Device for correcting injector characteristics in an internal combustion engine of a vehicle

Abstract

An injector characteristic correction device comprising: a micro control unit (100) configured to generate a control pulse that controls the operation of an injector (300), and a driver semiconductor (200) which is configured to detect and calculate an operating characteristic relating to the injector (300), and which compensates for an injection timing of the control pulse based on a deviation in the injection timing of the injector (300), wherein the driver semiconductor (200) has: an injector characteristic detector (210) which is configured to detect an operating characteristic of the injector (300), a data processor (220) which is configured to convert an output from the injector characteristic detector (210) into a data value, a microprocessor unit (230) which is configured to generate deviation correction data for the injection timing control of the injector (300) based on the data from the data processor (220), a control device (240) which is configured to generate a correction clock by applying the deviation correction data to the control pulse, and an output driver unit (250) which is configured to control the injector (300) in accordance with the correction clock.

Description

Background of the invention; Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for correcting injector characteristics and a non-temporary, computer-readable medium with program instructions for correcting injector characteristics, and in particular a technology which is capable of improving a deviation compensation response rate by executing a deviation correction function on a driver semiconductor during the operation of an injector for injecting fuel. Description of the state of the art

[0002] With technological advancements, engines (e.g., internal combustion engines) in vehicles (e.g., motor vehicles) have begun to receive data from numerous engine sensors when fuel is supplied during combustion. Specifically, an engine control unit (ECU) uses this data to determine the amount of fuel being supplied and which injector will inject a predetermined amount of fuel.

[0003] Fuel injectors, which inject fuel into a combustion chamber (or combustion chamber), are typically located in or around each specific combustion chamber to effectively supply the chamber with the appropriate amount of fuel when required.

[0004] In a common-rail system (i.e., a type of fuel injection system), fuel is supplied to a single line by a high-pressure pump. In this type of system, an ECU controls the line pressure based on data received from a pressure sensor, which measures the line pressure and sends a fuel injection signal so that the fuel is injected appropriately.

[0005] In a common-line system, an accelerometer is mounted in the center of an engine block, and signals generated by the accelerometer are recorded (hourly) so that the amount of pilot fuel can be adjusted to properly set the position (or state) of the injector. Although this is a relatively small injection quantity, it must be achieved within a target deviation (or setpoint deviation), even if the fuel is repeatedly injected by the same injector, so that the injector can continue to function as designed; and therefore, the target deviation is a very important factor in correctly achieving the amount of fuel in the pilot injection or post-injection.

[0006] Furthermore, new and stricter emissions regulations have prompted vehicle manufacturers to focus their attention on developing technologies that will produce more environmentally friendly engines. For example, some governments have tightened emissions regulations by demanding further reductions in the number of particulate matter emitted. The most important technology for reducing particulate matter emissions is multiple injection. Multiple injection is a process of injecting small amounts of fuel into an engine multiple times at target fuel injection timings, as opposed to injecting a large amount of fuel into the engine only once. This allows for a reduction in the number of particulate matter emitted compared to a single injection of a large amount of fuel.

[0007] The key to multiple injection technology is to inject a small amount of fuel precisely into an engine for a short time, compared to existing methods where it is necessary to precisely control the injector that injects the fuel.

[0008] For example, it shows Fig. 1. The relationship between the fuel injection quantity and the fuel injection time of a conventional injector. Referring to the Fig. As can be seen for a conventional injector, as the fuel injection time decreases, the relationship between the fuel injection quantity and the fuel injection time becomes nonlinear. Due to this nonlinearity, it is difficult to accurately estimate or control the amount of fuel used during this time period. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a technology that can compensate for this nonlinearity to allow for more precise and effective control.

[0009] For example, an injector characteristic correction device with a microcontrol unit and a driver semiconductor integrated in an injector is known from DE 10 2012 211 301 B4 and DE 103 05 772 A1, respectively. Further methods and devices for carrying out fuel injection are known, for example, from DE 10 2008 006 530 A1, DE 10 2004 052 690 A1, DE 10 2008 027 516 B3, DE 10 2005 002 242 A1 and DE 10 2006 059 007 B3. Explanation of the invention

[0010] Accordingly, the present invention was made to solve the problems mentioned above that arise in the prior art, while retaining the advantages achieved in the prior art.

[0011] An object of the present invention is to optimize a method and a device for multiple fuel injections into an internal combustion engine with regard to the amount of fuel to be injected and the injection timing. For this purpose, a correction of injector characteristics is provided which is capable of improving the deviation compensation speed and reducing the computational load on the MCU (microcontroller unit) by executing a deviation correction function on a driver semiconductor (or a semiconductor operating the injector) during the operation of an injector injecting fuel.

[0012] To solve this problem, the present invention provides an injector characteristic correction device with the features of claim 1 and a non-temporary, computer-readable medium with the features of claim 9. Further embodiments of the injector characteristic correction device are described in the dependent claims.

[0013] This means that a device for correcting injector characteristics is provided, comprising: a microcontroller unit configured to generate a control pulse to control the operation (or actuation) of an injector, and a driver semiconductor (or actuation semiconductor) configured to detect and calculate an operating characteristic (or actuation characteristic) of the injector and to compensate for an injection timing control (or injection timing) of the control pulse in accordance with a deviation in the injection timing control of the injector. The driver semiconductor comprises: an injector characteristic detector configured to detect an operating characteristic of the injector, a data processor configured to convert an output of the injector characteristic detector into a data value, a microprocessor unit (or...a microcore unit, which is configured to generate deviation correction data (or a deviation correction value) for the injection timing control of the injector in accordance with the data from the data processor, a control device which generates a correction clock by applying the deviation correction data to the control pulse, and an output driver unit which controls the operation (or actuation) of the injector in accordance with the correction clock.

[0014] The injector characteristic detector may include: a voltage sensor configured to detect the operating voltage (or actuation voltage) of the injector, a current sensor configured to detect the operating current (or actuation current) of the injector, and a selection device configured to select between the outputs of the voltage sensor and the current sensor.

[0015] The data processor may include: a data converter configured to convert a signal from the injector characteristic detector into digital data (or digital values), a digital filter configured to filter the digital data from the digital converter, and a storage unit configured to store output data from the digital filter.

[0016] The microprocessor unit can be configured to initialize the driver semiconductor when the deviation correction data deviates from the target value (or setpoint). As such, the driver semiconductor can further include an interface unit that is coupled to the microcontroller unit. This interface unit can, for example, perform serial-parallel interface communication (SPI).

[0017] The microprocessor unit can correct a deviation to increase the operating time control (or operating / actuation control time) of the injector if the injector injection value is an excessively small control time (i.e., less than a target control time), and can correct a deviation to decrease the injector operating time control if the injector injection value is an excessively large control time (i.e., greater than a target control time).

[0018] The microcontrol unit may include: a driver control device (or an operating control device) configured to receive signal correction information from the driver semiconductor and to process the signal in the information, and a control pulse generator controlled by the driver control device and configured to generate the control pulse. Brief description of the drawings

[0019] The above and other problems and advantages of the present invention will become clearer with the following detailed description, together with the accompanying drawings, in which: The Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the relationship between the fuel injection quantity and the fuel injection time of a conventional injector, Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a device for correcting an injector characteristic according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the detailed configuration of a driver semiconductor of Fig. 2 shows, Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the fuel injection quantity and the fuel injection time of an injector according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 5 is a diagram which provides a detailed description of a microcontroller unit of Fig. 2 shows, Fig. 6 is a diagram showing deviations for each of the injectors in an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the compensation of a timing control / control time that is excessively smaller than a target value, and Fig. Figure 8 is a diagram showing the compensation of a timing control / control time that is excessively larger than a target value. Detailed description

[0020] The following describes embodiments of the present invention in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] It is to be understood that the term "vehicle" or "vehicle-..." or any similar term used herein includes motor vehicles in general, such as passenger cars, including so-called sport utility vehicles (SUVs), buses, trucks, numerous commercial vehicles, watercraft, including a variety of boats and ships, aircraft and the like, and including hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, internal combustion engine vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles, fuel cell vehicles, and other vehicles for alternative fuels (e.g., fuels produced from resources other than petroleum).

[0022] Furthermore, it should be understood that the procedures described below are executed by at least one control device, computer, control unit, or the like. The terms control device, computer, control unit, or the like refer to a hardware device that includes a memory unit and a processor unit and is configured to execute one or more steps / processes, which are to be interpreted as its algorithmic structure. The memory unit is configured to store algorithmic steps, and the processor is specifically configured to execute said algorithmic steps in order to carry out one or more processes, which are described below. Moreover, although the exemplary embodiments are described as being executed by a plurality of processor units, control units, etc.,As described, it is clear that such a method can also be executed by a (single) single control configuration without deviating from the general embodiment.

[0023] Furthermore, the control logic of the present invention can be expressed as non-temporary, computer-readable content (or persistent, computer-readable content) on a computer-readable medium, which contains executable program instructions that are executed by a processor unit, a control device, or the like. Examples of computer-readable media, but not limited to, include: ROM, RAM, compact disc (CD)-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, flash drives, memory cards, and optical data storage devices. The computer-readable recording medium can also be distributed in / on network-connected computer systems, so that the computer-readable content is stored and executed in a distributed manner, for example, by means of a telematics server or a CAN bus.

[0024] The terminology used here serves only to describe particular embodiments and is not intended to limit the invention. The singular forms "a" and "the" are used here to also include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, the terms "comprise" or "comprehensive," when used in this description, specify the presence of the aforementioned features, integers (or data types), steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. The term "and / or," as used here, includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated enumerated elements.

[0025] The Fig. Figure 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a device for correcting an injector characteristic according to an embodiment of the present invention. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises an MCU (microcontroller unit) 100, a driver semiconductor 200, and an injector 300.

[0026] The MCU 100 in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is configured to receive an interface signal from the driver semiconductor 200 and to generate a control pulse to control the operation (or actuation) of the injector 300.

[0027] The driver semiconductor 200 compensates for an injection timing deviation (or injection timing) of injector 300 and outputs an operating control signal in accordance with a control pulse provided by the MCU 100. The driver semiconductor 200 itself detects and calculates a signal that represents the operating characteristics of injector 300, and if compensation for an injection timing deviation of injector 300 is required, the driver semiconductor 200 compensates for this deviation accordingly. That is, the driver semiconductor 200 detects the characteristics of injector 300 whenever the injector is operating and then adjusts the fuel injection timing of injector 300 based on the detected information for the next injection.

[0028] In accordance with the control described above, injector 300 injects fuel at / with the compensated injection timing control in response to receiving the operating control signal from driver semiconductor 200. Injector 300 outputs a signal indicating its operating characteristic (or actuation characteristic) to driver semiconductor 200. This signal, which indicates the operating characteristic of injector 300, could be, for example, the voltage required by injector 300 during injection or the current consumed by injector 300.

[0029] The Fig. Figure 3 is a diagram showing the detailed configuration of the driver semiconductor 200. Fig. Figure 2 shows. The driver semiconductor 200 can include an injector characteristic detector 210, a data processor 220, a microprocessor unit 230, a control device 240, an output driver unit 250 and an interface unit 260.

[0030] The injector characteristic detector 210 can be configured to detect / sense the operating voltage or operating current of the injector 300 and outputs this data to the data processor 220. As such, the injector characteristic detector 210 can include a voltage sensor 211, a current sensor 212, and a selection device 213.

[0031] In such an embodiment, the voltage sensor 211 can be connected to both end nodes (or connection points) of the injector 300 and configured to detect / measure the voltage value required during the operation of the injector 300. Similarly, the current sensor 212 can be connected to the injector driver unit 310 and can detect / measure the amount of current consumed during the operation (or actuation) of the injector 300.

[0032] The selection device 213 can be configured to select between the outputs of the voltage sensor 211 and the current sensor 212 and to output the selected data to the data processor 220. This selection by the selection device 213 can be controlled by the microprocessor unit 230. The data processor 220 then converts the voltage or current value of the injector characteristic detector into a data value and outputs the converted value to the microprocessor unit 230 and the interface unit 260. The data processor 220 itself can include a data converter 221, a digital filter 222, and a memory unit 223.

[0033] The data converter 221 can convert the voltage or current value from the injector characteristic detector 210 into digital data. The digital filter 222 can be configured to remove interference by filtering the digital data from the data converter 221. The storage unit 223 can be configured to store data once it has been filtered by the digital filter 222.

[0034] In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the microprocessor unit 230 can generate deviation correction data (or a deviation correction value) for the injection timing of the injector 300 by reading the data stored in the memory unit 223. More precisely, the microprocessor unit 230 checks the operating characteristics of the injector 300 using the data in the memory unit 223 and corrects a deviation by changing an operating control signal if such a correction is necessary. If the amount of the deviation correction is not a target value (e.g., is higher than the target value), the microprocessor unit 230 can initialize the driver semiconductor 200 by detecting that there is a problem in an external load.

[0035] In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the control device 240 receives a control pulse from the MCU 100 to control the injection timing of the injector 300. Furthermore, the control device 240 generates a correction pulse by applying the control pulse from the MCU 100 to the correction data (or correction value) from the microprocessor unit 230. The output driver unit 250 then operates (or actuates) the injector 300 by controlling the injector driver unit 310 in response to the correction pulse from the control device 240.

[0036] The interface unit 260 is coupled to the MCU 100 by reading the data from the memory unit 223. In this way, the interface unit 260 transmits the correction data from the memory unit 223 to the MCU 100. The interface unit 260 can transmit / receive data to / from the MCU 100, for example via serial-parallel interface communication (SPI communication).

[0037] The Fig. Figure 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the fuel injection quantity and the fuel injection time of an injector according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to the Fig. 4 according to the present invention, since the deviation to (or relative to) the fuel injection time is set by the driver semiconductor 200, there is only a small difference between the desired injection quantity and the actual injection quantity.

[0038] In particular, during multiple injection, in which a small amount of fuel is injected several times by dividing the fuel injection time, the injection quantity is controlled to be small for the initial fuel injection time.

[0039] This means that, in one embodiment of the present invention, the corrected value is reflected very quickly, since the deviation in the injection timing control (or the injection control time) is corrected directly by means of the driver semiconductor 200 and not by the MCU 100. Accordingly, it is possible to adjust the injection quantity during the middle or early points of the multiple injection in accordance with the deviation value of the operating time (or the actuation time) of the injector 300.

[0040] As in the Fig. Figure 1, which illustrates the related technology, shows that as the fuel injection time is reduced during the operation (or actuation) of injector 300, the relationship between the fuel injection quantity and the fuel injection time can exhibit non-linearity. However, in one embodiment of the present invention, the injection characteristic is controlled to be linear by reducing the injection quantity for the early (e.g., shorter) injection times. Once the linearity of the relationship between the fuel injection quantity and the fuel injection time is achieved, it is possible to accurately estimate or control the fuel quantity.

[0041] The Fig. Figure 5 is a diagram that provides a detailed description of the MCU 100. Fig. Figure 2 shows that the MCU 100 includes a control pulse generator 110 and a driver control device 120. The control pulse generator 110 generates a control pulse to control the operation of the injector 300 in accordance with the control of the driver control device 120 and transmits the control pulse to the driver semiconductor 200. The driver control device 120 receives the correction data (or correction value) from the interface unit 260 of the driver semiconductor 200 and is configured to determine whether a signal correction from the driver semiconductor 200 and the signal correction information are present. For example, the driver control device 120 can send / receive data with the driver semiconductor 200 via SPI communication.

[0042] Furthermore, the driver control device 120 controls the operation of the control pulse generator 110 by processing the signal in the signal correction information from the driver semiconductor 200. If the amount of the signal correction from the driver semiconductor 200 exceeds a target value, the driver control device 120 determines that a fault exists in the driver semiconductor 200. Accordingly, the driver control device 120 prevents the generation of the control pulse by initializing the control pulse generator 110.

[0043] The Fig. Figure 6 is a diagram showing deviations for each of the injectors in an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 6 (A) shows the waveform of an injection control pulse, which is provided by the MCU 100 to the driver semiconductor 200 in the multiple injection process. When the driver semiconductor 200 activates the injector 300, the control pulse is switched if it is applied. Furthermore, the driver semiconductor 200 controls the injection timing (or injection control time) of the injector 300 in sync with the release time (or switch-on time) of the control pulse (A). As shown in (B), the driver semiconductor 200 sets a desired injection value for the injector 300.

[0044] In the Fig. Figure 6 shows (C) when the deviation of the injection values ​​of injector 300 is shorter than a desired injection value, and shows (D) when the deviation of the injection values ​​of injector 300 is longer than the desired injection value.

[0045] The Fig. Figure 7 is a diagram showing the compensation of a time control (or control time) that is excessively smaller than a target value (or setpoint). If, as in the Fig. 7. If the deviation of the injection values ​​of injector 300 is shorter than a desired injection value, the microprocessor unit 230 reflects correction data (or a correction value) onto the control pulse (A). Accordingly, the control device 240 compensates for the deviation, so that the operating time (or the actuation time) of injector 300 becomes greater than the control pulse (A) by delaying the switch-on timing control (low level) of the injection operating pulse (E). In this case, the waveform (F) can be adjusted to the desired injection value of the injector by compensating for an excessively short control time (shorter than a target control time) of the actual injection value. It becomes clear that the injection waveform (F) after the correction is almost equal to the desired injection value (B).

[0046] The Fig. Figure 8 is a diagram showing the compensation for a time control (or control time) that is excessively larger than a target value (or setpoint). If, as in the Fig. 8. If the deviation of the injection values ​​of injector 300 is longer than a desired injection value, the microprocessor unit 230 reflects correction data (G) onto the control pulse (A). Accordingly, the control device 240 compensates for the deviation, so that the operating time of injector 300 becomes shorter than the control pulse (A) by controlling the switch-on timing (low level) of the injection operating pulse (G). In this case, the waveform (H) can be achieved by compensating for an excessively long timing (greater than a target timing) of the actual injection value to the desired injection value of the injector. It becomes clear that the injection waveform (H) after correction is almost equal to the desired injection value (B).

[0047] The present invention provides the following effects.

[0048] First, a driver semiconductor can implement an algorithm that directly identifies changes in the characteristics of an external injector and allows for free modification of the implemented algorithm accordingly. Second, it is possible to improve the response speed by mitigating deviations after characteristic identification by executing a deviation correction function on the driver semiconductor when the injector is operated (or actuated) to inject fuel. Third, since the driver semiconductor performs the calculation to estimate an injector characteristic, it is possible to reduce the computational load on a microprocessor unit (MCU). Fourth, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the driver semiconductor by preventing unnecessary energy consumption through a reduction in the number of timing signals transmitted to a main microprocessor unit.

[0049] The exemplary embodiments of the present invention as described above have been provided for illustrative purposes. Therefore, it is clear to the person skilled in the art that numerous modifications, variations, substitutions, and additions are possible without deviating from the scope and purpose of the invention as defined by the appended claims; and that such modifications, variations, substitutions, and additions are included within the scope of the present invention. Reference symbols for the elements in the figures 200 driver semiconductors 210 injector characteristic detector 220 Data processor 230 microprocessor unit 240 Control device 250 output driver unit 260 interface unit

Claims

[1] An injector characteristic correction device comprising: a micro control unit (100) configured to generate a control pulse that controls the operation of an injector (300), and a driver semiconductor (200) which is configured to detect and calculate an operating characteristic relating to the injector (300), and which compensates for an injection timing of the control pulse based on a deviation in the injection timing of the injector (300), wherein the driver semiconductor (200) has: an injector characteristic detector (210) which is configured to detect an operating characteristic of the injector (300), a data processor (220) which is configured to convert an output from the injector characteristic detector (210) into a data value, a microprocessor unit (230) which is configured to generate deviation correction data for the injection timing control of the injector (300) based on the data from the data processor (220), a control device (240) which is configured to generate a correction clock by applying the deviation correction data to the control pulse, and an output driver unit (250) which is configured to control the injector (300) in accordance with the correction clock. [2] The device according to claim 1, wherein the injector characteristic detector (210) comprises: a voltage sensor (211) which is configured to detect an actuation voltage of the injector (300), a current sensor (212) which is configured to detect an actuation current of the injector (300), and a selection device (213) which is configured to select between the outputs of the voltage sensor (211) and the current sensor (212). [3] The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the data processor (220) comprises: a data converter (221) which is configured to convert a signal from the injector characteristic detector (210) into digital data, a digital filter (222) which is configured to filter the digital data from the data converter (221), and a storage unit (223) which stores output data of the digital filter (222). [4] The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the microprocessor unit (230) initializes the driver semiconductor (200) when the deviation correction deviates from a target value. [5] The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the driver semiconductor (200) further comprises an interface unit (260) which is coupled to the microcontrol unit (100). [6] The device according to claim 5, wherein the interface unit (260) performs serial-parallel interface communication (SPI). [7] The device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the microprocessor unit (230) is configured to correct a deviation in order to increase the actuation control time of the injector (300) when an injection value of the injector (300) is less than a target control time, and to correct a deviation in order to decrease the actuation control time of the injector (300) when the injection value of the injector (300) is greater than the target control time. [8] The device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the microcontrol unit (100) comprises: a driver control device (120) which is configured to receive signal correction information from the driver semiconductor (200) and to process the signal in the information, and a control pulse generator (110) which is controlled by the driver control device (120) to generate the control pulse. [9] A non-temporary, computer-readable medium containing program instructions that are executed by a processor or control device, wherein the non-temporary, computer-readable medium comprises: Program instructions that capture an operating characteristic of an injector (300), Program instructions that convert an output from an injector characteristic detector (210) into a data value, Program instructions that generate deviation correction data for an injection timing control of the injector (300) based on the data of a data processor (220), Program instructions that generate a correction clock by applying the deviation correction data to a control pulse to control the operation of the injector (300), and Program instructions that control the injector (300) in accordance with the correction clock.

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