Method for ascertaining a variable characterizing a flow rate of a fuel injector

A method for ascertaining a variable characterizing a flow rate of a fuel injector during an operation of an internal combustion engine to which the fuel injector is assigned, the method comprising the following steps:

• ascertaining at least two input values for a data-based model;
• determining at least one output value with the aid of the data-based model;
• and
• ascertaining, based on the at least one output value, a value for the variable characterizing the flow rate of the fuel injector;
• wherein the data-based model combines at least two methods differing from one another for ascertaining the variable characterizing the flow rate of the fuel injector.

A processing unit configured to ascertain a variable characterizing a flow rate of a fuel injector during an operation of an internal combustion engine to which the fuel injector is assigned, the processing unit configured to:

• ascertain at least two input values for a data-based model;
• determine at least one output value with the aid of the data-based model;
• and
• ascertain, based on the at least one output value, a value for the variable characterizing the flow rate of the fuel injector;
• wherein the data-based model combines at least two methods differing from one another for ascertaining the variable characterizing the flow rate of the fuel injector.

A non-transitory machine-readable memory medium on which is stored a computer program for ascertaining a variable characterizing a flow rate of a fuel injector during an operation of an internal combustion engine to which the fuel injector is assigned, the computer program, when executed by a processing unit, causing the processing unit to perform the following steps:

• ascertaining at least two input values for a data-based model;
• determining at least one output value with the aid of the data-based model;
• and
• ascertaining, based on the at least one output value, a value for the variable characterizing the flow rate of the fuel injector;
• wherein the data-based model combines at least two methods differing from one another for ascertaining the variable characterizing the flow rate of the fuel injector.