JP2007172553A - Support system for designing internal-combustion engine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a support system for designing an internal-combustion engine which can present a material for determining whether to adopt specific specifications of an internal-combustion engine to be designed for target performance set to a planned vehicle. <P>SOLUTION: The support system includes; a database 1 which stores data on the prescribed parameters, kinds of prescribed specifications, performance values in prescribed performance items, and costs of existing internal-combustion engines; a performance computation part 21 which computes the low-speed torque and cost of at least one engine model which is obtained by changing the parameter values and combinations of kinds of specifications of basic engines selected from among existing engines; and a display processing part 22 which makes a display means 4 display a relational map which makes the low-speed torque and cost of each engine model parameters of coordinate axes, respectively. The display processing part 22 displays plots representing the low-speed torque and cost of each engine model on the relational map, together with a broken line representing a target performance torque. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine design support system using a computer, and more particularly, presents a material for determining whether or not to adopt specifications of an internal combustion engine to be designed for a target performance set in a planned vehicle. The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine design support system that supports the design of an internal combustion engine.

  The following Patent Document 1 describes a design in which a piston and an intake port of an internal combustion engine, for example, an engine are designed using 3D (3D) -CAD (computer aided design) software in order to improve engine design efficiency. A support system is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-100054

  In general, when a new vehicle is planned, various target performances are set for the power performance, fuel consumption performance, etc. of the planned vehicle so as to stand in a sales advantageous position with respect to a competing vehicle (benchmark vehicle). These target performances are usually set higher than the performance of conventional vehicles at the time of planning in anticipation of higher performance of benchmark vehicles at the start of sales. For this reason, each design department is required to design a planning vehicle that achieves these higher target performances.

  By the way, in the planning and design of a vehicle, cost reduction is a top priority, especially in order to maintain price competitiveness in the volume zone. For this reason, each design department is required to design under severe cost constraints.

  On the other hand, when a high-performance specification is adopted to achieve the target performance, the cost generally increases. For example, as a method for improving the low-speed torque, it is conceivable to employ a supercharger. However, if a supercharger is employed, the cost increases as compared with a non-supercharger engine.

  Therefore, in designing a planned vehicle that satisfies the target performance, it is often necessary to make a high level of management judgment as to whether or not to adopt a specific specification of the internal combustion engine.

  However, in determining whether or not a specific specification of an internal combustion engine is adopted, objective and technical determination materials for that purpose may not always be sufficient.

  Therefore, the present invention provides an internal combustion engine design support system capable of presenting a judgment material for judging whether or not to adopt a specific specification or the like of an internal combustion engine to be designed with respect to a target performance set for a planned vehicle. The purpose is to do.

  In order to achieve the above object, an internal combustion engine design support system according to the present invention is a design support system for an internal combustion engine, which is a predetermined specification value, a predetermined specification type, and a predetermined performance related to an existing internal combustion engine. Predetermined performance of at least one internal combustion engine model in which the combination of the specification value and specification type of the basic internal combustion engine selected from the existing internal combustion engine and the database storing the performance value and cost data of the item Performance calculation means for calculating the performance value and cost of the item, and display processing for displaying on the display means a relation map using the predetermined performance value and cost of each internal combustion engine model calculated by the performance calculation means as parameters of the coordinate axes, respectively. And the display processing means includes, in the relationship map, a predetermined performance value and cost representing each of the internal combustion engine models calculated by the performance calculating means. The Tsu bets, is characterized by displaying together with a display indicating the target performance value.

  According to the internal combustion engine design support system of the present invention configured as described above, since the plot representing the predetermined performance value and cost of the internal combustion engine model is displayed on the relationship map, the combination of the specifications and the like for the target and the cost Can be easily grasped. For this reason, it is possible to present a judgment material for judging whether or not to adopt a specific specification or the like of the internal combustion engine to be designed with respect to the target performance set for the planned vehicle.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the display processing means displays the plot of each internal combustion engine model in the relationship map in accordance with the presence or absence of a specific specification type. As a result, it is possible to easily grasp the achievement of the target performance and the tendency of cost depending on the presence or absence of a specific specification type.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the display processing unit further displays a display representing a specific cost value on the relationship map. Thereby, it is possible to easily grasp whether or not the calculated internal combustion engine model is within the range of the initial budget.

  Preferably, in the present invention, the types of the predetermined specifications stored in the database include the presence / absence of a supercharger, a fuel injection method, fuel used, presence / absence of a variable valve timing mechanism, a valve mechanism, and an intake air / At least one of the number of exhaust valves is included. Changes in these types of specifications have a significant impact on various engine performance values.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the predetermined specification value stored in the database includes an exhaust amount. This change in the specification value has a great influence on various performance values of the engine.

  Preferably, in the present invention, the performance calculation means calculates a predetermined performance value for all combinations of a predetermined specification value and a predetermined specification type under a predetermined constraint condition. In this way, if all combinations are calculated, all options of combinations that may achieve the target performance value can be studied without omission under predetermined constraints.

Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
First, with reference to FIG. 1, the structure for implement | achieving the internal combustion engine design support system of this embodiment is demonstrated.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the internal combustion engine design support system of the present embodiment performs engine design using a database 1 storing data for designing a vehicle engine and data stored in the database 1. And a computer 2 to support. An input means 3 such as a keyboard and a display means 4 such as a display are connected to the computer 2.

  The database 1 stores predetermined specification values relating to existing engines, predetermined specification types, and performance values of predetermined performance items. Here, the predetermined specification values include, for example, values such as engine displacement and bore × stroke. The predetermined specification types include, for example, the presence or absence of a supercharger (turbocharger, etc.), a fuel injection method (for example, independent injection method, port injection method, or direct injection method), fuel used (for example, , High-octane, regular), variable valve timing mechanism (VVT), valve mechanism (for example, OHC (Over Head Cam), SOHC (Single Over Head Cam), DOHC (Double Over Head Cam)), The number of intake / exhaust valves (for example, 2 intake valves + 2 exhaust valves) is included. Furthermore, the predetermined performance items include, for example, fuel consumption, maximum torque, maximum output, and emission performance such as nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide.

  Further, the database 1 also stores a calculation function for calculating a change in the performance value of the internal combustion engine due to the change in the specification value or specification type of the internal combustion engine. The arithmetic functions include calculation methods based on empirical rules accumulated so far, in addition to calculation methods based on theory.

  The computer 2 also includes a performance calculation unit 21 and a combination presentation unit 22. The performance calculation unit 21 and the combination presentation unit 22 represent processing functions corresponding to the performance calculation unit and the combination presentation unit of the internal combustion engine design support system of the present invention, respectively. These processing functions are realized by executing a predetermined program in the computer 2.

  The performance calculation unit 21 of the computer 2 calculates the performance value and cost of a predetermined performance item of at least one engine model in which the combination of the specification value of the basic engine selected from the existing internal combustion engine and the type of specification is changed. Calculate. The basic engine (base engine) is selected from the existing engines by the operator via the input means 3. As the basic engine, for example, a vehicle to be model-changed may be selected.

  Note that the performance values of the predetermined performance items of the basic engine are stored in the database 1. Further, when calculating the changed performance value, an arithmetic function stored in the database 1 is used. The cost of the basic engine is stored in the database 1. Then, the cost of the engine model may be calculated by adding or subtracting the cost fluctuation of the portion where the type of specification is changed to the cost of the basic engine. In addition, the cost of each part constituting each specification of the engine model may be obtained in total.

  Further, the display processing unit 22 of the computer 2 causes the display unit 4 to display a relationship map in which the predetermined performance values and costs of the individual internal combustion engine models calculated by the performance calculation unit 21 are parameters of the coordinate axes.

  Here, FIG. 2 shows an example of the relationship map. In the relationship map shown in FIG. 2, the low-speed torque performance is a parameter on the horizontal axis, and the cost is a parameter on the vertical axis. In the horizontal axis, the low-speed torque performance increases as it goes in the right direction, and in the vertical axis, the cost increases as it goes up. Further, a broken line representing the target value Tt of the low speed torque performance and a broken line representing the engine budget cost Ct are displayed in the relationship map.

In the relationship map, a plot representing the low-speed torque performance value and cost of each engine model calculated by the performance calculation unit 21 is displayed. In the present embodiment, the low-speed torque performance and cost of the engine model of all combinations of the specification values such as the above-described specification values such as bore × stroke and the presence / absence of a supercharger under the condition of displacement of 2000 cc are used. Were respectively calculated.
FIG. 2 schematically shows only a partial plot of each calculated engine model.

  In the relationship map, each plot of the engine model is displayed as a specific specification type according to the presence or absence of the turbocharger. Specifically, a plot of an engine model that uses a turbocharger is displayed as a white circle, and a plot of an engine model that does not use a turbocharger is displayed as a black circle.

  Here, the engine required for planning and design has a low-speed torque performance equal to or higher than the target low-speed torque value Tt and an engine cost equal to or lower than the budget cost Ct. However, as shown in the relationship map of FIG. 2, there is no corresponding plot in the region D of the relationship map that satisfies this condition. Therefore, at present, it can be seen that there is no engine model that satisfies the target low-speed torque value and the budget cost.

  On the other hand, if the budget cost Ct is exceeded, it can be seen that there is an engine model that can achieve the target low-speed torque value, as shown in region A of the relationship map. Moreover, it can be seen that any engine model indicated by the plot distributed in the region A adopts a turbocharger. Therefore, it can be seen that the target low speed torque value can be achieved by adopting the turbocharger.

  Furthermore, since the plots distributed in the regions B and C of the relationship map are black circles, it can be seen that any engine model that does not reach the target low speed torque value does not employ a turbocharger.

  Thus, from the relationship map, it is possible not only to achieve the target low-speed torque value even if the turbocharger is used, but the target low-speed torque value is achieved, but when the turbocharger is not used, the target low-speed It is easily grasped that it is difficult to achieve the torque value. Therefore, this relationship map can be used as an objective and technical basis for determining whether or not to adopt a turbocharger.

  Furthermore, by selecting a plot on the relationship map, it is possible to display a combination of specification values and specification types of the engine model corresponding to the corresponding plot. Here, FIG. 3 shows a display example of a combination of specification values and specification types of the engine model corresponding to the plot P1 on the relationship map of FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the engine displacement is exemplified by the total displacement and the bore × stroke, and other specifications are omitted. Also, as the type of engine specification, the presence or absence of a supercharger (turbocharger, etc.) is shown, and the type of fuel injection method and other types of specifications are omitted. Furthermore, the calculation results of low-speed torque performance and cost are shown.

  The combination of the specification value and specification type of the engine model shown in FIG. 3 can be used as it is as the specification value and specification type of the engine that can achieve the target value of the low-speed torque. . When such an engine model is adopted, the direction of engine design for achieving the target value can be easily determined, so that it is possible to proceed quickly to the detailed design stage. Thereby, design efficiency can be improved.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the present invention is configured under predetermined conditions has been described. However, the present invention can be variously changed and modified. For example, in the above-described implementation liquid, an example in which the low speed torque performance is calculated has been described. However, in the present invention, the performance items are not limited to this, and for example, various fuel consumption, maximum torque, maximum output, emission performance, and the like. Performance can also be calculated. In the above-described embodiment, the presence or absence of a specific specification of the engine model is distinguished by a black circle and a white circle plot. However, in the present invention, for example, the shape of the plot or the combination of the shape and the color is one. Or you may distinguish and display the presence or absence of a some specific specification.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure for implement | achieving the internal combustion engine design support system of this embodiment. It is a relationship map showing the relationship between the low-speed torque performance of the engine model calculated in this embodiment, and cost. 3 is a chart showing specifications and types of specifications of an engine model corresponding to a plot selected from the relationship map shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Database 2 Computer 3 Input means 4 Display means 21 Performance calculating part 22 Display processing part

Claims (6)

A design support system for an internal combustion engine,
A database that stores predetermined specification values, types of predetermined specifications, and performance values and cost data of predetermined performance items for existing internal combustion engines;
Performance calculation means for calculating a performance value and cost of a predetermined performance item of at least one internal combustion engine model in which a combination of specification values and specification types of a basic internal combustion engine selected from existing internal combustion engines is changed;
Display processing means for displaying on the display means a relation map in which the predetermined performance value and cost of each internal combustion engine model calculated by the performance calculation means are parameters of the coordinate axes, respectively.
The display processing means causes the relationship map to display a plot representing the predetermined performance value and cost of each internal combustion engine model computed by the performance computing means together with a display representing a target performance value. An internal combustion engine design support system.   2. The internal combustion engine design support system according to claim 1, wherein the display processing means displays the respective plots of the internal combustion engine model in the relation map in accordance with the presence or absence of a specific specification type. .   The internal combustion engine design support system according to claim 1, wherein the display processing unit further displays a display representing a specific cost value on the relationship map.   The predetermined specification type stored in the database includes at least one of the presence / absence of a supercharger, the fuel injection method, the fuel used, the presence / absence of a variable valve timing mechanism, the valve mechanism, and the number of intake / exhaust valves. The internal combustion engine design support system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein one is included.   The internal combustion engine design support system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the predetermined specification value stored in the database includes a displacement.   6. The performance calculation means according to claim 1, wherein the performance calculation means calculates a predetermined performance value for all combinations of the predetermined specification value and a predetermined specification type under a predetermined constraint condition. The internal combustion engine design support system described in 1.

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