Fuel Injector Self-Diagnosis via Partial Pulse Pressure Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for correcting fuel injection quantity in internal combustion engines rely on sensor signals and fail to distinguish between air and fuel errors, requiring additional sensor hardware and not accounting for injector wear and tolerance changes effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method that evaluates the injector's properties in both ballistic and linear working ranges to correct fuel injection quantity by dividing the total injection quantity into partial pulses, measuring pressure drops, and determining errors in opening and flow behavior without additional sensor hardware, allowing for separate gradient corrections in each range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensor signals are used for fuel injection quantity correction, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional sensor hardware
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the injector's own operational characteristics (ballistic and linear range behavior) to self-diagnose and self-correct fuel injection quantity deviations. By analyzing pressure drops during controlled injection pulses, the system determines injector errors without requiring external sensors, enabling the injector to serve both its fuel delivery function and its diagnostic function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical/electromechanical sensor systems with a computational approach that analyzes pressure drop characteristics. Instead of using additional physical sensors to measure injection quantity, the system substitutes a calculation-based method that derives injection quantity information from pressure measurements already available in the fuel system.
2Ease of operation
If conventional actuation signals are used for injector detection, then ease of operation is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to detect opening behavior
Solution Approach 1:
The injection process is segmented into multiple controlled partial pulses with specific durations and magnitudes. By dividing the total injection quantity into smaller, controllable units, the system can analyze the pressure drop response of each segment to determine injector opening behavior and flow characteristics with high precision while maintaining simple control through standard actuation signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts injection parameters (pulse duration, magnitude) based on detected injector characteristics and operating conditions. By adapting the injection strategy in real-time based on pressure drop measurements, the system maintains optimal measurement precision across varying operating conditions while continuing to use conventional actuation mechanisms.
3Productivity
If full-load quantity deviation is corrected through lambda controller offset, then productivity is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to distinguish air and fuel errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different correction strategies for different error types (air error vs. fuel error) by analyzing the specific pressure drop characteristics associated with each error condition. By identifying whether the deviation is caused by air supply issues or fuel injection issues through characteristic pressure drop patterns, the system applies localized corrections appropriate to each error type, improving measurement precision without disrupting overall engine operation.
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 enables precise correction of fuel injection quantity without additional sensors, differentiates between air and fuel errors, and enhances diagnostic reliability, improving injection tolerance and lambda control accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
different properties of the injector in the ballistic working range thereof and in the linear working range thereof are evaluated
Implementation Method 2
an evaluation of the pressure drops triggered by the partial pulses is performed in the correction of the fuel injection quantity
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a method for operating an internal combustion engine which has at least one injector and in which a correction of fuel injection quantity is implemented. For the correction of the fuel injection quantity, different properties of the injector in the ballistic working range thereof and in the linear working range thereof are evaluated. A total injection quantity of the injector demanded in an operating cycle is divided into a number of smaller, equal partial injection quantities implemented as partial pulses, and an evaluation of the pressure drops triggered by the partial pulses is performed in the correction of the fuel injection quantity. The disclosure furthermore relates to a device for operating an internal combustion engine which has at least one injector and in which a correction of the fuel injection quantity is implemented.