U.S. patent application number 09/860482 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-29 for fuel supply amount control apparatus and method for internal combustion engine.
This patent application is currently assigned to TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Kubota, Hirofumi, Mashiki, Zenichiro, Mitani, Shinichi, Takagi, Isao, Tanaka, Hiroya.
Application Number | 20010045207 09/860482 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18657134 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010045207 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mashiki, Zenichiro ; et
al. |
November 29, 2001 |
Fuel supply amount control apparatus and method for internal
combustion engine
Abstract
A fuel supply amount control apparatus for an internal
combustion engine uses an idling control amount QISC obtained by
reducing an idling control amount Qa by an idling control amount
correction value KQISC, when determining the amount of fuel
injected for the lean combustion when the vehicle is running.
Therefore, during the lean combustion with the D range is selected,
there is substantially no difference between the road load amount
of fuel injected during the idling state and the road load amount
of fuel injected during a low-speed running of the vehicle. Hence,
an increase in the amount of fuel injection during the low-speed
running of the vehicle based on the lean combustion achieved upon a
fuel increase request does not result in an excessively great
output torque of the engine, so that the low-speed running of the
vehicle becomes stable and good drivability can be maintained.
Inventors: |
Mashiki, Zenichiro;
(Nisshin-shi, JP) ; Takagi, Isao; (Okazaki-shi,
JP) ; Kubota, Hirofumi; (Mishima-shi, JP) ;
Tanaka, Hiroya; (Nishikamo-gun, JP) ; Mitani,
Shinichi; (Susono-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Oliff & Berridge PLC
P.O. Box 19928
Alexandria
VA
22320
US
|
Assignee: |
TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI
KAISHA
Toyota-shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
18657134 |
Appl. No.: |
09/860482 |
Filed: |
May 21, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
123/480 ;
123/339.14 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60W 10/06 20130101;
F16H 61/66 20130101; F16H 61/143 20130101; B60W 30/1819 20130101;
B60W 10/04 20130101; F02D 41/022 20130101; F02D 41/3029 20130101;
F02D 2400/12 20130101; B60W 2710/0622 20130101; F02D 31/004
20130101; B60W 10/101 20130101; B60W 30/18 20130101; F16H 61/14
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
123/480 ;
123/339.14 |
International
Class: |
F02M 003/00; F02D
041/00; F02M 051/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 23, 2000 |
JP |
2000-151603 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A fuel supply amount control apparatus for a spark ignition type
internal combustion engine that is installed in a vehicle and that
allows a lean combustion of a mixture in which a proportion of fuel
is less than in a mixture having a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio,
the fuel supply amount control apparatus comprising: idling control
amount calculating means for calculating an idling control amount
for keeping a revolution speed of the internal combustion engine at
a target idle revolution speed during an idling state of the
engine; fuel supply amount adjusting means for adjusting an amount
of fuel supplied to the engine based on the idling control amount
if the lean combustion is conducted during the idling state; and
vehicle run-time fuel supply amount correcting means for
determining the amount of fuel supplied for the lean combustion
during a run of the vehicle using a control amount obtained by
reducing the idling control amount.
2. A fuel supply amount control apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the vehicle run-time fuel supply amount correcting means
reduces the idling control amount in accordance with a running
speed of the vehicle for the lean combustion during the run of the
vehicle.
3. A fuel supply amount control apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the vehicle run-time fuel supply amount correcting means
reduces the idling control amount in accordance with the revolution
speed of the engine for the lean combustion during the run of the
vehicle.
4. A fuel supply amount control apparatus according to claim 1,
further comprising a transmission mechanism having a fluidic power
transfer mechanism that transfers a drive power between an input
shaft and an output shaft via a fluid and that assumes a locked-up
state in which the input shaft and the output shaft are interlocked
when necessary, wherein when the fluidic power transfer mechanism
is in the locked-up state, the vehicle run-time fuel supply amount
correcting means reduces the idling control amount for the lean
combustion during the run of the vehicle, and when the fluidic
power transfer mechanism is in an unlocked state, the vehicle
run-time fuel supply amount correcting means does not reduce the
idling control amount or reduces the idling control amount to a
lesser extent than during the locked-up state for the lean
combustion during the run of the vehicle.
5. A fuel supply amount control apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the lean combustion is a stratified charge combustion in
which a high-fuel concentration layer is formed by using an amount
of fuel whose proportion to an amount of intake air is less than a
fuel-to-intake air proportion represented by the stoichiometric
air-fuel ratio and the high-fuel concentration layer is
ignited.
6. A fuel supply amount control apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the lean combustion is a homogeneous lean combustion in
which a mixture is formed by homogeneously mixing an amount of
intake air with an amount of fuel whose proportion to the amount of
intake air is less than a fuel-to-intake air proportion represented
by the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio and the mixture is
ignited.
7. A fuel supply amount control apparatus according to claim 1,
further comprising a transmission mechanism having a fluidic power
transfer mechanism that transfers a drive power between an input
shaft and an output shaft via a fluid and that assumes a locked-up
state in which the input shaft and the output shaft are interlocked
when a running speed of the vehicle becomes higher than a reference
speed, wherein when the fluidic power transfer mechanism is in the
locked-up state, the vehicle run-time fuel supply amount correcting
means reduces the idling control amount during the run of the
vehicle, and when the fluidic power transfer mechanism is in an
unlocked state, the vehicle run-time fuel supply amount correcting
means does not reduce the idling control amount or reduces the
idling control amount to a lesser extent than during the locked-up
state during the run of the vehicle.
8. A fuel supply amount control apparatus for a spark ignition type
internal combustion engine that is installed in a vehicle and that
allows a lean combustion of a mixture in which a proportion of fuel
is less than in a mixture having a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio,
the fuel supply amount control apparatus comprising a controller
that: calculates an idling control amount for keeping a revolution
speed of the internal combustion engine at a target idle revolution
speed during an idling state of the engine; adjusts an amount of
fuel supplied to the engine based on the idling control amount if
the lean combustion is conducted during the idling state; and
determines the amount of fuel supplied for the lean combustion
during a run of the vehicle using a control amount obtained by
reducing the idling control amount.
9. A fuel supply amount control apparatus according to claim 8,
wherein the controller reduces the idling control amount in
accordance with a running speed of the vehicle for the lean
combustion during the run of the vehicle.
10. A fuel supply amount control apparatus according to claim 8,
wherein the controller reduces the idling control amount in
accordance with the revolution speed of the engine for the lean
combustion during the run of the vehicle.
11. A fuel supply amount control apparatus according to claim 8,
further comprising a transmission mechanism having a fluidic power
transfer mechanism that transfers a drive power between an input
shaft and an output shaft via a fluid and that assumes a locked-up
state in which the input shaft and the output shaft are interlocked
when necessary, wherein when the fluidic power transfer mechanism
is in the locked-up state, the controller reduces the idling
control amount for the lean combustion during the run of the
vehicle, and when the fluidic power transfer mechanism is in an
unlocked state, the controller does not reduce the idling control
amount or reduces the idling control amount to a lesser extent than
during the locked-up state for the lean combustion during the run
of the vehicle.
12. A fuel supply amount control apparatus according to claim 8,
wherein the lean combustion is a stratified charge combustion in
which a high-fuel concentration layer is formed by using an amount
of fuel whose proportion to an amount of intake air is less than a
fuel-to-intake air proportion represented by the stoichiometric
air-fuel ratio and the high-fuel concentration layer is
ignited.
13. A fuel supply amount control apparatus according to claim 8,
wherein the lean combustion is a homogeneous lean combustion in
which a mixture is formed by homogeneously mixing an amount of
intake air with an amount of fuel whose proportion to the amount of
intake air is less than a fuel-to-intake air proportion represented
by the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio and the mixture is
ignited.
14. A fuel supply amount control apparatus according to claim 8,
further comprising a transmission mechanism having a fluidic power
transfer mechanism that transfers a drive power between an input
shaft and an output shaft via a fluid and that assumes a locked-up
state in which the input shaft and the output shaft are interlocked
when a running speed of the vehicle becomes higher than a reference
speed, wherein when the fluidic power transfer mechanism is in the
locked-up state, the controller reduces the idling control amount
during the run of the vehicle, and when the fluidic power transfer
mechanism is in an unlocked state, the controller does not reduce
the idling control amount or reduces the idling control amount to a
lesser extent than during the locked-up state during the run of the
vehicle.
15. A fuel supply amount control method for a spark ignition type
internal combustion engine that is installed in a vehicle and that
allows a lean combustion of a mixture in which a proportion of fuel
is less than in a mixture having a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio,
the fuel supply amount control method comprising: calculating an
idling control amount for keeping a revolution speed of the
internal combustion engine at a target idle revolution speed during
an idling state of the engine; adjusting an amount of fuel supplied
based on the idling control amount if the lean combustion is
conducted during the idling state; and determining the amount of
fuel supplied for the lean combustion during a run of the vehicle
using a control amount obtained by reducing the idling control
amount.
16. A fuel supply amount control method according to claim 15,
where the reducing of the idling control amount is performed in
accordance with a running speed of the vehicle.
17. A fuel supply amount control method according to claim 15,
wherein the reducing of the idling control amount is performed in
accordance with the revolution speed of the engine.
18. A fuel supply amount control method according to claim 15,
wherein the vehicle has a transmission mechanism having a fluidic
power transfer mechanism that transfers a drive power between an
input shaft and an output shaft via a fluid and that assumes a
locked-up state in which the input shaft and the output shaft are
interlocked when necessary, and wherein when the fluidic power
transfer mechanism is in the locked-up state, the control amount
obtained by reducing the idling control amount is used for the lean
combustion during the run of the vehicle, and when the fluidic
power transfer mechanism is in an unlocked state, a control amount
is determined without reducing the idling control amount or the
control amount is determined by reducing the idling control amount
to a lesser extent than during the locked-up state for the lean
combustion during the run of the vehicle.
19. A fuel supply amount control method according to claim 15,
wherein the lean combustion is a stratified charge combustion in
which a high-fuel concentration layer is formed by using an amount
of fuel whose proportion to an amount of intake air is less than a
fuel-to-intake air proportion represented by the stoichiometric
air-fuel ratio and the high-fuel concentration layer is
ignited.
20. A fuel supply amount control method according to claim 15,
wherein the lean combustion is a homogeneous lean combustion in
which a mixture is formed by homogeneously mixing an amount of
intake air with an amount of fuel whose proportion to the amount of
intake air is less than a fuel-to-intake air proportion represented
by the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio and the mixture is
ignited.
21. A fuel supply amount control method according to claim 15,
wherein the vehicle has a transmission mechanism having a fluidic
power transfer mechanism that transfers a drive power between an
input shaft and an output shaft via a fluid and that assumes a
locked-up state in which the input shaft and the output shaft are
interlocked when a running speed of the vehicle becomes higher than
a reference speed, and wherein when the fluidic power transfer
mechanism is in the locked-up state, the control amount obtained by
reducing the idling control amount is used during the run of the
vehicle, and when the fluidic power transfer mechanism is in an
unlocked state, the control amount is determined without reducing
the idling control amount or the control amount is determined by
reducing the idling control amount to a lesser extent than during
the locked-up state during the run of the vehicle.
Description
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0001] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No.
2000-151603 filed on May 23, 2000, including the specification,
drawings and abstract is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a fuel supply amount
control apparatus and method for a spark ignition type internal
combustion engine that is installed as a vehicle-driving engine and
that allows a lean combustion based on an air-fuel mixture that has
a lower proportion of fuel than a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio
mixture, wherein an idling control amount for maintaining a target
idle revolution speed during idling is calculated, and wherein if
the lean combustion is performed during idling, the amount of fuel
supplied is adjusted based on the idling control amount.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Direct injection internal combustion engines and lean-burn
internal combustion engines which improve fuel economy by reducing
the pump loss and the heat loss of the spark ignition type internal
combustion engines and thereby increasing the theoretical heat
efficiency are known. The direct injection type engines, in
particular, allow combustion of a very lean mixture by conducting a
stratified charge combustion in which an amount of fuel whose
proportion to the amount of intake air is less than the
fuel-to-intake air proportion represented by a stoichiometric
air-fuel ratio is stratified and is ignited. Therefore, even during
a low-load and low-speed state of the engine, for example, during
an idling state, a large amount of air can be taken in by opening a
throttle valve to a great degree, so that the pump loss and the
thermal loss can be sufficiently reduced.
[0006] Similarly, the lean-burn engines conduct a homogeneous lean
combustion in which intake air is homogeneously mixed with an
amount of fuel whose proportion to the amount of intake air is less
than the fuel-to-intake air proportion represented by a
stoichiometric air-fuel ratio and such a homogeneous mixture is
ignited. In this case, too, during a low-load and low-speed state
of the engine, for example, during idling, a large amount of air
can be taken in by opening a throttle valve to a great degree, so
that the pump loss and the thermal loss can be reduced.
[0007] The aforementioned engine of either one of the direct
injection type and the lean-burn type calculates an idling control
amount for maintaining the engine revolution speed at a target idle
revolution speed through a feedback control of bringing the engine
revolution speed to the target idle revolution speed during the
idling state. During the idling of the vehicle, the engine performs
a fuel injection amount control taking the idling control amount
into account, so as to increase the amount of fuel injection in
accordance with a request (see, for example, Japanese Patent
Application Laid-Open No. 10-169490).
[0008] Although the direct injection type engine and the lean-burn
type engines are able to reduce the pump loss and the heat loss as
described above, it becomes impossible to achieve a sufficient
level of generally-termed intake negative pressure, that is,
negative pressure in the engine intake passage, when the throttle
valve is opened to a great degree during the idling state.
[0009] When the intake negative pressure becomes insufficient
during the idling state as mentioned above, a problem arises, for
example, in a case where intake negative pressure is utilized for a
brake booster. In such a case, sufficient amplification of brake
pedal-depressing force may become impossible during the idling
state. Furthermore, if the amount of intake air is excessively
large, the burning rate may be excessively increased, thereby
causing a problem of great combustion noises during the idling
state, and the like. Therefore, during the idling state, the degree
of opening of the throttle valve is kept at a relatively reduced
degree to produce a necessary intake negative pressure.
[0010] If the running of the vehicle is started from the idling
state in which a necessary intake negative pressure is produced as
mentioned above, there is no need to reduce the degree of opening
of the throttle valve particularly for the sake of the brake
booster, reduction of combustion noises, etc. Furthermore, at the
time of start of the vehicle, the vehicle running speed is low, and
therefore, the vehicle running resistance is small, that is, there
is substantially no difference from the idling state where the
vehicle running resistance is "0".
[0011] Therefore, when the low-speed running of the vehicle is
started, the amount of fuel needed to run the vehicle is not
clearly different from the amount of fuel consumed during the
idling state. That is, the amount of fuel needed at the start of
the low-speed running of the vehicle is substantially the same as
the amount fuel consumed during the idling state of the engine.
[0012] Hence, in a case where an idling control amount is
calculated during the idling state and the fuel injection amount
control taking the idling control amount into account is performed
at the time of running the vehicle as in the conventional art,
there is a danger that an increase in the amount of fuel injection
achieved in accordance with a fuel increase request may result in
an excessively great output torque of the engine so that the stable
low-speed running of the vehicle may become difficult.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] It is one object of the invention to realize the stable
low-speed running of a vehicle equipped with a spark ignition type
internal combustion engine that conducts a lean combustion, such as
a stratified charge combustion or the like.
[0014] In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, a fuel
supply amount control apparatus for a spark ignition type internal
combustion engine is installed in a vehicle as a vehicle-driving
engine and allows a lean combustion of a mixture in which a
proportion of fuel is less than in a mixture of a stoichiometric
air-fuel ratio. The fuel supply amount control apparatus calculates
an idling control amount for keeping a revolution speed of the
internal combustion engine at a target idle revolution speed during
an idling state of the engine, and adjusts an amount of fuel
supplied based on the idling control amount if the lean combustion
is conducted during the idling state. The control apparatus also
reflects (uses) a control amount obtained by reducing the idling
control amount when determining the amount of fuel supplied for the
lean combustion during a run of the vehicle.
[0015] The control apparatus reflects the control amount obtained
through the reducing correction of the idling control amount when
determining the amount of fuel supplied for the lean combustion
when the vehicle is running. Thus, instead of reflecting the idling
control amount for keeping the revolution speed of the engine at
the target idle revolution speed immediately in the amount of fuel
supplied for the lean combustion during the running of the vehicle,
the control apparatus reflects a control amount obtained after the
reducing correction of the idling control amount in the
aforementioned amount of fuel supplied.
[0016] Therefore, during the lean combustion at the time of start
of the running of the vehicle, an increase in the amount of fuel
injection achieved in accordance with a fuel increase request does
not cause an excessive output torque of the engine while the
vehicle speed is low, so that the low-speed running of the vehicle
becomes stable and good drivability can be maintained.
[0017] Furthermore, unnecessary fuel injection is avoided, so that
fuel economy improves.
[0018] In the above-described aspect of the invention, the control
apparatus may reflect the control amount obtained through the
reducing correction of the idling control amount performed in
accordance with the running speed of the vehicle, in the amount of
fuel supplied for the lean combustion during the running of the
vehicle.
[0019] The vehicle running resistance changes in accordance with
the vehicle running speed. Therefore, if the control amount
obtained by correcting the idling control amount in the reducing
direction in accordance with the vehicle running speed is reflected
in the amount of fuel supplied for the lean combustion during the
running of the vehicle, an appropriate amount of fuel can be
supplied corresponding to the running resistance of the vehicle.
Hence, the controllability of the output torque of the engine
improves, so that the low-speed running of the vehicle becomes more
stable, and better drivability can be maintained.
[0020] In the above-described aspect of the invention, the control
apparatus may reflect the control amount obtained through the
reducing correction of the idling control amount performed in
accordance with the revolution speed of the engine, in the amount
of fuel supplied for the lean combustion during the running of the
vehicle.
[0021] The engine efficiency changes in accordance with the engine
revolution speed. Therefore, if the control amount obtained by
correcting the idling control amount in the reducing direction in
accordance with the revolution speed of the engine is reflected in
the amount of fuel supplied for the lean combustion during the
running of the vehicle, an appropriate amount of fuel can be
supplied corresponding to the efficiency of the engine. Hence, the
controllability of the output torque of the engine improves, so
that the low-speed running of the vehicle becomes more stable, and
better drivability can be maintained.
[0022] In the above-described aspect of the invention, the fuel
supply amount control apparatus may further include a transmission
mechanism having a fluidic power transfer mechanism that transfers
a drive power between an input shaft and an output shaft via a
fluid and that assumes a locked-up state in which the input shaft
and the output shaft are interlocked when necessary. When the
fluidic power transfer mechanism is in the locked-up state, the
control apparatus reflects the control amount obtained through the
reducing correction of the idling control amount in the amount of
fuel supplied for the lean combustion during the run of the
vehicle. When the fluidic power transfer mechanism is in an
unlocked state, the control apparatus reflects a control amount set
without the reducing correction of the idling control amount or a
control amount obtained through a reducing correction of the idling
control amount that is performed to a lesser extent than the
reducing correction performed during the locked-up state, in the
amount of fuel supplied for the lean combustion during the run of
the vehicle.
[0023] In a vehicle equipped with the transmission mechanism that
includes the fluidic power transfer mechanism that selectively
assumes the locked-up state, the efficiency in transferring the
output torque of the engine is low when the fluidic power transfer
mechanism is in the unlocked state. Therefore, during the unlocked
state, excessively great output torque of the engine, if any
occurs, has only a reduced effect on the state of running of the
vehicle. When the fluidic power transfer mechanism is locked up,
the engine output torque transfer efficiency improves, so that
problems caused by excessively great output torque of the engine
become remarkable.
[0024] Therefore, when the vehicle is running with the fluidic
power transfer mechanism unlocked, the stable low-speed running of
the vehicle is maintained even if an excessive amount of fuel is
supplied to the engine during the lean combustion mode.
Furthermore, due to the fuel increase effect, revolution of the
engine is stabilized, and the anti-engine stall characteristic
during the low-speed running of the vehicle can be improved. When
the vehicle is running with the locked-up state, the vehicle
running speed is relatively high, so that a good anti-engine stall
characteristic can be maintained even if the amount of fuel
supplied is reduced. Furthermore, since the controllability of the
output torque of the engine improves, the stable state of the
low-speed running of the vehicle continues, and good drivability is
maintained.
[0025] In the above-described aspect of the invention, the lean
combustion may be a stratified charge combustion in which a
high-fuel concentration layer is formed by using an amount of fuel
whose proportion to an amount of intake air is less than a
fuel-to-intake air proportion represented by a stoichiometric
air-fuel ratio and the high-fuel concentration layer is
ignited.
[0026] One example of the lean combustion is the stratified charge
combustion in which an amount of fuel whose proportion to the
amount of intake air is less than the fuel-to-intake air proportion
represented by a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio is stratified with a
high fuel concentration and is ignited. During the stratified
charge combustion, there is substantially no difference between the
amount of fuel supply needed during the idling state and the amount
of fuel supply needed during the low-speed running of the vehicle,
so that the aforementioned advantages are remarkable.
[0027] In the above-described aspect of the invention, the lean
combustion may be a homogeneous lean combustion in which a mixture
is formed by mixing an amount of intake air with an amount of fuel
whose proportion to the amount of intake air is less than a
fuel-to-intake air proportion represented by a stoichiometric
air-fuel ratio and the mixture is ignited.
[0028] Another example of the lean combustion is the homogeneous
lean combustion in which a mixture is formed by homogeneously
mixing an amount of intake air with an amount of fuel whose
proportion to the amount of intake air is less than the
fuel-to-intake air proportion represented by a stoichiometric
air-fuel ratio and is ignited. During the homogeneous lean
combustion, there is substantially no difference between the amount
of fuel supply needed during the idling state and the amount of
fuel supply needed during the low-speed running of the vehicle, so
that the aforementioned advantages are remarkable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] The foregoing and further objects, features and advantages
of the invention will become apparent from the following
description of preferred embodiments with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which like numerals are used to represent
like elements and wherein:
[0030] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a drive system and a
control system of a motor vehicle in accordance with a first
embodiment of the invention;
[0031] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a construction of
an engine in accordance with the first embodiment;
[0032] FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view of a cylinder head in
the engine in the first embodiment;
[0033] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a top surface of a piston in the
engine in the first embodiment;
[0034] FIG. 5 is a section taken on line V-V in FIG. 3;
[0035] FIG. 6 is a section taken on line VI-VI in FIG. 3;
[0036] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a construction of an
E-ECU in the first embodiment;
[0037] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a construction of a
T-ECU in the first embodiment;
[0038] FIG. 9 is a control block diagram of a coordinate control
portion performed by the E-ECU and the T-ECU in the first
embodiment;
[0039] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an idling control amount
QISC calculating process executed by the E-ECU in the first
embodiment;
[0040] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a one-dimensional map for
use for determining an idling control amount correction value KQISC
in the idling control amount QISC calculating process in the first
embodiment;
[0041] FIG. 12 us a graph indicating a tendency of the road load
amount of fuel injection in the engine in the first embodiment;
[0042] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a lockup control process
executed by the T-ECU in the first embodiment;
[0043] FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram of a drive system and a
control system of a motor vehicle in accordance with a second
embodiment of the invention;
[0044] FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating the construction of
a T-ECU in the second embodiment;
[0045] FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an operation region
setting process executed by an E-ECU in the second embodiment;
[0046] FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a two-dimensional map for
use for determining a lean fuel injection amount QL in the
operation region setting process in the second embodiment;
[0047] FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a two-dimensional map for
use for setting an operation region in the operation region setting
process in the second embodiment;
[0048] FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a fuel injection amount
control process executed by the E-ECU in the second embodiment;
[0049] FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a fuel injection amount
control process for the operation region R1 or R2 executed by the
E-ECU in the second embodiment;
[0050] FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a two-dimensional map for
use for calculating a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio basic fuel
injection amount QBS in the fuel injection amount control process
of the second embodiment;
[0051] FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating a high-load increase
amount OTP calculating process executed by the E-ECU in the second
embodiment; and
[0052] FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the
one-dimensional map for calculating the idling control amount
correction value KQISC in the first and second embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0053] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a drive system and a
control system for a motor vehicle to which the invention is
applied.
[0054] An engine 2 as a power source is connected to a transmission
mechanism 3. An output shaft 3a of the transmission mechanism 3 is
connected to right and left-side drive wheels 5 via a differential
4.
[0055] FIG. 2 schematically shows a construction of the engine 2.
The engine 2 is a direct injection type gasoline engine that is
installed as a vehicle-driving engine in a motor vehicle. The
engine 2 has six cylinders 2a. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, each
cylinder 2a has a combustion chamber 10 that is defined by a
cylinder block 6, a piston 7 disposed for reciprocating movements
within the cylinder block 6, and a cylinder head 8 mounted on the
cylinder block 6.
[0056] Each combustion chamber 10 is provided with a first intake
valve 12a, a second intake valve 12b, and a pair of exhaust valves
16. Of these valves, the first intake valve 12a is connected to a
first intake port 14a. The second intake valve 12b is connected to
a second intake port 14b. The two exhaust valves 16 are connected
to two exhaust ports 18, respectively.
[0057] FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view of a portion of the
cylinder head 8 corresponding to one of the cylinders. As shown in
FIG. 3, the first intake port 14a and the second intake port 14b of
each cylinder are straight intake ports that extend substantially
linearly. An ignition plug 20 is disposed in a central portion of
an inner wall surface of the cylinder head 8. A fuel injection
valve 22 is disposed in a peripheral portion of an inner wall
surface of the cylinder head 8 that is adjacent to both the first
intake valve 12a and the second intake valve 12b. Each fuel
injection valve 22 is disposed so that fuel can be injected
therefrom directly into the combustion chamber 10.
[0058] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a stop surface of one of the
pistons 7. FIG. 5 is a section taken on line V-V in FIG. 3. FIG. 6
is a section taken on line VI-VI in FIG. 3. As shown in the
drawings, a generally ridge-shaped top face of the piston 7 has a
recess 24 having an inverted dome-like contour which extends from a
site below the fuel injection valve 22 to a site below the ignition
plug 20.
[0059] As shown in FIG. 2, the first intake ports 14a of the
cylinders 2a are connected to a surge tank 32 via first intake
passages 30a formed in an intake manifold 30. The second intake
ports 14b are connected to the surge tank 32 via second intake
passages 30b. An airflow control valve 34 is disposed within each
second intake passage 30b. The airflow control valves 34 are
interconnected via a common shaft 36, and are opened and closed via
the shaft 36 by a negative pressure actuator 37 that utilizes
intake negative pressure. When the airflow control valves 34 are
closed, intake air is introduced via only the first intake ports
14a, and therefore forms strong swirls S (FIG. 3) within the
combustion chambers 10.
[0060] The surge tank 32 is connected to an air cleaner 42 via an
intake duct 40. A throttle valve 46 driven by an electric motor 44
(a DC motor or a stepping motor) is disposed in the intake duct 40.
The degree of opening of the throttle valve 46 (degree of throttle
opening TA) and the completely closed state of the throttle valve
46 (complete closure signal IDL) are detected by a throttle opening
sensor 46a. The degree of opening of the throttle valve 46 is
controlled in accordance with the state of operation. The exhaust
ports 18 of the cylinders 2a are connected to an exhaust manifold
48. The exhaust manifold 48 discharges exhaust gas, via a catalytic
converter 49 that controls the emission.
[0061] Referring back to FIG. 1, the above-described engine 2 is
electrically controlled by an engine-controlling electronic control
unit (hereinafter, referred to as "E-ECU") 60 that is mainly formed
by a microcomputer. As described below, the E-ECU 60 receives as
inputs, signals and detected values corresponding to the engine
revolution speed NE, the accelerator operation amount ACCP, etc.,
so as to control the engine 2.
[0062] The transmission mechanism 3 has a fluidic power transfer
mechanism 62 and a continuously variable transmission (hereinafter,
referred to as "CVT") 64. The fluidic power transfer mechanism 62
is a mechanism that transfers torque between the side of an input
shaft 62c and the side of an output shaft 62d via a fluid such as
an oil or the like. In this embodiment, the fluidic power transfer
mechanism 62 is a torque converter. The fluidic power transfer
mechanism 62 has a lockup mechanism 62a. The lockup mechanism 62a
is a clutch mechanism that directly interlocks the input shaft 62c
side and the output shaft 62d side via a mechanical means such as a
friction plate or the like. The lockup mechanism 62a has, for a
buffering purpose, a damper 62b that is formed by an elastic body
such as coil spring or the like.
[0063] The input shaft 62c of the fluidic power transfer mechanism
62 is connected to a crankshaft of the engine 2. The output shaft
62d of the fluidic power transfer mechanism 62 is connected to an
input shaft 64a of the CVT 64. The CVT 64 is a transmission
mechanism capable of steplessly (continuously) varying the ratio
between the rotation speed of the input shaft 64a and the rotation
speed of an output shaft 64b, that is, the speed ratio. In this
embodiment, the CVT 64 is a belt type continuously variable
transmission. The CVT 64 incorporates a gear transmission mechanism
for accomplishing a reverse drive function, and may further
incorporate a gear transmission mechanism for expanding the width
of the speed ratio if necessary.
[0064] A control of the changing between engagement (locked-up
state) and disengagement (unlocked state) of the lockup mechanism
62a of the transmission mechanism 3, and a control of the speed
ratio of the CVT 64 are performed by a transmission
mechanism-controlling electronic control unit (hereinafter,
referred to as "T-ECU") 66 in accordance with the state of running
of the vehicle.
[0065] The T-ECU 66 is connected to the E-ECU 60 in a data
transmission capable manner, and receives as inputs, signals and
detected values corresponding to the hydraulic pressure for driving
the lockup mechanism 62a, the rotation speeds NP, NS of pulleys of
the CVT 64, etc., as data for control. The T-ECU 66 also receives
as inputs, shift signals for selecting one of states of the CVT 64,
that is, a stopped state (parking P), a reverse drive state
(reverse R), a neutral state (neutral N), an automatic transmission
mode (drive D) that is an automatic forward drive state in which
the speed ratio is automatically set in accordance with the state
of running of the vehicle, and a manual transmission mode (manual
M) that is a manual state in which the transmission state is
manually set.
[0066] A construction of the E-ECU 60 is illustrated in the block
diagram of FIG. 7. The E-ECU 60 is a control unit for controlling
the engine 2, for example, performing a throttle opening degree
control, a fuel injection amount control, an ignition timing
control, an idling speed control, etc. The E-ECU 60 is formed as a
logic circuit having a CPU 60a, a ROM 60b, a RAM 60c, a backup RAM
60d, etc. The ROM 60b is a memory that pre-stores various control
programs, data, such as maps or the like, for reference during
execution of the various programs. Based on the various programs
and data stored in the ROM 60b, the CPU 60a executes various
operations. The RAM 60c is a memory for temporarily storing results
of operations of the CPU 60a, data or the like obtained from
outputs of various sensors. The backup RAM 60d is a non-volatile
memory for storing data that needs to be retained during stoppage
of the engine 2. The CPU 60a, the ROM 60b, the RAM 60c and the
backup RAM 60d are interconnected by a bus 60e, and are also
connected to an external input circuit 60f and an external output
circuit 60g via the bus 60e. The external input circuit 60f is
connected to a vehicle speed sensor 68 for detecting the running
speed of the vehicle (hereinafter, simply referred to as "vehicle
speed") V, an engine speed sensor 70 for detecting the engine
revolution speed NE, the throttle opening sensor 46a, an
accelerator depression sensor 74 for detecting the accelerator
operation amount ACCP, that is, the amount of depression of an
accelerator pedal 72, an intake pressure senor 76 for detecting the
intake pressure PM in the surge tank 32, an air-fuel ratio sensor
78 for detecting the air-fuel ratio A/F based on exhaust
components, a water temperature sensor 80 for detecting the cooling
water temperature THW of the engine 2, a stop lamp switch 84 for
detecting whether a brake pedal 82 (FIG. 2) has been depressed,
etc. The external output circuit 60g is connected to the throttle
valve-driving motor 44, the fuel injection valve 22 of each
cylinder of the engine 2, the negative pressure actuator 37, an
igniter (not shown), and other actuators, which are driven when
necessary. As indicated in FIG. 2, the brake pedal 82 is designed
so that the depressing force on the brake pedal 82 is amplified by
a brake booster 86 that utilizes the negative pressure in the surge
tank 32.
[0067] A construction of the T-ECU 66 is shown in the block diagram
of FIG. 8. The T-ECU 66 is a control unit that performs an
automatic transmission operation by controlling the lockup
mechanism 62a and the CVT 64. The T-ECU 66 is formed as a logic
circuit having a CPU 66a, a ROM 66b, a RAM 66c, a backup RAM 66d, a
bus 66e, an external input circuit 66f, an external output circuit
66g, etc. These components 66a to 66g perform basically the same
functions as those in the E-ECU 60. The external input circuit 66f
is connected to a shift device 88 that outputs the aforementioned
shift signal SHFT, a primary pulley rotation sensor 89a for
detecting the rotation speed NP of the primary pulley in the CVT
64, a secondary pulley rotation sensor 89b for detecting the
rotation speed NS of the secondary pulley in the CVT 64, a
hydraulic pressure sensor 90 for detecting the hydraulic pressure
for driving the lockup mechanism 62a, and other sensors and the
like. The external output circuit 66g is connected to a speed shift
actuator 92 for changing the speed ratio by driving the primary
pulley and the second pulley in the CVT 64, a lockup actuator 94
for switching the lockup mechanism 62a of the fluidic power
transfer mechanism 62, and other actuators and the like. The T-ECU
66 is connected in terms of signals to the E-ECU 60 via the
external input circuit 66f and the external output circuit 66g, for
mutual communications with the E-ECU 60.
[0068] The E-ECU 60 and the T-ECU 66 constructed as described above
perform a coordinate control so as to generate an appropriate drive
power on the drive wheels 5 in accordance with a drive power
requested by an operating person via the accelerator pedal 72 or
the like. More specifically, the E-ECU 60 adjusts one or more of
the amount of intake air, the amount of fuel injection, and the
form of combustion so as to provide the fuel economy and the engine
output torque needed to achieve the requested drive power. The
T-ECU 66 adjusts the speed ratio so as to achieve an engine
revolution speed NE that is needed to achieve a requested drive
power.
[0069] With regard to the form of combustion in the first
embodiment, one of a stratified charge combustion, a homogeneous
combustion and a semi-stratified charge combustion is selected
based on the relationship between the requested drive power and the
fuel economy. In the stratified charge combustion mode, fuel is
injected into each combustion chamber 10 from the corresponding
fuel injection valve 22 during a late period in the compression
stroke so that a stratified mixture with high fuel concentration is
formed, and is ignited. In the homogeneous combustion, fuel is
injected into each combustion chamber 10 from the corresponding
fuel injection valve 22 during the intake stroke so that a
homogeneous mixture is formed, and is then ignited. In the
semi-stratified charge combustion, fuel is injected both during the
intake stroke and during a late period in the compression stroke so
that a stratified mixture is formed in a homogeneous and lean
mixture, and is ignited.
[0070] During the stratified charge combustion, injected fuel
provided in each cylinder by injection performed during the late
period of the compression stroke moves from the fuel injection
valve 22 into the recess 24 of the piston 7, and then strikes a
peripheral wall surface 26 (FIGS. 4, 5). Upon striking the
peripheral wall surface 26, fuel moves while vaporizing, and forms
a combustible mixture layer in the recess 24 adjacent to the
ignition plug 20. The stratified combustible mixture is ignited by
the ignition plug 20, thereby accomplishing the stratified charge
combustion. In this manner, stable combustion can be accomplished
in each combustion chamber 10 with intake air existing in an
extremely excess amount relative to fuel.
[0071] During the homogeneous combustion, an amount of fuel
corrected in various manners based on a stoichiometric air-fuel
ratio basic fuel injection amount QBS is injected into each
combustion chamber 10 during the intake stroke. The thus-injected
fuel flows together into the combustion chamber 10 with inflowing
intake air, and continues flowing until ignition. Therefore, a
homogeneous mixture of the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio (in some
cases, the air-fuel ratio is controlled to a rich air-fuel ratio,
which is a higher fuel concentration than the stoichiometric
air-fuel ratio, due to an increasing correction) is formed in the
entire combustion chamber 10, so that the homogeneous combustion is
accomplished.
[0072] During the semi-stratified charge combustion, fuel injected
in each cylinder by the first injection flows into the combustion
chamber 10 together with intake air, thereby forming a homogeneous
lean mixture in the entire combustion chamber 10. Then, the second
fuel injection is performed at a late time in the compression
stroke, so that a combustible mixture layer is formed within the
recess 24 in the vicinity of the ignition plug 20 as mentioned
above. The stratified combustible mixture is ignited by the
ignition plug 20, and the ignited flame burns the lean mixture
existing in the entire combustion chamber 10. In this manner,
stratified charge combustion with a weak degree of stratification
is accomplished, so that a smooth torque change can be realized in
an intermediate region between the stratified charge combustion and
the homogeneous combustion.
[0073] The coordinate control will next be described in detail with
reference to the control block diagram of FIG. 9. In the following
description, B1 to B7 parenthesized represent blocks shown in FIG.
9. The blocks B3, B4 correspond to processes performed by the T-ECU
66. The other blocks correspond to processes performed by the E-ECU
60.
[0074] First, a target drive power F is set based on the
accelerator operation amount ACCP and the vehicle speed V (B1). The
vehicle speed V may be substituted with, for example, the rotation
speed of a different rotating member that has a corresponding
relation with the vehicle speed.
[0075] The setting of the target drive power F based on the
accelerator operation amount ACCP and the vehicle speed V is
performed based on a map pre-stored in the ROM 60b. More
specifically, a relationship between the vehicle speed V and the
target drive power F is pre-set in the form of a map using the
accelerator operation amount ACCP as a parameter. This map is used.
In the setting of the map, the target drive power F is determined
so as to reflect characteristics of the object vehicle or engine 2
or the like.
[0076] Next, based on the determined target drive power F and the
vehicle speed V or a detected value corresponding to the vehicle
speed, a target output P is calculated (B2). More specifically, the
target output P can be calculated as a product of the target drive
power F and the vehicle speed V as in Expression 1.
P.rarw.F.times.V (1)
[0077] The thus-calculated target output P is used to calculate a
target engine revolution speed NEt (B3). More specifically, the
engine revolution speed NE that minimizes the fuel consumption with
respect to a certain output can be determined separately for each
engine 2, and can be prepared as a map. Therefore, in the block B3,
a target engine revolution speed NEt is calculated from the target
output P, with reference to a one-dimensional map of the target
engine revolution speed NEt.
[0078] Then, the speed shift control of the CVT 64 is performed so
that the present actual engine revolution speed NE becomes equal to
the target engine revolution speed NEt (B4).
[0079] In a flow different from the above-described flow, a target
engine torque T0 is calculated from the target output P calculated
in the block B2 (B5). More specifically, the target engine torque
T0 is calculated by dividing the target output P by the present
actual engine revolution speed NE as in Expression 2.
T0.rarw.30P/(.pi..circle-solid.NE) (2)
[0080] The engine torque is controlled so that the actual engine
torque reaches the thus-calculated target engine torque T0 (B6).
More specifically, the amount of fuel injection or the amount of
intake air is adjusted so that the target engine torque T0 is
reached. If the present form of combustion is the stratified charge
combustion or the semi-stratified charge combustion, the engine
torque is adjusted based on the amount of fuel injected. If the
present form of combustion is the homogeneous combustion, the
engine torque is adjusted based on the amount of intake air, that
is, the degree of opening of the throttle valve 46 (degree of
throttle opening TA).
[0081] An idling control amount QISC learned by an idling control
amount calculating process (B7) during idling is added to the
amount of fuel injection or the target degree of throttle opening
TAT for adjusting the engine torque. The idling control amount QISC
is a control amount for keeping the engine revolution speed NE at a
target idle revolution speed NT. Since the target degree of
throttle opening TAT or the amount of fuel injection calculated in
the block B6 is the amount of increase in the engine revolution
speed NE or the amount of increase in the vehicle speed V occurring
at the time of transition from the idling state to a vehicle
running state, it is necessary to add thereto the idling control
amount QISC representing the idle revolution speed.
[0082] The idling control amount QISC calculating process (B7) is
illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 10. This process is repeated
in a fixed time cycle. The steps in the flowchart corresponding to
individual processes are represented by "S" in the description
below.
[0083] When the idling control amount QISC calculating process
starts, it is determined whether the engine 2 is presently in the
idling state (S110). If the engine 2 is idling ("YES" in S110), a
difference .DELTA.NE between the target idle revolution speed NT
and the actual engine revolution speed NE is calculated as in
Expression 3 (S120).
.DELTA.NE.rarw.NT-NE (3)
[0084] Subsequently, an idling control amount Qa corresponding to
the form of combustion is calculated in accordance with the
difference .DELTA.NE (S130). That is, in accordance with the
difference .DELTA.NE, the idling control amount Qa is determined
through a feedback control for bringing the difference .DELTA.NE
into a predetermined range, that is, for bringing the engine
revolution speed NE to the target idle revolution speed NT. If the
present form of combustion is the stratified charge combustion or
the semi-stratified charge combustion, the idling control amount Qa
is set to a value corresponding to the amount of fuel injected. If
the present form of combustion is the homogeneous combustion, the
idling control amount Qa is set to a value corresponding to the
degree of throttle opening TA. The idling control amount Qa is
stored as values different for the individual forms of combustion
in the RAM 60c and the backup RAM 60d.
[0085] Subsequently, an idling control amount correction value
KQISC is set to "0" (S140). Next, the idling control amount
correction value KQISC is subtracted from the idling control amount
Qa to determine a new idling control amount QISC as in Expression 4
(S150). The process is then temporarily ended.
QISC.rarw.Qa-KQISC (4)
[0086] If the engine 2 is in the idling state ("YES" in S110),
KQISC=0 is set (S140), so that "QISC=Qa" is provided (S150).
[0087] The thus-calculated idling control amount QISC is added to
the amount of fuel injection or the target degree of throttle
opening TAT calculated in the block B6 to adjust the engine torque
as indicated in FIG. 9.
[0088] If the engine 2 is not in the idling state ("NO" in S110),
it is determined whether the present form of combustion is the
homogeneous combustion (S160). If the preset form of combustion is
the homogeneous combustion ("YES" in S160), steps S140, S150 are
executed. After that, the process is temporarily ended.
[0089] Therefore, during the homogeneous combustion while the
vehicle is running, the engine torque is adjusted based on the
control amount corresponding to the target engine torque T0
determined from the accelerator operation amount ACCP and the
vehicle speed V, and the idling control amount QISC (=Qa)
determined during the idling state maintained by the homogeneous
combustion.
[0090] If during the running of the vehicle ("NO" in S110) the
homogeneous combustion is not being conducted ("NO" in S160), that
is, the form of combustion is the stratified charge combustion or
the semi-stratified charge combustion, it is then determined
whether the lockup mechanism 62a of the fluidic power transfer
mechanism 62 is in the locked-up state (S170). If the lockup
mechanism 62a is not locked up ("NO" in S170), steps S140, S150 are
executed. After that, the process is temporarily ended.
[0091] Therefore, if the lockup mechanism 62a is not in the
locked-up state ("NO" in step S170) although the vehicle is running
("NO" in S110) and the selected form of combustion is the
stratified charge combustion or the semi-stratified charge
combustion ("NO" in S160), the engine torque is adjusted based on
the control amount corresponding to the target engine torque T0
determined from the accelerator operation amount ACCP and the
vehicle speed V, and the idling control amount QISC (=Qa)
determined during the idling state maintained by the stratified
charge combustion or the semi-stratified charge combustion.
[0092] If the lockup mechanism 62a is locked up ("YES" in S170)
while the vehicle is running ("NO" in S110) using the stratified
charge combustion or the semi-stratified charge combustion ("NO" in
S160), an idling control amount correction value KQISC is
calculated in accordance with the vehicle speed V (S180).
[0093] The idling control amount correction value KQISC is
calculated from a one-dimensional map that is set based on the
vehicle speed V with a tendency as indicated in FIG. 11. The idling
control amount correction value KQISC indicated in FIG. 11 depends
on characteristics of the engine 2 used in the first embodiment
attributed to the running resistance of the vehicle, the efficiency
of the engine 2, etc. That is, in the engine 2, there is
substantially no difference between the amount of fuel consumed
when the shift position is in the D range during the idling state
maintained by the stratified charge combustion or the
semi-stratified charge combustion and the amount of fuel needed to
maintain a steady constant running of the vehicle during low-speed
running of the vehicle, that is, the generally-termed road load
amount of fuel injection, as indicated by open circles in FIG. 12.
Therefore, the idling control amount correction value KQISC is
provided for correcting the idling control amount QISC in the
reducing direction.
[0094] After the idling control amount correction value KQISC is
calculated as described above, step S150 is executed in which a new
idling control amount QISC is calculated by subtracting the idling
control amount correction value KQISC from the idling control
amount Qa determined during the idling state maintained by the
stratified charge combustion or the semi-stratified charge
combustion. After that, the process is temporarily ended.
[0095] Thus, if the fluidic power transfer mechanism 62 is locked
up ("YES" in S170) during the running state of the vehicle ("NO" in
S110) maintained by the stratified charge combustion or the
semi-stratified charge combustion ("NO" in S160), the idling
control amount Qa is corrected in the reducing direction by the
amount of the idling control amount correction value KQISC, and the
thus-corrected amount is set as the idling control amount QISC
(S150).
[0096] Next, a lockup control process executed by the T-ECU 66 will
be described.
[0097] The lockup control process is illustrated in the flowchart
of FIG. 13. This process is repeated in a fixed time cycle. In this
flowchart, if the vehicle speed V increases during the unlocked
state, and exceeds, for example, "18 km/h", then the lockup
mechanism 62a is locked up. If the vehicle speed V decreases during
the locked-up state to or below, for example, "12 km/h", the lockup
mechanism 62a is unlocked.
[0098] When the lockup control process starts, it is determined
whether the lockup mechanism 62a is in the locked-up state, from
the state of a flag in the RAM 66c or the state of drive of the
lockup actuator 94 (S210).
[0099] If the lockup mechanism 62a is not in the locked-up state
("NO" in S210), it is subsequently determined whether the vehicle
speed V is higher than 18 km/h (S220). If V.ltoreq.18 km/h ("NO" in
S220), the process is ended temporarily. If V >18 km/h ("YES" in
S220), the lockup actuator 94 is driven to lock up the lockup
mechanism 62a (LOCKUP ON) (S230). After that, the process is
temporarily ended.
[0100] Conversely, if it is determined in S210 that the lockup
mechanism 62a is in the locked-state ("YES" in S210), it is
subsequently determined whether the vehicle speed V is at most 12
km/h (S240). If V>12 km/h ("NO" in S240), the process is
temporarily ended without any further processing. If V.ltoreq.12
km/h ("YES" in S240), the lockup actuator 94 is driven to unlock
the lockup mechanism 62a (LOCKUP OFF) (S250). After that, the
process is temporarily ended.
[0101] In the above-described construction, steps S150 to S180 in
the idling control amount QISC calculating process (FIG. 10)
correspond to a process as a vehicle run-time fuel supply amount
correcting means.
[0102] The first embodiment as described above achieves the
following advantages.
[0103] Due to the processing of steps S180 and S150, the idling
control amount QISC determined by reducing the idling control
amount Qa by the idling control amount correction value KQISC is
reflected in the amount of fuel injected (corresponding to the
amount of fuel supplied) for the lean combustion during the running
of the vehicle.
[0104] Thus, the idling control amount Qa calculated to hold the
engine revolution speed NE at the target idle revolution speed NT
during the idling speed control is not immediately reflected in the
amount of fuel injected for the homogeneous combustion during the
running of the vehicle, but is reflected therein after the idling
control amount Qa is corrected in the reducing direction by the
idling control amount correction value KQISC.
[0105] Therefore, in the engine 2 of the embodiment, in which
during the lean combustion with the D range selected, there is
substantially no difference between the road load amount of fuel
injected during the idling state and the road load amount of fuel
injected during a low-speed running of the vehicle as indicated by
the open circles in FIG. 12, an increase in the amount of fuel
injection during the low-speed running of the vehicle based on the
lean combustion achieved upon a fuel increase request does not
result an excessively great output torque of the engine 2, so that
the low-speed running becomes stable and good drivability can be
maintained.
[0106] Furthermore, since needless fuel injection that can cause
unstable torque control is not performed, fuel economy
improves.
[0107] The running resistance of the vehicle changes in accordance
with the vehicle speed V. In the first embodiment, the idling
control amount correction value KQISC is determined in accordance
with the vehicle speed V corresponding to the running resistance of
the vehicle, and the idling control amount Qa is reduced for
correction by the correction value KQISC. Therefore, the
controllability of the output torque of the engine 2 improves, so
that the low-speed running of the vehicle becomes more stable, and
better drivability can be maintained.
[0108] In the first embodiment, the vehicle is equipped with the
transmission mechanism 3 having the fluidic power transfer
mechanism 62 that can assume the locked-up state. Therefore, while
the fluidic power transfer mechanism 62 is not locked up, the
efficiency of transfer of the output torque of the engine 2 is low,
so that an excessive increase in the output torque of the engine 2,
if any, has only a reduced effect on the running state of the
vehicle.
[0109] Therefore, due to the determining process of step S170, the
reducing correction based on the idling control amount correction
value KQISC is not performed on the engine 2 operated in the lean
combustion mode during the running of the vehicle with the lockup
mechanism 62a being in the unlocked state ("NO" in S170). Hence,
since the lockup mechanism 62a is in the unlocked state, a
stabilized low-speed running of the vehicle can be maintained even
if injection of an excessive amount of fuel is performed.
Furthermore, due to the fuel increase effect, the anti-engine stall
characteristic during the low-speed running of the vehicle can be
improved.
[0110] Furthermore, since the vehicle running speed is relatively
high when the vehicle is running with the locked-up state ("YES" in
S170), a good anti-engine stall characteristic can be maintained
even if the amount of fuel injected is reduced. Furthermore, since
the controllability of the output torque of the engine 2 improves,
the low-speed running of the vehicle continues to be in a stable
state, and good drivability is maintained.
[0111] FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram of a drive system and a
control system for a motor vehicle in accordance with a second
embodiment of the invention. The second embodiment differs from the
first embodiment in that a transmission mechanism 103 includes an
automatic transmission (hereinafter, referred to as "AT") 164 that
changes the speed ratio by shifting gears, instead of the CVT 64,
and a T-ECU 166 for controlling the AT 164 is provided. An input
shaft 164a of the AT 164 is coupled to the output shaft 62d of the
fluidic power transfer mechanism, while the output shaft 164b of
the AT 164 is coupled to the output shaft 103a of the transmission
mechanism. Other constructions of the second embodiment are
basically the same as those of the first embodiment. Except for the
components and portions particularly described below, components,
portions and the like of the second embodiment represented by the
same reference characters as used in conjunction with the first
embodiment have the same constructions and functions as those of
the comparable components and the like of the first embodiment. The
hardware construction of the E-ECU 60 and the construction of the
engine 2 are represented by the same reference characters as used
in conjunction with the first embodiment, and will not be described
in detail again.
[0112] The construction of the T-ECU 166 is illustrated in the
block diagram of FIG. 15. The T-ECU 166 is a control unit that
performs an automatic speed shift by controlling the lockup
mechanism 62a and the AT 164. The T-ECU 166 is formed as a logic
circuit having a CPU 166a, a ROM 166b, a RAM 166c, a backup RAM
166d, a bus 166e, an external input circuit 166f, an external
output circuit 166g, etc. These components 166a to 166g perform
basically the same functions as those in the T-ECU 66. The external
input circuit 166f is connected to a shift device 88 that outputs a
shift signal SHFT, a shift position sensor 189 for detecting a gear
speed of the AT 164, a hydraulic pressure sensor 90 for detecting
the hydraulic pressure for driving the lockup mechanism 62a, and
other sensors and the like. The external output circuit 166g is
connected to a speed shift actuator 192 for changing the gear speed
of the AT 164 by shifting gears in the AT 164, a lockup actuator 94
for switching the lockup mechanism 62a of the fluidic power
transfer mechanism 62, and other actuators and the like. The T-ECU
166 is connected in terms of signals to the E-ECU 60 via the
external input circuit 166f and the external output circuit 166g,
for mutual communications with the E-ECU 60.
[0113] The T-ECU 166 executes a lockup control process of changing
the lockup mechanism 62a of the fluidic power transfer mechanism 62
between a locked-up state and an unlocked state in accordance with
the vehicle speed V. This lockup control process is the same as the
lockup control process of the first embodiment illustrated in FIG.
13.
[0114] Processes executed by the E-ECU 60 will be described. The
flowchart of FIG. 16 illustrates an operation region setting
process of setting an operation region that is needed for the fuel
injection control. This process is cyclically executed at every
pre-set crank angle.
[0115] The E-ECU 60 first inputs the engine revolution speed NE
determined from the signal of the engine speed sensor 70 and the
accelerator operation amount ACCP determined from the signal of the
accelerator depression sensor 74, into a work area in the RAM 60c
(S310).
[0116] Subsequently, the E-ECU 60 calculates a lean fuel injection
amount QL based on the engine revolution speed NE and the
accelerator operation amount ACCP (S320). The lean fuel injection
amount QL represents an optimal amount of fuel injection for
bringing the output torque of the engine 2 to a requested torque
during the stratified charge combustion mode. The lean fuel
injection amount QL is empirically determined, and is stored in the
ROM 60b beforehand in the form of a map that employs the
accelerator operation amount ACCP and the engine revolution speed
NE as parameters as indicated in FIG. 17. In step S320, the E-ECU
60 determines a lean fuel injection amount QL based on the map. It
should be noted herein that values are discretely arranged in the
map, and that if there is no matching value as a parameter, a
matching value is determined through interpolating calculation. The
calculation from the map via interpolation is likewise performed in
order to determine a necessary value from a map other than the map
of the lean fuel injection amount QL, as well.
[0117] Subsequently, based on the lean fuel injection amount QL and
the engine revolution speed NE, the E-ECU 60 sets one of three
regions R1, R2, R3 defined in a map as shown in FIG. 18, as an
operation region (S330). After that, the E-ECU 60 temporarily ends
the process. As for the map shown in FIG. 18, an appropriate form
of fuel injection is empirically determined in accordance with the
lean fuel injection amount QL and the engine revolution speed NE
beforehand. Appropriate forms of fuel injection are pre-stored in
the ROM 60b in the form of a map in which the lean fuel injection
amount QL and the engine revolution speed NE are parameters.
[0118] After one of the operation regions R1 to R3 is set as
described above, the form of fuel injection is controlled in
accordance with the set operation region. That is, in the operation
region R1 in which the lean fuel injection amount QL and the engine
revolution speed NE are less than a boundary line QQ1 as indicated
in FIG. 18, the stratified charge combustion is conducted by
injecting an amount of fuel corresponding to the lean fuel
injection amount QL during a late period in the compression
stroke.
[0119] In the operation region R2 where the lean fuel injection
amount QL and the engine revolution speed NE are above the boundary
line QQ1 but below a boundary line QQ2, the semi-stratified charge
combustion is conducted by injecting an amount of fuel
corresponding to the lean fuel injection amount QL in two doses,
that is, once during the intake stroke and once during a late
period in the compression stroke.
[0120] In the operation region R3 where the lean fuel injection
amount QL and the engine revolution speed NE are greater than the
boundary line QQ2, the homogeneous combustion is conducted by
injecting an amount of fuel corrected in various manners based on
the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio basic fuel injection amount QBS,
during the intake stroke.
[0121] FIGS. 19 and 20 show flowcharts of a fuel injection amount
control process executed by the E-ECU 60 based on the operation
region set in the above-described operation region setting process.
The fuel injection amount control process is cyclically executed at
every pre-set crank angle.
[0122] When the fuel injection amount control process starts, the
E-ECU 60 inputs the accelerator operation amount ACCP determined
from the signal of the accelerator depression sensor 74, the engine
revolution speed NE determined from the signal of the engine speed
sensor 70, the intake pressure PM determined from the signal of the
intake pressure sensor 76, and the detected air-fuel ratio value
Vox determined from the signal of the air-fuel ratio sensor 78,
into a work area in the RAM 60c (S410).
[0123] Subsequently, the E-ECU 60 determines whether the operation
region R3 is presently set due to the above-described operation
region setting process (FIG. 16) (S420). If it is determined that
the present operation region is the operation region R3 ("YES"
S420), the E-ECU 60 calculates a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio
basic fuel injection amount QBS from the intake pressure PM and the
engine revolution speed NE by using a map of FIG. 21 pre-set in the
ROM 60b (S430).
[0124] Next, the E-ECU 60 executes a process of calculating a
high-load increase amount OTP (S440). The high-load increase amount
OTP calculating process will be described with reference to the
flowchart shown in FIG. 22. In the high-load increase amount OTP
calculating process, it is determined whether the accelerator
operation amount ACCP is greater than a high-load increase amount
criterion KOTPAC (S441). If ACCP.ltoreq.KOTPAC ("NO" in S441), the
high-load increase amount OTP is set to "0" (S442). That is, the
fuel-increasing correction is not performed. After that, the E-ECU
60 temporarily goes out of the high-load increase amount OTP
calculating process.
[0125] Conversely, if ACCP>KOTPAC ("YES" in S441), a value M
(e.g., 1 >M>0) is set as a high-load increase amount OTP
(S444). That is, execution of a fuel-increasing correction is set.
This increasing correction is performed in order to prevent
overheating of the catalytic converter 49 during a high-load
operation.
[0126] Referring back to FIG. 19, after calculating the high-load
increase amount OTP in S440, it is determined whether an air-fuel
ratio feedback condition is met (S450). That is, it is determined
whether all the following conditions are met: (1) the present state
is not a starting-up state; (2) warm-up has been completed (for
example, cooling water temperature THW.gtoreq.40.degree. C.); (3)
the air-fuel ratio sensor 78 has been activated; and (4) the value
of the high-load increase amount OTP is "0".
[0127] If the air-fuel ratio condition is met ("YES" in S450), the
E-ECU 60 calculates an air-fuel ratio feedback factor FAF and a
learned value KG thereof (S460). The air-fuel ratio feedback factor
FAF is calculated based on the output of the air-fuel ratio sensor
78. The learned value KG is a value for storage of an amount of
deviation of the air-fuel ratio feedback factor FAF from a center
value of "1.0". As for the art of air-fuel ratio feedback control
using the aforementioned values, there are various known
techniques, as described in, for example, in Japanese Patent
Application Laid-Open No. 6-10736 (U.S. Pat. No. 5,406,927).
[0128] Conversely, if the air-fuel ratio feedback condition is not
met ("NO" in S450), the air-fuel ratio feedback factor FAF is set
to "1.0" (S470).
[0129] Subsequent to steps S460 or S470, the E-ECU 60 determines an
amount of fuel injection Q as in Expression 5 (S480).
Q.rarw.QBS{1+OTP+(FAF-1.0)+(KG-1.0)}.alpha.+.beta. (5)
[0130] In Expression 5, .alpha. and .beta. are correction factors
that are appropriately set in accordance with the type of the
engine 2 and the content of control.
[0131] After that, the E-ECU 60 temporarily ends the fuel injection
amount control process.
[0132] Conversely, if it is determined in S420 that the present
operation region is other than the operation region R3, that is,
either one of the operation regions R1 and R2 (the stratified
charge combustion and the semi-stratified charge combustion) ("NO"
in S420), the E-ECU 60 performs the fuel injection amount control
process for the operation regions R1 and R2 illustrated in FIG. 20
(S500).
[0133] First, it is determined whether the engine 2 is in an
other-than-idling state (S510). If the engine 2 is idling ("NO" in
S510), a target idle revolution speed NT for the operation region
R1 or R2 is set based on the state of operation of the engine 2
(e.g., the cooling water temperature THW, the presence/absence of
loads of accessories, such as an air-conditioner and the like,
etc.) (S520). Subsequently, a difference .DELTA.NE between the
target idle revolution speed NT and the actual engine revolution
speed NE is calculated (S530). In accordance with the difference
.DELTA.NE, an idling control amount Qa for keeping the engine
revolution speed NE at the target idle revolution speed NT is
calculated as in the first embodiment (S540). The idling control
amount Qa is stored in the RAM 60c and the backup RAM 60d.
[0134] Next, the idling control amount Qa is set as an idling
control amount QISC (S550). Subsequently, the idling control amount
QISC is added to the lean fuel injection amount QL determined in
step S320 in the operation region setting process (FIG. 16) to set
an amount of fuel injection Q (S560), as in Expression 6. After
that, the fuel injection amount control process is temporarily
ended.
Q.rarw.QL+QISC (6)
[0135] Conversely, if the engine 2 is in an other-than-idling
state, that is, if the vehicle is running ("YES" in S510), it is
determined whether the lockup mechanism 62a is in the locked-up
state based on data received from the T-ECU 166 (S570). If the
lockup mechanism 62a is not in the locked-up state ("NO" in S570),
steps S550 and S560 are executed, so that the idling control amount
QISC is immediately reflected in the amount of fuel injection Q for
the running of the vehicle. After that, the fuel injection amount
control process is temporarily ended.
[0136] If the lockup mechanism 62a is in the locked-up state ("YES"
in S570), an idling control amount correction value KQISC is
calculated (S580). The idling control amount correction value KQISC
is calculated from the vehicle speed V, by using the
one-dimensional map shown in FIG. 11 described above in conjunction
with the first embodiment.
[0137] The idling control amount correction value KQISC indicated
in FIG. 11 depends on characteristics of the engine 2 used in the
second embodiment attributed to the running resistance of the
vehicle, the efficiency of the engine 2, etc, as mentioned above in
conjunction with the first embodiment. That is, in the engine 2,
there is substantially no difference between the amount of fuel
consumed when the engine 2 is in the operation region R1 or R2 and
the shift position is in the D range during the idling state and
the amount of fuel needed to maintain a steady constant running of
the vehicle during low-speed running of the vehicle, that is, the
generally-termed road load amount of fuel injection, as indicated
by open circles in FIG. 12. Therefore, the idling control amount
correction value KQISC is provided for correcting the idling
control amount QISC in the reducing direction.
[0138] Subsequently, the idling control amount correction value
KQISC determined in step S580 is subtracted from the idling control
amount Qa stored in step S540 during the idling state of the engine
2, thereby determining a new idling control amount QISC as in
Expression 7 (S590).
QISC.rarw.Qa-KQISC (7)
[0139] Subsequently, the amount of fuel injection Q is set by using
the idling control amount QISC reduced by the correction in step
S590, as in Expression 6 (S560). Thus, the reduced idling control
amount QISC is reflected in the amount of fuel injection Q for the
running of the vehicle. After that, the fuel injection amount
control process is temporarily ended.
[0140] Although not indicated in the drawings, the idle revolution
speed control in the operation region R3 (the homogeneous
combustion) is performed by controlling the degree of throttle
opening TA via the throttle valve-driving motor 44. The idling
control amount QISC acquired as the degree of throttle opening TA
during the idling based on the homogeneous combustion is reflected
in the degree of throttle opening TA during the running of the
vehicle based on the homogeneous combustion.
[0141] In the above-described construction, steps S570 to S590
correspond to a process as a vehicle run-time fuel supply amount
correcting means.
[0142] The above-described second embodiment achieves substantially
the same advantages as those of the first embodiment.
[0143] In the first and second embodiments, the idling control
amount correction value KQISC is determined from the vehicle speed
V by using the one-dimensional map shown in FIG. 11. Instead of
setting the idling control amount correction value KQISC by using
the vehicle speed V as a parameter, it is also possible to set the
idling control amount correction value KQISC in accordance with the
engine revolution speed NE as indicated in FIG. 23. Furthermore,
the idling control amount correction value KQISC may also be set by
using a combination of the vehicle speed V and the engine
revolution speed NE.
[0144] While the vehicle is running, the efficiency of the engine 2
changes with the engine revolution speed NE. Therefore, if a
control amount obtained through the reducing correction of the
idling control amount QISC in accordance with the engine revolution
speed NE during the running of the vehicle is reflected in the
amount of fuel injection Q for the homogeneous combustion during
the running of the vehicle, an appropriate amount of fuel injection
Q can be obtained corresponding to the efficiency of the engine 2
during the running of the vehicle. Hence, the controllability of
the output torque of the engine 2 during the running of the vehicle
improves, so that the low-speed running of the vehicle becomes
further stable, and good drivability can be maintained.
[0145] Although in the first and second embodiments, the fluidic
power transfer mechanism 62 is a torque converter, the invention is
also applicable if the fluidic power transfer mechanism is, for
example, a fluidic clutch having a lockup mechanism. Such an
application achieves substantially the same advantages as stated
above.
[0146] Although in the first embodiment, the CVT 64 is a belt-type
continuously variable transmission, the CVT 64 may instead be, for
example, a toroidal continuously variable transmission or the like,
as well.
[0147] In the first and second embodiments, the lean combustion is
accomplished in the form of the stratified charge combustion or the
semi-stratified charge combustion. However, the lean combustion may
also be in other forms, for example, in the form of generally
termed lean burn, that is, a homogeneous lean combustion in which
fuel is homogeneously mixed with intake air at a ratio that is on
the fuel-lean side of the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio and such a
homogeneous mixture is ignited. Such a homogeneous lean combustion
does not substantially cause a difference between the amounts of
fuel supply needed during the idling of the engine 2 and during the
low-speed running of the vehicle. Therefore, adoption of the
homogeneous lean combustion achieves substantially the same
advantages as stated above if a construction substantially the same
as those in the first and second embodiments is adopted.
[0148] In step S150 in the first embodiment, the idling control
amount correction value KQISC is subtracted from the idling control
amount Qa to set a new idling control amount QISC as in Expression
4. However, a new idling control amount QISC may also be set by
multiplying the idling control amount Qa by an idling control
amount correction value KQISC. In this case, the idling control
amount correction value KQISC determined in S180 is
0<KQISC<1, and the value set as the idling control amount
correction value KQISC in step S140 is "1". Furthermore, the map as
indicated in FIG. 11 is set so as to represent a relationship in
which the idling control amount correction value KQISC increases
with increases in the vehicle speed V.
[0149] Similarly, in step S590 in the second embodiment, the idling
control amount correction value KQISC is subtracted from the idling
control amount Qa to set a new idling control amount QISC as in
Expression 7. However, a new idling control amount QISC may also be
set by multiplying the idling control amount Qa by an idling
control amount correction value KQISC. In this case, the idling
control amount correction value KQISC determined in S580 is
0<KQISC<1. Furthermore, the map as indicated in FIG. 11 is
set so as to represent a relationship in which the idling control
amount correction value KQISC increases with increases in the
vehicle speed V.
[0150] As indicated in FIGS. 11 or 23, the idling control amount
correction value KQISC is changed in accordance with the vehicle
speed V or the engine revolution speed NE. However, it is also
practicable to maintain a constant idling control amount correction
value KQISC regardless of the vehicle speed V or the engine
revolution speed NE, for the purpose of simplifying the process and
economizing the use of memory.
[0151] In the first and second embodiments, the idle revolution
speed is controlled to the target idle revolution speed based on
the degree of throttle opening TA during the idling state
maintained by the homogeneous combustion. However, if an idling
speed control valve bypassing the throttle valve 46 is provided,
the degree of opening of the idling speed control valve may be
adjusted during the idling state maintained by the homogeneous
combustion.
[0152] In the illustrated embodiment, the controller (the E-ECU 60)
is implemented as a programmed general purpose computer. It will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art that the controller can be
implemented using a single special purpose integrated circuit
(e.g., ASIC) having a main or central processor section for
overall, system-level control, and separate sections dedicated to
performing various different specific computations, functions and
other processes under control of the central processor section. The
controller can be a plurality of separate dedicated or programmable
integrated or other electronic circuits or devices (e.g., hardwired
electronic or logic circuits such as discrete element circuits, or
programmable logic devices such as PLDs, PLAs, PALs or the like).
The controller can be implemented using a suitably programmed
general purpose computer, e.g., a microprocessor, microcontroller
or other processor device (CPU or MPU), either alone or in
conjunction with one or more peripheral (e.g., integrated circuit)
data and signal processing devices. In general, any device or
assembly of devices on which a finite state machine capable of
implementing the procedures described herein can be used as the
controller. A distributed processing architecture can be used for
maximum data/signal processing capability and speed.
[0153] While the invention has been described with reference to
preferred embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the
invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments or
constructions. To the contrary, the invention is intended to cover
various modifications and equivalent arrangements. In addition,
while the various elements of the preferred embodiments are shown
in various combinations and configurations, which are exemplary,
other combinations and configurations, including more, less or only
a single element, are also within the spirit and scope of the
invention.
* * * * *