Integration of a Common Rail Diesel Engine Model into an Industrial Engine Software Development Process

In this paper we show the benefits of integrating a sophisticated engine model into an engine software development process. The core goal is the simulation based tuning of engine control parameters. The work reported here is resulting out of a prolonged cooperation between Siemens VDO Automotive AG and the Institute of Industrial Information Technology, University of Karlsruhe (TH), Germany. The approach is based on a model of the variable energy conversion process within a Diesel engine. The model features phenomenological fuel spray and vaporization models as well as cylinder individual mechanical aspects and fully copes with multiple injection systems. To be useful for an industrial function development process it provides a flexible and modular structure and features computational efficiency - considering real-time capability. The model is matched with the behavior of an engine of interest and connected with a control function under development. The control performance is evaluated by stimulation of the control function with test signals while being calculated in closed-loop with the engine model. Tuneable parameters are adapted to optimize engine performance until meeting given requirements. Simulation results of the achieved improvement in control performance will be presented.