DE102005061878A1 - Glow-current control device for combustion engine of automobile and commercial vehicle, includes power requirement predetermination device for ascertaining expected power requirement of engine - Google Patents

Abstract

A glow-current control device (1) has an ambience detecting device (7) for detecting at least the ambience information at at least one detection zone of the vehicle's instantaneous ambience and for outputting the ascertained ambience information to a power requirement predetermination device (11) and in which the latter is designed to determine an expected power requirement at the engine.

Description

State of technology

The The invention relates to a glow current control device for a Vehicle for controlling the glow current a glow plug, which is arranged in a chamber of an internal combustion engine. specially The invention relates to a glow current control device for passenger cars or commercial vehicle.

From the DE 197 52 099 C1 a glow plug for internal combustion engines is known in which the time required to reach the start temperature heating time is reduced. In the known glow plug, the resistance of a control coil is reduced, which has a shortening of the heating time result, to reduce the burden of the glow plug in the heated state by clocking the voltage is lowered. The heating time of the known glow plugs to their maximum temperature is in most cases more than two seconds.

The from the DE 197 52 099 C1 known glow plug is used for a startup auxiliary system of an internal combustion engine, wherein especially in diesel engines, a preheating of the sucked, required for combustion air takes place, so that starting the internal combustion engine is possible. After starting the engine, the glow plug continues to operate for a period of time to improve engine run-up and to reduce emissions of pollutants and combustion noise during warm-up. Such Nachglühphase can be, for example, up to three minutes.

In addition, it is conceivable that after cooling the engine, for example, after a prolonged overrun operation on a downhill, the glow plug is operated again for a certain period corresponding to said Nachglühphase to improve the combustion of the fuel. However, at the time of the DE 197 52 099 C1 known glow plug in turn needed about two seconds to heat them to the required temperature, for example, 850 ° C. During this heating time of about two seconds, therefore, there is still a relatively poor combustion, which among other things has an increased emission of pollutants and particles result. This emission pollutes the environment or leads to a faster addition of exhaust gas purification or filter systems.

advantages the invention

The Glühstromsteuereinrichtung according to the invention with the features of claim 1 has the advantage that even during the Operation of the internal combustion engine, the period of a low engine temperatures conditional unfavorable Burn shortened or can be completely prevented. Specifically, there is the advantage that due to the improved combustion reduces undesirable exhaust gas residues, the smoothness of the engine improves and the torque in terms is increased to short-term performance requirements.

By in the subclaims listed activities are advantageous developments of specified in claim 1 Glühstromsteuereinrichtung possible.

Advantageous is that the power demand predetermining means the glow current for the glow plug a certain heating time interval activated before the expected power request, the heating time interval by a for heating the glow plug determined on an operating temperature of the glow plug required glow time is. This heating time interval can for example, be two seconds. The power request predeterminer activates the glow current then two seconds before the start of the expected power request. Possibly can also be an additional Safety interval in the heating time interval be provided to one possibly slightly earlier entry the power requirement. In The rule is to drive the glow plug of the glow current either on or off. The activation of the glow current of the glow plug is then as at least indirect instruction to turn on the glow current to understand. Dependent on the Glühstromsteuergeräts and the used glow plug are under the activation of the glow current, however, others Drive operations conceivable, which leads to a rapid warming the glow plug to lead.

Further It is advantageous that a distance of the detection area from the vehicle or an extent of the detection area with respect to the heating time interval is predetermined. For example, the detection range can be selected that the vehicle is within the current speed the heating time interval, for example, within two seconds. Here can also based on an average speed of the vehicle be placed in order to simplify a certain distance of the Detection area or a specific extension of the detection area pretend. Furthermore, can several average speeds, in particular for inner-city, overland or highway trips, are based on different operating modes define.

In Advantageously, a distance sensor is provided, which is for detecting a located in the detection area object and the recorded distance as distance environmental information to the environmental collecting device. The distance sensor can on a radar, a light-based lidar, on video information or the like. There is also a simplified capture possible, indicating whether an object, especially a preceding one Vehicle, located in the detection area or not.

In Advantageously, a route determination device is provided, which is a in the detection area expected slope of the route course determined and the particular slope as gradient environmental information to the environmental collecting device. The route course determination device For example, the slope information can be used in the context of a navigation system as from the slope information available in the detection area in the direction of travel determine. Furthermore, the route determination device calculate the expected slope also from altitude information, which relate to the coverage area. It is also a Comparison with slope information for the current position of the Vehicle possible, expected slope changes to determine.

In Advantageously, a driver and / or vehicle detection device provided for detecting an on the driver or the vehicle related interior information and for outputting the interior information to the power request predetermining means. The power request predetermining means may be used to expected performance requirement then based on the recorded Determine environmental information and the recorded indoor information. While the Environmental collection device for environmental processing vehicle-related information, the driver's and / or vehicle detection device current and stored Engine and vehicle data and driver information and more information that focuses on the interior of the vehicle Respectively. Through the interior information, the environmental information added be to the expected environmental conditions and thus the too to better predict the expected performance requirement. For example the distance environmental information may be the current lane of the vehicle and the respective adjacent left and right lane concern. In combination with a detected steering movement of the driver can then be determined whether to expect an acceleration of the vehicle is or not. Furthermore, the interior information can also be used for refinement the expectation gained through environmental information about the Serve performance requirement. For example, the environmental information show an upcoming slope. By a brake pedal sensor, the a release the brake and possibly occurring when releasing the brake Acceleration of the brake pedal detected and the detected acceleration of the brake pedal as brake pedal acceleration indoor information the driver and / or Vehicle detection device outputs, the time entry the expected due to the slope performance requirement then be determined more precisely.

Further can by a driver monitoring device an activity level For example, the driver may be determined to present the driver as present active or currently classified as passive. It may if necessary in combination with stored vehicle data when active Driver on a rather short time and on a passive driver a rather long time until the start of the performance requirement closed become. The power request predetermining means may the activity level Therefore, for further refinement of on the basis of environmental information use specific power requirement.

One preferred embodiment The invention is described in the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings explained in more detail. It shows:

1 a simplified block diagram of a Glühstromsteuereinrichtung according to an embodiment of the invention.

description of the embodiment

1 shows a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a Glühstromsteuereinrichtung 1 , The glow current control device 1 may be partially or completely in a glow time control unit 2 be integrated. The glow current control device 1 and the glow time controller 2 serve to control glow plugs 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 , in particular, the Glühzeitablauf is controlled. The glow time control unit 2 can have additional functions and in particular the glow plugs 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 in the course of a start phase and an afterglow phase. The glow plugs 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 protrude in Vor- and swirl chamber engines in the chamber of the internal combustion engine and in direct injection engines in a combustion chamber of the engine.

The glow current control device 1 has an environmental detection device 7 and a driver and / or vehicle detection device 8th on. The environmental survey device 7 is with one or more environmental sensors 9 connected. The environmental sensors 9 can be based on a radar, lidar or video system. Specifically, the Um world sensors 9 include one or more distance sensors. In addition, the environmental sensors can 9 Sensors for detecting the road properties, in particular temperature and rain sensors include. Further, a travel route determining means 10 which is based on a model of regional and national driving patterns suitable for the vehicle. Specifically, the route determining device may access a navigation system. The model for the course of the route can for example determine that the course of the journey leads to an incline.

A detection range for each of the environmental sensors 9 can be given separately, is chosen so that the of the respective environmental sensor 9 to the environmental surveyor 7 transmitted environmental information represent a part of the environment, within one for the glow plugs 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 certain heating time interval with respect to an expected power requirement is relevant. The heating time interval may be, for example, two seconds.

For example, the route determination device 10 Determine the slope to which the course of the route leads the vehicle at the current speed in two seconds. This slope gives the route determination device 10 then to the environmental surveyor 7 as environmental information.

The environmental sensors 9 and the travel course determining means 10 can capture a lot of information. For example, the intrinsic position of the vehicle in the lane, the lane curvature, the distance of objects, the relative speed of objects, the type of objects detected, and the like can be detected. Furthermore, traffic signs can also be detected, for example by a video sensor. In particular, the permissible maximum speed indicated by a traffic sign may be detected and as environmental information to the environmental detection device 7 be issued.

The environmental survey device 7 captures the environmental information and passes it to a power request predeterminer 11 out. The power request predeterminer 11 determines, for example, from the distance to a vehicle in front and a sudden increase in the maximum permissible speed that a power demand is expected.

The driver and / or vehicle detection device 8th gets brake pedal acceleration inside information from a brake pedal sensor 12 , Accelerator internal acceleration information from an accelerator pedal sensor 13 , as well as current and stored engine and vehicle data from an engine and vehicle data facility 14 , The brake pedal sensor 12 determines a release of the brake as well as occurring when releasing the brake acceleration of the brake pedal. The accelerator pedal sensor determines accordingly 13 an acceleration of the accelerator pedal when the accelerator pedal is depressed. The engine and vehicle data facility 14 can access a variety of information via a bus system provided in the vehicle. For example, the instantaneous engine temperature may be present directly as the engine temperature data. Alternatively, one may be from the accelerator pedal sensor 13 detected longer non-operation of the accelerator pedal of the driver and / or vehicle detection device 8th a motor cooling can be determined.

Further, an eye movement detecting device 15 for detecting an eye movement of the driver of the vehicle and a steering angle sensor 16 provided for detecting the current steering angle, the information about the detected eye movement or the steering angle to a driver monitoring device 17 output. The driver monitoring device 17 also accesses the information from the brake pedal sensor 12 and the accelerator pedal sensor 13 to determine a current level of activity of the driver. For example, can be concluded from operations of the brake and / or accelerator pedal and increased eye movement and (corrective) steering movements on an increased level of activity of the driver, as it occurs at the beginning of an overtaking. The driver monitoring device 17 Gives the specific interior information, in particular the indoor activity level information and the steering wheel movement interior information to the driver and / or vehicle detection device 8th out.

The driver and / or vehicle detection device 8th detects the inside information related to the driver and the vehicle, and gives them together to the power demand prediction means 11 out.

The power request predeterminer 11 determined on the basis of the environmental survey device 7 obtained environmental information as well as that of the driver and / or vehicle detection device 8th recorded interior information the expected performance requirement of the internal combustion engine. For example, the power request predetermining device determines 11 a high expected power requirement to the internal combustion engine, when the of the route determination device 10 certain expected slope exceeds a certain threshold. Accordingly, the power demand predetermining means determines a high expected power demand when the driver and / or vehicle detection means 8th obtained inside information to indicate an expected overtaking. The beginning of the expected power requirement to the internal combustion engine can also be determined more accurately by combining the environmental information and the interior information.

Further, the driver and / or vehicle detection device determines whether or not at least one cylinder of the internal combustion engine has cooled based on an engine internal state information obtained from the engine and vehicle data device. The reason for the cooling of one or more cylinders, the glow plugs 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 can be assigned, may be in a prolonged overrun operation or in a used for fuel saving shutdown of part of the cylinder. The driver and / or vehicle detection device 8th transmits the power request prediction means 11 which cylinders of the internal combustion engine are in a cooled state. If the power request predetermining device 11 expects a power demand to the internal combustion engine above a certain threshold, this actuates at least one switch of a switching device 18 to heat one or more of the glow plugs 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 to reach. The operation of the switching device 18 takes place some time before the expected start of the service request. The switching device 18 applies the appropriate glow plugs 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 with one from a power supply 19 provided glow plug voltage, so that a glow current through one or more of the glow plugs 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 is caused. When the power requirement actually occurs, the glow plugs are 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 then with high probability already at the required annealing temperature, so that the combustion in the internal combustion engine is improved. Thus, a predictive control of the glow plugs 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 achieved in which the performance, consumption and emissions are improved, in particular, the opacity of the exhaust gases is improved and pollutants and soot particles are reduced.

The Invention is not limited to the embodiment described. Especially can one or more functions of the facilities mentioned in the claims realized by a computing unit, a processor or the like become.

Claims (11)

Glow current control device ( 1 ) for a vehicle for controlling the glow current of at least one arranged in a chamber of an internal combustion engine of the vehicle glow plug ( 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 ) with an environmental detection device ( 7 ) and one with the environmental 7 ) associated power requirement predetermining means ( 11 ), whereby the environmental collecting device ( 7 ) is configured to acquire at least one environmental information related to at least one detection region of the current environment of the vehicle and to output the detected environmental information to the power demand prediction device (FIG. 11 ) and wherein the power requirement predetermining means ( 11 ) is configured to determine an expected power request to the internal combustion engine on the basis of at least the detected environmental information and for activating a glow current through the glow plug ( 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 ) before the expected performance requirement. Incandescent current control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the power requirement predetermining device ( 11 ) the glow current through the glow plug ( 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 ) is activated a certain heating time interval before the expected power demand, wherein the heating time interval by a for heating the glow plug ( 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 ) to an operating temperature of the glow plug ( 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 ) required annealing time is determined. Glühstromsteuereinrichtung according to claim 2, characterized in that a distance of the detection area from the vehicle and / or an extension of the coverage area in Reference to the heating time interval are predetermined. Glow control device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a distance sensor ( 9 ), which is capable of detecting a distance to an object, if the object is in the detection area, and the detected distance as distance environmental information to the environmental detection device ( 7 ). Incandescent current control device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a route path determination device ( 10 ), which is capable of determining a gradient of the course route to be expected in the detection area, and of passing the determined gradient as slope environmental information to the environmental recording device ( 7 ). Glow control device according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a driver and / or vehicle detection device ( 8th ) configured to detect at least one of interior information related to the driver and / or the vehicle and to output the interior information to the power demand predetermining means (12) 11 ), wherein the power requirement predetermining device ( 11 ), the expected power requirement to the internal combustion engine based on the detected environmental information and the detected interior information determined. Incandescent current control device according to claim 6, characterized in that a brake pedal sensor ( 12 ) is provided which is capable of detecting an occurring when releasing a brake acceleration of a brake pedal and the detected acceleration of the brake pedal as brake pedal acceleration inside information to the driver and / or vehicle detection device ( 8th ). Incandescent current control device according to claim 6, characterized in that a driver monitoring device ( 17 ), which is capable of determining an activity level for a driver of the vehicle, and wherein the driver monitoring device ( 17 ) outputs the determined level of activity as indoor activity level information to the driver and / or vehicle detection device. Glow control device according to claim 8, characterized in that the driver monitoring device ( 17 ) the degree of activity as a function of at least one by an eye movement detection device ( 15 ) detected eye movement of the driver. Glow control device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the driver monitoring device ( 17 ) based on one of a steering angle sensor ( 16 ) determines a steering wheel movement and determines the particular steering wheel movement as steering wheel movement inside information to the driver and / or vehicle detection device ( 8th ). Incandescent current control device according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the driver and / or vehicle detection device ( 8th ) is capable of being based on one of an engine and vehicle data facility ( 14 ) received engine state internal information at least indirectly a cooling of at least one of the glow plug ( 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 ), and that the power request predetermining means (12) 11 ) only the glow current through the glow plug ( 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 ) is activated before the expected power request when the driver and / or vehicle detection device ( 8th ) has determined the cylinder as cooled.