IP Library Granted Patent US 6,948,358
Granted Patent B2
US 6,948,358 · App. 10/614,346 · Granted Sep 27, 2005

Method for diagnosing incorrect valve lift adjustment in an internal combustion engine

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,948,358
App. No.
10/614,346
Granted
Sep 27, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

If, when a valve lift adjustment is triggered in an inlet valve of an internal combustion engine, no valve lift adjustment actually takes place due to a defect in the adjustment mechanism, the air/fuel ratio (lambda) or even a different operating parameter for example the engine speed and torque changes in an unintended manner. By monitoring this operating parameter the operation control device can deduce a defect in the adjustment mechanism.

Claims (21)

1. A method for diagnosing a defect in an adjustment mechanism for adjusting a valve lift of at least one inlet valve in an internal combustion engine, the operation of which is regulated by an operation control device, comprising:

monitoring an operating parameter of the internal combustion engine, which is set to a target value when the valve lift is actually adjusted by the operation control device;

deducing a defect in the adjustment mechanism from a discrepancy between the operating parameter and the target value when a valve lift adjustment is triggered; and

wherein the operation control device is configured so that on identification of a defect in the adjustment mechanism it regulates the operation of the internal combustion engine according to an actual lift of an inlet valve at a time of an activated valve lift adjustment and wherein the monitored operating parameter is an air/fuel ratio.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the operation is carried out individually for each cylinder in the internal combustion engine.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method is performed in the internal combustion engine with discrete valve lift adjustment.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the operation control device activates an error display on identification of a defect in the adjustment mechanism.

5. A method for diagnosing a defect in an adjustment mechanism for adjusting a valve lift of at least one inlet valve in an internal combustion engine, the operation of which is regulated by an operation control device, comprising:

monitoring an operating parameter of the internal combustion engine, which is set to a target value when the valve lift is actually adjusted by the operation control device;

deducing a defect in the adjustment mechanism from a discrepancy between the operating parameter and the target value when a valve lift adjustment is triggered; and

wherein the operation control device is configured so that on identification of a defect in the adjustment mechanism it regulates the operation of the internal combustion engine according to an actual lift of an inlet valve at a time of an activated valve lift adjustment and wherein the monitored operating parameter is a speed or torque of the internal combustion engine.

6. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the operation is carried out individually for each cylinder in the internal combustion engine.

7. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the method is performed in the internal combustion engine with discrete valve lift adjustment.

8. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the operation control device activates an error display on identification of a defect in the adjustment mechanism.

9. A method for diagnosing a defect in an adjustment mechanism for adjusting a valve lift of at least one inlet valve in an internal combustion engine, the operation of which is regulated by an operation control device, comprising:

monitoring an operating parameter of the internal combustion engine, which is set to a target value when the valve lift is actually adjusted by the operation control device;

deducing a defect in the adjustment mechanism from a discrepancy between the operating parameter and the target value when a valve lift adjustment is triggered; and

wherein the operation control device is configured so that on identification of a defect in the adjustment mechanism it regulates the operation of the internal combustion engine according to an actual lift of an inlet valve at a time of an activated valve lift adjustment and wherein the monitored operating parameter is a pressure or mass air flow in a suction pipe of the internal combustion engine.

10. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the operation is carried out individually for each cylinder in the internal combustion engine.

11. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the method is performed in the internal combustion engine with discrete valve lift adjustment.

12. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the operation control device activates an error display on identification of a defect in the adjustment mechanism.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 31, 2020
From: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
To: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
Reel/Frame 053372/0083 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 19, 2011
From: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
To: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
Reel/Frame 027263/0068 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 5, 2004
From: WEISS, FRANK; ZHANG, HONG
To: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
Reel/Frame 014877/0265 →