cooled through the heat-conducting end cap, so that the air spring is quickly cooled and shortened, driving the elastic diaphragm to reset or bend upward to increase the volume of the fuel chamber and reduce the fuel pressure.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, one or more of the above technical solutions have the following beneficial effects:

[0020] The present invention is based on the characteristics of semiconductor materials that can quickly cool and heat, and combines the cooling and heating effects of semiconductor materials and applies them to the engine fuel pulsation attenuator. The semiconductor cooling plate can be quickly and accurately controlled to adjust the air spring through the precise collection of the fuel pressure sensor, thereby realizing an active fuel pulsation regulation function.

[0021] Secondly, the traditional pulsation attenuator uses a spiral spring made of alloy material to expand and contract and pull the diaphragm. During its compression and release process, it can only be adjusted by the applied external force, and the adjustment range is small. The adjustment structure is complex and occupies a large space. The present invention only needs to be adjusted through an air spring filled with gas and a semiconductor refrigeration plate. The structure is simple and occupies little space.

[0022] In addition, from the effect point of view, the air spring structure in the present invention is different from the conventional spring. The pressure change of the air spring can adjust its own stiffness, thereby stretching and pulling the elastic diaphragm to adjust the volume of the lower chamber. Moreover, since the temperature of the medium in the air spring can be continuously adjusted within a certain range, the fuel pulsation of different amplitudes can be attenuated relatively well.

[0023] Specifically in terms of structure, the air spring in the present invention has a honeycomb-shaped columnar airbag, and is composed of a plurality of regular hexagonal prism-shaped airbags that fit closely together and integrate into a columnar air column, which can not only enable the gas to flow in the spring bag body, but also stabilize the spring stiffness. In addition, an annular airbag is installed on the outer ring of the columnar airbag for wrapping, which can improve the lateral stiffness of the air spring, prevent the lateral bending of the spring, and ensure the accuracy of adjusting the volume of the lower chamber when the spring is expanded and contracted. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The accompanying drawings in the specification, which constitute a part of the present invention, are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are used to explain the present invention and do not constitute improper limitations on the present invention.

[0025] Figure 1 The invention is a schematic structural diagram of an active fuel pulsation attenuator for a vehicle engine.

[0026] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Schematic cross-section diagram of .

[0027] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the longitudinal section of the air spring.

[0028] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the transverse cross-section of the air spring.

[0029] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a ripple attenuator in some embodiments.

[0030] Figure 6 is a partial structural block diagram of the connection between the air spring and the thermally conductive end cap in some embodiments.

[0031] Figure 7 It is a control flow chart of the ripple attenuator in the present invention.

[0032] In the figure:

[0033] 1. Upper shell, 2. Lower shell, 3. Elastic diaphragm, 4. Chamber, 5. Fuel pressure sensor, 6. Air spring, 7. Temperature regulating assembly;

[0034] 41, upper chamber, 42, lower chamber;

[0035] 61. Annular airbag, 62. Columnar airbag, 621. Regular hexagonal prism airbag;

[0036] 71. Thermal conductive end cap, 711. Air spring limit end, 712. Locking cap, 713. Circular groove, 714. Elastic rubber sleeve, 715. Crimp ring, 72. Semiconductor cooling sheet. Implementation

[0037] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the solution of the present application, the technical solution in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work should fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0038] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", etc. in the specification and claims of the present application and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequential order. It should be understood that the data used in this way can be interchanged where appropriate, so that the embodiments of the present application described here. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any of their variations are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, for example, a process, method, system, product or device comprising a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units clearly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not clearly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0039] In the present application, the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "front", "back", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "middle", "vertical", "horizontal", "lateral", "longitudinal" and the like indicate positions or positional relationships based on the positions or positional relationships shown in the drawings. These terms are mainly used to better describe the present application and its embodiments, and are not used to limit the indicated devices, elements or components to have a specific orientation, or to be constructed and operated in a specific orientation.

[0040] In addition, some of the above terms may be used to express other meanings in addition to indicating orientation or positional relationship. For example, the term "on" may also be used to express a certain dependency or connection relationship in some cases. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of these terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0041] In addition, the terms "installed", "set", "provided with", "connected", "connected", and "socketed" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral structure; it can be a mechanical connection, or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or it can be an internal connection between two devices, elements, or components. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0042] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, an active fuel pulsation attenuator for a vehicle engine comprises a chamber 4 formed by an upper shell 1 and a lower shell 2, and the chamber 4 is divided into an upper chamber 41 and a lower chamber 42 by an elastic diaphragm 3 fixedly arranged between the upper shell 1 and the lower shell 2, a fuel pressure sensor 5 is fixedly arranged in the lower chamber 42, an air spring 6 is arranged in the upper chamber 41 for pulling the elastic diaphragm 3 toward the lower chamber 42, and a temperature regulating component 7 for adjusting the stiffness of the air spring 6 is also arranged at one end of the air spring 6;

[0043] The temperature adjustment component 7 includes a heat-conducting end cap 71 and a semiconductor cooling sheet 72. The heat-conducting end cap 71 is mounted on the upper housing 1 corresponding to the end of the air spring 6, and the bottom of the heat-conducting end cap 71 is engaged with the end of the air spring 6. The semiconductor cooling sheet 72 is fixed on the top surface of the heat-conducting end cap 71, and a heat-conducting medium material is coated between the heat-conducting end cap 71 and the semiconductor cooling sheet 72.

[0044] The air spring 6 includes an annular airbag 61 stacked along its expansion and contraction direction, and a columnar airbag 62 penetrating the middle of the annular airbag 61 .

[0045] Various electronic and signal sensors on existing automobiles have developed rapidly, and the application of sensors is also quite mature. The semiconductor refrigeration sheet based on the Peltier principle can achieve the characteristics of rapid cooling and rapid heating by controlling the direction of its current. Therefore, the heat exchange between the air spring 6 and the semiconductor refrigeration sheet 72 is combined to adjust the stiffness of the air spring 6, thereby adjusting the volume of the air chamber.

[0046] Specifically, when the engine is working, the fuel passes under the elastic diaphragm 3 of the pulsation attenuator and enters the lower chamber 42. When the fuel pressure pulsates, the air spring 6 and the elastic diaphragm 3 are compressed or stretched accordingly, and the volume of the lower chamber 42 changes with the pressure, thereby playing a role in stabilizing the pressure of the fuel system. In the design process of the pulsation attenuator, the selection of spring stiffness is particularly important. When the spring stiffness is small, if the amplitude of the fuel pressure fluctuation is large, the oil pressure pulsation cannot be effectively attenuated; when the spring stiffness is large, the attenuation effect of high-frequency pulsation decreases. Because the frequency and amplitude of fuel fluctuations are always changing, only when the elastic stiffness of the spring matches the frequency and amplitude of the fluctuation can a good pulsation attenuation effect be achieved. However, the elastic stiffness of ordinary metal springs is fixed after the setting is completed, and cannot change with the change of fuel pressure fluctuations. In order to further improve the control accuracy of the fuel supply system, the pulsation attenuation effect of the pulsation attenuator must be improved.

[0047] The pulsation attenuator of the present invention can be actively adjusted according to the pulsation of the fuel. Figure 7As shown, as a specific implementation scheme, the fuel pressure sensor 5 in the pulsation attenuator is combined with the A / D conversion module, single-chip microcomputer, D / A conversion module, power drive circuit and the like commonly used in the field of automation for common adjustment. When the fuel pressure sensor 5 detects the injection pipe pressure value, it is sent to the single-chip microcomputer after A / D conversion. The single-chip microcomputer compares it with the set value. When the pipeline pressure is lower than the set value, it outputs a heating signal, which is converted by D / A to drive the power drive circuit to pass a forward current through the semiconductor cooling plate 72. The contact surface between the semiconductor cooling plate 72 and the heat-conducting end cap 71 quickly heats up, and the bottom of the air spring 6 is quickly heated through the heat-conducting end cap 71. The columnar airbag 62 inside the air spring 6 quickly expands due to the heat, and the air spring 6 stretches, driving the elastic diaphragm 3 to bend downward, and the volume of the fuel cavity is reduced, so that the fuel pressure increases to maintain at the set value.

[0048] When the pressure value of the fuel pressure sensor 5 is higher than the set value, the single chip microcomputer outputs a cooling signal, which drives the power driving circuit after D / A conversion, passes a large reverse current through the semiconductor cooling plate 72, and the contact surface between the semiconductor cooling plate 72 and the heat-conducting end cap 71 is rapidly cooled; the bottom of the air spring 6 is rapidly cooled through the heat-conducting end cap 71, and the gas in the columnar airbag 62 inside the air spring 6 is rapidly cooled, the volume is reduced, and the length of the air spring 6 is shortened, driving the lower elastic diaphragm 3 to bend upward, the volume of the fuel cavity increases, and the fuel pressure decreases. The fuel pressure is sensed by the fuel pressure sensor 5, and the heating or cooling instruction is output by comparing it with the design value. The heating or cooling mode is changed by passing currents of different directions through the semiconductor cooling plate 72, and the heating or cooling intensity is changed by changing the current flowing through the semiconductor cooling plate 72.

[0049] In order to improve the response speed of the air spring 6 and shorten the reaction time, as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the columnar airbag 62 is configured to be integrally formed of a plurality of adjacent regular hexagonal prism airbags 621, and its cross section is honeycomb-shaped, which is more conducive to heat exchange between the gas spring and the temperature regulating component, and can stabilize the lateral stiffness of the gas spring. On the other hand, when the gas expands or contracts, it can act more directly on the elastic diaphragm 3.

[0050] The air spring 6 is filled with inert gas or carbon dioxide, and traditional alloy springs will inevitably produce more carbon dioxide during the production process, but the elastic material produced by the material used for the air spring 6 can be a natural rubber material, which reduces carbon emissions. On the other hand, the gas filled in the air spring 6 can also be carbon dioxide, which further reduces carbon emissions and is more environmentally friendly.

[0051] In order to ensure that the air spring 6 will not bend during expansion and contraction to a certain extent, thereby affecting the posture of the elastic diaphragm 3, the present invention provides a stacked annular airbag 61, which is beneficial to improving the lateral strength of the middle columnar airbag 62 and preventing the air spring 6 from bending. Figure 3 As shown, the wall thickness of the regular hexagonal prism airbag 621 gradually increases from the middle section to both ends, and a spindle-shaped chamber is formed, so that when the air spring 6 approaches its waist, more gas is accumulated and it is less likely to cause lateral bending, which is conducive to precise control of the elastic diaphragm 3.

[0052] In some embodiments of the present invention, Figure 5 As shown, in order to facilitate the assembly of the heat-conducting end cap 71, the heat-conducting end cap 71 includes an air spring limiting end 711 that is threadedly connected to the upper shell from the inside to the outside, the upper shell 1 is correspondingly provided with a threaded through hole, and the heat-conducting end cap 71 also includes a locking cap 712 outside the upper shell 1 for locking the air spring limiting end 711.

[0053] In some embodiments of the present invention, Figure 6 As shown, in order to ensure the stable limiting of the air spring 6 and the air spring limiting end 711, the heat conductive end cap 71 also includes a circular groove 713 for clamping into the end of the air spring 6, and also includes an elastic rubber sleeve 714 which is sleeved outside the circular groove 713 and is used to sleeve the air spring 6. The elastic rubber sleeve 714 is fixed by a crimping ring 715 which is threadedly connected to the end of the air spring 6, so that during the expansion or contraction of the air spring 6 to a certain extent, the heat conductive end cap 71 can achieve a stable connection and heat exchange effect with the air spring 6.

[0054] In some embodiments of the present invention, the end surface of the air spring 6 and the elastic diaphragm 3 may be fixed by bonding, and in other embodiments, the end surface of the air spring 6 and the elastic diaphragm 3 may be non-connected but only in contact with each other.

[0055] In the control method of the active fuel pulsation attenuator for a vehicle engine of the present invention, the fuel pressure sensor 5 detects the fuel pressure value and transmits it to the single chip microcomputer, which compares it with a set threshold value;

[0056] When the fuel pressure value is lower than the set threshold, the single chip microcomputer outputs a heating signal, the semiconductor cooling sheet 72 is rapidly heated by the forward current, and heats the air spring 6 through the heat-conducting end cap 71, so that the air spring 6 is rapidly heated and expanded and elongated, driving the elastic diaphragm 3 to bend downward and reduce the volume of the fuel chamber;

[0057] When the fuel pressure value is higher than the set threshold, the single chip microcomputer outputs a cooling signal, the semiconductor cooling plate 72 quickly cools down through the reverse current, and quickly cools the air spring 6 through the heat conductive end cap 71, so that the air spring 6 is quickly cooled and shortened, driving the elastic diaphragm 3 to reset or bend upward to increase the volume of the fuel chamber.

[0058] The above description is only a preferred specific implementation manner of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any technician familiar with the technical field can make equivalent replacements or changes according to the technical scheme and inventive concept of the present invention within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention, which should be covered by the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An active fuel pulsation attenuator for a vehicle engine, comprising a chamber formed by an upper shell and a lower shell, and the chamber is divided into an upper chamber and a lower chamber by an elastic diaphragm fixedly arranged between the upper shell and the lower shell, and a fuel pressure sensor is fixedly arranged in the lower chamber, characterized in that: The upper chamber is provided with an air spring for retracting and pulling the elastic diaphragm toward the lower chamber, and one end of the air spring is also provided with a temperature regulating component for adjusting the stiffness of the air spring; The temperature adjustment component includes a heat-conducting end cap and a semiconductor cooling sheet, wherein the heat-conducting end cap is mounted on the upper shell corresponding to the end of the air spring, and the bottom of the heat-conducting end cap is engaged with the end of the air spring, the semiconductor cooling sheet is fixed on the top surface of the heat-conducting end cap, and a heat-conducting medium material is coated between the heat-conducting end cap and the semiconductor cooling sheet; The air spring includes annular airbags stacked and arranged along the expansion and contraction direction of the air spring, and a columnar airbag penetrating the middle of the annular airbag; The columnar airbag is formed by a plurality of adjacent regular hexagonal airbags in one piece, and its cross section is honeycomb-shaped; The wall thickness of the regular hexagonal prism airbag gradually increases from the middle section to both ends, forming a spindle-shaped chamber; The fuel pressure sensor detects the fuel pressure value and transmits it to the single chip microcomputer, which compares it with the set threshold value; When the fuel pressure value is lower than the set threshold, the single chip microcomputer outputs a heating signal, the semiconductor cooling plate passes the positive current, the contact surface heats up rapidly, and heats the air spring through the heat-conducting end cap, so that the air spring expands rapidly due to the heat and stretches, driving the elastic diaphragm to bend downward to reduce the volume of the fuel cavity, so that the pressure in the fuel chamber increases; When the fuel pressure value is higher than the set threshold, the microcontroller outputs a cooling signal, the semiconductor cooling plate passes reverse current, the contact surface cools down rapidly, and the air spring is quickly cooled through the heat-conducting end cap, so that the air spring is quickly cooled and shortened, driving the elastic diaphragm to reset or bend upward to increase the volume of the fuel cavity and reduce the pressure in the fuel chamber.

2. The active fuel pulsation attenuator for a vehicle engine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air spring is filled with inert gas or carbon dioxide.

3. The active fuel pulsation attenuator for a vehicle engine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heat-conducting end cap includes an air spring limiting end that is threadedly connected to the upper shell from the inside to the outside. The upper shell is correspondingly provided with a threaded through hole, and the heat-conducting end cap also includes a locking cap outside the upper shell for locking the air spring limiting end.

4. The active fuel pulsation attenuator for a vehicle engine according to claim 3, characterized in that: The heat-conducting end cap includes a circular groove for inserting into the end of the air spring, and also includes an elastic rubber sleeve which is sleeved outside the circular groove and is used to sleeve the air spring. The elastic rubber sleeve is fixed by a crimping ring which is threadedly connected to the end of the air spring.

5. The active fuel pulsation attenuator for a vehicle engine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The end surface of the air spring is bonded to or in contact with the elastic diaphragm.

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