Fuel Injector ID Chip Latch Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fuel injection systems face challenges in accurately communicating with and identifying individual fuel injectors, leading to potential misapplication of trim data during assembly or replacement, which can affect exhaust emissions and compliance with emissions regulations.
Innovation Solution
Integration of an electronic ID chip with an electronic latch mechanism that allows communication via existing injector drive wires and circuitry, enabling and disabling communication with specific drive pulse signals, eliminating the need for unique bus addresses and reducing operator error.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an electronic ID chip is integrated into the injector with unique identity number or trim data, then accurate identification and communication with individual injectors is enabled, but the device complexity increases due to additional communication circuitry and addressing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the ID chip communication functionality with the existing injector drive circuitry by integrating the communication interface directly into the drive circuit. This merging eliminates the need for separate communication circuitry and reduces overall system complexity while maintaining accurate identification capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The injector drive circuitry is designed to perform multiple functions: both driving the injector and communicating with the integrated ID chip. By making the drive circuit universal, the patent eliminates the need for dedicated communication circuitry, thereby reducing device complexity while preserving identification accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If each injector is assigned a unique bus address for individual communication, then individual injector identification is possible, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to manual connection and configuration requirements during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically identifies and configures each injector based on its integrated ID chip data without requiring manual intervention. The ECU autonomously reads the unique identity number or trim data from each injector's ID chip and automatically associates the correct trim data with the corresponding cylinder, eliminating manual configuration steps and reducing operator error.
Solution Approach 2:
The unique identity number or trim data is pre-stored in the ID chip during injector manufacturing. This preliminary encoding of identification information allows the system to automatically recognize and configure each injector without requiring manual addressing or configuration during assembly, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining identification accuracy.
3Device complexity
If existing injector drive wires and circuitry are used for ID chip communication, then the device complexity is reduced by eliminating additional communication infrastructure, but the reliability may worsen due to potential signal interference between drive signals and communication signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic communication cycles where the ECU alternates between injector drive operations and ID chip communication. By timing the communication signals to occur during specific periods when no drive signals are active, the system eliminates signal interference while using the same physical wires, thereby maintaining reliability without adding communication infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication interface is continuously monitored and managed by the ECU to ensure that communication signals are only transmitted when the injector drive circuitry is not actively driving. This continuous management ensures reliable communication over the shared wires without requiring additional dedicated communication infrastructure.
Data Source
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AI summary
An injector (50) for a fuel injection system comprising: input means (51a, 51b) for receiving drive signals from an injector drive circuit (76) for controlling operation of the injector, and; an ID chip (62) wherein the injector further comprises an electronic latch means (68) arranged to move between a first state in which the electronic latch means is arranged to be enabled such that the ID chip is in communication with the injector drive circuit via the input means, and a second state in which the electronic latch means is arranged to be disabled such that the ID chip is not in communication with the injector drive circuit via the input means wherein the electronic latch means is arranged to move from the first state to the second state upon receipt at the injector of a drive pulse signal from the injector drive circuit.