U.S. patent application number 09/725479 was filed with the patent office on 2001-06-07 for controller for internal combustion engine.
Invention is credited to Majima, Yoshihiro.
Application Number | 20010002591 09/725479 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18359114 |
Filed Date | 2001-06-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010002591 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Majima, Yoshihiro |
June 7, 2001 |
Controller for internal combustion engine
Abstract
A controller for an internal combustion engine is disclosed that
improves drivability by always stabilizing combustion. A combustion
state is detected based on an engine speed fluctuation every
cylinder, and whether combustion is stable is determined. When
combustion is stable, whether the condition of executing fuel
stability deteriorating operation is satisfied is determined. When
combustion is unstable or the condition of executing the fuel
stability deteriorating operation is satisfied, a control item
adapted to current operating state is selected from control items
of ignition timing, ignition method, in-cylinder flow velocity, EGR
rate, and air-fuel ratio, and a control is performed so that the
combustion velocity and the combustion pressure are stabilized. In
the ignition control method, a spark is made a plurality of times
by a spark plug. In the control of the in-cylinder flow velocity, a
gas flow velocity in a cylinder is increased by strengthening a
swirl flow.
Inventors: |
Majima, Yoshihiro;
(Inuyama-city, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Larry S. Nixon, Esq.
NIXON & VANDERHYE P.C.
8th Floor
1100 North Glebe Rd.
Arlington
VA
22201-4714
US
|
Family ID: |
18359114 |
Appl. No.: |
09/725479 |
Filed: |
November 30, 2000 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
123/406.24 ;
123/184.56 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F02P 15/10 20130101;
F02D 41/1498 20130101; Y02T 10/40 20130101; Y02T 10/42 20130101;
F02D 41/0002 20130101; F02D 41/006 20130101; F02D 2200/1015
20130101; F02P 15/08 20130101; F02D 37/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
123/406.24 ;
123/184.56 |
International
Class: |
F02P 005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 2, 1999 |
JP |
11-343124 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A controller for an internal combustion engine, comprising:
combustion state detecting means for detecting a combustion state
of an internal combustion engine; and combustion stabilizing
control means for executing a combustion stabilizing control which
controls at least the combustion velocity or combustion pressure to
stabilize combustion when combustion detected by combustion
detecting means is unstable.
2. A controller for an internal combustion engine according to
claim 1, wherein the combustion stabilizing control means
stabilizes combustion by controlling at least an ignition timing,
ignition method, air-fuel ratio, in-cylinder gas flow velocity,
exhaust circulating amount, or valve overlap amount of an intake
valve and an exhaust valve during the combustion stabilizing
control.
3. A controller for an internal combustion engine according to
claim 2, further comprising ignition means executing ignition a
plurality of times or ignition in a plurality of positions in each
cylinder during a single combustion stroke; wherein the combustion
stabilizing control means switches at least the number of ignition
times or the number of ignition places in a single combustion
stroke when an ignition method is switched.
4. A controller for an internal combustion engine according to
claim 3, wherein the combustion stabilizing control means switches
the number of ignition times in a single combustion stroke based on
at least in-cylinder gas flow velocity, air-fuel ratio, exhaust
circulating amount, in-cylinder pressure, or cooling water
temperature when the ignition method is switched.
5. A controller for an internal combustion engine according to
claim 3, wherein the combustion stabilizing control means changes
ignition time or ignition interval when performing ignition a
plurality of times during a single combustion stroke based on at
least an in-cylinder gas flow velocity, air-fuel ratio, exhaust
circulating amount, in-cylinder pressure, or cooling water
temperature.
6. A controller for an internal combustion engine according to
claim 2, further comprising in-cylinder flow control means for
controlling swirl flow strength or tumble flow strength in a
cylinder; and wherein the combustion stabilizing control means
controls in-cylinder gas flow velocity with the in-cylinder flow
control means.
7. A controller for an internal combustion engine according to any
claim 1, wherein the combustion stabilizing control means executes
the combustion stabilizing control when operating under an
operating condition which deteriorates combustion stability.
8. A controller for an internal combustion engine according to
claim 7, wherein the operating condition which deteriorates
combustion stability is at least s lean-burn operation, exhaust
temperature increasing control, idle speed decreasing control,
decelerating operation, or execution of a scavenging logic after
turn-off of an ignition switch.
9. A controller for an internal combustion engine according to
claim 7, wherein the combustion stabilizing control means changes a
control item of the combustion stabilizing control according to a
specific operating condition which deteriorates combustion
stability.
10. A controller for an internal combustion engine according to any
one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the combustion stabilizing control
means changes a control item of the combustion stabilizing control
according to the degree of unstableness of combustion.
11. A controller for an internal combustion engine according to
claim 1, wherein the combustion detecting means detects combustion
in each cylinder.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present invention is related to Japanese patent
application No. Hei. 11-343124, filed Dec. 2, 1999; the contents of
which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a controller for an
internal combustion engine, and more particularly, to a controller
for an internal combustion engine having an improved method of
stabilizing combustion of an internal combustion engine.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In an engine for burning a mixture by stratified charge
combustion such as a direct-injection engine, the mixture forms
lumps and the lumps move. As disclosed in JP-A No. H11-2172, there
is a technique disclosed using a plurality of spark plugs in each
cylinder. When reduction in torque is requested, ignition timing is
set behind a normal timing, and the mixture is ignited by a spark
plug disposed in a position where a lump of the mixture passes,
thereby preventing deterioration of combustion.
[0004] As disclosed in JP-A No. H6-229297, in an engine controlling
the strength of a swirl flow or the strength of a tumble flow in a
cylinder, when engine speed is lower than a target idle speed, the
strength of the swirl flow or the strength of the tumble flow is
enhanced to stabilize combustion, thereby controlling the engine
speed to the target idle speed.
[0005] In recent years, however, a higher performance engine is
requested to assure stable drivability by always stabilizing
combustion under any operating condition. Even when combustion
under the specific operating conditions as described above is
stabilized, combustion cannot be stabilized under various operating
conditions other than the specific operating conditions. The
request of assuring the stable drivability cannot be sufficiently
addressed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a controller for an internal combustion engine, capable of
assuring stable drivability by stabilizing combustion under various
operating conditions.
[0007] To achieve these and other objects, a controller for an
internal combustion engine of the present invention detects a
combustion state of an internal combustion engine by combustion
state detecting means and, when combustion becomes unstable,
executes combustion stabilizing control with a combustion
stabilizing control means. As such, at least the combustion
velocity or combustion pressure is controlled to stabilize
combustion. The combustion velocity and the combustion pressure are
parameters which have the greatest effect on combustion
stabilization. Therefore, when combustion becomes unstable, by
controlling the combustion velocity and the combustion pressure to
stabilize combustion according to the operating conditions at that
time, combustion can be stabilized under various operating
conditions. Thus, stable drivability is assured.
[0008] Further areas of applicability of the present invention will
become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter.
It should be understood that the detailed description and specific
examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention,
are intended for purposes of illustration only, since various
changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the
invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from
this detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The present invention will become more fully understood from
the detailed description and the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an engine control system
according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2A is a time chart for explaining a normal ignition
method according to the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2B is a time chart illustrating a multiple ignition
method according to the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processes of a combustion
stabilizing control program according to the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the process of a combustion
state detecting program according to the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the process of a combustion
velocity and combustion pressure control program according to the
present invention;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the process of a combustion
velocity and combustion pressure control program according to the
present invention;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the process of a combustion
velocity and combustion pressure control program when according to
the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a time chart for explaining a method of
calculating a revolution speed fluctuation .DELTA.NE according to
the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 9A is a diagram showing a map of an allowable torque
fluctuation according to engine speed according to the present
invention;
[0020] FIG. 9B is a diagram showing a map of an allowable torque
fluctuation according to engine speed and intake air volume
according to the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 10A is a diagram showing a map of a target injection
advance amount according to an engine control state parameter
according to the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 10B is a diagram showing a map of a target injection
advance amount according to an engine control state parameter
according to the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 10C is a diagram showing a map of a target injection
advance amount according to a n engine control state parameter
according to the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 10D is a diagram showing a map of a target injection
advance amount according to an engine control state parameter
according to the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 10E is a diagram showing a map of a target injection
advance amount according to an engine control state parameter
according to the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 11A is a time chart showing the behavior of combustion
velocity and combustion pressure for fuel improvement by an
ignition timing control according to the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 11B is a time chart showing the behavior of combustion
velocity and combustion pressure for fuel improvement by an
ignition timing control according to the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 12A is a diagram showing a map of the number of target
ignition times according to an engine operating parameter according
to the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 12B is a diagram showing a map of the number of target
ignition times according to an engine operating parameter according
to the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 12C is a diagram showing a map of the number of target
ignition times according to an engine operating parameter according
to the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 12D is a diagram showing a map of the number of target
ignition times according to an engine operating parameter according
to the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 12E is a diagram showing a map of the number of target
ignition times according to an engine operating parameter according
to the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 12F is a diagram showing a map of the number of target
ignition times according to an engine operating parameter according
to the present invention;
[0034] FIG. 12G is a diagram showing a map of the number of target
ignition times according to an engine operating parameter according
to the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 12H is a diagram showing a map of the number of target
ignition times according to an engine operating parameter according
to the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 12I is a diagram showing a map of the number of target
ignition times according to an engine operating parameter according
to the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 13A is a diagram showing a map of target ignition time
according to an engine operating parameter according to the present
invention;
[0038] FIG. 13B is a diagram showing a map of target ignition time
according to an engine operating parameter according to the present
invention;
[0039] FIG. 13C is a diagram showing a map of target ignition time
according to an engine operating parameter according to the present
invention;
[0040] FIG. 13D is a diagram showing a map of target ignition time
according to an engine operating parameter according to the present
invention;
[0041] FIG. 13E is a diagram showing a map of target ignition time
according to an engine operating parameter according to the present
invention;
[0042] FIG. 13F is a diagram showing a map of target ignition time
according to an engine operating parameter according to the present
invention;
[0043] FIG. 13G is a diagram showing a map of target ignition time
according to an engine operating parameter according to the present
invention;
[0044] FIG. 13H is a diagram showing a map of target ignition time
according to an engine operating parameter according to the present
invention;
[0045] FIG. 13I is a diagram showing a map of target ignition time
according to an engine operating parameter according to the present
invention;
[0046] FIG. 14A is a diagram showing a target ignition interval
according to an engine operating parameter according to the present
invention;
[0047] FIG. 14B is a diagram showing a target ignition interval
according to an engine operating parameter according to the present
invention;
[0048] FIG. 14C is a diagram showing a target ignition interval
according to an engine operating parameter according to the present
invention;
[0049] FIG. 14D is a diagram showing a target ignition interval
according to an engine operating parameter according to the present
invention;
[0050] FIG. 14E is a diagram showing a target ignition interval
according to an engine operating parameter according to the present
invention;
[0051] FIG. 14F is a diagram showing a target ignition interval
according to an engine operating parameter according to the present
invention;
[0052] FIG. 14G is a diagram showing a target ignition interval
according to an engine operating parameter according to the present
invention;
[0053] FIG. 14H is a diagram showing a target ignition interval
according to an engine operating parameter according to the present
invention;
[0054] FIG. 14I is a diagram showing a target ignition interval
according to an engine operating parameter according to the present
invention;
[0055] FIG. 15A is a time chart showing the behavior of a
combustion velocity and combustion pressure for explaining fuel
improvement by a multiple ignition control according to the present
invention;
[0056] FIG. 15B is a time chart showing the behavior of a
combustion velocity and combustion pressure for explaining fuel
improvement by a multiple ignition control according to the present
invention;
[0057] FIG. 16A is a diagram showing a map of a target in-cylinder
gas flow velocity according to an engine operating parameter
according to the present invention;
[0058] FIG. 16B is a diagram showing a map of a target in-cylinder
gas flow velocity according to an engine operating parameter
according to the present invention;
[0059] FIG. 16C is a diagram showing a map of a target in-cylinder
gas flow velocity according to an engine operating parameter
according to the present invention;
[0060] FIG. 16D is a diagram showing a map of a target in-cylinder
gas flow velocity according to an engine operating parameter
according to the present invention;
[0061] FIG. 16E is a diagram showing a map of a target in-cylinder
gas flow velocity according to an engine operating parameter
according to the present invention;
[0062] FIG. 17A is a diagram showing a map of a target swirl
control valve opening angle according to the target in-cylinder gas
flow velocity according to the present invention
[0063] FIG. 17B is a diagram showing a map of a target engine speed
according to the target in-cylinder gas flow velocity according to
the present invention;
[0064] FIG. 18A is a time chart showing the behavior of a
combustion velocity and combustion pressure for explaining fuel
improvement by the in-cylinder flow velocity control according to
the present invention;
[0065] FIG. 18B is a time chart showing the behavior of a
combustion velocity and combustion pressure for explaining fuel
improvement by the in-cylinder flow velocity control according to
the present invention;
[0066] FIG. 19A is a diagram showing a map of a target EGR rate
according to an engine operating parameter according to the present
invention;
[0067] FIG. 19B is a diagram showing a map of a target EGR rate
according to an engine operating parameter according to the present
invention;
[0068] FIG. 19C is a diagram showing a map of a target EGR rate
according to an engine operating parameter according to the present
invention;
[0069] FIG. 19D is a diagram showing a map of a target EGR rate
according to an engine operating parameter according to the present
invention;
[0070] FIG. 19E is a diagram showing a map of a target EGR rate
according to an engine operating parameter according to the present
invention;
[0071] FIG. 19F is a diagram showing a map of a target EGR rate
according to an engine operating parameter according to the present
invention;
[0072] FIG. 20A is a time chart showing the behavior of a
combustion velocity and combustion pressure for explaining fuel
improvement by the EGR rate control according to the present
invention;
[0073] FIG. 20B is a time chart showing the behavior of a
combustion velocity and combustion pressure for explaining fuel
improvement by the EGR rate control according to the present
invention;
[0074] FIG. 21A is a diagram showing a map of a target valve
overlap according to an engine operating parameter according to the
present invention;
[0075] FIG. 21B is a diagram showing a map of a target valve
overlap according to an engine operating parameter according to the
present invention;
[0076] FIG. 21C is a diagram showing a map of a target valve
overlap according to an engine operating parameter according to the
present invention;
[0077] FIG. 21D is a diagram showing a map of a target valve
overlap according to an engine operating parameter according to the
present invention;
[0078] FIG. 21E is a diagram showing a map of a target valve
overlap according to an engine operating parameter according to the
present invention;
[0079] FIG. 21F is a diagram showing a map of a target valve
overlap according to an engine operating parameter according to the
present invention;
[0080] FIG. 22A is a diagram showing a map of a target air-fuel
ratio according to an engine operating parameter according to the
present invention;
[0081] FIG. 22B is a diagram showing a map of a target air-fuel
ratio according to an engine operating parameter according to the
present invention;
[0082] FIG. 22C is a diagram showing a map of a target air-fuel
ratio according to an engine operating parameter according to the
present invention;
[0083] FIG. 22D is a diagram showing a map of a target air-fuel
ratio according to an engine operating parameter according to the
present invention;
[0084] FIG. 22E is a diagram showing a map of a target air-fuel
ratio according to an engine operating parameter according to the
present invention;
[0085] FIG. 23A is a time chart showing the behavior of a
combustion velocity and combustion pressure for explaining fuel
improvement by the air-fuel ratio control according to the present
invention;
[0086] FIG. 23B is a time chart showing the behavior of a
combustion velocity and combustion pressure for explaining fuel
improvement by the air-fuel ratio control according to the present
invention;
[0087] FIG. 24 is a time chart showing a control performed when a
combustion state becomes unstable according to the present
invention; and
[0088] FIG. 25 is a time chart showing a control performed when a
fuel stability deteriorating operation executing condition is
satisfied according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0089] A schematic construction of an engine control system is
described by referring to FIG. 1. An air cleaner 13 is provided at
the uppermost stream part of an intake pipe 12 of an engine 11. An
air flow meter 14 for detecting an intake air volume is provided
downstream of the air cleaner 13. On the downstream side of the air
flow meter 14, a throttle valve 15 and a throttle opening angle
sensor 16 for sensing the throttle opening angle are provided.
[0090] Further, a surge tank 17 is provided downstream of the
throttle valve 15 and is provided with an intake pipe pressure
sensor 18 for sensing an intake pipe pressure. The surge tank 17 is
also provided with an intake manifold 19 for introducing air into
each cylinder of the engine 11. A fuel injection valve 20 for
injecting a fuel into each cylinder is attached to a branch pipe of
each cylinder of the intake manifold 19.
[0091] The engine 11 of the present embodiment is a four-valve
engine in which two intake valves 27 and two exhaust valves 28
provided for each cylinder. In the intake manifold 19 of each
cylinder, two intake ports 29 corresponding to the intake valves 27
are formed. In one of the two intake ports 29, a swirl control
valve 30 (in-cylinder flow control means) is disposed. Based on an
output signal from an engine control unit (hereinbelow, referred to
as "ECU") 26, the opening angle of the swirl control valve 30 in
each cylinder is controlled to thereby adjust the swirl ratio, and
the strength of the swirl flow in each cylinder is adjusted. The
swirl ratio is a ratio between the swirl flow velocity and the
engine speed or a ratio between a velocity component in the
horizontal direction of the swirl and a velocity component in the
vertical direction.
[0092] In the cylinder head of the engine 11, a spark plug 31 is
attached for each cylinder. A high voltage generated by a secondary
coil (not shown) of an ignition coil 32 is applied to the center
electrode of the spark plug 31. The primary coil (not shown) of the
ignition coil 32 is connected to a power transistor in an igniter
33. An ignition device constructed by the spark plug 31, ignition
coil 32, igniter 33, and the like corresponds to ignition means in
claims. During engine operation, the power transistor of the
igniter 33 is turned on/off at the rising edge/trailing edge of an
ignition signal IGT transmitted from the ECU 26 to the igniter 33.
As shown in FIG. 2A, when the power transistor of the igniter 33 is
turned on, a primary current is passed to the primary coil of the
ignition coil 32 and stored energy in the ignition coil 32
increases. After that, when the power transistor of the igniter 33
is turned off, the primary current is interrupted, and a high
voltage is led to the secondary coil of the ignition coil 32. By
the high voltage, a spark discharge is generated between the
electrodes of the spark plug 31.
[0093] During multiple ignitions during a single combustion stroke,
as shown in FIG. 2B, after an ordinary operation of interrupting
the primary current, the power transistor of the igniter 33 is
repeatedly turned on and off in predetermined cycles by the
ignition signal IGT to make the spark plug 31 discharge a plurality
of times, thereby successively causing the discharge
(ignition).
[0094] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, at some midpoint in
an exhaust pipe 21 of the engine 11, a catalyst 22 such as a
three-way catalyst for reducing harmful components (CO, HC, NOx,
and the like) in an exhaust gas is disposed. On the upstream side
of the catalyst 22, an air-fuel ratio sensor 23 for sensing the
air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas is provided. Between the upstream
side of the catalyst 22 in the exhaust pipe 21 and the surge tank
17, an EGR pipe 34 for circulating a part of the exhaust to an
intake system is connected, and an EGR valve 35 is provided at some
midpoint of the EGR pipe 34. The opening angle of the EGR valve 35
is controlled based on an output signal from the ECU 26, and the
EGR rate is adjusted according to the opening angle. The EGR rate
is a proportion of an EGR amount (exhaust circulating amount) to
the whole exhaust gas. A cooling water temperature sensor 24 for
sensing cooling water temperature and a crank angle sensor 25 for
sensing the engine speed are attached to a cylinder block of the
engine 11.
[0095] Outputs of the various sensors are supplied to the ECU 26.
The ECU 26 is composed almost exclusively of a microcomputer. By
executing a fuel injection control program (not shown) stored in a
ROM (storing medium) provided in the ECU 26, the amount of fuel
injection from the fuel injection valve 20 is controlled according
to an engine operating state. By executing an ignition control
program, the ignition timing of the spark plug 31 is
controlled.
[0096] Further, to always stabilize combustion of the engine 11, by
executing programs shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, the ECU 26 detects
combustion of each cylinder. When combustion becomes unstable and
when the engine 11 operates under operating conditions which
deteriorate the stability of combustion (hereinbelow, called
"combustion stability deteriorating operating conditions"), the ECU
26 executes the combustion stabilizing control. In the combustion
stabilizing control, by controlling the ignition timing, ignition
method, in-cylinder gas flow velocity, EGR rate, or air-fuel ratio
for each cylinder, the combustion velocity and the combustion
pressure are controlled according to an engine operating parameter
to thereby stability combustion. Control items of the combustion
stabilizing control will now be described.
[0097] Control of ignition timing.
[0098] In ignition timing control, the ignition timing of the spark
plug 31 is corrected to advance, thereby stabilizing combustion.
Here, a final target ignition advance amount is set by using a map
of the target ignition advance amount using a parameter of the
engine speed NE, revolution speed fluctuation .DELTA.NE, ignition
timing, target air-fuel ratio, or target exhaust temperature shown
in FIGS. 10A to 10E. As shown in FIG. 11, when the ignition timing
of the spark plug 31 is corrected to advance, the combustion
velocity and the combustion pressure can be increased as compared
with the case of ordinary ignition, so that combustion can be
stabilized.
[0099] Ignition control method
[0100] In the ignition control method, multiple ignitions for a
single combustion stroke is adopted. By controlling the number of
ignition times in a single combustion stroke, stabilization of
combustion is attempted. The final target number of ignition times
during a single combustion stroke is set by using a map of the
target number of ignition times using the engine speed NE,
revolution speed fluctuation .DELTA.NE, ignition timing, ignition
retard amount, target air-fuel ratio, target exhaust temperature,
in-cylinder gas flow velocity, swirl ratio, or EGR rate as
parameters shown in FIGS. 12A to 12I. Here, the ignition time and
ignition interval (refer to FIG. 2) may be set as fixed values. The
final target ignition time may be set by using a map of the target
ignition time using, as parameters, the engine speed NE, revolution
speed fluctuation .DELTA.NE, ignition timing, ignition retard
amount, target air-fuel ratio, target exhaust temperature,
in-cylinder gas flow velocity, swirl ratio, or EGR rate shown in
FIGS. 13A to 13I. The final target ignition interval may be set by
using a map of the target ignition interval using, as parameters,
the engine speed NE, revolution speed fluctuation .DELTA.NE,
ignition timing, ignition retard amount, target air-fuel ratio,
target exhaust temperature, in-cylinder gas flow velocity, swirl
ratio, and EGR rate shown in FIGS. 14A to 14I. Each target number
of ignition times, target ignition time, and target ignition
interval may be obtained from maps using in-cylinder pressure and
cooling water temperature as parameters.
[0101] As shown in FIG. 15, when multiple ignition is performed by
the spark plug 31, variations in combustion velocity and combustion
pressure can be suppressed as compared with ordinary ignition, so
that combustion can be stabilized. Since the multiple ignition
controls only a flame generating state in a cylinder, the multiple
ignition can be executed under various operating conditions without
constraints of those operating conditions.
[0102] Control of in-cylinder gas flow velocity.
[0103] In the control of the in-cylinder gas flow velocity,
stabilization of combustion is attempted by increasing the
in-cylinder gas flow velocity. Here, a final in-cylinder gas flow
velocity is set from a map of the target in-cylinder gas flow
velocity using the revolution speed fluctuation .DELTA.NE, ignition
timing, ignition retard amount, target air-fuel ratio, and target
exhaust temperature as parameters shown in FIGS. 16A to 16E.
Although the in-cylinder gas flow velocity can be controlled by the
opening angle (swirl ratio) of the swirl control valve 30, it can
be also controlled by the engine speed NE. When controlling the
in-cylinder gas flow velocity according to the opening angle of the
swirl control valve 30, the target swirl control valve opening
angle (target swirl ratio) is set by using a map of the target
swirl control valve opening angle according to the target
in-cylinder gas flow velocity shown in FIG. 17A. When controlling
the in-cylinder gas flow velocity according to the engine speed NE,
the target engine speed NE is set by using a map of the target
engine speed according to the target in-cylinder gas flow velocity
shown in FIG. 17B.
[0104] As shown in FIG. 18, when the in-cylinder gas flow velocity
is increased, variations in combustion velocity and combustion
pressure can be suppressed as compared with an ordinary control, so
that combustion can be stabilized. Since the control of the
in-cylinder gas flow velocity is just to control the in-cylinder
gas flow velocity, it can be executed under various operating
conditions without constraints of the operating conditions.
[0105] Control of EGR rate.
[0106] In the control of the EGR rate, the opening angle of the EGR
valve 35 is set to a small value to decrease the EGR rate to
stabilize combustion. Here, a final target EGR rate is set from a
map of the target EGR rate using, as parameters, the engine speed
NE, revolution speed fluctuation .DELTA.NE, ignition timing,
ignition retard amount, target air-fuel ratio, and target exhaust
temperature shown in FIGS. 19A to 19F. As shown in FIG. 20, when
the EGR rate is lowered, variations in combustion velocity and
combustion pressure can be suppressed as compared with an ordinary
control, so that combustion can be stabilized.
[0107] Control of valve overlap amount.
[0108] In a system having a mechanism capable of varying an overlap
amount of the intake valve 27 and the exhaust valve 28 such as a
variable valve timing mechanism, by decreasing the valve overlap
amount to thereby reduce an internal EGR amount, stabilization of
combustion is attempted. Here, it is sufficient to set a final
target valve overlap amount from a map of the target valve overlap
amount using, as parameters, the engine speed NE, revolution speed
fluctuation .DELTA.NE, ignition timing, ignition retard amount,
target air-fuel ratio, and target exhaust temperature shown in
FIGS. 21A to 21F.
[0109] Control of air-fuel ratio.
[0110] In the control of an air-fuel ratio, stabilization of
combustion is attempted by controlling the air-fuel ratio to rich.
Here, a final target air-fuel ratio is set from a map of the target
air-fuel ratio using, as parameters, the engine speed NE,
revolution speed fluctuation .DELTA.NE, ignition timing, ignition
retard amount, and target exhaust temperature shown in FIGS. 22A to
22E. As shown in FIG. 23, when the air-fuel ratio is corrected to
rich, variations in combustion velocity and combustion pressure can
be suppressed, so that combustion can be stabilized.
[0111] By executing the programs in FIGS. 3 to 7, the ECU 26
selects at least one of the control items and stabilizes combustion
during the combustion stabilizing control. The process in FIGS. 3
to 7 will be described hereinbelow.
[0112] Combustion stabilizing control.
[0113] The combustion stabilizing control program of FIG. 3 is
executed during a predetermined period or every predetermined crank
angle. When the program is started, first, in step 101, a
combustion state detecting program of FIG. 4 which will be
described hereinlater is executed to detect combustion. According
to the detection result, a third unstable combustion flag XAN3 is
set to "0" indicating that combustion is stable or "1" indicating
that combustion is unstable. Next, the program advances to step 102
where whether combustion is stable (XAN3=0) or not is determined.
When it is determined that combustion is unstable (XAN3=1), the
program advances to a combustion stabilizing process in step 104
and subsequent steps.
[0114] On the other hand, when it is determined that combustion is
stable (XAN3=0), the program advances to step 103 where whether
conditions of executing an operation which deteriorates the
stability of combustion (hereinbelow, called "combustion stability
deteriorating operation") are satisfied or not is determined. The
conditions of executing the combustion stability deteriorating
operation are, for example, the following 1 to 4.
[0115] 1. lean-burn operating condition is satisfied (XAN1=1), 2.
exhaust temperature increasing control condition is satisfied
(XAN2=1), 3. idle speed decreasing control condition is satisfied
(XAN1=1), and 4. decelerating operation condition is satisfied
(XAN3=1). When the lean-burn operating condition of 1 is satisfied,
the air-fuel ratio is controlled to lean, so that stability of
combustion deteriorates. Here, the first unstable combustion flag
XAN1 is set to "1". When the exhaust temperature increasing control
condition of 2 is satisfied, the ignition timing is retarded, so
that the stability of combustion deteriorates. Here, the second
unstable combustion flag XAN2 is set to "1". When the idle speed
decreasing control condition of 3 is satisfied, the intake air
volume during idle operation is further reduced, so that the
stability of combustion deteriorates. Here, similar to where the
lean-burn operating condition is satisfied, the first unstable
combustion flag XAN1 is set to "1". When the throttle valve 15 is
closed in a steady driving mode or during acceleration and
deceleration condition of 4 is satisfied, the engine speed suddenly
drops. The stability of combustion therefore deteriorates. Here,
the third unstable combustion flag XAN3 is set to "1".
[0116] When all the conditions 1 to 4 are not satisfied, the
current combustion state is stable and the combustion stability
deteriorating operation is not executed. The program is therefore
finished without performing the following combustion stabilizing
processes (step 104 to 107).
[0117] Contrarily, when even only one of the conditions of 1 to 4
is satisfied, the combustion stability deteriorating operation is
executed. Consequently, to minimize an adverse influence on
combustion, the program advances to the combustion stabilizing
control of step 104 and subsequent steps.
[0118] In the combustion stabilizing control, first, in step 104,
the specific unstable combustion flag to be set is determined. When
the first unstable combustion flag XAN1=1 is determined, the
lean-burn operation or idle speed decreasing control is executed.
The program advances to step 105 to not hinder the target of the
control. The combustion velocity and combustion pressure control
program when XAN1=1 in FIG. 5 which will be described hereinlater
is executed, and combustion is stabilized by controlling the
combustion velocity and the combustion pressure by a control item
other than the air-fuel ratio (that is, the ignition timing,
ignition method, EGR rate, or in-cylinder gas flow velocity).
[0119] When the second unstable combustion flag XAN2=1 is
determined, the exhaust temperature increasing control (ignition
retarding control) is executed. Here, the ignition timing control
(ignition timing advancing correction) and the air-fuel ratio
control (correction of the air-fuel ratio to rich) delay the
increase in exhaust temperature. The program advances to step 106
where the combustion velocity and combustion pressure control
program when XAN2=1 in FIG. 6 (which will be described hereinlater)
is executed. By controlling the combustion velocity and the
combustion pressure by the control items other than the ignition
timing and the air-fuel ratio (that is, ignition method, EGR rate,
or in-cylinder gas flow velocity), combustion is stabilized.
[0120] When the third unstable combustion flag XAN3=1, deceleration
condition is satisfied or combustion is unstable. It is
consequently determined that there is no need to restrict the
control items of the combustion stabilizing control and the program
advances to step 107 where the combustion velocity and combustion
pressure control program when XAN3=1 in FIG. 7 which will be
described hereinlater is executed. The combustion velocity and the
combustion pressure are controlled by at least the ignition timing,
ignition method, air-fuel ratio, in-cylinder gas flow velocity of
mixture, or EGR amount, thereby stabilizing combustion.
[0121] Detection of combustion state.
[0122] A combustion state detecting program of FIG. 4 is executed
in step 101 in FIG. 3. When the program is started, first, in step
201, the revolution speed fluctuation .DELTA.NE in association with
ignition in each cylinder is calculated. As shown in FIG. 8, the
revolution speed fluctuation .DELTA.NE is calculated from the
difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the
revolution speed obtained from time T30 required for the crank
shaft to revolute by a predetermined crank angle (for example,
30.degree. CA) in a combustion stroke of each cylinder.
[0123] After that, the program advances to step 202 where a torque
fluctuation .DELTA.T1 is calculated from the revolution speed
fluctuation .DELTA.NE. In the following step 203, whether the
torque fluctuation .DELTA.T1 is larger than a first allowable
torque fluctuation TTA1 is determined. The first allowable torque
fluctuation TTA1 may be a fixed value. To improve the accuracy of
determining combustion, the first allowable torque fluctuation TTA1
may be set according to the engine operating state. For example,
the first allowable torque fluctuation TTA1 may be calculated by a
map shown in the upper row in FIG. 9A or a mathematical expression
according to the engine speed NE or a map shown in the lower stage
in FIG. 9B or a mathematical expression according to the engine
speed NE and the intake air volume GA.
[0124] When it is determined that the torque fluctuation .DELTA.T1
is smaller than the first allowable torque fluctuation TTA1, the
program advances to step 204 where it is determined that combustion
is stable and the third unstable combustion flag XAN3 is reset to
"0". On the other hand, when it is determined that the torque
fluctuation .DELTA.T1 is larger than the first allowable torque
fluctuation TTA1, the program advances to step 205 where it is
determined that combustion is unstable, and the third unstable
combustion flag XAN3 is set to "1".
[0125] Combustion velocity and combustion pressure control when
XAN1=1.
[0126] The combustion velocity and combustion pressure control
program when XAN1=1 (lean-burn operation or idle speed decreasing
control) of FIG. 5 executed in step 105 in FIG. 3 will now be
described. First, in steps 301 to 303, similar to steps 201 to 203
in FIG. 2, the revolution speed fluctuation .DELTA.NE is
calculated, the torque fluctuation .DELTA.T1 is computed from the
revolution speed fluctuation .DELTA.NE and, after that, whether the
torque fluctuation .DELTA.T1 is larger than the first allowable
torque fluctuation TTA1 is determined.
[0127] When the torque fluctuation .DELTA.T1 is smaller than the
first allowable torque fluctuation TTA1, although the current
combustion state is stable, combustion may become unstable by the
lean-burn operation or idle speed decreasing control. The program
therefore advances to step 304 where the combustion stabilizing
control is executed by at least the ignition method, in-cylinder
gas flow velocity, and EGR rate as control items which do not exert
much influence on the lean-burn operation or idle speed decreasing
control, thereby preventing unstable combustion during the
lean-burn operation or the idle speed decreasing control. The
program is then finished.
[0128] Contrarily, when the torque fluctuation .DELTA.T1 is larger
than the first allowable torque fluctuation TTA1, combustion is
unstable. The program therefore advances to step 305 where the
combustion stabilizing control is executed by at least the ignition
timing, ignition method, in-cylinder gas flow velocity, and EGR
rate. The ignition timing is added to the process in step 304 to
enhance the combustion improving effect. In step 306, whether the
torque fluctuation .DELTA.T2 during execution of the combustion
stabilizing control is larger than the second allowable torque
fluctuation TTA2 is determined. The second allowable torque
fluctuation TTA2 may be a fixed value. To improve the accuracy of
determining combustion, the second allowable torque fluctuation
TTA2 may be set according to the engine operating state. For
example, the second allowable torque fluctuation TTA2 may be
calculated by a map shown in the lower row in FIG. 9A or a
mathematical expression according to the engine speed NE. The
second allowable torque fluctuation TTA2 may be also calculated by
a map shown in FIG. 9B or a mathematical expression according to
the engine speed NE and the intake air volume GA.
[0129] When the torque fluctuation .DELTA.T2 during execution of
the combustion stabilizing control is smaller than the second
allowable torque fluctuation TTA2, it is determined that combustion
is stabilized, and the program is finished.
[0130] On the other hand, when the torque fluctuation .DELTA.T2
during execution of the combustion stabilizing control is larger
than the second allowable torque fluctuation TTA2, combustion is
not improved. It is determined that priority should be given to
stabilization of combustion over the current control targets (lean
air-fuel ratio and lower idle speed), the program advances to step
307 where the air-fuel ratio is corrected to rich, and the program
is finished.
[0131] Combustion velocity and combustion pressure control when
XAN2=1.
[0132] A combustion velocity and combustion pressure control
program when XAN2=1 (during exhaust temperature increasing control)
of FIG. 6 is executed in step 106 in FIG. 3. In this program,
whether the torque fluctuation .DELTA.T1 calculated from the
revolution speed fluctuation .DELTA.NE is larger than the first
allowable torque fluctuation TTA1 is determined (steps 401 to 403).
When the torque fluctuation .DELTA.T1 is smaller than TTA1,
although the current combustion state is stable, combustion may
become unstable by the exhaust temperature increasing control. The
program therefore advances to step 404 where the combustion
stabilizing control is executed by at least the ignition method or
the in-cylinder gas flow velocity as control items which do not
exert much influence on the exhaust temperature increasing control,
thereby preventing unstable combustion during the exhaust
temperature increasing control. The program is then finished.
[0133] Contrarily, when the torque fluctuation .DELTA.T1 is larger
than the first allowable torque fluctuation TTA1, combustion is
unstable. The program advances to step 405 where the combustion
stabilizing control is executed by at least the ignition method,
in-cylinder gas flow velocity, or EGR rate. The EGR rate is added
to the process in step 404 to enhance the combustion improving
effect. In step 406, whether the torque fluctuation .DELTA.T2
during execution of the combustion stabilizing control is larger
than the second allowable torque fluctuation TTA2 or not is
determined.
[0134] When the torque fluctuation .DELTA.T2 during execution of
the combustion stabilizing control is smaller than the second
allowable torque fluctuation TTA2, it is determined that combustion
is stabilized, and the program is finished.
[0135] On the other hand, when the torque fluctuation .DELTA.T2
during execution of the combustion stabilizing control is larger
than the second allowable torque fluctuation TTA2, combustion is
not improved. It is determined that priority should be given to
stabilization of combustion over the current control target (high
exhaust temperature), the program advances to step 407 where the
air-fuel ratio is corrected to rich, the ignition timing is
advanced, and the program is finished.
[0136] Combustion velocity and combustion pressure control when
XAN3=1.
[0137] A combustion velocity and combustion pressure control
program when XAN3=1 (during decelerating operation or when
combustion is unstable) in FIG. 7 is executed in step 107 in FIG.
3. In this program, whether the torque fluctuation .DELTA.T1
calculated from the revolution speed fluctuation .DELTA.NE is
larger than the first allowable torque fluctuation TTA1 is
determined (steps 501 to 503). When the torque fluctuation
.DELTA.T1 is smaller than the first allowable torque fluctuation
TTA1, although the current combustion state is stable, combustion
may become unstable by decelerating. The program therefore advances
to step 504 where the combustion stabilizing control is executed by
using at least the ignition method or the in-cylinder gas flow
velocity as control items which have the smallest influence on
deceleration, thereby preventing unstable combustion during
deceleration. The program is then finished.
[0138] Contrarily, when the torque fluctuation .DELTA.T1 is larger
than the first allowable torque fluctuation TTA1, combustion is
unstable. The program therefore advances to step 505 where the
combustion stabilizing control is executed by at least the ignition
timing, ignition method, air-fuel ratio, in-cylinder gas flow
velocity, or EGR rate. The ignition timing, EGR rate, and air-fuel
ratio are added to the process in step 504 to enhance combustion.
In step 506, whether the torque fluctuation .DELTA.T2 during
execution of the combustion stabilizing control is larger than the
second allowable torque fluctuation TTA2 is determined.
[0139] When the torque fluctuation .DELTA.T2 during execution of
the combustion stabilizing control is smaller than the second
allowable torque fluctuation TTA2, it is determined that combustion
is stabilized, and the program is finished. On the other hand, when
the torque fluctuation .DELTA.T2 during execution of the combustion
stabilizing control is larger than the second allowable torque
fluctuation TTA2, combustion is not improved. The program advances
to step 507 where, as a last means of stabilizing combustion, the
air-fuel ratio is corrected to rich and the ignition timing is
advanced. The program is then finished.
[0140] An example of the control when executing the above-described
programs will be described with reference to the time charts of
FIGS. 24 and 25. FIG. 24 shows an example of a control performed
when combustion becomes unstable during engine operation. When
combustion becomes unstable and the torque fluctuation .DELTA.T1
becomes larger than the first allowable torque fluctuation TTA1,
the third unstable combustion flag XAN3 is set to "1". In
association, the combustion velocity and combustion pressure
control performed when XAN3=1 (during decelerating operation or
when combustion is unstable) is started. Consequently, during
engine operation, the combustion velocity and the combustion
pressure are improved each time combustion becomes unstable,
thereby enabling combustion to be stabilized. Thus, stable
drivability can be assured.
[0141] FIG. 25 shows an example of the control performed when
lean-burn operation (combustion stability deteriorating operation)
is executed. When the lean-burn operation executing condition is
satisfied (XAN1=1), the target air-fuel ratio is accordingly
changed to lean. Simultaneously, the combustion velocity and
combustion pressure control performed when XAN1=1 (during the
lean-burn operation or idle speed decreasing control) is started.
Consequently, deterioration in stability of combustion during the
lean-burn operation is predicted and the combustion stabilizing
control can be executed. An adverse influence on combustion by the
lean-burn operation can be minimized and the stable combustion
state can be maintained.
[0142] As described above, in the embodiment, during engine
operation, when combustion becomes unstable or when the combustion
stability deteriorating operation is executed, the combustion
stabilizing control is executed. Thus, combustion can be always
stabilized under various operating conditions, and always stable
drivability can be assured.
[0143] In the invention, the processes in step 304 in FIG. 5, step
404 in FIG. 6, and step 504 in FIG. 7 may be omitted and, only when
combustion becomes unstable (when the torque fluctuation .DELTA.T1
is larger than the first allowable torque fluctuation TTA1), the
combustion stabilizing control may be executed.
[0144] In the embodiment, the control item in the combustion
stabilizing control can be selected from the ignition timing,
ignition method, in-cylinder gas flow velocity, EGR rate, and
air-fuel ratio, and the control item which does not exert much
influence on the engine control state at that time is selected
according to the specific set unstable combustion flag (XAN1 to
XAN3). Therefore, while achieving the engine control target, the
combustion velocity and the combustion pressure are controlled,
thereby enabling combustion to be stabilized.
[0145] Further, in the embodiment, depending on whether the torque
fluctuation .DELTA.T1 is larger than the first allowable torque
fluctuation TTA1, the control item of the combustion stabilizing
control is changed. Consequently, the combustion stabilizing
control can be performed at a proper degree according to the degree
of the unstableness of combustion.
[0146] In the embodiment, when performing multiple ignition, the
target number of ignition times, target ignition time, and target
ignition interval are obtained from the maps according to the
engine operating parameters such as the engine speed NE, revolution
speed fluctuation .DELTA.NE, ignition timing, ignition retard
amount, target air-fuel ratio, target exhaust temperature,
in-cylinder gas flow velocity, swirl ratio, and EGR rate. Thus, the
number of ignition times necessary to stabilize combustion can be
assured with the minimum amount of energy according to the engine
operating state at that time, and exhaustion of the electrode in
the spark plug 31 and the load on the ignition device (ignition
coil 32 and igniter 33) can be lessened.
[0147] Although multiple ignition, making a plurality of sparks
during a single combustion stroke is performed by the single spark
plug 31 during executing the combustion stabilizing control in the
embodiment, it is also possible to dispose a plurality of spark
plugs in a cylinder and make a spark at a plurality of positions
during a single combustion stroke.
[0148] In the embodiment, combustion is detected in every cylinder
and the combustion stabilizing control is executed. Consequently,
even when combustion varies among cylinders due to variations in
charging efficiency of the cylinders, the optimum combustion
stabilizing control can be executed for each cylinder. Thus,
accuracy of the combustion stabilizing control can be improved.
[0149] It is, however, not always necessary to detect combustion
every cylinder. It is also possible to detect combustion of a
specific representative cylinder, detect an average combustion
state of the whole engine, or sequentially switch cylinders to
detect combustion.
[0150] In the embodiment, combustion is detected from the
revolution speed fluctuation .DELTA.NE (torque fluctuation
.DELTA.T1). Consequently, sensors such as a combustion (optical)
sensor and an in-cylinder pressure sensor are unnecessary and there
is an advantage that the cost can be reduced. It is, however, also
possible to directly detect combustion by a combustion (optical)
sensor, an in-cylinder pressure sensor, and the like. Here as well,
the intended object of the invention can be sufficiently achieved.
It is also possible to detect ions in a combustion gas in a
cylinder during combustion via a spark plug and detect combustion
from an ion current.
[0151] Although a swirl flow is generated in a cylinder by the
swirl control valve 30 to control the in-cylinder gas flow
velocity, by stopping one of the two intake valves 27, a swirl flow
may be generated in a cylinder. In a system having a tumble flow
control mechanism for controlling the strength of the tumble flow
in a cylinder, the in-cylinder gas flow velocity may be controlled
by controlling the tumble flow strength in a cylinder.
[0152] In the embodiment, when one of the lean-burn operation,
exhaust temperature increasing control, idle speed decreasing
control, or decelerating operation is performed, the combustion
stabilizing control is executed. However, a part of the conditions
may be eliminated or other conditions (such as execution of
scavenging logic after turn-off of the ignition switch) may be
added. The scavenging logic after turn-off of the ignition switch
burns fuel injected just before turning off the ignition switch by
igniting the fuel after turn-off. When the combustion stabilizing
control is executed during execution of the scavenging logic, the
ignition performance during execution of the scavenging logic can
be improved.
[0153] The invention is not limited to an intake port injection
engine as in the foregoing embodiment but can be also applied to a
direct injection engines and lean-burn engines. The invention can
be variously modified.
[0154] While the above-described embodiments refer to examples of
usage of the present invention, it is understood that the present
invention may be applied to other usage, modifications and
variations of the same, and is not limited to the disclosure
provided herein.
* * * * *