JP2016011606A - Control device of internal combustion engine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To further improve the fuel economy performance of a spark ignition type internal combustion engine.SOLUTION: When controlling a spark ignition type internal combustion engine which ignites an air-fuel mixture in a cylinder by initiating spark discharge in an ignition plug arranged in a cylinder, an increase amount of mechanical energy which is outputted by the internal combustion engine by increasing electrical energy inputted into the ignition plug, and a mechanical energy amount which is excessively consumed by a generator which generates power by being driven by the internal combustion engine for power-generating an increase amount of electrical energy which is inputted into the ignition plug are compared, and when the former exceeds the latter, the amount of the electrical energy inputted into the ignition plug is set larger than an amount of electrical energy inputted into the ignition plug in the case that the former does not exceed the latter.

Description

  The present invention relates to a control device for a spark ignition type internal combustion engine.

  In a spark ignition type internal combustion engine, a spark plug for igniting an air-fuel mixture filled in a cylinder receives a voltage induced by an ignition coil and causes a spark discharge between a center electrode and a ground electrode. To do.

  An igniter having a semiconductor switching element is provided on an electric circuit for energizing the ignition coil. When the igniter semiconductor switch is ignited, a current flows to the primary side of the ignition coil. The primary current flowing through the primary coil increases while firing the semiconductor switch. Thereafter, when the semiconductor switch is extinguished at an appropriate spark ignition timing, a high voltage is generated on the primary side of the ignition coil by the self-induction action at the moment when the primary current is cut off. Then, a higher induced voltage is generated in the secondary side coil sharing the magnetic circuit and magnetic flux with the primary side. When this high induction voltage is applied to the center electrode of the spark plug, a spark discharge is generated between the center electrode and the ground electrode (see, for example, the following patent document).

JP 2014-005750 A

  The magnitude of the electric energy input to the spark plug to cause the spark discharge depends on the magnitude of the primary current flowing through the primary coil of the ignition coil when the semiconductor switch is extinguished. That is, the longer the energization time for the primary coil, the greater the electrical energy input to the spark plug.

  As the electric energy input to the spark plug, that is, the spark discharge energy, increases, the combustibility of the air-fuel mixture in the cylinder improves, and the mechanical energy extracted by heat-mechanical energy conversion in the cylinder increases. I can expect.

  However, the electric energy input to the spark plug is originally generated by a generator driven by an internal combustion engine. Increasing the electrical energy input to the spark plug means that the mechanical energy consumed by the generator for power generation increases. Therefore, even if the electric energy input to the spark plug is increased, the fuel consumption of the internal combustion engine is not always improved. On the other hand, the efficiency may deteriorate.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above-mentioned problems for the first time, and an object of the present invention is to further improve the fuel efficiency of a spark ignition type internal combustion engine.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention controls a spark ignition type internal combustion engine that causes a spark discharge in a spark plug installed in a cylinder to ignite an air-fuel mixture in the cylinder. The amount of increase in the mechanical energy output by the internal combustion engine by increasing the electrical energy to be generated is extra to generate the increase in the electrical energy input to the spark plug by the generator driven by the internal combustion engine to generate electricity. The control device for the internal combustion engine is configured so that the amount of electric energy input to the spark plug is set to be large as long as it does not fall below the amount of mechanical energy consumed by the spark plug.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the further improvement of the fuel consumption performance of a spark ignition type internal combustion engine can be aimed at.

The figure which shows schematic structure of the internal combustion engine in one Embodiment of this invention. The circuit diagram of the spark ignition device in the embodiment. The figure which shows transition of the primary current which flows through the primary side coil of an ignition coil in the period from ignition of an igniter to spark ignition. The figure which shows each transition of the combustion pressure and the ionic current in the cylinder of an internal combustion engine. The figure which shows typically the relationship between the base ignition energy in a certain driving | running | working area | region, and the fuel consumption of an internal combustion engine. The figure which illustrates the relationship between the operation area | region of an internal combustion engine, and base ignition energy.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an outline of an internal combustion engine for a vehicle in the present embodiment. The internal combustion engine in the present embodiment is a spark ignition type 4-stroke gasoline engine, and includes a plurality of cylinders 1 (one of which is shown in FIG. 1). In the vicinity of the intake port of each cylinder 1, an injector 11 for injecting fuel is provided. A spark plug 12 is attached to the ceiling of the combustion chamber of each cylinder 1.

  FIG. 2 shows an electric circuit for spark ignition. The spark plug 12 receives spark voltage generated by the ignition coil 14 and causes spark discharge between the center electrode and the ground electrode. The ignition coil 14 is integrally incorporated in the coil case together with the igniter 13 having the semiconductor switching element 131.

  When the igniter 13 receives an ignition signal i from an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 0, which is a control device for the internal combustion engine, first, the semiconductor switch 131 of the igniter 13 is ignited and a current flows to the primary side of the ignition coil 14, immediately thereafter. At this spark ignition timing, the semiconductor switch 131 extinguishes and this current is cut off. Then, a self-induction action occurs, and a high voltage is generated on the primary side. Since the primary side and the secondary side share the magnetic circuit and the magnetic flux, a higher induced voltage is generated on the secondary side. The induced voltage on the secondary side reaches 10 kV to 30 kV. This high induction voltage is applied to the center electrode of the spark plug 12, and a spark discharge occurs between the center electrode and the ground electrode.

  The primary coil of the ignition coil 14 is connected to the in-vehicle power supply battery 17 via the semiconductor switch 131. When the semiconductor switch 131 is ignited and a DC voltage supplied from the battery 17 is applied to the primary side coil to start energization, the primary current flowing through the primary side (low voltage system) circuit including the primary side coil increases.

FIG. 3 illustrates the transition of the primary current after the start of energization of the primary coil. In FIG. 3, the case where the current limiting function does not work is drawn with a broken line, and the case where the current limiting function works is drawn with a one-dot chain line (the solid line will be described later). Assuming that the primary side electric circuit including the battery 17 and the primary side coil is an RL series circuit, the primary current I (t) when the DC voltage E is applied at time t = 0 is
I (t) ≈ {1-e- ^{(R / L) t} } E / R
It becomes. That is, the primary current increases as a transient phenomenon, but the rate of increase gradually decreases. When a sufficiently long time elapses, the primary current saturates to E / R as shown by the broken line in FIG.

  The igniter 13 has a current limiting function that suppresses excessive primary current. This current limiting function is similar to that of off-the-shelf igniters that are popular today. Specifically, the control circuit 132 constantly measures the primary current in the form of the voltage across the resistor 133 via the detection resistor 133. The semiconductor switch 131 is ignited while the magnitude of the primary current (voltage across the resistor 133) is equal to or less than a specified value, while the semiconductor switch 131 is extinguished when the magnitude exceeds the specified value. As a result, the primary current is clipped to the specified value as indicated by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG.

  The igniter 13 also has a function of forcibly shutting off the energization of the primary coil when detecting abnormal heat generation such that the temperature of the ignition coil 14 or the igniter 13 itself exceeds the upper limit value.

  The ignition coil 14 in the present embodiment is larger than a conventional coil that can generate discharge energy much larger than the energy required at the minimum for spark ignition of the air-fuel mixture filled in the cylinder 1. It has an inductance.

  The energy of the spark discharge required for igniting the air-fuel mixture filled in the combustion chamber of the cylinder 1 is usually about 30 mJ. The conventional ignition coil is assumed to generate a spark discharge voltage by receiving electric energy of about 30 mJ exclusively. Therefore, the heat resistance limit is only enough to withstand energy of about 30 mJ to 50 mJ.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, it is considered to increase the energy of the spark discharge as necessary, and electric energy of 100 mJ to 130 mJ at the maximum is applied to the ignition coil 14. When a large electric energy of 100 mJ is applied to a conventional ignition coil, there is a concern that it may be overheated and damaged. The ignition coil 14 in this embodiment can store much larger electric energy than that required for spark ignition of the air-fuel mixture, and even if such large electric energy is applied. It has high heat resistance so as not to cause damage due to heat generation. Of course, it is possible to avoid wasting energy by applying only a minimum amount of electrical energy necessary for spark ignition to the ignition coil 14.

In FIG. 3, the time point t ₁ is the ignition timing of the cylinder 1. At this time t ₁ , the semiconductor switch 131 of the igniter 13 associated with the cylinder 1 is extinguished, the energization of the primary coil of the ignition coil 14 associated with the cylinder 1 is cut off, and the ignition coil 14 generates The induced voltage is applied to the center electrode of the spark plug 12 of the cylinder 1.

Time t ₀ is a start time of energization of the primary coil of the ignition coil 14 in a normal state. That is, the period from time t ₀ to time t ₁ is the energization time for the primary coil of the ignition coil 14. In FIG. 3, the primary current flowing through the primary side coil in a normal state is drawn with a solid line.

In turn, the time point t ₀ ′ is a start point of energization of the primary coil of the ignition coil 14 when the electric energy for spark discharge input to the spark plug 12 is increased more than usual. That is, the period from time t ₀ ′ to time t ₁ is the energization time for the primary coil of the ignition coil 14. Since the energization start time t ₀ ′ is earlier than the normal energization start time t ₀ , the energization time in this case is longer than the normal energization time. In FIG. 3, the primary current in this case is drawn by a one-dot chain line.

As already described, the primary current flowing through the primary coil of the ignition coil 14 increases after the ignition of the semiconductor switch 131 (time t ₀ or time t ₀ ′). Accordingly, the primary current flowing through the primary coil at the ignition timing t ₁ becomes larger as the energization start time t ₀ ′ is advanced. An increase in the primary current means an increase in electrical energy applied to the ignition coil 14. As a result, the primary current is induced by the extinction of the semiconductor switch 131 (time t ₁ ) and applied to the center electrode of the ignition plug 12. This means that the induced voltage increases.

In short, as the energization start time t ₀ ′ is advanced (the primary current flowing through the primary coil at the ignition timing t ₁ is increased), the electric energy input to the spark plug 12 is increased. As a result, the voltage of the spark discharge generated between the center electrode of the spark plug 12 and the ground electrode is increased, and the duration of the spark discharge is also increased.

  The ECU 0 of the present embodiment can detect an ionic current generated in the combustion chamber of the cylinder 1 during fuel combustion, and can determine the combustion state with reference to the ionic current.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, a circuit for detecting an ionic current is added to the electric circuit for spark ignition. This detection circuit includes a bias power supply unit 15 for effectively detecting an ionic current and an amplification unit 16 that amplifies and outputs a detection voltage corresponding to the amount of the ionic current. The bias power supply unit 15 includes a capacitor 151 that stores a bias voltage, a Zener diode 152 for increasing the voltage of the capacitor 151 to a predetermined voltage, current blocking diodes 153 and 154, and a load that outputs a voltage corresponding to the ion current. A resistor 155. The amplifying unit 16 includes a voltage amplifier 161 typified by an operational amplifier.

  The capacitor 151 is charged during arc discharge between the center electrode and the ground electrode of the spark plug 12, and then an ion current flows through the load resistor 155 by the bias voltage charged in the capacitor 151. The voltage between both ends of the resistor 155 generated by the flow of the ionic current is amplified by the amplifying unit 16 and received by the ECU 0 as the ionic current signal h.

  FIG. 4 illustrates respective transitions of the ionic current and the combustion pressure in the cylinder 1 (in-cylinder pressure) in normal combustion. In FIG. 4, the ionic current is drawn with a broken line, and the combustion pressure is drawn with a solid line. The ionic current cannot be detected during the discharge for ignition. In the case of normal combustion, the ionic current decreases by a chemical reaction before the compression top dead center after the end of spark ignition, and then increases again by thermal dissociation. In addition, the ionic current reaches a maximum almost simultaneously with the peak of the combustion pressure.

  The intake passage 3 for supplying intake air takes in air from the outside and guides it to the intake port of each cylinder 1. On the intake passage 3, an air cleaner 31, an electronic throttle valve 32, a surge tank 33, and an intake manifold 34 are arranged in this order from the upstream.

  The exhaust passage 4 for discharging the exhaust guides the exhaust generated as a result of burning the fuel in the cylinder 1 from the exhaust port of each cylinder 1 to the outside. An exhaust manifold 42 and an exhaust purification three-way catalyst 41 are disposed on the exhaust passage 4.

  The exhaust gas recirculation device 2 realizes a so-called high pressure loop EGR, and an external EGR that communicates the upstream side of the catalyst 41 in the exhaust passage 4 and the downstream side of the throttle valve 32 in the intake passage 3. The passage 21, an EGR cooler 22 provided on the EGR passage 21, and an EGR valve 23 that opens and closes the EGR passage 21 and controls the flow rate of EGR gas flowing through the EGR passage 21 are used as elements. The inlet of the EGR passage 21 is connected to the exhaust manifold 42 in the exhaust passage 4 or a predetermined location downstream thereof. The outlet of the EGR passage 21 is connected to a predetermined location downstream of the throttle valve 32 in the intake passage 3, particularly to the surge tank 33.

  A generator (alternator or motor generator) 18 serving as a power supply source for energizing the ignition coil 14, driving the valves 23 and 32, and supplying electric power to the electrical system mounted on the vehicle is supplied from the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine (belt and motor). Electricity is generated by receiving supply of engine torque (via a winding transmission device having a pulley as an element) and the generated electric power is charged in the on-vehicle battery 17.

  The ECU 0 that controls operation of the internal combustion engine is a microcomputer system having a processor, a memory, an input interface, an output interface, and the like.

  The input interface includes a vehicle speed signal a output from a vehicle speed sensor that detects the actual vehicle speed of the vehicle, a crank angle signal b output from an engine rotation sensor that detects the rotation angle and engine speed of the crankshaft, and depression of an accelerator pedal. From an accelerator opening signal c output from a sensor that detects the amount or the opening of the throttle valve 32 as an accelerator opening (so-called required load), from a knock sensor that detects the magnitude of vibration of the cylinder block containing the cylinder 1 From the knock signal d to be output, the battery current / voltage signal e to be output from the current / voltage sensor for detecting the current and / or voltage of the vehicle-mounted battery 17, and the water temperature sensor for detecting the cooling water temperature indicating the temperature of the internal combustion engine. Cooling water temperature signal f to be output, intake air temperature and intake air in intake passage 3 (especially surge tank 33) The intake air temperature / intake pressure signal g output from the temperature / pressure sensor for detecting the air flow, the current signal h output from the circuit for detecting the ion current generated by the combustion of the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber of the cylinder 1 are input. Is done.

  From the output interface, an ignition signal i is output to the igniter 13, a fuel injection signal j is output to the injector 11, an opening operation signal k is output to the throttle valve 32, an opening operation signal l is output to the EGR valve 23, and the like. To do.

  The processor of the ECU 0 interprets and executes a program stored in the memory in advance, calculates operation parameters, and controls the operation of the internal combustion engine. The ECU 0 acquires various information a, b, c, d, e, f, g, and h necessary for operation control of the internal combustion engine via the input interface, knows the engine speed, and is filled in the cylinder 1. Estimate the intake volume. Based on the engine speed, the intake air amount, etc., the required fuel injection amount, fuel injection timing (including the number of times of fuel injection for one combustion), fuel injection pressure, ignition timing, required EGR rate (or EGR rate) Various operating parameters such as volume). The ECU 0 applies various control signals i, j, k, and l corresponding to the operation parameters via the output interface.

  The required EGR rate, which is a required value for the EGR rate, which is the ratio of EGR gas in the air-fuel mixture filled in the cylinder 1, is the highest in the middle load region where the load of the internal combustion engine is medium, and the load decreases from there. It decreases, and it decreases as the load increases. The required EGR rate is 0 and the opening degree of the EGR valve 23 is also 0 in an idle operation or a low load operation region close to this, or in a high load (or full load) operation region where the accelerator opening is fully open or close to full open. .

  Further, the ECU 0 inputs a control signal o to an electric motor (starter motor or motor generator, not shown) when the internal combustion engine is started (it may be a cold start or a return from an idling stop). Then, cranking is performed by rotating the crankshaft with an electric motor. Cranking ends when the internal combustion engine starts from the first explosion to a continuous explosion and the engine speed, that is, the rotation speed of the crankshaft, exceeds a judgment value determined according to the coolant temperature, etc. (assuming that the explosion has been completed) To do.

  The ECU 0 of the present embodiment determines the magnitude of the electric energy input to the spark plug 12 when the air-fuel mixture charged in the cylinder 1 is spark-ignited, based on the current operating range of the internal combustion engine [engine speed, required load (or , The intake pressure in the surge tank 33, the amount of intake (fresh air) or the amount of fuel injected into the cylinder 1)], and the base ignition energy set in accordance with factors indicating the state of the internal combustion engine. Determine the amount of adjustment.

  The base ignition energy is stable in the steady operation state in which the internal combustion engine is not particularly accelerated or decelerated, that is, in the state where the absolute value of the change amount per unit time of the engine speed is equal to or less than a predetermined value, and The amount of electric energy at which the engine torque becomes maximum or close to the maximum, and is experimentally obtained in advance (by test or adaptation).

  FIG. 5 schematically shows the relationship between the magnitude of the electric energy input to the spark plug 12 to cause spark discharge and the fuel consumption of the internal combustion engine in a steady operation state in a certain operation region. In FIG. 5, W ′ represents the electrical energy (about 30 mJ) that has been conventionally input to the ignition coil. When the electric energy input to the spark plug 12, that is, the energy of spark discharge, is increased from that of the conventional one W ′, the combustibility of the air-fuel mixture in the cylinder 1 is improved. The mechanical energy extracted by energy conversion increases. In other words, the engine torque output from the internal combustion engine increases.

However, the electrical energy that is input to the spark plug 12 is originally generated by the generator 18 that is driven by the rotation torque transmitted from the internal combustion engine. Increasing the electrical energy input to the spark plug 12 means increasing mechanical energy that the generator 18 consumes for power generation. For this reason, in order to generate the amount of increase in the mechanical energy output from the internal combustion engine by increasing the electrical energy input to the spark plug 12 and the increase in the electrical energy input to the spark plug 12 by the generator 18. There is a point that balances the amount of mechanical energy that is excessively spent. It is a W _B in FIG. 5, the electrical energy input to the spark plug 12 W worsen the efficiency of the rather internal combustion engine to increase than _B, thereby reducing the fuel consumption. Therefore, the W _B, sets the base ignition energy in the operating region.

However, the power generation efficiency of the generator 18 may vary depending on the engine speed (the speed of the generator 18 is proportional to the engine speed), and the shape of the characteristic curve illustrated in FIG. It varies not a little for each driving region. Depending on the operating region of the internal combustion engine, the fuel efficiency of the internal combustion engine may not be improved even if the amount of electric energy input to the ignition coil 12 is increased from that of the conventional one W ′. For such operating range, the base ignition energy W _B, equally set to a conventional electric energy W '.

Figure 6 shows the relationship between the operating region of the internal combustion engine and the base ignition energy W _B. Base ignition energy W _B is increased as the load of the internal combustion engine is small. This is because the smaller the load, the smaller the intake air amount and the fuel injection amount, and the ignition and combustion of the air-fuel mixture tend to become unstable. The base ignition energy W _B is the overall, it tends to decrease the higher the engine speed. However, in a high engine speed range where the engine speed is significantly high, the base ignition energy W _B slightly increases as the engine speed increases. ECU0 is operating range [engine speed, load (or, intake pressure, intake air (fresh air) amount or fuel injection amount) of the internal combustion engine to the base ignition energy W _B with the map data or a function formula which defines the relationship Stored in memory. ECU is to search the map the current operating region as a key, the parameters for the current operating region is substituted into the function expression, to know the base ignition energy W _B to be set.

  The amount of electric energy that is input to the spark plug 12 is set according to various factors that indicate the state of the internal combustion engine other than the operating region. Examples of the elements are listed below.

<1. As the temperature i.e. the cooling temperature of the cooling water temperature and intake air temperature> internal combustion engine is low, increasing the amount of electrical energy to be input to the spark plug 12 (adding Kazo corrected base ignition energy W _B). In addition, as the intake air temperature in the surge tank 33 is lower, the amount of electric energy input to the spark plug 12 is increased. This is because the lower the cooling water temperature and the intake air temperature, the more easily the ignition and combustion of the air-fuel mixture become unstable. Further, since the fuel injection amount increase correction is executed at the warm-up time immediately after the cold start of the internal combustion engine, the electric energy input to the spark plug 12 is increased in response to the increase in the fuel injection amount. There is a case. The ECU 0 stores and holds in the memory map data or a function equation that defines the relationship between the cooling water temperature and intake air temperature of the internal combustion engine and the ignition energy adjustment amount W ₁ . The ECU searches the map using the current cooling water temperature and intake air temperature as keys, or substitutes the current cooling water temperature and intake air temperature into the function formula to know the ignition energy adjustment amount W ₁ to be set.

<2. Acceleration transition period> The amount of electric energy input to the spark plug 12 increases as the acceleration of the internal combustion engine, that is, the increase in engine speed per unit time increases. This is because the higher the engine speed increases per unit time, the higher the engine torque is required. The ECU 0 stores and holds in the memory map data or a function expression that defines the relationship between the amount of increase in engine speed per unit time and the amount of ignition energy W ₂ . The ECU searches the map using the increase amount per unit time of the current engine speed as a key, or substitutes the increase amount per unit time of the current engine speed into the function formula to set the ignition to be set. to know the acceleration amount W ₂ of energy.

<3. The higher the EGR rate (or the greater the amount of EGR gas), the greater the amount of electrical energy that is input to the spark plug 12. This is because the higher the EGR rate, the more easily the ignition and combustion of the air-fuel mixture become unstable. The ECU 0 stores and holds in the memory map data or a function formula that defines the relationship between the EGR rate and the ignition energy adjustment amount W ₃ . The ECU searches the map using the current EGR rate as a key, or substitutes the current EGR rate into the function formula to know the ignition energy adjustment amount W ₃ to be set.

<4. As the ignition timing retardation correction amount> ignition timing retardation correction amount increases, the amount of electric energy input to the spark plug 12 increases. Factors that increase the ignition timing retardation correction amount include ignition timing retardation (exhaust gas temperature increase) for the purpose of activation (temperature increase) of the catalyst 41 immediately after cold start, and the above-described knocking. There is a suppression of knocking by the control system. Since the former retarding of the ignition timing becomes a factor that destabilizes the ignition and combustion of the air-fuel mixture, it is preferable to increase the amount of electric energy input to the spark plug 12 accordingly. Although the latter retarding of the ignition timing does not necessarily destabilize the ignition and combustion of the air-fuel mixture, increasing the amount of electric energy input to the spark plug 12 ensures more reliable flame propagation. Knocking can be suppressed. The ECU 0 stores and holds in the memory map data or a function formula that defines the relationship between the ignition timing retardation correction amount and the ignition energy adjustment amount W ₄ . The ECU searches the map by using the retard correction amount of the current ignition timing as a key, or substitutes the retard correction amount of the current ignition timing into the function formula to set the ignition energy adjustment amount W ₄ to be set. To know.

<5. Immediately after return from fuel cut> It is known that an internal combustion engine mounted on a vehicle implements a fuel cut that temporarily stops fuel injection. In general, when the accelerator pedal depression amount is 0 or less than a threshold value close to 0 and the engine speed is equal to or higher than the fuel cut permission speed, the fuel cut is started assuming that the fuel cut condition is satisfied. Then, when any fuel cut end condition is satisfied, such as when the accelerator pedal depression amount exceeds the threshold value, or the engine speed decreases to the fuel cut return speed, the fuel cut ends and the fuel injection resumes. . Immediately after the end of the fuel cut, the temperature of the electrodes in the cylinder 1 and the spark plug 12 is lowered, and a large amount of oxygen is occluded in the catalyst 41. Therefore, immediately after the end of the fuel cut, the fuel injection amount is increased and corrected so that the air-fuel ratio of the air-fuel mixture becomes richer than the normal target air-fuel ratio (theoretical air-fuel ratio or its vicinity). In this increase correction period, the amount of electric energy input to the spark plug 12 is increased in order to ensure ignition of the air-fuel mixture. ECU0 is an adjustment value W ₅ of the ignition energy in timing immediately after the fuel cut termination stores held in the memory, to know the adjustment value W ₅ of the ignition energy in the time by reading this.

  <6. Spark plug smolder> The center electrode and ground electrode of the spark plug 12, and the insulating material (insulator) that insulates the electrodes from each other, deposits such as carbon adhere to and accumulate as deterioration with time. This phenomenon is called “smoldering” of the spark plug. If the spark plug is smoldered, the insulation resistance between the two electrodes is lowered and spark discharge suitable for ignition of the air-fuel mixture cannot be induced, and the ignition and combustion of the air-fuel mixture may become unstable. In addition, due to the smoldering of the spark plug 12, there is an increased possibility that abnormal combustion such as knocking or pre-ignition occurs in the cylinder 1. Therefore, under the condition that the spark plug 12 is smoldered, the amount of electric energy input to the spark plug 12 is increased, the spark discharge is enhanced, and the deposit accumulated on the spark plug 12 is removed by oxidation or combustion. A cleaning process is performed. This cleaning process also contributes to the stabilization and ignition of the air-fuel mixture by mitigating or eliminating the adverse effects of the smoldering of the spark plug 12.

  There are several possible methods for detecting that deposits have accumulated on the spark plug 12. For example, it is possible to determine whether or not deposits have accumulated on the spark plug 12 with reference to the ion current signal h detected via the circuit for detecting ion current. When a conductive deposit such as carbon adheres to the electrode or the insulating material of the spark plug 12, the insulation resistance between the center electrode and the ground electrode of the spark plug 12 decreases. By referring to the ionic current signal h, it is possible to estimate the magnitude of the insulation resistance between both electrodes of the spark plug 12. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the magnitude L of the ionic current at the end of the expansion stroke where the combustion of the air-fuel mixture is considered to be completed is measured, and the residual current (or leakage current) L is When the amount is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, it can be determined that the insulation resistance between the center electrode and the ground electrode is equal to or lower than the predetermined value, in other words, the spark plug 12 is smoldered.

  Alternatively, it can be determined whether deposits have accumulated on the spark plug 12 based on the frequency with which knocking occurs in the cylinder 1. When the retard correction amount for determining the ignition timing is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, abnormal combustion frequently occurs in the cylinder 1, in other words, the spark plug 12 of the cylinder 1 is smoldered. I can judge.

The degree of smoldering of the spark plug 12 is such that the larger the residual current L that becomes apparent from the ion current signal h (the smaller the insulation resistance between the two electrodes of the spark plug 12), or the greater the retard correction amount of the ignition timing. (The higher the frequency of knocking), the greater. The electric energy input to the spark plug 12 in the cleaning process of the spark plug 12 is preferably increased as the smoldering degree of the spark plug 12 increases. The ECU 0 stores in the memory map data or a function formula that defines the relationship between the smoldering degree of the spark plug 12 and the ignition energy amount W ₆ . The ECU searches the map using the current smoldering degree of the spark plug 12 as a key, or substitutes the current smoldering degree of the spark plug 12 into the function formula to set the amount of ignition energy W ₆ to be set. To know.

<7. Warm-up of the internal combustion engine> When the internal combustion engine is cold-started and the fuel injection amount is to be increased and corrected during a warm-up period until a predetermined time elapses from the start, the spark plug 12 Is increased by W ₇ .

It should be noted that each adjustment amount W _i corresponding to an element related to various situations of the internal combustion engine (i is a subscript identifying the type of element. For example, i = 1 for the adjustment amount W ₁ corresponding to the cooling water temperature and the intake air temperature) May be 0 and may be negative.

The ECU 0 of the present embodiment determines the magnitude W of the electric energy input to the spark plug 12 when sparking ignition is performed on the air-fuel mixture charged in the cylinder 1.
W = W _B * max [W _i ] * f _i (not max [W _i ])
Calculate in the form of Each operator * means addition or multiplication. max [W _i ] represents the maximum one of the adjustment amounts W _i (that is, W ₁ , W ₂ , W ₃ ,...) corresponding to elements related to various situations of the internal combustion engine. The not max [W _i ] is an increase / decrease amount W _i (at least one of them) excluding the maximum one (max [W _i ]) among the respective increase / decrease amounts W _i corresponding to elements related to various situations of the internal combustion engine. Of course, it may be all the adjustment amounts W _i except max [W _i ]).

_{And, f i (not max [W} i]) is a correction amount determined based on not max [W _i], is a function of not max [W _i]. For example, assuming that the largest one of the adjustment amounts W _i is W ₁ , the magnitude W of the electric energy input to the spark plug 12 is
W = W _B * W ₁ * f ₂ (W ₂ ) * f ₃ (W ₃ ) * f ₄ (W ₄ ) * f ₅ (W ₅ ) * f ₆ (W ₆ ) * f ₇ (W ₇ )
It becomes.

However, the function f _i (not max [W _i ]) may be a different function for each element i, or may be the same function for a plurality or all of the elements i. Further, f _i (not max [W _i ]) may be 0 when the operator * for taking this into account is addition, and 1 (if the operator * is multiplication) sometimes a meaning) that max [W _i] correction factor to multiply _{f i (not max [W i} ]) is 1. In the above example, * f ₂ (W ₂ ), * f ₃ (W ₃ ), * f ₄ (W ₄ ), * f ₅ (W ₅ ), * f ₆ (W ₆ ) or * f ₇ At least one of (W ₇ ) may be excluded from the above formula (that is, at least one of them is not used for calculating the electric energy W input to the spark plug 12).

It is also possible that f (not max [W _i ]) is the second largest value of the amount of adjustment W _i corresponding to factors relating to various situations of the internal combustion engine. For example, if the second largest one of the adjustment amounts W _i is W ₄ , the magnitude W of the electric energy input to the spark plug 12 is
W = W _B * W ₁ * W ₄
May be sought as In the above example, f ₄ (not max [W ₄ ]) = W ₄ for the second largest amount of increase / decrease W ₄ .

The value (or absolute value) of f _i (not max [W _i ]) is not more than the value (or absolute value) of max [W _i ]. That is, the ECU 0 adds the maximum (max [W _i ]) of the respective adjustment amounts W _i to the base ignition timing W _{B as} it is, and at least of the other adjustment amounts (not max [W _i ]). one on discounted its value is taken into consideration to the base ignition timing W _B. In other words, the max [W _i], is taken into consideration to the base ignition timing in terms of corrected by not max [W _i].

  However, the ignition coil 14 has heat when energized. If the ignition coil 14 is energized indefinitely so as to input the ignition energy W described above to the ignition plug 12, the ignition coil 14 may be melted. In order to avoid damage due to heat damage of the ignition coil 14, the upper limit is set for the magnitude of the electric energy W input to the ignition plug 12, so that the time for energizing the primary coil of the ignition coil 14 should be limited. is there.

  Therefore, for example, the upper limit of the electric energy W input to the spark plug 12 is set higher as the difference between the allowable temperature of the ignition coil 14 and the current temperature of the ignition coil 14 is larger.

  The ECU 0 calculates the current temperature of the ignition coil 14 by estimation. The current temperature of the ignition coil 14 is determined by the balance between the amount of heat generated and received by the ignition coil 14 and the amount of heat released from the ignition coil 14, that is, the balance of the amount of heat. The ECU 0 estimates the current temperature of the ignition coil 14 by adding a temperature change amount per unit time to the temperature of the ignition coil 14 estimated in the latest past. Then, the temperature estimation is repeatedly performed every predetermined period, that is, every unit time.

  The amount of heat generated per unit time of the ignition coil 14 itself is proportional to the amount of power per unit time applied to the ignition coil 14. The ECU 0 can actually measure or estimate the instantaneous value of the applied voltage and applied current to the ignition coil 14, and therefore can calculate the amount of power per unit time applied to the ignition coil 14 and thus the amount of heat generated by the ignition coil 14. is there. Needless to say, during the arc extinguishing period of the semiconductor switch 131 in which the primary coil of the ignition coil 14 is not energized, the amount of power applied to the ignition coil 14 becomes zero. The amount of heat generated by the ignition coil 14 increases as the ratio of the ignition period of the semiconductor switch 131 to the extinguishing period (in other words, the average value of the primary current and the DUTY ratio of the primary current) increases, that is, as the engine speed increases. By dividing the heat generation amount per unit time of the ignition coil 14 by the heat capacity (specific heat) of the ignition coil 14, the temperature rise per unit time of the ignition coil 14 due to the heat generation amount can be grasped.

  Whether the ignition coil 14 receives heat or dissipates heat depends on the relationship between the temperature of the ignition coil 14 and the surrounding temperature. When the temperature of the ignition coil 14 is lower than the temperature of the internal combustion engine existing therearound, the ignition coil 14 receives heat from the internal combustion engine, so the amount of heat received from the internal combustion engine is considered. The temperature of the internal combustion engine is suggested by the coolant temperature. The ECU 0 stores in a memory map data or a function formula that defines the relationship between the difference between the estimated temperature of the ignition coil 14 and the coolant temperature and the amount of heat received per unit time of the ignition coil 14. The ECU obtains a difference between the temperature of the ignition coil 14 estimated in the past in the past and the current cooling water temperature, and searches the map using the difference as a key, or substitutes the difference into the function formula to determine the ignition coil. Know the amount of heat received per unit time. If the amount of heat received per unit time of the ignition coil 14 is divided by the heat capacity of the ignition coil 14, the temperature rise per unit time of the ignition coil 14 caused by the amount of heat received can be grasped.

  Conversely, when the temperature of the ignition coil 14 is higher than the temperature of the internal combustion engine, the ignition coil 14 radiates heat to the internal combustion engine, so the amount of heat released to the internal combustion engine is considered. The ECU 0 stores, in a memory, map data or a function equation that defines the relationship between the difference between the coolant temperature and the estimated temperature of the ignition coil 14 and the amount of heat released per unit time of the ignition coil 14. The ECU obtains a difference between the current cooling water temperature and the temperature of the ignition coil 14 estimated in the past in the past, and searches the map using the difference as a key, or substitutes the difference into the function equation to determine the ignition coil. Know the amount of heat dissipation per unit time. By dividing the heat dissipation amount per unit time of the ignition coil 14 by the heat capacity of the ignition coil 14, the temperature drop per unit time of the ignition coil 14 caused by the heat dissipation amount can be grasped.

  Further, the amount of heat released from the ignition coil 14 to the engine room of the vehicle housing the internal combustion engine is also considered. The amount of heat radiation increases as the outside air temperature (or intake air temperature) decreases, and increases as the vehicle speed increases (that is, the traveling wind becomes stronger). The ECU 0 stores in a memory map data or a function formula that defines the relationship between the outside air temperature and the vehicle speed, and the amount of heat released per unit time of the ignition coil 14. The ECU searches the map using the current outside air temperature and vehicle speed as keys, or substitutes the current outside air temperature and vehicle speed into the function formula to know the heat release amount per unit time of the ignition coil 14. By dividing the heat dissipation amount per unit time of the ignition coil 14 by the heat capacity of the ignition coil 14, the temperature drop per unit time of the ignition coil 14 caused by the heat dissipation amount can be grasped.

  The ECU 0 has a temperature rise per unit time due to the heat generated by the ignition coil 14 itself, a temperature rise per unit time due to heat received from the internal combustion engine, or a temperature drop per unit time due to heat radiation to the internal combustion engine. In addition, the amount of temperature change per unit time of the ignition coil 14 is obtained by adding the temperature drop per unit time caused by heat radiation to the atmosphere in the engine room. If this temperature change amount is added to the temperature of the ignition coil 14 estimated in the past, the current estimated temperature of the ignition coil 14 can be calculated.

  Needless to say, a sensor or circuit for detecting the temperature of the ignition coil 14 may be mounted, and the current temperature of the ignition coil 14 may be actually measured via the sensor or circuit.

At the time of spark ignition of the air-fuel mixture filled in the cylinder 1, the ECU 0 obtains the difference between the allowable temperature of the ignition coil 14 and the current temperature of the ignition coil 14, and inputs the difference to the spark plug 12 as the difference is larger. Raise the upper limit of electric energy W. Therefore, when the electric energy W calculated as W _B * max [W _i ] * f _i (not max [W _i ]) exceeds the upper limit, the electric energy input to the spark plug 12 for spark ignition. Clip the size of to the upper limit. When the calculated electrical energy W is less than or equal to the upper limit, the electrical energy W is used as the electrical energy input to the spark plug 12 as it is.

The ECU 0 calculates a time for energizing the primary coil of the ignition coil 14 so as to input the electrical energy determined as described above to the spark plug 12, and fires the semiconductor switch 131 only during the energization time. Execute control. The energization time for the primary coil is the energization necessary to secure the primary current that is allowed to flow through the primary coil at the extinction time t ₁ of the semiconductor switch 131 in order to input the determined electrical energy to the spark plug 12. It's time. The primary current increases as the electrical energy to be input to the spark plug 12 increases.

The time points t ₀ and t ₀ ′ at which energization of the primary coil is started also depends on the magnitude of the voltage applied to the primary coil. This is because the time required to secure the required primary current at the ignition timing t ₁ becomes shorter as the applied voltage to the primary side coil increases. Basically, as the current voltage of the battery 17 is higher, the energization start times t ₀ and t ₀ ′ are delayed and the energization time is shortened.

Incidentally, with respect to the ignition timing t ₁ , the basic base ignition timing is set in accordance with the current operating range of the inner edge engine. The base ignition timing is a steady operation state in which the internal combustion engine is not particularly accelerated or decelerated, that is, in a state where the absolute value of the change amount per unit time of the engine speed is equal to or less than a predetermined value, The ignition timing is such that the engine torque becomes maximum or close to the maximum, and is experimentally obtained in advance (by test or adaptation). The ECU 0 stores, in a memory, map data or a function formula that defines the relationship between the operating range of the internal combustion engine [engine speed, load (or intake pressure, intake (fresh air) amount or fuel injection amount)] and base ignition timing. I have a memory. The ECU searches the map using the current operation region as a key, or substitutes the parameter of the current operation region into the function formula to know the base ignition timing to be set.

Generally speaking, the electric energy W input to the spark plug 12 for igniting the air-fuel mixture filled in the cylinder 1 and the spark ignition timing t ₁ causing spark discharge in the spark plug 12 are respectively the operation of the internal combustion engine. Varies depending on the area. In addition, the electric energy W and the spark ignition timing t ₁ may be different for each cylinder 1.

  In the present embodiment, the spark plug 12 installed in the cylinder 1 causes a spark discharge to control a spark ignition type internal combustion engine that ignites the air-fuel mixture in the cylinder 1, and the electric energy input to the spark plug 12 is controlled. The amount of increase in the mechanical energy output from the internal combustion engine by increasing the power of the generator 18 is excessive in order to generate the increase in electrical energy input to the spark plug 12 by the generator 18 driven by the internal combustion engine to generate electric power. The control device 0 for the internal combustion engine is configured so that the amount of electric energy input to the spark plug 12 is set to be large as long as it does not fall below the amount of mechanical energy consumed.

  According to the present embodiment, as long as the efficiency of the internal combustion engine is not deteriorated, the electric energy input to the spark plug 12, that is, the energy of spark discharge, can be increased to increase the engine torque output from the internal combustion engine. Even if an increase in engine torque is expected, if the efficiency of the internal combustion engine deteriorates by increasing the electric energy input to the spark plug 12, do not intentionally increase the electric energy input to the spark plug 12. As a result, it is possible to stabilize the ignition and combustion of the air-fuel mixture and improve the drivability and improve the overall fuel efficiency of the internal combustion engine.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described in detail above. The specific configuration of each part can be variously modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  The present invention can be applied to control of an internal combustion engine mounted on a vehicle or the like.

0 ... Control unit (ECU)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Cylinder 12 ... Spark plug 13 ... Igniter 14 ... Ignition coil i ... Ignition signal

Claims (1)

A spark ignition type internal combustion engine for inducing spark discharge in a spark plug installed in a cylinder to ignite an air-fuel mixture in the cylinder;
The amount of increase in the mechanical energy output by the internal combustion engine by increasing the electrical energy input to the spark plug is generated by the amount of increase in the electrical energy input to the spark plug by the generator driven by the internal combustion engine. A control device for an internal combustion engine that sets a large amount of electric energy to be input to a spark plug as long as it does not fall below the amount of mechanical energy that is excessively spent.

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