Abstract:
A method for testing the operability of a tank shutoff valve of a fuel tank system which is controlled by valves includes performing defined triggering of the tank shutoff valve and simultaneous introduction of an overpressure or partial vacuum into the fuel tank system via a pressure source, and the operability of the tank shutoff valve is determined on the basis of a variable which characterizes the introduction of the overpressure or partial vacuum.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a method for testing the operability of a tank shutoff valve of a fuel tank system which is controlled by valves. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Methods and monitoring and control systems for testing fuel tank systems are known from the related art. 
         [0005]    Thus, for example, published German patent document DE 196 36 431 A1 discloses a method and a device for testing the operability of a tank ventilation system, in which an overpressure or partial vacuum is introduced into a tank ventilation system and the tightness of the tank ventilation system is determined from the pressure curve. The pressure curve is determined by detecting operating parameters of the pressure source upon introduction of the pressure. A method for testing the operability of a tank ventilation system of a vehicle using a tank tightness test is also disclosed in published German patent document DE 198 09 384 C2. Using a tank tightness testing device of this type, it may be reliably stated whether there is a tank leak. 
         [0006]    More recent tank systems are equipped with an additional tank shutoff valve, which is situated between the fuel tank and an activated carbon filter, which is used for temporarily storing outgassing fuel vapors. This tank shutoff valve is normally always closed, so that significant partial vacuums or overpressures may arise in the tank system because of the leakproof tank. This valve is opened in order to regulate the pressure in the tank to a specific predefined value. 
         [0007]    Because the tank shutoff valve represents an exhaust-relevant element, its operability must be checked. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Using the method according to the present invention, it is possible to test the operability of the tank shutoff valve with the aid of a pressure source, implemented by a tank tightness testing device, for example, as is installed in practically all newer fuel tank systems. For this purpose, it is first tested whether opening the tank shutoff valve results in a pressure change in the fuel tank system. If not, the operability of the tank shutoff valve is determined by introducing an overpressure or partial vacuum into the fuel tank system via the pressure source and simultaneously triggering the tank shutoff valve in a defined manner on the basis of a variable which characterizes the introduction of the pressure. The variable which characterizes the introduction of the pressure is compared to a reference variable, or the time curve of the variable which characterizes the introduction of the pressure is compared to a reference curve of this variable, and the operability of the tank shutoff valve is determined on the basis of this comparison. In this regard, “determine the operability of the tank shutoff valve on the basis of a variable which characterizes the introduction of the pressure” means hereafter that a comparison of the variable to a reference value or a comparison of the time curve of the variable to a reference time curve is performed. 
         [0009]    Thus, according to one advantageous embodiment, it is first tested whether triggering the shutoff valve to open results in a pressure change in the fuel tank system. If not, the operability of the tank shutoff valve is determined by introducing an overpressure or partial vacuum into the fuel tank system via the pressure source and simultaneously triggering the tank shutoff valve in a defined manner on the basis of the variable which characterizes the introduction of the pressure. 
         [0010]    According to one embodiment of the method, the introduction of an overpressure or partial vacuum into the fuel tank system via the pressure source and the simultaneous defined triggering of the tank shutoff valve are performed as follows:
       the tank shutoff valve is opened;   an overpressure or partial vacuum is introduced into the fuel tank system via the pressure source with the tank ventilation valve closed;   a variable which characterizes the introduction of the pressure is detected;   if the variable which characterizes the introduction of the pressure has a greater increase over time than a predefinable time gradient which characterizes an open shutoff valve, it is determined that the tank shutoff valve is jammed in the closed position;   if the variable which characterizes the introduction of the pressure does not have a different change over time than the predefinable time gradient which characterizes an open shutoff valve, the tank shutoff valve is triggered to close and it is then determined that the tank shutoff valve is jammed in the open position if the increase over time of the variable which characterizes the introduction of the pressure does not subsequently change.       
 
         [0016]    The present invention is not restricted thereto, but rather it is also purely fundamentally possible to perform a test in the reverse sequence, i.e., first with a closed and then with an open tank shutoff valve. One embodiment of the method which allows this test routine provides that an overpressure or partial vacuum is introduced into the fuel tank system via the pressure source and the simultaneous defined triggering of the tank shutoff valve is performed as follows:
       the tank shutoff valve is closed;   an overpressure or partial vacuum is introduced into the fuel tank system via pressure source ( 150 ) in the case of closed tank ventilation valve ( 140 );   a variable which characterizes the introduction of the pressure is detected;   if the variable which characterizes the introduction of the pressure has a different change over time in the case of closed tank shutoff valve ( 120 ) than a predefinable time gradient which characterizes a closed tank shutoff valve ( 120 ), it is determined that tank shutoff valve ( 120 ) is jammed in the open position;   if the variable which characterizes the introduction of the pressure does not have a different change over time than the predefinable time gradient which characterizes a closed tank shutoff valve ( 120 ), tank shutoff valve ( 120 ) is triggered to open or is open and it is determined that tank shutoff valve ( 120 ) is jammed in the closed position if the increase over time of the variable which characterizes the introduction of the pressure does not subsequently change.       
 
         [0022]    Therefore, precise statements about the operability of the tank shutoff valve may thus be made by targeted triggering to open and close the tank shutoff valve and simultaneous introduction of an overpressure or partial vacuum via the pressure source and detection of the time curve of a variable which characterizes the pressure. 
         [0023]    Incorrect error messages which occur on the basis of pressure detection means, for example, pressure sensors installed in the tank, may also be prevented. Thus, for example, an error message “tank shutoff valve not opening” on the basis of a pressure change which is expected but not measured and is detected by the pressure detection means may be avoided. A non-measured pressure change may also, for example, either occur because overpressure does not prevail in the fuel tank system or the pressure detection means are defective. An overpressure or partial vacuum may be introduced into the fuel tank system in a targeted manner with the aid of the pressure source and the introduction of the pressure may be detected simultaneously. This pressure buildup, combined with the targeted triggering of the tank shutoff valve, allows prevention of incorrect error messages of this type in a particularly advantageous manner. 
         [0024]    It is possible to detect a tank shutoff valve jammed in the open or in the closed position with the above-illustrated embodiments of the method according to the present invention. 
         [0025]    The very advantageous embodiments of the method according to the present invention illustrated below also make it possible to detect whether there is a leakage in the tank shutoff valve and, in particular, if there is a leak into the surrounding area. 
         [0026]    In an example embodiment of the method, a leak of the tank shutoff valve that is not jammed in the open or in the closed position is diagnosed via the following steps:
       the tank shutoff valve ( 120 ) is triggered into a closed position;   an overpressure or a partial vacuum is introduced into the fuel tank system;   a variable which characterizes the introduction of the pressure is detected;   when the variable which characterizes the introduction of the pressure has a different change over time than a predefinable change over time which characterizes a closed tank shutoff valve ( 120 ), it is determined that there is a leakage at the tank shutoff valve.       
 
         [0031]    By means of these method steps it may be tested whether a leakage is inward, i.e., an inward leaking tank shutoff valve, in the inside of the fuel tank system; it may also be tested whether the leakage is outward, that is the tank shutoff valve is leaking outward into the environment. Such an outwardly leaking tank shutoff valve is critical in particular since it allows fuel to escape into the environment, which must be avoided. An inward leakage, i.e., inside the fuel tank system, occurs when a tank shutoff valve does not close tightly, for example. In this case, the tank system is not tightly closed by the tank shutoff valve—still avoiding the fuel escaping outward into the environment. 
         [0032]    In order to differentiate between whether a leak is inward or outward, an advantageous embodiment provides the following steps to check whether an inward or an outward leak exists when a leak is determined in the tank shutoff valve:
       a leak diagnosis of the total area of the fuel tank system is performed during after-running using the following steps:   an overpressure or a partial vacuum is introduced into the fuel tank system;   a variable which characterizes the introduction of the pressure is detected;   when the variable which characterizes the introduction of the pressure is different from a predefinable variable which characterizes a non-leaking fuel tank system, it is determined that there is an outward leak;   when the variable which characterizes the introduction of the pressure is not different from a predefinable variable which characterizes a closed fuel tank system, it is determined that there is an inward leak.       
 
         [0038]    It must be pointed out here that the comparison between the variable which characterizes the introduction of the pressure and a change over time is not to be understood as limiting. Instead of a change over time, another variable which may be compared to the variable which characterizes the introduction of the pressure may be chosen. 
         [0039]    According to one example embodiment, the variable which characterizes the pressure increase is detected by a pressure sensor, such as a pressure sensor which is situated in the tank. Furthermore, according to another embodiment, the variable which characterizes the pressure increase is detected on the basis of a mass flow of a pump which introduces an overpressure or partial vacuum into the fuel tank system. 
         [0040]    The introduction of the pressure via the pressure source may be performed with the aid of a pressure source of a tank tightness testing device, for example, as installed in practically all newer fuel tank systems of vehicles. 
         [0041]    The pressure source is advantageously formed in this case by a pump which generates an overpressure or partial vacuum in the fuel tank system and a shutoff valve of the adsorption filter of the fuel tank system. The mass flow from the tank or via a tank ventilation valve is preferably detected as the variable which characterizes the pressure increase. In addition, a pump current or the speed or the frequency of the pump which produces the overpressure or partial vacuum may be detected as the variable which characterizes the pressure increase. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0042]      FIG. 1  schematically shows a fuel tank system in which the method according to the present invention is used. 
           [0043]      FIG. 2  shows a flow chart of an example method according to the present invention. 
           [0044]      FIG. 3  shows a flow chart of a further example embodiment of the method according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0045]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , fuel tank system of a vehicle having an internal combustion engine  100  has a tank  110 , in which a pressure sensor  160  for detecting the pressure in tank  110  is situated. The output signal of pressure sensor  160  is fed via an electrical line  162  to a control device, such as control unit  102  of internal combustion engine  100 . Internal combustion engine  100  is triggered by control unit  102 , which is symbolized by a double arrow  101 . Triggered means determination and setting of the injection quantity, determination and setting of the injection time, ignition time, and the like. Tank  110  is connected via a line  121  to an activated carbon filter  130 . Activated carbon filter  130  is used to adsorb harmful gases outgassed from fuel in the tank. Activated carbon filter  130  has a fresh air line  132 . Fresh air line  132  is closable by a shutoff valve  134 , which is activatable by control unit  102  via a control line  133 . Activated carbon filter  130  is flushed from time to time. For this purpose, a tank ventilation valve  140 , which is situated in a line  141 , which is hydraulically connected to an intake manifold  105  of internal combustion engine  100 , is opened with open shutoff valve  134  and thus open fresh air line  132  of activated carbon filter  130 . A fresh air line  151  may also be part of a tank tightness testing device  150 , which is also referred to as a diagnostic module tank leak (DM-TL module). 
         [0046]    An overpressure or partial vacuum is introduced into the fuel tank system using tank tightness testing device  150  with closed fresh air line  132  or  151  and closed tank ventilation line  140 . Tank shutoff valve  120  is opened for this purpose. The pressure increase upon introduction of the overpressure or partial vacuum is detected and the presence of a leak is determined from this pressure increase. The pressure increase may be detected, for example, by detecting the pump current of a pump which generates the overpressure or partial vacuum and/or by detecting a mass flow or using pressure sensor  160 . The introduction of the overpressure or partial vacuum may also be performed via an arbitrary pressure source, such as a pump, instead of with the aid of tank tightness testing device  150 . The above-described introduction of the overpressure or partial vacuum with the aid of the tank tightness testing device is thus only to be understood as an example, but without restriction of the generality. 
         [0047]    Tank ventilation valve  140  and also tank shutoff valve  120  are triggered by control unit  102  using electrical control lines  142 ,  122 . Tank shutoff valve  120  is closed during normal operation of the vehicle. Significant overpressures or partial vacuums may thus arise in tank  110 . Valve  120  is opened under the control of control unit  102  in order to regulate the pressure in tank  110  to a specific, predefinable value. To meet the legal requirements, it is now necessary to test the operability of tank shutoff valve  120 . This test is performed by the method described hereafter with the aid of tank pressure sensor  160  and the pressure source, for example tank tightness testing device  150 , in the way described in connection with  FIG. 2 . 
         [0048]    In a first step  210  shown in  FIG. 2 , tank shutoff valve  120  is triggered to open and it is tested in step  220  with the aid of tank pressure sensor  160  whether a pressure change thus results in tank  110 . If so, it is established in step  230  and optionally a message is output that tank shutoff valve  120  is functioning properly, i.e., it is operational. 
         [0049]    However, if no pressure change is established in step  220 , this may have the following causes. On the one hand, tank  110  may have been unpressurized, so that opening tank shutoff valve  120  does not result in a pressure change. On the other hand, tank pressure sensor  160  may be defective, so that no pressure change is measured. Thirdly tank shutoff valve  120  may also be defective. The steps described hereafter allow the errors to be narrowed down, namely a test as to whether the lack of pressure change has occurred because of a nonoperational tank shutoff valve  120 . For this purpose, tank shutoff valve  120  is triggered to close or open in step  240  and the pressure source, such as tightness testing device  150 , is triggered and, via this pressure source in the form of tank tightness testing device  150 , an overpressure is introduced into the fuel tank system. The fresh air side is closed, i.e., line  132  or  151  is closed and tank ventilation valve  140  is additionally closed. Upon introduction of the overpressure into the fuel tank system, a variable which characterizes the introduction of the pressure, such as the electrical current of the overpressure pump, which changes over time, is detected. The change over time of the variable which characterizes the introduction of the pressure, such as a current gradient, is compared in step  250  to a predefined threshold value which characterizes an open tank shutoff valve. If the variable exceeds this threshold value, it is determined in step  260  that tank shutoff valve  120  is jammed in the closed position. The threshold value is selected so that this criterion may be recognized reliably. The threshold value is advantageously empirically determined beforehand. 
         [0050]    In contrast, if the variable does not exceed the threshold value, tank shutoff valve  120  is triggered to close in step  270  and the change over time of the variable which characterizes the introduction of the pressure is detected, for example the above-mentioned current gradient. If the change over time of the variable which characterizes the pressure, i.e., the current gradient, for example, does not change, it may be determined in step  290  that tank shutoff valve  120  is jammed in the open position, because a closed tank shutoff valve  120  results in a further increase in the time gradient of the variable which characterizes the introduction of the pressure, for example, the current gradient. In contrast, if a change occurs, this change in turn being able to be compared to a further threshold value, for example, which is in turn previously empirically determined, it may be determined that tank shutoff valve  120  is functioning properly. A corresponding signal is produced and output in step  230  in this case. 
         [0051]    The above-described method steps presume a test of tank shutoff valve  120  initially with an open and then with a closed tank shutoff valve. A reverse triggering of tank shutoff valve  120  is also purely fundamentally possible, i.e., the test is performed first with a closed and then with an open tank shutoff valve  120 . 
         [0052]    In this case, tank shutoff valve  120  is closed with lines  132 ,  151 . An overpressure or partial vacuum is introduced into the fuel tank system. A variable which characterizes the introduction of the pressure is detected. If the variable which characterizes the introduction of the pressure has a different change over time when tank shutoff valve  120  is triggered to close or is closed than a predefinable and stored change over time which characterizes a closed tank shutoff valve  120 , it is determined that tank shutoff valve  120  is jammed in the open position. In contrast, if the variable which characterizes the introduction of the pressure does not have a different change over time than the predefinable change over time which characterizes a closed tank shutoff valve  120 , the tank shutoff valve is triggered to open or is open and it is determined that the tank shutoff valve is jammed in the closed position if the increase over time of the variable which characterizes the introduction of the pressure does not subsequently change. 
         [0053]    In the case when there is no tank shutoff valve  120  jammed in the open or closed position, tank shutoff valve  120  may be tested for the presence of a leak, in particular an inward leak, as described below. An inward leak here means a tank shutoff valve  120  that is not tight. In this case tank  110  may not be completely tightly separated from the rest of the system. But no fuel escapes to the environment, i.e., outward. Unless tank shutoff valve  120  is closed, it is not possible to separate the tank from the rest of the fuel system in a fuel vapor-tight manner. Normally, a partial vacuum or an overpressure builds up when tank shutoff valve  120  is closed, for example, during out-gassing when the tank overheats or when there is condensation during cooling. 
         [0054]    When measuring pressure in a fuel tank system, it is determined that tank shutoff valve  120  and the whole fuel tank system are closed, i.e., there is no leak. 
         [0055]    However, when there is no pressure detected, which is tested in step  320  following cold engine start, step  310 , it is first checked in steps  330  and  340  whether tank shutoff valve  120  is jammed in the open or closed position. The test is performed in the above-described manner. If tank shutoff valve  120  jams in the open or closed position, i.e., the query in step  340  is answered with a yes, a corresponding error entry is made in the memory (step  345 ) and/or a corresponding signal is given. The test is terminated. If, on the other hand, it is determined in step  340  that tank shutoff valve  120  is not jammed in an open or closed position, i.e., the query in step  40  is answered with a no, it is checked in step  350 , first with the tank shutoff valve  120  triggered to close, if there is a leak. This test is performed with the aid of a tank leak diagnostic module (DM-TL module), for example, as described earlier. 
         [0056]    If the question whether there is a leakage in step  350  is answered with no, it is determined in step  380  that fuel shutoff valve  120  does not have a leakage. If, on the other hand, the question in step  350  is answered with yes, there may be an inward or outward leakage in fuel shutoff valve  120 . Inward leakage means, as already mentioned above, that there is a leakage into the inside of the fuel shutoff valve. Outward leakage means that there is a leakage into the environment. This means that the fuel may escape into the environment, which must be avoided. In order to determine whether there is an inward or an outward leakage, a leak diagnosis of the total area of the fuel tank system for a 0.5 mm leak during after-running is performed first in step  355 . During after-running means that the leak diagnosis is performed when the engine is turned off in a stopped car. The leak diagnosis is performed in a manner described previously. If it is established in step  360  that there is no leak, it may be determined that fuel shutoff valve  120  has an inward leakage, which is established in step  365 . In this case there is only a leak into the inside of the fuel tank system, but there is no danger of the fuel escaping into the environment. If, on the other hand, a leakage is determined in step  360 , it must be assumed that that fuel shutoff valve  120  does not have an inward but an outward leakage, which means that fuel vapors may escape to the environment via fuel shutoff valve  120 . This defect is established in step  370 , and appropriate error entries are made in the vehicle&#39;s diagnostic memory and the malfunction will be eventually signaled to the driver of the vehicle. 
         [0057]    The above-mentioned method variations thus make not only the detection of a leak possible but a determination whether it is an inward or outward leak in particular. 
         [0058]    The pressure change may be detected over time, additionally or alternatively to the detection of the current gradient, with the aid of a further pressure sensor (not shown), which is situated between tank shutoff valve  120  and tank tightness testing device  150  or in tank tightness testing device  150  itself. Instead of introducing an overpressure, a partial vacuum may also purely fundamentally be built up. Instead of the current gradient, the frequency of the pump, a mass flow of the pump, or the like or their combination may also be analyzed. 
         [0059]    Tank tightness testing device  150  may—as already noted above—additionally be formed solely by a pump and/or shutoff valve  134  on activated carbon filter  130 , instead of the above-mentioned DM-TL module. Purely as a matter of principle, it is possible to measure the mass flow upstream and downstream from tank shutoff valve  120  in the case of open tank vent valve  140 , for example using a suitable sensor, and thus to test the operability. 
         [0060]    Moreover, in addition to pressure sensor  160  in tank  110  as described, above, a pressure sensor may be installed in the area between activated carbon filter  130 , tank vent valve  140 , and shutoff valve  120  (not shown). In this case, a partial vacuum may be built up with the aid of tank vent valve  140  when internal combustion engine  100  is running and valve  134  is closed. For this purpose, tank vent valve  140  is opened in the case of existing intake manifold partial vacuum. The partial vacuum build-up may then be analyzed using the two pressure sensors. Partial vacuum build-up means detection over time of the variable which characterizes the introduction of partial vacuum or the partial vacuum itself. 
         [0061]    The above-described method may be implemented, for example, as a computer program on a computing device, in particular control unit  102  of internal combustion engine  100  and run thereon. The program code may be stored on a machine-readable carrier, which control unit  102  is able to read. In this way, the method may also be retrofitted in existing fuel tank systems.