JP2006188992A - Engine control device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an engine control device capable of maintaining a stable engine operation state from when starting an engine just after feeding fuel, even if a fuel characteristic changes every time when feeding the fuel. <P>SOLUTION: This engine control device is an engine control device mounted on a vehicle and having a control means 80 for adjusting an operation condition of the engine 71 on the basis of fuel information for indicating the fuel characteristic; and is characterized by having a fuel feeding determining means 81 for detecting fuel feeding to a fuel tank 120 of the vehicle 70 by a fuel feeding source 10, and an input means 110 for inputting the fuel information on fuel fed to the fuel tank 120 to the control means 80 by the fuel feeding source 10 when this fuel feeding determining means 81 detects the fuel feeding. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an engine control device that is mounted on a vehicle and includes a control unit that adjusts an operating condition of an engine based on fuel information indicating fuel characteristics.

Conventionally, in order to cope with variations in fuel characteristics depending on the fueling location and season, the fuel characteristics are detected by the fuel property sensor mounted on the vehicle and the engine operating status (engine speed, oxygen sensor output, combustion pressure sensor output, etc.) There is known an engine control device that estimates and reflects the detected or estimated fuel characteristics in engine operating conditions to maintain a stable engine operating state (for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).
JP 2000-64878 A JP-A-9-324676

  However, in the method of obtaining the fuel characteristic information with the fuel property sensor as described in Patent Document 1, there is a limit to the amount of information of the obtained fuel characteristic, or when starting the engine, particularly during cold starting. However, the sensor may not be activated, and there is a problem that fuel characteristics cannot be obtained immediately after the engine is started.

  On the other hand, in the method for obtaining the fuel characteristic information according to the engine operating state as described in Patent Document 2, the fuel characteristic information detected during the operation is stored as a learning value in the backup RAM, Although this value can be used at start-up, the fuel characteristics change at the start immediately after refueling or immediately after completion of the start-up, so the stored learned value becomes inadequate, and the engine startability and exhaust gas status are unstable. There was a possibility of becoming.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an engine control device capable of maintaining a stable engine operating state from the time of engine start immediately after refueling even if the fuel characteristics change every time fuel is refilled. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, in claim 1, the engine control device is an engine control device that is mounted on a vehicle and includes control means for adjusting an operating condition of the engine based on fuel information indicating fuel characteristics. Fuel refueling determination means for detecting refueling to the fuel tank of the vehicle from the beginning, and when the fuel refueling determination means detects refueling, the fuel information of the fuel refueled to the fuel tank is input from the refueling source to the control means. Means.

  As a result, information on the fuel to be refueled is obtained each time fuel is supplied, so that engine control based on this fuel information can be performed from the time of engine start immediately after refueling, and a stable engine operating state can be maintained. it can.

  Further, in claim 1, fuel information is obtained from a refueling source. The fuel information held by the refueling source has more information than the fuel information obtained from the above prior art. By performing engine control based on this fuel information, a more stable engine operating state can be maintained.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the engine control device is provided with a fuel information storage means in which fuel information is stored at the refueling source, and the input means controls the fuel information in the fuel information storage means in accordance with the fuel supplied to the fuel tank. It is characterized by inputting to the means.

  In general, a refueling source stores different oil types (for example, regular gasoline, high-octane gasoline, light oil), selects an oil type suitable for the engine according to the type of engine installed in the vehicle, Is being supplied to the fuel tank. According to the second aspect of the invention, the fuel information stored in the fuel information storage means is input to the control means of the engine control device in accordance with the fuel supplied to the fuel tank, so that the fuel information corresponding to the oil type is input to the control means. can do.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the input means includes reading means for reading fuel information of the fueling source, and connecting means for fetching the fuel information read by the reading means into the control means, and the reading means is installed on the fueling source side. It is characterized by having. Thereby, even if the reading means for inputting fuel information from the refueling source to the control means is not mounted on the vehicle side, the fuel information can be input to the control means.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the input means is reading means for reading fuel information of the fueling source and taking it into the control means, and the reading means is installed on the vehicle side. Thereby, even if the reading means for inputting fuel information from the refueling source to the control means is not on the refueling source side, the fuel information can be input to the control means.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the fuel information is stored as a data code in the fuel information storage means, and the reading means reads the data code. By storing the fuel information as a data code in the fuel information storage means, the data code can be printed on a paper surface or displayed on a screen, so that the fuel information can be easily handled.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the reading means is a portable communication terminal that reads the data code. Recently, many mobile communication terminals (for example, mobile phones) having a function of reading data codes are sold and distributed. By using this portable communication terminal as a data code reading means, it is possible to easily input fuel information to the engine control device without providing a special input means at the vehicle or the refueling source.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the data code is a QR code. Provided to the engine controller by using a QR (Quick Response) code (QR code is a registered trademark of DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED) that can easily store a relatively large amount of information as a data code. Even if the fuel information to be increased increases, it can be easily handled.

  In claim 8, the fuel supply source is provided with a fuel supply side communication means capable of transmitting fuel information to the vehicle, and the input means is a vehicle side communication means communicating with the fuel supply side communication means. It is a feature. Thereby, detailed fuel information can be input to the control means.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the fuel information is information related to the knock resistance or evaporability of the fuel. Since the fuel information is information that affects the engine start and the state of the exhaust gas, the engine control device can maintain a stable engine operation state by obtaining the fuel information.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the control means of the engine control device stores fuel remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of fuel stored in the fuel tank, and stored fuel information of the fuel stored in the fuel tank. Stored fuel information storage means, fuel supply amount detection means for detecting the fuel supply amount supplied to the fuel tank, and information correction means for correcting the fuel information. The correction fuel information is calculated based on the ratio of the fuel supply amount and the stored fuel information.

  As a result, even when a new fuel with different fuel characteristics is supplied with the fuel remaining in the fuel tank, the fuel information obtained from the input means can be corrected, so that a stable engine operation state is maintained. be able to.

  The stored fuel information storage means updates and stores the corrected fuel information as stored fuel information. Thereby, the fuel information can be corrected at the next fuel supply.

(First embodiment)
The engine control apparatus of 1st Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated based on FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a state in which fuel stored in a storage tank 20 of a fuel supply apparatus 10 that is a fuel supply source according to the first embodiment is supplied to a fuel tank 120 of a vehicle 70 via a fuel supply nozzle 30. is there.

  In FIG. 1, the fuel supply apparatus 10 includes a storage tank 20 that stores fuel, a fuel information storage unit 40 as fuel information storage means, and a fuel supply nozzle 30. The fuel information storage unit 40 stores a plurality of pieces of fuel information (hereinafter referred to as fuel characteristic information) determined for each oil type.

  In the first embodiment, a plurality of pieces of fuel characteristic information are stored as data codes, and these data codes are printed and displayed on a paper surface or stored electronically in a RAM or the like, not shown. The code is displayed on the display device. By storing the fuel characteristic information as a data code, the information can be easily handled. Further, by using a general-purpose data code (for example, a QR code or a bar code), the cost for the system of the present invention can be suppressed. Here, an example of a QR code 41, which is a kind of two-dimensional code, is described as an example of a data code.

  A plurality of spaces (not shown) are formed in the storage tank 20, and fuels of different oil types such as regular gasoline, high-octane gasoline, and light oil are stored in each space. The fuel supply nozzle 30 is for supplying the fuel stored in the storage tank 20 to the fuel tank 120 of the vehicle 70. When refueling the vehicle 70, the salesperson or the driver inputs the oil type and the refueling amount to be supplied to the vehicle 70 to the control device 50 of the refueling device 10, and inserts the refueling nozzle 30 into the fuel tank 120. Refuel.

  The QR code 41 is stored in the storage tank 20 by two-dimensionally combining a dark cell printed with a black square and a bright cell that is a white square as a portion where the dark cell does not exist. The fuel characteristic information for each oil type is encoded and stored. By using the QR code 41, it is possible to store more information with a small area, so that even if the amount of information of the fuel characteristic information increases in the future, it can be dealt with immediately.

  The stored fuel characteristic information includes, for example, knock resistance such as octane number (gasoline) or cetane number (light oil), vapor pressure at 37.8 ° C (gasoline), 90% distillation temperature (light oil), etc. Information necessary for maintaining a stable operating state of the engine 71 such as evaporability is included.

  The fuel characteristic information is updated and stored in the fuel information storage unit 40 every time it is delivered from the refinery by a tank truck or the like. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the fuel characteristic information is easily updated and stored by replacing the QR code 41 attached to the fueling device 10. Further, the fuel characteristic information can be updated and stored as electronic information in the fuel information storage unit 40 if the fueling apparatus 10 and the refinery are connected via a communication network.

  In the first embodiment, the fuel characteristic information is stored as the QR code 41. However, a two-dimensional code other than the QR code 41 may be used. If the information amount of the fuel characteristic information is small, a bar code or the like 1 It may be a dimension code.

  The vehicle 70 includes a computer 80 (hereinafter referred to as an ECU) that is a control means for adjusting the operating conditions of the engine 71 and controlling the operation of the engine 71, a fuel filler switch 90, an input device 110 as an input means, a fuel tank. 120 and an engine 71 are provided. In the first embodiment, the input device 110 is described as an example of a QR code reading device 111 that is a reading unit that reads the QR code 41.

  The ECU 80 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, an I / O port, and the like, and by executing a predetermined program, the fuel injection amount, the fuel injection timing, the intake air amount, or the ignition timing into the combustion chamber of the engine 71. Etc. are adjusted to control the operation of the engine 71.

  The fuel filler switch 90 is provided in the vicinity of the fuel filler 121 of the fuel tank 120, and is configured to transmit an ON signal to the ECU 80 when the fuel filler 121 is opened for fueling. The output of the filler port switch 90 is input to the ECU 80 via an I / O port provided in the ECU 80.

  In addition to the function of adjusting the operating conditions of the engine 71, the ECU 80 is provided with a fuel refueling determination unit 81 as fuel refueling determination means that determines whether or not fuel is being supplied from a signal from the fuel filler switch 90. . This refueling determination is not limited to determining whether or not refueling is in progress. The fuel refueling determination unit 81 only needs to determine that there is a possibility of refueling or that fuel has been refueled. Further, this fuel supply determination may be made based on a signal from the fuel gauge 100 that detects the remaining amount of fuel in the fuel tank 120. This is because if the remaining amount of fuel increases, it can be determined that fuel has been supplied.

  The QR code reading device 111 is a device that reads a QR code 41 in which fuel characteristic information relating to fuel provided in the fuel supply device 10 is stored. The reading device 101 includes a CCD camera and an image analysis device. For example, after the QR camera 41 on the vehicle 70 side detects the QR code 41 attached to the fueling device 10 and captures the QR code 41 as an image, The fuel characteristic information encoded by the image analyzer is read. The reading device 111 is connected to an I / O port of the ECU 80 and inputs fuel characteristic information regarding the read fuel to the ECU 80.

  In the ECU 80, when the fuel supply determination unit 81 determines that the fuel supply port 121 is open, the fuel characteristic information input from the reading device 101 is stored in the stored fuel information storage unit 84 as the stored fuel information storage unit. At the same time, in consideration of this fuel characteristic information, the operation of the engine 71 is controlled by adjusting the amount of fuel injected into the combustion chamber of the engine 71, the fuel injection timing, the intake air amount, or the ignition timing.

  As a result, even if the fuel characteristic information changes every time fuel is supplied, the fuel characteristic information stored in the QR code 41 is read by the QR code reader 111 mounted on the vehicle 70 and is input to the ECU 80. The ECU 80 New fuel characteristic information can be additionally stored or updated, and the operating conditions of the engine 71 can be adjusted based on the obtained fuel characteristic information. As a result, a stable engine operation state can be maintained from the start of the engine immediately after refueling.

  In addition to information on fuel knock resistance and evaporation, conventional methods such as lead content (gasoline), benzene content (gasoline), sulfur content (gasoline / light oil) and kinematic viscosity (light oil) in the fuel Then, information that is difficult to obtain may be added to the fuel characteristic information. By adding these pieces of information, it is possible to maintain a more stable engine operating state.

(Modification 1)
Next, the engine control apparatus of the modification 1 of 1st Embodiment is demonstrated based on FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the fuel supply apparatus 10 according to the first modification supplies fuel stored in the storage tank 20 to the fuel tank 120 of the vehicle 70 via the fuel supply nozzle 30. In addition, the same function thing as 1st Embodiment attaches | subjects the same code | symbol. Here, only the feature points different from the first embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the input device 110 includes a QR code reading device 111 serving as a reading unit and a connection terminal portion 112 serving as a connection unit. The QR code reading device 111 is not mounted on the vehicle 70, is installed on the fuel supply device 10 side, and is connected to the connection terminal portion 112 provided in the ECU 80. The QR code reader 111 is connected to the connection terminal portion 112 by a salesperson or a driver when refueling.

  Thus, if the fuel supply device 10 is equipped with the QR code reader 111 without preparing a device for reading the fuel characteristic information on the vehicle 70 and inputting it to the ECU 80, the fuel characteristic information can be easily input to the ECU 80. Can be made.

  In addition, a mobile communication terminal (for example, a mobile phone) having a function of reading the QR code 41 currently sold and distributed in the market is used as the QR code reading device 111, and is used as a connection terminal portion of the ECU 80. If connected to 112, the fuel characteristic information can be input to the ECU 80 more easily. As a result, a portable communication terminal that can be read by the QR code owned by the driver can be used, so that there is no need to provide a special reading device 111 on the vehicle 70 side and the fuel supply device 10 side.

(Modification 2)
Next, an engine control apparatus according to Modification 2 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the fuel supply apparatus 10 according to the second modification is supplying fuel stored in the storage tank 20 to the fuel tank 120 of the vehicle 70 via the fuel supply nozzle 30. In addition, the same function thing as 1st Embodiment attaches | subjects the same code | symbol. Here, only the feature points different from the first embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the refueling device 10 is provided with a refueling source side communication device 60 capable of transmitting fuel characteristic information to the vehicle 70, and the vehicle 70 can also receive the transmitted fuel characteristic information. A side communication device 113 is provided. The vehicle-side communication device 113 in the second modification is another example of the input device 110 that inputs the fuel characteristic information received from the fuel supply device 10 to the ECU 80.

  The refueling source side communication device 60 and the vehicle side communication device 113 are capable of two-way communication, fuel characteristic information is transmitted from the refueling source side communication device 60, and fuel is supplied from the vehicle side communication device 113. Information indicating that this has been done or refueling is transmitted.

  When the fuel supply side communication device 60 receives a signal indicating that fuel has been supplied from the vehicle side communication device 113 or the fuel supply side communication device 60 has received the fuel characteristic information, the fuel supply source side communication device 60 reads the fuel characteristic information. Is transmitted to the vehicle-side communication device 113. When the vehicle side communication device 113 receives the fuel characteristic information, the vehicle side communication device 113 inputs the information to the ECU 80 and stores the information in the stored fuel information storage unit 84.

  By providing the fuel supply device 10 and the vehicle 70 with devices capable of communicating with each other and performing data communication, detailed fuel characteristic information can be input to the ECU 80.

  This data communication can also be performed using an ETC system. If the refueling source communication device 60 is a fixed station of the ETC system and the vehicle communication device 113 is an onboard device of the ETC system, fuel characteristic information can be input to the ECU 80. Thus, it is possible to easily cause the ECU 80 to input the fuel characteristic information to the ECU 80 without mounting a dedicated device for inputting the fuel characteristic information to the ECU 80 in the vehicle 70.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 4, it is also possible to connect the refueling source side communication apparatus 60 to the Internet network 130 which is an example of a communication network. The vehicle-side communication device 113 may be of a type that is mounted on the vehicle 70, or may be of a type that can be removed from the connection terminal portion 112 of the ECU 80 as shown in FIG. good. In this case, for example, it is conceivable to use a mobile communication terminal capable of communicating with the Internet network 130 for the vehicle side communication device 113.

  Further, the refinery or the oil company may receive the support from the fuel supply device 10 and directly input the fuel characteristic information to the ECU 80 via the Internet network 130. In this case, it is not necessary to hold the fuel characteristic information in each fueling device 10, and the fuel characteristic information can be managed in an integrated manner.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, the engine control apparatus of 2nd Embodiment is demonstrated based on FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing main functions provided in the ECU 80 shown in FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the ECU 80 includes a fuel supply determination unit 81, a fuel supply amount detection unit 82, a fuel remaining amount detection unit 83, a stored fuel information storage unit 84, an information correction unit 85, and a fuel injection control unit 86. ing. The ECU 80 is connected such that signals from the fuel filler switch 90, the fuel gauge 100, and the input device 110 are input via the I / O port.

  The fuel supply determination unit 81 determines whether fuel is supplied from the fuel supply device 10 to the fuel tank 120. Since the detailed description of the determination method has been completed in the first embodiment, the detailed description is omitted here.

  The fuel supply amount detection unit 82 detects the amount of fuel newly supplied from the fuel supply apparatus 10 to the fuel tank 120. The detection method detects the amount of newly supplied fuel based on an output signal from the fuel gauge 100 connected to the ECU 80.

  The remaining fuel amount detection unit 83 detects the amount of stored fuel immediately before fuel is supplied from the fuel supply device 10 to the fuel tank 120. The detection method detects the remaining amount of fuel based on an output signal from the fuel gauge 100 connected to the ECU 80.

  The stored fuel information storage unit 84 stores fuel characteristic information related to the stored fuel in the fuel tank 120. When fuel is newly refueled, the fuel characteristic information is corrected by the information correcting unit 85 after refueling, the stored fuel characteristic information stored before refueling is updated to the corrected fuel characteristic information, and stored again. To do.

  The information correction unit 85 includes a signal indicating that fuel is being supplied from the fuel supply determination unit 81, a signal indicating the amount of fuel supplied from the fuel supply amount detection unit 82, a signal indicating the remaining amount of fuel from the remaining fuel amount detection unit 83, and storage. The stored fuel characteristic information of the stored fuel stored at the time of the previous refueling and the fuel characteristic information input from the input device 110 are received from the fuel information storage unit 84, and the newly refueled fuel characteristic information is corrected. Thereafter, the corrected fuel characteristic information is transmitted to the fuel injection control unit 86.

  In the correction of the fuel characteristic information, the fuel characteristic information of the fuel to be newly supplied is corrected based on the ratio between the fuel supply amount and the fuel remaining amount and the stored fuel characteristic information. For example, when the fuel supply amount is equal to the remaining fuel amount, the newly supplied fuel characteristic information is corrected to an average value with the stored fuel characteristic information. The corrected fuel characteristic information corrected by the information correcting unit 85 is transmitted to the fuel injection control unit 86 and the stored fuel information storage unit 84.

  The fuel injection control unit 86 corrects the injection timing of the fuel injection valve and the control amount of the injection amount based on the received fuel characteristic information, and sends a control signal to the fuel injection system 72 including the fuel injection valve and the fuel injection pump. Send.

  According to this configuration, since the fuel characteristic information obtained from the input device 110 is corrected based on the ratio between the fuel supply amount and the remaining fuel amount and the stored stored fuel characteristic information, the fuel is stored in the fuel tank. Even if new fuel with different fuel characteristic information is supplied while remaining in 120, a stable engine operation state can be maintained. Further, the stored fuel information storage unit 84 is configured to update and store the stored fuel characteristic information before refueling with the corrected fuel characteristic information after correction, so that the fuel characteristic information is corrected even at the next fuel refueling. can do.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows the state with which the fuel supply apparatus by 1st Embodiment supplies the fuel stored in the storage tank to the fuel tank via the fuel supply nozzle. FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a state where fuel is supplied to a fuel tank as a first modification. FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a state in which fuel is supplied to a fuel tank as a second modification. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the state with which the fuel supply apparatus by another form of the modification 2 is supplying the fuel stored in the storage tank to the fuel tank via the fuel supply nozzle. It is a block diagram showing the main functions with which ECU shown by FIGS. 1-4 is provided.

Explanation of symbols

10 Refueling device (oiling source)
20 Storage tank 30 Refueling nozzle 40 Fuel information storage unit (fuel information storage means)
41 QR code (fuel information)
70 Vehicle 71 Engine 72 Fuel injection system 80 Computer (ECU, control means)
81 Fuel supply determination unit (fuel supply determination means)
82 Fuel supply amount detection unit (fuel supply amount detection means)
83 Fuel remaining amount detection unit (fuel remaining amount detection means)
84 Retained fuel information storage unit (Retained fuel information storage means)
85 Information Correction Unit (Information Correction Unit)
86 Fuel injection control unit 90 Refueling port switch 100 Fuel gauge 110 Input device (input means)
111 QR code reader (reading means)
120 Fuel tank 121 Refueling port

Claims (11)

An engine control device equipped with a control unit that is mounted on a vehicle and adjusts the operating condition of the engine based on fuel information indicating fuel characteristics,
Fuel refueling determination means for detecting refueling from the fueling source to the fuel tank of the vehicle;
An engine control device comprising: an input means for inputting the fuel information of the fuel supplied to the fuel tank to the control means from the fuel supply source when the fuel supply determination means detects the fuel supply. Fuel information storage means in which the fuel information is stored is provided at the refueling source,
The engine control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input means inputs the fuel information of the fuel information storage means to the control means in accordance with fuel supplied to the fuel tank. The input means includes
Reading means for reading the fuel information of the refueling source;
Connection means for taking in the fuel information read by the reading means into the control means,
The engine control device according to claim 1, wherein the reading unit is installed on the refueling source side. The input means includes
Reading means for reading the fuel information of the fueling source, and taking it into the control means,
The engine control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reading unit is installed on the vehicle side. The fuel information is stored as a data code in the fuel information storage means,
The engine control device according to claim 3, wherein the reading unit reads the data code.   The engine control apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the reading unit is a portable communication terminal that reads the data code.   The engine control apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the data code is a QR code. The refueling source is provided with a refueling source side communication means for transmitting the fuel information to the vehicle,
The engine control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input unit is a vehicle side communication unit that communicates with the refueling source side communication unit.   The engine control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the fuel information is information related to a knock resistance or a vaporization property of the fuel. The control means includes
Fuel remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of fuel stored in the fuel tank;
Stored fuel information storage means for storing stored fuel information of the fuel stored in the fuel tank;
A fuel supply amount detecting means for detecting a fuel supply amount supplied to the fuel tank;
Information correction means for correcting the fuel information,
The information correction unit calculates corrected fuel information based on a ratio between the remaining fuel amount and the fuel supply amount and the stored fuel information. The engine control device according to item.   The engine control apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the stored fuel information storage unit updates and stores the corrected fuel information as the stored fuel information.

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