Injector Drive Device Cylinder Group Capacitor Prioritization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing injector drive devices for multi-cylinder internal combustion engines face limitations in setting injection timing due to fluctuations in current and voltage when multiple cylinders require high-voltage power simultaneously, leading to restricted engine performance in terms of fuel consumption and exhaust gases.
Innovation Solution
The device groups cylinders into multiple groups, each with its own capacitor, and employs a controller to prioritize charging the capacitor with the shorter time to the next fuel injection, allowing simultaneous operation of injectors and reducing charge/discharge cycle interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single booster circuit and capacitor are used to supply high voltage to multiple cylinders, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but voltage and current fluctuations occur when multiple cylinders require high voltage simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the multi-cylinder engine into multiple groups (first cylinder group and second cylinder group) where each group has its own dedicated capacitor. This segmentation allows independent power supply to each group, preventing voltage and current fluctuations when multiple cylinders within the same group require high voltage simultaneously, while maintaining the benefits of a shared booster circuit architecture.
2Productivity
If injection is performed multiple times with long stroke period, then fuel mixture formation is improved, but injection start periods overlap causing high-voltage power source to be used simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing cylinders into multiple groups with separate capacitors, the system can support multiple injection cycles with overlapping timing requirements. Each group's capacitor independently supplies high voltage to its cylinders, allowing the system to handle the increased power demand from simultaneous injections without requiring an excessively large single capacitor or booster circuit.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If capacitor charging is performed continuously, then charge/discharge cycle interference is reduced, but the booster circuit cannot be used efficiently during discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables parallel charging operations across multiple capacitors while maintaining efficient booster circuit utilization. By having multiple independent capacitor units, the system can charge different capacitors simultaneously or alternately without requiring the booster circuit to cycle through a single capacitor repeatedly, thereby reducing charge/discharge interference and improving overall energy efficiency.
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 configuration provides improved freedom in setting injection timing, stabilizes valve operations, and optimizes engine performance by minimizing voltage and current fluctuations, thereby enhancing fuel efficiency and exhaust management.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitor that accumulates electric power to be supplied to the injectors
Implementation Method 2
a booster circuit that boosts voltage of electric power supplied from an external power source
Implementation Method 3
the current is increased to open the valve with an electromagnet
Data Source
AI summary
An injector drive device supplies driving electric power to injectors injecting fuel to cylinders of an internal combustion engine. The cylinders are grouped into multiple groups including at least a first cylinder group and a second cylinder group. The injector drive device includes: a booster circuit that boosts voltage of electric power supplied from an external power source; a first and second capacitors that accumulates electric power to be supplied to the injectors of the first cylinder group and the second cylinder group respectively; switch elements that selectively supply the output of the booster circuit to the capacitors; and a controller that, in the case where a charging amounts of the capacitors both are below a predetermined value, switches the switch elements to supply the output of the booster circuit preferentially to the capacitor that has a shorter period until a next planned fuel discharge start.