JP2007137321A - Internal combustion engine controller for hybrid vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect the alcohol concentration of mixed fuel obtained by mixing alcohol and gasoline in a hybrid vehicle. <P>SOLUTION: In this hybrid vehicle which is provided with an internal combustion engine and a motor generator using mixed fuel obtained by mixing gasoline and alcohol, an internal combustion engine controller controls the operating status of the internal combustion engine. This internal combustion engine controller is provided with a fuel injection quantity setting means for setting the injection quantity of the mixed fuel of the internal combustion engine as predetermined injection quantity; an alcohol concentration estimating means for estimating the alcohol concentration of the mixed fuel based on the size relation of a torque value relating to torque to be output by the internal combustion engine and a reference torque value predetermined corresponding to the alcohol concentration of the mixed fuel when the mixed fuel of predetermined injection quantity is injected; and a control switching means for switching the control conditions of the internal combustion engine according to the estimated alcohol concentration. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technical field of an internal combustion engine control device for a hybrid vehicle that controls an operating state of the internal combustion engine in a hybrid vehicle including an internal combustion engine and a motor generator that use a mixed fuel in which gasoline and alcohol are mixed as a power source. .

  The combustion characteristics of a mixed fuel in which gasoline and alcohol are mixed differ depending on the alcohol concentration. Therefore, in an internal combustion engine using a mixed fuel, the air-fuel ratio must be controlled unless the injection amount is appropriately controlled according to the alcohol concentration of the mixed fuel. However, there is a possibility that an overrich lower than the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio or an overlean higher than the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio occurs, resulting in unstable operation. In particular, at the time of cold start, as the alcohol concentration is higher, the fuel injection amount is insufficient and the startability of the internal combustion engine may be deteriorated. In addition, when a mixed fuel having a different alcohol concentration from the mixed fuel stored in the fuel tank is supplied to the fuel tank, the alcohol concentration of the mixed fuel stored in the fuel tank changes.

  For this reason, in an internal combustion engine using a mixed fuel, a technique for detecting the alcohol concentration is important. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for detecting the alcohol concentration by an alcohol concentration sensor provided in the fuel supply path and improving fuel efficiency while maintaining good drivability and exhaust characteristics regardless of the alcohol concentration. Yes.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 03-121225

  However, since the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 uses an alcohol concentration sensor to detect the alcohol concentration, a detection error caused by the alcohol concentration sensor is included. Therefore, there is a technical problem that the alcohol concentration cannot always be accurately detected.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, for example, and provides an internal combustion engine control device for a hybrid vehicle capable of detecting the alcohol concentration of a mixed fuel in which alcohol and gasoline are mixed, for example. And

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a first hybrid vehicle internal combustion engine control apparatus according to the present invention is a hybrid vehicle including an internal combustion engine that uses a mixed fuel in which gasoline and alcohol are mixed as a power source and a motor generator. An internal combustion engine control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle that controls an operating state of an engine, wherein a fuel injection amount setting means that sets an injection amount of the mixed fuel in the internal combustion engine to a predetermined injection amount, and the mixing of the predetermined injection amount When the fuel is injected, the alcohol of the mixed fuel is determined based on the magnitude relationship between the torque value related to the torque output from the internal combustion engine and a reference torque value determined in advance corresponding to the alcohol concentration of the mixed fuel. An alcohol concentration estimating means for estimating the concentration; and a control condition of the internal combustion engine according to the estimated alcohol concentration. And a control switching means for switching.

  The “internal combustion engine” according to the present invention is a concept encompassing an engine that is provided in a hybrid vehicle and converts combustion of fuel into motive power, and refers to, for example, an engine that uses gasoline or the like as fuel. In the present invention, a mixed fuel in which gasoline and alcohol are mixed is used as the fuel for the internal combustion engine. Such an internal combustion engine can burn even with 100% gasoline, and can burn even when alcohol is mixed in an arbitrary ratio. In addition, the “motor generator” according to the present invention converts electric energy supplied from a battery into mechanical energy, thereby operating as an electric motor, and converts mechanical energy into electric energy, for example, to a battery or the like. And a function of operating as a generator for supplying electric power. Two types of motor generators may be installed in advance: a motor generator mainly used as an electric motor (motor) and a motor generator mainly used as a generator (generator). In the “hybrid vehicle” according to the present invention including such an internal combustion engine and a motor generator, so-called parallel control is suitably performed in which the motor generator can appropriately assist the power of the internal combustion engine.

  According to the internal combustion engine control apparatus of the first hybrid vehicle of the present invention, during the operation, the alcohol concentration (or also referred to as “alcohol mixing ratio”) of the mixed fuel supplied to the internal combustion engine is estimated as follows. The

  For example, when the fuel is supplied to the fuel tank, more specifically, at the first start after the fuel whose alcohol concentration may be different from the fuel already existing in the fuel tank or the fuel injection device is supplied. First, the fuel injection amount setting means sets the fuel injection amount of the internal combustion engine to the smallest injection amount among the predetermined injection amounts. Here, the “predetermined injection amount” refers to an injection amount that is set in advance corresponding to the alcohol concentration of the mixed fuel. For example, a torque that enables a hybrid vehicle to travel using a mixed fuel having a certain alcohol concentration. It is set as the minimum injection amount necessary for generating. The higher the alcohol concentration of the mixed fuel, the more such an injection amount is necessary. For example, the injection amount corresponding to the mixed fuel having the alcohol concentration of 60% is larger than the injection amount corresponding to the mixed fuel having the alcohol concentration of 10%. Is set to less. The predetermined injection amount may be set in consideration of the outside air temperature, the engine coolant temperature, and the like. That is, first, the fuel injection amount setting means sets the injection amount corresponding to, for example, a mixed fuel having an alcohol concentration of 10%.

  Next, in the internal combustion engine of the hybrid vehicle, a predetermined amount of mixed fuel is injected. At this time, a torque value related to the torque output from the internal combustion engine is acquired. For example, the torque reaction force of the internal combustion engine is detected via a motor generator. The hybrid vehicle is typically configured to be able to detect the torque of the internal combustion engine as a torque reaction force by a motor generator provided in the hybrid vehicle, and it is not necessary to separately provide a torque sensor or the like. Subsequently, based on the magnitude relationship between the torque value of the internal combustion engine acquired from the torque reaction force by the alcohol concentration estimation means and a reference torque value predetermined corresponding to the alcohol concentration of the mixed fuel, The alcohol concentration is estimated. Here, the “reference torque value” is a torque value used as a reference when estimating whether or not the alcohol concentration of the mixed fuel is within a certain range, and is, for example, 0 or a certain magnitude (for example, the vehicle is autonomous). The size may be a value having a travelable size), or may be different depending on the estimated alcohol concentration (or alcohol concentration range). For example, first, the alcohol concentration estimating means compares the torque value of the internal combustion engine with the reference torque value. For example, a torque value at the time of injection with an injection amount corresponding to an alcohol concentration of 10% is compared with a reference torque value. When the torque value is larger than the reference torque value, for example, the alcohol concentration of the mixed fuel is 10% on the assumption that a torque is generated so that the vehicle can travel with an injection amount corresponding to the alcohol concentration of 10%. Is estimated to be less than On the other hand, when the torque value is less than or equal to the reference torque value, the fuel injection amount setting means corresponds to the previous fuel injection amount (for example, the alcohol concentration of the fuel mixture is 10%) of the predetermined fuel injection amount. Injection amount (for example, the injection amount corresponding to the alcohol concentration of the mixed fuel of 60%). Next, the torque value of the internal combustion engine is compared with the reference torque value again by the alcohol concentration estimating means. That is, for example, the torque value when the injection amount corresponding to the alcohol concentration of 60% is injected is compared with the reference torque value. As described above, the reference torque value may vary depending on the alcohol concentration. When the torque value is larger than the reference torque value, for example, it is assumed that torque is generated so that the vehicle can travel with an injection amount corresponding to the alcohol concentration of 60%, and the alcohol concentration of the mixed fuel is 10% It is estimated that it is more than 60%. On the other hand, when the torque value is equal to or less than the reference torque value, it is estimated that the alcohol concentration of the mixed fuel is 60% or more. As described above, the alcohol concentration estimation means estimates, for example, whether the alcohol concentration of the mixed fuel is one of the three ranges of alcohol concentrations, for example, less than 10%, 10% or more, less than 60%, or 60% or more. Alternatively, it can be detected. It should be noted that the alcohol concentration can be estimated with higher accuracy by setting the above-described predetermined injection amount and torque reference value in advance corresponding to a larger amount of alcohol concentration. Therefore, the predetermined injection amount and the torque reference value may be set in advance according to the accuracy of the required alcohol concentration. Incidentally, “estimating the alcohol concentration” by the alcohol concentration estimating means according to the present invention means to estimate or identify which one of the plurality of alcohol concentration ranges belongs, and more specifically to determine the alcohol concentration. For example, it may be any of the meanings estimated by the order of weight percent or volume percent. For example, if one of the two categories of high concentration and low concentration can be specified, the “estimation” is made here. Typically, there are three types of high concentration, medium concentration, and low concentration. If it can be specified which category it belongs to, the “estimation” here has been made.

  In this manner, the control condition of the internal combustion engine is switched by the control switching means in accordance with the alcohol concentration estimated by the alcohol concentration estimating means. Here, the “control condition of the internal combustion engine” according to the present invention refers to conditions such as fuel injection amount and ignition timing that should be controlled according to the alcohol concentration of the mixed fuel, and corresponds to a plurality of alcohol concentrations. The mapping information indicating the relationship between the alcohol concentration and the control conditions is recorded in advance in the internal combustion engine controller. Therefore, the internal combustion engine can be controlled according to the alcohol concentration of the mixed fuel. Therefore, in the internal combustion engine, it is possible to prevent the operation from becoming unstable due to the occurrence of over-rich or over-lean due to the change in the alcohol concentration of the mixed fuel. In particular, at the time of cold start, it is possible to prevent the startability of the internal combustion engine from being deteriorated due to insufficient fuel injection amount due to high alcohol concentration.

  As described above, according to the internal combustion engine control device for a hybrid vehicle according to the present invention, the alcohol concentration of the mixed fuel can be estimated by the fuel injection amount setting means and the alcohol concentration estimating means, that is, the alcohol concentration sensor. There is no need to consider the detection error caused by the alcohol concentration sensor. Furthermore, the internal combustion engine can be appropriately controlled according to the alcohol concentration by the control switching means.

  In one aspect of the internal combustion engine control apparatus for a first hybrid vehicle of the present invention, it further comprises torque value acquisition means for acquiring the torque value from the torque reaction force of the internal combustion engine detected via the motor generator, The alcohol concentration estimating means estimates the alcohol concentration based on a magnitude relationship between the acquired torque value and the reference torque value.

  According to this aspect, the torque value related to the torque output from the internal combustion engine is acquired from the torque reaction force of the internal combustion engine detected via the motor generator provided in the hybrid vehicle. Therefore, the alcohol concentration of the mixed fuel can be estimated based on the magnitude relationship between the torque value related to the torque output from the internal combustion engine and the reference torque value, without the need to provide a torque sensor or the like separately.

  In another aspect of the control apparatus for an internal combustion engine of the first hybrid vehicle of the present invention, the alcohol concentration estimation means includes a comparison means for comparing the torque value with the reference torque value, and the comparison result by the comparison means. Comparing result estimation means for estimating the alcohol concentration based on the magnitude relationship.

  According to this aspect, the torque value related to the torque output from the internal combustion engine is compared with the reference torque value, and the alcohol concentration of the mixed fuel can be estimated based on the magnitude relationship in the comparison result.

  In order to solve the above problems, a second hybrid vehicle internal combustion engine control apparatus according to the present invention is a hybrid vehicle including an internal combustion engine and a motor generator that use a mixed fuel in which gasoline and alcohol are mixed as a power source. An internal combustion engine control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle that controls an operating state of an engine, wherein an injection amount of the mixed fuel in the internal combustion engine is set to an intermediate value between a maximum value and a minimum value that the alcohol concentration of the mixed fuel can take. Intermediate injection amount setting means for setting the corresponding intermediate injection amount, air-fuel ratio detection means for detecting the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas exhausted from the internal combustion engine, target air-fuel ratio and air-fuel ratio detection means for the internal combustion engine The feedback for feedback correction of the injection amount of the mixed fuel so as to reduce the deviation from the air-fuel ratio detected by the A control unit for calculating the alcohol concentration of the mixed fuel based on a correction amount relating to the feedback-corrected injection amount; and a control condition for the internal combustion engine in accordance with the calculated alcohol concentration. Control switching means for switching between.

  According to the second hybrid vehicle internal combustion engine control apparatus of the present invention, during the operation, the alcohol concentration of the mixed fuel supplied to the internal combustion engine is calculated as follows.

  For example, during the travel after the fuel is supplied to the fuel tank, the motor generator assists the travel of the vehicle at a time when the alcohol concentration of the injected fuel may be switched, thereby operating the internal combustion engine. A steady state (that is, steady operation) is set. First, the intermediate injection amount setting means sets the injection amount of the mixed fuel in the internal combustion engine to an intermediate injection amount corresponding to an intermediate value between the maximum value and the minimum value that the alcohol concentration can take. That is, for example, when the maximum value of the alcohol concentration of the mixed fuel is 100% and the minimum value is 0%, the injection amount corresponding to the alcohol concentration of 50% is set as the intermediate injection amount. That is, the intermediate injection amount is set as a minimum injection amount necessary for generating a torque that enables the vehicle to travel, for example, using a mixed fuel having an alcohol concentration of 50%. The “intermediate value” according to the present invention does not necessarily have to be a completely intermediate value (that is, a value that is ½ of the sum of the maximum value and the minimum value), but between the maximum value and the minimum value. Any value is acceptable.

  Next, the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas exhausted from the internal combustion engine is detected by air-fuel ratio detection means, for example, via an A / F (Air Fuel Ratio) sensor provided in the exhaust passage of the internal combustion engine, for example. Subsequently, feedback correction of the injection amount of the mixed fuel of the internal combustion engine is performed by the feedback correction means so as to reduce the deviation between the target air-fuel ratio related to the internal combustion engine and the air-fuel ratio detected by the air-fuel ratio detection means. That is, a correction amount indicating how much the injection amount should be decreased or increased to achieve the target air-fuel ratio with respect to the intermediate injection amount is calculated, and the injection amount is increased or decreased.

  In the present invention, in particular, the alcohol concentration of the mixed fuel is calculated based on the correction amount related to the injection amount subjected to feedback correction by the alcohol concentration calculation means. There is a correlation such as a proportional relationship between the alcohol concentration and the correction amount. Based on such a correlation, for example, when a correction amount for increasing the injection amount with respect to the injection amount corresponding to an alcohol concentration of 50% (that is, the intermediate injection amount) is calculated, the correction amount It is calculated how much the alcohol concentration is higher than 50% corresponding to the size. On the other hand, for example, when a correction amount for reducing the injection amount with respect to the injection amount corresponding to the alcohol concentration of 50% is calculated, the alcohol concentration is higher than 50% corresponding to the magnitude of the correction amount. % Is calculated to be lower. That is, the alcohol concentration of the mixed fuel can be calculated based on the magnitude of the correction amount.

  There is also a correlation such as a proportional relationship between the alcohol concentration of the mixed fuel and the torque value related to the torque output from the internal combustion engine, and the alcohol concentration is calculated from the torque value instead of the correction amount described above. You can also

  Thus, the control condition of the internal combustion engine is switched by the control switching means in accordance with the alcohol concentration calculated by the alcohol concentration calculating means. Therefore, the internal combustion engine can be controlled according to the alcohol concentration of the mixed fuel. Therefore, in the internal combustion engine, it is possible to prevent the operation from becoming unstable due to the occurrence of over-rich or over-lean due to the change in the alcohol concentration of the mixed fuel.

  As described above, according to the internal combustion engine control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle according to the present invention, the alcohol concentration of the mixed fuel is calculated by the intermediate injection amount setting means, the air-fuel ratio detection means, the feedback correction means, and the alcohol concentration calculation means. In other words, it is not necessary to provide an alcohol concentration sensor, and it is not necessary to consider a detection error caused by the alcohol concentration sensor. Furthermore, the internal combustion engine can be appropriately controlled according to the alcohol concentration by the control switching means.

  In another aspect of the internal combustion engine control device for the first or second hybrid vehicle of the present invention, the fuel supply device further includes a fuel circulation means for circulating the mixed fuel in a fuel path from a fuel tank of the internal combustion engine to a fuel injection device.

  According to this aspect, for example, the alcohol concentration of the mixed fuel to be injected can be made constant by the fuel circulation means before the alcohol concentration is estimated or calculated after the fuel is supplied to the fuel tank. Can be estimated or calculated with higher accuracy.

  In another aspect of the internal combustion engine control device of the first or second hybrid vehicle of the present invention, the control switching means is a fuel remaining amount of the mixed fuel in a fuel path from a fuel tank of the internal combustion engine to a fuel injection device. And a fuel switching timing calculation means for calculating a fuel switching timing at which the alcohol concentration of the mixed fuel is switched, and corresponding to the calculated fuel switching timing, the driving of the hybrid vehicle is switched to be assisted by the motor generator. Assist switching means.

  According to this aspect, corresponding to the time when the alcohol concentration of the mixed fuel is switched (that is, simultaneously with the switching time, or before or after a predetermined time), the motor generator assists the traveling of the hybrid vehicle, The internal combustion engine can be operated in a steady state. Therefore, it is possible to estimate or calculate the alcohol concentration after switching by injecting the fuel mixture of a predetermined injection amount or intermediate injection amount without hindering the running of the hybrid vehicle.

  The operation and other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the best mode for carrying out the invention described below.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
<First Embodiment>
A control device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

  First, the structure of the control apparatus which concerns on this embodiment, and the hybrid vehicle carrying this control apparatus is demonstrated with reference to FIG.1 and FIG.2. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main part of a control device according to this embodiment and a hybrid vehicle equipped with the control device. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an engine including the control device according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, the hybrid vehicle 1 includes an engine 200, a motor generator MG, a transmission mechanism 300, an inverter 400, a battery 500, a transmission mechanism 21, wheels 22, and a control device 100. Here, the control device 100 is an example of an “internal combustion engine control device for a hybrid vehicle” according to the present invention, and the engine 200 is an example of an “internal combustion engine” according to the present invention.

  The hybrid vehicle 1 is configured as a so-called parallel hybrid vehicle in which an engine 200 that is an internal combustion engine and a motor generator MG that functions as an electric motor and a generator are mounted as driving sources for traveling. Engine 200 and motor generator MG are connected to each other via transmission mechanism 300.

  The engine 200 has four cylinders 200a, and is configured as a so-called four-cylinder engine.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a cylinder 201, an intake pipe 206, and an exhaust pipe 210 are formed in each cylinder 200a.

  The cylinder 201 is configured to be able to explode the air-fuel mixture therein. A reciprocating motion of a piston (not shown) caused by the explosion is converted into a rotational motion of a crankshaft (not shown), and the hybrid vehicle 1 can be moved.

  The communication state of the intake pipe 206 is controlled by opening and closing the inside of the cylinder 201 and the intake valve 208. Therefore, in the intake pipe 206, air sucked from the outside (that is, sucked air) and fuel injected from the injector 211 (see FIG. 2) that is a fuel injection device are mixed (that is, a mixture is formed). ), And is supplied to the cylinder 201 via the intake valve 208. Here, in this embodiment, a mixed fuel in which gasoline and alcohol are mixed is used as the fuel for the engine 200.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the air from the outside is supplied to the intake pipe 206 of each cylinder 200a via the air cleaner 231 and the intake pipe 234. The air cleaner 231 is provided to remove foreign substances contained in air from the outside or to clean the air, and includes, for example, a filter such as filter paper or synthetic fiber. The intake pipe 234 branches into four on the way and is connected to the four intake pipes 206 (see FIG. 2). A throttle 232 and an air flow meter 233 are provided in the middle of the intake pipe 234. The throttle 232 is configured to be able to control the amount of air cleaned by the air cleaner 231 by electronically controlling the magnitude of the throttle opening. The air flow meter 233 is provided in front of the throttle 232 in the intake pipe 234 (that is, on the side opposite to the cylinder 200a with respect to the throttle 232), and measures the amount of intake air.

  The fuel is accumulated in the fuel tank 221 and is supplied to the injector 211 by the fuel pump 222. That is, the fuel pump 222 is configured to be able to suck out fuel from the fuel tank 221 via the fuel pipe 223 and send the fuel to the injector 211 via the fuel pipe 224. As will be described later, a return pipe 225 is provided between the fuel tank 221 and the fuel pump 222 in addition to the fuel pipe 223. The return pipe 225 can be used as a path for returning the fuel existing in the fuel pipes 223 and 224 to the fuel tank 221, that is, a path for circulating the fuel together with the fuel pipes 223 and 224.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the injector 211 is provided for each cylinder in the branched intake pipe 206, so that the injection amount control and misfire control for each cylinder can be performed. If so, it may be provided in the intake pipe 234 before branching, or may be provided in each cylinder.

  In FIG. 2, the exhaust pipe 210 is configured to be able to exhaust the exhaust gas generated inside the cylinder 201 through an exhaust valve 209 that opens and closes in conjunction with the opening and closing of the intake valve 208.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the exhaust gas from the exhaust pipe 210 of each cylinder 200a is exhausted to the outside through the exhaust pipe 241 and the catalyst 243. The exhaust pipe 241 is connected to each exhaust pipe 210 and is configured to collect exhaust gas from each exhaust pipe 210 and send it to the catalyst 243. The catalyst 243 is a so-called three-way catalyst, and has a function of reducing CO (carbon monoxide), HC (hydrocarbon), and NOx (nitrogen oxide) in the exhaust gas. The catalyst 243 contains, for example, platinum and rhodium. An A / F sensor is provided in the middle of the exhaust pipe 241 so that the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas can be detected by the A / F sensor. The air-fuel ratio with respect to air can be detected.

  Motor generator MG is connected to battery 500 via inverter 400, and electric power is appropriately transferred between motor generator MG and battery 500. Motor generator MG functions as a motor by converting electric energy supplied from battery 500 into mechanical energy, and as a generator that supplies electric power to battery 500 by converting mechanical energy into electric energy. It has a function to operate.

  1, the control device 100 includes a fuel circulation unit 150, a fuel injection amount setting unit 110, a torque value acquisition unit 120, an alcohol concentration estimation unit 130, and a control switching unit 140, and controls the overall operation of the hybrid system 10. To do. These are preferably a well-known electronic control unit (ECU), a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM) storing a control program, and various data. It is configured as a logical operation circuit centering on a random read / write memory (RAM) to be stored. Furthermore, an input port that receives input signals from various sensors such as the A / F sensor 242 and an output port that transmits control signals to various actuators such as the throttle 232 are connected via a bus (not shown).

  The fuel circulation unit 150 drives the fuel pump 222 when fuel is newly supplied to the fuel tank 221, and exists in the fuel path or fuel line from the fuel tank 221 including the fuel pipes 223 and 224 to the injector 211. The fuel can be forcibly circulated through the return pipe 225. Therefore, the alcohol concentration of the fuel injected from the injector 111 can be made constant.

  The fuel injection amount setting unit 110 is configured to be able to set the injection amount of fuel injected by the injector 211 to a predetermined injection amount. The predetermined injection amount is stored in advance in the fuel injection setting unit 110 corresponding to the alcohol concentration of the fuel, and in order to generate torque that enables the hybrid vehicle 1 to travel using the fuel having a certain alcohol concentration. It is set as the minimum required injection amount. The higher the alcohol concentration of the fuel, the more such an injection amount is necessary. For example, the injection amount corresponding to the fuel having the alcohol concentration of 60% is set smaller than the injection amount corresponding to the fuel having the alcohol concentration of 10%. Is done. The predetermined injection amount may be set in consideration of the outside air temperature, the engine coolant temperature, and the like.

  The torque value acquisition unit 120 is configured to be able to acquire a torque value related to the torque output from the engine 200. Specifically, the torque value is acquired as a torque reaction force of engine 200 detected via motor generator MG. That is, the motor generator MG is appropriately used as a generator and a charger in the hybrid system 10 and uses this to detect a torque value related to the torque output by the engine 200 (that is, the torque value of the engine 200). Is possible. Torque value of engine 200 due to combustion of cylinder 201 is distributed to motor generator MG, and motor generator MG is in a direction to cancel the distributed torque (that is, rotation direction in which motor generator MG is used as a generator). The control device 100 controls to generate a torque having the same magnitude as the distributed torque (ie, torque reaction force). In this way, the torque value of the engine 200 is acquired as a torque reaction force by the torque value acquisition unit 120 in the control device 100 via the motor generator MG. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a torque sensor or the like separately, and the torque value can be acquired by the torque value acquisition unit 120.

  The alcohol concentration estimation unit 130 includes a comparison unit 135 and a comparison result estimation unit 136, and a torque value acquired by the torque value acquisition unit 120 and a reference torque value determined in advance corresponding to the alcohol concentration of fuel. It is possible to estimate the alcohol concentration of the fuel based on the magnitude relationship. The reference torque value is a torque value that serves as a reference when estimating whether or not the alcohol concentration of the fuel is within a certain range. For example, the reference torque value is a value having a magnitude that allows the hybrid vehicle 1 to travel autonomously. The reference torque value may be 0 (zero), or may vary depending on the alcohol concentration to be estimated and its range.

  The comparison unit 135 is configured to be able to compare the torque value acquired by the torque value acquisition unit 120 with the reference torque value. The comparison unit 135 compares the torque value acquired by the torque value acquisition unit 120 with the reference torque value when the injection is performed at a predetermined injection amount corresponding to, for example, an alcohol concentration of 10%. This comparison result indicates the magnitude relationship between the acquired torque value and the reference torque value, and is output to the comparison result estimation unit 136.

  The comparison result estimation unit 136 is configured to be able to estimate the alcohol concentration of the fuel based on the magnitude relationship in the comparison result by the comparison unit 135. That is, when the torque value is larger than the reference torque value, for example, it is assumed that torque is generated so that the hybrid vehicle 1 can travel with a predetermined injection amount corresponding to 10% alcohol concentration, and the alcohol concentration of fuel is The comparison result estimation unit 136 estimates that the value is less than 10%.

  As described above, since the alcohol concentration estimation unit 130 includes the comparison unit and the comparison result estimation unit 136, the torque value of the engine 200 is compared with the reference torque value, and based on the magnitude relationship in the comparison result, the fuel concentration is estimated. The alcohol concentration can be estimated.

  The control switching unit 140 is configured to be able to switch the control conditions of the engine 200 according to the alcohol concentration estimated by the alcohol concentration estimation unit 130. The control conditions of the engine 200 are, for example, conditions such as the fuel injection amount and ignition timing, and should be controlled according to the alcohol concentration of the fuel. The control conditions of the engine 200 are set in advance corresponding to a plurality of alcohol concentrations, that is, the control device 100 (for example, a RAM included in the control switching unit 140) as mapping information indicating the relationship between the alcohol concentration and the control conditions. Recorded in advance. Therefore, engine 200 can be controlled in accordance with the alcohol concentration of the fuel. Therefore, in the engine 200, it is possible to prevent the operation from becoming unstable due to the occurrence of over-rich or over-lean due to the change in the alcohol concentration of the fuel. In particular, at the time of cold start, it is possible to prevent the startability of the engine from being deteriorated due to a short amount of fuel injection due to a high alcohol concentration.

  Next, operation processing of the control device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3 in addition to FIG. 1 and FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation process of the control device according to this embodiment.

  In FIG. 3, first, it is determined whether or not fuel is supplied to the fuel tank 221 (ie, refueling) (step S11). That is, it is determined whether or not the alcohol concentration may be different from the fuel already in the fuel tank 221 by newly supplying the fuel to the fuel tank 221. This determination is performed by the fuel circulation unit 150 based on the fuel supply information from the fuel tank 221 indicating that fuel has been newly supplied. When it is determined that the fuel is not supplied (step S11: NO), the control device 100 ends the process. On the other hand, when it is determined that fuel has been supplied (step S11: YES), the fuel circulation unit 150 drives the fuel pump 222, and the fuel path from the fuel tank 221 including the fuel pipes 223 and 224 to the injector 211. Alternatively, the fuel existing in the fuel line is forcibly circulated through the return pipe 225 (step S12). Since the fuel is circulated immediately after the fuel is supplied (that is, before the alcohol concentration is estimated), the alcohol concentration of the fuel injected from the injector 211 can be made constant or almost uniform. The estimation unit 130 can estimate the alcohol concentration with higher accuracy.

  After the fuel is circulated in this way, the fuel injection amount setting unit 110 sets the fuel injection amount from the injector 211 to the smallest injection amount among the predetermined injection amounts (step S13). That is, the fuel injection setting unit 110 sets the injection amount corresponding to the fuel having an alcohol concentration of 10% by the fuel injection setting unit 110. The predetermined injection amount is an injection amount set in advance corresponding to the alcohol concentration, and is stored as mapping information in the RAM of the fuel injection amount setting unit 110, for example. The predetermined injection amount is set, for example, as a minimum injection amount necessary for generating a torque that enables a hybrid vehicle to travel using a fuel having a certain alcohol concentration. Such an injection amount is required more as the alcohol concentration of the fuel is higher. In the present embodiment, as predetermined injection amounts, injection amounts corresponding to fuels with alcohol concentrations of 10% and 60% are set and stored. The injection amount corresponding to the fuel having an alcohol concentration of 60% is set to be smaller than the injection amount corresponding to the fuel having an alcohol concentration of 10%. The predetermined injection amount may be set to an injection amount corresponding to a fuel having another alcohol concentration, and the corresponding alcohol concentration is not limited to two types, and may be three or more types. Further, it may be set in consideration of the outside air temperature, the engine coolant temperature, and the like.

  Next, the torque value of the engine 200 is acquired by the torque value acquisition unit 120, and the torque value and the reference torque value T1 are compared by the comparison unit 135 (step S14). That is, first, in the engine 200, fuel of an injection amount corresponding to fuel having an alcohol concentration of 10% is injected from the injector 211. At this time, the torque value acquisition unit 120 acquires the torque value related to the torque output by the engine 200. That is, the torque reaction force of engine 200 is detected via motor generator MG. As described above, the hybrid vehicle 1 is configured to be able to detect the torque of the engine 200 as a torque reaction force by the motor generator MG, and it is not necessary to provide a torque sensor or the like separately. Subsequently, the comparison unit 135 compares the torque value of the engine 200 (that is, the torque value acquired by the torque value acquisition unit 120) with the reference torque value T1. That is, the torque value at the time of injection with the injection amount corresponding to the alcohol concentration of 10% is compared with the reference torque value T1. As a result of the comparison, when the torque value is larger than the reference torque value T1 (step S14: YES), a torque is generated so that the hybrid vehicle 1 can travel with an injection amount corresponding to an alcohol concentration of 10%. As a matter of fact, it is estimated by the comparison result determination unit 136 that the alcohol concentration of the fuel is less than 10% (that is, the alcohol mixing ratio is low) (step S16). The estimated alcohol concentration is output to the control switching unit 140.

  On the other hand, when the torque value is equal to or less than the reference torque value T1, the fuel injection amount setting unit 110 sets the fuel injection amount of the engine 200 to an injection amount corresponding to the alcohol concentration of the fuel being 60% ( Step S15). That is, the injection amount at the second start cycle in the engine 200 after the fuel is supplied is set to an injection amount that is increased by a certain amount from the injection amount at the first start cycle.

  Next, the torque value of the engine 200 is compared with the reference torque value T2 again by the comparison unit 135 included in the alcohol concentration estimation unit 130 (step S17). That is, the torque value at the time of injection with the injection amount corresponding to the alcohol concentration of 60% is compared with the reference torque value T2. The reference torque value may be the same regardless of the alcohol concentration, or may differ depending on the alcohol concentration, that is, the reference torque value T1 and the reference torque value T2 may be the same or different. And as a result of the comparison, when the torque value is larger than the reference torque value (step S17: YES), a torque is generated so that the vehicle can travel with the injection amount corresponding to the alcohol concentration of 60%. As a result, the comparison result determination unit 136 estimates that the alcohol concentration of the fuel is 10% or more and less than 60% (that is, in the alcohol mixing ratio) (step S19). The estimated alcohol concentration is output to the control switching unit 140.

  On the other hand, when the torque value is equal to or less than the reference torque value T2 (step S17: NO), it is assumed that no torque is generated so that the vehicle can travel with an injection amount corresponding to the alcohol concentration of 60%. It is estimated by the comparison result determination unit 136 that the alcohol concentration is 60% or more (that is, the alcohol mixing ratio is high) (step S18). The estimated alcohol concentration is output to the control switching unit 140.

  As described above, the alcohol concentration estimation unit 130 causes the alcohol concentration of the fuel to fall within three ranges of alcohol concentrations of less than 10%, 10% to 60%, and 60% or more (that is, the alcohol mixing ratio is low, medium and High). It should be noted that the alcohol concentration can be estimated with higher accuracy by presetting the predetermined injection amount and the torque reference value in advance corresponding to more alcohol concentrations. Therefore, the predetermined injection amount and the torque reference value may be set in advance according to the accuracy of the required alcohol concentration. That is, the alcohol concentration estimation unit 130 can estimate or identify which one of the plurality of alcohol concentration ranges belongs as described above, or more specifically, the alcohol concentration can be determined in the order of weight percent or volume percent, for example. It can also be estimated.

  Thus, the control condition of the engine 200 is switched by the control switching unit 140 in accordance with the alcohol concentration estimated by the alcohol concentration estimating unit 130 (step S20). That is, the control switching unit 140 switches the control conditions of the engine 200 such as the fuel injection amount and the ignition timing according to the alcohol concentration. Therefore, engine 200 can be controlled in accordance with the alcohol concentration of the fuel. Therefore, in the engine 200, it is possible to prevent the operation from becoming unstable due to the occurrence of over-rich or over-lean due to the change in the alcohol concentration of the fuel. In particular, at the time of cold start, it is possible to prevent the startability of the engine 200 from deteriorating due to insufficient fuel injection amount due to high alcohol concentration.

  As described above, according to the control device 100, the fuel injection amount setting unit 110 and the alcohol concentration estimation unit 130 can estimate the alcohol concentration of the fuel, that is, it is not necessary to provide an alcohol concentration sensor, and alcohol There is no need to consider the detection error caused by the density sensor. Furthermore, the engine 200 can be appropriately controlled by the control switching unit 140 in accordance with the alcohol concentration.

In the present embodiment, when there is no fuel supply, unnecessary processing is omitted by not performing a series of processing relating to estimation of the alcohol mixing ratio. This is based on the premise that the alcohol concentration does not change in the fuel tank 221 unless fuel is supplied. However, even when the fuel supply is not performed, a series of processes related to such estimation may be performed regularly or irregularly. For example, when the storage level in the fuel tank 221 changes by a certain level or more, a series of processes related to such estimation may be performed, so that the storage in the fuel tank 221 accompanying fuel consumption is temporarily performed. Even if the mixing ratio of the alcohol remaining in the fuel tank 221 or taken out from the fuel tank 221 is changed to a level that cannot be ignored due to the decrease in the level, it can be handled without any problem.
Second Embodiment
Next, a control device according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, the configuration of the control device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is a block diagram having the same concept as in FIG. 1 in the second embodiment. FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between the A / F feedback correction amount and the alcohol mixing ratio. In FIG. 4, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as the components according to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. The configuration of the hybrid system according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the hybrid system 10 according to the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 4, the control device 102 includes an intermediate injection amount setting unit 112, an air-fuel ratio detection unit 122, a feedback correction unit 162, an alcohol concentration calculation unit 132, and a control switching unit 142, and controls the overall operation of the hybrid system 10. To do. These are preferably configured as a logic operation circuit centered on a well-known ECU, CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like, similarly to the control device 100 in the first embodiment. Furthermore, an input port that receives input signals from various sensors such as the A / F sensor 242 and an output port that transmits control signals to various actuators such as the throttle 232 are connected via a bus (not shown).

  The intermediate injection amount setting unit 112 is configured to be able to set the fuel injection amount injected by the injector 211 (see FIG. 2) to the intermediate injection amount. The intermediate injection amount is an injection amount corresponding to an intermediate value between the maximum value and the minimum value that the alcohol concentration of the fuel can take. For example, when the maximum value that the alcohol concentration of the fuel can take is 100% and the minimum value is 0%, the intermediate injection amount can be an injection amount corresponding to an alcohol concentration of 50%. That is, the intermediate injection amount can be set to the minimum injection amount necessary for generating a torque that enables the hybrid vehicle 1 to travel using a fuel having an alcohol concentration of 50%. The intermediate value is not necessarily a value that is half the sum of the maximum value and the minimum value, and may be a value between the maximum value and the minimum value.

  The air-fuel ratio detection unit 122 is configured to be able to detect the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas exhausted from the engine 200 via the A / F sensor 242.

  The feedback correction unit 162 can perform feedback correction of the injection amount of the fuel injected by the injector 211 so as to reduce the deviation between the target air-fuel ratio of the engine 200 and the air-fuel ratio detected by the air-fuel ratio detection unit 122. It is configured. Feedback correction by the feedback correction unit 162 is performed when an intermediate injection amount of fuel is injected. The feedback correction unit 162 calculates a correction amount related to the injection amount that indicates how much the injection amount should be decreased or increased in order to achieve the target air-fuel ratio with respect to the intermediate injection amount. The calculated correction amount is output to the alcohol concentration calculation unit 132.

  The alcohol concentration calculation unit 132 is configured to be able to calculate the alcohol concentration of the fuel based on the correction amount calculated by the feedback correction unit 162.

  As shown in FIG. 5, there is a correlation (that is, a proportional relationship) indicated by a straight line L1 between the alcohol concentration (that is, the alcohol mixing ratio) and the correction amount (that is, the A / F feedback correction amount). Based on such correlation, the alcohol concentration calculation unit 132 calculates the alcohol concentration. For example, when the correction amount increases the injection amount with respect to the intermediate injection amount (for example, the injection amount corresponding to 50% alcohol concentration), the alcohol concentration corresponds to the magnitude of the correction amount. The alcohol concentration calculation unit 132 calculates what percentage is higher than 50%. On the other hand, if the correction amount is to reduce the injection amount with respect to the intermediate injection amount, the alcohol concentration calculation unit determines how much the alcohol concentration is lower than 50% corresponding to the magnitude of the correction amount. 132. The alcohol concentration calculation unit 132 is configured so that the alcohol concentration can be calculated in this manner.

  The control switching unit 142 is configured to be able to switch the control conditions of the engine 200 according to the alcohol concentration calculated by the alcohol concentration calculating unit 130. The control conditions of the engine 200 are recorded in advance in the control device 102 (for example, the RAM included in the control switching unit 142) as mapping information corresponding to the alcohol concentration. Therefore, similarly to the control switching unit 140 in the first embodiment, the engine 200 can be controlled in accordance with the alcohol concentration of the fuel.

  Further, the control switching unit 142 includes a fuel switching timing calculation unit 145 and an assist switching unit 146.

  The fuel switching timing calculation unit 145, when new fuel is supplied to the fuel tank 221, has left the fuel in the fuel path from the fuel tank 221 to the injector 211 via the fuel pipe 223, the fuel pump 222, and the fuel pipe 224. The fuel switching timing at which the alcohol concentration of the fuel is switched can be calculated from the amount. The fuel switching timing can be calculated based on the relationship between the remaining amount of fuel and the injection amount from the injector 211, for example. The calculated fuel switching timing is output to the assist switching unit 146.

  The assist switching unit 146 is configured to be able to switch the hybrid vehicle to be assisted by the motor generator in accordance with the fuel switching timing calculated by the fuel switching timing calculating unit 145. That is, the assist switching unit 146 can assist the travel of the hybrid vehicle by the motor generator at the same time as the fuel switching timing, or before or after a predetermined time, so that the engine 200 can be operated in a steady state. Therefore, it is possible to calculate the alcohol concentration after switching by injecting the intermediate fuel injection amount without interfering with the running of the hybrid vehicle.

  Next, operation processing of the control device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6 in addition to FIG. 4 and FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart having the same concept as in FIG. 3 in the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 6, first, as in the first embodiment, it is determined whether or not the fuel tank 221 has been refueled (step S31). This determination is performed by the fuel switching timing calculation unit 145 based on the fuel supply information from the fuel tank 221. When it is determined that the fuel is not supplied (step S31: NO), the control device 102 ends the process. On the other hand, when it is determined that the fuel has been refueled (step S31: YES), the fuel switching timing calculation unit 145 determines the fuel switching timing (that is, the fuel switching timing) from the fuel remaining amount in the fuel path from the fuel tank 221 to the injector 211. (Switching timing) is calculated (step S32). Subsequently, based on the calculated fuel switching timing, it is determined whether or not the fuel is switched (step S33). That is, it is determined whether or not the fuel switching timing is reached within a predetermined time. When it is determined that the fuel is not switched (step S33: NO), the control device 102 ends the process assuming that the alcohol concentration is not switched and it is not necessary to calculate the alcohol concentration. The determination of whether or not the fuel is switched is performed again after a predetermined time, for example. On the other hand, when it is determined that the fuel is switched (step S33: YES), the assist switching unit 146 switches the travel of the hybrid vehicle to assist the motor generator (step S34). That is, the engine 200 is switched so as to operate normally. In this way, by operating the engine 200 in a steady manner corresponding to the fuel switching timing (that is, before estimating the alcohol concentration), the fuel of the intermediate injection amount is supplied as will be described later without disturbing the running of the hybrid vehicle. The alcohol concentration can be calculated by jetting.

  Next, the intermediate injection amount setting unit 112 sets the fuel injection amount from the injector 211 to the intermediate injection amount (step S35). In the present embodiment, the intermediate injection amount is set to an injection amount corresponding to 50% alcohol concentration.

  Next, the alcohol concentration (that is, the alcohol mixing ratio) is calculated by the air-fuel ratio detection unit 122, the feedback correction unit 162, and the alcohol concentration calculation unit 132 (step S36). That is, first, after the set intermediate injection amount of fuel is injected from the injector 211, the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas exhausted from the engine 200 is detected by the air-fuel ratio detection unit 122 via the A / F sensor 242. The Subsequently, feedback correction of the fuel injection amount from the injector 211 is performed by the feedback correction unit 162 so as to reduce the deviation between the target air-fuel ratio of the engine 200 and the air-fuel ratio detected by the air-fuel ratio detection unit 122. At this time, the feedback correction unit 162 calculates a correction amount related to the injection, and the calculated correction amount is output to the alcohol concentration calculation unit 132. Next, the alcohol concentration calculation unit 132 calculates the alcohol concentration based on the correction amount. That is, the alcohol concentration is calculated based on the correlation indicated by the straight line L1 described above with reference to FIG. The calculated alcohol concentration is output to the control switching unit 142. Since the alcohol concentration and the torque value related to the torque output from the engine 200 also have a correlation such as a proportional relationship, the alcohol concentration is calculated from the torque value instead of the correction amount described above. May be.

  Thus, the control condition of the engine 200 is switched by the control switching unit 142 in accordance with the alcohol concentration calculated by the alcohol concentration calculating unit 132 (step S37). That is, the control switching unit 142 switches the control conditions of the engine 200 such as the fuel injection amount and the ignition timing according to the alcohol concentration. Therefore, engine 200 can be controlled in accordance with the alcohol concentration of the fuel. Therefore, in the engine 200, it is possible to prevent the operation from becoming unstable due to the occurrence of over-rich or over-lean due to the change in the alcohol concentration of the fuel. In particular, at the time of cold start, it is possible to prevent the startability of the engine 200 from deteriorating due to insufficient fuel injection amount due to high alcohol concentration.

  As described above, according to the control device 102, the alcohol concentration of the fuel can be calculated by the intermediate injection amount setting unit 112, the air-fuel ratio detection unit 122, the feedback correction unit 162, and the alcohol concentration calculation unit 132. There is no need to provide an alcohol concentration sensor, and there is no need to consider detection errors caused by the alcohol concentration sensor. Furthermore, the engine 200 can be appropriately controlled by the control switching unit 142 in accordance with the alcohol concentration.

  In the present embodiment, even when fuel is not refueled, a series of processes related to the calculation of the alcohol mixing ratio may be performed regularly or irregularly.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist or concept of the invention that can be read from the claims and the entire specification. The engine control device is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

It is a block diagram which shows the principal part of the control apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment, and the hybrid vehicle carrying this control apparatus. It is a mimetic diagram showing the composition of the engine provided with the control device concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation processing of the control apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram with the same meaning as FIG. 1 in 2nd Embodiment. It is a graph which shows the relationship between A / F feedback correction amount and alcohol mixing ratio. It is a flowchart with the same meaning as FIG. 3 in 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Hybrid vehicle, 10 ... Hybrid system, 100 ... Control apparatus, 110 ... Fuel injection amount setting part, 130 ... Alcohol concentration estimation part, 140 ... Control switching part, 150 ... Fuel circulation part, 200 ... Engine, MG ... Motor generator

Claims (6)

In a hybrid vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine using a mixed fuel in which gasoline and alcohol are mixed as a power source and a motor generator, an internal combustion engine control device for a hybrid vehicle for controlling an operating state of the internal combustion engine,
Fuel injection amount setting means for setting the injection amount of the mixed fuel in the internal combustion engine to a predetermined injection amount;
Based on the magnitude relationship between a torque value related to the torque output from the internal combustion engine and a reference torque value determined in advance corresponding to the alcohol concentration of the mixed fuel when the mixed fuel of the predetermined injection amount is injected. Alcohol concentration estimating means for estimating the alcohol concentration of the mixed fuel;
An internal combustion engine control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle, comprising: control switching means for switching a control condition of the internal combustion engine according to the estimated alcohol concentration. Torque value acquiring means for acquiring the torque value from the torque reaction force of the internal combustion engine detected via the motor generator;
2. The internal combustion engine control device for a hybrid vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the alcohol concentration estimation unit estimates the alcohol concentration based on a magnitude relationship between the acquired torque value and the reference torque value. . The alcohol concentration estimation means includes
A comparing means for comparing the torque value with the reference torque value;
The internal combustion engine control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising: a comparison result estimation unit that estimates the alcohol concentration based on the magnitude relationship in the comparison result by the comparison unit. In a hybrid vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine using a mixed fuel in which gasoline and alcohol are mixed as a power source and a motor generator, an internal combustion engine control device for a hybrid vehicle for controlling an operating state of the internal combustion engine,
Intermediate injection amount setting means for setting the injection amount of the mixed fuel in the internal combustion engine to an intermediate injection amount corresponding to an intermediate value between a maximum value and a minimum value that the alcohol concentration of the mixed fuel can take;
Air-fuel ratio detection means for detecting the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas exhausted from the internal combustion engine;
Feedback correction means for feedback correcting the injection amount of the mixed fuel so as to reduce the deviation between the target air-fuel ratio related to the internal combustion engine and the air-fuel ratio detected by the air-fuel ratio detection means;
Alcohol concentration calculation means for calculating an alcohol concentration of the mixed fuel based on a correction amount related to the feedback-corrected injection amount;
An internal combustion engine control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle, comprising: control switching means for switching a control condition of the internal combustion engine in accordance with the calculated alcohol concentration.   5. The internal combustion engine of a hybrid vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising fuel circulation means for circulating the mixed fuel in a fuel path from a fuel tank of the internal combustion engine to a fuel injection device. Engine control device. The control switching means is
A fuel switching timing calculation means for calculating a fuel switching timing at which an alcohol concentration of the mixed fuel is switched from a fuel remaining amount of the mixed fuel in a fuel path from a fuel tank of the internal combustion engine to a fuel injection device;
5. An assist switching means for switching the hybrid vehicle to assist the travel of the hybrid vehicle by the motor generator in accordance with the calculated fuel switching timing. The internal combustion engine control apparatus of the hybrid vehicle as described.

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