JP5370066B2 - Control device for internal combustion engine - Google Patents

Abstract

The control apparatus has clutch which responds to driver's operation, and is connected to transmission. The control apparatus performs average fuel cut operation which gradually makes fuel injection quantity equivalent to zero, when average fuel conditions are satisfied and clutch is in connection state. The control apparatus performs fuel cut operation which enlarges gradual decrease degree of fuel injection quantity, when fuel cut conditions are satisfied and clutch is in disconnection state.

Description

  The present invention relates to a control device for an internal combustion engine (also referred to as an engine) to which a transmission is connected via a clutch that is engaged and disconnected in response to a driver's operation.

  Conventionally, in a vehicle such as an automobile, for example, in order to prevent an excessive air-fuel mixture during deceleration, and to reduce fuel consumption, for example, in response to a driver's accelerator-off operation, fuel injection by a fuel injection valve is performed. Stopping (fuel cut) is known.

  When this fuel cut is performed, the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine decreases. Therefore, in order to prevent the internal combustion engine from stopping (engine stall), the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine is less than a determination value (rotational speed) set appropriately. When the pressure drops to, fuel injection is performed to avoid stopping the internal combustion engine.

  By the way, for example, when the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine to which the transmission is connected via the clutch is equal to or higher than the threshold value, if the fuel cut is performed immediately when the accelerator is turned off, for example, extreme torque There is a possibility that a fuel cut shock may occur that causes the driver to pull out and give the driver an excessive pull-in feeling.

  Therefore, when the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine is equal to or higher than the threshold value, it is considered that when the accelerator is turned off, the fuel cut is performed after a predetermined time delay without immediately cutting the fuel (for example, patents). Reference 1).

  In Patent Document 1, the fuel cut form as described above is called fuel cut by cut-in delay. In the fuel cut by this cut-in delay, the fuel injection is continued for the delay time even after the accelerator is turned off by providing an appropriate delay time, so that the decrease in the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine becomes slow. The occurrence of the fuel cut shock is suppressed.

  Further, in Patent Document 1, when it is detected that the clutch is released (disengaged) after the fuel cut condition is established, the first delay time is set when this clutch release is for upshifting. In addition, in the case of downshifting, a second delay time having a length different from that of the first delay time is set. The first delay time is set shorter than the second delay time.

JP 2005-163760 A

  In the conventional example according to Patent Document 1 described above, when the clutch is released when performing the fuel cut, the time for delaying the fuel cut is changed depending on whether it is upshift or downshift. Therefore, the fuel injection is continued until the delay time elapses. When such fuel injections are stacked, the fuel consumption of the internal combustion engine is reduced. There is room for improvement here.

  In view of such circumstances, the present invention enables wasteful fuel injection as much as possible in a control device for an internal combustion engine in which a transmission is connected via a clutch that is engaged and disconnected in response to a driver's operation. The purpose of this is to improve the fuel efficiency of the internal combustion engine.

The present invention relates to a control device for an internal combustion engine in which a transmission is connected via a clutch that is engaged and disconnected in response to a driver's operation, the fuel cut condition is satisfied, and the clutch is engaged. In the condition where the fuel injection amount is gradually reduced to zero,
In the process of the clutch is switched from the disconnected state to the engaged state, if it meets the fuel cut condition, which performs fuel cut to increase the decreasing degree of the fuel injection quantity as compared with the a I fuel cut, the fuel The determination as to whether or not the cut condition is satisfied includes a process for detecting whether or not the accelerator pedal is turned off and a process for determining whether or not the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine is equal to or higher than a determination value for starting fuel cut. The fuel cut condition is determined to be satisfied when the accelerator pedal is in an off state and the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine is equal to or higher than the determination value. The determination value in the case of performing the switching process is the value in the case of performing the determination in the clutch engagement state. Is set smaller than the value, it is characterized in that.

  The degree of decrease in the annealing fuel cut is referred to as “annealing amount”. As the amount of annealing increases, the total fuel injection amount in the annealing fuel cut decreases. On the other hand, as the amount of annealing decreases, the total fuel injection amount in the annealing fuel cut increases. In addition, when the degree of decrease in the fuel injection amount (annealing amount) is increased to the limit, the fuel injection amount can be immediately reduced to zero, so the degree of decrease in the fuel injection amount (annealing amount) described above. The description of increasing the value includes the meaning that the fuel injection amount is immediately zero.

  In the above configuration, even if the fuel cut condition is satisfied, if the clutch is in the engaged state, the smooth fuel cut is performed to gradually reduce the fuel injection amount to zero. Thus, it is possible to suppress or prevent the driver from feeling pulled in, that is, the fuel cut shock.

  However, when the fuel cut condition is satisfied and the clutch is in the process of being switched from the disengaged state to the engaged state, the decreasing degree of the fuel injection amount is set as large as possible. It is possible to reduce useless fuel injection into the vehicle. As a result, the fuel consumption of the internal combustion engine can be improved with the accumulation of the reduction. Note that when the fuel injection amount is immediately reduced to zero, wasteful fuel injection to the internal combustion engine can be further reduced. Moreover, in the process of switching the clutch from the disengaged state to the engaged state, excessive torque loss does not occur in the first place, so even if a fuel cut with a large amount of smoothing is performed as described above, an excessive fuel cut will occur to the driver. There is no shock.

  In general, for example, when the vehicle is running, for example, when downshifting for deceleration or when it is desired to avoid engine stall while applying engine braking without downshifting, the driver turns off the accelerator pedal. After the operation, there is a case where an operation for disconnecting the clutch is performed, and an operation for further engaging the clutch is continuously performed. Under such circumstances, it can be said that the present invention can reduce useless fuel injection.

Further, in the above configuration, the determination of whether or not satisfies the fuel cut condition, a process for detecting the presence or absence of off-operation of the accelerator pedal, or the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine is equal to or larger than the reference value for the fuel cut start and configured to perform a process of determining whether the accelerator pedal is in the off state, and is for determining the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine satisfies the fuel cut condition when it is the determination value or more .

Na us, and the off-operation of the accelerator pedal means that the depression amount of the accelerator pedal is zero, or approximately zero. The fuel cut start determination value is appropriately set as a lower limit side rotational speed at which the rotation of the internal combustion engine does not stop even if the fuel cut is performed, but is larger than the idle rotational speed on the side close to the idle rotational speed. Set to a value. By the way, it is possible to detect directly the off-operation of the accelerator pedal using a known idle switch, and in such a case, after suppressing an increase in equipment cost, Increased detection reliability.

Furthermore, in the above configuration, the determination value in the case of a determination of the fuel cut condition by the switching process of the clutch, the determination you are set smaller than the determination value when performing in engaged state of the clutch.

  Here, if the clutch is over the determination value in the process of switching the clutch from the disengaged state to the engaged state, it indicates that the internal combustion engine rises to a higher rotational speed when the clutch is completely engaged. . In the above configuration, since the determination value in the clutch switching process is set smaller than the determination value in the clutch engagement state, it is estimated in advance that the fuel cut condition is satisfied when the clutch is engaged. Can start quickly. In addition, since the fuel cut is started at an early timing of the clutch switching process, that is, at a timing when the clutch transmission torque is small, a shock is generated even if the degree of decrease in the fuel injection amount is increased as compared with the smoothed fuel cut. It becomes difficult.

  Preferably, in the clutch state determination, the state of the clutch switch that is turned on when the depressed position of the clutch pedal reaches the disengaged position is checked, and when it is on, it is determined that the clutch is disengaged. In this case, when it is determined that the clutch is engaged, and when it is determined that the clutch switch is off, whether the vehicle speed is decelerating and the rising gradient of the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine is equal to or greater than a threshold value. It is estimated that it is estimated that the clutch is in the process of being switched from the disconnected state to the engaged state at the time of an affirmative determination, and that the clutch is estimated to be at the engaged state at the time of a negative determination.

  Here, the implementation configuration of the invention is clarified by specifying the processing content for determining the state of the clutch. In this configuration, when investigating the state of the clutch, an inexpensive clutch switch that distinguishes between the disconnected state and the connected state is used, and the clutch is switched from the disconnected state to the connected state (also referred to as a semi-connected state). Is estimated by examining the degree of change in vehicle speed and engine rotational speed with a control device. Thereby, it becomes possible to ensure sufficient estimation accuracy while suppressing an increase in equipment cost.

  Preferably, the state determination of the clutch is performed by checking the output from the clutch stroke sensor that outputs a signal corresponding to the depression stroke of the clutch pedal with a reference value stored in advance, so that the clutch is in a disconnected state or a connected state. Or it is set as the structure which performs the process which estimates which is a switching process.

  Here, the implementation configuration of the invention is clarified by specifying the processing content for determining the state of the clutch. In this configuration, when examining the clutch state, a clutch stroke sensor that outputs a signal corresponding to the depression stroke of the clutch pedal is used, and the output of the clutch stroke sensor is compared with a reference value by the control device, thereby disengaging the clutch. A state, a joint state, or a process in which the clutch is switched from a disconnected state to a joint state (semi-joint state) is estimated. As described above, when the clutch stroke sensor is used, it is possible to perform comparatively simple data collation as the estimation processing by the control device of the present invention, so that a control program for the control device is designed relatively easily. It becomes possible.

  Preferably, the control device stops the fuel cut during the fuel cut and performs fuel injection for avoiding the engine stop, and then satisfies the fuel cut return condition while the clutch is engaged. When the fuel cut is performed to gradually reduce the injection amount to zero, and the fuel cut return condition is satisfied in the process of switching the clutch from the disengaged state to the connected state, fuel injection is performed compared to the above-mentioned smooth fuel cut. Fuel cut is performed to increase the amount of decrease.

  In this configuration, for example, after performing fuel injection for engine stop avoidance during fuel cut accompanying vehicle deceleration traveling, if the fuel cut return condition is satisfied with the clutch engaged, the smoothed fuel cut is performed. It is possible to suppress the fuel cut shock, and if the fuel cut return condition is satisfied in the clutch switching process (semi-engagement state), the fuel cut is performed immediately. Therefore, it becomes possible to eliminate useless fuel injection and to contribute to improving the fuel consumption of the internal combustion engine.

  Thus, when returning the fuel cut after performing fuel injection for avoiding engine stop during the fuel cut, the behavior of the vehicle is stabilized or the fuel consumption is improved according to the state of the clutch. It becomes possible to cope with it properly.

  Preferably, the case where the fuel cut return condition is satisfied is that the rotation speed of the internal combustion engine is equal to or higher than a determination value for starting fuel cut, and the determination value used as the fuel cut return condition in the switching process is The value is set to be smaller than a determination value as a fuel cut return condition in the clutch engaged state.

  Here, the implementation configuration of the invention is clarified by specifying the fuel cut return condition. In other words, as described above, in the process of switching the clutch from the disengaged state to the engaged state, an extreme torque loss does not occur in the first place. In consideration of the difficulty, if the determination value that is the fuel cut return condition in the switching process is set smaller than the determination value that is the fuel cut return condition in the clutch engagement state, It becomes possible to return the fuel cut as soon as possible, which is advantageous in avoiding unnecessary fuel injection.

  The present invention makes it possible to reduce wasteful fuel injection as much as possible in a control device for an internal combustion engine in which a transmission is connected via a clutch that is engaged and disconnected in response to a driver's operation. It becomes possible to improve the fuel consumption of the internal combustion engine.

1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a power train of a vehicle to which a control device for an internal combustion engine according to the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a skeleton diagram showing a schematic configuration of the internal combustion engine of FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows the input-output system of the control apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the fuel cut control by the control apparatus of FIG. It is a time chart for demonstrating the fuel cut return pattern in a clutch engagement state. It is a time chart for demonstrating the fuel cut return pattern in a clutch semi-engagement state. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the fuel cut control of the other example by the control apparatus of FIG.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  1 to 6 show an embodiment of the present invention. With reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the premise configuration of the present invention will be described.

  In the figure, 1 is an internal combustion engine, 2 is a transmission, 3 is a clutch, and 4 is a control device. The power train shown in FIG. 1 is of a type mounted on a front engine / rear drive (FR) type vehicle. In this power train, rotational power generated in the internal combustion engine 1 is input to the transmission 2 via the clutch 3, and is shifted to an appropriate speed ratio by the transmission 2, and left and right via the propeller shaft 5 and the differential 6. Is transmitted to the rear wheels 7 and 7.

  Since the transmission 2 has basically the same configuration as a known manual transmission, detailed illustration and description thereof are omitted. However, a synchronous mesh type parallel gear mechanism and a required shift speed are mainly selected and established. For example, the shift mechanism and the select mechanism are included.

  Since the clutch 3 is basically the same as a known friction clutch, a detailed illustration and description thereof are omitted. However, the clutch 3 mainly includes a clutch disk, a pressure plate, a diaphragm spring, and the like. The clutch 3 linearly reciprocates a release bearing mounted on the input shaft 2 a of the transmission 2, thereby pushing the pressure plate to cause the crankshaft 1 a of the internal combustion engine 1 and the input shaft 2 a of the transmission 2 to move. Are connected to each other, a disconnected state where power transmission is disabled, or a semi-joint state connected with slip (so-called half-clutch).

  In addition, as a structure for driving the release bearing, a mechanical power transmission mechanism, a hydraulically operated type or an electric type actuator is used. The mechanical power transmission mechanism is a structure in which a clutch pedal 9 installed in a vehicle driver's seat and a release fork are connected by a wire or the like, and the release fork is tilted in response to an operation of the clutch pedal 9 to provide a release bearing. It is configured to move.

  The actuator is used in a form in which a release fork is tilted instead of the wire, or in a form in which the release bearing is directly slid without using the release fork. Examples of the hydraulically operated actuator include a direct acting cylinder and a so-called concentric slave cylinder. For example, a solenoid valve that operates a valve element by energizing an exciting coil is used as a hydraulic circuit for controlling the amount of hydraulic pressure supplied to the actuator. When the energization to the excitation coil is cut off, the solenoid valve recovers the operating hydraulic pressure from the actuator and the clutch 3 is engaged, and when the excitation coil is energized, the actuator operates at a high pressure. The hydraulic pressure is supplied and the clutch 3 is disconnected.

  With reference to FIG. 2, a schematic configuration of an intake system and a fuel supply system of the internal combustion engine 1 will be described. An intake port and an exhaust port (both of which are omitted) are communicated with the combustion chamber 10 of the internal combustion engine 1. An intake valve 11 is provided at the intake port, and an exhaust valve 12 is provided at the exhaust port. The intake valve 11 and the exhaust valve 12 are linearly reciprocated by each rotation of an intake camshaft and an exhaust camshaft (both not shown) that are rotationally driven by the rotational power of the crankshaft 1a.

  An electronically controlled throttle valve 15 is provided in the intake passage 14 connected to the intake port. The throttle valve 15 is basically opened and closed by a throttle motor 16 driven in response to the operation of the accelerator pedal 8, and the amount of intake air introduced into the intake passage 14 is adjusted according to the opening of the throttle valve 15. Is done.

  A fuel injection valve 17 for supplying fuel to the combustion chamber 10 is attached in the vicinity of the intake port. Although not shown, fuel is supplied from the delivery pipe to the fuel injection valve 17 with a predetermined pressure. Although not shown, the delivery pipe is supplied with fuel that is sucked up by a fuel pump from a fuel tank.

  A spark plug 18 is disposed in the combustion chamber 10 of the internal combustion engine 1. The ignition plug 18 burns and explodes the air-fuel mixture (fuel + air) introduced into the combustion chamber 10, and the ignition timing is adjusted by the igniter 19. The throttle motor 16, the fuel injection valve 17 and the igniter 19 are controlled by the control device 4.

  The operation of the internal combustion engine 1 will be briefly described. In the intake stroke of the internal combustion engine 1, air introduced into the intake passage 14 is taken into the combustion chamber 10 through the intake port and fuel injected from the fuel injection valve 17 is injected. Since the air-fuel mixture mixed in the combustion chamber 10 is compressed in the compression stroke, it is ignited by the spark plug 18 and burned and exploded.

  As a result, the piston 21 is reciprocated, and the crankshaft 1a is rotationally driven via the connecting rod 22. The exhaust gas in the combustion chamber 10 is released into the atmosphere from the exhaust port through the exhaust passage by opening the exhaust valve 12 in the exhaust stroke.

  Such an operation of the internal combustion engine 1 is controlled by the control device 4. A schematic configuration of the control device 4 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The control device 4 performs overall control of the internal combustion engine 1 (for example, air-fuel ratio control, fuel injection control, ignition control, throttle control, fuel cut control, etc.), and is a known electronic control device (ECU: Electronic Control Unit).

  The ECU is configured to include a CPU (central processing unit), ROM (program memory), RAM (data memory), backup RAM (nonvolatile memory), and the like, as shown in FIG. . The ROM stores various control programs, maps that are referred to when the various control programs are executed, and the like. The CPU executes arithmetic processing based on various control programs and maps stored in the ROM. The RAM is a memory that temporarily stores the calculation results of the CPU, data input from each sensor, and the like. The backup RAM is a nonvolatile memory that stores data to be saved when the internal combustion engine 1 is stopped. Memory.

  The input / output system of the control device 4 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the input / output system is only related to the characteristics of the present invention, and descriptions and explanations of elements not directly related to the characteristics of the present invention are omitted. The input interface (not shown) of the control device 4 includes an accelerator opening sensor 31, an idle switch 32, an air flow meter 33, a throttle position sensor 34, a crank position sensor 35, a shift position sensor 36, a clutch switch 37, a vehicle speed sensor 38, and the like. Is connected.

  Further, the fuel injection valve 17, the throttle motor 16 of the throttle valve 15, the igniter 19 of the spark plug 18, etc. are connected to the output interface (reference numeral omitted) of the control device 4.

  For reference, the accelerator opening sensor 31 outputs a signal corresponding to the opening of the accelerator pedal 8 operated by the driver. The idle switch 32 is turned on when the accelerator pedal 8 is completely released, that is, when the depression amount becomes zero. That is, it is turned on when the accelerator is turned off and turned off when the accelerator is turned on. When the idle switch 32 is turned on, the throttle valve 15 is normally set to an idle opening without fully closing the opening.

  The air flow meter 33 detects the intake air amount and outputs an intake air amount signal. The throttle position sensor 34 outputs a signal corresponding to the opening of the throttle valve 15 to the control device 4.

  The crank position sensor 35 is, for example, an electromagnetic pickup, and outputs a signal (output pulse) corresponding to the passage of many protrusions 24 on the outer periphery of the signal rotor 23 attached to the crankshaft 1a so as to be integrally rotatable. Based on this output, the rotation angle (crank angle) of the crankshaft 1a and the engine rotation speed are detected. The shift position sensor 36 detects a shift position selected in the transmission 2.

  The clutch switch 37 is a normally-off switch and is turned on when the clutch pedal 9 exceeds the point at which the clutch 3 is completely disconnected in the depression direction. The clutch switch 37 is generally provided for use in a control process for permitting or prohibiting the start of the internal combustion engine 1 to which the transmission 2 is connected via the clutch 3, and is referred to as an inhibitor switch, for example. Incidentally, when the internal combustion engine 1 is started, a countermeasure is taken to prohibit the start when the clutch switch 37 is OFF.

  The vehicle speed sensor 38 detects the wheel speed, and the control device 4 calculates the vehicle speed, that is, the vehicle traveling speed based on the detection output.

  Here, an outline of each control performed by the control device 4 will be described.

  The air-fuel ratio control is performed in the exhaust gas based on outputs of an air-fuel ratio sensor (not shown) and an oxygen sensor (not shown) installed in an exhaust passage (not shown) connected to the exhaust port of the internal combustion engine 1, for example. The oxygen concentration is calculated, and the fuel injection amount by the fuel injection valve 17 is controlled so that the actual air-fuel ratio obtained from the calculated oxygen concentration matches the target air-fuel ratio (for example, the theoretical air-fuel ratio).

  As the fuel injection control, for example, the target air-fuel ratio is calculated based on the internal combustion engine load, the engine speed, etc., and the fuel injection amount is adjusted so that the target air-fuel ratio is obtained based on the intake air amount detected by the air flow meter 33. Control (control of the valve opening time of the fuel injection valve 17) is performed.

  As ignition control, the ignition timing of the spark plug 18 is controlled based on the output from the crank position sensor 35.

  As the throttle control, for example, based on the opening degree of the accelerator pedal 8 operated by the driver, the opening degree of the throttle valve 15 which is the intake air amount for obtaining the required output of the internal combustion engine 1 is obtained. The driving amount of the throttle motor 16 is controlled.

  In this embodiment, when the accelerator pedal 8 is completely turned off, the opening degree of the throttle valve 15 is not fully closed, and the idle opening for setting the rotational speed Ne of the internal combustion engine 1 to the idle rotational speed Ne0 is performed. Degrees. Further, the opening degree of the throttle valve 15 may be adjusted regardless of the opening degree of the accelerator pedal 8 in accordance with the vehicle driving situation.

  The fuel cut control performs a process for stopping the fuel injection operation of the fuel injection valve 17 and a process for stopping the ignition operation of the spark plug 18.

  When the rotational speed Ne of the internal combustion engine 1 is reduced to a fuel cut stop determination value (engine speed) Ne1 set to avoid stalling (engine stop) during the fuel cut control, fuel injection is performed. The fuel injection control by the valve 17 and the ignition control of the spark plug 18 are returned.

  The determination value Ne1 for stopping the fuel cut is set to a value larger than the idle rotation speed Ne0 on the side close to the idle rotation speed Ne0. Even when the accelerator pedal 8 is depressed during the fuel cut control (acceleration requesting action), the fuel cut is stopped and the fuel injection control by the fuel injection valve 17 and the ignition control of the spark plug 18 are restored.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 4 to FIG. 6, the form of fuel cut control by the control device 4 will be described in detail.

  In this embodiment, when the fuel cut condition is satisfied while the vehicle is traveling, if the clutch 3 is engaged, “anneal fuel cut” is performed.

  Note that the annealing fuel cut is a fuel cut in a pattern in which the fuel injection amount is gradually reduced to zero. The fuel cut condition is satisfied when the idle switch 32 is turned on when the accelerator pedal 8 is turned off, and the engine speed Ne is equal to or higher than the determination value Ne2 for starting fuel cut. It is considered a case.

  The fuel cut start determination value Ne2 is appropriately set as a lower limit side rotational speed at which the rotation of the internal combustion engine 1 does not stop even if the fuel cut is performed, but on the side close to the fuel cut stop determination value Ne1 A value that is appropriately larger than the determination value Ne1 is set. In this way, if the hysteresis is provided by providing a difference between the determination value Ne1 for stopping the fuel cut and the determination value Ne2 for starting the fuel cut, the stop and start (or return) of the fuel cut can be shortened. It is possible to avoid the occurrence of a hunting phenomenon that repeats over time.

  In this way, when the clutch 3 is engaged, the smoothed fuel cut is performed, so it is possible to slow down the torque loss without giving the driver a fuel cut shock. It will be over.

  Further, in this embodiment, when the fuel cut return condition is satisfied after the fuel cut is temporarily stopped and fuel injection for avoiding the engine stop is performed, as described in (1) and (2) below. Depending on the state of the clutch 3, the fuel cut having a different pattern is restored.

  The condition that satisfies the fuel injection execution condition for avoiding engine stop during the fuel cut refers to the case where the engine rotational speed Ne decreases with the execution of the fuel cut and becomes less than the determination value Ne1 for the fuel cut stop. It is said. The condition that the fuel cut return condition is satisfied after the fuel injection for avoiding the engine stop is the case where the engine rotational speed Ne increases with the fuel injection and becomes equal to or higher than the determination value Ne1 or Ne2.

  (1) After fuel injection for engine stop avoidance, when the fuel cut return condition (the engine speed Ne is equal to or higher than the fuel cut start determination value Ne2) with the clutch 3 fully engaged, Annealed fuel cut is performed.

  In this case, it is possible to slow down the torque loss when returning from the fuel cut, so that it is not necessary to give the driver an excessive fuel cut shock.

  (2) After the fuel injection for engine stop avoidance, the fuel cut return condition (engine speed Ne is determined to stop the fuel cut) in the process of switching the clutch 3 from the disconnected state to the connected state (semi-connected state). When the value Ne1 or more is satisfied, the fuel cut is performed immediately. The instant fuel cut is a fuel cut pattern in which the fuel injection amount is instantly zeroed.

  In this case, useless fuel consumption can be eliminated. Moreover, in the switching process (semi-joint state), no extreme torque loss occurs, so even if the fuel cut is performed immediately, it is not necessary to give the driver an excessive pulling feeling, that is, a fuel cut shock.

  Specifically, first, the fuel cut control by the control device 4 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The flowchart shown in FIG. 4 is executed at regular intervals (for example, about several milliseconds to several tens of milliseconds) while the vehicle is running.

  In step S1, it is determined whether or not the accelerator pedal 8 is turned off. Here, it is determined whether the signal input from the idle switch 32 is on or off, and if it is on, it is determined that an accelerator off operation has been performed.

  Here, when the idle switch 32 is off, that is, when there is no accelerator-off operation, a negative determination is made in step S1, and the processing of this flowchart ends. On the other hand, when the idle switch 32 is on, that is, when there is an accelerator-off operation, an affirmative determination is made in step S1, and the process proceeds to the subsequent step S2.

  In this step S2, it is determined whether or not the current engine speed Ne is equal to or higher than the fuel cut start determination value Ne2. The rotational speed Ne of the internal combustion engine 1 is recognized based on a signal input from the crank position sensor 35. The determination value in step S2 can be set to the determination value Ne1 for stopping fuel cut, for example.

  If the rotational speed Ne of the internal combustion engine 1 is less than the determination value Ne2, a negative determination is made in step S2, and the processing of this flowchart is terminated. On the other hand, when the rotational speed Ne of the internal combustion engine 1 is equal to or higher than the determination value Ne2, an affirmative determination is made in step S2, and the process proceeds to the subsequent step S3. That is, it is checked whether or not the fuel cut execution condition is satisfied in steps S1 and S2.

  In this step S3, an annealing fuel cut is performed, and then the process proceeds to step S4. In step S4, it is determined based on the output from the clutch switch 37 whether or not the clutch 3 has been disconnected. Here, it is examined whether or not the signal input from the clutch switch 37 is ON.

  If the clutch switch 37 is on, that is, if the clutch 3 is not disengaged, a negative determination is made in step S4, and the processing of this flowchart ends. On the other hand, when the clutch switch 37 is OFF, that is, when the clutch 3 is disengaged, an affirmative determination is made in step S4, and the process proceeds to the subsequent step S5.

  In this step S5, it is determined whether or not the current rotational speed Ne of the internal combustion engine 1 has decreased to the fuel cut stop determination value Ne1 or less with the disconnection operation of the clutch 3 as described above. .

  If the current engine speed Ne is greater than the determination value Ne1, a negative determination is made in step S5, and the process of this flowchart is terminated. On the other hand, when the engine speed Ne is equal to or less than the determination value Ne1, an affirmative determination is made in step S5, and the process proceeds to the subsequent step S6.

  In this step S6, fuel injection for avoiding engine stop is performed. Thereafter, in the subsequent steps S7 and S8, is the clutch 3 fully engaged, or is the clutch 3 in the process of switching from the disengaged state to the engaged state (also referred to as a semi-engaged state)? Check out.

  That is, first, in step S7, it is determined whether or not the clutch 3 has been engaged based on the output from the clutch switch 37. Here, it is examined whether or not the signal input from the clutch switch 37 is OFF.

  If the clutch switch 37 is on, that is, if the clutch 3 is not engaged, a negative determination is made in step S7, and the processing of this flowchart is terminated. On the other hand, when the clutch switch 37 is OFF, that is, when the clutch 3 is engaged, an affirmative determination is made in step S7, and the process proceeds to the subsequent step S8.

  If the clutch switch 37 is once turned on in step S4 and then turned off in step S7, the clutch 3 may not be completely engaged when the clutch switch 37 is turned off. Sometimes it is in the switching process (semi-joint state). In order to confirm this, the following step S8 is performed.

  In step S8, it is determined whether or not the vehicle speed V is decelerating and the current gradient of increase in the engine rotational speed Ne is equal to or greater than a threshold value. Here, it is estimated whether the clutch 3 is in a completely engaged state or a semi-engaged state depending on the behavior of the vehicle and the state of the internal combustion engine 1. The engine speed Ne slightly increases due to the fuel injection for avoiding the engine stop in step S6. Thereafter, if the clutch 3 is in the fully engaged state, the load of the drive system is set to the internal combustion engine 1. Therefore, the engine rotational speed Ne is difficult to increase, and as a result, the increasing gradient of the engine rotational speed Ne is small or decreases. Further, if the clutch 3 is in the semi-engaged state, the load of the drive system is gradually applied to the internal combustion engine 1, so that the engine rotational speed Ne is likely to increase, and as a result, the increasing gradient of the engine rotational speed Ne is increased. .

  Here, if the condition is not satisfied, it can be said that the clutch 3 is in a completely engaged state, so a negative determination is made in step S8, and the process proceeds to the following step S9. However, if the above condition is satisfied, it can be said that the clutch 3 is in a semi-engaged state, so an affirmative determination is made in step S8 and the process proceeds to the following step S10.

  First, in step S9, it is determined whether or not the current engine speed Ne is equal to or higher than a fuel cut start determination value Ne2. Here, it is examined whether or not the fuel cut return condition is satisfied in the fully engaged state of the clutch 3.

  Here, when the rotational speed Ne of the internal combustion engine 1 is less than the determination value Ne2, that is, when the fuel cut return condition is not satisfied, a negative determination is made in step S9, and the processing of this flowchart ends.

  However, when the rotational speed Ne of the internal combustion engine 1 is equal to or higher than the determination value Ne2, that is, when the fuel cut return condition is satisfied, an affirmative determination is made in step S9, and an annealing fuel cut is performed in the subsequent step S11. . Then, the process of this flowchart is complete | finished.

  In step S10, it is determined whether the current rotational speed Ne of the internal combustion engine 1 is equal to or higher than the determination value Ne1 for stopping the fuel cut. Here, it is examined whether or not the clutch 3 satisfies the fuel cut return condition in the semi-engaged state.

  Here, when the rotational speed Ne of the internal combustion engine 1 is less than the determination value Ne1, that is, when the fuel cut return condition is not satisfied, a negative determination is made in step S10, and the processing of this flowchart ends.

  However, when the rotational speed Ne of the internal combustion engine 1 is equal to or higher than the determination value Ne1, that is, when the fuel cut return condition is satisfied, an affirmative determination is made in step S10, and in the subsequent step S12, an immediate fuel cut is performed. The fuel injection amount currently being executed is immediately zeroed. Then, the process of this flowchart is complete | finished.

  Next, referring to the time charts of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the fuel cut pattern from when the fuel cut is temporarily stopped until it is returned will be described.

  First, if the fuel cut condition is satisfied by, for example, decelerating during vehicle travel (affirmative determination is made in step S1 in FIG. 4 and affirmative determination is made in step S2), an annealing fuel cut is executed (execution of step S3 in FIG. 4). ). As a result, the engine rotational speed Ne gradually decreases.

  Thereafter, if the clutch 3 is not disconnected (determination is negative in step S4 in FIG. 4), the annealing fuel cut is continued.

  However, if the clutch switch 37 is turned on at time t1 (positive determination in step S4 in FIG. 4) as shown in FIG. 5C after the execution of the annealing fuel cut is started, the engine The rotational speed Ne is further reduced.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the engine speed Ne becomes less than the determination value Ne1 at time t2 (affirmative determination in step S5 in FIG. 4), the annealing fuel cut is temporarily stopped. By performing fuel injection for avoiding engine stop (execution of step S6 in FIG. 4), the engine speed Ne is increased.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 5C, the clutch switch 37 is turned off at time t3 (affirmative determination in step S7 of FIG. 4), and as shown in FIG. 5D, the clutch 3 is turned on at time t4. In the case of complete joining (negative determination in step S8 in FIG. 4), when the fuel cut return condition (the engine speed Ne is equal to or higher than the determination value Ne2) is satisfied at time t5 after a predetermined time has elapsed (step S9 in FIG. 4). An affirmative determination is made), and an A-shaped annealing fuel cut shown in FIG. In this way, if the smoothed fuel cut is performed when the fuel cut is restored in the fully engaged state of the clutch 3, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a fuel cut shock due to excessive torque loss.

  However, as shown in FIG. 6C, the clutch switch 37 is turned off at time t3a (affirmative determination in step S7 in FIG. 4) and the clutch 3 is switched from the disengaged state to the engaged state, that is, semi-engaged. In the state (affirmative determination in step S8 of FIG. 4), when the fuel cut return condition (engine speed Ne is equal to or higher than the determination value Ne1) is satisfied at time t5a (positive determination in step S10 of FIG. 4), FIG. The fuel is immediately cut in the B pattern shown in FIG. 4 (execution of step S12 in FIG. 4). Thus, if the fuel cut is performed immediately when the fuel cut is restored in the semi-engaged state of the clutch 3, compared to the case where the smooth fuel cut is performed in the fully engaged state of the clutch 3, As shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 6A, it can be said that the fuel injection amount in the hatched region is unnecessary. Moreover, even if the immediate fuel cut is performed when the clutch 3 is in the semi-engaged state, the fuel cut shock does not occur.

  As described above, according to the embodiment to which the feature of the present invention is applied, the fuel injection for avoiding the engine stop is performed in accordance with the disconnection operation of the clutch 3 during the fuel cut when the vehicle is decelerated, and then the clutch 3 When the fuel cut return condition is satisfied in the fully connected state, the smooth fuel cut is performed, so that it is possible to suppress or prevent an excessive fuel cut shock to the driver, When the fuel cut return condition is satisfied in the clutch 3 switching process (semi-engaged state), the fuel cut is performed immediately in consideration of the absence of torque loss. This can be eliminated, and the fuel efficiency of the internal combustion engine 1 can be improved.

  In this way, when returning the fuel cut after fuel injection for engine stop avoidance during the fuel cut, the behavior of the vehicle is stabilized or the fuel consumption is improved according to the state of the clutch 3 It is possible to perform appropriate fuel cuts.

  In particular, in this embodiment, when determining the state of the clutch 3, an inexpensive clutch switch 37 that only distinguishes the disconnected state and the engaged state is used, and the process of switching the clutch 3 from the disconnected state to the connected state ( The semi-joint state) is estimated by the control device (step S8 in FIG. 4). Thereby, it becomes possible to ensure sufficient estimation accuracy while suppressing an increase in equipment cost.

  In addition, this invention is not limited only to the said embodiment, All the deformation | transformation and application included in the range equivalent to the claim and the said range are possible. Examples are given below.

  (1) In the above embodiment, an example is given in which the present invention is applied to a vehicle having a power train of a front engine / rear drive (FR) type, but the present invention is not limited to this. It can be applied to a vehicle having an engine / front drive (FF) type or other type of power train.

  (2) In the above embodiment, the direct injection type internal combustion engine 1 in which fuel is directly injected into the cylinder by the fuel injection valve 17 is taken as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can also be applied to an internal combustion engine of a port injection type in which fuel is injected into the intake path of the cylinder head by the fuel injection valve 17 or an internal combustion engine in which both of the above modes are used.

  (3) In the above embodiment, the example in which the determination value of the fuel cut return condition is set to the determination value Ne1 for stopping the fuel cut in step S10 of FIG. 4 is given, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the determination value of the fuel cut return condition can be set to the determination value Ne2 for starting fuel cut.

  In this case, it is considered that the effect of reducing the fuel injection amount is slightly diminished compared with the above embodiment because the time when the immediate fuel cut is performed in step S12 of FIG. 4 is slightly delayed as compared with the above embodiment. However, for example, the effect of reducing the fuel injection amount is naturally higher than in the case where the smoothing fuel cut is always performed regardless of the state of the clutch 3.

  (4) In step S12 of FIG. 4 illustrated in the above embodiment, an immediate fuel cut is performed to immediately make the fuel injection amount zero, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in step S12 of FIG. 4, it is possible to perform an annealing fuel cut in which the amount of annealing is set larger than the amount of annealing of the annealing fuel cut performed in step S3 of FIG.

  (5) In the above embodiment, the clutch switch 37 is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the clutch 3 is not shown in place of the clutch switch 37. It is possible to use an upper switch that is turned on when is fully engaged and a lower switch that is turned on when the clutch 3 is completely disconnected.

  In that case, whether or not the clutch switching process (semi-engaged state) is performed by changing the process of step S8 in FIG. 4 to a process of determining whether the upper switch is off and the lower switch is off, for example. It becomes possible to investigate. And when it affirmation determinates in the said process, it can determine with the clutch 3 being a switching process (semi-engagement state).

  (6) In the above embodiment, the clutch switch 37 is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a clutch stroke sensor (not shown) is used instead of the clutch switch 37. It is possible to use.

  The clutch stroke sensor outputs a signal corresponding to the depression amount of the clutch pedal 9, that is, a depression stroke, to the control device 4. In this case, the control device 4 determines the complete disengagement point, complete disengagement point, and semi-engagement region (from the disengagement point to the disengagement point) in the depression direction of the clutch pedal 9 based on the output from the clutch stroke sensor. The range is estimated.

  The fuel cut control by the control device 4 when this clutch stroke sensor is used will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, the difference from the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 is mainly that steps S7 and S8 in FIG. 4 are replaced with step S27 in FIG.

  Specifically, the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 is executed at regular intervals (for example, about several milliseconds to several tens of milliseconds) while the vehicle is traveling.

  In step S21, it is determined whether or not the accelerator pedal 8 is turned off. Here, it is determined whether the signal input from the idle switch 32 is on or off, and if it is on, it is determined that an accelerator off operation has been performed.

  Here, when the idle switch 32 is off, that is, when there is no accelerator-off operation, a negative determination is made in step S21, and the processing of this flowchart ends. On the other hand, when the idle switch 32 is on, that is, when there is an accelerator-off operation, an affirmative determination is made in step S21, and the process proceeds to the subsequent step S22.

  In this step S22, it is determined whether or not the current engine speed Ne is equal to or higher than the fuel cut start determination value Ne2. The rotational speed Ne of the internal combustion engine 1 is recognized based on a signal input from the crank position sensor 35. The determination value in step S22 can be set to the determination value Ne1 for stopping the fuel cut, for example.

  If the rotational speed Ne of the internal combustion engine 1 is less than the determination value Ne2, a negative determination is made in step S22, and the processing of this flowchart ends. On the other hand, when the rotational speed Ne of the internal combustion engine 1 is not less than the determination value Ne2, an affirmative determination is made in step S22, and the process proceeds to the subsequent step S23. That is, it is checked whether or not the fuel cut execution condition is satisfied in steps S21 and S22.

  In step S23, an annealing fuel cut is performed, and then the process proceeds to step S24. In step S24, it is determined based on the output from the clutch switch 37 whether or not the clutch 3 has been disconnected. Here, it is examined whether or not the signal input from the clutch switch 37 is ON.

  Here, if the clutch switch 37 is on, that is, if the clutch 3 is not operated to be disconnected, a negative determination is made in step S24, and the processing of this flowchart is terminated. On the other hand, when the clutch switch 37 is OFF, that is, when the clutch 3 is disengaged, an affirmative determination is made in step S24, and the process proceeds to the subsequent step S25.

  In this step S25, it is determined whether or not the current rotational speed Ne of the internal combustion engine 1 has decreased to the fuel cut stop determination value Ne1 or less as a result of the clutch 3 being disconnected as described above. .

  If the current engine speed Ne is greater than the determination value Ne1, a negative determination is made in step S25, and the processing of this flowchart ends. On the other hand, when the engine speed Ne is equal to or less than the determination value Ne1, an affirmative determination is made in step S25, and the process proceeds to the subsequent step S26.

  In step S26, fuel injection for avoiding engine stop is performed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to subsequent step S27.

  In this step S27, it is determined whether or not the clutch 3 is in the process of switching from the disengaged state to the engaged state (semi-engaged state). Here, the output from the clutch stroke sensor is collated with a reference value stored in advance to estimate whether the clutch 3 is in a disconnected state, a connected state, or a switching process. Note that the reference value is preliminarily obtained through experiments and set empirically, and is stored in an appropriate storage device (ROM or the like) provided in the control device 4, for example.

  If the clutch 3 is not in the switching process, a negative determination is made in step S27, and the process proceeds to the following step S28. If the clutch 3 is in the switching process, an affirmative determination is made in step S27. Then, the process proceeds to the following step S29.

  First, in step S28, it is determined whether or not the current engine speed Ne is equal to or higher than a fuel cut start determination value Ne2. Here, it is examined whether or not the fuel cut return condition is satisfied in the fully engaged state of the clutch 3.

  Here, when the rotational speed Ne of the internal combustion engine 1 is less than the determination value Ne2, that is, when the fuel cut return condition is not satisfied, a negative determination is made in step S28, and the processing of this flowchart ends.

  However, when the rotational speed Ne of the internal combustion engine 1 is equal to or higher than the determination value Ne2, that is, when the fuel cut return condition is satisfied, an affirmative determination is made in step S28, and an annealing fuel cut is performed in the subsequent step S30. . Then, the process of this flowchart is complete | finished.

  In step S29, it is determined whether or not the current rotational speed Ne of the internal combustion engine 1 is equal to or higher than the fuel cut stop determination value Ne1. Here, it is examined whether or not the clutch 3 satisfies the fuel cut return condition in the semi-engaged state.

  Here, when the rotational speed Ne of the internal combustion engine 1 is less than the determination value Ne1, that is, when the fuel cut return condition is not satisfied, a negative determination is made in step S29, and the processing of this flowchart ends.

  However, when the rotational speed Ne of the internal combustion engine 1 is equal to or higher than the determination value Ne1, that is, when the fuel cut return condition is satisfied, an affirmative determination is made in step S29, and in the subsequent step S31, an immediate fuel cut is performed. The fuel injection amount currently being executed is immediately zeroed. Then, the process of this flowchart is complete | finished.

  As described above, in the case of the embodiment using the clutch stroke sensor, it is possible to perform comparatively simple data collation as the clutch state estimation process by the control device 4. It becomes possible to design relatively easily.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Internal combustion engine 2 Transmission 3 Clutch 4 Control apparatus 8 Accelerator pedal 9 Clutch pedal 15 Throttle valve 16 Throttle motor 17 Fuel injection valve 19 Igniter 31 Accelerator opening sensor 32 Idle switch 34 Throttle position sensor 35 Crank position sensor 37 Clutch switch

Claims (5)

A control device for an internal combustion engine in which a transmission is connected via a clutch that is engaged and disconnected in response to a driver's operation,
When the fuel cut condition is satisfied and the clutch is engaged, an smooth fuel cut is performed to gradually reduce the fuel injection amount to zero.
In the process where the clutch is switched from the disengaged state to the connected state, when the fuel cut condition is satisfied, the fuel cut is performed to increase the degree of decrease in the fuel injection amount compared to the annealed fuel cut ,
The determination of whether or not the fuel cut condition is satisfied includes a process for detecting whether or not the accelerator pedal is turned off, and a process for determining whether or not the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine is equal to or higher than a determination value for starting fuel cut. It is determined that the fuel cut condition is satisfied when the accelerator pedal is in an off state and the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine is equal to or higher than the determination value.
An internal combustion engine characterized in that a determination value when the determination of the fuel cut condition is performed in the clutch switching process is set smaller than a determination value when the determination is performed in a clutch engagement state . Control device. The control apparatus for an internal combustion engine according to claim 1,
The clutch state determination is performed by checking the state of the clutch switch that is turned on when the depressed position of the clutch pedal reaches the disengaged position, determining that the clutch is disengaged when the clutch pedal is depressed, and clutching when the clutch pedal is off. A process of determining that it is in a joint state;
When it is determined that the clutch switch is off, it is checked whether the vehicle speed is decelerating and the rising speed of the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine is equal to or greater than a threshold value. estimates that a process is switched, also negative clutch during determination Ru is configured to perform a process for estimating that the engaged state, the control apparatus for an internal combustion engine, characterized in that. The control apparatus for an internal combustion engine according to claim 1 ,
The clutch state determination is performed by comparing the output from the clutch stroke sensor that outputs a signal corresponding to the depression stroke of the clutch pedal with a reference value stored in advance, so that the clutch is in a disconnected state, a connected state, or a switching process. A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine, characterized in that it is configured to perform a process of estimating which one of the two . The control apparatus for an internal combustion engine according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
After stopping fuel cut during fuel cut and performing fuel injection for avoiding engine stop, if the fuel cut return condition is satisfied with the clutch engaged, gradually reduce the fuel injection amount to zero Fuel that performs a smoothed fuel cut and increases the degree of decrease in the fuel injection amount compared to the smoothed fuel cut when the fuel cut return condition is satisfied in the process of switching the clutch from the disconnected state to the connected state A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine, characterized in that cutting is performed . The control apparatus for an internal combustion engine according to claim 4 ,
When the fuel cut return condition is satisfied, the rotation speed of the internal combustion engine is equal to or higher than a determination value for starting fuel cut,
The control apparatus for an internal combustion engine , wherein a determination value that is a fuel cut return condition in the switching process is set smaller than a determination value that is a fuel cut return condition in the clutch engagement state .

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