Method for learning a minimum actuation duration of fuel injectors of an internal combustion engine

A device for learning and determining a minimum injector specific electric actuation duration for at least one fuel injector of an internal combustion engine, comprising:

• an arrangement, starting with a predefined electric actuation duration which definitely does not result in an injection, to gradually increase the electric actuation duration in one or more engine stops and/or one or more engine starts of the internal combustion engine up to an actuation duration in which an injection with a combustion occurs, wherein the internal combustion engine is not operated in a coasting phase while the gradual increasing is performed;
• and
• a determining arrangement to determine the actuation duration, in which an injection with a combustion occurs, as the minimum electric actuation duration.

A method for learning and determining a minimum injector-specific electric actuation duration for at least one fuel injector of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, the method comprising:

• gradually lowering, starting with a predefined electric actuation duration which results in an injection with a combustion, the electric actuation duration in each engine stop of successive engine stops to an actuation duration in which just an interruption of an injection with a combustion occurs, the last achieved actuation duration, which does not quite yet result in an interruption of the injection, wherein the internal combustion engine is not operated in a coasting phase while the gradual lowering is performed;
• and
• determining the last achieved actuation duration, which does not quite yet result in an interruption of the injection, as the minimum electric actuation duration.