Coding wheel for internal combustion engine, internal combustion engine and method for running internal combustion engine

Abstract

This invention relates to an encoder wheel (2) for an internal combustion engine (1), the encoder wheel having six indicating elements (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) arranged spaced apart from each other on a base (6) of the encoder wheel (2) in a circumferential direction with respect to the axis of rotation of the encoder wheel (2), wherein the edges (13, 14) of the indicating elements (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) arranged in the same direction are equidistant from each other in the circumferential direction. It is specified that each of the indicating elements (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) has one of three different indicating element sizes in the circumferential direction. The invention also relates to an internal combustion engine (1) and a method for operating the internal combustion engine (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a coding wheel / sensing wheel for an internal combustion engine, the coding wheel having six indicating elements arranged spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction based on the axis of rotation of the coding wheel, wherein the edges of the indicating elements arranged in the same direction are equidistant from each other in the circumferential direction. The invention also relates to an internal combustion engine and a method for operating the internal combustion engine. Background Technology

[0002] For example, prior art document DE 41 41 713 A1 is known. This document describes an encoding device for cylinder identification in an internal combustion engine, which has a crankshaft encoder and a camshaft encoder. The crankshaft encoder has an incrementing disk with reference marks, and the camshaft encoder has short and long sections and short and long gaps. By combining the pulse sequences provided by the two encoders, a clear combination of high and low phases can be generated, which enables clear and rapid cylinder identification and cylinder group identification. The continuous injection system is initiated as follows, such that all cylinders that can be operated simultaneously are injected in a "close before injection" manner. In the event of crankshaft encoder failure, emergency operation can be achieved using the camshaft signal, because the combination of high and low phases enables cylinder identification, and the trailing edge of the camshaft signal generated at a fixed angular distance can be used as a trigger mark for ignition or injection. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The object of this invention is to provide an encoder wheel for internal combustion engines that has advantages over known encoder wheels, particularly in that it can determine the rotation angle position of the encoder wheel with extremely high precision, preferably ensuring maximum signal resolution while determining the rotation angle position as accurately as possible and with a short rapid start-up time.

[0004] According to the invention, the objective is achieved by a coding wheel for an internal combustion engine having the features of claim 1. Herein, each indicating element has one of three different indicating element sizes in the circumferential direction.

[0005] Advantageous designs and suitable improvements of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

[0006] The encoder wheel is preferably a component of the internal combustion engine, but it can also exist separately from the engine. The encoder wheel is configured and designed to determine its rotational angular position, or to enable this determination in a simple manner. A corresponding sensor is used to determine the rotational angular position. Preferably, the encoder wheel is driven to and rotatably supported by a shaft of the internal combustion engine, particularly the camshaft. In this case, the encoder wheel is used to determine the rotational angular position of that shaft.

[0007] The encoding wheel is rotatable about a rotation axis, or rotatably supported. The encoding wheel has six indicating elements, preferably exactly six or only six indicating elements. The indicating elements are arranged spaced apart from each other on the base of the encoding wheel in a circumferential direction relative to the rotation axis. Preferably, the indicating elements extend radially outward from the base. In this case, the base is preferably circular or cylindrical.

[0008] In the circumferential direction, there are gaps between the indicating elements, such that the indicating elements are arranged spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction. Here, there is such a gap between corresponding two indicating elements, or between corresponding two gaps in the gap. In other words, the indicating elements and gaps are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction.

[0009] The sensor is configured and designed to detect indicating elements and / or gaps, thereby determining the angular position of the encoder wheel or the shaft connected thereto. For example, the sensor provides a first signal level when overlapping with one of the indicating elements, and a second signal level different from the first signal level when overlapping with a gap present between the indicating elements. Overlap is understood to mean that the sensor and the corresponding indicating element or the corresponding gap are arranged at the same location when viewed in the circumferential direction relative to the axis of rotation.

[0010] Sensors can be designed arbitrarily in principle. For example, a sensor can exist in the form of a Hall sensor, etc. A Hall sensor preferably has only one or exactly one Hall element. Alternatively, a Hall sensor can also have two Hall elements. Similarly, a sensor can be designed as an inductive encoder or a magnetoresistive encoder. In any case, the sensor, indicating element, and gap are designed such that the indicating element can be distinguished from the gap by means of the sensor. In other respects, gaps are not understood to mean that these gaps must be empty, or exist as cavities or air chambers. More precisely, the difference between gaps and indicating elements is only that gaps can be distinguished from indicating elements by means of a sensor.

[0011] While it can be stipulated in principle that the indicating element exists in the form of teeth, extending outward from the base in a radial direction, and conversely, the gap is designed as a cavity or air cavity, it can also be stipulated that the indicating element is made of or has the first material, while a second material different from the first material exists in the gap.

[0012] To reliably and uniformly determine the rotational angular position of the encoder wheel, the edges of the indicator elements arranged in the same direction should be equidistant from each other in the circumferential direction. The edges of the indicator elements define these indicator elements in the circumferential direction. Specifically, each indicator element has two spaced-apart edges in the circumferential direction, such that each indicator element extends from the first edge to the second edge. For example, the first edge is the front edge that moves forward in the direction of rotation, and the second edge is the rear edge that follows in the direction of rotation. Each edge separates one of the indicator elements from one of the gaps in the circumferential direction. This means that, on the one hand, a corresponding indicator element is arranged at each edge, and on the other hand, one of the gaps is arranged at that edge.

[0013] The edges arranged in the same direction are understood to be the edges of the indicator element that exist on the same side of the indicator element in the circumferential direction. For example, the front edge of the indicator element represents the edges arranged in the same direction. However, alternatively, the edges arranged in the same direction can also be the rear edge of the indicator element. Therefore, it should be understood that the indicator element has two edges arranged in the same direction, namely a first edge arranged in the same direction and a second edge arranged in the same direction, which is different from the first edge, wherein each indicator element has one of the first edges and one of the second edges, or is defined by these edges respectively. The first edges or the second edges are arranged equidistantly from each other, which is unnecessary or not the case for the corresponding other edges, namely the second edges or the first edges.

[0014] The equidistant arrangement of edges is understood as the edges having the same distance from each other in the circumferential direction, or the directly adjacent edges arranged in the same direction being arranged at the same uniform distance. In other words, the edges arranged in the same direction are evenly distributed on the encoding wheel in the circumferential direction. This design scheme of the encoding wheel can achieve precise and uniform determination of the rotation angle position of the encoding wheel.

[0015] During internal combustion engine operation, it is typically necessary to determine the absolute rotational angular position of the encoder wheel as quickly as possible. To determine this position, for example, it is stipulated that one of the indicating elements is removed, or that one of the indicating elements is designed with dimensions different from the others in the circumferential direction relative to the axis of rotation, so that a specific absolute rotational angular position can be inferred when the indicating element passes the sensor. Subsequently, other indicating elements can be used to determine the relative change of the rotational angular position with respect to that specific rotational angular position, thereby determining the corresponding absolute rotational angular position when using that specific rotational angular position.

[0016] However, this design of the encoder wheel results in a requirement for extensive rotational movement of the wheel to determine its absolute rotational angular position, i.e., until the position at which the indicator element can be detected or its absence can be identified, based on the wheel's current rotational angular position. To expedite the determination of the absolute rotational angular position, it is recommended to use two different indicator element sizes in the circumferential direction. The absolute rotational angular position can be deduced more quickly from the different indicator element sizes during the encoder wheel's rotational movement.

[0017] Surprisingly, the applicant's experiments demonstrated that optimal accuracy, or particularly fast determination of absolute rotational angular position, was achieved by using an encoding wheel with six indicating elements and three different indicating element sizes. This is because the sensor used is capable of achieving a resolution of 20°. This means that indicating elements and gaps with dimensions of at least 20° in the circumferential direction can be smoothly and reliably detected with the aid of the sensor. The sensor was designed accordingly.

[0018] The encoder wheel is designed such that each of the three different indicator element sizes is used for at least one of the indicator elements. However, it is particularly preferred that the indicator element sizes are used for the same number of indicator elements, such that corresponding two indicator elements have the same indicator element size. Preferably, the encoder wheel is designed such that the indicator elements and the gaps between them have a dimension of at least 15°, at least 17.5°, or at least 20° in the circumferential direction relative to the axis of rotation. Particularly preferred, the dimension is at least 18°, at least 18.5°, or at least 19°.

[0019] Additionally or alternatively, it is specified that the ratios between the three different indicator element sizes are at least 1.25, at least 1.5, or at least 1.75 (that is, the ratio between any two adjacent sizes is at least 1.25, at least 1.5, or at least 1.75).

[0020] For example, different indicator element sizes have the following basic values: 20°, 40°, and 60°. The indicator element size can be directly equal to these basic values. However, it can also be specified that the indicator element size is equal to the basic value minus a constant value. For example, this constant value is at least 1.6°, at least 1.7°, or at least 1.8°. Therefore, for example, the following values ​​are produced for different indicator element sizes: 18.4°, 28.4°, and 38.4°, or 18.3°, 28.3°, and 38.3°, or 18.2°, 28.2°, and 38.2°. By taking this bias angle into account, for example, the bias of the sensor can be considered. The above values ​​have proven to be ideal for this purpose.

[0021] An improved embodiment of the invention specifies that at least two directly adjacent indicator elements form an indicator element pair and have the same indicator element size. Directly adjacent indicator elements are understood to be those with only one gap between them. Thus, one indicator element of the indicator element pair is present on one side of the gap, and the other indicator element of the pair is present on the other side of the gap. The indicator elements of the indicator element pair have the same indicator element size, such that the indicator element size is exactly one of three different indicator element sizes.

[0022] Particularly preferably, at most two directly successive indicator elements have the same indicator element size. Correspondingly preferably, the pair of indicator elements is surrounded in the circumferential direction by indicator elements having an indicator element size different from that of the pair. Preferably, there are at least two pairs of indicator elements, and particularly preferably, there are exactly two pairs. This means that at least two of the indicator elements have the same indicator element size among three different indicator element sizes, and these at least two indicator elements respectively accommodate at least one of the other indicator elements between them in the circumferential direction on both sides. This design and arrangement of the indicator elements enables the absolute rotational angular position of the encoder wheel to be determined particularly quickly with minimal changes.

[0023] An improvement of the invention specifies that gaps exist between the indicating elements in the circumferential direction, each gap having one of three different gap sizes in the circumferential direction. This similarly applies to the indicating elements as well as the gaps. Each gap has a gap size in the circumferential direction, wherein the gap size of each gap corresponds exactly to one of the three different gap sizes. Each of the three different gap sizes is assigned to at least one gap, but preferably to multiple gaps. Particularly preferably, the three different gap sizes are evenly distributed across the gaps, such that corresponding two gaps are designed to have the same gap size.

[0024] Similar to the embodiment of the indicator element, two corresponding gaps in the gap can form a gap pair. The gaps in such a gap pair accommodate one of the indicator elements between them, such that one gap is directly adjacent to the indicator element on one side, and the other gap is directly adjacent to the indicator element on the other side. The gaps in the gap pair have the same gap size. It is also preferable that there are at least two, particularly exactly two, gap pairs. In the latter case, at least two gaps with the same gap size exist at the encoder wheel, such that at least one additional gap is correspondingly arranged between them on both sides. This design also enables the rapid and accurate determination of the absolute rotational angle position of the encoder wheel.

[0025] An improved embodiment of the invention specifies that each of the gaps has a gap size in the circumferential direction, and for all gaps, the ratio of the gap size of each gap to the corresponding indicator size of the indicator element defining the corresponding gap, particularly the indicator size of the indicator element moving in front along the rotation direction of the encoder wheel, is fixed. In other words, one of the gaps is adjacent to each indicator element on the same side, wherein the gap size of that gap is in a fixed ratio to the indicator size of the indicator element. The gaps should always be arranged on the same side of the indicator element in the circumferential direction. For example, the gaps are those that follow the indicator element in the rotation direction of the encoder wheel. Conversely, the indicator element defining the corresponding gap moves in front of that gap in the rotation direction of the encoder wheel. This enables rapid identification of the absolute rotational angle position.

[0026] An improved embodiment of the invention specifies that each of the indicating elements has a front edge that moves forward in the rotational direction and a rear edge that follows in the rotational direction, with equidistant edges forming the front edge. Each indicating element is defined on one hand by its corresponding front edge and on the other hand by its corresponding rear edge in the circumferential or rotational direction. The front edge is arranged relative to the rear edge in the circumferential direction such that it is forward in the rotational direction. The edges of the indicating elements arranged in the same direction and equidistant from each other are the front edges, i.e., the edges that are forward in the rotational direction of the encoding wheel. This also enables rapid determination of the absolute rotational angular position of the encoding wheel. The opposite design can obviously also be achieved depending on the design of the control device for evaluating and / or performing the evaluation.

[0027] An improved embodiment of the invention specifies that the indicating element has its corresponding leading edge at the following angular positions in the circumferential direction: 0°, 60°, 120°, 180°, 240°, and 300°, and the indicating element has the following indicating element dimensions in the circumferential direction: 40°, 40°, 30°, 20°, 20°, and 30°. In this respect, the leading edges of the indicating elements are designed to be evenly distributed on the coding wheel in the circumferential direction. However, the indicating elements differ in terms of their indicating element dimensions. Three different indicating element dimensions are used for the indicating elements: 20°, 30°, and 40°.

[0028] The indicator elements are arranged sequentially in the circumferential direction such that the indicator elements with the largest indicator element size directly follow each other. The same applies to the indicator elements with the smallest indicator element size. Indicator elements with indicator element sizes between the smallest and largest indicator element sizes are arranged spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction such that at least one of the other indicator elements is between them on each side. The above-described arrangement of the indicator elements and their indicator element sizes has surprisingly proven to be ideal.

[0029] An improved embodiment of the invention specifies that the indicator element dimensions are reduced by the same offset angle. This is understood to mean that the indicator element does not actually have the previously mentioned indicator element dimensions, but is smaller in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the mentioned indicator element dimensions are used as original values. However, these indicator element dimensions are reduced by the same offset angle. The offset angle is, for example, at least or exactly 1.6°, at least or exactly 1.7°, or at least or exactly 1.8°, thus producing, for example, the following values ​​for three different indicator element dimensions: 18.4°, 28.4°, and 38.4° or 18.3°, 28.3°, and 38.3° or 18.2°, 28.2°, and 38.2°. Using this design of the encoder wheel, the sensor offset can be compensated for in a simple manner and method. Therefore, despite the presence of sensor offset, the rotational angular position of the encoder wheel, and particularly the absolute rotational angular position of the encoder wheel, can be reliably determined.

[0030] The present invention also relates to an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft and a camshaft connected to the crankshaft by a drive technology, wherein a crankshaft encoder wheel having a plurality of indicating elements is connected to the crankshaft in a non-rotatable manner, and an encoder wheel having six indicating elements and designed as a camshaft encoder wheel, particularly an encoder wheel according to embodiments within the scope of this specification, is connected to the camshaft in a non-rotatable manner, wherein the internal combustion engine has a crankshaft encoder sensor for detecting the indicating elements of the crankshaft encoder wheel and a camshaft encoder sensor for detecting the indicating elements of the camshaft encoder wheel, wherein the edges of the indicating elements arranged in the same direction are equidistant from each other in the circumferential direction. It is specified herein that each indicating element of the camshaft encoder wheel has one of three different dimensions in the circumferential direction.

[0031] The advantages of this design for the internal combustion engine or encoder wheel have been pointed out. The internal combustion engine and encoder wheel can be improved according to the embodiments within the scope of this specification, and reference is made to this specification for that purpose.

[0032] An internal combustion engine has at least two shafts: at least one crankshaft and at least one camshaft. The camshaft is connected to the crankshaft by a drive technology, such that the camshaft is driven by the crankshaft during engine operation. Preferably, a constant gear ratio exists between the crankshaft and the camshaft, preferably 2:1. Alternatively, the camshaft can be connected to the crankshaft by a camshaft adjuster, by which the angular position of the camshaft relative to the angular position of the crankshaft is adjustable within a specific adjustment range. During adjustment, the gear ratio temporarily differs from the constant gear ratio.

[0033] The crankshaft encoder wheel is connected to the crankshaft, and the camshaft encoder wheel is connected to the camshaft. Preferably, the respective encoder wheels are located directly on the respective shafts. The crankshaft encoder wheel has multiple indicating elements, which can be detected by means of a crankshaft encoder sensor. For example, the crankshaft encoder wheel has a certain number of indicating elements, which is an integer multiple of the number of indicating elements of the camshaft encoder wheel, particularly at least 3 times, at least 6 times, at least 8 times, or at least 10 times. The camshaft encoder wheel has six indicating elements, such that the crankshaft encoder wheel has, for example, at least 36 indicating elements, at least 48 indicating elements, or at least 60 indicating elements. Of course, designs with at least 55, at least 70, or at least 100 indicating elements are also possible.

[0034] To achieve exceptionally high resolution of rotational angular position using the crankshaft encoder wheel, the crankshaft encoder wheel is preferably designed with a larger diameter than the camshaft encoder wheel. For example, the diameter of the crankshaft encoder wheel is at least 50%, at least 75%, or at least 100% larger than the diameter of the camshaft encoder wheel.

[0035] An improved embodiment of the invention specifies that the camshaft coding sensor is configured and designed to generate a first signal level when overlapping with one of the indicating elements and a second signal level different from the first signal level when overlapping with one of the gaps between the indicating elements. Such a design for an internal combustion engine or camshaft coding sensor has been described. Preferably, the first signal level is lower than the second signal level, such that there is a rising signal edge when transitioning from one of the indicating elements to one of the gaps, and conversely, a falling signal edge when transitioning from one of the gaps to one of the indicating elements. The described design for the internal combustion engine or sensor is used to determine the rotational angular position of the camshaft with extremely high precision.

[0036] The present invention also relates to a method for operating an internal combustion engine, particularly an internal combustion engine according to embodiments within the scope of this specification, wherein the internal combustion engine has a crankshaft and a camshaft connected to the crankshaft by a drive technology, wherein a crankshaft encoder wheel having a plurality of indicating elements is connected to the camshaft in a non-rotatable manner, and an encoder wheel having six indicating elements and designed as a camshaft encoder wheel, particularly an encoder wheel according to embodiments within the scope of this specification, is connected to the camshaft in a non-rotatable manner, wherein the internal combustion engine detects the indicating elements of the crankshaft encoder wheel by means of a crankshaft encoder sensor, and detects the indicating elements of the camshaft encoder wheel by means of a camshaft encoder sensor, wherein the edges of the indicating elements arranged in the same direction are equidistant from each other in the circumferential direction. It is further specified that each indicating element of the camshaft encoder wheel has one of three different dimensions in the circumferential direction.

[0037] The advantages and possible advantageous design solutions or improvements can also be found in the implementation schemes within the scope of this specification.

[0038] Preferably, the rotation angle position of the camshaft encoder wheel is determined based on the signal from the camshaft encoder sensor assigned to the crankshaft encoder wheel. For example, in the presence of a specific signal level from the camshaft encoder sensor, if a first signal level from the crankshaft encoder sensor is present, a first rotation angle position is identified; and if a second signal level from the crankshaft encoder sensor deviates from the first signal level, a second rotation angle position is identified.

[0039] The features and combinations thereof described in this specification, particularly those described in the following description of the drawings and / or shown in the drawings, may be used not only in the given combinations but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, embodiments not explicitly shown and described in the specification and / or drawings, but which are derived from or can be deduced from the illustrated embodiments, are also considered to be included in the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0040] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, without limiting the scope of the invention. Herein:

[0041] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing the area of ​​an internal combustion engine with a camshaft and a coding wheel connected to the camshaft, and

[0042] Figure 2 An exemplary graph is shown illustrating the signal of a sensor that is configured and designed to detect the indicator element of an encoding wheel. Detailed Implementation

[0043] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the area of ​​the internal combustion engine 1 is shown, specifically the encoder wheel 2, designed as a camshaft encoder wheel, located on the camshaft 3 of the internal combustion engine 1, which is only shown simplified here. The encoder wheel 2 works in conjunction with the camshaft encoder sensor 4 to determine the rotational angular position of the camshaft 3. The rotational direction of the camshaft 3 and, consequently, the encoder wheel 2, is indicated by arrow 5. Note that the camshaft encoder sensor 4 and its arrangement are shown only in a highly schematic manner. Preferably, unlike in this illustration, the camshaft encoder sensor 4 is arranged further outward in the radial direction based on the rotation axis of the encoder wheel 2, and overlaps with the encoder wheel 2 in the axial direction.

[0044] The coding wheel 2 has a base 6 from which six indicating elements 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 extend. Each of the indicating elements 7 to 12 has two edges 13 and 14, wherein edge 13 exists as a front edge that moves forward in the direction of rotation, and edge 14 exists as a rear edge that follows the front edge 13 in the direction of rotation. Edges 13 and 14 are shown only exemplarily for some of the indicating elements 7 to 12. Gap 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 exist between the indicating elements 7 to 12 in the circumferential direction.

[0045] Indicator elements 7 to 12 are arranged such that their leading edges 13 are uniformly arranged on the base 6 in the circumferential direction. In this respect, the leading edges 13 have the same distance from each other in the circumferential direction. Indicator elements 7 to 12 each have an indicator element size in the circumferential direction. Here, there are three different values ​​for the indicator element size. In the embodiment shown here, indicator elements 7 and 8 are designed with the same indicator element size. Furthermore, indicator elements 9 and 12 have the same indicator element size, and indicator elements 10 and 11 also have the same indicator element size. Here, indicator elements 7 and 8 form an indicator element pair 21, which consists of indicator elements that are directly successive in the circumferential direction and have the same indicator element size. The same applies to indicator elements 10 and 11 forming another indicator element pair 22.

[0046] In the embodiment shown here, initial values ​​are set for three different indicator element sizes, which are equidistant from each other. For example, the initial values ​​are 20°, 30°, and 40°. In this regard, the initial values ​​are obtained by adding a difference—in this case, 10°—to the initial value—20°. However, the indicator element sizes are smaller than the initial values, i.e., smaller by the same offset angle, such as at least 1.6°, at least 1.7°, or at least 1.8°. In the embodiment shown here, the indicator element sizes have the following values: 18.3°, 28.3°, and 38.3°. Alternatively, the indicator element sizes can also be larger than the initial values, particularly larger by the same offset angle, which can have one of the values ​​mentioned above. The indicator element sizes can also correspond to the initial values. The offset is chosen to account for differences between the sensor values ​​and the design.

[0047] Figure 2 A graph is shown in which the sensor value of the camshaft encoder sensor 4 is plotted with respect to the crankshaft angle of the internal combustion engine crankshaft. The crankshaft rotates at twice the speed of the camshaft 3, such that for every one revolution of the camshaft 3 and therefore the encoder wheel 2, the crankshaft rotates two revolutions. The encoder wheel 2 is shown above with respect to the rotation angle position of 0°. It can be seen that a first signal level exists when one of the indicator elements 7 to 12 overlaps with the camshaft encoder sensor 4, and a second signal level exists when one of the gaps 15 to 20 overlaps with the camshaft encoder sensor 4, wherein the first signal level is less than the second signal level.

[0048] On a complete revolution of the encoder wheel 2, there are multiple signal edges 23 and 24, where signal edge 23 is a rising signal edge and signal edge 24 is a falling signal edge. These signal edges are shown here purely as an example. It can be seen that the absolute rotational angle position of the encoder wheel 2 of the camshaft 3 can be quickly determined using the signal from the camshaft encoder sensor 4. Simultaneously, due to the uniform arrangement of the falling edges 24, a continuous and uniform determination of the rotational angle position is achieved. The direct determination of the absolute rotational angle position of the encoder wheel 2 can be achieved, specifically starting from 0° and from 360°. This is also true in the processes of 360° and 720°. In this respect, the described design of the internal combustion engine 1 or the encoder wheel 2 enables the rapid and accurate determination of the absolute rotational angle position of the camshaft 3.

[0049] List of reference numerals in the attached diagram:

[0050] 1 Internal Combustion Engine

[0051] 2 coding rounds

[0052] 3 Camshafts

[0053] 4 Camshaft Encoder Sensor

[0054] 5 arrows

[0055] 6 matrix

[0056] 7 Indicator Elements

[0057] 8 Indicator Elements

[0058] 9 Indicator Elements

[0059] 10 Indicating elements

[0060] 11 Indicating elements

[0061] 12 Indicating elements

[0062] 13 Edges

[0063] 14. Edge

[0064] 15 gaps

[0065] 16 gaps

[0066] 17 gaps

[0067] 18 gaps

[0068] 19 gaps

[0069] 20 gaps

[0070] 21 Indicator element pair

[0071] 22 Indicator elements

[0072] 23 Edge

[0073] 24 Edges

Claims

1. A coding wheel (2) for an internal combustion engine (1), the coding wheel having six indicating elements (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12), the six indicating elements being arranged spaced apart from each other on a base (6) of the coding wheel (2) in a circumferential direction based on the rotation axis of the coding wheel (2), wherein, The edges (13, 14) of the indicator elements (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) arranged in the same direction are equidistant from each other in the circumferential direction. Its features are, The indicator elements (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) each have one of three different indicator element sizes in the circumferential direction, and at least one pair of directly adjacent indicator elements (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) form an indicator element pair (21, 22) and have the same indicator element size.

2. The encoding wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the circumferential direction, there are gaps (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20) between the indicating elements (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12), each of which has one of three different gap sizes in the circumferential direction.

3. The encoding wheel according to claim 2, characterized in that, Each of the gaps (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20) has a gap size in the circumferential direction. For all gaps (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20), the ratio of the gap size of each gap to the size of the corresponding indicator element (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) defining the corresponding gap (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20) is fixed.

4. The coding wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, Each of the indicator elements (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) has a front edge (13) that moves forward in the direction of rotation and a rear edge (14) that follows in the direction of rotation, with the edges (13, 14) arranged at equal intervals being the front edge (13).

5. The encoding wheel according to claim 4, characterized in that, The indicator elements (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) have their respective leading edges (13) at the following angular positions in the circumferential direction: 0º, 60º, 120º, 180º, 240º and 300º, and the indicator elements (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) have the following indicator element dimensions in the circumferential direction: 40º, 40º, 30º, 20º, 20º and 30º.

6. The encoding wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The dimensions of the indicator elements (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) are reduced by the same offset angle.

7. An internal combustion engine (1) having a crankshaft and a camshaft (3) connected to the crankshaft by a drive technology, wherein, A crankshaft encoder wheel with multiple indicating elements is connected to the crankshaft in a manner that prevents relative rotation. A camshaft encoder wheel with six indicating elements (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) is connected to the camshaft (3) in a manner that prevents relative rotation. The internal combustion engine (1) has a crankshaft encoder sensor for detecting the indicating elements of the crankshaft encoder wheel and a camshaft encoder sensor (4) for detecting the indicating elements (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) of the camshaft encoder wheel. The edges (13, 14) of the indicating elements (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) of the camshaft encoder wheel are arranged equidistantly from each other in the circumferential direction. Its features are, The indicator elements (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) of the camshaft encoder wheel each have one of three different dimensions in the circumferential direction. At least one pair of directly adjacent indicator elements (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) of the camshaft encoder wheel form an indicator element pair (21, 22) and have the same dimensions.

8. The internal combustion engine according to claim 7, characterized in that, The camshaft encoder wheel is the encoder wheel (2) according to any one of claims 2 to 6.

9. The internal combustion engine according to claim 7, characterized in that, The camshaft encoder sensor (4) is configured and designed to generate a first signal level when it overlaps with one of the indicator elements (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) of the camshaft encoder wheel and to generate a second signal level different from the first signal level when it overlaps with one of the gaps (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20) between the indicator elements (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) of the camshaft encoder wheel.

10. A method for operating an internal combustion engine (1), wherein, The internal combustion engine (1) has a crankshaft and a camshaft (3) connected to the crankshaft by a drive technology. A crankshaft encoder wheel with multiple indicating elements is connected to the crankshaft in a non-rotatable manner. A camshaft encoder wheel with six indicating elements (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) is connected to the camshaft (3) in a non-rotatable manner. The internal combustion engine (1) detects the indicating elements of the crankshaft encoder wheel by means of a crankshaft encoder sensor, and detects the indicating elements (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) of the camshaft encoder wheel by means of a camshaft encoder sensor (4). The edges (13, 14) of the indicating elements (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) of the camshaft encoder wheel are arranged equidistantly from each other in the circumferential direction. Its features are, The indicator elements (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) of the camshaft encoder wheel each have one of three different dimensions in the circumferential direction. At least one pair of directly adjacent indicator elements (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) of the camshaft encoder wheel form an indicator element pair (21, 22) and have the same dimensions.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The internal combustion engine is the internal combustion engine (1) according to any one of claims 7 to 9.

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