Method for controlling a DC-DC voltage converter

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for controlling a DC-DC voltage converter for current-driving at least one fuel injector of a motor vehicle internal combustion engine. The method notably includes the steps of determining a time referred to as the “recovery” time at which the output voltage crosses the predefined high voltage threshold, of determining a time referred to as the “drop” time, corresponding to the start of injection, at which the output voltage decreases below the predefined high voltage threshold, and of calculating the time elapsed between the recovery time and the drop time.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a DC-DC voltage converter (1) for current-driving at least one fuel injector (2) of a motor vehicle internal combustion engine, said converter (1) comprising a control module (10) and an induction coil (20) that is connected to a field-effect transistor (30) comprising a drain (D), a source (S) and a gate (G), said gate (G) being connected to the control module (10) in order for said control module (10) to command the transistor (30) to an on state in which current passes between the drain (D) and the source (S) or to an off state in which current does not pass between the drain (D) and the source (S), the alternation of the on and off states of the transistor (30) generating a sawtooth current called the peak current (Ipeak), the amplitude of which varies between 0 and a variable maximum amplitude value that is bounded by a minimum threshold (Ipeak_min) and a maximum threshold (Ipeak_max) and that allows the converter (1) to deliver an output voltage (Vout) across the terminals of a capacitor referred to as the “intermediate” capacitor (Cint), the discharging of which is commanded by a computer via a drive module in order to command at least one fuel injector (2), the converter (1) being configured to make said output voltage (Vout) tend toward a target value, the method comprising: a step (S1) of determining a time referred to as the “recovery” time (T1) at which the output voltage (Vout) crosses a predefined high voltage threshold (VTH_high), a step (S2) of determining a time referred to as the “drop” time (T2), corresponding to the start of injection, at which the output voltage (Vout) decreases below the predefined high voltage threshold (VTH_high), a step (S3) of calculating the time (ΔT) elapsed between the recovery time (T1) and the drop time (T2), if the calculated time (ΔT) is above a predefined time threshold, referred to as the “target” time threshold (ΔT0), and if the value of the maximum amplitude of the peak current (Ipeak) is above the minimum threshold (Ipeak_min), a step (S4) of decreasing the value of the maximum amplitude of the peak current (Ipeak), if the calculated time (ΔT) is below said target time threshold (ΔT0) and if the value of the maximum amplitude of the peak current (Ipeak) is below the maximum threshold (Ipeak_max), a step (S5) of increasing the value of the maximum amplitude of the peak current (Ipeak).

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the target time threshold (ΔT0) is between 200 and 500 μs.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the value of the maximum amplitude of the peak current (Ipeak) is decreased by decrementing by a predefined value corresponding to a fraction of the maximum amplitude threshold (Ipeak_max) of the peak current (Ipeak).

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the value of the maximum amplitude of the peak current (Ipeak) is increased by incrementing by a predefined value corresponding to a fraction of the maximum amplitude threshold (Ipeak_max) of the peak current (Ipeak).

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, furthermore comprising a step (S6) of measuring the time elapsed from the drop time (T2) and, when the output voltage (Vout) has not crossed the predefined high voltage threshold (VTH_high) at the end of a predefined time threshold referred to as the “rise” threshold (ΔT2), a step (S7) of increasing the value of the maximum amplitude of the peak current (Ipeak) to the maximum threshold (Ipeak_max).

6. A DC-DC voltage converter (1) for current-driving at least one fuel injector (2) of a motor vehicle internal combustion engine, said converter (1) comprising a control module (10) and an induction coil (20) that is connected to a field-effect transistor (30) comprising a drain (D), a source (S) and a gate (G), said gate (G) being connected to the control module (10) in order for said control module (10) to command the transistor (30) to an on state in which current passes between the drain (D) and the source (S) or to an off state in which current does not pass between the drain (D) and the source (S), the alternation of the on and off states of the transistor (30) generating a sawtooth current called the peak current (Ipeak), the amplitude of which varies between 0 and a variable maximum amplitude value that is bounded by a minimum threshold (Ipeak_min) and a maximum threshold (Ipeak_max) and that allows the converter (1) to deliver an output voltage (Vout) across the terminals of a capacitor referred to as the “intermediate” capacitor (Cint), the discharging of which is commanded by a computer via a drive module in order to command at least one fuel injector (2), the converter (1) being configured to make said output voltage (Vout) tend toward a target value, the converter (1) being configured to: determine a time referred to as the “recovery” time (T1) at which the output voltage (Vout) crosses the predefined high voltage threshold (VTH_high), determine a time referred to as the “drop” time (T2), corresponding to the start of injection, at which the output voltage (Vout) decreases below the predefined high voltage threshold (VTH_high), calculate the time (ΔT) elapsed between the recovery time (T1) and the drop time (T2), if the calculated time (ΔT) is above a predefined time threshold, referred to as the “target” time threshold (ΔT0), and if the value of the maximum amplitude of the peak current (Ipeak) is above the minimum threshold (Ipeak_min), decrease the value of the maximum amplitude of the peak current (Ipeak), if the calculated time (ΔT) is below said target time threshold (ΔT0) and if the value of the maximum amplitude of the peak current (Ipeak) is below the maximum threshold (Ipeak_max), increase the value of the maximum amplitude of the peak current (Ipeak).

7. The converter (1) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the target time threshold (ΔT0) is between 200 and 500 μs.

8. The converter (1) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the converter (1) is configured to: decrease the value of the maximum amplitude of the peak current (Ipeak) by decrementing by a predefined value corresponding to a fraction of the maximum amplitude threshold (Ipeak_max) of the peak current (Ipeak), increase the value of the maximum amplitude of the peak current (Ipeak) by incrementing by a predefined value corresponding to a fraction of the maximum amplitude threshold (Ipeak_max) of the peak current (Ipeak).

9. The converter (1) as claimed in claim 6, said converter (1) being furthermore configured to measure the time elapsed from the drop time (T2) and, when the output voltage (Vout) has not crossed the predefined high voltage threshold (VTH_high) at the end of a predefined time threshold referred to as the “rise” threshold (ΔT2), increase the value of the maximum amplitude of the peak current (Ipeak) to the maximum threshold (Ipeak_max).

10. A motor vehicle comprising a converter (1) as claimed in claim 6.

11. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the value of the maximum amplitude of the peak current (Ipeak) is decreased by decrementing by a predefined value corresponding to a fraction of the maximum amplitude threshold (Ipeak_max) of the peak current (Ipeak).

12. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the value of the maximum amplitude of the peak current (Ipeak) is increased by incrementing by a predefined value corresponding to a fraction of the maximum amplitude threshold (Ipeak_max) of the peak current (Ipeak).

13. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the value of the maximum amplitude of the peak current (Ipeak) is increased by incrementing by a predefined value corresponding to a fraction of the maximum amplitude threshold (Ipeak_max) of the peak current (Ipeak).

14. The method as claimed in claim 2, furthermore comprising a step (S6) of measuring the time elapsed from the drop time (T2) and, when the output voltage (Vout) has not crossed the predefined high voltage threshold (VTH_high) at the end of a predefined time threshold referred to as the “rise” threshold (ΔT2), a step (S7) of increasing the value of the maximum amplitude of the peak current (Ipeak) to the maximum threshold (Ipeak_max).

15. The method as claimed in claim 3, furthermore comprising a step (S6) of measuring the time elapsed from the drop time (T2) and, when the output voltage (Vout) has not crossed the predefined high voltage threshold (VTH_high) at the end of a predefined time threshold referred to as the “rise” threshold (ΔT2), a step (S7) of increasing the value of the maximum amplitude of the peak current (Ipeak) to the maximum threshold (Ipeak_max).

16. The method as claimed in claim 4, furthermore comprising a step (S6) of measuring the time elapsed from the drop time (T2) and, when the output voltage (Vout) has not crossed the predefined high voltage threshold (VTH_high) at the end of a predefined time threshold referred to as the “rise” threshold (ΔT2), a step (S7) of increasing the value of the maximum amplitude of the peak current (Ipeak) to the maximum threshold (Ipeak_max).

17. The converter (1) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the converter (1) is configured to: decrease the value of the maximum amplitude of the peak current (Ipeak) by decrementing by a predefined value corresponding to a fraction of the maximum amplitude threshold (Ipeak_max) of the peak current (Ipeak), increase the value of the maximum amplitude of the peak current (Ipeak) by incrementing by a predefined value corresponding to a fraction of the maximum amplitude threshold (Ipeak_max) of the peak current (Ipeak).

18. The converter (1) as claimed in claim 7, said converter (1) being furthermore configured to measure the time elapsed from the drop time (T2) and, when the output voltage (Vout) has not crossed the predefined high voltage threshold (VTH_high) at the end of a predefined time threshold referred to as the “rise” threshold (ΔT2), increase the value of the maximum amplitude of the peak current (Ipeak) to the maximum threshold (Ipeak_max).

19. The converter (1) as claimed in claim 8, said converter (1) being furthermore configured to measure the time elapsed from the drop time (T2) and, when the output voltage (Vout) has not crossed the predefined high voltage threshold (VTH_high) at the end of a predefined time threshold referred to as the “rise” threshold (ΔT2), increase the value of the maximum amplitude of the peak current (Ipeak) to the maximum threshold (Ipeak_max).

20. A motor vehicle comprising a converter (1) as claimed in claim 7.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given with reference to the appended figures, that are given by way of non-limiting examples and in which identical references are given to similar objects.

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the converter according to the invention.

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of the method according to the invention.

(4) FIG. 3 is a first example of a graph showing the change in the output voltage of the converter.

(5) FIG. 4 is a second example of a graph showing the change in the output voltage of the converter.

(6) FIG. 5 is a third example of a graph showing the change in the output voltage of the converter.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(7) FIG. 1 shows one example of a converter 1 according to the invention. The converter 1 is intended to be installed in a motor vehicle, for example in order to deliver an output voltage Vout allowing fuel injectors 2 to be controlled. The converter 1 is a DC-DC voltage converter.

(8) In the example described hereinbelow, but in a non-limiting manner, the converter 1 is a boost converter 1 that allows recharging of a capacitor referred to as the “intermediate” capacitor Cint that serves to command a drive module 2 for driving the injection of fuel.

(9) The converter 1 converts an input voltage Vin (input current I.sub.L) delivered by a power supply, the battery of the vehicle for example, into an output voltage Vout applied across the terminals of the intermediate capacitor Cint, the voltages being measured with respect to ground M. The converter 1 is configured to make the output voltage Vout tend toward a target value Vc (with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5), 65 V for example.

(10) The converter 1 comprises a drive module 10, an induction coil 20, a field-effect transistor 30, a first voltage comparator 40, a second voltage comparator 50, a detection module 60 and a reference voltage 70.

(11) The induction coil 20 is connected at the input of the circuit so as to be charged when it is passed through by the input current I.sub.L. A diode DI is connected between the induction coil 20 and the high terminal of the intermediate capacitor Cint that corresponds to the output of the converter 1 connected to the injectors 2. The diode DI is lets current pass from the induction coil 20 to the intermediate capacitor Cint but prevents current from passing from the intermediate capacitor Cint to the induction coil 20 in order to prevent the intermediate capacitor Cint from discharging into the converter 1.

(12) The transistor 30 comprises a drain D, a source S and a gate G, said gate G being connected to the control module 10 in order for said control module 10 to command the transistor 30 to an on state in which current passes between the drain D and the source S or to an off state in which current does not pass between the drain D and the source S. The source is connected to ground via a shunt resistor Rs.

(13) The alternation of the on and off states of the transistor 30 generates a sawtooth current, called the peak current Ipeak.

(14) The peak current Ipeak varies between 0 and a variable maximum amplitude value. The maximum amplitude value is lower bounded by a minimum threshold Ipeak_min and upper bounded by a maximum threshold Ipeak_max.

(15) The alternation of the on and off states of the transistor 30 allows the converter 1 to deliver an output voltage Vout across the terminals of a capacitor referred to as the “intermediate” capacitor, the discharging of which is commanded by a computer via a control module (not shown, called the “injection driver”) in order to command at least one fuel injector 2 of the engine of the vehicle.

(16) The drive module 10 allows the transistor 30 to be commanded so that said transistor 30 is in an off state or in an on state. This command is performed on the basis of the results delivered by the first voltage comparator 40 and by the second voltage comparator 50.

(17) The first comparator 40 compares the output voltage Vout of the converter 1 with a predefined voltage threshold referred to as the “high” voltage threshold VTH_high and delivers the result both to the drive module 10 and to the detection module 60.

(18) The converter 1 is active for as long as the output voltage Vout is below the predefined high voltage threshold VTH_high. When the comparator 40 detects that the output voltage Vout of the converter 1 is above the predefined high voltage threshold VTH_high, the comparator 40 sends an exceedance signal to the drive module 10 which then interrupts the operation of the converter 1.

(19) The second comparator 50 compares the voltage defined across the terminals of the shunt resistor Rs (i.e. the voltage representing the peak current Ipeak through the transistor 30) with the voltage defined by the voltage reference 70, which corresponds to a current reference amplitude value called Ipeak_ref, and delivers the result to the drive module 10 in order to control the transistor 30 so as to be in an on or off state.

(20) By contrast, when the value of the voltage defined across the terminals of the shunt resistor Rs is above the value of the voltage defined by the voltage reference 70, then the transistor 30 is off and the current passing through it becomes zero. The operation of the converter subsequently resumes at the end of a predefined time, for example according to the operational frequency of the converter 1, when said converter operates at a fixed frequency. The resumption of the operation of the converter 1 is commanded by the comparator 50.

(21) The detection module 60 is connected between the output of the first voltage comparator 40 and the voltage reference 70 and is configured to detect the passage of the output voltage Vout above or below the predefined high voltage threshold VTH_high and to modify the value of the voltage reference 70, as will be described hereinbelow.

(22) As indicated hereinabove, the voltage reference 70 defines a reference amplitude value Ipeak_ref which will be set by the maximum amplitude of the peak current Ipeak. This reference amplitude value Ipeak_ref is between the minimum amplitude threshold Ipeak_min and the maximum amplitude threshold Ipeak_max of the peak current Ipeak which define the operational range of the converter 1. Notably, the maximum amplitude threshold of the peak current Ipeak defines the maximum power which may be delivered by the converter 1.

(23) The injectors 2 are activated using the current delivered by the intermediate capacitor Cint. The drop in the charge of the intermediate capacitor Cint makes the output voltage Vout of the converter 1 drop.

(24) When the output voltage Vout of the converter 1 passes below the predefined high voltage threshold VTH_high, the converter 1 is activated to make said output voltage Vout rise to its target value Vc.

(25) When the output voltage Vout of the converter 1 increases, the detection module 60 is configured to determine a time referred to as the “recovery” time T1, at which the output voltage Vout crosses the predefined high voltage threshold VTH_high anew.

(26) When the output voltage Vout of the converter 1 decreases following the start of injection of fuel by the injectors 2, the detection module 60 is configured to determine a time referred to as the “drop” time T2, at which the output voltage Vout decreases below the predefined high voltage threshold VTH_high.

(27) The detection module 60 is configured to calculate the time ΔT elapsed between the recovery time T1 and the drop time T2.

(28) When the calculated time ΔT is above a predefined time threshold, referred to as the “target” time threshold ΔT0, and the value of the maximum amplitude of the peak current Ipeak is above the minimum threshold Ipeak_min, the detection module 60 is configured to decrease the value of the maximum amplitude of the peak current Ipeak, within the limit of the minimum threshold Ipeak_min, by lowering the value of the reference voltage 70, that is to say by reducing the value of the reference amplitude Ipeak_ref.

(29) By contrast, when the calculated time ΔT is below said target time threshold ΔT0 and the value of the maximum amplitude of the peak current Ipeak is below the maximum threshold Ipeak_max, the detection module 60 is configured to increase the value of the maximum amplitude of the peak current Ipeak, within the limit of its maximum threshold Ipeak_max, by increasing the value of the reference voltage 70 and therefore the reference amplitude value Ipeak_ref.

(30) The predefined target time threshold ΔT0 corresponds to the time interval between a target time at which it is desired for the output voltage Vout to reach the predefined high voltage threshold VTH_high and the following drop time.

(31) Specifically, it is desired for the output voltage to rise to the predefined high voltage threshold VTH_high before the next fuel injection request for optimum efficiency of injection but it is also desired for this rise not to occur too early as that would mean that the value of the maximum amplitude of the peak current Ipeak is too high to effect this voltage rise, which is synonymous with a lower efficiency from the converter 1.

(32) Advantageously, the predefined target time threshold ΔT0 is adjustable and may be between 200 and 500 μs, for example.

(33) In the case of a decrease in the value of the maximum amplitude, the detection module 60 is configured to decrease said value of the maximum amplitude of the peak current Ipeak by decrementing by a predefined value corresponding to a fraction of the maximum threshold Ipeak_max, between 0.2% and 1% for example.

(34) In the case of an increase in the value of the maximum amplitude, the detection module 60 is configured to increase said value of the maximum amplitude of the peak current Ipeak by incrementing by a predefined value corresponding to a fraction of the maximum threshold Ipeak_max, between 0.2% and 1% for example.

(35) Preferably, the predefined decrement value is equal to the predefined increment value.

(36) The detection module 60 is furthermore configured to measure the time elapsed from the drop time T2 and, when the output voltage Vout has not crossed the predefined high voltage threshold VTH_high at the end of a predefined time threshold referred to as the “rise” time threshold ΔT2, increase the value of the maximum amplitude of the peak current Ipeak to the maximum threshold Ipeak_max.

(37) The predefined rise time threshold ΔT2 corresponds to the maximum acceptable time interval between the drop time T2 and the rise of the output voltage Vout to the predefined high voltage threshold VTH_high. Specifically, it is desired for the value of the maximum amplitude of the peak current Ipeak to be as low as possible in order to have the best possible efficiency from the converter 1, but if an unforeseen or strong fuel injection request arises, it is desirable to able to guarantee the efficiency and the rapidity of the converter 1. Preferably, the predefined rise time threshold ΔT2 is configurable according to the minimum time gap between the fuel injections.

(38) One example of an implementation of the converter 1 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5.

(39) FIGS. 3 to 5 show the change in the output voltage Vout of the converter 1 over time t as a function of the different injections P represented by pulses in the injection current Iinj supplying the injectors 2.

(40) First of all, in a step S1, the detection module 60 determines a time referred to as the “recovery” time T1 at which the output voltage Vout crosses the predefined high voltage threshold VTH_high.

(41) In a step S2, the detection module 60 determines a time referred to as the “drop” time T2, corresponding to the start of injection, at which the output voltage Vout decreases below the predefined high voltage threshold VTH_high.

(42) Subsequently, in a step S3, the detection module 60 calculates the time ΔT elapsed between the recovery time T1 and the drop time T2.

(43) With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, when the calculated time ΔT is above said target time threshold ΔT0 and the value of the maximum amplitude of the peak current Ipeak is above the minimum threshold Ipeak_min, the detection module 60 decreases, in a step S4, the value of the reference voltage 70 by a decrement value in order to decrease the reference amplitude value Ipeak_ref.

(44) With reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, when the calculated time ΔT is below a predefined time threshold, referred to as the “target” time threshold ΔT0, and the value of the maximum amplitude of the peak current Ipeak is below the maximum threshold Ipeak_max, the detection module 60 increases, in a step S5, the value of the reference voltage 70 by an increment value in order to increase the reference amplitude value Ipeak_ref.

(45) When the output voltage Vout of the converter 1 has crossed the predefined high voltage threshold VTH_high, the calculated time ΔT is above the target time threshold ΔT0 and the value of the maximum amplitude of the peak current Ipeak is equal to the minimum threshold Ipeak_min, the detection module 60 maintains said value of the maximum amplitude of the peak current Ipeak at the minimum threshold Ipeak_min during the next peak of the peak current Ipeak.

(46) When the output voltage Vout of the converter 1 has crossed the predefined high voltage threshold VTH_high, the calculated time ΔT is below the target time threshold ΔT0 and the value of the maximum amplitude of the peak current Ipeak is equal to the maximum threshold Ipeak_max, the detection module 60 maintains the value of the maximum amplitude of the peak current Ipeak at the maximum threshold Ipeak_max during the next peak of the peak current Ipeak.

(47) In parallel, the detection module 60 also measures the time elapsed from the drop time T2 (step S6). Thus, in reference to FIG. 5, when the output voltage Vout has not crossed the predefined high voltage threshold VTH_high at the end of a predefined time threshold referred to as the “rise” time threshold ΔT2, the detection module 60 increases the value of the maximum amplitude of the peak current Ipeak to the maximum threshold Ipeak_max for the next peak.

(48) The method according to the invention allows the value of the maximum amplitude of the peak current Ipeak to be adjusted according to the more or less rapid rise of the output voltage Vout of the converter 1 in order to improve the efficiency thereof while at the same time reducing losses and ensuring as rapid as possible a rise in the case of significant injection requests.