GB2466275A - Controlling Diesel engine glow plugs - Google Patents
Controlling Diesel engine glow plugs Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2466275A GB2466275A GB0823109A GB0823109A GB2466275A GB 2466275 A GB2466275 A GB 2466275A GB 0823109 A GB0823109 A GB 0823109A GB 0823109 A GB0823109 A GB 0823109A GB 2466275 A GB2466275 A GB 2466275A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- driver
- action
- glow plugs
- control unit
- glow plug
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02P—IGNITION, OTHER THAN COMPRESSION IGNITION, FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES; TESTING OF IGNITION TIMING IN COMPRESSION-IGNITION ENGINES
- F02P19/00—Incandescent ignition, e.g. during starting of internal combustion engines; Combination of incandescent and spark ignition
- F02P19/02—Incandescent ignition, e.g. during starting of internal combustion engines; Combination of incandescent and spark ignition electric, e.g. layout of circuits of apparatus having glowing plugs
- F02P19/021—Incandescent ignition, e.g. during starting of internal combustion engines; Combination of incandescent and spark ignition electric, e.g. layout of circuits of apparatus having glowing plugs characterised by power delivery controls
- F02P19/023—Individual control of the glow plugs
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
- F02D41/00—Electrical control of supply of combustible mixture or its constituents
- F02D41/02—Circuit arrangements for generating control signals
- F02D41/04—Introducing corrections for particular operating conditions
- F02D41/06—Introducing corrections for particular operating conditions for engine starting or warming up
- F02D41/062—Introducing corrections for particular operating conditions for engine starting or warming up for starting
- F02D41/064—Introducing corrections for particular operating conditions for engine starting or warming up for starting at cold start
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02P—IGNITION, OTHER THAN COMPRESSION IGNITION, FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES; TESTING OF IGNITION TIMING IN COMPRESSION-IGNITION ENGINES
- F02P19/00—Incandescent ignition, e.g. during starting of internal combustion engines; Combination of incandescent and spark ignition
- F02P19/02—Incandescent ignition, e.g. during starting of internal combustion engines; Combination of incandescent and spark ignition electric, e.g. layout of circuits of apparatus having glowing plugs
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
- F02D41/00—Electrical control of supply of combustible mixture or its constituents
- F02D41/02—Circuit arrangements for generating control signals
- F02D41/04—Introducing corrections for particular operating conditions
- F02D41/06—Introducing corrections for particular operating conditions for engine starting or warming up
- F02D41/062—Introducing corrections for particular operating conditions for engine starting or warming up for starting
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Combined Controls Of Internal Combustion Engines (AREA)
Abstract
A method for controlling a glow plug 6, eg a low-voltage glow plug, associated with a cylinder chamber of a Diesel engine 2 of a vehicle 50 comprises the steps of detecting at least one predetermined driver action anticipating the driver intention to start-up the engine 2, and activating the glow plug 6 after detecting the driver action and before detecting a driver key-on action. The predetermined driver action, eg activation of the remote control, opening or closing the door, or sitting on the seat, may be monitored by a vehicle control unit 56 which sends an alert signal to a power control unit 52 which includes an electronic control module 22 for driving the glow plugs 6.
Description
A method for controlling glow plugs in a Diesel engine particularly for motor-vehicles The present invention relates to a method for controlling glow plugs in a Diesel engine, particularly for motor-vehicles.
Glow plugs are typically associated with the cylinder chambers of Diesel engines, and provide a general combustion aid during the engine ignition and also when the engine is running during the engine warm-up phase.
The glow plugs are controlled by an associated electronic control module which is arranged to control in real time the amount of energy transferred to each glow plug, so as to reach and hold a predetermined working temperature.
The electronic control module controls a power circuit which is arranged to supply the glow plugs with a nominal supply voltage so that each glow plug reaches the predetermined working temperature. The electronic control module performs therefore the activation of the glow plugs by driving electronic switches, generally MOSFET transistors, by means of pulse-width-modulated (FWM) control signals.
The glow plugs have a tip which sticks out into the combustion chamber and which is arranged to perform an electrical to thermal power conversion thus rising its temperature up to high values, for example up to 900 °C.
As a consequence of this high temperature of the tip, the temperature of the air around the tip increases; the presence of this hot point in the combustion chamber aids the combustion process.
Each cylinder is equipped with one glow plug which is turned on according to the engine and environmental conditions, for example when the engine is cold.
Glow plugs are electrical resistors, in particular temperature variable resistors: when the temperature increases, the internal resistance increases too.
There are different types of glow plugs: -High/Low voltage glow plugs: the difference between said two types is based on the nominal supply voltage that must be provided to the glow plug. High voltage glow plugs need typically a voltage of 11V, low voltage glow plugs need typically a voltage of 4-5V. High voltage glow plugs are preferably supplied directly by the vehicle battery, while low voltage glow plugs are preferably supplied by means of pulse-width-modulated (PWM) control signals as they have a nominal voltage lower than the battery voltage.
-Metallic/Ceramic glow plugs: the difference between said two types is based on the material used for producing the glow plug.
In figure 1 is shown a schematic block diagram of a glowing system comprising low voltage glow plugs.
An engine block 2 comprises a plurality of cylinders defining respective combustion chambers 4.
Glow plugs 6 are placed with their tips 8 in the combustion chambers 4 of the cylinders and have one terminal connected to the engine block 2 which is in turn connected to a d.c.
voltage supply B, such as the battery of the vehicle, by a conductor 10.
The glow plugs 6 have also another terminal connected to a respective output terminal 14-20 of an electronic control module 22.
The electronic control module 22 comprises a plurality of electronic switches 24, one for each glow plug 6, having each the drain-source path connected essentially in series with a respective glow plug 6, between the terminals of the voltage supply B. The electronic switches 24 are, for instance, MOSFET transistors, and are supplied with PWM control signals 26 applied to their gates.
The vehicle is provided with an engine control unit (ECU), not shown in the drawings, arranged to evaluate the need to switch-on the glow plugs. If the glow plugs are switched on, the ECU communicates to the driver, for instance through a specific board lamp, to await a predetermined time interval, the so called pre-ignition time, before starting the engine.
This is done in order to get the glowing system ready, i.e. let the glow plugs become hot, to support the engine ignition.
Low voltage glow plugs are conventionally supplied with a voltage higher than their nominal one, in order to reduce the pre-ignition time thus improving the glowing system quickness. This high voltage is supplied for a short time so as to reach as fast as possible the glow plug working temperature, then the voltage is stepped down to the nominal value in order to keep the temperature reached. This voltage regulation is obtained by supplying PWM voltage signals having different targets of effective voltage.
A common drawback of the procedure above disclosed is that it causes a very high current and power consumption at the beginning of the activation of the glow plugs. Particularly, the total current peak is of about 120A and the total power peak is of about 1200W. This affects particularly ceramic low voltage glow plugs, which have a very low electrical resistance at ambient conditions. When the glow plug temperature increases, and the glow plug electrical resistance increases too, the current and power consumption decreases.
The above disclosed drawback has two main consequences: the power circuit must to be designed to support such high current and power, thus requiring expensive components; -the glow plug durability is reduced because of a thermal stress of the component.
is Furthermore, even if a high voltage is applied at the beginning of the activation phase of the glow plugs, the pre-ignition time is not completely eliminated because, especially in cold conditions, the glow plugs require time to be warmed-up.
In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method and an improved apparatus for controlling glow plugs in a Diesel engine, allowing to overcome the above-outlined inconveniences of the
prior art systems.
This and other objects are achieved according to the present invention by the method of claim 1.
particular embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims, whose content is to be understood as integral or
integrating part of the present description.
Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description, provided purely by way of a non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings, in which: -figure 1, already disclosed, is a schematic block diagram of a glowing system comprising low voltage glow plugs; -figure 2 is block diagram of a vehicle 50 using a method according to the invention; and -figure 3 shows a plurality of graphs illustrating the results of the method according to the invention.
In the present description and in the annexed claims by the expression "key-on action" it is generally meant an action by which in a vehicle powered by a Diesel engine with a conventional glowing system the user determines the activation of the glow plugs associated with the engine.
In such a motor vehicle having a conventional key-operated ignition and starting switch, such a "key-on action" is represented by the introduction and rotation of the key to the so-called "on" position, i.e. a position in which the ignition and starting switch allows on-board electrical systems to be supplied with power from the battery and causes the glow plugs to be activated.
In vehicles which are not provided with such an ignition and starting switch, by "key-on action" it is meant any equivalent action, performed also with means different from a key, and capable of causing, in a conventional glowing system for a Diesel engine, the activation of the glow plugs.
Briefly, the method according to the present invention consists in that the glow plugs 6 are activated in advance with respect to a possible driver key-on command. So, it is not anymore necessary to supply the glow plugs 6 with a voltage higher than their nominal voltage, thus leading to a significant reduction of the electrical power consumption during the activation phase. As a result, the power circuit design is improved and simplified, the glow plug durability is increased and the pre-ignition time is eliminated.
In figure 2 is shown a block diagram of a vehicle 50 using a method according to the invention. The vehicle 50 comprises a power control unit 52 arranged to control an engine 2, having a plurality of glow plugs 6, and a transmission system 54 of the vehicle 50. The vehicle 50 further comprises a vehicle control unit 56 arranged to control the other components of the vehicle 50 such as the doors, the brakes or the remote control. The power control unit 52 comprises an electronic control module 22 for driving the glow plugs 6.
The vehicle control unit 56 monitors predetermined driver actions which may represent the driver intention to start-up the vehicle 50, such as the activation of the remote control, is the door opening, the door closing or the user sitting on the driver's seat.
The method of the present invention is characterized in that the vehicle control unit 56 is arranged to send an alert signal to the power control unit 52 when a driver action which may represent the driver intention to start-up the vehicle 50 occurs, so that the power control unit 52 immediately begins to activate the glow plugs 6 by means of the electronic control module 22.
The glow plugs 6 become hot in advance so that when the driver inserts the key the glow plugs 6 are ready for the engine start. The engine cranking can be commanded directly without waiting for a pre-ignition time: the vehicle control unit 56 detects the occurrence of a driver key-on action and a subsequent engine-start command, and then said vehicle control unit 56 activates the power control unit 52 which in turn starts the engine 2.
In figure 3 are shown a plurality of graphs showing the results of the method according to the invention.
A first graph represents the start-up of the vehicle 50, i.e. the time instant when a first driver action is detected by the vehicle control unit 56, said driver action being potentially representative of the intention of the driver to start the engine.
A second graph represents the driver key-on action subsequently detected by the power control unit 52, said key-on action occurring after the detection of the first driver action.
A third graph shows the voltage across the glow plugs 6: as it can be noted, the voltage is applied to each glow plug 6 in a sequential manner, and the voltage increase begins in the first glow plug 6 when the vehicle control unit 56 detects the first driver action.
A fourth graph shows the temperature in the glow plugs 6: when each glow plug 6 is supplied with a high voltage, the temperature starts to increase until it reaches the predetermined working temperature; at this moment, the voltage is lowered to the nominal value necessary to keep said working temperature (see the third graph) . At this point, when the power control unit 52 detects the key-on action, the glow plugs 6 are ready for the engine start.
Considering the fact that the glow plugs 6 are activated in advance with respect to the systems according to the prior art, the initial voltage applied to each glow plug 6 does not need to have a value as high as in the prior art systems because it is not necessary to reduce as much as possible the time interval in which the temperature of the glow plugs 6 increases.
A fifth and a sixth graph show the power dissipated and the current flowing into the glow plugs 6. As it can be noted, the total power peak is lower than 1000W and the total current peak is lower than 100A, both values being lower than
the corresponding values of the prior art systems.
Clearly, provided that the principle of the invention is retained, the forms of embodiment and the details of manufacture may vary greatly from what has been described and illustrated purely by way of non-restrictive example, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims.
Claims (6)
- CLAIMS1. A method for controlling a glow plug (6) associated with a cylinder chamber (4) of a Diesel engine (2) comprising the steps of detecting at least one predetermined driver action anticipating the driver intention to start-up the engine (2) and activating the glow plug (6) after detecting said driver action and before detecting a driver key-on action.
- 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of detecting the at least one predetermined driver action and the step of detecting a driver key-on action are performed by a first control unit (56); and the step of activating the glow plug (6) is performed by a second control unit (52)
- 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first control unit (56) is arranged to send an alert signal to the second control unit (52) when the at least one predetermined driver action is detected.
- 4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the second control unit (52) comprises an electronic control module (22) for activating the glow plug (6).
- 5. The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein said predetermined driver action comprises the activation of a remote control, the door opening, the door closing, the user sitting on the driver's seat.
- 6. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the engine (2) is associated to key-operated ignition and starting means and wherein the key-on action is represented by the introduction of a key into said ignition and starting means and the rotation of said key to a predetermined "on" position, said "on" position being a position in which the ignition and starting means causes the glow plug (6) to be activated.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0823109A GB2466275A (en) | 2008-12-18 | 2008-12-18 | Controlling Diesel engine glow plugs |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0823109A GB2466275A (en) | 2008-12-18 | 2008-12-18 | Controlling Diesel engine glow plugs |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0823109D0 GB0823109D0 (en) | 2009-01-28 |
| GB2466275A true GB2466275A (en) | 2010-06-23 |
Family
ID=40343829
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0823109A Withdrawn GB2466275A (en) | 2008-12-18 | 2008-12-18 | Controlling Diesel engine glow plugs |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2466275A (en) |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP2302200A1 (en) * | 2009-08-19 | 2011-03-30 | BorgWarner BERU Systems GmbH | Method for operating a glow plug when an engine is running |
| WO2012010679A1 (en) * | 2010-07-23 | 2012-01-26 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Method and device for controlling the ignition behaviour of a sheathed-type glow plug of a combustion engine |
| EP2489864A1 (en) * | 2011-02-18 | 2012-08-22 | Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A. | Diesel fuel injection system in a motor vehicle provided with a diesel engine |
| US9932953B2 (en) | 2014-02-01 | 2018-04-03 | GM Global Technology Operations LLC | Heating device for a drive unit in a motor vehicle and method for controlling such a heating device |
Citations (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1560777A (en) * | 1976-12-29 | 1980-02-06 | Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag | Switching arrangement for controlling the start-up of a diesel engine |
| DE4015558A1 (en) * | 1989-05-18 | 1990-11-22 | Volkswagen Ag | Glow plug preheating circuit for vehicle diesel engine - is completed by movement of driver door from open to closed position instead of vice versa |
| JPH05321811A (en) * | 1992-05-22 | 1993-12-07 | Toyota Motor Corp | Current supply control device for glow plug of diesel engine |
| FR2692319A1 (en) * | 1992-06-12 | 1993-12-17 | Renault | Diesel engine pre-heating system linked to vehicle security - uses driver's remote infra-red locking release emitter to initiate pre-heating as vehicle is approached |
| DE4223954C1 (en) * | 1992-07-21 | 1994-01-13 | Bosch Gmbh Robert | Heating element controller for automobile engine - responds to sensor signals indicating seat belt closure, occupation of vehicle driving seat, or closure of all vehicle doors. |
| EP0643222A2 (en) * | 1993-09-15 | 1995-03-15 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Device to control a heating element in an automotive vehicle |
| FR2724693A1 (en) * | 1994-09-21 | 1996-03-22 | Renault | Two-stage pre-heating cycle for diesel engine cylinders |
| DE19906950A1 (en) * | 1999-02-19 | 2000-08-31 | Bosch Gmbh Robert | Drive method for at least one heating element involves controlling heating process depending on signal from occupant restraint system indicating driver has adopted certain position |
| WO2007033906A1 (en) * | 2005-09-22 | 2007-03-29 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Method and system for the operation of a heating element of a motor vehicle |
-
2008
- 2008-12-18 GB GB0823109A patent/GB2466275A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1560777A (en) * | 1976-12-29 | 1980-02-06 | Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag | Switching arrangement for controlling the start-up of a diesel engine |
| DE4015558A1 (en) * | 1989-05-18 | 1990-11-22 | Volkswagen Ag | Glow plug preheating circuit for vehicle diesel engine - is completed by movement of driver door from open to closed position instead of vice versa |
| JPH05321811A (en) * | 1992-05-22 | 1993-12-07 | Toyota Motor Corp | Current supply control device for glow plug of diesel engine |
| FR2692319A1 (en) * | 1992-06-12 | 1993-12-17 | Renault | Diesel engine pre-heating system linked to vehicle security - uses driver's remote infra-red locking release emitter to initiate pre-heating as vehicle is approached |
| DE4223954C1 (en) * | 1992-07-21 | 1994-01-13 | Bosch Gmbh Robert | Heating element controller for automobile engine - responds to sensor signals indicating seat belt closure, occupation of vehicle driving seat, or closure of all vehicle doors. |
| EP0643222A2 (en) * | 1993-09-15 | 1995-03-15 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Device to control a heating element in an automotive vehicle |
| FR2724693A1 (en) * | 1994-09-21 | 1996-03-22 | Renault | Two-stage pre-heating cycle for diesel engine cylinders |
| DE19906950A1 (en) * | 1999-02-19 | 2000-08-31 | Bosch Gmbh Robert | Drive method for at least one heating element involves controlling heating process depending on signal from occupant restraint system indicating driver has adopted certain position |
| WO2007033906A1 (en) * | 2005-09-22 | 2007-03-29 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Method and system for the operation of a heating element of a motor vehicle |
Cited By (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP2302200A1 (en) * | 2009-08-19 | 2011-03-30 | BorgWarner BERU Systems GmbH | Method for operating a glow plug when an engine is running |
| US8577583B2 (en) | 2009-08-19 | 2013-11-05 | Borgwarner Beru Systems Gmbh | Method for operating a glow plug with the engine running |
| WO2012010679A1 (en) * | 2010-07-23 | 2012-01-26 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Method and device for controlling the ignition behaviour of a sheathed-type glow plug of a combustion engine |
| EP2596233B1 (en) | 2010-07-23 | 2017-05-31 | Robert Bosch GmbH | Method and device for controlling the ignition behaviour of a sheathed-type glow plug of a combustion engine |
| EP2489864A1 (en) * | 2011-02-18 | 2012-08-22 | Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A. | Diesel fuel injection system in a motor vehicle provided with a diesel engine |
| RU2543647C2 (en) * | 2011-02-18 | 2015-03-10 | Фиат Груп Отомобилс С.П.А. | Diesel fuel injection system in automotive vehicle provided with diesel engine |
| US9932953B2 (en) | 2014-02-01 | 2018-04-03 | GM Global Technology Operations LLC | Heating device for a drive unit in a motor vehicle and method for controlling such a heating device |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB0823109D0 (en) | 2009-01-28 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |