JP6480337B2 - Internal combustion engine monitoring method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine, and more particularly to a method for monitoring an adjusting device in an internal combustion engine, which is set to influence the control of the control elements of the internal combustion engine. Such regulators are especially set up to influence the control of the inlet and / or outlet valves and are therefore important for the output and efficiency of the internal combustion engine.

  Many actuators and sensors are used in modern vehicles with combustion engines. In order for these vehicles to function as planned, it is usually necessary for these devices to be fully functional, and therefore a way to monitor these devices for early detection of malfunctions is needed. . Also, such vehicles are often particularly complex, and are particularly troublesome to repair and look for errors. Therefore, in modern vehicle development, it is a common goal to accurately detect the appearance of defects or malfunctions. Modern combustion engines are often provided with devices for changing the control elements, in particular the control of the inlet and outlet valves, which require such monitoring.

  It is known from the prior art to capture the solid transmission sound of an internal combustion engine using a knock sensor and to estimate the operating state of the internal combustion engine. According to Patent Document 1, the change in the solid transmission sound of the internal combustion engine occurs in accordance with the adjustment of the valve lift and the matching of the ignition angle corresponding thereto. In connection with this, it is possible to infer from the description in Patent Document 1 whether the valve lift adjustment is functioning correctly, and when the solid transmission sound changes in a specific manner, the adjustment of the valve lift is as planned. It is thought that it is done.

German Patent Application No. 102004013767

  The subject of this invention is providing the adjustment apparatus monitoring method which can detect the malfunction of an adjustment apparatus.

  This object is solved by the method according to claim 1 and by the device, computer program and data storage device according to claims 12, 13, 14 for carrying out this method. Preferred developments of the method and of the device can be taken from the dependent claims.

  Independent claim 1 describes the method according to the invention for monitoring an internal combustion engine having at least one combustion chamber. The internal combustion engine has at least one control element, which is especially for closing the opening of the combustion chamber and is movable between a first position and a second position. . Such a control element is in particular an inlet valve or an outlet valve. The internal combustion engine further comprises at least one control device for controlling this control element, which comprises a first control part and at least one further control part, preferably a second control part, or Preferably it has a plurality of further control parts, preferably two, three, four or more further control parts. This control device is in particular configured as a camshaft with a plurality of control parts. The first control part and at least the second control part, preferably the plurality of further control parts, are preferably configured as different cams or as cams with different cam profiles of the control device. These control parts desirably have different shapes for controlling the control elements.

  Furthermore, the internal combustion engine has an adjusting device with an actuator device for adjusting the control device between different control positions, preferably two, three, four or more control positions. In particular, the control element is controlled by the first control part in the first control position, and in at least one further control position, preferably in the second control position, the control element is controlled by the further control part. Desirably, the number of control positions of the control device corresponds to the number of actual control positions. In particular, the control part currently considered for controlling at least one control element is understood as the active control part.

  In the present invention, in the monitoring of the internal combustion engine, in particular the adjusting device, the acoustic spectrum is captured by the acoustic sensor device in the first working step. In the second working step, this acoustic spectrum is analyzed. In a further work step, the system state value is determined, and in particular it is possible to assign a specific state of the adjusting device to a specific acoustic spectrum. The determined system status value is provided to the data interface device in a further work step.

  By taking into account the data obtained by the method of the invention, at least the determined system state values, among other things, the control of the regulator can be adapted to this data or can be changed based on this data. Desirably the control time, i.e. the time at which the adjusting device is controlled in order to adjust the position between different control positions, can be changed. It is also possible to change the duration of the adjustment step, i.e. the time until the control device transitions from the active control position to another control position activated after this adjustment step, Alternatively, the time for the reverse can be changed. Such a change in the duration of the adjustment process can be achieved by using an electromechanical adjustment device, in particular by changing, preferably increasing the electrical energy supplied to the actuator device of this device and reducing the duration. Can be implemented. In particular, the current or voltage for controlling the actuator device is increased. The same changes can be made with the hydrodynamic adjustment device, in particular by changing the volume flow rate for controlling the fluid actuator device of the adjustment device, preferably by increasing the fluid pressure or increasing the fluid flow. Can be achieved.

  By adapting the control of the regulator in the manner already described, it is possible to preferably increase the robustness of the internal combustion engine, preferably the regulator, i.e. to increase the reliability and reduce the error rate, among other things. The method according to the invention also makes it possible, inter alia, to increase the maximum speed of the internal combustion engine in which the adjustment step can still be carried out, compared to the case without this adaptation. In particular, when the speed of the internal combustion engine is higher, the operating speed of the adjusting device is increased in order to carry out the adjusting process reliably. By adapting the control of the adjusting device as described above, inter alia, an improvement in accuracy and an inevitable error when proceeding with the adjusting process, whereby the adjusting process is still feasible The maximum number of rotations can be increased.

  In particular, the tolerability and aging effects of the adjusting device can be offset and / or reduced by the actuator of the adjusting device, among others, and by adapting as described above, preferably also improve the service life of the adjusting device, in particular. be able to.

  In the present invention, the internal combustion engine means an internal combustion type work machine. Preferably, the internal combustion engine is a diesel type or a gasoline type. Particularly preferably, the internal combustion engine is a piston type that operates in four cycles. Preferably, the internal combustion engine is set for a vehicle, and the number of cylinders is preferably 1 to 16, particularly preferably 2 to 8, and the combustion chamber volume for each of these cylinders is preferably 0.25 L to 2 L. It is.

  In the present invention, the control element means a device involved in controlling the combustion process of the internal combustion engine. Preferably, one of such control elements is involved in the control of the new / exhaust gas replacement of the internal combustion engine, and preferably in the control of the combustion gas supply or exhaust flow. Also preferably, the control element moves between a first position and a second position to control this new / exhaust gas exchange, and in particular, a set position where the control element closes the opening in the combustion chamber, and this Move between the set position to open the opening. Preferably, the control element means a device having a shaft-like part and a dish-like part. Also preferably, the control element means an inlet valve or an outlet valve of the internal combustion engine, which opens and closes an opening to the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine, whereby the supply flow or exhaust flow of combustion gas to the combustion chamber Enable or inhibit.

  In the context of the present invention, the combustion chamber is defined as the volume within which work processes are carried out, in particular, the conversion from chemically bound energy to thermal and / or mechanical energy, preferably a changeable volume. I mean. Preferably such a combustion chamber means a combustion chamber of a piston-type internal combustion engine.

  In the present invention, the control device means a device involved in the control process of the internal combustion engine, particularly the operation of the control element. The control device preferably means a device that is rotatably mounted and rotates at a given rotation ratio that is substantially constant with respect to the output shaft of the internal combustion engine. Desirably, here, a substantially constant given rotation ratio means that this rotation ratio cannot be changed irrespective of the adjustment process of the control device. Preferably, such a control means a camshaft, preferably a camshaft for controlling an inlet valve or an outlet valve. Preferably, the control device has a substantially rotationally symmetric part and a control part deviating from one, preferably two, circular shapes.

  In the present invention, the control part means a geometric part of the control device. Preferably, the control device has a first control part and a second control part. Also preferably, these control parts are slidable with respect to the rotationally symmetric part of the control device, preferably slidable in the direction of the rotation axis of the control device. Also preferably, at least one of these control parts, preferably two control parts, or preferably a group of control parts, are integrally formed with the rotationally symmetric part of the control device. Preferably, a group of control parts means a plurality of control parts assigned to the same control element in terms of function. Preferably in such an assignment, it means that all control parts for the inlet or outlet valve are grouped together. Also preferably such a control part means a part of the control device which substantially determines the valve lift curve, particularly preferably the cam part on the camshaft, or preferably on the shaft in the longitudinal direction of the shaft. It means a slidable cam part.

  In the present invention, an adjustment device means a device that adjusts between a plurality of control positions, preferably between two or more control positions. Preferably the adjusting device comprises an actuator device, preferably an electromechanical actuator, and preferably a hydrodynamic actuator.

  In the context of the present invention, such an actuator means a device that converts an input quantity, in particular an electrical or hydraulic input quantity, into a mechanical output quantity, preferably a force action. Preferably, the adjustment device has an operating part and an engaging part. Preferably, the operating part is configured as a pin, tooth, bolt, roller, sphere or the like, and the operating part is configured to be acted upon by force and preferably the operating part is moved by the action of force. Has been. Preferably, the actuator has one or more motion restricting parts, preferably so-called stoppers, which are preferably set to restrict the movement of the operating part. The engaging part is preferably configured as a recess, and preferably the engaging part is also set so that the operating part can at least partially engage the engaging part. Also preferably, the engagement portion is configured as a recess, groove, notch or the like. When the operating part engages with the engaging part and the control device rotates about the axis of rotation, the movement of at least one of the control parts, preferably two control parts or a group of control parts, Occurs in the direction of Desirably in such a process, the control device moves from the first control position to the second control position or vice versa.

  In the present invention, the control position means a set position of the control device, and one of these control elements controls one of these control portions at the set position. Preferably, the first control position means the set position of the control device, where the first control part controls at least one control element, preferably a group of control elements. In the first control position, preferably the inlet valve or outlet valve operates in response to a first valve lift curve provided by the first control portion. Preferably, the second control position means the set position of the control device, where the second control part controls at least one control element, preferably a group of control elements. In the second control position, preferably the inlet or outlet valve operates in response to a second valve lift curve provided by the second control portion.

  In the present invention, an acoustic sensor device means a device that captures an acoustic signal, and such a device also has at least one acoustic sensor. Desirably, an acoustic sensor means a knock sensor, which is usually used for monitoring the combustion method, in particular for monitoring the ignition process and the combustion process in an internal combustion engine. Also preferably, the acoustic signal is captured based on the conversion of the pressure difference into an electrical measurement, and preferably the conversion of the acceleration into an electrical measurement.

  In the context of the present invention, the acoustic spectrum means a specific sequence of acoustic signals generated especially as a solid transmission sound from an internal combustion engine, especially during the adjustment process between control positions. In so doing, such an acoustic spectrum can be limited, inter alia, by the frequency domain or the time domain or both. Preferably such an acoustic spectrum means the raw basic data or processed data of the conditioning process. Also preferably, the acoustic spectrum is a record of solid transmission sound emitted from the internal combustion engine for a particular time domain.

  In the present invention, the analysis of the acoustic spectrum means that the acoustic spectrum is evaluated so that information necessary for determining the state of the internal combustion engine, preferably the conditioner, can be obtained from the acoustic spectrum. Desirably, based on this analysis, it is possible to determine the dynamic characteristics of the adjusting device, in particular a vibrable system. Desirably, this analysis means that a specific frequency region is extracted from the acoustic spectrum by a filter. It is known that the adjusting device emits only sound in a specific frequency range. This frequency range can be found, inter alia, by a calibration process before or during operation of the regulator. It is also desirable that what has been found there be taken into account for the analysis of the acoustic spectrum, in particular the frequency domain is extracted from the acoustic spectrum in the analysis of the acoustic spectrum. In this context, extraction in the present invention may mean that only that frequency region of the acoustic spectrum is taken into account in further method steps or even in further analysis.

  In the present invention, determining the system status value means forming a value indicating the status of the monitored device, and this value can also consist of a plurality of individual values.

  Providing this system state value in the present invention means that the system state value is provided for further evaluation by an analyzer or other individual device.

  In the present invention, the adjustment event means an event in which an upper or lower threshold of a captured acoustic spectrum has occurred.

  In the present invention, the threshold means, in particular, a singular value or a reference spectrum of the frequency and / or the intensity of the Fourier-transformed frequency.

  In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the analysis of the acoustic spectrum includes a Fourier transform (FT). By using FT, the acoustic spectrum can be obtained in a particularly easily handled manner. Preferably, FT is a time domain to frequency domain transformation of the acoustic spectrum. Also preferably, the acoustic spectrum is analyzed using a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), where such FFT is a signal analysis in a manner particularly suitable for use with a digital computer. By analyzing the captured acoustic spectrum by means of FT, data to be further processed can be obtained particularly easily, so that the condition of the regulator can preferably be determined on the basis of this data, thereby A better way to monitor is obtained.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the acoustic spectrum is compared with a reference acoustic spectrum. In the present invention, the comparison between an acoustic spectrum and a reference acoustic spectrum also means a comparison of quantities derived from these spectra, especially quantities derived by Fourier transform. In the present invention, the reference acoustic spectrum means an acoustic spectrum that expresses a specific state of the adjusting device. Preferably, the reference acoustic spectrum means a solid transmission sound produced by the adjustment device in a planned operation. Also preferably, the acoustic spectrum is compared to a plurality of reference acoustic spectra, wherein the reference acoustic spectrum can be assigned to different system states of the regulator, in particular specific malfunctions. If the captured sound spectrum deviates only slightly or not at all from the reference sound spectrum assigned to the specific malfunction, then the adjustment device is no longer as planned, especially from this comparison. It is derived that it is not functioning. Also preferably, a first reference sound spectrum is generated prior to the planned start of the adjuster, and such a first reference sound spectrum can be calculated or determined at one of these adjusters. Also preferably, the second reference acoustic spectrum is captured during planned operation of the adjuster. The second reference acoustic spectrum can be captured repeatedly after a specific number of adjustments by the adjustment device or after a specific discrete time interval. The individual or multiple reference acoustic spectra can be used to determine the condition of the adjusting device particularly accurately. In the present invention, this preferably means that a specific malfunction of the regulator can be inferred, or that a specific temporal change in the functional sequence of the regulator can be inferred. The method of the present invention thus improves the regulator's judgment with respect to improved error detection.

  In a preferred embodiment of the invention, only a specific part of the acoustic spectrum, preferably a specific temporal part, is compared with the reference acoustic spectrum or a specific temporal part of the reference acoustic spectrum. Preferably, the entire adjustment process of the adjusting device is captured in the acoustic spectrum in terms of time. However, only certain parts of the acoustic spectrum are considered for comparison with the reference acoustic spectrum. Various unique regulatory events can occur, among other things, during one of the complex regulatory steps. Such an adjustment event can occur, inter alia, when structural elements provided for adjustment hit other structural elements. Desirably, such a unique adjustment event is that the first part of the actuator device hits the first part of the slide device, the operating device hits the second part of the actuator device, This means that one part hits the second part of the sliding device, the sliding device hits the camshaft part, and the operating device hits the third part of the actuator device. Desirably, each of these unique regulatory events is compared with its own reference acoustic spectrum or, as described above, with a plurality of reference acoustic spectra. By analysis and by dividing the entire regulation process into individual regulation events, the state of the regulation device can be determined particularly accurately using the method of the invention.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an error value is generated when the acoustic spectrum deviates from the reference acoustic spectrum considered for comparison. In the present invention, the acoustic spectrum deviates from the reference acoustic spectrum when at least one value of the acoustic spectrum deviates from the value of the reference acoustic spectrum considered for comparison over a threshold value. It means that. In doing so, such a threshold is preferably fixed as an absolute limit, and preferably as a relative limit. Desirably, the upper limit value and the lower limit value can be preset. In the present invention, one of these extreme values considered for comparison means the frequency, intensity, time point or equivalent of the acoustic spectrum or a portion of the acoustic spectrum. Preferably, the error value depends on the frequency, time point, or strength deviation. Desirably, individual thresholds or individual threshold pairs (upper and lower thresholds) can be preset for each of the regulatory single events. By generating an error value as described above, it is possible to determine the condition of the adjusting device particularly accurately and thereby improve the checking method of the adjusting device.

  In further desirable embodiments, multiple thresholds can be preset for the same regulatory event. Desirably, if there are threshold crossings for different thresholds, different error values are generated, thereby allowing the method of the present invention to be used to determine the degree of malfunction of the regulator. It is also possible to preset each unique set of different thresholds for each of these single events. Desirably, thresholds for at least slight deviations, moderate deviations, and severe deviations can be preset for a single event. Desirably, when different threshold values are exceeded, each leads to a different error value. Desirably, when the threshold value indicating only a slight malfunction is exceeded, the maintenance interval of the internal combustion engine is shortened. Also, if a threshold is exceeded, preferably indicating a moderate malfunction, it will preferably lead to a warning message that can be displayed on the cockpit's instrument panel, and preferably an emergency program will be invoked to control this internal combustion engine. It is. It is also desirable that if there is an overage threshold indicating a severe malfunction, it will preferably lead to a warning message that can be displayed on the cockpit's instrument panel, and to call a further emergency program to control this internal combustion engine. Connected. For each single event, not only can it be determined that the regulator is out of function as planned, but also different error values can be expressed for the degree of deviation, so that the status of the regulator can be determined particularly accurately. Control interventions to prevent serious malfunctions.

  In the preferred embodiment, a comparison of the acoustic spectrum with a reference acoustic spectrum or reference value is considered to determine system status. Desirably, the overall state of the regulator is inferred from the comparison result of a single event. Preferably, the system state is inferred based on the error pattern that has occurred or has been determined. A system state value is preferably formed for the determined system state, and preferably this system state value is stored in a storage device. Desirably, it is possible to estimate a time-dependent transition of the malfunction of the adjusting device by using the system state values stored while being shifted in time. Thereby, it is desirable to determine whether the break-in steps provided in many technical systems and which are often very important for these systems to function as planned have been carried out regularly. By making it possible to determine the function of the adjusting device over time using the method of the invention, it is possible to determine in particular precisely the malfunctioning of the adjusting device.

  In a further preferred embodiment, the system status value is provided to the engine control unit. Also preferably, one or more emergency programs for controlling the internal combustion engine can be called up in the engine control unit based on the system status values. Also preferably, in such an emergency program, the maximum engine speed and / or the maximum torque that can be recalled is limited. Desirably, different system status values have different degrees of restriction on these values, preferably in the case of system status values that indicate a serious malfunction, in the case of system status values that exhibit a minor malfunction. Therefore, the maximum value is more limited. The determined malfunction can also affect the control of the internal combustion engine, thereby preventing a serious malfunction of the internal combustion engine.

  In a further preferred embodiment, a visual, acoustic and / or tactile warning message is activated in the vehicle based on the system state value. Preferably, a warning message perceivable by the vehicle driver is activated. By directly alerting the vehicle driver to malfunction or deterioration of the regulator, the vehicle driver reacts directly to this alert, thereby avoiding or reducing serious damage. Can do.

An apparatus for carrying out the method of the present invention comprises:
-Acoustic sensors, especially knock sensors,
-Storage devices, especially data storage devices,
-Analyzer, in particular an analyzer with a CPU, and
-It has a data interface device, especially a bus interface.

  An acoustic sensor can be used to capture solid transmission sound emitted from an internal combustion engine, in particular a regulator. A knock sensor is preferably used for this purpose, preferably an existing internal combustion engine knock sensor.

  The storage device can be used to store data, in particular the acoustic spectrum, the comparison results obtained from the comparison of the captured acoustic spectrum with the reference acoustic spectrum, and / or system state values. By storing these data, it is possible to carry out the transition of the regulator over time, especially with respect to the occurrence of functional aspects of the regulator that are not as planned.

  An analysis device can be used to analyze the captured acoustic spectrum and compare it to a reference acoustic spectrum or reference value. Furthermore, using this device, it is possible to derive the system state value of the monitored device from this comparison result.

  With the data interface device it is possible to transmit the data, in particular the comparison results from the analysis device, to a further control unit device, in particular for controlling the internal combustion engine. Preferably, the system status value provided from the analysis device is transmitted via this data interface device.

  The method of the present invention can be stored in a data storage device, particularly in the form of computer readable instructions. Preferably, the method of the present invention can be stored in the form of optically, magnetically or electrically readable information. Preferably, data storage means diskette, CD, DVD, memory card, hard disk space, or solid state drive or equivalent.

  Preferred embodiments and features of the invention are illustrated in the figures, which are partly diagrammatically represented.

It is the figure which showed various extending positions of the actuator device which is a component of the adjusting device over the rotation angle of the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine, and the crankshaft rotation angle is proportional to the rotation angle of the control device (camshaft). Yes. FIG. 2 is a diagram of an apparatus of the present invention for carrying out the method of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart of the method of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 shows various feed positions of the actuator device 1 over a crankshaft angle 3c of the internal combustion engine. Here, the curve 1c shows the extending motion of the actuator device 1. In parallel with the unwinding movement, the valve position is shown above it, and below it the position of the operating device 1b shown in a sectional view and the top view of the slide element 2 is shown. When the crankshaft (not shown) reaches the rotation angle position 3c1, a current flows through the actuator device 1, and the operating device 1b moves out of the housing device 1a toward the slide element 2. The slide element 2 has a groove region 2 a 1 and rotates around the rotation axis 3 d of the camshaft 3. When the crankshaft reaches the rotation angle position 3c2, the operating device 1b reaches the final position of the operating device 1b at the extended position and within the groove region 2a1 of the slide element 2 in the planned function of the adjusting device. enter. When the operating device is engaged with the groove region 2a1 having a spiral shape and the slide element 2 rotates around the rotation axis 3d at the same time, the slide element 2 slides in the direction of the rotation axis. The slide element 2 is attached to the camshaft 3 so as to slide in the longitudinal direction although it is torque resistant. As the slide element 2 slides longitudinally on the camshaft, a cam holder (not shown) holding various different control parts for controlling the control element is placed on the camshaft 3 in the longitudinal direction of the camshaft 3. The first control part or the second control part for sliding and thereby controlling the control element is activated. By having two different control parts on the cam holder, the control time of the internal combustion engine will also be different. When the slide element 2 slides on the camshaft 3, the other of the two control parts is connected to a valve operating device (not shown) (becomes active), where the valve operating device includes a rocker arm, a push rod, Means tappet or equivalent. By adjusting from one cam part to the other cam part, the control element (valve) opens and closes with different valve lift curves. During this adjustment process, certain single events are acoustically perceptible. In the illustrated apparatus, such a single event means that the operating device 1b hits the first groove portion 2a of the slide element 2, the operating device 1b hits the first stopper 1a1 of the housing device 1a, and the operating device 1b It hits the second groove part 2b of the slide element 2, the slide element 2 hits the camshaft part 3a, and the operating device 1b hits the second stopper 1a2 of the housing device. At this time, each of the aforementioned events generates a characteristic acoustic spectrum, that is, a sound having a specific intensity, frequency, and length. Furthermore, the length of time between these single events is also significant and is incorporated into the method of the present invention. These single events are acoustically measured by a knock sensor (not shown), and the method of the present invention is used to determine whether the adjuster is working as planned, whether an error has already occurred, from the captured acoustic spectrum, Or, it is deduced whether a malfunction is feared.

The method of the present invention has the following additional advantages, among others:
The irregularity of the regulator is detected and the control of the regulator is adapted to increase the robustness of the system.
-By adapting the control, the tolerances / downtime in the operation of the adjusting device can be reduced, thereby increasing the maximum possible number of revolutions of the internal combustion engine in which the adjusting process can still be carried out.
-Applying the tolerance and aging effects of the actuator using the present invention extends the useful life of the actuator.

  FIG. 2 shows a device according to the invention for carrying out the method according to the invention, which device has a knock sensor 4. Since the knock sensor 4 is arranged in the region of the valve train 5 of the internal combustion engine, on the one hand it is possible to detect combustion noise and thereby so-called knocking, and on the other hand to detect single / regulatory events of the regulator. These are represented in the acoustic spectrum 4a emitted from the adjusting device during the adjusting process. The valve train has in particular a valve device 5a and a control device 5b. The knock sensor 4 transfers the captured acoustic spectrum to a control unit device 6 having an analysis device 6a having a CPU (central processing unit), and the captured acoustic spectrum is analyzed by the analysis device 6a. It is compared with the reference acoustic spectrum stored in the storage device 6b. The reference acoustic spectrum contains values characteristic for the planned operation of the regulator. In this comparison, it can be determined whether the captured acoustic spectrum deviates from the reference acoustic spectrum beyond a presettable limit value. Both the captured acoustic spectrum and the comparison result are time stamped and stored in the data storage device 6b. If the captured acoustic spectrum deviates from the reference acoustic spectrum beyond a presettable threshold, a system state value including an error value is generated for an engine control unit device (not shown). Provided to the data bus interface 7. Based on this error value, the engine control unit device can be used to limit the maximum engine speed as well as the maximum engine torque, thereby protecting the internal combustion engine from damage.

  FIG. 3 is a simple flow chart of the method of the present invention for monitoring an adjustment device. In the first method step 8, an acoustic spectrum is captured by a knock sensor. In the second method step 9, the acoustic spectrum is analyzed using FFT. In a third method step 10, the analyzed acoustic spectrum is compared with a reference acoustic spectrum 10a or a reference value, and in this comparison, among other things, the analyzed acoustic spectrum exceeds a presettable threshold 10b. Or it is investigated whether it deviates from a standard value. If such a deviation is determined, one or more error values are generated in a fourth method step 11. This error value is taken into account for controlling the internal combustion engine and for outputting information to the vehicle driver.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Actuator apparatus 1a Housing apparatus 1a1 1st stopper 1a2 2nd stopper 1b Operation apparatus 1c Curve
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 Slide element 2a 1st groove part 2a1 Groove area | region 2b 2nd groove part 3 Camshaft 3a Camshaft part 3c Crankshaft angle 3c1 Rotation angle position 3c2 Rotation angle position 3d Rotation shaft 4 Knock sensor 4a Acoustic spectrum 5 Valve train 5a Valve apparatus 5b Control device 6 Control unit device 6a Analysis device 6b Data storage device 7 Interface 8 First method step 9 Second method step 10 Third method step 10a Reference acoustic spectrum 10b Threshold 11 Fourth method step

Claims (14)

-At least one combustion chamber,
A valve movable between a first position for closing the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine and a second position for opening the combustion chamber;
A camshaft for controlling said valve, comprising a first control part and at least one second control part;
A sliding element mounted on the camshaft for torque resistance but sliding longitudinally, a first control position in which the valve is controlled by a first control part, and at least one first valve in the valve; An adjusting device with an operating device for adjusting between at least one second control position controlled by two control parts; and
-Acoustic sensor device,
A method for monitoring an internal combustion engine having:
The method comprises the following work steps;
Using the acoustic sensor device to capture an acoustic spectrum of an adjustment step of the slide element between the first control position and at least one second control position;
-Analyzing the acoustic spectrum using an analyzer;
-Determining a system state value of the regulator;
-Providing the system status value to a data interface device;
Engine monitoring method characterized by having a.   The internal combustion engine monitoring method according to claim 1, wherein the method step of analyzing the acoustic spectrum comprises a Fourier transform (FT), a discrete Fourier transform (DFT), or a fast Fourier transform (FFT). . The method comprises the following work steps;
3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of comparing the acoustic spectrum or a part of the acoustic spectrum with a reference acoustic spectrum / reference value in order to determine the system state value. Internal combustion engine monitoring method. The method comprises the following work steps;
-Internal combustion engine according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a step of comparing at least a further part or a further plurality of parts of the acoustic spectrum with a further one or further reference acoustic spectra / reference values Monitoring method.   The system state value is determined when at least one parameter of the acoustic spectrum exceeds a threshold and deviates from the reference acoustic spectrum / reference value. Internal combustion engine monitoring method.   The internal combustion engine monitoring method according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of adjustment events can be determined based on the system state value.   The internal combustion engine monitoring method according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of the threshold values can be preset, and a plurality of threshold values can be preset for one adjustment event of the adjustment device. 7. Internal combustion according to claim 5 or claim 6, characterized in that it is possible to preset a plurality of said thresholds and to preset different thresholds for different regulation events. Engine monitoring method.   The internal combustion engine monitoring method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the system state value is stored in a storage device together with time information on when the system state value was created.   The system state value is provided for an engine control unit, and the engine control unit calls a control program for the internal combustion engine in response to the system state value. The internal combustion engine monitoring method according to claim 9.   11. The internal combustion engine monitoring method according to claim 9, wherein visual, acoustic and / or tactile alerting is activated in the vehicle based on the system state value. -Combustion chamber,
A valve movable between a first position for closing the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine and a second position for opening the combustion chamber;
A camshaft for controlling said valve having a first control part and at least one second control part;
A sliding element mounted on the camshaft for torque resistance but sliding longitudinally, a first control position in which the valve is controlled by a first control part, and at least one first valve in the valve; An adjusting device with an operating device for adjusting between at least one second control position controlled by two control parts; and
An acoustic sensor device for capturing an acoustic spectrum of the adjusting step of the slide element between the first control position and the at least one second control position ;
A device for monitoring an internal combustion engine having
The apparatus comprises an analysis device with a CPU for analyzing the acoustic spectrum to determine a system state value of the adjusting device, and a data interface device for providing the system state value. An internal combustion engine monitoring device, which is characterized.   12. A computer program comprising instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11 to be executed.   A data storage device in which the computer program according to claim 13 is stored in the form of instructions executable by a computer.

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