Valve Actuator Control for Fuel Injection Precision

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional systems for controlling fuel injection valves in internal combustion engines lack precision due to unknown hydraulic opening durations and valve delay times, which affect fuel metering accuracy.

Innovation Solution

An electromagnetic actuator-controlled valve system that adjusts the valve opening duration based on a correction variable, incorporating feedback factors and estimated delay times, to improve precision and robustness, and accounts for varying conditions such as temperature and fluid properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional actuator control is used without delay time compensation, then the control system is simple, but fuel metering precision deteriorates due to unknown valve delay times

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel metering precisionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-determining delay time characteristics through calibration procedures and storing them in lookup tables. The actual delay times are estimated based on operating conditions (temperature, pressure) before the actual valve operation occurs, allowing the control system to compensate for delay times proactively rather than reactively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring actual valve position and injection duration, comparing these against target values, and adjusting the control signal accordingly. The system uses feedback from sensors to detect actual delay times and modifies subsequent control commands to maintain precise fuel metering despite varying delay characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If valve delay times are not compensated, then the control algorithm is simple, but injection precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinjection precisionVSAvoidcontrol algorithm complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control algorithm performs preliminary calculations by determining expected delay times based on stored characteristic data and operating conditions before executing the injection command. This pre-computation allows the system to account for delay effects without adding complex real-time calculation overhead during actual injection events.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting control parameters (actuator activation duration, timing) based on estimated delay time characteristics. The system modifies injection parameters dynamically according to detected delay variations, temperature, and pressure conditions to maintain consistent injection precision across different operating scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If the actuator control duration is extended to account for delay times, then injection precision improves, but the response time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel metering precisionVSAvoidresponse time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary determination of delay time characteristics through calibration and stores this information for rapid lookup during operation. By pre-characterizing the valve response and storing the data in lookup tables indexed by operating conditions, the system avoids time-consuming real-time calculations while still achieving precise delay compensation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses copying by creating a digital model of the valve's delay characteristics through calibration measurements. This virtual copy of the valve's temporal response behavior is stored and used to predict actual delay times without physically measuring them in real-time, enabling fast and accurate compensation without adding significant response time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

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

The system achieves over 90% settlement in four work cycles, enhancing fuel metering precision and robustness, while reducing the impact of valve delay times on fuel injection accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

An electromagnetic actuator is preferably used as the actuator.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic actuation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2422067B1Method and control device for operating a valve actuated by an actuator
Publication Date: 2017.06.07 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP2422067B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1c
  • EP2422067B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2422067B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for operating a valve (100) actuated by an actuator (102, 104), in particular an injection valve (100) of a combustion engine of a motor vehicle, wherein the actuator (102, 104) is controlled by a control variable (I) having a control duration (ET). According to the invention, the control duration (ET) is formed depending on a target value (Tovsoll) for the valve opening duration (Tov).