48V Solenoid Injector Control in Hybrid Vehicles Without Boosters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hybrid motor vehicles with internal combustion and electric propulsion engines require expensive and voluminous voltage booster systems to actuate solenoid fuel injectors, which also generate significant thermal dissipation and require complex heat management, as the standard 12V DC voltage is insufficient for solenoid operation.

Innovation Solution

Adapting the control parameters of solenoid fuel injectors to utilize the available 48V DC voltage from the electric motor, considering engine speed, internal combustion engine temperature, and injection pressure, eliminating the need for a direct voltage booster by adjusting fuel injection time and start angle in real-time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a DC voltage booster is used to increase voltage from 12V to 65V for solenoid fuel injectors, then the solenoid injectors can be actuated, but the system becomes expensive, voluminous, and generates significant thermal dissipation

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovevoltageVSAvoidvoltage booster system
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the voltage boosting function from a separate DC voltage booster device and integrates it into the 48V electrical network of the hybrid vehicle. Instead of adding a dedicated 12V-to-65V booster, the system utilizes the existing 48V network that is already present in hybrid vehicles, thereby eliminating the need for a complex voltage booster while still providing sufficient voltage for solenoid injector operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The 48V electrical network in hybrid vehicles, originally designed for other purposes (such as assisting the internal combustion engine), is made multi-functional by also using it to power the solenoid fuel injectors. This eliminates the need for a separate voltage boosting system and reduces overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Power

If a DC voltage booster is used to increase voltage from 12V to 65V for solenoid fuel injectors, then the solenoid injectors can be actuated, but the system requires significant space and generates heat requiring complex heat management

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovevoltageVSAvoidelectronic enclosure
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the need for a dedicated voltage booster device and its associated heat dissipation requirements by utilizing the existing 48V electrical network. This eliminates the physical space and thermal management infrastructure that would be required for a separate voltage boosting system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The 48V electrical network serves dual purposes: it powers auxiliary systems in the hybrid vehicle and simultaneously provides sufficient power for the solenoid fuel injectors. This self-service approach eliminates the need for additional space-consuming voltage conversion equipment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If the supply voltage is adapted to 48V from the electric motor, then the voltage booster is eliminated, but the control parameters must be precisely adapted to real-time voltage variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage booster systemVSAvoidcontrol parameters
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adaptation of injector control parameters based on real-time monitoring of the 48V electrical network voltage. The control system continuously adjusts injection parameters to compensate for voltage fluctuations, ensuring optimal injector performance across varying operating conditions without requiring a stable fixed voltage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor the actual voltage from the 48V electrical network and use this information to adjust the control parameters of the fuel injectors in real-time. This closed-loop control ensures that injector performance remains optimal despite voltage variations in the electrical network

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables efficient control of solenoid fuel injectors using the electric motor's supply voltage, reducing the need for costly voltage booster systems and minimizing thermal dissipation, while ensuring optimal fuel injection parameters based on real-time operating conditions.

Implementation Method 1

When the solenoid coil is supplied with actuation current, a magnetic field is generated in the solenoid, which acts on the plunger and moves it in a predetermined direction, namely in the direction of the arrow in the figure. This causes the valve to open and fuel to be injected into the cylinder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolenoid electromagnetic actuation: Electromagnet

Data Source

PatentEP3356171B1Control method of the power supply of solenoid fuel injectors in a hybrid motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.02.14 CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE SAS
  • EP3356171B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

A method for controlling the power supply of injectors for hybrid motor vehicles, comprising an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, said vehicle being equipped with a first electrical network powered at a first DC voltage intended, in particular, for powering the motor control of the internal combustion engine, and a second electrical network powered at a second DC voltage, higher than the first, and intended, in particular, for powering the electric motor, said method being characterised in that it comprises the following steps: v. connecting the second DC voltage (V2) to the power supply of the solenoid fuel injectors; vi. reading the value of the second DC voltage (V2m); vii. adapting the control parameters of the solenoid fuel injectors on the basis of the value (V2m) read in step ii, of an engine speed (N) of the internal combustion propulsion engine (ICE), of a temperature (Tm) of the internal combustion propulsion engine (ICE) and of an injection pressure (Pm) upstream of the solenoid fuel injectors; viii. controlling the solenoid fuel injectors using the second DC voltage (V2), wherein: iv.a there is no change in the injector control parameters when the value (V2m) is greater than a threshold value, and iv.b at least one of the injector control parameters is changed when the value (V2m) is lower than the threshold value.