JP6601481B2 - Control device for compression ignition engine - Google Patents

Description

  The technology disclosed herein relates to a control device for a compression ignition engine.

  Patent Document 1 describes an engine that burns an air-fuel mixture in a combustion chamber by self-ignition in a predetermined region of low load and low rotation. The engine burns the air-fuel mixture by spark ignition in a region where the load is higher than the region where the low load is low and the region where the rotational speed is higher than the region where the low load is low.

Japanese Patent No. 4082292

  By the way, combustion by compression ignition generates a relatively large combustion noise. When the engine speed is high, the NVH (Noise Vibration Harshness) of the engine exceeds an allowable value.

  The technology disclosed herein has been made in view of such a point, and an object thereof is to perform combustion by compression ignition while suppressing NVH below an allowable value in a compression ignition engine.

  The inventors of the present application have considered a combustion mode that combines SI (Spark Ignition) combustion and CI (Compression Ignition) combustion (or auto ignition combustion). SI combustion is combustion with flame propagation that starts by forcibly igniting the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber. CI combustion is combustion that starts when the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber is compressed and ignited. Combustion mode combining SI combustion and CI combustion is such that the spark plug forcibly ignites the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber, the air-fuel mixture burns by flame propagation, and the heat generation of SI combustion This is a mode in which the unburned mixture is burned by self-ignition as the temperature in the combustion chamber increases.

  In combustion by self-ignition, if the temperature in the combustion chamber before the start of compression varies, the self-ignition timing changes greatly. For example, if the timing of self-ignition is advanced, there is a problem that combustion noise increases.

  In SPCCI combustion, by adjusting the calorific value of SI combustion, it is possible to absorb temperature variations in the combustion chamber before compression starts. If the start timing of SI combustion is adjusted by adjusting the ignition timing, for example, according to the temperature in the combustion chamber before the start of compression, the unburned mixture can be self-ignited at the target time. Since SI combustion controls CI combustion, a combustion mode combining SI combustion and CI combustion is hereinafter referred to as SPCCI (SPark Controlled Compression Ignition) combustion.

  Combustion by flame propagation can suppress the generation of combustion noise because the pressure fluctuation is relatively small. Also, by performing CI combustion, the combustion period is shortened and combustion efficiency is improved compared to combustion by flame propagation. Therefore, the combustion mode combining SI combustion and CI combustion can improve fuel efficiency while suppressing the generation of combustion noise.

  If SPCCI combustion is performed when the engine speed is high, CI combustion can be performed while NVH is kept below an allowable value.

Specifically, the technology disclosed herein relates to a control device for a compression ignition engine. The control device for this compression ignition engine is
An engine configured to ignite the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber;
An injector attached to the engine and configured to inject fuel into the combustion chamber;
A spark plug disposed facing the combustion chamber and configured to ignite an air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber;
And a controller connected to each of the injector and the spark plug and configured to operate the engine by outputting a control signal to each of the injector and the spark plug.

After the pre-Symbol spark plug is in the ignition to the mixture starts combustion by flame propagation, unburned mixture is combusted by self-ignition,
The controller outputs a control signal to the injector so that the fuel injection timing is advanced when the engine is operating at a high speed than when the engine is operating at a low speed.

The controller has an SI rate as an index related to a ratio of the amount of heat generated when the ignited mixture is burned by flame propagation with respect to the total amount of heat generated when the mixture in the combustion chamber burns. and while the less than 100%, when the rotational speed of the engine is high, the SI ratio, you higher than at low speed.

The engine includes a finger pressure sensor that detects a pressure in the combustion chamber,
The controller sets a target SI rate based on the operating state of the engine, receives the detection signal of the finger pressure sensor, calculates the SI rate based on a pressure waveform accompanying combustion of the air-fuel mixture, and when calculated the SI index and the SI ratio of the target is shifted, so that the SI ratio approaches SI ratio of the target, it adjusts the SI factor.

The “combustion chamber” here is not limited to the meaning of the space when the piston reaches compression top dead center. The term “combustion chamber” is used in a broad sense.

According to this configuration, the spark plug forcibly ignites the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber in response to a control signal from the controller. The air-fuel mixture is burned by flame propagation. After the start of combustion by flame propagation, the unburned mixture in the combustion chamber burns by self-ignition, thereby completing the combustion. That is, SPCCI combustion is performed in the combustion chamber. As described above, SPCCI combustion achieves both suppression of combustion noise and improvement of fuel consumption.

When the engine speed is high, the controller advances the injection timing more than when the engine speed is low. When the engine speed increases, the vaporization time from when fuel is injected into the combustion chamber until ignition is shortened. In the SPCCI combustion, the air-fuel mixture burned by the SI combustion is reduced, and the CI combustion is increased. As a result, the combustion noise of SPCCI combustion increases, and there is a risk that NVH exceeds the allowable value.

If the injection timing is advanced, the vaporization time can be extended. As a result, the air-fuel mixture that burns during SI combustion increases. Since the combustion noise of SPCCI combustion is suppressed low, NVH can be suppressed to an allowable value or less when the engine speed is high.

Also, the higher the SI ratio in SPCCI combustion, because the percentage of SI combustion is increased, which is advantageous in suppression of the combustion noise. Lowering the SI rate in SPCCI combustion increases the rate of CI combustion, which is advantageous for improving fuel efficiency.

In the above-described configuration, the SI rate in SPCCI combustion is made higher at high rotation speed than at low rotation speed. Thereby, even if the engine speed is high, the generation of combustion noise can be suppressed.

Furthermore , the SI rate can be adjusted according to the difference between the actual combustion state in the combustion chamber and the target combustion state based on the detection signal of the finger pressure sensor. SPCCI combustion in the combustion chamber can be accurately set to a target combustion state corresponding to the operating state of the engine.

The control device for the compression ignition engine disclosed herein is
An engine configured to ignite the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber;
An injector attached to the engine and configured to inject fuel into the combustion chamber;
A spark plug disposed facing the combustion chamber and configured to ignite an air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber;
A controller connected to each of the injector and the spark plug and configured to operate the engine by outputting a control signal to each of the injector and the spark plug; and
After the ignition plug ignites the air-fuel mixture and combustion starts, the unburned air-fuel mixture burns by self-ignition.

The controller outputs a control signal to the injector so as to perform the pre-stage injection and the post-stage injection at a timing later than the pre-stage injection,
The controller, when the engine is operating at high rotation, to injection timing advance of the succeeding injection than when operating at low rotation, you outputs a control signal to the injector.

The controller outputs a control signal to the injector so that the injection timing of the post-stage injection is advanced at a predetermined change rate in accordance with a change in the rotational speed of the engine,
The controller of the rate of change when the rotational speed of the engine is high, you higher than the rate of change when the rotational speed of the engine is low.

The controller outputs a control signal to the injector so that the injection timing of the post-stage injection is constant even when the rotational speed changes when the rotational speed of the engine is equal to or lower than a predetermined rotational speed,
The controller, when the rotational speed of the engine exceeds the predetermined rotation speed, so that the injection timing of the succeeding injection in accordance speed becomes higher the engine is advanced, you outputs a control signal to the injector.

The controller is such that the injection timing of the succeeding injection does not exceed a predetermined advance-angle limit, it outputs a control signal to the injector.

The control device of the compression ignition engine includes an intake air flow control device attached to the engine and configured to adjust an intake air flow introduced into the combustion chamber,
The controller, when the injection timing of the succeeding injection is the advance-angle limit is such that the intake flow is increased, you outputs a control signal to the intake flow control device.

According to this configuration, the injector receives the control signal from the controller and performs the front-stage injection and the rear-stage injection. Since the fuel injected by the latter stage injection is injected at a relatively late timing, it is difficult to diffuse in the combustion chamber. The fuel injected by the latter-stage injection mainly forms an air-fuel mixture for spark ignition. Since the fuel injected by the pre-stage injection is injected at a relatively early timing, it tends to diffuse in the combustion chamber. The fuel injected by the pre-injection mainly forms a self-ignition mixture.

If the injection timing of the post-injection is advanced, the vaporization time of the fuel injected by the post-injection can be extended. As a result, the unburned amount of the spark-ignition mixture during SI combustion is reduced, and SI combustion of SPCCI combustion can be sufficiently performed. Since the combustion noise of SPCCI combustion is suppressed low, NVH can be suppressed to an allowable value or less when the engine speed is high.

Further , as the engine speed increases, the injection timing of the subsequent injection is advanced at a predetermined rate of change. When the engine speed is high, SI combustion in SPCCI combustion can be sufficiently performed, which is advantageous for suppressing combustion noise. When the engine speed is high, NVH can be kept below an allowable value.

Further, as described above , the SPCCI combustion can absorb the temperature variation in the combustion chamber before the start of compression by adjusting the calorific value of the SI combustion. However, in SPCCI combustion, in order to control the self-ignition timing with high accuracy, the self-ignition timing must be changed in response to changing the ignition timing. According to the study by the present inventors, in the SPCCI combustion, in order for the self-ignition timing to change with respect to the change in the ignition timing, the SI combustion by the flame propagation is rapidly performed until the air-fuel mixture self-ignites. I found it necessary to do it.

When the injection timing of the post-stage injection is late, the SI combustion in the SPCCI combustion becomes rapid due to the flow in the combustion chamber caused by injecting the fuel into the combustion chamber, and the controllability of the self-ignition timing is improved.

When the engine speed is low, the vaporization time is somewhat long, so the controller outputs a control signal to the injector so that the injection timing of the post-injection is constant. This corresponds to the fact that the rate of change in the injection timing of the post-stage injection with respect to the change in the engine speed is zero. By retarding the injection timing of the post-injection, the SI combustion becomes rapid and the controllability of the self-ignition timing is improved.

When the engine speed increases and the vaporization time decreases, the controller outputs a control signal to the injector so that the injection timing of the post-injection advances. This corresponds to the change rate of the injection timing of the post-stage injection exceeding zero with respect to the change in the engine speed. By advancing the injection timing of the post-injection, the vaporization time can be secured, and SI combustion is sufficiently performed to prevent combustion noise from increasing.

Here, if the injection timing of the post-injection is advanced too much, the flow in the combustion chamber caused by injecting fuel into the combustion chamber becomes weak at the ignition timing, and SI combustion in SPCCI combustion becomes slow. The controllability of the self-ignition timing will be reduced.

Therefore, in order to maintain high controllability of the self-ignition timing, the controller outputs a control signal to the injector so that the injection timing of the subsequent injection does not exceed a predetermined advance angle limit. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the control timing of the self-ignition timing from being deteriorated because the injection timing of the post-injection becomes too early.

As described above, if the injection timing of the post-stage injection is limited at the advance angle limit, the suppression effect of the combustion noise due to the advance of the injection timing of the post-stage injection is limited.

Therefore, in the above configuration, when the injection timing of the post-stage injection is limited at the advance angle limit, the intake air flow is strengthened by the intake air flow control device. By doing so, vaporization of the fuel injected by the post-stage injection is promoted, and SI combustion can be performed with a strong flow in the combustion chamber. As a result, SI combustion in SPCCI combustion becomes rapid and unburned is reduced. Even if the injection timing of the post injection is limited at the advance limit, combustion noise can be suppressed.

The controller may output a control signal to the intake air flow control device so that the intake air flow becomes stronger as the engine speed increases.

In this way, when the engine speed is high, SI combustion becomes active due to strong intake air flow, so that combustion noise can be suppressed.

The piston forming part of the combustion chamber is recessed from the upper surface of the piston and has a cavity facing the injector, and the pre-injection is in the squish area outside the cavity during the compression stroke. The fuel may be injected, and the post-injection may inject the fuel into the cavity.

With this configuration, the air-fuel mixture in the cavity undergoes SI combustion. Here, the “region in the cavity” means a region obtained by combining the region from the projection surface obtained by projecting the opening of the cavity onto the roof of the combustion chamber to the opening of the cavity and the region in the cavity. Also good. By injecting the fuel into the cavity, a homogeneous air-fuel mixture is formed in the cavity and the flow of gas in the region within the cavity is strengthened. The spark plug can ignite the air-fuel mixture with high turbulent energy in the region of the cavity. Therefore, since combustion of SI combustion becomes active, combustion noise is suppressed.

The control device for the compression ignition engine disclosed herein is
An engine configured to ignite the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber;
An injector attached to the engine and configured to inject fuel into the combustion chamber;
A spark plug disposed facing the combustion chamber and configured to ignite an air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber;
A controller connected to each of the injector and the spark plug and configured to operate the engine by outputting a control signal to each of the injector and the spark plug; and
After the spark plug ignites the mixture and combustion begins, the unburned mixture burns by self-ignition,
The controller outputs a control signal to the injector so as to perform the pre-stage injection and the post-stage injection at a timing later than the pre-stage injection,
The controller outputs a control signal to the injector so that the injection timing of the post-stage injection is advanced when the engine is operating at a high speed than when the engine is operating at a low speed,
A piston forming a part of the combustion chamber is recessed from an upper surface of the piston and has a cavity facing the injector;
The pre-stage injection injects the fuel into a squish area outside the cavity during the compression stroke, and the post-stage injection injects the fuel into the cavity.

The control device for the compression ignition engine includes a swirl generator that generates a swirl flow in the combustion chamber,
The controller may output a control signal to the swirl generator so as to generate a swirl flow in the combustion chamber regardless of the engine speed.
When the swirl generator generates a swirl flow in the combustion chamber, SI combustion in SPCCI combustion becomes steep. This is advantageous for suppressing combustion noise of SPCCI combustion. In particular, when performing the front-stage injection and the rear-stage injection, the injection timing of the rear-stage injection can be advanced from the advance angle limit. Since it becomes possible to lengthen the vaporization time of the fuel injected by the post-injection, the generation of unburned fuel and soot can be suppressed. In other words, regardless of the engine speed, generating a swirl flow in the combustion chamber is advantageous for improving the exhaust emission performance of the engine.

When the fuel injection timing is high at least in the maximum rotation speed region of the operating region where the unburned mixture burns by self-ignition after the ignition plug ignites the mixture and combustion starts. A control signal may be output to the injector so as to advance more than during low rotation.
As described above, when a swirl flow is generated in the combustion chamber, the injection timing of the latter-stage injection can be advanced from the advance angle limit. Accordingly, in the configuration in which the injection timing of the post-stage injection is advanced when the engine speed is high, the post-stage injection is advanced even when the engine speed is in the maximum speed range of the SPCCI combustion region. It becomes possible. It is advantageous for improving the exhaust emission performance of the engine.

  As explained above, according to the control device for the compression ignition type engine, the fuel injection timing is advanced at high revolutions more than at low revolutions, so that SI combustion is sufficiently performed at high revolutions. Combustion noise of SPCCI combustion can be suppressed.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an engine. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the combustion chamber, in which the upper diagram is a plan view equivalent view of the combustion chamber, and the lower portion is a II-II cross-sectional view. FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating the configuration of the combustion chamber and the intake system. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the engine control apparatus. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a rig testing apparatus for swirl ratio measurement. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the opening ratio of the secondary passage and the swirl ratio. FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating an engine operation region map. FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating an engine operation region map. FIG. 7C is a diagram illustrating an engine operation region map. The upper diagram of FIG. 8 is a diagram conceptually showing a change in the heat generation rate of SPCCI combustion combining SI combustion and CI combustion, and the middle diagram is a diagram for explaining the definition of SI rate in SPCCI combustion. The lower diagram is a diagram for explaining another definition of the SI rate in SPCCI combustion. FIG. 9 shows changes in the SI rate, changes in the state quantity in the combustion chamber, changes in the overlap period of the intake valve and the exhaust valve, and changes in the fuel injection timing and ignition timing with respect to the engine load. It is a figure explaining. The upper diagram of FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a change in the combustion waveform with respect to an increase in engine load in non-supercharged SPCCI combustion, and the lower diagram of FIG. 10 is an increase in engine load in supercharged SPCCI combustion. It is a figure which illustrates the change of the combustion waveform with respect to doing. The upper diagram of FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the engine speed and the post-injection rate in the operation region where SPCCI combustion is performed, and the lower diagram of FIG. It is a figure which shows another example of the relationship between a rotation speed and a back | latter stage injection rate. The upper diagram of FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the engine speed and the post-injection timing in the operation region where SPCCI combustion is performed, and the lower diagram of FIG. It is a figure which shows another example of the relationship between a rotation speed and post injection timing. The upper diagram in FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the engine speed and the opening of the swirl control valve in the operation region in which the SPCCI combustion is performed in the operation region map in FIG. 7A. The lower diagram in FIG. It is a figure which shows another example of the relationship between an engine speed and the opening degree of a swirl control valve in the driving | operation area | region which performs SPCCI combustion of the driving | operation area | region map of FIG. 7C. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between the engine speed and the SI rate in an operation region in which SPCCI combustion is performed. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a procedure of engine control executed by the ECU. FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining a control concept related to adjustment of the SI rate. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating fuel injection timing, ignition timing, and combustion waveform in each operation state in the operation region map shown in FIG. 7C. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the engine speed and the rear injection rate in the operation region map shown in FIG. 7C, and the lower diagram in FIG. 18 shows the relationship between the engine speed and the rear injection rate. It is a figure which shows another example. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the engine speed and the post-injection timing in the operation region map shown in FIG. 7C, and the lower diagram in FIG. 19 shows the relationship between the engine speed and the post-injection timing. It is a figure which shows another example. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating another example of the engine operation region map. FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating combustion waveforms in the respective operation states shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a control device for a compression ignition engine will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The following description is an example of a control device for a compression ignition engine. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a compression ignition engine. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the combustion chamber. The upper diagram of FIG. 2 is a plan view equivalent view of the combustion chamber, and the lower portion is a II-II cross-sectional diagram. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the combustion chamber and the intake system. In FIG. 1, the intake side is the left side of the drawing, and the exhaust side is the right side of the drawing. 2 and 3, the intake side is the right side of the drawing, and the exhaust side is the left side of the drawing. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a control device for a compression ignition engine.

  The engine 1 is a four-stroke engine that operates when the combustion chamber 17 repeats an intake stroke, a compression stroke, an expansion stroke, and an exhaust stroke. The engine 1 is mounted on a four-wheeled vehicle. The vehicle travels when the engine 1 is driven. The fuel of the engine 1 is gasoline in this configuration example. The fuel may be gasoline containing bioethanol or the like. The fuel of the engine 1 may be any fuel as long as it is a liquid fuel containing at least gasoline.

(Engine configuration)
The engine 1 includes a cylinder block 12 and a cylinder head 13 placed on the cylinder block 12. A plurality of cylinders 11 are formed inside the cylinder block 12. 1 and 2, only one cylinder 11 is shown. The engine 1 is a multi-cylinder engine.

  A piston 3 is slidably inserted in each cylinder 11. The piston 3 is connected to the crankshaft 15 via a connecting rod 14. The piston 3 defines a combustion chamber 17 together with the cylinder 11 and the cylinder head 13. The “combustion chamber” is not limited to the meaning of the space formed when the piston 3 reaches compression top dead center. The term “combustion chamber” may be used in a broad sense. That is, the “combustion chamber” may mean a space formed by the piston 3, the cylinder 11, and the cylinder head 13 regardless of the position of the piston 3.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the lower surface of the cylinder head 13, that is, the ceiling surface of the combustion chamber 17 is composed of an inclined surface 1311 and an inclined surface 1312. The inclined surface 1311 has an upward slope from the intake side toward an injection axis X2 of an injector 6 described later. The inclined surface 1312 has an upward slope from the exhaust side toward the injection axis X2. The ceiling surface of the combustion chamber 17 has a so-called pent roof shape.

  The upper surface of the piston 3 is raised toward the ceiling surface of the combustion chamber 17. A cavity 31 is formed on the upper surface of the piston 3. The cavity 31 is recessed from the upper surface of the piston 3. The cavity 31 has a shallow dish shape. The cavity 31 faces an injector 6 described later when the piston 3 is positioned near the compression top dead center.

  The center of the cavity 31 is shifted to the exhaust side with respect to the center axis X <b> 1 of the cylinder 11. The center of the cavity 31 coincides with the injection axis X2 of the injector 6. The cavity 31 has a convex portion 311. The convex portion 311 is provided on the injection axis X <b> 2 of the injector 6. The convex part 311 is substantially conical. The convex portion 311 extends upward from the bottom of the cavity 31 toward the ceiling surface of the cylinder 11.

  The cavity 31 also has a concave portion 312 provided around the convex portion 311. The recessed portion 312 is provided so as to surround the entire circumference of the protruding portion 311. The cavity 31 has a symmetrical shape with respect to the injection axis X2.

  The peripheral side surface of the recessed portion 312 is inclined with respect to the injection axis X2 from the bottom surface of the cavity 31 toward the opening of the cavity 31. The inner diameter of the cavity 31 in the recessed portion 312 gradually increases from the bottom of the cavity 31 toward the opening of the cavity 31.

  The shape of the combustion chamber 17 is not limited to the shape illustrated in FIG. For example, the shape of the cavity 31, the shape of the upper surface of the piston 3, the shape of the ceiling surface of the combustion chamber 17, and the like can be changed as appropriate. For example, the depth of the recessed portion 312 outside the cylinder may be reduced. In this case, the EGR gas around the spark plug 25 described later is reduced, and the flame propagation of SI combustion in the SPCCI combustion described later is improved. Further, the convex portion 311 in the cavity 31 may not be provided.

  The geometric compression ratio of the engine 1 is set high for the purpose of improving the theoretical thermal efficiency and stabilizing the CI (Compression Ignition) combustion described later. Specifically, the geometric compression ratio of the engine 1 is 14 or more. The geometric compression ratio may be 18, for example. The geometric compression ratio may be set as appropriate in the range of 14 to 20.

  An intake port 18 is formed in the cylinder head 13 for each cylinder 11. As shown in FIG. 3, the intake port 18 has two intake ports, a first intake port 181 and a second intake port 182. The first intake port 181 and the second intake port 182 are aligned in the axial direction of the crankshaft 15, that is, the front-rear direction of the engine 1. The intake port 18 communicates with the combustion chamber 17. Although not shown in detail, the intake port 18 is a so-called tumble port. That is, the intake port 18 has such a shape that a tumble flow is formed in the combustion chamber 17.

  An intake valve 21 is disposed in the intake port 18. The intake valve 21 opens and closes between the combustion chamber 17 and the intake port 18. The intake valve 21 is opened and closed at a predetermined timing by a valve operating mechanism. The valve mechanism may be a variable valve mechanism that varies valve timing and / or valve lift. In this configuration example, as shown in FIG. 4, the variable valve mechanism has an intake electric S-VT (Sequential-Valve Timing) 23. The intake motor S-VT 23 is configured to continuously change the rotation phase of the intake camshaft within a predetermined angle range. Thereby, the valve opening timing and the valve closing timing of the intake valve 21 are continuously changed. The intake valve mechanism may have a hydraulic S-VT instead of the electric S-VT.

  The cylinder head 13 is also provided with an exhaust port 19 for each cylinder 11. The exhaust port 19 also has two exhaust ports, a first exhaust port 191 and a second exhaust port 192, as shown in FIG. The first exhaust port 191 and the second exhaust port 192 are arranged in the front-rear direction of the engine 1. The exhaust port 19 communicates with the combustion chamber 17.

  An exhaust valve 22 is disposed in the exhaust port 19. The exhaust valve 22 opens and closes between the combustion chamber 17 and the exhaust port 19. The exhaust valve 22 is opened and closed at a predetermined timing by a valve mechanism. The valve mechanism may be a variable valve mechanism that varies valve timing and / or valve lift. In this configuration example, as shown in FIG. 4, the variable valve mechanism has an exhaust electric S-VT 24. The exhaust electric S-VT 24 is configured to continuously change the rotation phase of the exhaust camshaft within a predetermined angle range. Thereby, the valve opening timing and the valve closing timing of the exhaust valve 22 continuously change. The exhaust valve mechanism may have a hydraulic S-VT instead of the electric S-VT.

  Although details will be described later, the engine 1 adjusts the length of the overlap period related to the opening timing of the intake valve 21 and the closing timing of the exhaust valve 22 by the intake electric S-VT 23 and the exhaust electric S-VT 24. To do. As a result, the residual gas in the combustion chamber 17 is scavenged. Further, by adjusting the length of the overlap period, an internal EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) gas is introduced into the combustion chamber 17 or confined in the combustion chamber 17. In this configuration example, the intake electric S-VT 23 and the exhaust electric S-VT 24 constitute an internal EGR system as one of the state quantity setting devices. Note that the internal EGR system is not necessarily configured by S-VT.

  An injector 6 is attached to the cylinder head 13 for each cylinder 11. The injector 6 is configured to inject fuel directly into the combustion chamber 17. The injector 6 is disposed in a valley portion of the pent roof where the intake-side inclined surface 1311 and the exhaust-side inclined surface 1312 intersect. As shown in FIG. 2, the injector 6 has an injection axis X <b> 2 disposed on the exhaust side of the center axis X <b> 1 of the cylinder 11. The injection axis X2 of the injector 6 is parallel to the central axis X1. As described above, the injection axis X2 of the injector 6 coincides with the position of the convex portion 311 of the cavity 31. The injector 6 faces the cavity 31. The injection axis X2 of the injector 6 may coincide with the center axis X1 of the cylinder 11. Also in that case, it is desirable that the injection axis X2 of the injector 6 and the position of the convex portion 311 of the cavity 31 coincide.

  Although not shown in detail, the injector 6 is constituted by a multi-injection type fuel injection valve having a plurality of injection holes. The injector 6 injects the fuel so that the fuel spray spreads radially from the center of the combustion chamber 17 as indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. In the present configuration example, the injector 6 has ten nozzle holes, and the nozzle holes are arranged at equal angles in the circumferential direction. As shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 2, the axis of the nozzle hole is displaced in the circumferential direction with respect to a spark plug 25 described later. That is, the spark plug 25 is sandwiched between the shafts of two adjacent nozzle holes. Thereby, it is avoided that the spray of the fuel injected from the injector 6 directly hits the spark plug 25 and wets the electrode.

  As will be described later, the injector 6 may inject fuel at the timing when the piston 3 is positioned near the compression top dead center. In that case, when the injector 6 injects the fuel, the fuel spray flows downward along the convex portion 311 of the cavity 31 while mixing with fresh air, and along the bottom surface and the peripheral side surface of the concave portion 312, the combustion chamber. From the center of 17, it spreads radially outward in the radial direction. Thereafter, the air-fuel mixture reaches the opening of the cavity 31 and flows from the radially outer side toward the center of the combustion chamber 17 along the inclined surface 1311 on the intake side and the inclined surface 1312 on the exhaust side.

  The injector 6 is not limited to a multi-hole injector. The injector 6 may employ an external valve opening type injector.

  A fuel supply system 61 is connected to the injector 6. The fuel supply system 61 includes a fuel tank 63 configured to store fuel, and a fuel supply path 62 that connects the fuel tank 63 and the injector 6 to each other. A fuel pump 65 and a common rail 64 are interposed in the fuel supply path 62. The fuel pump 65 pumps fuel to the common rail 64. In this configuration example, the fuel pump 65 is a plunger-type pump driven by the crankshaft 15. The common rail 64 is configured to store the fuel pumped from the fuel pump 65 at a high fuel pressure. When the injector 6 is opened, the fuel stored in the common rail 64 is injected into the combustion chamber 17 from the injection port of the injector 6. The fuel supply system 61 is configured to be able to supply high pressure fuel of 30 MPa or more to the injector 6. The maximum fuel pressure of the fuel supply system 61 may be about 120 MPa, for example. The pressure of the fuel supplied to the injector 6 may be changed according to the operating state of the engine 1. The configuration of the fuel supply system 61 is not limited to the above configuration.

  A spark plug 25 is attached to the cylinder head 13 for each cylinder 11. The spark plug 25 forcibly ignites the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber 17. In this configuration example, the spark plug 25 is disposed closer to the intake side than the center axis X1 of the cylinder 11. The spark plug 25 is located between the two intake ports 18. The spark plug 25 is attached to the cylinder head 13 so as to be inclined from the top to the bottom toward the center of the combustion chamber 17. As shown in FIG. 2, the electrode of the spark plug 25 faces the combustion chamber 17 and is located near the ceiling surface of the combustion chamber 17. The arrangement position of the spark plug 25 is not limited to the configuration example of FIG. The spark plug 25 may be disposed on the exhaust side of the center axis X1 of the cylinder 11. Further, the spark plug 25 may be disposed on the central axis X1 of the cylinder 11, and the injector 6 may be disposed on the intake side or the exhaust side with respect to the central axis X1.

  An intake passage 40 is connected to one side of the engine 1. The intake passage 40 communicates with the intake port 18 of each cylinder 11. The intake passage 40 is a passage through which gas introduced into the combustion chamber 17 flows. An air cleaner 41 that filters fresh air is disposed at the upstream end of the intake passage 40. A surge tank 42 is disposed near the downstream end of the intake passage 40. Although the detailed illustration is omitted, the intake passage 40 downstream of the surge tank 42 constitutes an independent passage branched for each cylinder 11. The downstream end of the independent passage is connected to the intake port 18 of each cylinder 11.

  A throttle valve 43 is disposed between the air cleaner 41 and the surge tank 42 in the intake passage 40. The throttle valve 43 is configured to adjust the amount of fresh air introduced into the combustion chamber 17 by adjusting the opening of the valve. The throttle valve 43 constitutes one of state quantity setting devices.

  A supercharger 44 is also arranged in the intake passage 40 downstream of the throttle valve 43. The supercharger 44 is configured to supercharge the gas introduced into the combustion chamber 17. In this configuration example, the supercharger 44 is a mechanical supercharger driven by the engine 1. The mechanical supercharger 44 may be, for example, a roots type. The configuration of the mechanical supercharger 44 may be any configuration. The mechanical supercharger 44 may be a Rishorum type, a vane type, or a centrifugal type. The supercharger may be an electric supercharger or a turbocharger driven by exhaust energy.

  An electromagnetic clutch 45 is interposed between the supercharger 44 and the engine 1. The electromagnetic clutch 45 transmits a driving force from the engine 1 to the supercharger 44 between the supercharger 44 and the engine 1 or interrupts the transmission of the driving force. As will be described later, when the ECU 10 switches between disconnection and connection of the electromagnetic clutch 45, the supercharger 44 is switched on and off. That is, in the engine 1, the supercharger 44 can switch between supercharging the gas introduced into the combustion chamber 17 and the supercharger 44 not supercharging the gas introduced into the combustion chamber 17. It is configured to be able to.

  An intercooler 46 is disposed downstream of the supercharger 44 in the intake passage 40. The intercooler 46 is configured to cool the gas compressed in the supercharger 44. The intercooler 46 may be configured to be, for example, a water cooling type.

  A bypass passage 47 is connected to the intake passage 40. The bypass passage 47 connects the upstream portion of the supercharger 44 and the downstream portion of the intercooler 46 in the intake passage 40 so as to bypass the supercharger 44 and the intercooler 46. More specifically, the bypass passage 47 is connected to the surge tank 42. An air bypass valve 48 is disposed in the bypass passage 47. The air bypass valve 48 adjusts the flow rate of the gas flowing through the bypass passage 47.

  When the supercharger 44 is turned off (that is, when the electromagnetic clutch 45 is disconnected), the air bypass valve 48 is fully opened. As a result, the gas flowing through the intake passage 40 bypasses the supercharger 44 and is introduced into the combustion chamber 17 of the engine 1. The engine 1 is operated in a non-supercharged state, that is, in a natural intake state.

  When the supercharger 44 is turned on (that is, when the electromagnetic clutch 45 is connected), part of the gas that has passed through the supercharger 44 flows back upstream of the supercharger 44 through the bypass passage 47. To do. Since the reverse flow rate can be adjusted by adjusting the opening degree of the air bypass valve 48, the supercharging pressure of the gas introduced into the combustion chamber 17 can be adjusted. Note that supercharging is defined as when the pressure in the surge tank 42 exceeds atmospheric pressure, and non-supercharging is defined as when the pressure in the surge tank 42 is below atmospheric pressure. Also good. In this configuration example, the supercharger 44, the bypass passage 47, and the air bypass valve 48 constitute a supercharging system 49. The air bypass valve 48 constitutes one of state quantity setting devices.

  The engine 1 has a swirl generator that generates a swirl flow in the combustion chamber 17. The swirl generator is an example of an intake flow control device. In this configuration example, the swirl generator is a swirl control valve 56 attached to the intake passage 40 as shown in FIG. The swirl control valve 56 is disposed in the secondary passage 402 of the primary passage 401 connected to the first intake port 181 and the secondary passage 402 connected to the second intake port 182. The swirl control valve 56 is an opening adjustment valve that can narrow the cross section of the secondary passage. When the opening of the swirl control valve 56 is small, the intake air flow rate flowing into the combustion chamber 17 from the first intake port 181 among the first intake port 181 and the second intake port 182 aligned in the front-rear direction of the engine 1 is relatively. And the intake flow rate flowing into the combustion chamber 17 from the second intake port 182 relatively decreases, so that the swirl flow in the combustion chamber 17 becomes stronger. When the opening of the swirl control valve 56 is large, the intake flow rate flowing into the combustion chamber 17 from each of the first intake port 181 and the second intake port 182 becomes substantially uniform, so the swirl flow in the combustion chamber 17 is weak. Become. When the swirl control valve 56 is fully opened, no swirl flow is generated. The swirl flow circulates in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 3 as indicated by the white arrow (see also the white arrow in FIG. 2).

  The swirl generating unit shifts the valve opening periods of the two intake valves 21 instead of attaching the swirl control valve 56 to the intake passage 40 or in addition to attaching the swirl control valve 56, so that one of the intake valves 21 Alternatively, a configuration in which intake air can be introduced into the combustion chamber 17 from only the above may be employed. Since only one of the two intake valves 21 is opened, intake air is unevenly introduced into the combustion chamber 17, so that a swirl flow can be generated in the combustion chamber 17. . Further, the swirl generator may be configured to generate a swirl flow in the combustion chamber 17 by devising the shape of the intake port 18.

  Here, the strength of the swirl flow in the combustion chamber 17 is defined. In this configuration example, the strength of the swirl flow in the combustion chamber 17 is represented by “swirl ratio”. The “swirl ratio” can be defined as a value obtained by dividing a value obtained by measuring and integrating the intake-flow lateral angular velocity for each valve lift by the engine angular velocity. The intake flow lateral angular velocity can be obtained based on the measurement using the rig testing apparatus shown in FIG. That is, in the apparatus shown in the figure, the cylinder head 13 is installed upside down on the base, and the intake port 18 is connected to an intake air supply device (not shown), while the cylinder 36 is installed on the cylinder head 13. At the same time, an impulse meter 38 having a honeycomb rotor 37 is connected to the upper end thereof. The lower surface of the impulse meter 38 is positioned at a position of 1.75 D (D is a cylinder bore diameter) from the mating surface of the cylinder head 13 and the cylinder block. Torque acting on the honeycomb-like rotor 37 is measured by an impulse meter 38 by a swirl (see an arrow in FIG. 5) generated in the cylinder 36 in response to the intake air supply, and based on this, the intake air flow lateral angular velocity can be obtained. .

  FIG. 6 shows the relationship between the opening of the swirl control valve 56 and the swirl ratio in the engine 1. FIG. 6 shows the opening degree of the swirl control valve 56 by the opening ratio with respect to the fully open section of the secondary passage 402. When the swirl control valve 56 is fully closed, the opening ratio of the secondary passage 402 becomes 0%, and when the opening of the swirl control valve 56 increases, the opening ratio of the secondary passage 402 becomes larger than 0%. When the swirl control valve 56 is fully open, the opening ratio of the secondary passage 402 is 100%. As illustrated in FIG. 6, in the engine 1, the swirl ratio becomes about 6 when the swirl control valve 56 is fully closed. If the swirl ratio is 4 or more, the opening degree of the swirl control valve 56 may be adjusted in a range where the opening ratio is 0 to 15%. Further, if the swirl ratio is set to about 1.5 to 3, the opening degree of the swirl control valve 56 may be adjusted in a range where the opening ratio is about 25 to 40%.

  An exhaust passage 50 is connected to the other side of the engine 1. The exhaust passage 50 communicates with the exhaust port 19 of each cylinder 11. The exhaust passage 50 is a passage through which exhaust gas discharged from the combustion chamber 17 flows. Although the detailed illustration is omitted, the upstream portion of the exhaust passage 50 constitutes an independent passage branched for each cylinder 11. The upstream end of the independent passage is connected to the exhaust port 19 of each cylinder 11.

  An exhaust gas purification system having one or more catalytic converters is disposed in the exhaust passage 50. The exhaust gas purification system has two catalytic converters in this configuration example. The upstream catalytic converter is disposed in the engine room. The upstream catalytic converter includes a three-way catalyst 511 and a GPF (Gasoline Particulate Filter) 512. The downstream catalytic converter is disposed outside the engine room. The downstream catalytic converter has a three-way catalyst 513. The exhaust gas purification system is not limited to the configuration shown in the figure. For example, GPF may be omitted. Further, the catalytic converter is not limited to one having a three-way catalyst. Furthermore, the arrangement order of the three-way catalyst and the GPF may be changed as appropriate.

  An EGR passage 52 constituting an external EGR system is connected between the intake passage 40 and the exhaust passage 50. The EGR passage 52 is a passage for returning a part of burned gas to the intake passage 40. The upstream end of the EGR passage 52 is connected between the upstream catalytic converter and the downstream catalytic converter in the exhaust passage 50. The downstream end of the EGR passage 52 is connected to the upstream side of the supercharger 44 in the intake passage 40. More specifically, the downstream end of the EGR passage 52 is connected in the middle of the bypass passage 47. The EGR gas flowing through the EGR passage 52 does not pass through the air bypass valve 48 of the bypass passage 47 and enters the upstream of the supercharger 44 in the intake passage 40.

  A water-cooled EGR cooler 53 is disposed in the EGR passage 52. The EGR cooler 53 is configured to cool the burned gas. An EGR valve 54 is also disposed in the EGR passage 52. The EGR valve 54 is configured to adjust the flow rate of burnt gas flowing through the EGR passage 52. By adjusting the opening degree of the EGR valve 54, the recirculation amount of the cooled burned gas, that is, the external EGR gas can be adjusted.

  In this configuration example, the EGR system 55 includes an external EGR system configured to include an EGR passage 52 and an EGR valve 54, and an internal configuration configured to include the above-described intake electric S-VT 23 and exhaust electric S-VT 24. And an EGR system. The EGR valve 54 also constitutes one of the state quantity setting devices. In the external EGR system, the EGR passage 52 is connected downstream of the catalytic converter and has an EGR cooler 53, so that burned gas having a temperature lower than that of the internal EGR system is supplied to the combustion chamber 17. Can do.

  The control device for the compression ignition engine includes an ECU (Engine Control Unit) 10 for operating the engine 1. The ECU 10 is a controller based on a well-known microcomputer. The ECU 10 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 101 that executes a program, a memory 102 that includes, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory), and stores programs and data. And an input / output bus 103 for inputting and outputting signals. The ECU 10 is an example of a controller.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, various sensors SW <b> 1 to SW <b> 16 are connected to the ECU 10. Sensors SW1-SW16 output a detection signal to ECU10. The sensors include the following sensors.

That is, the air flow sensor SW1 that is disposed downstream of the air cleaner 41 in the intake passage 40 and detects the flow rate of fresh air flowing through the intake passage 40, the first intake temperature sensor SW2 that detects the temperature of fresh air, and the intake passage 40, the first pressure sensor SW3 that is disposed downstream of the connection position of the EGR passage 52 and upstream of the supercharger 44 and detects the pressure of the gas flowing into the supercharger 44, and supercharging in the intake passage 40 The second intake air temperature sensor SW4, which is disposed downstream of the machine 44 and upstream of the connection position of the bypass passage 47 and detects the temperature of the gas flowing out from the supercharger 44, is attached to the surge tank 42, and A second pressure sensor SW5 for detecting the pressure of the gas downstream of the feeder 44, attached to the cylinder head 13 corresponding to each cylinder 11, and each A finger pressure sensor SW6 that detects the pressure in the firing chamber 17, an exhaust temperature sensor SW7 that is disposed in the exhaust passage 50 and detects the temperature of the exhaust gas discharged from the combustion chamber 17, and is upstream of the upstream catalytic converter in the exhaust passage 50. And a linear O ₂ sensor SW8 that detects the oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas, and a lambda O ₂ sensor SW9 that is arranged downstream of the three-way catalyst 511 in the upstream catalytic converter and detects the oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas. A water temperature sensor SW10 that is attached to the engine 1 and detects the temperature of the cooling water, a crank angle sensor SW11 that is attached to the engine 1 and detects the rotation angle of the crankshaft 15, an accelerator pedal mechanism, and an accelerator pedal Accelerator opening sensor SW1 for detecting the accelerator opening corresponding to the operation amount 2. An intake cam angle sensor SW13 that is attached to the engine 1 and detects the rotation angle of the intake camshaft, an exhaust cam angle sensor SW14 that is attached to the engine 1 and detects the rotation angle of the exhaust camshaft, and the EGR passage 52 An EGR differential pressure sensor SW15 that is disposed and detects the differential pressure upstream and downstream of the EGR valve 54, and a fuel pressure sensor that is attached to the common rail 64 of the fuel supply system 61 and detects the pressure of the fuel supplied to the injector 6 SW16.

  The ECU 10 determines the operating state of the engine 1 based on these detection signals and calculates the control amount of each device. The ECU 100 sends control signals relating to the calculated control amount to the injector 6, spark plug 25, intake electric S-VT 23, exhaust electric S-VT 24, fuel supply system 61, throttle valve 43, EGR valve 54, supercharger 44. Output to the electromagnetic clutch 45, the air bypass valve 48, and the swirl control valve 56.

  For example, the ECU 10 sets the target torque of the engine 1 and determines the target boost pressure based on the detection signal of the accelerator opening sensor SW12 and a preset map. Then, the ECU 10 adjusts the opening degree of the air bypass valve 48 based on the target supercharging pressure and the differential pressure across the supercharger 44 obtained from the detection signals of the first pressure sensor SW3 and the second pressure sensor SW5. Thus, feedback control is performed so that the supercharging pressure becomes the target supercharging pressure.

  Further, the ECU 10 sets a target EGR rate (that is, a ratio of EGR gas to all gases in the combustion chamber 17) based on the operating state of the engine 1 and a preset map. The ECU 10 determines the target EGR gas amount based on the target EGR rate and the intake air amount based on the detection signal of the accelerator opening sensor SW12, and before and after the EGR valve 54 obtained from the detection signal of the EGR differential pressure sensor SW15. By adjusting the opening degree of the EGR valve 54 based on the differential pressure, feedback control is performed so that the external EGR gas amount introduced into the combustion chamber 17 becomes the target EGR gas amount.

Further, the ECU 10 executes air-fuel ratio feedback control when a predetermined control condition is satisfied. Specifically, the ECU 10 controls the fuel of the injector 6 so that the air-fuel ratio of the air-fuel mixture becomes a desired value based on the oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas detected by the linear O ₂ sensor SW8 and the lambda O ₂ sensor SW9. Adjust the injection amount.

  Details of other controls of the engine 1 by the ECU 10 will be described later.

(First configuration example of engine operating region map)
FIG. 7A shows a first configuration example of the operation region map of the engine 1. The operation region map 700 of the engine 1 is determined by the load and the rotational speed. The operation area map 700 is roughly divided into four areas for the load level and the rotational speed level. Specifically, the four regions are a low load region (A) including idle operation, a high load region (C) including a fully open load, and a low load region (A) and a high load region (C). It is a high rotation area (D) having a higher rotational speed than the intermediate load area (B), the low load area (A), the intermediate load area (B), and the high load area (C). In the high speed region (D), the engine 1 injects fuel into the combustion chamber 17 during the intake stroke, and performs SI (Spark Ignition) combustion by spark ignition.

  Further, the engine 1 performs combustion by compression self-ignition in the medium load region (B) mainly for the purpose of improving fuel consumption and exhaust gas performance. Hereinafter, the combustion modes in each of the low load region (A), the medium load region (B), and the high load region (C) will be described in detail.

(Low load area)
The combustion mode when the operating state of the engine 1 is in the low load region (A) is SI combustion in which the air-fuel mixture is combusted by flame propagation when the spark plug 25 ignites the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber 17. . This is because priority is given to ensuring combustion stability. Hereinafter, the combustion mode in the low load region (A) may be referred to as low load SI combustion.

  When the operating state of the engine 1 is in the low load region (A), the air-fuel ratio (A / F) of the air-fuel mixture is the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio (A / F≈14.7). In the following description, the air-fuel ratio of the air-fuel mixture, the excess air ratio λ, and G / F mean values at the ignition timing. When the air-fuel ratio of the air-fuel mixture is set to the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio, the three-way catalyst can purify the exhaust gas discharged from the combustion chamber 17, so that the exhaust gas performance of the engine 1 becomes good. The A / F of the air-fuel mixture may be set within the purification window of the three-way catalyst. Therefore, the excess air ratio λ of the air-fuel mixture may be set to 1.0 ± 0.2.

  In order to improve the fuel economy performance of the engine 1, the EGR system 55 introduces EGR gas into the combustion chamber 17 when the operating state of the engine 1 is in the low load region (A). The G / F of the air-fuel mixture, that is, the mass ratio of the total gas and fuel in the combustion chamber 17 is set to 18 or more and 30 or less. The mixture is EGR lean. The dilution ratio of the mixture is high. If the G / F of the air-fuel mixture is set to 25, for example, SI combustion can be stably performed in the low load region (A) without the air-fuel mixture reaching self-ignition. In the low load region (A), the G / F of the air-fuel mixture is maintained substantially constant regardless of the load level of the engine 1. By doing so, SI combustion is stabilized throughout the low load region. Further, the fuel efficiency of the engine 1 is improved and the exhaust gas performance is improved.

  When the operating state of the engine 1 is in the low load region (A), since the amount of fuel is small, to set the λ of the air-fuel mixture to 1.0 ± 0.2 and G / F to 18 or more and 30 or less, The filling amount of the gas introduced into the combustion chamber 17 must be less than 100%. Specifically, the engine 1 executes throttling for adjusting the opening degree of the throttle valve 43 and / or a mirror cycle for delaying the closing timing of the intake valve 21 after the intake bottom dead center.

  In the low load region (A), in the low load and low speed region, the combustion temperature of the air-fuel mixture and the exhaust gas temperature may be increased by further reducing the gas filling amount. This is advantageous for maintaining the catalytic converter in an active state.

(Medium load area)
When the operating state of the engine 1 is in the medium load region (B), the fuel injection amount increases. Since the temperature of the combustion chamber 17 becomes high, it becomes possible to perform self-ignition stably. In order to improve fuel consumption and exhaust gas performance, the engine 1 performs CI combustion in the medium load region (B).

  In the combustion by self-ignition, when the temperature in the combustion chamber 17 before the start of compression varies, the timing of self-ignition greatly changes. Therefore, the engine 1 performs SPCCI combustion combining SI combustion and CI combustion in the medium load region (B). In SPCCI combustion, the spark plug 25 forcibly ignites the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber 17 so that the air-fuel mixture burns by flame propagation, and the temperature in the combustion chamber 17 increases due to the heat generated by SI combustion. By becoming higher, the unburned mixture is burned by self-ignition. By adjusting the calorific value of the SI combustion, the temperature variation in the combustion chamber 17 before the start of compression can be absorbed. Even if the temperature in the combustion chamber 17 before the start of compression varies, for example, if the start timing of SI combustion is adjusted by adjusting the ignition timing, the unburned mixture can be self-ignited at the target timing.

  In SPCCI combustion, in order to control the self-ignition timing with high accuracy, the self-ignition timing must be changed in response to changing the ignition timing. It is preferable that the sensitivity at which the self-ignition timing changes is high with respect to the change in the ignition timing.

According to the study by the present inventors, if the G / F of the air-fuel mixture is 18 or more and 30 or less, SPCCI combustion can be performed stably, and the timing of self-ignition changes with respect to the change of the ignition timing. I found out that Therefore, when the operating state of the engine 1 is in the medium load region (B), the engine 1 is in a state in the combustion chamber 17 where the λ of the mixture is 1.0 ± 0.2 and the G of the mixture is / F is 18 or more and 30 or less. The required temperature Tig in the combustion chamber 17 at the ignition timing is 570 to 800 K, the required pressure Pig in the combustion chamber 17 at the ignition timing is 400 to 920 kPa, and the turbulent energy in the combustion chamber 17 is 17 ˜40 m ² / s ² .

  By accurately controlling the timing of self-ignition in SPCCI combustion, an increase in combustion noise can be avoided when the operating state of the engine 1 is in the medium load region (B). Further, by performing the CI combustion with the dilution ratio of the air-fuel mixture as high as possible, the fuel efficiency performance of the engine 1 can be enhanced. Furthermore, by setting λ of the air-fuel mixture to 1.0 ± 0.2, it becomes possible to purify the exhaust gas by the three-way catalyst, so that the exhaust gas performance of the engine 1 becomes good.

  As described above, in the low load region (A), the G / F of the air-fuel mixture is set to 18 to 30 (for example, 25), and λ of the air-fuel mixture is set to 1.0 ± 0.2. The state quantity in the combustion chamber 17 does not fluctuate greatly between when the operating state of the engine 1 is in the low load region (A) and when it is in the medium load region (B). Therefore, the robustness of the control of the engine 1 against the change in the load of the engine 1 is enhanced.

  When the operating state of the engine 1 is in the medium load region (B), the amount of fuel increases unlike in the low load region (A), so the filling amount of the gas introduced into the combustion chamber 17 is adjusted. There is no need to do. The opening degree of the throttle valve 43 is fully open.

  When the load of the engine 1 is increased and the fuel amount is further increased, the natural intake of the air intake can be reduced by setting the λ of the mixture to 1.0 ± 0.2 and the G / F of the mixture to 18 to 30. If so, the amount of gas introduced into the combustion chamber 17 is insufficient. Therefore, the supercharger 44 supercharges the gas introduced into the combustion chamber 17 in a region where the load is higher than the predetermined load in the medium load region (B). The medium load region (B) is a region that is higher than the predetermined load, and is a first medium load region (B1) that performs supercharging, and a region that is below the predetermined load and that does not perform supercharging. It is divided into a medium load region (B2). The predetermined load is, for example, a ½ load. The second medium load region (B2) is a region having a lower load than the first medium load region (B1). Hereinafter, the combustion mode in the first medium load region (B1) may be referred to as supercharging SPCCI combustion, and the combustion mode in the second medium load region (B2) may be referred to as non-supercharging SPCCI combustion.

  In the second medium load region (B2) where supercharging is not performed, as the amount of fuel increases, new air introduced into the combustion chamber 17 increases while EGR gas decreases. The G / F of the air-fuel mixture decreases as the load on the engine 1 increases. Since the opening of the throttle valve 43 is fully opened, the engine 1 adjusts the amount of fresh air introduced into the combustion chamber 17 by adjusting the amount of EGR gas introduced into the combustion chamber 17. . In the second intermediate load region (B2), for example, the state quantity in the combustion chamber 17 is substantially constant when λ of the air-fuel mixture is 1.0, while the G / F of the air-fuel mixture is changed within the range of 25 to 28. The

  In contrast, in the first medium load region (B1) where supercharging is performed, the engine 1 increases both fresh air and EGR gas introduced into the combustion chamber 17 as the amount of fuel increases. The G / F of the air-fuel mixture is substantially constant even when the load on the engine 1 increases. In the first medium load region (B1), the state quantity in the combustion chamber 17 is, for example, λ of the air-fuel mixture becomes substantially constant at 1.0, and G / F of the air-fuel mixture is constant at 25.

(High load area)
The combustion mode when the operating state of the engine 1 is in the high load region (C) is SI combustion. This is because priority is given to avoiding combustion noise. Hereinafter, the combustion mode in the high load region (C) may be referred to as high load SI combustion.

  When the operating state of the engine 1 is in the high load region (C), λ of the air-fuel mixture is 1.0 ± 0.2. The G / F of the air-fuel mixture is basically set to 18 or more and 30 or less. In the high load region (C), the opening degree of the throttle valve 43 is fully open, and the supercharger 44 performs supercharging.

  In the high load region (C), the engine 1 reduces the amount of EGR gas as the load increases. The G / F of the air-fuel mixture decreases as the load on the engine 1 increases. Since the amount of fresh air introduced into the combustion chamber 17 is increased by the amount of EGR gas reduced, the amount of fuel can be increased. This is advantageous in increasing the maximum output of the engine 1.

  The state quantity in the combustion chamber 17 does not fluctuate greatly between when the operating state of the engine 1 is in the high load region (C) and when it is in the medium load region (B). The robustness of the control of the engine 1 against the change of the load of the engine 1 is increased.

  As described above, the engine 1 performs SI combustion in the high load region (C), but there is a problem that abnormal combustion such as pre-ignition and knocking is likely to occur.

  Therefore, the engine 1 is configured to avoid abnormal combustion by devising the form of fuel injection in the high load region (C). Specifically, the ECU 10 injects fuel into the combustion chamber 17 at a high fuel pressure of 30 MPa or more and at a timing within a period from the latter stage of the compression stroke to the early stage of the expansion stroke (hereinafter, this period is referred to as a retard period). Thus, a control signal is output to the fuel supply system 61 and the injector 6. The ECU 10 also outputs a control signal to the spark plug 25 so that the air-fuel mixture is ignited at a timing near the compression top dead center after fuel injection. In the following description, injecting fuel into the combustion chamber 17 at a high fuel pressure and at a timing within the retard period is referred to as high-pressure retarded injection.

  High pressure retarded injection avoids abnormal combustion by shortening the time during which the air-fuel mixture reacts. That is, the reaction time of the air-fuel mixture includes (1) a period during which the injector 6 injects fuel (that is, an injection period), and (2) after the fuel injection is completed, This is a time obtained by adding the period until formation (that is, the mixture formation period) and (3) the period until SI combustion started by ignition ends (that is, the combustion period).

  When fuel is injected into the combustion chamber 17 at a high fuel pressure, the injection period and the mixture formation period become shorter. When the injection period and the air-fuel mixture formation period are shortened, the timing for starting fuel injection can be made closer to the ignition timing. In the high pressure retarded injection, since the fuel is injected into the combustion chamber 17 at a high pressure, the fuel is injected at the timing within the retard period from the latter stage of the compression stroke to the early stage of the expansion stroke.

  When fuel is injected into the combustion chamber 17 at a high fuel pressure, the turbulent energy in the combustion chamber 17 increases. When the fuel injection timing is brought close to the compression top dead center, SI combustion can be started with high turbulent energy in the combustion chamber 17. As a result, the combustion period is shortened.

  The high pressure retarded injection can shorten the injection period, the mixture formation period, and the combustion period. Compared with the case where fuel is injected into the combustion chamber 17 during the intake stroke, the high-pressure retarded injection can greatly shorten the time for the air-fuel mixture to react. In the high pressure retarded injection, the time for which the air-fuel mixture reacts is shortened, so that abnormal combustion can be avoided.

  In the technical field of engine control, in order to avoid abnormal combustion, the ignition timing is conventionally retarded. However, if the ignition timing is delayed, the fuel consumption performance decreases. The high pressure retarded injection need not retard the ignition timing. By using high-pressure retarded injection, fuel efficiency is improved.

  If the fuel pressure is, for example, 30 MPa or more, the injection period, the mixture formation period, and the combustion period can be effectively shortened. The fuel pressure is preferably set as appropriate according to the properties of the fuel. As an example, the upper limit value of the fuel pressure may be 120 MPa.

  Here, when the rotation speed of the engine 1 is low, it takes a long time for the crank angle to change by the same angle. Therefore, shortening the reaction time of the air-fuel mixture by high-pressure retarded injection is to avoid abnormal combustion. Is particularly effective. On the other hand, when the rotational speed of the engine 1 is increased, the time when the crank angle changes by the same angle is shortened. For this reason, shortening the reaction time of the air-fuel mixture is not so effective in avoiding abnormal combustion.

  The high-pressure retarded injection also injects fuel into the combustion chamber 17 only after the compression top dead center is reached. Therefore, in the compression stroke, in the combustion chamber 17, a gas that does not contain fuel, in other words, a specific heat ratio. High gas is compressed. If high-pressure retarded injection is performed when the rotational speed of the engine 1 is high, the temperature in the combustion chamber 17 at the compression top dead center, that is, the compression end temperature becomes high. An increase in the compression end temperature may cause abnormal combustion such as knocking.

  Therefore, the engine 1 includes a first high load region (C1) on the low rotation side and a second high load region (C1) having a higher rotational speed than the first high load region (C1). C2). The first high load region (C1) may include a low rotation region and a medium rotation region when the high load region (C) is divided into three regions of low rotation, medium rotation, and high rotation. The second high load region (C2) may include a high rotation region when the high load region (C) is divided into three regions of low rotation, medium rotation, and high rotation.

  In the first high load region (C1), the injector 6 receives the control signal of the ECU 10 and performs the above-described high pressure retarded injection. In the second high load region (C2), the injector 6 receives a control signal from the ECU 10 and injects fuel at a predetermined timing during the intake stroke. The fuel injection performed during the intake stroke does not require high fuel pressure. The ECU 10 outputs a control signal to the fuel supply system 61 so that the fuel pressure is lower than the fuel pressure of the high pressure retarded injection (for example, the fuel pressure is less than 40 MPa). By reducing the fuel pressure, the mechanical resistance loss of the engine 1 is reduced, which is advantageous for improving fuel consumption.

  By injecting fuel into the combustion chamber 17 during the intake stroke, the specific heat ratio of the gas in the combustion chamber 17 is lowered, so that the compression end temperature is lowered. Since the compression end temperature becomes low, the engine 1 can avoid abnormal combustion. Since it is not necessary to retard the ignition timing in order to avoid abnormal combustion, in the second high load region (C2), the spark plug 25 is compressed top dead center as in the first high load region (C1). The mixture is ignited at a nearby timing.

  In the first high load region (C1), the engine 1 can perform stable SI combustion because the air-fuel mixture does not reach self-ignition by high-pressure retarded injection. In the second high load region (C2), the air-fuel mixture does not reach self-ignition due to fuel injection during the intake stroke, and therefore the engine 1 can perform stable SI combustion.

(SPCCI combustion)
Next, the aforementioned SPCCI combustion will be described in more detail. The upper diagram of FIG. 8 shows a waveform 801 illustrating the change in the heat generation rate with respect to the crank angle in SPCCI combustion. When the ignition plug 25 ignites the air-fuel mixture in the vicinity of the compression top dead center, more precisely at a predetermined timing before the compression top dead center, combustion by flame propagation starts. Heat generation during SI combustion is milder than heat generation during CI combustion. Therefore, the waveform of the heat generation rate has a relatively small slope. Although not shown, the pressure fluctuation (dp / dθ) in the combustion chamber 17 during SI combustion is also gentler than that during CI combustion.

  When the temperature and pressure in the combustion chamber 17 are increased by SI combustion, the unburned mixture is self-ignited. In the example of the waveform 801, the slope of the heat generation rate waveform changes from small to large near the compression top dead center. That is, the heat generation rate waveform has an inflection point at the timing when CI combustion starts.

  After the start of CI combustion, SI combustion and CI combustion are performed in parallel. Since CI combustion generates more heat than SI combustion, the heat generation rate is relatively large. However, since CI combustion is performed after compression top dead center, the piston 3 is lowered by motoring. It is avoided that the inclination of the waveform of the heat generation rate due to CI combustion becomes too large. Dp / dθ during CI combustion also becomes relatively gentle.

  dp / dθ can be used as an index representing combustion noise. However, since SPCCI combustion can reduce dp / dθ as described above, it is possible to avoid excessive combustion noise. . Combustion noise can be suppressed below an acceptable level.

  When CI combustion ends, SPCCI combustion ends. CI combustion has a shorter combustion period than SI combustion. In SPCCI combustion, the combustion end timing is earlier than SI combustion. In other words, SPCCI combustion can bring the combustion end time during the expansion stroke closer to the compression top dead center. The SPCCI combustion is more advantageous for improving the fuel efficiency of the engine 1 than the SI combustion.

  Therefore, SPCCI combustion can achieve both prevention of combustion noise and improvement in fuel efficiency.

  Here, the SI rate is defined as a parameter indicating the characteristics of SPCCI combustion. The SI rate is defined as an index related to the ratio of the amount of heat generated by SI combustion to the total amount of heat generated by SPCCI combustion. The SI rate is a ratio of the amount of heat generated by two combustions having different combustion forms. The SI rate may be the ratio of the amount of heat generated by SI combustion to the amount of heat generated by SPCCI combustion. For example, in the waveform 801, the SI rate can be expressed by SI rate = (SI combustion area) / (SPCCI combustion area). In the waveform 801, the SI rate may be referred to as an SI fuel rate in the meaning of the ratio of fuel that burns by SI combustion.

  The SI rate is a ratio between SI combustion and CI combustion in SPCCI combustion combining SI combustion and CI combustion. When the SI rate is high, the rate of SI combustion is high, and when the SI rate is low, the rate of CI combustion is high.

  The SI rate is not limited to the above-described definition. Various definitions can be considered for the SI rate. For example, the SI rate may be the ratio of the amount of heat generated by SI combustion to the amount of heat generated by CI combustion. That is, in the waveform 801, SI rate = (SI combustion area) / (CI combustion area).

Further, in SPCCI combustion, the waveform of the heat generation rate has an inflection point at the timing when CI combustion starts. Therefore, as indicated by reference numeral 802 in the middle diagram of FIG. 8, the inflection point in the heat generation rate waveform is used as a boundary, the range on the advance side of the boundary is SI combustion, and the range on the retard side is CI combustion. Good. In this case, as shown by hatching the waveform 802, the SI rate is calculated from the area Q _{SI in} the range on the advance side of the boundary and the area Q _{CI in} the range on the retard side from the boundary, and the SI rate = Q _SI / (Q _SI + Q _CI ) or SI rate = Q _SI / Q _CI . In addition, the SI rate may be defined on the basis of a part of the area rather than the entire area on the advance side from the boundary and a part of the area on the retard side from the boundary.

In addition, the SI rate is not defined based on the heat generation, but the SI rate = Δθ _SI / (Δθ) from the crank angle Δθ _{SI in} the range on the advance side from the boundary and the crank angle Δθ _{CI in} the range on the retard side. _SI + [Delta] [theta] _CI) may be used as the, or as a SI index = Δθ _SI / Δθ _CI.

Furthermore, the SI rate = ΔP _SI / (ΔP _SI + ΔP _CI ) may be calculated from the peak ΔP _SI of the heat generation rate in the range on the advance side from the boundary and the peak ΔP _CI of the heat generation rate in the range on the retard side. , SI rate = ΔP _SI / ΔP _CI .

In addition, the SI rate = φ _SI / (φ _SI + φ _CI ) may be calculated from the slope φ _SI of the heat generation rate in the advance angle range from the boundary and the slope φ _CI of the heat generation rate in the retard angle range. The SI rate may be φ _SI / φ _CI .

  Also, here, based on the heat generation rate waveform, the area (that is, the amount of heat generation), the length of the horizontal axis (that is, the size of the crank angle), the length of the vertical axis (that is, the heat generation amount) The SI rate is defined from the magnitude of the generation rate) or the slope (that is, the rate of change of the heat generation rate). Although illustration is omitted, based on the waveform of the pressure (P) in the combustion chamber 17, the SI rate is similarly defined from the area, the length of the horizontal axis, the length of the vertical axis, or the slope. Also good.

Further, in SPCCI combustion, the inflection point of the combustion waveform related to the heat generation rate or pressure does not always appear clearly. The following definition may be used as the definition of the SI rate that is not based on the inflection point. That is, as indicated by reference numeral 803 in the lower diagram of FIG. 8, in the combustion waveform, the range on the advance side from the compression top dead center (TDC) is SI combustion, and the range on the retard side from the compression top dead center is CI. It is good also as combustion. In addition, as described above, the area (Q _SI , Q _CI ), the length of the horizontal axis (Δθ _SI , Δθ _CI ), the length of the vertical axis (ΔP _SI , ΔP _CI ), or the slope (φ _SI , Φ _CI ), the SI rate may be defined.

Further, the SI rate may be defined not based on the combustion waveform actually performed in the combustion chamber 17 but based on the fuel amount. As will be described later, in the middle load region where the SPCCI combustion is performed, there is a case where split injection including the front injection and the rear injection is performed. The fuel injected into the combustion chamber 17 by the post-injection is not diffused in the combustion chamber 17 and is positioned in the vicinity of the spark plug 25 because the time from injection to ignition is short. Therefore, the fuel injected into the combustion chamber 17 by the post-stage injection mainly burns by SI combustion. On the other hand, the fuel injected into the combustion chamber 17 by the pre-stage injection mainly burns by CI combustion. Therefore, it is possible to define the SI rate based on the fuel amount (m ₁ ) injected by the front injection and the fuel amount (m ₂ ) injected by the rear injection. That is, SI rate = m ₂ / (m ₁ + m ₂ ) may be set, or SI rate = m ₂ / m ₁ may be set.

(Engine operation control for load direction)
As described above, the engine 1 switches between SI combustion and SPCCI combustion according to the operating state. The engine 1 also changes the SI rate according to the operating state of the engine 1. Thereby, the engine 1 is compatible with suppressing the generation of combustion noise and improving the fuel consumption.

  FIG. 9 shows the change in the SI rate with respect to the load of the engine 1, the change in the state quantity in the combustion chamber 17, the change in the valve opening period of the intake valve 21 and the valve opening period of the exhaust valve 22, and the fuel The change of injection timing and ignition timing is illustrated. FIG. 9 corresponds to the operation region map 700 of FIG. 7A. Hereinafter, the operation control of the engine 1 will be described on the assumption that the load of the engine 1 gradually increases at a predetermined rotational speed.

(Low load area (low load SI combustion))
In the low load region (A), the engine 1 performs low load SI combustion. When the operating state of the engine 1 is in the low load region (A), the SI rate is constant at 100%.

  In the low load region (A), as described above, the G / F of the air-fuel mixture is made constant between 18 and 30. The engine 1 introduces fresh air and burned gas in an amount corresponding to the amount of fuel into the combustion chamber 17. As described above, the amount of fresh air introduced is adjusted by throttling and / or mirror cycles. Since the dilution rate is high, the temperature in the combustion chamber 17 is increased in order to stabilize the SI combustion. The engine 1 introduces internal EGR gas into the combustion chamber 17 in the low load region (A).

  The internal EGR gas is introduced into the combustion chamber 17 by providing a negative overlap period in which both the intake valve 21 and the exhaust valve 22 are closed across the exhaust top dead center (that is, the burned gas is introduced into the combustion chamber). 17). The internal EGR gas amount is adjusted by adjusting the valve opening timing of the intake valve 21 by the intake electric S-VT 23 and adjusting the valve opening timing of the exhaust valve 22 by the exhaust electric S-VT 24. This is done by appropriately setting the length of the lap period. The internal EGR gas may be introduced into the combustion chamber 17 by providing a positive overlap period in which both the intake valve 21 and the exhaust valve 22 are opened.

  In the low load region (A), the filling amount introduced into the combustion chamber 17 is adjusted to less than 100%. As the amount of fuel increases, the amount of fresh air introduced into the combustion chamber 17 and the amount of internal EGR gas gradually increase. The EGR rate in the low load region (A) is, for example, 40%.

  The injector 6 injects fuel into the combustion chamber 17 during the intake stroke. In the combustion chamber 17, a homogeneous air-fuel mixture is formed in which the excess air ratio λ is 1.0 ± 0.2 and the G / F is 18-30. The excess air ratio λ is preferably 1.0 to 1.2. When the spark plug 25 ignites the air-fuel mixture at a predetermined timing before the compression top dead center, the air-fuel mixture burns by flame propagation without reaching self-ignition.

(Second medium load region (non-supercharging SPCCI combustion))
When the load of the engine 1 becomes high and the operation state enters the second medium load region (B2), the engine 1 switches from the low load SI combustion to the non-supercharged SPCCI combustion. The SI rate is less than 100%. As the load on the engine 1 increases, the amount of fuel increases. When the load is low in the second medium load region (B2), the proportion of CI combustion is increased as the fuel amount increases. The SI rate gradually decreases as the load on the engine 1 increases. In the example of FIG. 9, the SI rate decreases to a predetermined value (minimum value) of 50% or less.

  Since the amount of fuel increases, the combustion temperature becomes higher in the second medium load region (B2). If the temperature in the combustion chamber 17 becomes too high, heat generation at the start of CI combustion becomes intense. If it becomes so, combustion noise will increase.

  Therefore, in the second medium load region (B2), in order to adjust the temperature before the start of compression in the combustion chamber 17, the internal EGR gas and the external EGR gas are changed against the change in the load of the engine 1. And change the ratio. That is, as the load on the engine 1 increases, the hot internal EGR gas is gradually reduced and the cooled external EGR gas is gradually increased. The negative overlap period is changed from the maximum to zero in the second medium load region (B2) as the load increases. The internal EGR gas becomes zero when the load becomes highest in the second medium load region (B2). The same applies when providing a positive overlap period for the intake valve 21 and the exhaust valve 22. As a result of adjusting the temperature in the combustion chamber 17 by adjusting the overlap period, the SI rate of SPCCI combustion can be adjusted.

  The opening degree of the EGR valve 54 is changed so that the external EGR gas increases as the load increases in the second middle load region (B2). The amount of the external EGR gas introduced into the combustion chamber 17 is adjusted, for example, between 0 to 30% when expressed in terms of the EGR rate. In the second medium load region (B2), the EGR gas is replaced from the internal EGR gas to the external EGR gas as the load on the engine 1 increases. Since the temperature in the combustion chamber 17 is also adjusted by adjusting the EGR rate, the SI rate of SPCCI combustion can be adjusted.

  The amount of EGR gas introduced into the combustion chamber 17 is continuous between the low load region (A) and the second medium load region (B2). In the low load region in the second medium load region (B2), a large amount of internal EGR gas is introduced into the combustion chamber 17 as in the low load region (A). Since the temperature in the combustion chamber 17 becomes high, the air-fuel mixture surely self-ignites when the load on the engine 1 is low. The external EGR gas is introduced into the combustion chamber 17 in the high load region in the second medium load region (B2). Since the temperature in the combustion chamber 17 becomes low, the combustion noise accompanying CI combustion can be suppressed when the load of the engine 1 is high.

  In the second medium load region (B2), the filling amount introduced into the combustion chamber 17 is set to 100%. The opening degree of the throttle valve 43 is fully open. By adjusting the amount of EGR gas that is a combination of the internal EGR gas and the external EGR gas, the amount of fresh air introduced into the combustion chamber 17 is adjusted to an amount corresponding to the fuel amount.

  In the non-supercharged SPCCI combustion, the timing of self-ignition is advanced as the CI combustion ratio increases. If the timing of self-ignition becomes earlier than the compression top dead center, heat generation when CI combustion starts becomes intense. If it becomes so, combustion noise will increase. Therefore, when the load on the engine 1 reaches the predetermined load L1, the engine 1 gradually increases the SI rate as the load on the engine 1 increases.

  That is, the engine 1 increases the rate of SI combustion as the fuel amount increases. Specifically, as shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 10, in the non-supercharging SPCCI combustion, the ignition timing is gradually advanced as the fuel amount increases. As described above, since the temperature in the combustion chamber 17 is adjusted by reducing the amount of internal EGR gas introduced and increasing the amount of external EGR gas introduced, the SI rate is increased as the amount of fuel increases. Even if the temperature is increased, the temperature rise at the compression top dead center can be suppressed. The slope of the heat generation rate of SI combustion hardly changes even when the load increases. If the ignition timing is advanced, the amount of heat generated by SI combustion increases as the SI combustion starts earlier.

  As a result of suppressing the temperature rise in the combustion chamber 17 due to SI combustion, the unburned air-fuel mixture self-ignites at a timing after the compression top dead center. The heat generation by the CI combustion is almost the same even if the load of the engine 1 is high because the heat generation amount of the SI combustion is increased. Therefore, it is possible to avoid an increase in combustion noise by setting the SI rate gradually higher in accordance with the load on the engine 1 becoming higher. Note that the combustion center of gravity of the non-supercharged SPCCI combustion is retarded as the load increases.

  In the second middle load region (B2), the injector 6 injects fuel into the combustion chamber 17 in two stages, that is, the front injection and the rear injection. The front-stage injection injects fuel at a timing away from the ignition timing, and the rear-stage injection injects fuel at a timing close to the ignition timing. The pre-stage injection may be performed, for example, during the first half of the compression stroke from the intake stroke, and the post-stage injection may be performed, for example, within the first half of the expansion stroke from the second half of the compression stroke. The first half and the second half of the compression stroke may be respectively the first half and the second half when the compression stroke is divided into two equal parts with respect to the crank angle. The first half of the expansion stroke may be the first half when the expansion stroke is divided into two equal parts with respect to the crank angle.

  When the injector 6 performs the pre-stage injection within the first half of the period from the intake stroke to the compression stroke, since the piston 3 is away from the top dead center, the injected fuel spray rises toward the top dead center. 3, reaching the outside of the cavity 31. The area outside the cavity 31 forms a squish area 171 as shown in FIG. The fuel injected by the pre-stage injection stays in the squish area 171 while the piston 3 ascends, and forms an air-fuel mixture in the squish area 171. This air-fuel mixture burns mainly by CI combustion.

  When the injector 6 performs post-stage injection in the period from the latter half of the compression stroke to the first half of the expansion stroke, the injected fuel spray enters the cavity 31 because the piston 3 is close to top dead center. The fuel injected by the latter-stage injection forms an air-fuel mixture in the region within the cavity 31. Here, the “region in the cavity 31” is a region obtained by combining the region from the projection surface obtained by projecting the opening of the cavity 31 onto the roof of the combustion chamber 17 to the opening of the cavity 31 and the region in the cavity 31. May mean. The region in the cavity 31 can also be referred to as a region other than the squish area 171 in the combustion chamber 17. The fuel is distributed substantially evenly throughout the combustion chamber 17 by the front injection and the rear injection.

  As fuel is injected into the cavity 31 by the post-injection, gas flow occurs in the region within the cavity 31. If the time until the ignition timing is long, the turbulent energy in the combustion chamber 17 is attenuated as the compression stroke proceeds. However, since the injection timing of the second-stage injection is closer to the ignition timing than the first-stage injection, the spark plug 25 ignites the air-fuel mixture in the region within the cavity 31 while the turbulent energy in the cavity 31 is high. be able to. Thereby, the combustion speed of SI combustion increases. Since the SI combustion is stabilized when the combustion speed of the SI combustion is increased, the controllability of the CI combustion by the SI combustion is enhanced.

  In the entire combustion chamber 17, the air-fuel mixture has an excess air ratio λ of 1.0 ± 0.2 and a G / F of 18-30. Since the fuel is distributed substantially uniformly, it is possible to improve fuel consumption by reducing unburned loss and to improve exhaust gas performance by avoiding the generation of smoke. In the entire combustion chamber 17, the excess air ratio λ is preferably 1.0 to 1.2.

  When the spark plug 25 ignites the air-fuel mixture at a predetermined timing before the compression top dead center, the air-fuel mixture burns by flame propagation. Thereafter, the unburned air-fuel mixture self-ignites at the target timing and performs CI combustion. The fuel injected by the latter-stage injection mainly undergoes SI combustion. The fuel injected by the pre-stage injection mainly undergoes CI combustion. Since the pre-injection is performed during the compression stroke, it is possible to prevent the fuel injected by the pre-injection from inducing abnormal combustion such as premature ignition. Moreover, the fuel injected by the latter stage injection can be stably burned by flame propagation.

(First medium load region (supercharged SPCCI combustion))
When the load on the engine 1 further increases and the operating state of the engine 1 enters the first medium load region (B1), the supercharger 44 supercharges fresh air and external EGR gas. Both the amount of fresh air introduced into the combustion chamber 17 and the amount of external EGR gas increase as the load on the engine 1 increases. The amount of external EGR gas introduced into the combustion chamber 17 is, for example, 30% in terms of the EGR rate. The EGR rate is substantially constant regardless of the load level of the engine 1. Therefore, the G / F of the air-fuel mixture is substantially constant regardless of the load of the engine 1. The amount of EGR gas introduced into the combustion chamber 17 is continuous between the second medium load region (B2) and the first medium load region (B1).

  The SI rate is a predetermined value less than 100%, and is constant or substantially constant with respect to the load of the engine 1. The SI rate of the second medium load region (B2), in particular, the SI rate that is higher than the predetermined load L1 and gradually increases as the load of the engine 1 increases, and the SI rate of the first medium load region (B1). When compared, the SI rate in the first medium load region (B1) where the load of the engine 1 is high is higher than the SI rate in the second medium load region (B2). The SI rate is continuous at the boundary between the first medium load region (B1) and the second medium load region (B2).

  Here, in the first medium load region, the SI rate may be slightly changed in response to the load of the engine 1 changing. The change rate of the SI rate with respect to the load change of the engine 1 in the first medium load region may be smaller than the change rate of the SI rate on the high load side of the second medium load region.

  As shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 10, in the supercharged SPCCI combustion, the ignition timing is gradually advanced as the fuel amount increases. As described above, since the amount of fresh air and EGR gas introduced into the combustion chamber 17 is increased by supercharging, the heat capacity is large. Even if the amount of fuel increases, the temperature rise in the combustion chamber 17 due to SI combustion can be suppressed. The waveform of the heat release rate of supercharged SPCCI combustion increases in a similar manner as the load increases.

  That is, the slope of the heat generation rate of SI combustion hardly changes and the amount of heat generation of SI combustion increases. The unburned mixture self-ignites at approximately the same timing after compression top dead center. The amount of heat generated by CI combustion increases as the load on the engine 1 increases. As a result, in the first intermediate load region (B1), both the heat generation amount of SI combustion and the heat generation amount of CI combustion increase, so the SI rate becomes constant with respect to the load of the engine 1. When the peak of heat generation of CI combustion increases, the combustion noise increases. However, since the load of the engine 1 is relatively high in the first medium load region (B1), a certain level of combustion noise may be allowed. it can. Note that the center of combustion of supercharged SPCCI combustion is retarded as the load increases.

  In the first intermediate load region (B1), a positive overlap period is provided in which both the intake valve 21 and the exhaust valve 22 are opened with the exhaust top dead center interposed therebetween. The burned gas remaining in the combustion chamber 17 is scavenged by the supercharging pressure. Thereby, since the temperature in the combustion chamber 17 becomes low, it can suppress that abnormal combustion generate | occur | produces when the load of the engine 1 is comparatively high. Further, by lowering the temperature in the combustion chamber 17, the self-ignition timing can be set to an appropriate timing in a region where the load of the engine 1 is relatively high, and the SI rate is maintained at a predetermined SI rate. Is possible. That is, the SI rate can be adjusted by adjusting the overlap period. Further, the amount of fresh air in the combustion chamber 17 can be increased by scavenging the burned gas.

  In the first intermediate load region (B1), the injector 6 injects fuel into the combustion chamber 17 in two stages, the front injection and the rear injection, as in the second intermediate load region (B2). The front-stage injection injects fuel at a timing away from the ignition timing, and the rear-stage injection injects fuel at a timing close to the ignition timing. The pre-stage injection may be performed, for example, during the first half of the compression stroke from the intake stroke, and the post-stage injection may be performed, for example, within the first half of the expansion stroke from the second half of the compression stroke.

  When the injector 6 performs the pre-injection in the first half period from the intake stroke to the compression stroke, an air-fuel mixture is formed in the squish area 171. When the injector 6 performs the rear injection in the period from the second half of the compression stroke to the first half of the expansion stroke, an air-fuel mixture is formed in the cavity 31.

  When the injector 6 performs the front-stage injection and the rear-stage injection, the excess air ratio λ is 1.0 ± 0.2 and the G / F is 18 to 30 in the combustion chamber 17 as a whole. A substantially homogeneous mixture is formed. Since the air-fuel mixture is substantially homogeneous, it is possible to improve fuel efficiency by reducing unburned loss and to improve exhaust gas performance by avoiding the generation of smoke. Note that the excess air ratio λ in the entire combustion chamber 17 is preferably 1.0 to 1.2.

  When the spark plug 25 ignites the air-fuel mixture at a predetermined timing before the compression top dead center, the air-fuel mixture burns by flame propagation. Thereafter, the unburned air-fuel mixture self-ignites at the target timing and performs CI combustion. The fuel injected by the latter-stage injection mainly undergoes SI combustion. The fuel injected by the pre-stage injection mainly undergoes CI combustion. Since the pre-injection is performed during the compression stroke, it is possible to prevent the fuel injected by the pre-injection from inducing abnormal combustion such as premature ignition. Moreover, the fuel injected by the latter stage injection can be stably burned by flame propagation.

(High load range (high load SI combustion))
When the load on the engine 1 further increases and the operating state of the engine 1 enters the high load region (C), the engine 1 performs high load SI combustion. Therefore, the SI rate becomes 100% in the high load region (C).

  The throttle valve 43 is fully open. The supercharger 44 supercharges fresh air and external EGR gas even in the high load region (C). The EGR valve 54 adjusts the opening to gradually reduce the amount of external EGR gas introduced as the load on the engine 1 increases. By doing so, the fresh air introduced into the combustion chamber 17 increases as the load on the engine 1 increases. As the amount of fresh air increases, the amount of fuel can be increased, which is advantageous in increasing the maximum output of the engine 1. The amount of EGR gas introduced into the combustion chamber 17 is continuous between the first medium load region (B1) and the high load region (C).

  Also in the high load region (C), similarly to the first intermediate load region (B1), a positive overlap period is provided in which both the intake valve 21 and the exhaust valve 22 are opened with the exhaust top dead center interposed therebetween. The burned gas remaining in the combustion chamber 17 is scavenged by the supercharging pressure. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of abnormal combustion is suppressed. In addition, the amount of fresh air in the combustion chamber 17 can be increased.

  In the region on the low rotation side of the high load region (C) (that is, the first high load region (C1)), as described above, the injector 6 injects fuel into the combustion chamber 17 within the retard period. . In the region on the high rotation side of the high load region (C) (that is, the second high load region (C2)), the injector 6 injects fuel into the combustion chamber 17 during the intake stroke. In any case, a substantially homogeneous air-fuel mixture is formed in the combustion chamber 17 with an excess air ratio λ of 1.0 ± 0.2 and a G / F of 18-30. At the maximum load, the excess air ratio λ may be set to 0.8, for example. Further, the G / F of the air-fuel mixture may be 17, for example, at the maximum load. When the spark plug 25 ignites the air-fuel mixture at a predetermined timing before the compression top dead center, the air-fuel mixture burns by flame propagation. In the high load region (C), the air-fuel mixture undergoes SI combustion without leading to self-ignition by high-pressure retarded injection or fuel injection during the intake stroke.

(Engine operation control in the direction of rotation)
(Rear injection rate)
FIG. 11 shows the relationship between the rotational speed of the engine 1 and the post-injection rate in the middle load region (B) where SPCCI combustion is performed. The post-stage injection rate indicates the ratio of the post-stage injection quantity to the pre-stage injection quantity. The higher the post-injection rate, the higher the post-injection injection amount and the lower the pre-injection injection amount. Conversely, the lower the post-injection rate, the lower the post-injection injection amount and the pre-injection injection amount.

  When the rotation speed of the engine 1 is low, the ECU 10 sets the post-stage injection rate to a predetermined low injection rate. The post-stage injection forms an air-fuel mixture around the spark plug 25 as described above. This air-fuel mixture is a spark ignition air-fuel mixture combusted mainly by SI combustion in SPCCI combustion. If the post-injection rate is low, the fuel concentration of the spark-ignition mixture decreases, so the SI rate of SPCCI combustion decreases and CI combustion increases. Generally, when the rotational speed of the engine 1 is low, the NVH of the engine 1 is small. Therefore, even if the combustion noise increases to some extent due to CI combustion, NVH is below the allowable value. When the rotational speed of the engine 1 is low, the fuel efficiency can be improved by lowering the post-stage injection rate and sufficiently performing the CI combustion.

  When the rotational speed of the engine 1 increases, the NVH of the engine 1 increases. In addition, if combustion noise due to CI combustion is added, NVH may exceed the allowable value. Therefore, the ECU 10 increases the SI rate of SPCCI combustion when the rotational speed of the engine 1 increases. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, the ECU 10 linearly increases the SI rate as the rotational speed of the engine 1 increases. As shown in FIG. 7A, the rotation speed N2 corresponds to the boundary between the medium load region (B) in which SPCCI combustion is performed and the high rotation region (D) in which SI combustion is performed. The SI rate is 100% at the rotation speed N2.

  In order to change the SI rate with respect to the change in the rotational speed of the engine 1, the ECU 10 changes the post-stage injection rate with respect to the change in the rotational speed of the engine 1, as shown by the waveform 111 in the upper diagram of FIG. To do. Specifically, when the rotational speed of the engine 1 exceeds a predetermined rotational speed N3, the ECU 10 increases the post-stage injection rate as the rotational speed of the engine 1 increases. The predetermined rotation speed N3 is a rotation speed between the minimum rotation speed N1 and the maximum rotation speed N2 in the medium load region (B). The predetermined rotation speed N3 may be a rotation speed equal to or higher than the center ((N1 + N2) / 2) of the minimum rotation speed N1 and the maximum rotation speed N2 in the medium load region (B). Further, the predetermined rotation speed N3 may be a rotation equal to or higher than the center of the minimum rotation speed and the maximum rotation speed in the entire operation region of the engine 1 shown in FIG. 7A. That is, the predetermined rotation speed N3 may be set as appropriate within a high rotation area when the operation area of the engine 1 is divided into two equal parts, a low rotation area and a high rotation area.

  In the example of the waveform 111, when the rotational speed of the engine 1 exceeds the predetermined rotational speed N3, the ECU 10 continuously increases the rear-stage injection rate at a predetermined change rate as the rotational speed increases. Unlike this, the ECU 10 may increase the post-stage injection rate stepwise (that is, discontinuously) as the rotational speed of the engine 1 increases. By increasing the post-injection rate, the fuel concentration of the spark-ignition mixture formed around the spark plug 25 increases. As a result, since SI combustion becomes rapid, the SI rate in SPCCI combustion increases. When the SI rate increases, CI combustion decreases, so that combustion noise generated by SPCCI combustion can be suppressed. When the rotational speed of the engine 1 is high, NVH can be suppressed to an allowable value or less.

  Thus, when the engine 1 is operating in the medium load region (B), the ECU 10 causes the rear injection rate to change at a predetermined change rate in accordance with the change in the rotation speed of the engine 1. A control signal is output to the injector 6. More specifically, the ECU 10 indicates the rate of change (that is, the slope of the graph in the upper diagram of FIG. 11) when the rotational speed of the engine 1 is higher than the predetermined rotational speed N3. Is higher than the rate of change (that is, the slope of the graph is zero in the example of the upper diagram of FIG. 11).

  Although illustration is omitted, when the rotational speed of the engine 1 is equal to or lower than the predetermined rotational speed N3, the change rate of the post-injection amount is not made zero, but the post-stage injection rate is increased as the rotational speed of the engine 1 increases. May be increased. In this case, the change rate when the rotational speed of the engine 1 is equal to or less than the predetermined rotational speed N3 may be smaller than the change rate when the rotational speed exceeds the predetermined rotational speed N3.

  As shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 10, an upper limit value is set for the post-injection rate. When the rotational speed of the engine 1 exceeds the predetermined rotational speed N4, the ECU 10 sets the rear injection rate to the upper limit value. The predetermined rotational speed N4 is a rotational speed lower than the maximum rotational speed N2 in the medium load region (B) shown in FIG. 7A. In the latter-stage injection, the crank angle timing at which the fuel is injected is late, so the period until the injected fuel forms a combustible mixture is short. Further, the higher the engine speed, the shorter the time when the crank angle changes by the same angle. Therefore, the higher the number of revolutions of the engine 1, the shorter the time from when the post-injection injects fuel until ignition.

  As described above, if the post-injection rate is increased as the rotational speed of the engine 1 is increased, a large amount of fuel must be vaporized to form an air-fuel mixture in a short time, but in actuality, combustion is performed by SI combustion in SPCCI combustion. There is a risk that the amount of fuel that does not increase increases and combustion noise increases due to the CI combustion of many fuels.

  Therefore, in a configuration in which the post-stage injection rate is increased as the engine speed increases, when the engine speed exceeds the predetermined speed N4, the injection amount of the post-stage injection is limited so as not to exceed the predetermined amount. . When the rotational speed of the engine 1 exceeds the predetermined rotational speed N4, the ECU 10 makes the injection amount of the post-stage injection constant at a predetermined amount. As a result, it is possible to prevent an increase in the amount of fuel not combusted due to SI combustion, and to avoid an increase in combustion noise due to CI combustion.

  If the post-stage injection rate is limited at the upper limit value, the SCI rate of the SPCCI combustion does not increase, so that the effect of suppressing the combustion noise caused by increasing the injection amount of the post-stage injection is limited. Therefore, the engine 1 is configured to increase the SI rate by using another means when the rear-stage injection rate is limited to the upper limit value. Specifically, the ECU 10 increases the intake air flow by controlling the swirl control valve 56. When the intake air flow is strengthened, the SI combustion becomes rapid and the SI rate increases. As a result, the combustion noise of SPCCI combustion can be suppressed.

  A waveform 131 in the upper diagram of FIG. 13 shows the relationship between the rotational speed of the engine 1 and the opening degree of the swirl control valve 56. When the rotational speed of the engine 1 reaches the predetermined rotational speed N4 and the post-injection rate is limited to the upper limit value, the ECU 100 changes the opening of the swirl control valve 56 from fully open to closed. Thereby, the swirl flow in the combustion chamber 17 is strengthened. The ECU 100 linearly changes the opening degree of the swirl control valve 56 as the rotational speed of the engine 1 increases. As the rotational speed of the engine 1 increases, the swirl flow becomes stronger, and therefore SI combustion becomes more rapid. Combustion noise of SPCCI combustion can be suppressed. As a result, when the rotational speed of the engine 1 is high, NVH can be suppressed to an allowable value or less.

  Since the engine 1 can suppress the NVH to an allowable value or less by adjusting the SI rate with respect to the rotation direction of the engine 1, the region in which the SPCCI combustion is performed is expanded to the high rotation side. Therefore, this engine 1 is excellent in fuel consumption performance.

  When the load of the engine 1 is high, the temperature in the combustion chamber 17 is relatively high, and therefore, SI combustion in the SPCCI combustion becomes faster than when the load is low. The SI rate is higher when the load of the engine 1 is high than when the load of the engine 1 is low. Therefore, as shown by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 14, the straight line indicating the relationship between the rotational speed of the engine 1 and the SI rate has a gentler slope when the load of the engine 1 is high than when it is low.

  When the SI rate increases due to the high load of the engine 1, combustion noise is suppressed. Therefore, it is not necessary to increase the rear injection rate and increase the SI rate. Therefore, the ECU 10 may shift the rotation speed N3 at which the increase in the post-stage injection rate starts to the high rotation side, as illustrated by the one-dot chain line in the upper diagram of FIG. By doing so, the range in which the low post-stage injection rate is maintained becomes wider on the high rotation side. As described above, when the post-injection rate is low, CI combustion in SPCCI combustion increases, which is advantageous for improving fuel efficiency.

  Unlike the example in the upper diagram of FIG. 11, as indicated by the alternate long and short dash line in the waveform 112 in the lower diagram of FIG. When the load of the engine 1 becomes high, the load may be made gentler than when the load is low.

(Fuel injection timing)
The waveform 121 in the upper diagram of FIG. 12 shows the relationship between the level of the engine 1 and the injection timing of the post-stage injection in the middle load region (B) where SPCCI combustion is performed. Although not shown in FIG. 12, the injection timing of the pre-stage injection remains unchanged at a predetermined timing regardless of the level of the engine 1.

  When the rotational speed of the engine 1 is low, the ECU 10 sets the injection timing of the post-injection to a predetermined retarded timing. If the timing of the post-injection is delayed, the air-fuel mixture can be ignited while the gas flow in the combustion chamber 17 is strong. SI combustion becomes rapid and the timing of self-ignition can be accurately controlled.

  When the rotational speed of the engine 1 increases, the vaporization time from when fuel is injected into the combustion chamber 17 by post-injection until ignition is shortened. In SPCCI combustion, the air-fuel mixture not combusted by SI combustion increases and the SI rate decreases. As a result, the CI combustion in the SPCCI combustion increases, and the combustion noise of the SPCCI combustion increases. When the combustion noise increases, NVH may exceed the allowable value.

  Therefore, as shown in the waveform 121, when the rotational speed of the engine 1 exceeds the predetermined rotational speed N3, the ECU 10 advances the injection timing of the post-injection at a predetermined change rate as the rotational speed of the engine 1 increases. To do. The predetermined rotational speed N3 is the same as the predetermined rotational speed N3 shown in FIG.

  The ECU 10 continuously advances the injection timing of the post-stage injection as the rotational speed of the engine 1 increases. Unlike this, the ECU 10 may advance the injection timing of the post-stage injection stepwise (that is, discontinuously) as the rotational speed of the engine 1 increases. The vaporization time can be lengthened by advancing the injection timing of the subsequent injection. As a result, since the air-fuel mixture that does not burn during SI combustion decreases, the SI rate of SPCCI combustion increases. As shown in FIG. 14, the SI rate increases linearly as the rotational speed of the engine 1 increases. By increasing the SI rate, the combustion noise of SPCCI combustion can be suppressed low, so that NVH can be suppressed to an allowable value or less when the engine 1 has a high rotational speed.

  Thus, when the engine 1 is operating in the medium load region (B), the ECU 10 changes the injection timing of the post-stage injection at a predetermined change rate in accordance with the change in the rotation speed of the engine 1. A control signal is output to the injector 6. More specifically, the ECU 10 indicates the rate of change when the rotational speed of the engine 1 is higher than the predetermined rotational speed N3 (that is, the slope of the graph in the upper diagram of FIG. 12). Is higher than the rate of change (that is, the slope of the graph is zero in the example of the upper diagram of FIG. 12).

  Although illustration is omitted, when the rotational speed of the engine 1 is equal to or lower than the predetermined rotational speed N3, the change rate of the injection timing of the post-injection is not made zero, but as the rotational speed of the engine 1 becomes higher, the rear stage The injection timing of injection may be advanced. In this case, the change rate when the rotational speed of the engine 1 is equal to or less than the predetermined rotational speed N3 may be smaller than the change rate when the rotational speed exceeds the predetermined rotational speed N3.

  As shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 12, a limit value is also set for the injection timing of the post-stage injection. If the injection timing of the post injection is too early, the flow in the combustion chamber 17 at the ignition timing becomes weak, and SI combustion becomes slow. When the SI combustion becomes slow, as described above, the self-ignition timing cannot be accurately controlled.

  Therefore, the ECU 10 outputs a control signal to the injector 6 so as not to exceed a predetermined advance angle limit. Since the injection rate of the second-stage injection is linearly advanced as the engine speed increases, the ECU 10 causes the injection timing of the second-stage injection to reach the advance angle limit when the engine 1 exceeds the predetermined rotation speed N4. A control signal is output to the injector 6 so that This prevents the SI combustion from becoming slow, and prevents the controllability of the self-ignition timing in the SPCCI combustion from being deteriorated.

  When the SI rate increases due to the high load of the engine 1, combustion noise is suppressed. Therefore, it is not necessary to advance the injection timing of the subsequent injection to increase the SI rate. Therefore, the ECU 10 may shift the rotation speed N3 at which the advance timing of the injection timing starts to the high rotation side, as exemplified by the dashed line in the waveform 121. By doing so, the range in which the injection timing of the post-injection is late becomes wider on the high rotation side. As described above, if the post-stage injection is slow, the SI combustion in the SPCCI combustion becomes rapid, so that the controllability of the self-ignition timing is improved.

  Unlike the example of the waveform 121, as indicated by the alternate long and short dash line in the waveform 122 in the lower part of FIG. 12, the ECU 10 moderates the slope of the straight line indicating the relationship between the rotation speed of the engine 1 and the injection timing of the post-stage injection. May be.

  Further, the ECU 10 changes both the post-injection rate and the injection timing of the post-injection in response to the change in the rotational speed of the engine 1. The ECU 10 may change only the injection timing of the post-stage injection in response to the change in the rotation speed of the engine 1.

(SI rate adjustment)
FIG. 15 shows a flow relating to engine operation control executed by the ECU 10. The ECU 10 determines the operating state of the engine 1 based on the detection signals of the sensors SW1 to SW16, and the combustion chamber 17 so that the combustion in the combustion chamber 17 becomes combustion at the SI rate corresponding to the operating state. Adjustment of state quantity, adjustment of injection quantity, adjustment of injection timing, and adjustment of ignition timing are performed. The ECU 10 also adjusts the SI rate when it is determined that the SI rate needs to be adjusted based on the detection signal of each sensor.

  First, in step S1, the ECU reads detection signals from the sensors SW1 to SW16. Next, in step S2, the ECU 10 determines the operating state of the engine 1 based on the detection signal and sets a target SI rate. The target SI rate is as shown in FIG. 9 or FIG.

  In the subsequent step S3, the ECU 10 sets a target in-cylinder state quantity for realizing the set target SI rate based on a preset combustion model. Specifically, the target temperature and target pressure in the combustion chamber 17 and the target state quantity are set. In step S4, the ECU 10 determines the opening degree of the EGR valve 54, the opening degree of the throttle valve 43, the opening degree of the air bypass valve 48, the opening degree of the swirl control valve 56, which are necessary for realizing the target in-cylinder state quantity. In addition, the phase angle of the intake electric S-VT 23 and the exhaust electric S-VT 24 is set. The ECU 10 sets control amounts of these devices based on a map that is set in advance and stored in the ECU 10. The ECU 10 outputs control signals to the EGR valve 54, the throttle valve 43, the air bypass valve 48, the swirl control valve 56, the intake electric S-VT 23 and the exhaust electric S-VT 24 based on the set control amount. As each device operates based on the control signal of the ECU 10, the state quantity in the combustion chamber 17 becomes the target state quantity.

  The ECU 10 further calculates a predicted value and an estimated value of the state quantity in the combustion chamber 17 based on the set control amounts of the respective devices. The state quantity predicted value is a value obtained by predicting the state quantity in the combustion chamber 17 before the intake valve 21 is closed, and is used for setting the fuel injection amount in the intake stroke, as will be described later. The state quantity estimated value is a value obtained by estimating the state quantity in the combustion chamber 17 after the intake valve 21 is closed. As will be described later, the setting of the fuel injection amount in the compression stroke and the ignition timing are set. Used for setting. The state quantity estimated value is also used for calculation of a state quantity error by comparison with an actual combustion state, as will be described later.

  In step S5, the ECU 10 sets the fuel injection amount during the intake stroke based on the state amount predicted value. When fuel is not injected during the intake stroke, the fuel injection amount is zero. In step S6, the ECU 10 controls the injection of the injector 6. That is, a control signal is output to the injector 6 so that fuel is injected into the combustion chamber 17 at a predetermined injection timing.

  In step S7, the ECU 10 sets the fuel injection amount during the compression stroke based on the state quantity estimated value and the fuel injection result during the intake stroke. When the fuel is not injected during the compression stroke, the fuel injection amount is zero. When performing divided injection during the compression stroke, the injection amount of the front-stage injection and the injection amount of the rear-stage injection are respectively set. In step S8, the ECU 10 outputs a control signal to the injector 6 so as to inject fuel into the combustion chamber 17 at an injection timing based on a preset map.

  In step S9, the ECU 10 sets the ignition timing based on the state quantity estimated value and the fuel injection result during the compression stroke. In step S10, the ECU 10 outputs a control signal to the spark plug 25 so as to ignite the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber 17 at the set ignition timing.

  When the spark plug 25 ignites the air-fuel mixture, SI combustion or SPCCI combustion is performed in the combustion chamber 17. In step S11, the ECU 10 reads the pressure change in the combustion chamber 17 detected by the finger pressure sensor SW6, and determines the combustion state of the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber 17 based on the change. In step S12, the ECU 10 also compares the detection result of the combustion state with the state quantity estimated value estimated in step S4, and calculates an error between the state quantity estimated value and the actual state quantity. The calculated error is used for estimation in step S4 in the subsequent cycles. The ECU 10 opens the throttle valve 43, the EGR valve 54, the swirl control valve 56, and / or the air bypass valve 48, the intake electric S-VT 23 and the exhaust electric S-VT 24 so that the state quantity error is eliminated. Adjust the phase angle. Thereby, the amount of fresh air and EGR gas introduced into the combustion chamber 17 is adjusted. This feedback of the state quantity error corresponds to the adjustment of the SI rate when the ECU 10 determines that the adjustment of the SI rate is necessary based on the error between the target SI rate and the actual SI rate.

  The ECU 10 also performs injection during the compression stroke so that the ignition timing can be advanced when it is predicted in step S8 that the temperature in the combustion chamber 17 is lower than the target temperature based on the state quantity estimated value. The timing is advanced from the injection timing based on the map. On the other hand, when the ECU 10 predicts in step S8 that the temperature in the combustion chamber 17 will be higher than the target temperature based on the state quantity estimated value, the ECU 10 is in the compression stroke so that the ignition timing can be retarded. The injection timing is retarded from the injection timing based on the map.

That is, as shown in P2 of FIG. 16, the low temperature inside the combustion chamber 17, after the SI combustion by spark ignition is started, it will be the timing theta _CI unburned air-fuel mixture is self-ignition delay, SI ratio However, it will deviate from the target SI rate (see P1). In this case, unburned fuel increases and exhaust gas performance decreases.

Therefore, when the temperature inside the combustion chamber 17 is expected to be lower than the target temperature, ECU 10 is adapted to advance the injection timing, in step S10 of FIG. 15, it advances the ignition timing theta _IG. As shown in P3 of FIG. 16, since the start of SI combustion is accelerated, it is possible to generate sufficient heat by SI combustion. Therefore, when the temperature in the combustion chamber 17 is low, the self-ignition of the unburned mixture is performed. It is possible to prevent the timing θ _{CI from} being delayed. As a result, the SI rate approaches the target SI rate. An increase in unburned fuel and a decrease in exhaust gas performance are prevented.

  Further, as shown in P4 of FIG. 16, when the temperature in the combustion chamber 17 is high, the unburned mixture self-ignites immediately after the SI combustion is started by spark ignition, and the SI rate becomes the target value. It deviates from the SI rate (see P1). In this case, combustion noise increases.

Therefore, when the temperature inside the combustion chamber 17 is expected to be higher than the target temperature, ECU 10 is adapted to retard the injection timing, in step S10 of FIG. 15, retarding the ignition timing theta _IG. As shown in P5 of FIG. 16, since the start of the SI combustion becomes slow, when the temperature inside the combustion chamber 17 is high, it is possible to prevent the timing theta _CI autoignition of the unburned air-fuel mixture becomes faster it can. As a result, the SI rate approaches the target SI rate. An increase in combustion noise is avoided.

  The adjustment of the injection timing and the adjustment of the ignition timing correspond to the adjustment of the SI rate when the ECU 10 determines that the adjustment of the SI rate in SPCCI combustion is necessary. By adjusting the injection timing, an appropriate air-fuel mixture can be formed in the combustion chamber 17 at the ignition timing advanced or retarded. The spark plug 25 can surely ignite the air-fuel mixture, and the unburned air-fuel mixture can self-ignite at an appropriate timing.

  In FIG. 16, the combustion chamber 17 is controlled through the control of the throttle valve 43, the EGR valve 54, the air bypass valve 48, the intake electric S-VT 23, the exhaust electric S-VT 24, and the swirl control valve 56 based on the actual combustion state. The point of adjusting the state quantity is as described in step S12 and step S4 of FIG.

  The engine 1 adjusts the SI rate by a state quantity setting device including a throttle valve 43, an EGR valve 54, an air bypass valve 48, an intake electric S-VT 23, an exhaust electric S-VT 24, and a swirl control valve 56. By adjusting the state quantity in the combustion chamber 17, the SI rate can be roughly adjusted. At the same time, the engine 1 adjusts the SI rate by adjusting the fuel injection timing and the ignition timing. By adjusting the injection timing and the ignition timing, for example, the difference between cylinders can be corrected, or the self-ignition timing can be finely adjusted. By performing the adjustment of the SI rate in two stages, the engine 1 can accurately realize the target SPCCI combustion corresponding to the operation state.

(Second configuration example of engine operation region map)
FIG. 7B shows a second configuration example of the operation region map of the engine 1. The operation area map 701 is divided into three areas for the load level. Specifically, the three regions are a low load region (A) including idle operation, a high load region (C) including a fully open load, and a region between the low load region (A) and the high load region (C). It is a load area (B). The low load region (A) of the operation region map 701 corresponds to the low load region (A) of the operation region map 700 of FIG. 7A, and the medium load region (B) of the operation region map 701 is the operation region map of FIG. 7A. 700 corresponds to the medium load region (B), and the high load region (C) of the operation region map 701 corresponds to the high load region (C) of the operation region map 700 of FIG. 7A. The medium load region (B) is divided into a first medium load region (B1) and a second medium load region (B2) in the direction of the load level, and the high load region (C) is a direction in which the rotational speed is high or low. The first high load region (C1) and the second high load region (C2).

  In the operation region map 701 of FIG. 7B, there is no high rotation region (D) of the operation region map 700, and the low load region (A), the medium load region (B), and the high load region (C) are The area is expanded up to the maximum rotational speed N2. The rotational speed N1 in FIG. 7B corresponds to the rotational speed N1 in FIG. 7A in the meaning of the minimum rotational speed in which SPCCI combustion is performed, and the rotational speed N2 in FIG. 7B is in the meaning of the maximum rotational speed in which SPCCI combustion is performed. This corresponds to the rotation speed N2 in FIG. 7A.

  Also in the operation region map 701 of FIG. 7B, as described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 10, the load direction is controlled and, as described with reference to FIGS. In the region (B), the SI rate in SPCCCI combustion may be changed by changing the post-stage injection rate and / or the post-stage injection timing with respect to the rotational speed direction.

(Third configuration example of engine operating region map)
FIG. 7C shows another configuration example of the operation region map of the engine 1 at the time of warm. The operating region map 702 of the engine 1 is divided into five regions for the load level and the rotational speed level. Specifically, the five regions include a low load region (1) -1 including idle operation and extending to a low rotation region and a medium rotation region, a region having a higher load than the low load region, and a low rotation region and a medium rotation region. Medium load region (1) -2 spreading in the middle, region having higher load than medium load region (1) -2 and high rotation region including fully open load (2), medium rotation region in high load region Low rotation region (3) with a lower rotational speed than (2), low load region (1) -1, medium load region (1) -2, high load medium rotation region (2), and high load low It is a high rotation area (4) having a higher rotation speed than the rotation area (3). Here, the low rotation region, the medium rotation region, and the high rotation region are each when the entire operation region of the engine 1 is divided into approximately three equal parts of the low rotation region, the medium rotation region, and the high rotation region in the rotation speed direction. The low rotation region, the middle rotation region, and the high rotation region may be used. In the example of FIG. 7C, the rotation speed less than N5 is low, the rotation speed N2 or more is high rotation, and the rotation speed N1 or more and less than N2 is medium rotation. The rotation speed N5 may be about 1200 rpm, for example, and the rotation speed N2 may be about 4000 rpm, for example. Note that the rotational speed N2 in FIG. 7C corresponds to the rotational speed N2 in FIGS. 7A and 7B in the meaning of the maximum rotational speed at which SPCCI combustion is performed. In addition, a two-dot chain line in FIG. 7C indicates a road-load line of the engine 1.

  Here, in the third configuration example, the geometric compression ratio of the engine 1 is set low. Lowering the geometric compression ratio is advantageous for reducing cooling loss and mechanical loss. As an example, the geometric compression ratio may be 14 to 17 in the regular specification (the fuel octane number is about 91), and may be 15 to 18 in the high-octane specification (the fuel octane number is about 96).

  In order to increase the temperature in the combustion chamber 17 to some extent when the piston 3 reaches compression top dead center while lowering the geometric compression ratio, in the third configuration example, the effective compression ratio is increased. To do. That is, the valve closing timing for closing the intake valve 21 is advanced so as to approach the intake bottom dead center. As described above, by providing a negative overlap period in which both the intake valve 21 and the exhaust valve 22 are closed, in order to increase the effective compression ratio even if the internal EGR gas is to be introduced into the combustion chamber 17, Since the opening period of the intake valve 21 must be set to the advance side, the amount of internal EGR gas introduced cannot be increased. Therefore, in the third configuration example, the internal EGR gas is introduced into the combustion chamber 17 by providing a positive overlap period in which both the intake valve 21 and the exhaust valve 22 are opened. Thereby, it is possible to achieve both an increase in the effective compression ratio and the introduction of the internal EGR gas into the combustion chamber 17.

  In the driving region map 702, the main purpose is to improve fuel consumption and exhaust gas performance, in the low load region (1) -1, the medium load region (1) -2, and the high load medium rotation region (2). The engine 1 performs combustion by compression self-ignition (that is, SPCCI combustion). When the engine 1 is operated at a low load and when the engine 1 is operated at a high load, SPCCI combustion is different from the operation region map 700 or 701. The engine 1 also performs combustion by spark ignition in other regions, specifically, in the high load low rotation region (3) and the high rotation region (4).

  In the third configuration example, at least in the region where SPCCI combustion is performed, the swirl flow is formed in the combustion chamber 17 by setting the opening of the swirl control valve 56 to the closed side.

  According to the study by the present inventors, when a swirl flow is generated in the combustion chamber 17, residual gas (that is, burned gas) accumulated in the cavity 31 on the top surface of the piston 3 is driven out of the cavity 31. be able to. If the fuel is distributed substantially evenly throughout the combustion chamber 17, the G / F of the air-fuel mixture in the vicinity of the spark plug 25 becomes relatively small as there is no residual gas in the cavity 31, and the spark plug 25 The G / F of the air-fuel mixture in the vicinity away from is relatively large as much as it contains residual gas. G / F of the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber 17 can be stratified.

  The SI combustion in the SPCCI combustion is combustion of the air-fuel mixture ignited by the spark plug 25. The air-fuel mixture in the vicinity of the spark plug 25 is mainly burned by SI combustion. On the other hand, CI combustion in SPCCI combustion is combustion by self-ignition of an unburned mixture after SI combustion is started. The surrounding air-fuel mixture away from the spark plug 25 is mainly burned by CI combustion.

  When the G / F in the combustion chamber 17 is stratified, the upper limit value of the total G / F in the entire combustion chamber 17 for stabilizing the SPCCI combustion is larger than the above-described range of 18 to 30. According to the study by the present inventors, SPCCI combustion can be stabilized if the total G / F range is 18 or more and 50 or less. At this time, the G / F range of the air-fuel mixture in the vicinity of the spark plug 25 is 14 or more and 22 or less. By stratifying the G / F of the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber 17, it becomes possible to further dilute the air-fuel mixture while stabilizing the SPCCI combustion, which is advantageous for improving the fuel efficiency performance of the engine.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the engine 1 in each region of the operation region map 702 will be described in detail with reference to the fuel injection timing and the ignition timing shown in FIG. Note that reference numerals 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, and 606 in FIG. 17 respectively correspond to the operating state of the engine 1 indicated by reference numerals 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, and 606 in the operation region map 702 in FIG. 7C. .

(Low load area (1) -1)
When the engine 1 is operating in the low load region (1) -1, the engine 1 performs SPCCI combustion.

  Reference numeral 601 in FIG. 17 indicates fuel injection timings (reference numerals 6011 and 6012) and ignition timings (reference numeral 6013) when the engine 1 is operating in the operating state of the reference numeral 601 in the low load region (1) -1. In addition, an example of each combustion waveform (that is, a waveform indicating a change in heat generation rate with respect to the crank angle, reference numeral 6014) is shown.

  In order to improve the fuel efficiency performance of the engine 1, the EGR system 55 introduces EGR gas into the combustion chamber 17 when the engine 1 is operating in the low load region (1) -1. Specifically, in the vicinity of the exhaust top dead center, by providing a positive overlap period in which both the intake valve 21 and the exhaust valve 22 are opened, the exhaust is discharged from the combustion chamber 17 to the intake port 18 and the exhaust port 19. Part of the exhaust gas is reintroduced into the combustion chamber 17. Since the hot burned gas is introduced into the combustion chamber 17, the temperature in the combustion chamber 17 can be increased, which is advantageous for stabilizing the SPCCI combustion.

  A swirl flow is formed in the combustion chamber 17 when the engine 1 is operating in the low load region (1) -1. The swirl flow is strong at the outer periphery of the combustion chamber 17 and weak at the center. The swirl control valve (SCV) 56 has a predetermined opening on the fully closed or closed side. As described above, since the intake port 18 is a tumble port, an oblique swirl flow having a tumble component and a swirl component is formed in the combustion chamber 17.

  When the engine 1 operates in the low load region (1) -1, the air-fuel ratio (A / F) of the air-fuel mixture is leaner than the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio in the entire combustion chamber 17. In other words, the excess air ratio λ of the air-fuel mixture exceeds 1 in the entire combustion chamber 17. More specifically, the A / F of the air-fuel mixture is 30 or more in the entire combustion chamber 17. By carrying out like this, generation | occurrence | production of RawNOx can be suppressed and exhaust gas performance can be improved.

  When the engine 1 operates in the low load region (1) -1, the air-fuel mixture is stratified between the central portion and the outer peripheral portion in the combustion chamber 17. A central portion in the combustion chamber 17 is a portion where the spark plug 25 is disposed, and an outer peripheral portion is a portion around the central portion and in contact with the liner of the cylinder 11. You may define the center part in the combustion chamber 17 as a part with a weak swirl flow, and an outer peripheral part as a part with a strong swirl flow.

  The fuel concentration of the air-fuel mixture at the center is higher than the fuel concentration at the outer periphery. Specifically, the A / F of the air-fuel mixture in the central part is 20 or more and 30 or less, and the A / F of the air-fuel mixture in the outer peripheral part is 35 or more.

  When the engine 1 operates in the low load region (1) -1, the injector 6 basically injects the fuel into the combustion chamber 17 in a plurality of times during the compression stroke. Due to the split injection of fuel and the strong swirl flow in the combustion chamber 17, the air-fuel mixture is stratified in the central portion and the outer peripheral portion of the combustion chamber 17.

  After completion of fuel injection, the spark plug 25 ignites the air-fuel mixture at the center of the combustion chamber 17 at a predetermined timing before compression top dead center (see reference numeral 6013). Since the air-fuel mixture in the central portion has a relatively high fuel concentration, the ignitability is improved and SI combustion by flame propagation is stabilized. By stabilizing the SI combustion, the CI combustion starts at an appropriate timing. In SPCCI combustion, controllability of CI combustion is improved. As a result, when the engine 1 is operated in the low load region (1) -1, both the suppression of the generation of combustion noise and the improvement of the fuel consumption performance due to the shortening of the combustion period are compatible.

  As described above, in the low load region (1) -1, since the engine 1 performs the SPCCI combustion by leaning the air-fuel mixture from the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio, the low load region (1) -1 is “SPCCI lean region”. Can be called.

(Medium load area (1) -2)
Even when the engine 1 is operating in the medium load region (1) -2, the engine 1 performs SPCCI combustion as in the low load region (1) -1. The medium load region (1) -2 corresponds to the medium load region (B) in the operation region map 700 or 701.

  Reference numeral 602 in FIG. 17 indicates fuel injection timing (reference numerals 6021 and 6022) and ignition timing (reference numeral 6023) when the engine 1 is operating in the operation state indicated by reference numeral 602 in the middle load region (1) -2. An example of each combustion waveform (reference numeral 6024) is shown.

  The EGR system 55 introduces EGR gas into the combustion chamber 17 when the operating state of the engine 1 is in the medium load region (1) -2. Specifically, as in the low load region (1) -1, by providing a positive overlap period in which both the intake valve 21 and the exhaust valve 22 are opened in the vicinity of the exhaust top dead center, Part of the exhaust gas discharged from the inside to the intake port 18 and the exhaust port 19 is reintroduced into the combustion chamber 17. That is, the internal EGR gas is introduced into the combustion chamber 17. Further, in the medium load region (1) -2, the exhaust gas cooled by the EGR cooler 53 is introduced into the combustion chamber 17 through the EGR passage 52. That is, an external EGR gas having a temperature lower than that of the internal EGR gas is introduced into the combustion chamber 17. In the middle load region (1) -2, the internal EGR gas and / or the external EGR gas is introduced into the combustion chamber 17 to adjust the temperature in the combustion chamber 17 to an appropriate temperature.

  When the engine 1 is operated in the medium load region (1) -2, a swirl flow is formed in the combustion chamber 17 as in the low load region (1) -1. The swirl control valve (SCV) 56 has a predetermined opening on the fully closed or closed side. By forming the swirl flow, the residual gas accumulated in the cavity 31 can be driven out of the cavity 31. As a result, the G / F of the air-fuel mixture in the SI portion near the spark plug 25 and the G / F of the air-fuel mixture in the CI portion around the SI portion can be made different. As a result, as described above, if the total G / F of the entire combustion chamber 17 is set to 18 or more and 50 or less, SPCCI combustion can be stabilized.

  Further, since the turbulent energy in the combustion chamber 17 is increased by forming the swirl flow, when the engine 1 is operated in the medium load region (1) -2, the SI combustion flame is quickly propagated. SI combustion is stabilized. The controllability of CI combustion is enhanced by the stabilization of SI combustion. By optimizing the timing of CI combustion in SPCCI combustion, it is possible to suppress the generation of combustion noise and improve fuel efficiency. Further, torque variation between cycles can be suppressed.

  When the engine 1 is operated in the medium load region (1) -2, the air-fuel ratio (A / F) of the air-fuel mixture is the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio (A / F≈14.7) in the entire combustion chamber 17. As the three-way catalyst purifies the exhaust gas discharged from the combustion chamber 17, the exhaust gas performance of the engine 1 is improved. The A / F of the air-fuel mixture may be set within the purification window of the three-way catalyst. Therefore, the excess air ratio λ of the air-fuel mixture may be set to 1.0 ± 0.2.

  When the engine 1 operates in the medium load region (1) -2, the injector 6 performs fuel injection during the intake stroke (reference numeral 6021) and fuel injection during the compression stroke (reference numeral 6022). By performing the first injection 6021 during the intake stroke, the fuel can be distributed substantially uniformly in the combustion chamber 17. By performing the second injection 6022 during the compression stroke, the temperature in the combustion chamber 17 can be lowered by the latent heat of vaporization of the fuel. It is possible to prevent the air-fuel mixture including the fuel injected by the first injection 6021 from being prematurely ignited. In the middle load region (1) -2, the second injection 6022 can be omitted particularly when the engine is in an operating state with a low load.

  When the injector 6 performs the first injection 6021 during the intake stroke and the second injection 6022 during the compression stroke, the excess air ratio λ is 1.0 ± 0.2 in the combustion chamber 17 as a whole. An air-fuel mixture is formed. Since the fuel concentration of the air-fuel mixture is substantially uniform, it is possible to improve fuel efficiency by reducing unburned loss and improve exhaust gas performance by avoiding the generation of smoke. The excess air ratio λ is preferably 1.0 to 1.2. The total G / F of the entire combustion chamber 17 is 18 or more and 50 or less, and the G / F of the SI portion in the vicinity of the spark plug 25 is 14-22.

  When the spark plug 25 ignites the air-fuel mixture at a predetermined timing before the compression top dead center (reference numeral 6023), the air-fuel mixture burns by flame propagation. After the start of combustion by flame propagation, the unburned mixture self-ignites at the target timing and performs CI combustion. The fuel injected by the latter-stage injection mainly undergoes SI combustion. The fuel injected by the pre-stage injection mainly undergoes CI combustion. By setting the total G / F of the entire combustion chamber 17 to 18 to 50 and the G / F of the SI portion in the vicinity of the spark plug 25 to 14 to 22, SPCCI combustion can be stabilized.

  Accordingly, in the medium load region (1) -2, the engine 1 performs the SPCCI combustion with the air-fuel mixture as the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio, and therefore, the medium load region (1) -2 can be referred to as “SPCCIλ = 1 region”. .

  Here, in the operation region map 702, the region where the turbocharger 44 is turned off (see S / C OFF) is a part of the low load region (1) -1 and the medium load region (1) -2. Is part of. Specifically, the supercharger 44 is turned off in the low rotation side region in the low load region (1) -1. In the region on the high rotation side in the low load region (1) -1, the supercharger 44 is turned on in order to ensure a necessary intake charge amount corresponding to the increase in the rotational speed of the engine 1. Increase the boost pressure. Further, the supercharger 44 is turned off in the low load / low rotation side region in the medium load region (1) -2, and the fuel injection amount in the high load side region in the medium load region (1) -2. The turbocharger 44 is turned on in order to ensure the necessary intake charge amount corresponding to the increase in the engine speed, and is necessary in response to the increase in the rotational speed of the engine 1 in the high speed region. In order to ensure the intake charge amount, the supercharger 44 is turned on.

  Note that the supercharger 44 is turned on in the high load medium rotation region (2), the high load low rotation region (3), and the high rotation region (4).

(High load medium rotation range (2))
Even when the engine 1 is operating in the high load mid-rotation region (2), the engine 1 performs SPCCI combustion in the same manner as the low load region (1) -1 and the medium load region (1) -2.

  Reference numeral 603 in FIG. 17 denotes a fuel injection timing (reference numerals 6031 and 6032) and an ignition timing (reference numeral 6033) when the engine 1 is operating in the operating state of the reference numeral 603 in the high load mid-rotation region (2). An example of each combustion waveform (reference numeral 6034) is shown. Also, reference numeral 604 in FIG. 17 shows an example of each of the fuel injection timing (reference numeral 6041) and the ignition timing (reference numeral 6042) and the combustion waveform (reference numeral 6043) when the rotational speed is higher than the operating state of reference numeral 603. ing.

  The EGR system 55 introduces EGR gas into the combustion chamber 17 when the operating state of the engine 1 is in the high load mid-rotation region (2). The engine 1 reduces the amount of EGR gas as the load increases. At full load, EGR gas may be zero.

  Further, when the engine 1 operates in the high load mid-rotation region (2), a swirl flow is formed in the combustion chamber 17 as in the low load region (1) -1. The swirl flow may be a swirl flow having a strong swirl ratio of 4 or more, for example. The swirl control valve (SCV) 56 has a predetermined opening on the fully closed or closed side.

  When the engine 1 operates in the high load mid-rotation region (2), the air-fuel ratio (A / F) of the air-fuel mixture is richer than the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio or the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio in the entire combustion chamber 17 (that is, The excess air ratio λ of the mixture is λ ≦ 1).

  When the engine 1 operates on the low rotation side in the high load mid-rotation region (2), the injector 6 injects fuel in the intake stroke (reference numeral 6031) and injects fuel at the end of the compression stroke (reference numeral 6032). ). The end of the compression stroke may be the end when the compression stroke is divided into three equal parts in the initial, middle and final stages.

  The pre-injection 6031 that starts in the intake stroke may start fuel injection in the first half of the intake stroke. The first half of the intake stroke may be the first half when the intake stroke is divided into two equal parts. Specifically, the pre-injection may start fuel injection at 280 ° CA before top dead center.

  When the injection start of the pre-stage injection 6031 is in the first half of the intake stroke, although not shown in the drawing, a part of the fuel enters the squish area 171 of the combustion chamber 17 by the fuel spray hitting the opening edge of the cavity 31, The remaining fuel enters the area within the cavity 31. The swirl flow is strong at the outer periphery of the combustion chamber 17 and weak at the center. Therefore, a part of the fuel that has entered the squish area 171 enters the swirl flow, and the remaining fuel that has entered the region within the cavity 31 enters the inside of the swirl flow. The fuel that has entered the swirl flow remains in the swirl flow during the intake stroke to the compression stroke, and forms an air-fuel mixture for CI combustion at the outer peripheral portion of the combustion chamber 17. The fuel that has entered the swirl flow also remains inside the swirl flow during the intake stroke to the compression stroke, and forms an air-fuel mixture for SI combustion in the central portion of the combustion chamber 17.

  When the engine 1 operates in the high load mid-rotation region (2), the air-fuel mixture at the center where the spark plug 25 is disposed preferably has an excess air ratio λ of 1 or less, and the air-fuel mixture at the outer periphery is The excess air ratio λ is 1 or less, preferably less than 1. The air-fuel ratio (A / F) of the air-fuel mixture in the center may be, for example, 13 or more and the theoretical air-fuel ratio (14.7) or less. The air-fuel ratio of the air-fuel mixture at the center may be leaner than the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio. The air-fuel ratio of the air-fuel mixture at the outer peripheral portion may be, for example, 11 or more and the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio or less, preferably 11 or more and 12 or less. When the excess air ratio λ at the outer peripheral portion of the combustion chamber 17 is less than 1, the amount of fuel in the air-fuel mixture increases at the outer peripheral portion, so that the temperature can be lowered by the latent heat of vaporization of the fuel. The air-fuel ratio of the entire air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber 17 may be 12.5 or more and the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio or less, preferably 12.5 or more and 13 or less.

  The end of the compression stroke may be the end when the compression stroke is divided into three equal parts, the initial period, the middle period, and the final period. For example, the post-injection 6032 performed at the end of the compression stroke may start fuel injection at 10 ° CA before top dead center. By performing the post-stage injection immediately before the top dead center, the temperature in the combustion chamber can be lowered by the latent heat of vaporization of the fuel. The fuel injected by the pre-injection 6031 undergoes a low-temperature oxidation reaction during the compression stroke and shifts to a high-temperature oxidation reaction before the top dead center. However, the post-injection 6032 is performed immediately before the top dead center to burn the fuel. By lowering the indoor temperature, it is possible to suppress the transition from the low temperature oxidation reaction to the high temperature oxidation reaction, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of premature ignition. In addition, the ratio of the injection quantity of front | former stage injection and the injection quantity of back | latter stage injection is good also as 95: 5 as an example.

  The spark plug 25 ignites the air-fuel mixture in the center of the combustion chamber 17 in the vicinity of the compression top dead center (reference numeral 6033). The spark plug 25 performs ignition after the compression top dead center, for example. Since the spark plug 25 is disposed at the center of the combustion chamber 17, the air-fuel mixture at the center starts SI combustion by flame propagation by the ignition of the spark plug 25.

  In the high load region, the fuel injection amount increases and the temperature of the combustion chamber 17 also increases, so that the CI combustion is likely to start early. In other words, pre-ignition of the air-fuel mixture tends to occur in the high load region. However, as described above, since the temperature of the outer peripheral portion of the combustion chamber 17 is lowered by the latent heat of vaporization of the fuel, it is avoided that the CI combustion starts immediately after the mixture is sparked. Can do.

  As described above, when the spark plug 25 ignites the air-fuel mixture in the central portion, the SI combustion is stabilized by increasing the combustion speed due to the high turbulent energy, and the flame of the SI combustion is stabilized in the combustion chamber 17. Propagating in a circumferential direction on a strong swirl flow. Thus, the unburned mixture undergoes compression ignition at a predetermined circumferential position in the outer peripheral portion of the combustion chamber 17, and CI combustion starts.

  In this SPCCI combustion concept, SI combustion is sufficiently performed before the start of CI combustion by stratifying the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber 17 and generating a strong swirl flow in the combustion chamber 17. be able to. As a result, the generation of combustion noise can be suppressed, and the generation of NOx is also suppressed without the combustion temperature becoming too high. Further, torque variation between cycles can be suppressed.

  Moreover, since the temperature of the outer peripheral portion is low, CI combustion becomes moderate, and the generation of combustion noise can be suppressed. Furthermore, since the combustion period is shortened by CI combustion, torque can be improved and thermal efficiency can be improved in a high load region. Therefore, the engine 1 can improve fuel efficiency while avoiding combustion noise by performing SPCCI combustion in a high load region.

  When the engine 1 operates on the high rotation side in the high load mid-rotation region (2), the injector 6 starts fuel injection in the intake stroke (reference numeral 6041).

  The pre-stage injection 6041 that starts in the intake stroke may start fuel injection in the first half of the intake stroke, as described above. Specifically, the front injection 6041 may start fuel injection at 280 ° CA before top dead center. The end of the front injection may exceed the intake stroke and be in the compression stroke. By starting the injection of the front injection 6041 in the first half of the intake stroke, an air-fuel mixture for CI combustion is formed in the outer peripheral portion of the combustion chamber 17 and an air-fuel mixture for SI combustion is formed in the central portion of the combustion chamber 17 can do. As described above, the air-fuel mixture in the center portion where the spark plug 25 is disposed preferably has an excess air ratio λ of 1 or less, and the air-fuel mixture in the outer peripheral portion has an air excess ratio λ of 1 or less, preferably 1 Is less than. The air-fuel ratio (A / F) of the air-fuel mixture in the center may be, for example, 13 or more and the theoretical air-fuel ratio (14.7) or less. The air-fuel ratio of the air-fuel mixture at the center may be leaner than the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio. The air-fuel ratio of the air-fuel mixture at the outer peripheral portion may be, for example, 11 or more and the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio or less, preferably 11 or more and 12 or less. The air-fuel ratio of the entire air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber 17 may be 12.5 or more and the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio or less, preferably 12.5 or more and 13 or less.

  When the rotation speed of the engine 1 increases, the time for the fuel injected by the pre-injection 6041 to react becomes shorter. Therefore, the latter stage injection for suppressing the oxidation reaction of the air-fuel mixture can be omitted.

  The spark plug 25 ignites the air-fuel mixture at the center of the combustion chamber 17 in the vicinity of the compression top dead center (reference numeral 6042). The spark plug 25 performs ignition after the compression top dead center, for example.

  As described above, by stratifying the air-fuel mixture, combustion noise can be suppressed and SPCCI combustion can be stabilized in the high load mid-rotation region (2).

  As described above, since the engine 1 performs SPCCI combustion with the air-fuel mixture richer than the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio or the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio in the high-load mid-rotation region (2), the high-load mid-rotation region (2) It can be referred to as “SPCCIλ ≦ 1 region”.

(High load, low rotation range (3))
When the engine 1 is operating in the high load low rotation region (3), the engine 1 performs SI combustion instead of SPCCI combustion. The high load low rotation region (3) corresponds to the first high load region (C1) in the operation region map 700 or 701.

  Reference numeral 605 in FIG. 17 indicates fuel injection timing (reference numerals 6051 and 6052) and ignition timing (reference numeral 6053) when the engine 1 is operating in the operating state indicated by reference numeral 605 in the high-load low-rotation region (3). An example of each combustion waveform (reference numeral 6054) is shown.

  The EGR system 55 introduces EGR gas into the combustion chamber 17 when the operating state of the engine 1 is in the high load low rotation region (3). The engine 1 reduces the amount of EGR gas as the load increases. At full open load, the EGR gas may be zero.

  When the engine 1 is operating in the high-load low-rotation region (3), the air-fuel ratio (A / F) of the air-fuel mixture is the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio (A / F≈14.7) in the entire combustion chamber 17. is there. The A / F of the air-fuel mixture may be set within the purification window of the three-way catalyst. Therefore, the excess air ratio λ of the air-fuel mixture may be set to 1.0 ± 0.2. By setting the air-fuel ratio of the air-fuel mixture to the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio, the fuel consumption performance is improved in the high load low rotation region (3). When the engine 1 is operated in the high load low rotation region (3), the fuel concentration of the entire air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber 17 is 1 or less in the excess air ratio λ and the high load medium rotation region (2). The excess air ratio λ may be greater than or equal to the excess air ratio λ, preferably greater than the excess air ratio λ in the high load mid-rotation region (2).

  In the operation region map 702, when the engine 1 operates in the high-load low-rotation region (3), the injector 6 is at the respective timings during the intake stroke and the retard period from the end of the compression stroke to the beginning of the expansion stroke. Then, fuel is injected into the combustion chamber 17 (reference numerals 6051 and 6052). By injecting fuel in two steps, the amount of fuel injected within the retard period can be reduced. By injecting fuel during the intake stroke (reference numeral 6051), it is possible to secure a sufficient time for forming the air-fuel mixture. Further, by injecting fuel during the retard period (reference numeral 6052), the flow in the combustion chamber 17 can be increased immediately before ignition, which is advantageous for stabilizing SI combustion.

  The spark plug 25 ignites the air-fuel mixture at a timing near the compression top dead center after fuel injection (reference numeral 6053). The spark plug 25 may ignite after compression top dead center, for example. The air-fuel mixture undergoes SI combustion in the expansion stroke. Since SI combustion starts in the expansion stroke, CI combustion does not start.

  In order to avoid premature ignition, the injector 6 may retard the fuel injection timing as the rotational speed of the engine 1 decreases. The fuel injection within the retard period may end in the expansion stroke.

  When the engine 1 is operated in the high load low rotation region (3), the swirl flow is weaker than that in the high load medium rotation region (2). When operating in the high load low rotation region (3), the opening of the swirl control valve (SCV) 56 is larger than when operating in the high load medium rotation region (2). The opening degree of the swirl control valve 56 may be, for example, about 50% (that is, half open).

  2, the axis of the injection hole of the injector 6 is displaced in the circumferential direction with respect to the spark plug 25. The fuel injected from the nozzle hole flows in the circumferential direction by the swirl flow in the combustion chamber 17. By the swirl flow, the fuel can be quickly transported to the vicinity of the spark plug 25. The fuel can be vaporized while being transported in the vicinity of the spark plug 25.

  On the other hand, if the swirl flow is too strong, the fuel is caused to flow in the circumferential direction, away from the vicinity of the spark plug 25, and the fuel cannot be quickly transported to the vicinity of the spark plug 25. Therefore, when the engine 1 is operated in the high load low rotation region (3), the swirl flow is weaker than that in the high load medium rotation region (2). As a result, the fuel can be quickly transported to the vicinity of the spark plug 25, so that the ignitability of the air-fuel mixture can be improved and the SI combustion can be stabilized.

  In the high-load low-rotation region (3), the engine 1 performs SI combustion by injecting fuel during the retard period from the end of the compression stroke to the early stage of the expansion stroke. It can be called a “retard-SI region”.

(High rotation area (4))
When the rotational speed of the engine 1 is high, the time required for the crank angle to change by 1 ° is shortened. Therefore, for example, in the high rotation region in the high load region, it becomes difficult to stratify the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber 17 as described above. When the rotational speed of the engine 1 becomes high, it becomes difficult to perform the aforementioned SPCCI combustion.

  Therefore, when the engine 1 is operating in the high speed region (4), the engine 1 performs SI combustion instead of SPCCI combustion. The high rotation region (4) extends over the entire load direction from a low load to a high load.

  Reference numeral 606 in FIG. 17 indicates the fuel injection timing (reference 6061) and ignition timing (reference 6062) and the combustion waveform when the engine 1 is operating in the operating state of reference 606 in the high speed region (4). (Reference numeral 6063) An example of each is shown.

  The EGR system 55 introduces EGR gas into the combustion chamber 17 when the operating state of the engine 1 is in the high rotation region (4). The engine 1 reduces the amount of EGR gas as the load increases. At full load, EGR gas may be zero.

  When the engine 1 is operated in the high speed region (4), the swirl control valve (SCV) 56 is fully opened. A swirl flow is not generated in the combustion chamber 17 and only a tumble flow is generated. By fully opening the swirl control valve 56, the charging efficiency can be increased in the high rotation region (4), and the pump loss can be reduced.

  When the engine 1 operates in the high speed region (4), the air-fuel ratio (A / F) of the air-fuel mixture is basically the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio (A / F = 14.7) in the entire combustion chamber 17. It is. The excess air ratio λ of the air-fuel mixture may be 1.0 ± 0.2. Note that the excess air ratio λ of the air-fuel mixture may be less than 1 in the high load region including the fully open load in the high rotation region (4).

  When the engine 1 operates in the high speed region (4), the injector 6 starts fuel injection during the intake stroke (see reference numeral 6061). The injector 6 injects fuel in a lump. By starting fuel injection during the intake stroke, a homogeneous or substantially homogeneous mixture can be formed in the combustion chamber 17. Further, when the engine 1 has a high rotation speed, the fuel vaporization time can be ensured as long as possible, so that unburned loss can be reduced and soot generation can be suppressed.

  The spark plug 25 ignites the air-fuel mixture at an appropriate timing before the compression top dead center after the end of fuel injection (see reference numeral 6062).

  Therefore, in the high speed region (4), the engine 1 starts fuel injection in the intake stroke and performs SI combustion, so the high speed region (4) can be referred to as an “intake-SI region”.

(Engine operation control with respect to the rotational speed direction in the third configuration example of the operation region map)
The waveform 132 shown in the lower part of FIG. 13 indicates the rotation speed of the engine 1 and the swirl control valve 56 in the region where the SPCCI combustion is performed in the operation region map 702 of FIG. The relationship with the opening is shown. The two-dot chain line in the lower diagram of FIG. 13 indicates the waveform 131 of the upper diagram of FIG. As described above, in the SPCCI region of the operation region map 702, the degree of opening of the swirl control valve 56 is closed regardless of the rotational speed of the engine 1. This is different from the waveform 131 in which the swirl control valve 56 is fully opened until the rotational speed exceeds N4. In the SPCCIλ> 1 region and the SPCCIλ = 1 region, the swirl ratio may be set to about 1.5 to 3, for example. At this time, the opening degree of the swirl control valve 56 may be about 25 to 40%. Since the swirl flow is formed in the combustion chamber 17, the SI combustion in the SPCCI combustion becomes rapid, and therefore the SI rate becomes higher than when the swirl flow is not formed.

  FIG. 18 shows the relationship between the rotational speed of the engine 1 and the rear injection rate in the SPCCI region of the operation region map 702 of FIG. 7C (waveform 113). In the upper diagram of FIG. 18, the two-dot chain line indicates the waveform 111 of FIG. Since the swirl flow is formed in the combustion chamber 17 as described above, the SI rate becomes relatively high, so that the post-injection rate can be set relatively low. When the post-injection rate is low, the amount of fuel injected by the pre-injection increases, so that it is possible to ensure a long fuel vaporization time. This is advantageous in reducing the generation of unburned air-fuel mixture and soot and improving the exhaust emission performance of the engine 1. Also in the operation region map 702, the relationship between the rotational speed of the engine 1 and the SI rate is similar to the relationship shown in FIG.

  In the waveform 113 as well, the post-injection rate is increased so that the SI rate of SPCCI combustion increases when the rotational speed of the engine 1 exceeds N3. The post-injection rate is increased as the rotational speed of the engine 1 is increased. In addition, you may make it raise a back | latter stage injection rate from the rotation speed higher than N3. In the example of the waveform 113, the post-injection rate is continuously increased at a predetermined change rate as the rotational speed of the engine 1 increases. In contrast, the post-injection rate may be increased stepwise (that is, discontinuously) as the rotational speed of the engine 1 increases. Since the SI rate in SPCCI combustion becomes high and combustion noise generated by SPCCI combustion can be suppressed, NVH can be suppressed to an allowable value or less when the number of revolutions of engine 1 is high.

  Although the rear-stage injection rate is increased as the engine speed increases, the initial rear-stage injection ratio is low, and therefore the rear-stage injection ratio does not exceed the upper limit even at the rotation speed N2. That is, by forming a swirl flow in the combustion chamber 17, even when the engine speed is high, the engine speed is low even in the maximum engine speed region (region in the vicinity of the engine speed N2 in FIG. 18) where SPCCI combustion is performed. The post-injection rate can be made higher than when.

  Although illustration is omitted, when the rotational speed of the engine 1 is equal to or lower than the predetermined rotational speed N3, the change rate of the post-injection amount is not made zero, but the post-stage injection rate is increased as the rotational speed of the engine 1 increases. May be increased. In this case, it is preferable that the rate of change when the rotational speed of the engine 1 is equal to or lower than the predetermined rotational speed N3 is smaller than the rate of change when the rotational speed exceeds the predetermined rotational speed N3.

  Further, as illustrated by the one-dot chain line in the upper diagram of FIG. 18, when the load on the engine 1 increases, the rotation speed N3 at which the increase in the post-stage injection rate starts may be shifted to the high rotation side. By doing so, the range in which the low post-stage injection rate is maintained becomes wider on the high rotation side. If the post-injection rate is low, CI combustion in SPCCI combustion increases, which is advantageous for improving fuel efficiency.

  Unlike the example in the upper diagram of FIG. 18, the slope of a straight line indicating the relationship between the rotational speed of the engine 1 and the post-injection rate is shown in the waveform 114 in the lower diagram of FIG. When the load is high, the load may be more gradual than when the load is low.

  FIG. 19 shows the relationship between the rotational speed of the engine 1 and the post-injection timing in the SPCCI region of the operation region map 702 of FIG. 7C. The waveform 123 in the upper diagram in FIG. 19 corresponds to the waveform 121 in the upper diagram in FIG. A two-dot chain line in FIG. 19 indicates a part of the waveform 121 in FIG. 12.

  Also in the waveform 123, when the rotational speed of the engine 1 exceeds the predetermined rotational speed N3, the injection timing of the post-stage injection is advanced at a predetermined change rate as the rotational speed of the engine 1 increases. When the rotational speed of the engine 1 is high, the combustion noise of SPCCI combustion can be kept low. Note that the injection timing of the post-injection may be advanced from a rotational speed higher than the rotational speed higher than N3.

  Although illustration is omitted, when the rotational speed of the engine 1 is equal to or lower than the predetermined rotational speed N3, the rate of change in the injection timing of the post-injection is not made zero, but as the rotational speed of the engine 1 increases, The injection timing may be advanced. In this case, the change rate when the rotational speed of the engine 1 is equal to or less than the predetermined rotational speed N3 may be smaller than the change rate when the rotational speed exceeds the predetermined rotational speed N3.

  If the swirl flow is not formed in the combustion chamber 17, the flow in the combustion chamber 17 resulting from the injection becomes weak at the ignition timing when the injection timing of the post-stage injection becomes earlier, but the combustion chamber If the swirl flow is formed in the engine 17, the flow in the combustion chamber 17 at the ignition timing is strongly maintained even if the injection timing of the post-stage injection is advanced. That is, by forming a swirl flow in the combustion chamber 17, there is no advance angle limit of the post-injection, and as shown by the waveform 123, the injection timing of the post-injection is set according to the increase in the rotational speed of the engine 1. Can be advanced. By forming a swirl flow in the combustion chamber 17, even when the engine speed is high in the maximum engine speed range (region near the engine speed N2 in FIG. 18) in which the SPCCI combustion is performed, the engine speed is lower than when the engine speed is low. Also, the timing of the subsequent injection can be advanced.

  If the post-injection timing is advanced, the fuel vaporization time can be secured for that much, and the generation of unburned air-fuel mixture and soot can be reduced. In particular, as shown in FIG. 18, as the number of revolutions of the engine 1 increases, the amount of post-injection increases. Therefore, advancement of the post-injection timing ensures a long fuel vaporization time for the post-injection. Will be advantageous. The generation of unburned air-fuel mixture and soot can be reduced and engine exhaust emission performance can be improved.

  As illustrated by the alternate long and short dash line in the upper diagram of FIG. 18, when the load increases, the rotation speed N3 that starts the advance of the injection timing may be shifted to the high rotation side. By doing so, the range in which the injection timing of the post-injection is late becomes wider on the high rotation side.

  Unlike the example in the upper diagram of FIG. 19, as shown by a dashed line in the waveform 124 in the lower diagram of FIG. When the load of 1 is increased, the load may be more gradual than when the load is low.

(Example of combustion waveform of SPCCI combustion)
20 and 21 illustrate combustion waveforms in the respective operating states W1 to W12 of the engine 1. An operation region map 704 illustrated in FIG. 20 is based on the operation region map 702 illustrated in FIG. 7C. That is, in this operation region map 704, SPCCI combustion is performed in the low load region that includes the idle operation and extends to the regions of low rotation and medium rotation. This region corresponds to the low load region (1) -1 in the operation region map 702. However, the region in the operation region map 704 in FIG. 20 is a non-supercharged region.

  Further, in the operation region map 704 of FIG. 20, SPCCI combustion is performed in the medium load region where the load is higher than that in the low load region and in the medium rotation region where the load is high. This region corresponds to the middle load region (1) -2 and the middle load region (2) in the high load region in the operation region map 702. The region in the operation region map 704 in FIG. 20 is a region where supercharging is performed.

  Further, in the operation region map of FIG. 20, the low rotation region where the rotation speed is lower than that in the middle rotation region in the high load region is a region where retarded SI combustion is performed. This region corresponds to the low rotation region (3) of the high load region in the operation region map 702.

  In addition, in the operation region map 704 of FIG. 20, the high rotation region is a region where fuel injection is performed during the intake stroke and SI combustion is performed. This region corresponds to the high rotation region (4) in the operation region map 702.

  Also in the operation region map of FIG. 20, as shown in FIGS. 11 to 12 or FIGS. 18 to 19, the post-stage injection rate, And / or the injection timing of the post-stage injection is changed. The rotation speeds N1 and N2 in FIGS. 11 to 12 or FIGS. 18 to 19 correspond to the rotation speeds N1 and N2 in FIG. In the region where the SPCCI combustion is performed, the SI rate increases linearly as the rotational speed of the engine 1 increases (see FIG. 14). By increasing the SI rate, the combustion noise of SPCCI combustion can be suppressed low, so that NVH can be suppressed to an allowable value or less when the engine 1 has a high rotational speed.

  As described above, in the SPCCI region, the SI rate is increased as the rotational speed of the engine 1 increases. Comparing the waveforms of W2, W7, and W10, the peak of SI combustion gradually increases in the order of W2, W7, and W10. As a result, the peak of CI combustion gradually decreases in the order of W2, W7, and W10. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of a combustion noise can be suppressed as the rotation speed of the engine 1 becomes high. In the SPCCI region, the same tendency appears in W3, W8, W11, and W4, W9, W12, which have lower loads than W2, W7, and W10.

(Other embodiments)
The control of the engine 1 performed by the ECU 10 is not limited to the control based on the combustion model described above.

  Further, the technology disclosed herein is not limited to being applied to the engine 1 having the above-described configuration. As the configuration of the engine 1, various configurations can be adopted.

1 Engine 10 ECU (controller)
17 Combustion chamber 171 Squish area 25 Spark plug 3 Piston 31 Cavity 56 Swirl control valve (intake flow control device, swirl generator)
6 Injector SW6 Acupressure sensor

Claims (7)

An engine configured to ignite the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber;
An injector attached to the engine and configured to inject fuel into the combustion chamber;
A spark plug disposed facing the combustion chamber and configured to ignite an air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber;
A controller connected to each of the injector and the spark plug and configured to operate the engine by outputting a control signal to each of the injector and the spark plug; and
After the spark plug ignites the mixture and combustion begins, the unburned mixture burns by self-ignition,
The controller outputs a control signal to the injector so that the fuel injection timing is advanced when the engine is operating at a high speed than when the engine is operating at a low speed,
The controller has an SI rate as an index related to a ratio of the amount of heat generated when the ignited mixture is burned by flame propagation with respect to the total amount of heat generated when the mixture in the combustion chamber burns. Is less than 100%, and when the engine speed is high, the SI rate is higher than when the engine speed is low,
Comprising a finger pressure sensor for detecting the pressure in the combustion chamber;
The controller sets a target SI rate based on the operating state of the engine, receives the detection signal of the finger pressure sensor, calculates the SI rate based on a pressure waveform accompanying combustion of the air-fuel mixture, and A control device for a compression ignition engine that adjusts the SI rate so that the SI rate approaches the target SI rate when the calculated SI rate is different from the target SI rate. An engine configured to ignite the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber;
An injector attached to the engine and configured to inject fuel into the combustion chamber;
A spark plug disposed facing the combustion chamber and configured to ignite an air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber;
A controller connected to each of the injector and the spark plug and configured to operate the engine by outputting a control signal to each of the injector and the spark plug; and
After the spark plug ignites the mixture and combustion begins, the unburned mixture burns by self-ignition,
The controller outputs a control signal to the injector so as to perform the pre-stage injection and the post-stage injection at a timing later than the pre-stage injection,
The controller outputs a control signal to the injector so that the injection timing of the post-stage injection is advanced when the engine is operating at a high speed than when the engine is operating at a low speed,
The controller outputs a control signal to the injector so that the injection timing of the post-stage injection is advanced at a predetermined change rate in accordance with a change in the rotational speed of the engine,
The controller is configured such that the rate of change when the engine speed is high is higher than the rate of change when the engine speed is low,
The controller outputs a control signal to the injector so that the injection timing of the post-stage injection is constant even when the rotational speed changes when the rotational speed of the engine is equal to or lower than a predetermined rotational speed,
The controller outputs a control signal to the injector so that the injection timing of the post-stage injection is advanced as the engine speed increases when the engine speed exceeds the predetermined speed,
The controller outputs a control signal to the injector so that the injection timing of the post-stage injection does not exceed a predetermined advance angle limit,
An intake air flow control device attached to the engine and configured to regulate intake air flow introduced into the combustion chamber;
The controller is a control device for a compression ignition engine that outputs a control signal to the intake air flow control device so that the intake air flow becomes stronger when the injection timing of the post-stage injection is the advance angle limit. The control apparatus for a compression ignition engine according to claim 2 ,
The controller is a control device for a compression ignition engine that outputs a control signal to the intake air flow control device so that the intake air flow becomes stronger as the engine speed increases. The control apparatus for a compression ignition engine according to claim 3 ,
A piston forming a part of the combustion chamber is recessed from an upper surface of the piston and has a cavity facing the injector;
The front-stage injection is a control apparatus for a compression ignition engine that injects the fuel into a squish area outside the cavity during a compression stroke, and the rear-stage injection is an injection of the fuel into the cavity. An engine configured to ignite the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber;
An injector attached to the engine and configured to inject fuel into the combustion chamber;
A spark plug disposed facing the combustion chamber and configured to ignite an air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber;
A controller connected to each of the injector and the spark plug and configured to operate the engine by outputting a control signal to each of the injector and the spark plug; and
After the spark plug ignites the mixture and combustion begins, the unburned mixture burns by self-ignition,
The controller outputs a control signal to the injector so as to perform the pre-stage injection and the post-stage injection at a timing later than the pre-stage injection,
The controller outputs a control signal to the injector so that the injection timing of the post-stage injection is advanced when the engine is operating at a high speed than when the engine is operating at a low speed,
A piston forming a part of the combustion chamber is recessed from an upper surface of the piston and has a cavity facing the injector;
The front-stage injection is a control apparatus for a compression ignition engine that injects the fuel into a squish area outside the cavity during a compression stroke, and the rear-stage injection is an injection of the fuel into the cavity. In the control device for a compression ignition engine according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
A swirl generator for generating a swirl flow in the combustion chamber;
The controller is a control device for a compression ignition type engine that outputs a control signal to the swirl generation unit so as to generate a swirl flow in the combustion chamber regardless of the rotational speed of the engine. The compression ignition type engine control device according to claim 6 ,
When the fuel injection timing is high at least in the maximum rotation speed region of the operating region where the unburned mixture burns by self-ignition after the ignition plug ignites the mixture and combustion starts. A control device for a compression ignition engine that outputs a control signal to the injector so that the angle of advance is higher than that during low rotation.

Images