The new Liebherr LI1 common-rail injector platform

Liebherr, a family owned company in the third generation, launches a new platform of common rail injectors for light-, medium- and heavy- duty engines. The LI1 (Liebherr Injector) platform was developed for large volume production and maximum customer application freedom. Proven series materials from our applications in heavy duty construction machinery were taken over and show outstanding resistance to contaminated fuels compared to other injectors on the market. The design approach of the LI1 is to reduce the number of parts to allow lean logistics on the production site. Lower CO2 emissions can be reached by smaller throttle diameters inside the injector which are drilled by laser technology. This reduces the backflow quantity flow of the injector, and also significantly enhance the system efficiency. This is additionally realized by the leakage free concept which is mandatory for pressures up to 3000 bar. These pressures make it necessary to use the newest steel technologies to ensure adequate strength for limited injector dimensions which are key for easy engine installation packaging. The electrical plug of the injector is designed for heavy duty applications and is directly molded on the injector housing. For future emission legislation injection timing control (ITC) can be achieved by a straightforward software module in the electrical control unit. Every injector will have the necessary hardware inside to enable the prediction of the start and end of injection. Changes to the wiring harness of the engine are not necessary since the injector will not have more than two electrical contact pins. This injection timing control helps to reduce the injection quantity tolerances of new parts and to compensate any injection quantity drift over life time.