An internal combustion engine control device for a plurality of actuators

The invention relates to a control device for selectively driving a plurality of actuators of an internal combustion engine with the features of the of claim 1, an actuator in the form of an ignition device for an internal combustion engine with the features of the of claim 11 and an internal combustion engine with the features of the of claim 15.

In the state of the technique the compound of plurality of actuator controls with the actuators is such, that is to each actuator separately guided the same number of necessary control - and supply lines. A plurality of actuators may be associated with a common actuator control. The actuator controllers are independently with the central control unit via a control line itself and with a DC/DC converter connected via a supply line.

It also ignition devices are known, the measuring devices for the ignition voltage have. The measurement signals are reported by each igniter via its own measuring line to the central control unit.

The above described plurality of necessary lines provides a high wiring on the risk of incorrect wiring with the corresponding space requirements and wall.

The purpose of the invention under the control device providing a genus, a prescribed actuator in the form of a prescribed engine igniter and a genus genus is, in which the above discussed problems are avoided.

This problem is solved by a control device with the features of claim 1, an actuator in the form of an ignition device for an internal combustion engine having the features of claim 11 and an internal combustion engine having the features of claim 15. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

Examples of selectively controllable by the control device actuators ignition devices and measuring devices (e.g. thermocouple or the like).

The invention can preferably at a stationary internal combustion engine or for marine applications or for mobile applications such as so-called "the non-road mobile Machinery" (NRMM) - preferably each formed are used as reciprocating piston engine (preferably gas engine) -. The internal combustion engine can serve as a mechanical drive, e.g. for operating compressor installations or be coupled with a generator to a GENSET for generating electrical energy.

Embodiments of the invention will be discussed with reference to the Figures. It show:

Fig. 1a, 1b to control devices in conjunction with an internal combustion engine according to the invention two representations actuators

Fig. 2 a detail for Fig. 1

Fig. 3 a variant for Fig. 2

Fig. 4 a further variant for Fig. 2

Fig. 5 a representation of a Fig. 6 a further variant according to the invention Fig. 2 for internal combustion engine

In the embodiments of Fig. 1 io 4 is an automatic addressing each actuator control simply by 2, with respect to the first control line 3 that are switched in series, as will be explained subsequently.

In the embodiment of the Fig. 6 each actuator control is provided by means of a switch 37 with a preset address.

Fig. 1a shows an embodiment of the invention, wherein the invention to be controlled by the control device actuators are in the form of the combustion chambers of an internal combustion engine here six exemplary ignition devices 7 (see Fig. 5 - not shown for) and ignition devices are provided two central control units for the six 7 1. Each igniter 7 is provided with an associated actuator control 2.

The central control units 1 are each connected via a control input 11 12 with a control of the internal combustion engine. Each central control unit 24 volts D.C. line 26 with a further 1 (it is also connected to another voltage be provided) and a mass 27 could obviously. Each central control unit 1 has an ignition sequence module 23 (connected to a 24 volts supply line 19 - it could obviously be provided another voltage, a first control line and a second control line 3 4), via which the order of activation of the ignition device 7 can be preset.

A DC/DC converter 24 and further are each a PWM module 25 (pulse width modulated module, connected to the power supply for the primary side 21) provided.

The embodiment of Fig. 1b different from that of the Fig. 1a only, that a single central control unit of the internal combustion engine 1 is provided here for all actuators. This is possible, as long as the time interval between successive activations of selected actuators desired large enough.

Fig. 1a and 1b unlike in the represented, it is not necessary, the lines 3, 4, 19, 20 21.22 due, to the central control unit (s) or 1, 3 but the line can also paid to the remaining lines 4 and held mass, 19, 20, 21.22 can be open.

Fig. 2 shows a detail to Fig. 1a and 1b the. A single actuator control 2 see, not shown connected to an ignition device of an internal combustion engine combustion chamber 7 36 is exemplary. The actuator controller 2 and parts of the ignition device 7 may be structurally as set forth in Fig. 2 indicated in a unit. All remaining parts of the ignition device 7 can e.g. specifically to a spark plug the spark gap be constructed together with the actuator controller 2 structurally unrealistic. A structural separation would naturally also possible.

In the shown embodiment the actuator controller 2 is connected via six lines 19, 3, 4, 20, 21 and 22 with the central control unit 1. The actuator controller 2 with respect to the line 3 is electrically in series and switched relative to remaining lines 4, 19, 20, 21.22 electrically in parallel.

Selective control of the actuator controller 2 shown by the central control unit 1 may be as follows:

Each actuator control in the first control line 3 5 2 has a voltage divider (preferably an ohmic resistor). The central control unit 1 into the first control line 3 via a certain amperage electric current through the voltage divider 5 thus leads to a fed before certain voltage drop and behind each actuator controller 2 (preferably all actuator controllers 2 have the same voltage divider 5, equal voltage drop results) so that everywhere.

For example eight actuator controllers 2 are switched in series with respect to the first control line 3 and has a voltage divider in the form of an ohmic resistor 2 control each actuator 5 of 40 ohm and a central control unit 1 feeds an electric current with a current strength of 20 milliamperes into the control line 3, with respect to the first control line 3 so there is a voltage drop of 800 millivolts across each actuator controller 2 and a voltage drop of all eight actuator controllers 2 6.4 volts.

A comparator 6 is provided in each actuator controller 2, connected on the one hand and the first pilot line 3 (as shown) or behind the voltage divider which measures voltage Vi before 5 and is connected at another end with the second control line 4. In the immediately behind the central control unit 1 arranged actuator control voltage V-I in the above numerical example tapped 2 would thus (relative to a common grounding of all actuator controllers 2) are 6.4 volts, in the next actuator control 2 would be 5.6 volts and so on.

The comparator 6 is adapted, an activation signal to a switching device 16 via an activation line 13 the ignition device 7 (generally:

output of the actuator), if said second control line voltage V 4₂ within a voltage window is audiovisual, to which the first control line voltage V I tapped at the 3 is arranged around.

Selectively driving the immediately behind (along the first control line 3) 1 the central control unit 2 would then be arranged actuator control for example, if the central control unit 1 to the second control line 4 applies a voltage, the voltage within a certain window of e.g. 0.4 volt is disposed about 6.4 volts to audiovisual (i.e. between 6.6 volts and 6.2 volts).

Selectively driving the immediately behind (along the first control line 3) the first actuator controller 2 2 would then be arranged actuator control, if the central control unit 1 to the second control line 4 applies a voltage, the voltage within a certain window of e.g. 0.4 volt disposed about 5.6 volts to audiovisual (i.e. between 5.8 volts and is 5.4 volts) etc, .

The size of the voltage window by the component tolerances of the voltage divider and the audiovisual 5 6 and the current strength of the current supplied to the comparator and the predetermined tolerance voltage V₂ and a selectable for the signal noise ratio determined safety. It can be determined by experiments.

The comparator 6 can e.g. be such, that it has two diametrically opposed longitudinal prisms Schmitt trigger 14, the outputs of which are connected with a and gate 15. A Schmitt trigger 14 gives a hectolitre signal (logical one) from, on the first control line 3 when the voltage V I tapped is greater than or equal to the second pilot line 4 measured voltage V₂ and a LO signal (logical zero), to the first control line 3 when tapped on the second control line voltage V I 4 is smaller than the measured voltage V₂ The other Schmitt trigger works vice versa. 14, i.e. it gives a hectolitre signal (logical one) from, on the first control line 3 when the voltage V I tapped on the second control line 4 is less than or equal than the measured voltage V₂ and a LO signal (logical zero), to the first control line voltage V I 3 when tapped on the second control line is greater than the measured voltage V 4₂ Modifications are of course conceivable. this circuit, such as the delivery of a hectolitre signal by the one Schmitt trigger 14, when the voltage at the first control line 3 is greater than said second control line 4 tapped VI to measured voltage V₂ and a LO signal (logical zero), to the first control line voltage V I tapped when 3 is less than or equal to the second control line 4 as measured voltage V₂ .

The Schmitt trigger 14 nachgeschaltene and gate 15 gives only an activation signal from the activation line on 13, 14 make a hectolitre signal when both Schmitt trigger, only course could be the case, if=V to VI to₂ (within the window audiovisual) applies.

The activation line 13 is connected to a switching element of the ignition device 16 (here: a transistor) 7. The activation signal activates the switching element activation line 13 a incoming 16, whereby an ignition coil 17 of the igniter 21 for the primary side 8 of a high voltage power supply 7 on said ignition energy can be supplied via carrier 7, 9 on the secondary side of the high-voltage transfer what the ignition device 7 and a spark gap formed by an electrode gap 18 of the igniter 7 to form a spark leads, when a signal on the power supply 21 for the primary side of the PWM module 25 is 8.

Whether activation of the actuator control is 2 takes place, can be controlled by the central control unit 1 via a confirmation module 30, which is adapted, to retrieve information from the central control unit 1 and an activation signal via the activation line 13 was to make a delivery. To this end a current from the switching element 16 is in the shown example 24 volts supply line 19 over that embossed on mass. This stream is measured in the central control unit 1. The measured current is below a predetermined threshold, the activation takes place with the central control unit 1 is not connected to any actuator controllers 2. The measured current is above a predetermined threshold, is connected to the central control unit 1 takes place more than one activation of any connected actuator controllers 2. The measured current is defined by the two predetermined threshold values within the window, is connected with the central control unit 1 is exactly one activation of any of the actuator controllers 2. Only in this case the central control unit is a signal on the power supply 1 over that PWM module 25 for the primary side 21 and the ignition operation initiated 8 delivered. This is an erroneous activation prevents simultaneous two actuator controllers 2, actuation of the actuators is that, for a design of the actuators which would lead to misfire as ignition devices 7. On the other hand is detected, is not that activation takes place, this can be reported as error to the controller 12 of the internal combustion engine.

On the secondary side of the ignition device a voltage divider 10 7 9 Flochspannungsüberträgers (here: capacitive voltage divider, arranged alternatively: e.g. ohmic voltage divider) a measuring device 10, 32, by means of which the ignition voltage can be measured. The measuring device 10, the switch 31 and 32 may be activated by an activation signal and wherein the switching element 35 can report the measured ignition voltage via a signal amplifier 32 successful activation on the measuring line 20 to the central control unit 1. On the selective selection by the central controller 1 can be a multiplexing the measurement signals via a single sensing line all actuators 20.

Fig. 3 shows the Fig. 2 an actuator control similar to 2, but not with an actuator in the form of a ignition device 7, but with an actuator for Aktuieren a measuring device (here in the form of a thermocouple connected 29). ) After activation of the switching device 35 (as described above for Fig. 2 received by the measuring device such measurement result 28 Conventionon transducer, the signal amplifier 32 and the measuring line 20 is supplied to the central control unit 1. Transducer 28 and signal amplifier 32 can be constructed in integrated form of course.

Fig. 4 shows another alternative to Fig. 2, wherein the actuator is controlled by the actuator controller 2 while also formed as igniter 7, but the actuator controller 2 an additional functionality, enabling the power management of the igniter 7. To this end a further conduit 33, with which the actuator is connected electrically in parallel compared to the embodiment of the Fig. 2 are, a measuring device for the ignition spark current 34 (this is that stream, which is necessary for the formation of the spark provided) by a switching device switchable signal amplifier 32 and 35.

Wherein selective actuation of the actuator control by the central control unit by the measuring device 34 1 2 a of the ignition current is measured by means of the measurement result by the selective switching device 35 activated Conventionon reported driving signal amplifier 32 to the central control unit 1. A controller coupled with the control unit 12 of the internal combustion engine 1 or this is adapted, the energization of the ignition device 7 by means of the PWM module 25 and the power supply 21 for the primary function of the measured result to such rules, that a desired ignition spark arises.

Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 or in a combination of Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 shown embodiments is possible.

The embodiment of Fig. 6 differs from those of the Fig. 1 io 4 only, each actuator controller 2 by means of a switch 37 that therefor (e.g. as a dip switch, etc. formed solder bridge) in the form of a selectable preset reference voltage is an address. By the central control unit to the control line a voltage 1 4, which coincides with the preset address, can these by the comparator and the activation of the associated actuator 6 are recognized as to the embodiments of Fig. takes place 1 io 4 described.

In the shown embodiment the switch 37 is in the form of a DIP switch with exemplary four contacts formed here, whereby sixteen different reference tensions, whichever contacts or opened.

are closed. How much contacts are required, the number of actuator controllers to clearly depends on different from 2.

As an alternative to - open and closable contacts might of course be provided fixedly soldered contacts.

Although the selection is carried out by applying a voltage in all embodiments, this could of course be carried out by injecting a current. In this case but before the current into a voltage comparator is convert again.

central control unit actuator control

first control line

second control line

Voltage divider

Comparator

Igniter

Primary side of the high voltage across the secondary side of the high voltage across the ignition device carrier support igniter the central control unit capacitive voltage divider control input line of the internal combustion engine control activation control device Schmitt trigger

And gate

The ignition coil of the igniter electrodes of the igniter gap 24 volts supply line igniter switching device measuring line

Power supply for primary side ground line for supplying power to the DC/DC converter primary side ignition order module

PWM module

24 Volts D.C. line

Mass

Transducer

Thermocouple

Confirmation module

Switch

Signal amplifier

33 further line

34 Measuring device 35 of the ignition current switching device

36 Combustion chamber

37 Switch for presetting the address