This application claims priority of European patent application no. 17 400 006.7, filed Feb. 1, 2017, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The invention relates to a method for initiating adaptation of the composition of a mixture of fuel and combustion air, wherein the mixture is supplied to a combustion chamber of a mixture-lubricated combustion engine in a work apparatus. At least a partial quantity of the fuel which is supplied to the combustion engine is supplied via an electromagnetically controlled fuel valve, wherein, in an operating state of the combustion engine, the supplied partial quantity of fuel is added in a metered manner by opening and closing the electromagnetic fuel valve depending on operating parameters of the combustion engine.
Adapting the mixture comprising fuel and combustion air is dependent to a particular extent on the atmospheric pressure and, more specifically, on the altitude of the site of use of the work apparatus. It is known that the user can use a corresponding work tool to make adjustments to the mixture formation unit of the combustion engine for the purpose of adapting the elevation of the site of work, for example by manually turning the carburetor screw using a work tool such as a screwdriver or the like. This is complicated and requires a work tool to be carried. The mixture comprising fuel and combustion air is expediently also adapted when components of the work apparatus have been cleaned or replaced, such as an air filter which purifies the combustion air for example.
It is an object of the invention to provide a method for adapting the composition of a mixture comprising fuel and combustion air, which method can be initiated by the user in a simple manner without a special work tool.
According to the invention, the object is achieved in that, in a method for adapting the composition of a mixture comprising fuel and combustion air, which mixture is supplied to the combustion chamber of a mixture-lubricated combustion engine, at least a partial quantity of the fuel is supplied to the combustion engine via an electromagnetically controlled fuel valve and, in an operating state of the combustion engine, the supplied partial quantity of fuel is added in a metered manner by the electromagnetic fuel valve depending on operating parameters by way of the composition of the mixture being adapted in a special operating state which differs from the operating state of the combustion engine and, for the purpose of initiating the special operating state, the combustion engine being initially started by the user and, after starting, being operated in a first rotational speed range for a prespecified operating time and, after the prespecified operating time has elapsed, the special operating state for adapting the composition of the mixture being initiated by a user action.
First of all, it is provided that the adaptation of the composition of the mixture is executed in a special operating state which differs from the operating state of the combustion engine. In order to initiate this special operating state of the combustion engine, the user initially has to start the combustion engine and, after starting, operate the combustion engine in a first rotational speed range for a prespecified operating time. Once the prespecified operating time has elapsed and the first rotational speed range is maintained during the first operating time, the user can initiate the special operating state by a simple user action for the purpose of adapting the composition of the mixture. An expedient user action may comprise pressing the throttle lever and/or the locking lever once or several times.
The user advantageously does not perform any further actions during the first operating time of the combustion engine and leaves the combustion engine in its operating state.
A user action for initiating the special operating state expediently involves the rotational speed of the combustion engine being increased to a second rotational speed range by the user action. The second rotational speed range advantageously lies above the first rotational speed range and is achieved in a simple manner by the user operating the combustion engine in the second rotational speed range under full throttle. The user can therefore initiate the special operating state after the prespecified operating time has elapsed by pressing down the throttle lever of the work apparatus, in particular pressing down the throttle lever completely, that is, applying full throttle. In the process, the internal combustion engine is operated in the first and/or second rotational speed range, in particular in a load-free manner.
Starting of the combustion engine is, in particular, cold starting, so that the combustion engine is operated in the first rotational speed range after cold starting with starting gas during the prespecified operating time. The machine runs warm and in a conditioned manner in this first rotational speed range.
In order to initiate the user action, a time window expediently opens after the prespecified operating time has elapsed. After the prespecified operating time has elapsed, the time window extends over a time period advantageously of from 15 seconds to 360 seconds, in particular over a time period of from 30 seconds to 90 seconds, particularly advantageously of from 30 seconds to 60 seconds. If no prespecified user action is performed within the time window, the combustion engine is operated in the normal operating state.
The calibration or adaptation of the composition of the mixture is performed, in particular, in a plurality of successive calibration steps. In this case, the mixture can be adapted at nominal rotational speed of the combustion engine in a first calibration step. The first calibration step advantageously serves to adjust the maximum power of the work apparatus.
In an advantageously following second calibration step, the mixture is adapted at the maximum rotational speed of the combustion engine.
In an embodiment of the invention, provision is made to enable a third calibration step if the first and the second calibration step have been successfully completed. In a third calibration step of this kind, the mixture can be adapted for idling. The third calibration step can advantageously be carried out only under prespecified further boundary conditions, for example only with connection of a diagnosis apparatus.
During the adaptation of the mixture in the different calibration steps, provision is made to terminate the special operating state and switch off the combustion engine if one calibration step is not successfully completed. This serves, for example, as feedback to the user that the calibration of the machine was not successful.
If the calibration step is successfully completed, the user receives corresponding feedback, for example a reduction in the rotational speed n of the combustion engine to a rotational speed which advantageously lies below the second rotational speed range. The rotational speed nfeedback advantageously lies above the first rotational speed range and below the second rotational speed range. It may be expedient in the case of successful completion of, for example, the third calibration step to switch off the combustion engine by means of the control unit.
The supplied partial quantity of fuel is added in a metered manner, in particular by clocked opening of the electromagnetic fuel valve by a control unit. The total quantity of fuel which is supplied to the combustion air is advantageously added in a metered manner via the electromagnetic fuel valve.
The mixture in the combustion chamber is ignited by the ignition sparks of a spark plug which is actuated by a control unit. In order to adjust the nominal rotational speed of the combustion engine, it is advantageously provided to adjust the rotational speed by suppressing the ignition spark. This is also called “desynchronization”.
The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings wherein:
The work apparatus 1 shown in
In the embodiment shown, the combustion engine 3 is a preferably mixture-lubricated combustion engine, in particular a two-stroke engine, a mixture-lubricated four-stroke engine or the like. The combustion engine 3 is, in particular, a single-cylinder combustion engine.
For the purpose of operating the combustion engine 3, a mixture 10 comprising fuel and combustion air is supplied by a mixture formation unit 9. The mixture 10 fills a combustion chamber 11 of the combustion engine 3 and is ignited by a spark plug 12 by way of an ignition spark being outputted.
At least a partial quantity of the fuel, which is supplied to the inflowing combustion air by means of the mixture formation unit 9, is added in a metered manner via an electromagnetic fuel valve 13. In an operating state I of the combustion engine 3, which can also be called the normal operating state, the composition of the mixture 10 is changed by controlling the electromagnetic fuel valve 13 in dependence upon operating parameters. To this end, a control unit 15, which is supplied with the rotational speed of the combustion engine 3 as a first operating parameter by a rotational speed sensor 16 for example, can be provided. The pressure in the crankcase 18 and/or the temperature in the crankcase 18 can be reported to the control unit 15 as further operating parameters by a further sensor 17. The list of operating parameters is exemplary; it is possible for more or fewer operating parameters to be processed in the control unit 15.
The control unit 15 is connected to the fuel valve 13 via a control line 14. The control unit 15 controls the opening time of the fuel valve 13. The opening time of the fuel valve 13 determines the supplied partial quantity of fuel which is supplied to the combustion engine.
The fuel valve 13 is expediently a clocked fuel valve, that is, the fuel valve 13 is opened and closed by applying a clock frequency; by virtue of changing the clock frequency, the total opening duration of the fuel valve 13 can be adjusted and therefore the quantity of fuel flowing to the mixture formation unit, in particular a partial quantity of fuel, can be added in a metered manner.
The fuel valve 13 is advantageously an electromagnetic fuel valve which is open when no current is applied. An electromagnetic fuel valve which is closed when no current is applied can also be advantageous.
The delivery of the fuel to the mixture formation unit 9 is performed, in particular, above the negative pressure which is present in the intake channel of the mixture formation unit 9; if the fuel valve 13 is open, fuel is drawn in.
The embodiment of a work apparatus shown in
In combustion engines 3 of this kind, the mixture 10 comprising fuel and combustion air changes depending on the atmospheric pressure and/or depending on the altitude of the site of use of the work apparatus 1. If the density of the combustion air changes, the mixture 10 would become too rich with the same quantity of fuel added in a metered manner; therefore, before commissioning the work apparatus 1, it is practical to calibrate the mixture formation unit 9 in such a way that the composition of the mixture 10 comprising fuel and combustion air is matched to the atmospheric pressure and/or to the altitude of the site of use of the work apparatus 1.
In line with the method according to the invention as per the flowchart in
The process of adapting the composition of the mixture 10 comprising fuel and combustion air is initiated depending on at least one prespecified user action, in particular by means of the operator control elements which are provided for operating the work apparatus 1, such as the throttle lever 6 and/or the throttle lever lock 7 for example. In order to arrive at a special operating state II, which is necessary for adapting the composition of the mixture 10, from the first operating state I of the combustion engine 3, the combustion engine 3 first has to be started by the user. In this case, starting of the combustion engine 3 is expediently cold starting. A corresponding cold starting flap or the like can be operated on the mixture formation unit 9 for the purpose of cold starting. Cold starting is understood to mean first starting of the combustion engine, in which starting operation the combustion engine 3 is at most at ambient temperature during starting. If the combustion engine 3 is at ambient temperature, it can be assumed that the combustion engine 3 is being commissioned for the first time. This corresponds to cold starting.
After starting of the combustion engine 3 shown in field 36 in
In accordance with the flowchart in
If the time window ZF according to decision rhombus 33 is open and the user executes a prespecified user action, this is checked in the process sequence, as shown in the decision rhombus 34. If a prespecified user action is established, a changeover is made from the operating state I to the special operating state II.
The established user action, see rhombus 34 in
With the initiation of the special operating state II, the user keeps the throttle lever 6 permanently operated, advantageously pushed up to an end stop, this corresponding to a full throttle position. It may be advantageous for the control unit 15 to take over control of the combustion engine 3 with the initiation of the special operating state II by a prespecified user action and for the method for adapting the composition of the mixture 10 comprising fuel and combustion air to be automatically carried out until an end of the method.
Provision can also be made for the user to have to carry out the prespecified user action permanently over a prespecified time period in order to initiate the special operating state II. Following this, the combustion engine 3 in conjunction with the control unit 15 can automatically carry out the method for adapting the composition of the mixture 10 comprising fuel and combustion air until an end of the method.
Within the scope of the invention, starting of the combustion engine 3 can also be warm starting. Starting after previous running of the combustion engine 3 is called warm starting. The combustion engine 3 can be at a temperature which is higher than the ambient temperature. If a user wishes to adapt the composition of a mixture 10 comprising fuel and combustion air after warm starting, he can carry out the warm starting in a starting position of the mixture formation device 9 for the purpose of initiating the special operating state. The warm starting is identified by the control unit 15 and then detected as first starting of the combustion engine 3. If the user does not perform any further user actions during the first operating time, the combustion engine 3 is operated for a prespecified operating time Tmin in a first rotational speed range B in a first operating state. After the operating time Tmin has elapsed, the time window ZF for jumping to a special operating state II is opened after execution of a prespecified user action, for example full throttle being applied.
The composition of the mixture 10 comprising fuel and combustion air is adapted, in particular, in a load-free manner, that is, without loading on the work tool 5. For example, in the embodiment according to
The method for adapting the composition of a mixture 10 comprising fuel and combustion air is advantageously performed in a plurality of calibration steps 40, 50, 60. According to the embodiment, the composition of the mixture 10 comprising fuel and combustion air is adapted in three calibration steps 40, 50, 60, in particular in an automated manner without further mandatory user actions, after the special operating state II (
On account of the user action “full throttle” prespecified in the embodiment, the combustion engine 3 initially runs at a nominal rotational speed nnom. This operation at nominal rotational speed nnom has to be performed for a minimum time TN. During this minimum time TN, calibration is performed in the first calibration step 40 at nominal rotational speed nnom. This nominal rotational speed nnom is—even under full throttle—achieved by desynchronization of the ignition. The mixture 10 in the combustion chamber 11 is ignited by ignition sparks of the spark plug 12 which is actuated by an ignition device, in the embodiment the control unit 15. The nominal rotational speed nnom is regulated by suppression of the ignition spark by the control unit 15. The combustion engine 3 is adjusted down to the nominal rotational speed nnom.
After the first calibration step 40 is concluded, a check is made according to the decision rhombus 41 to determine whether the calibration was successful. If no fault is established, the method branches in the manner shown in the decision rhombus 41. The method branches to the second calibration step 50 in branch “Yes”. If the calibration was not successful, the method branches to field 19 via the “No” branch according to the decision rhombus 41 and the combustion engine 3 is switched off.
If the first calibration step 40 was completed successfully, the rotational speed nact of the combustion engine 3 increases to a maximum rotational speed nmax. This rotational speed range of the maximum rotational speed nmax advantageously lasts for a minimum time TH. During this minimum time TH, calibration is performed in the second calibration step 50 for the purpose of further adapting the mixture 10 comprising fuel and combustion air. As shown in the decision rhombus 51, a check is then made in the method to determine whether the calibration in the second calibration step 50 was successful. In the event of a fault in the second calibration step 50, the decision rhombus 51 branches to the “No” branch which leads to field 19 and to the combustion engine 3 being switched off.
As an alternative, the calibration can be completed after successful completion of the second calibration step 50. The successful calibration is reported to the user by feedback. As feedback to successful calibration, the rotational speed of the combustion engine 3 can be lowered to a feedback rotational speed nfeedback as shown in field 52. It can also be expedient to switch off the combustion engine as feedback to the user.
If the calibration was also successful in the second calibration step 50, the third calibration step 60 can advantageously be enabled only under prespecified further boundary conditions. For example, it may be necessary to permit the third calibration step 60 to be carried out only when a diagnosis apparatus is connected. The third calibration step 60 can expediently be started up only during servicing at a workshop. The mixture is calibrated at idling rotational speed nLL in the third calibration step 60. If the third calibration step 60 was successfully completed, the combustion engine 3 is preferably switched off, as shown in field 62.
In order to report back to the user about the successful calibration of the combustion engine 3 after successful completion of the calibration steps 40 and 50 on-site, the rotational speed n of the combustion engine 3 is advantageously lowered to a feedback rotational speed nfeedback after completion of the second calibration step 50. The feedback rotational speed nfeedback is advantageously lower than nmax, in particular lower than nnom. The feedback rotational speed nfeedback is preferably greater than nSTR and, respectively, nLL, but, in particular, can be zero and can be achieved by switching off the combustion engine 3.
After the feedback, the user—if he is still keeping the throttle lever 6 pressed—can release the throttle and move the throttle lever 6 to the idling position against arrow direction 8. As an alternative, the composition of a mixture 10 comprising fuel and combustion air can then be adapted in the idle state in the calibration step 60. As shown in the decision rhombus 61, a check is then made to determine whether the calibration of the third calibration step 60 was successful. If a fault occurred, the method branches to field 19 via the “No” branch and the combustion engine 3 is switched off. If the calibration of the third calibration step 60 was successful, the combustion engine 3 is advantageously switched off. Switching off the combustion engine serves as feedback to the user, wherein it is possible to read out, in particular via a connected diagnosis apparatus, whether the calibration was successful.
One example of the method sequence for adapting the composition of a mixture 10 comprising fuel and combustion air is shown in a first advantageous embodiment in
If the user operates the throttle lever 6, in particular applies full throttle, within this time window ZF indicated in
If the calibration in the second rotational speed range C was successful, the desynchronization of the ignition is suppressed, so that—since the user is advantageously applying full throttle in an unchanged manner—the combustion engine 3 runs up to a maximum rotational speed nmax. During this further second rotational speed range D at increased rotational speed, the mixture is calibrated in the high rotational speed range in the second calibration step 50.
If the second calibration step 50 is successfully completed in the further, second rotational speed range D, the rotational speed n of the combustion engine 3 is advantageously lowered to a feedback rotational speed nfeedback in a method section E by means of the control unit 15. This significant reduction in the rotational speed is advantageously performed by the control unit 15 even though full throttle continues to be applied by the user, as shown in the profile of the throttle lever position over time. According to the switching indicator in
When the feedback rotational speed nfeedback is identified, the user releases the throttle in section F; the throttle lever 6 moves to the idling position and the combustion engine 3 runs at the idling rotational speed nLL. The combustion engine 3 is matched to changed boundary conditions, for example matched to the altitude of the site of use or the prevailing atmospheric pressure or to newly installed replacement parts or to a cleaned air filter, by the calibration.
It is left to the user to keep the rotational speed at a maximum rotational speed nmax in section G by continuing to apply full throttle.
It is understood that the foregoing description is that of the preferred embodiments of the invention and that various changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
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