Fuel Injection Control Device Inflexion Point Filtering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Variations in flow rate properties of fuel injection devices due to bouncing of the anchor with the core cause differences in fuel injection, which are influenced by the stroke length, making it challenging to estimate the set spring force accurately.

Innovation Solution

A control device for fuel injection systems that includes an inflexion point extraction filter to correct the drive current based on the timing of the later inflexion point, reducing the influence of stroke length and enabling precise estimation of the set spring force.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If valve closure completion timing is used to estimate set spring force, then estimation can be performed, but stroke length causes disturbance and reduces estimation precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveset spring force estimation precisionVSAvoidestimation accuracy affected by stroke variation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the disturbing factor (stroke length influence) from the estimation process. By using the time difference between the two inflexion points instead of the absolute timing, the method separates the spring force indication from the stroke length variation, achieving accurate estimation regardless of stroke differences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary measurement approach - using the time difference between inflexion points as an intermediate parameter that correlates with spring force but is independent of stroke length. This intermediary metric serves as a reliable indicator that avoids the direct disturbance of stroke variation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If anchor momentum is not adjusted according to set spring force, then device operation is simple, but bouncing occurs and flow rate variations increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow rate consistencyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the estimated set spring force (derived from inflexion point timing) is used to adjust the drive current profile. This feedback loop ensures that the anchor momentum is appropriately matched to the spring force, reducing bouncing and improving flow rate consistency across different devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the drive current parameters based on the estimated spring force characteristics. By adjusting current magnitude and pulse width according to the measured inflexion point timing, the system optimizes anchor acceleration to match the specific spring force of each device, eliminating bouncing variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This approach allows for high-precision estimation of the set spring force, homogenizing the momentum of the rising anchor and valve element, thereby reducing variations in flow rate properties among individual fuel injection devices.

Implementation Method 1

an inflexion point extraction filter for filtering a drive voltage of a solenoid to extract inflexion points

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSignal filtering: Filter (electronic)

Implementation Method 2

a drive control device of an electromagnetic valve for controlling a flow rate of fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic actuation: Solenoid

Data Source

PatentEP3330522B1Control device of fuel injection device
Publication Date: 2020.10.28 HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYST LTD
  • EP3330522B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3330522B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3330522B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A set spring force is estimated with high precision and a drive waveform is corrected according to the results. A control device of a fuel injection device consists of an incorporation means of reading a drive voltage of a solenoid, an inflexion point extraction filter for filtering the drive voltage to highlight inflexion points, a means of selecting a later inflexion point or a means of calculating a temporal difference between a later inflexion point and an earlier inflexion point of the extracted inflexion points, and a drive current correction means of correcting a drive current parameter on the basis of timing of the selected, later inflexion point or a temporal difference between the inflexion points.