Fuel Pump Actuator Energy Control for Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Internal combustion engine fuel delivery devices require high electrical energy to operate quantity control valves efficiently at high speeds, leading to increased noise and reduced fatigue strength at medium and low speeds.

Innovation Solution

The method adjusts the energy supplied to the electromagnetic actuating device based on engine speed, reducing energy during low-speed operations and extending the attraction time to conserve energy, using a pulse duty factor or pre-controlled pulse-width-modulated voltage to manage current and voltage thresholds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high electrical energy is supplied to the electromagnetic actuator during each switching operation, then the switching time is short and reliable switching is achieved, but the operating noise increases and fatigue strength decreases at medium and low speeds

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliable switchingVSAvoidoperating noise
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the energy supply to the electromagnetic actuator speed-dependent. At high speeds, high energy is supplied to ensure short switching times and reliable operation. At medium and low speeds, the energy supply is reduced, which decreases operating noise and fatigue while still maintaining reliable switching. This dynamic adaptation of energy supply to operating conditions resolves the contradiction between reliable switching and noise/fatigue reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of electrical energy supply based on engine speed. By adjusting the energy level according to the operating speed, the system achieves reliable switching at all speeds while minimizing noise and fatigue at lower speeds where high energy is not required for timely switching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If high electrical energy is supplied to the electromagnetic actuator during each switching operation, then switching time is short, but energy consumption increases at medium and low speeds

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching speedVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts energy consumption based on engine speed. At high speeds, high energy is supplied to maintain short switching times and high productivity. At medium and low speeds, energy supply is reduced since short switching times are less critical, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining adequate switching performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical energy parameter is changed according to engine speed. By varying the energy level to match the actual switching requirements at different speeds, the system optimizes the balance between switching speed (productivity) and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If the armature attraction time is extended at low speeds to conserve energy, then energy consumption decreases, but switching time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidswitching time
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the armature attraction time speed-dependent. At high speeds, attraction time is kept short to maintain productivity. At medium and low speeds, attraction time is extended to reduce energy consumption, since the system can tolerate longer switching times at these lower operating conditions. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between energy consumption and switching time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 reduces operating noise and increases fatigue strength while ensuring reliable switching of the quantity control valve across varying speeds, optimizing energy use and maintaining correct operation.

Implementation Method 1

an electromagnetic actuator of a metering control valve arranged in an inlet to a delivery chamber of the fuel delivery system is switched to adjust the delivery rate. For this purpose, energy is supplied to the electromagnetic actuator by means of the control signal during each switching operation in which an armature is to be moved towards a stroke stop

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic actuation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

An armature coupled to a valve body of the fuel metering valve can be moved by magnetic force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP2724011B1Method and apparatus for controlling a fuel supply pump of an internal combustion engine
Publication Date: 2020.09.30 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP2724011B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2724011B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2724011B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for operating a fuel delivery device (1) of an internal combustion engine, in which method an electromagnetic actuating device (9) of a volume control valve (10) is switched such as to set a delivery volume, wherein an intensity of an energy that is supplied to the electromagnetic actuating device (9) for switching purposes, in particular of a current (I) supplied to the electromagnetic actuating device (9) and/or a level of a voltage applied to the electromagnetic actuating device (9), depends at least intermittently on a rotational speed (72) of the internal combustion engine.