IP Library Granted Patent US 9,453,473
Granted Patent B2
US 9,453,473 · App. 13/820,778 · Granted Sep 27, 2016

Method for actuating a piezo injector of a fuel injection system

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,453,473
App. No.
13/820,778
Granted
Sep 27, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for actuating a piezoelectric actuator and a piezo injector of a fuel injection system having a nozzle needle which can be moved between the closed position and an open position by the piezoelectric actuator are disclosed. Current is applied to the piezoelectric actuator from a source for the duration of a charging time as a function of a required quantity of fuel, in order to move the nozzle needle into its opened position for a time period which is dependent on the required quantity of fuel. The charging time is selected according to the following relationships: t charge (p)=t nom,charge (p) for TI>t EP,p and t charge (p, TI)≦Ti for TI≦t EP,p .

Claims (20)

1. A method for actuating a piezo injector of a fuel injection system, the piezo injector having a piezoelectric actuator and a nozzle needle configured for movement by the piezoelectric actuator between a closed position and an open position, comprising:

applying current to the piezoelectric actuator from a source for the duration of a charging time selected as a function of a requested quantity of fuel to move the nozzle needle into the open position for a time period dependent on the requested quantity of fuel,

wherein the charging time is selected according to the following relationships:

t charge ( p )= t nom,charge ( p ) for TI>t EP,p and

t charge ( p,TI )≦ Ti for TI≦t EP,p ,

where t nom,charge (p) is a nominal charging time given a pressure p, TI is an opening time for the piezo injector and t EP,p is an end time of an influence of bouncing for the pressure p.

2. A control system for a piezo injector having a piezoelectric actuator and a nozzle needle configured for movement by the piezoelectric actuator between a closed position and an open position, comprising:

a current source configured to supply current to the piezoelectric actuator, and

a control device configured to control a charging time during which the current source applies current to the piezoelectric actuator, wherein the charging time is selected as a function of a requested quantity of fuel to move the nozzle needle into the open position for a time period dependent on the requested quantity of fuel, and wherein the charging time is selected according to the following relationships:

t charge ( p )= t nom,charge ( p ) for TI>t EP,p and

t charge ( p,TI )≦ Ti for TI≦t EP,p ,

where t nom,charge (p) is a nominal charging time given a pressure p, TI is an opening time for the piezo injector and t EP,p is an end time of an influence of bouncing for the pressure p.

3. A fuel injector system, comprising:

a piezo injector comprising a piezoelectric actuator and a nozzle needle configured for movement by the piezoelectric actuator between a closed position and an open position,

a current source configured to supply current to the piezoelectric actuator, and

a control device configured to control a charging time during which the current source applies current to the piezoelectric actuator, wherein the charging time is selected as a function of a requested quantity of fuel to move the nozzle needle into the open position for a time period dependent on the requested quantity of fuel, and wherein the charging time is selected according to the following relationships:

t charge ( p )= t nom,charge ( p ) for TI>t EP,p

and

t charge ( p,TI )≦ Ti for TI≦t EP,p ,

where t nom,charge (p) is a nominal charging time given a pressure p, TI is an opening time for the piezo injector and t EP,p is an end time of an influence of bouncing for the pressure p.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 23, 2020
From: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
To: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
Reel/Frame 053302/0633 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 2, 2013
From: LEHNER, STEFFEN, DR.; HOFFMANN, ROBERT; WIEHOFF, HANS-JOERG
To: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
Reel/Frame 030725/0656 →