Method and device for operating a piezoelectric actuator

A device for operating a piezoelectric actuator which is activated by an activation signal, comprising:

• a detector to detect whether the piezoelectric actuator is operated in an active or a passive operating mode, wherein the active operating mode is in response to a functional operating request, and wherein the passive operating mode is an idle state caused by an absence of the functional operating request;
• and
• a control device configured to activate the piezoelectric actuator in the passive operating mode without the functional operating request, in response to detecting at least one of the following:
• the piezoelectric actuator being in the passive operating mode for a predetermined period of time, and
• a temperature condition associated with the piezoelectric actuator being met, wherein activation of the piezoelectric actuator opens a valve, wherein the piezoelectric actuator is activated in the active operating mode such that the valve is opened in conjunction with an injection through the opened valve, and wherein the activation in the passive operating mode opens the valve without a corresponding injection.

An internal combustion engine, comprising:

• a piezoelectric actuator activated by an activation signal;
• and
• a device that operates the piezoelectric actuator, the device including a detector to detect whether the piezoelectric actuator is operated in an active or a passive operating mode, wherein the active operating mode is in response to a functional operating request, and wherein the passive operating mode is an idle state caused by an absence of the functional operating request;
• and
• a control device configured to activate the piezoelectric actuator in the passive operating mode without the functional operating request, in response to detecting at least one of the following:
• the piezoelectric actuator being in the passive operating mode for a predetermined period of time, and
• a temperature condition associated with the piezoelectric actuator being met, wherein activation of the piezoelectric actuator opens a valve, wherein the piezoelectric actuator is activated in the active operating mode such that the valve is opened in conjunction with an injection through the opened valve, and wherein the activation in the passive operating mode opens the valve without a corresponding injection.

A method for operating a piezoelectric actuator which is activated by an activation signal, the piezoelectric actuator being operable in an active and in a passive operating mode, the piezoelectric actuator being activated functionally in the active operating mode in response to a functional operating request, and being in the passive operating mode in an idle state caused by an absence of the functional operating request, the method comprising:

• activating the piezoelectric actuator in the passive operating mode without the functional operating request, in response to detecting at least one of the following:
• the piezoelectric actuator being in the passive operating mode for a predetermined period of time, and
• a temperature condition associated with the piezoelectric actuator being met;
• ascertaining a temperature in an area of the piezoelectric actuator at two points in time to calculate a change in temperature;
• and
• determining, as the temperature condition, whether the change in temperature or a value derived from the change in temperature exceeds a predefined value.