JP7221085B2 - Engine, its remote monitoring device, and its maintenance cycle adjustment method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention provides an engine having a spark plug that applies a voltage at a predetermined ignition timing to spark-ignite an air-fuel mixture in a combustion chamber, and performs maintenance at a predetermined predetermined maintenance cycle, a remote monitoring device for the engine, and its maintenance cycle adjustment method.

In recent years, the engine of a gas engine heat pump (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as GHP) is maintained, for example, after 10000 hours of operation or after 5 years of installation. is being considered for extension.
When the spark plug, which is responsible for ignition in the combustion chamber of a gas engine, deteriorates, the distance between the electrodes widens and the voltage required to generate the spark plug increases. It is one of the parts that require maintenance.
Here, as one method of extending the maintenance cycle, a method of extending the maintenance cycle according to the load is conceivable. It is difficult to extend the maintenance cycle accordingly.

On the other hand, in the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, in an engine equipped with a required voltage acquisition unit that acquires a required voltage required by a spark plug in accordance with an internal state such as a pressure in a combustion chamber, the required voltage acquisition unit (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2011-074825 A

However, although the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 acquires the required voltage in the required voltage acquisition unit, there is no disclosure whatsoever about how to use the acquired required voltage to predict the replacement time. Without even suggesting that, there was room for specific development of the technology.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an engine capable of adjusting the maintenance cycle in a manner that appropriately reflects the degree of deterioration of spark plugs, a remote monitoring device for the engine, and a maintenance cycle adjustment for the engine. It is to provide a method.

An engine for achieving the above object is provided with a spark plug that applies a voltage at a predetermined ignition timing to spark-ignite an air-fuel mixture in a combustion chamber, and is maintained at a predetermined predetermined maintenance cycle. and its characteristic configuration is
a required voltage measuring unit that measures a required voltage required by the spark plug according to the internal state of the combustion chamber;
a storage unit that temporally stores the required voltage measured by the required voltage measuring unit;
a required voltage estimated value deriving unit that calculates an approximate line of the required voltage up to the current time stored in the storage unit and estimates that the required voltage estimated value after the current time exists on the approximate line;
a maintenance cycle adjustment unit that changes the start point of the next maintenance cycle until the estimated voltage demand value derived by the estimated voltage demand value deriving unit exceeds a predetermined upper limit of voltage demand ,
A compressor connected to the output shaft is provided as a heat pump for air conditioning,
The demand voltage estimated value derivation unit calculates the approximate line based on the demand voltage measured in the same season as the current demand voltage, which is the most recent demand voltage stored in the storage unit up to the present time.

The engine maintenance cycle adjustment method for achieving the above object is
It is equipped with a spark plug that applies a voltage at a predetermined ignition timing to spark-ignite the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber, and is equipped with a compressor that is connected to the output shaft as a heat pump for air conditioning, and has a predetermined maintenance cycle that is determined in advance. A maintenance cycle adjustment method for an engine that performs maintenance, characterized by:
a required voltage measuring step of measuring a required voltage required by the spark plug according to the internal state of the combustion chamber;
a storage step of temporally storing the required voltage measured in the required voltage measuring step;
a required voltage estimated value deriving step of calculating an approximate line of the required voltage stored up to the current time in the storing step, and estimating that the required voltage estimated value after the current time exists on the approximate line;
a maintenance cycle adjustment step of changing the start point of the next maintenance cycle when the estimated voltage demand derived in the estimated voltage demand value deriving step exceeds a predetermined upper limit of the voltage demand ,
The required voltage estimated value deriving step is to calculate the approximate line based on the most recent required voltage stored in the storing step up to the current time and the required voltage measured in the same season as the current time.

According to the above characteristic configuration, in the required voltage estimated value deriving section (required voltage estimated value deriving step), the approximation line of the required voltage up to the current time stored in the storage section is calculated, and the demand from the current time onward is calculated on the approximation line. Since it is assumed that the voltage estimate exists, the required voltage after the current time can be estimated appropriately, and the maintenance cycle can be adjusted based on the future required voltage estimate, allowing maintenance to be performed with a margin based on the prediction based on the estimated value. It will be possible to execute.
As described above, it is possible to realize an engine in which the maintenance cycle can be adjusted in a manner that appropriately reflects the degree of deterioration of the spark plugs, and a method for adjusting the maintenance cycle thereof.
In the case of engines used in air conditioners, linear approximation is more effective if the fluctuation tendency of spark plug required voltage is the same in terms of load, rotation speed, etc., and the load is seasonal (outside air temperature ), it is also an effective method to estimate the required voltage based on data for the same season, for example.
According to the above characteristic configuration, in the required voltage estimated value derivation step by the required voltage estimated value derivation unit, the most recent required voltage stored in the storage unit up to the current time and based on the required voltage measured in the same season as the current time. Since the approximation line is calculated by , the demand voltage estimated value estimated along the approximation line can be derived more accurately.

Further features of the engine are:
When the required voltage measured by the required voltage measuring unit exceeds the required voltage upper limit value and the required voltage estimated value estimated by the required voltage estimated value derivation unit is less than the required voltage upper limit value It is characterized in that it includes an exceptional required voltage determination unit that determines whether or not an exceptionally high required voltage is generated in some cases.

Due to various factors, the required voltage may decrease after showing an increase that deviates from a fluctuation trend that gradually increases over time.
As various factors, the demand voltage tends to increase as the air ratio becomes leaner, so there are factors such as the air ratio temporarily shifting to the leaner side and adjustment such as fuel control valve control not being done in time. .
According to the above characteristic configuration, when the requested voltage exceeds the requested voltage upper limit value and the requested voltage estimated value estimated by the requested voltage estimated value derivation unit is less than the requested voltage upper limit value , it is determined that an exceptionally high required voltage is generated.
As a result, for example, the required voltage estimated value deriving unit performs processing such as not using the required voltage when the exceptional required voltage is generated for estimating the required voltage, thereby improving the estimation accuracy of the required voltage estimated value. can be improved.

Further features of the engine are:
and a rotation speed control unit that executes rotation speed increase control to increase the engine rotation speed when the exceptional voltage request determination unit determines that the exceptional voltage request is being generated.

As described above, the exceptional voltage requirement is a condition in which the required voltage is temporarily increased due to various factors. There is
The inventors have found that when the engine speed is reduced, the ignition timing is further advanced, and ignition is performed at a relatively low voltage, so that ignition can be performed even at a low required voltage. , the engine speed control unit, when it is determined that the exceptional voltage is generated, executes the engine speed increase control to increase the engine speed, thereby temporarily exceeding the required voltage upper limit value. The voltage can be lowered and misfiring can be well suppressed.
It should be noted that in the engine in this specification, the ignition timing is set at a timing earlier than the top dead center.

Further features of the engine are:
The rotation speed control unit increases the engine rotation speed while maintaining the engine output in the rotation speed increase control when the exceptional required voltage determination unit determines that the exceptional required voltage is generated. be.

In particular, when it is determined that an exceptionally requested voltage is generated, the engine speed control unit increases the engine speed while maintaining the engine output, thereby increasing the requested voltage while maintaining the required output. It is possible to suitably prevent misfiring by lowering the voltage lower than the upper limit of the required voltage.

Further features of the engine are:
When the exceptional required voltage determination unit determines that the exceptional required voltage is generated, the ignition timing of the spark plug is advanced from the ignition timing when it is determined that the exceptional required voltage is generated. and an ignition timing control unit that executes ignition timing advance control.

As described above, the exceptional voltage requirement is a condition in which the required voltage is temporarily increased due to various factors. There is
In view of the fact that if the ignition timing of the engine is further advanced, the ignition is performed at a relatively low voltage, so that the ignition can be performed even at a low required voltage, the ignition timing control unit is determined to be in an exceptionally requested voltage generation state, ignition timing advance control is executed to advance the ignition timing from the ignition timing at the time when it is determined that an exceptionally requested voltage is being generated. Therefore, the required voltage that has temporarily exceeded the upper limit of the required voltage can be lowered, and misfires can be satisfactorily suppressed.

Further features of the engine are:
In the ignition timing advance control, when the exceptional required voltage determination unit determines that the exceptional required voltage is generated, the ignition timing control unit performs ignition with the spark plug while maintaining the engine output. The point is to advance the timing.

In particular, the ignition timing control unit maintains the necessary output by advancing the ignition timing beyond the top dead center while maintaining the engine output when it is determined that the exceptional voltage demand is generated. While the engine is maintained, the required voltage can be lowered below the upper limit of the required voltage to suitably prevent misfiring.

An engine remote monitoring device for achieving the above object is:
Equipped with a spark plug that applies voltage at a predetermined ignition timing to spark-ignite the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber, and has a compressor that is connected to the output shaft as a heat pump for air conditioning, and performs maintenance at a predetermined maintenance cycle that has been determined in advance. is a remote monitoring device for an engine in which
A required voltage measuring unit for measuring a required voltage required by the spark plug according to the internal state of the combustion chamber of the engine; and an engine-side transmitting/receiving unit for transmitting the required voltage measured by the required voltage measuring unit. and an engine-side control unit having
a monitoring-side transmitting/receiving unit for receiving the requested voltage transmitted from the engine-side transmitting/receiving unit; a storage unit for temporally storing the requested voltage received by the monitoring-side transmitting/receiving unit; a demand voltage estimated value derivation unit that calculates an approximate line of the demand voltage and estimates that the demand voltage estimate value after the present time exists on the approximate line; and a maintenance cycle adjustment unit that changes the start point of the next maintenance cycle when a predetermined upper limit of the required voltage is exceeded ,
The demand voltage estimated value derivation unit calculates the approximate line based on the demand voltage measured in the same season as the current demand voltage, which is the most recent demand voltage stored in the storage unit up to the present time.

According to the above characteristic configuration, for example, the monitoring center is provided with a monitoring side control unit, and the required voltages of a plurality of engines can be monitored collectively. It is possible to implement efficient and effective maintenance cycle adjustments.
The engine to achieve the above purpose is
An engine that is provided with a spark plug that applies a voltage at a predetermined ignition timing to spark-ignite an air-fuel mixture in a combustion chamber, and whose maintenance is performed at a predetermined predetermined maintenance cycle, characterized by:
a required voltage measuring unit that measures a required voltage required by the spark plug according to the internal state of the combustion chamber;
a storage unit that temporally stores the required voltage measured by the required voltage measuring unit;
a required voltage estimated value deriving unit that calculates an approximate line of the required voltage up to the current time stored in the storage unit and estimates that the required voltage estimated value after the current time exists on the approximate line;
a maintenance cycle adjustment unit that changes the start point of the next maintenance cycle when the estimated voltage demand value derived by the estimated voltage demand value deriving unit exceeds a predetermined upper limit value of the voltage demand;
When the required voltage measured by the required voltage measuring unit exceeds the required voltage upper limit value and the required voltage estimated value estimated by the required voltage estimated value derivation unit is less than the required voltage upper limit value and an exceptionally requested voltage determining unit for determining whether or not an exceptionally high requested voltage is generated in some cases.
An engine remote monitoring device for achieving the above object is:
A remote monitoring device for an engine, which includes a spark plug that applies a voltage at a predetermined ignition timing to spark-ignite an air-fuel mixture in a combustion chamber, and performs maintenance at a predetermined predetermined maintenance cycle. The configuration is
A required voltage measuring unit for measuring a required voltage required by the spark plug according to the internal state of the combustion chamber of the engine; and an engine-side transmitting/receiving unit for transmitting the required voltage measured by the required voltage measuring unit. and an engine-side control unit having
a monitoring-side transmitting/receiving unit for receiving the requested voltage transmitted from the engine-side transmitting/receiving unit; a storage unit for temporally storing the requested voltage received by the monitoring-side transmitting/receiving unit; a demand voltage estimated value derivation unit that calculates an approximate line of the demand voltage and estimates that the demand voltage estimate value after the present time exists on the approximate line; a maintenance cycle adjustment unit that changes the start point of the next maintenance cycle when a predetermined upper limit of required voltage is exceeded; and a required voltage measured by the required voltage measuring unit that exceeds the upper limit of required voltage an exceptional required voltage generation state in which an exceptionally high required voltage is generated when the required voltage estimated value estimated by the required voltage estimated value derivation unit is less than the required voltage upper limit value It is provided with a monitoring-side control unit having an exceptionally requested voltage determination unit that determines whether or not.
Furthermore, the engine maintenance cycle adjustment method for achieving the above object includes:
A maintenance cycle adjustment method for an engine, which includes a spark plug that applies voltage at a predetermined ignition timing to spark-ignite an air-fuel mixture in a combustion chamber, and performs maintenance at a predetermined predetermined maintenance cycle, and features thereof The configuration is
a required voltage measuring step of measuring a required voltage required by the spark plug according to the internal state of the combustion chamber;
a storage step of temporally storing the required voltage measured in the required voltage measuring step;
a required voltage estimated value deriving step of calculating an approximate line of the required voltage stored up to the current time in the storing step, and estimating that the required voltage estimated value after the current time exists on the approximate line;
a maintenance cycle adjusting step of changing the start point of the next maintenance cycle when the estimated required voltage value derived in the estimated required voltage value deriving step exceeds a predetermined upper limit value of required voltage;
the required voltage measured in the required voltage measuring step exceeds the required voltage upper limit value, and the required voltage estimated value estimated in the required voltage estimated value deriving step is less than the required voltage upper limit value; and an exceptional required voltage determining step for determining whether or not an exceptionally high required voltage is generated in some cases.

Schematic configuration diagram of a gas engine heat pump including an engine 100 according to an embodiment Graph diagram for explaining adjustment of the start point of the maintenance cycle based on the actual measurement value of the required voltage, the estimated value of the required voltage, and the upper limit value of the required voltage. Graph diagram for illustrating exception request voltage generation state Graph diagram showing the schematic relationship between output, rotation speed, and required voltage Schematic diagram of engine remote monitoring device

The engine 100, its remote monitoring device 300, and its maintenance cycle adjustment method according to the embodiment of the present invention relate to being able to adjust the maintenance cycle in a manner that appropriately reflects the degree of deterioration of spark plugs. The embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the engine 100 includes an engine 100 that compresses and burns an air-fuel mixture M in a combustion chamber 11 to output shaft power, and an ECU that controls the engine 100 according to the load. The heat pump system 40 includes a compressor 41 driven by shaft power of the engine 100, a heat pump circuit C for circulating the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 41, and the like.
In the engine of this embodiment, the ignition timing is set at a timing earlier than the top dead center.

The combustion chamber 11 of the engine 100 is connected to an intake passage 20 through which the air-fuel mixture M is taken and an exhaust passage 25 through which the exhaust gas E flows.
A fuel supply path 21 for supplying a fuel gas G such as natural gas-based city gas is connected to the intake path 20 via a venturi mixer 23 . is provided to adjust the air-fuel ratio, which is the ratio between the fuel gas G and the combustion air A taken into the intake passage 20, by adjusting the air-fuel ratio. A throttle valve 24 capable of adjusting the intake amount of the air-fuel mixture M flowing through the intake passage 20 is provided downstream of the venturi mixer 23 in the intake passage 20 .
As a result, the fuel gas G supplied from the fuel supply passage 21 while the opening of the fuel flow control valve 22 is adjusted is mixed with the combustion air A in the venturi mixer 23, and adjusted to a desired air-fuel ratio. The air-fuel mixture M is drawn into the combustion chamber 11 with the intake air amount adjusted by the throttle valve 24 . The air-fuel mixture M that is taken in is compressed in the combustion chamber 11 and is ignited by a spark plug 57 (not shown) whose ignition is controlled by the igniter 51 to burn and expand, thereby rotating the crankshaft 35. Then, the exhaust gas E generated by combustion is exhausted through the exhaust passage 25 . In other words, this engine 100 is configured as a normal four-cycle engine.

The igniter 51 is a device that controls the spark plug 57 based on a control signal from an ECU (not shown). It has an ignition coil 54 that generates a voltage for discharging at 57 and a switch element 53 that energizes and cuts off the current flowing through the ignition coil 54 based on the output of the switch control device 52 .
The switch control device 52, as shown in FIG. 2, is a device having a signal detection circuit 10 for detecting control signals from the ECU, and is specifically composed of an IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor) gate driver. The switch element 53 is an element that energizes/shuts off current flowing through the ignition coil 54 based on the output of the switch control device 52, and is specifically composed of an IGBT. The ignition coil 54 is a transformer that creates a voltage for discharging with the spark plug 57 .

A power source such as a battery 56 is connected to one end of the primary coil of the ignition coil 54, and the switch element 53 is connected to the other end. A power source such as a battery 56 is connected to one end of the secondary coil of the ignition coil 54 in the same manner as the primary coil, and a spark plug 57 is connected to the other end. For example, the ignition coil 54 boosts the voltage of the battery 56 from 12 to 15 V to 20,000 to 40,000 V and supplies it to the ignition plug 57 .
Furthermore, the engine 100 is provided with a high voltage probe 60 as a required voltage measuring section for measuring a required voltage value, which is a voltage value at which an ignition spark is generated at the ignition plug 57 .

Shaft power of engine 100 is transmitted to compressor 41 of heat pump system 40 by power transmission mechanism 30 .
The power transmission mechanism 30 includes an engine-side pulley 31 fixed to the crankshaft 35 of the engine 100, a compressor-side pulley 33 connected to the drive shaft 34 of the compressor 41 via an electromagnetic clutch (not shown), A ribbed belt 32 wound around an engine-side pulley 31 and a compressor-side pulley 33 is provided.

The heat pump system 40 includes a heat pump circuit C that circulates a refrigerant, a compressor 41 that compresses the refrigerant circulating in the heat pump circuit C, an outdoor heat exchanger 42 that exchanges heat between outdoor air and the refrigerant, and indoor air and the refrigerant. , an expansion valve 43 for expanding the refrigerant, and a four-way valve 45 for switching the circulation direction of the refrigerant in the heat pump circuit C.
When the heat pump system 40 performs a cooling operation, the four-way valve 45 connects the refrigerant discharge side of the compressor 41 to the outdoor heat exchanger 42 as indicated by the solid line in FIG. to connect the refrigerant inflow side to the indoor heat exchanger 44 . As a result, the refrigerant circulating in the heat pump circuit C is compressed by the compressor 41 and heated, and guided to the condenser as the outdoor heat exchanger 42. After condensing and releasing heat in a form of heat exchange and passing through the expansion valve 43, it is led to an evaporator as an indoor heat exchanger 44, where it evaporates in a form of heat exchange with the room air to cool the room air, It is returned to the refrigerant inflow side of the compressor 41 .
On the other hand, when the heat pump system 40 performs heating operation, the four-way valve 45 connects the refrigerant discharge side of the compressor 41 to the indoor heat exchanger 44 as indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 41 is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 42 . As a result, the refrigerant circulating in the heat pump circuit C is compressed by the compressor 41 and heated, and guided to the condenser as the indoor heat exchanger 44. After condensing in a form of heat exchange to heat the indoor air and passing through the expansion valve 43, it is led to an evaporator as an outdoor heat exchanger 42, where it evaporates in a form of heat exchange with the outdoor air and heat is transferred from the indoor air. is returned to the refrigerant inflow side of the compressor 41 .

Now, the engine 100 used as the power source of the heat pump system 40 according to the present embodiment is normally subject to a fixed maintenance period (for example, every 5 years after installation or every 10,000 hours of operation). Parts such as the ignition plug 57 that deteriorates over time are replaced and inspected every maintenance cycle. The engine 100 according to this embodiment has the following configuration in order to adjust the maintenance cycle in a manner that more appropriately reflects the degree of deterioration of the spark plugs.
That is, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the engine 100 includes a storage unit S1 for temporally storing actual measurement values of the required voltage measured by the high voltage probe 60 described above, and A demand voltage estimated value derivation unit S2 that calculates an approximate line of the demand voltage up to the present time and estimates that the demand voltage estimate value after the present time exists on the approximate line; and the demand voltage estimation derived by the demand voltage estimate value derivation unit S2. and a control device S having a maintenance cycle adjustment section S3 that changes the start time (T in FIG. 2) of the next maintenance cycle until the value exceeds the predetermined upper limit of the required voltage.
In this configuration, the required voltage estimated value deriving unit S2 can calculate an approximate straight line (an example of an approximate line) by applying the least squares method to the past measured values of the required voltage, for example. In this embodiment, the concept of the approximation line includes an approximation curve obtained by polynomial approximation or the like.

The measurement of the required voltage by the high-voltage probe 60 and the storage of the assumed required voltage in the storage unit S1 are executed in real time. For example, it is executed using the maximum value or average value every day or every 100 hours.

The control device S performs a required voltage measuring step in which the high voltage probe 60 measures the required voltage required by the spark plug 57 according to the internal state of the combustion chamber 11 (for example, the pressure, the mixing ratio of fuel and air, etc.). a storing step of storing the required voltage measured in the required voltage measuring step in the storage unit S1 over time; calculating an approximation line of the required voltage stored up to the present time in the storing step; A required voltage estimated value deriving step for estimating that the required voltage estimated value after the current time exists on the line, and a time point when the required voltage estimated value derived in the required voltage estimated value deriving step exceeds a predetermined required voltage upper limit value. Then, the maintenance cycle is adjusted by a maintenance cycle adjustment step of changing the start point of the next maintenance cycle.
The maintenance cycle adjusted by executing control based on the maintenance cycle adjustment method by the control device S is output to an output unit Mo such as a monitor, and work is performed based on the start time T of the maintenance cycle output to the output unit Mo. person to perform maintenance.

Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the actual measurement value of the required voltage is a value (EVX in FIG. 3) that decreases after exhibiting an increase that deviates from a fluctuation trend that gradually increases over time due to various factors. Sometimes.
In preparation for such a case, the control device S of the engine 100 according to the embodiment provides the required voltage estimated value derivation unit S2 when the required voltage measured by the high voltage probe 60 exceeds the required voltage upper limit value an exceptional required voltage determination unit S4 for determining whether or not an exceptionally high required voltage EVX is generated when the estimated value of required voltage estimated by the method is less than the upper limit value of required voltage. ing.
Further, the required voltage estimated value deriving unit S2 performs a process of excluding the required voltage in the exceptional required voltage generation state from the estimated required voltage. This further improves the estimation accuracy of the required voltage estimated value.

Furthermore, for example, when an exceptionally requested voltage is generated, there is a high possibility that ignition has not been performed satisfactorily and a misfire has occurred.
Therefore, the engine 100 according to this embodiment includes the rotation speed control unit S5 that executes the rotation speed increase control to increase the engine rotation speed when the exceptional required voltage determination unit S4 determines that the exceptional required voltage is generated. have.
For example, in the graph shown in FIG. 4, when the current output and engine speed are in the operating state of P1, and it is determined that the exceptional voltage is being generated, the speed control unit S5 controls the engine speed is increased to shift to the operation state P2 in which the required voltage is lower than the current state.
It should be noted that by maintaining the engine output as shown in FIG. 4 during the transition of the operating state, misfire can be prevented while the load required of the heat pump system 40 is adequately covered.
Here, for example, when the heat pump system 40 has two compressors 41 and employs a configuration in which each is driven by a special engine 100, as shown in FIG. By shifting to the operating state indicated by one CP, it is necessary to increase the amount of refrigerant discharged by one CP. , the required voltage at the running engine 100 can be reduced.

[Another embodiment]
(1) In the above embodiment, the engine 100 has a configuration in which the compressor 41 of the air conditioner is connected to its output shaft, that is, it is an engine for air conditioning.
However, the present invention functions effectively also for engines other than air conditioner engines.

(2) In the above embodiment, the demand voltage estimated value derivation section S2 has shown a configuration example in which the demand voltage approximation line is derived based on the demand voltage actually measured in the past.
Here, as a result of intensive studies by the inventors, when the engine 100 is used as the power source of the air conditioner as in the above embodiment, for example, in summer and winter, the load is high and the rotation speed is high. Since ignition at a relatively low pressure is required at the time of keratinization, the required voltage is low, and in spring and autumn, the load is low and the rotation speed is low, so relatively high pressure is required near top dead center. We have learned that the required voltage tends to be higher because ignition is required.
Therefore, the required voltage estimated value derivation unit S2 is configured to calculate an approximate line based on, for example, the most recent required voltage stored in the storage unit S1 up to the current time and the required voltage measured in the same season as the current time. I don't mind.

(3) In the above embodiment, the demand voltage estimated value deriving unit S2 performs a process of excluding the demand voltage when the exceptional demand voltage is generated from the estimation of the demand voltage. Optional.

(4) In the above embodiment, the rotation speed control unit S5 executes the rotation speed increase control to increase the engine rotation speed when the exceptional required voltage determination unit S4 determines that the exceptional required voltage is being generated. Indicated.
Instead of this, the following configuration may be adopted.
For example, when the exceptional required voltage determination unit S4 determines that the exceptional required voltage is generated, the ignition timing of the ignition plug 57 is advanced from the ignition timing at the time when it is determined that the exceptional required voltage is generated. A configuration having an ignition timing control section (not shown) that executes ignition timing advance control for advancing the ignition timing may be adopted.
Further, the ignition timing control section may be configured to advance the ignition timing at the spark plug while maintaining the engine output in the ignition timing advance control.

(5) In the above embodiment, the adjustment of the maintenance cycle, which was completed in the engine 100, for example, collects information on the required voltage from a plurality of engines 100 at a monitoring center (a configuration included in the remote monitoring device). Alternatively, a configuration in which execution is performed at the monitoring center may be adopted.
That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the remote monitoring device includes a high voltage probe 60 as a required voltage measuring unit for measuring the required voltage required by the ignition plug 57 according to the internal state of the combustion chamber 11 of the engine 100. , an engine-side control unit ER having an engine-side transmitting/receiving unit ER1 for transmitting the required voltage measured by the high-voltage probe 60, and a monitoring-side transmitting/receiving unit for receiving the required voltage transmitted from the engine-side transmitting/receiving unit ER1. MR1, a storage unit MR2 that stores over time the requested voltage received by the monitoring-side transmitting/receiving unit MR1, and an approximation line of the requested voltage stored in the storage unit MR2 up to the present time is calculated. and the required voltage estimated value derived by the required voltage estimated value derivation unit MR3 exceeds a predetermined required voltage upper limit value. A monitoring-side control unit MR having a maintenance cycle adjusting unit MR4 for changing the start point of the cycle is provided.
The monitoring-side control unit MR and the output unit Mo for outputting and displaying the start time of the maintenance cycle outputted by the maintenance cycle adjustment unit MR4 are located at a position separate from the location where the engine 100 is installed. located in the center.
The engine-side transmitting/receiving unit ER1 and the monitoring-side transmitting/receiving unit MR1 communicate with each other in real time via an Internet line or the like, so that the maintenance cycle can be adjusted at a remote location.

It should be noted that the configurations disclosed in the above embodiments (including other embodiments, the same shall apply hereinafter) can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments as long as there is no contradiction. The embodiments disclosed in this specification are exemplifications, and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the object of the present invention.

The engine, its remote monitoring device, and its maintenance cycle adjustment method according to the present invention are an engine, its remote monitoring device, and its maintenance cycle adjustment method that can adjust the maintenance cycle in a manner that appropriately reflects the degree of deterioration of the spark plug. , is effectively available.

11: Combustion chamber 34: Drive shaft 41: Compressor 57: Spark plug 60: High voltage probe 100: Engine 300: Remote monitoring device ER: Engine side controller ER1: Engine side transmitter/receiver G: Fuel gas M: Air-fuel mixture MR : Monitoring-side control unit MR1 : Monitoring-side transmitting/receiving unit MR2 : Storage unit MR3 : Required voltage estimated value deriving unit MR4 : Maintenance cycle adjusting unit S1 : Storage unit S2 : Required voltage estimated value deriving unit S3 : Maintenance cycle adjusting unit S4 : Exception Required voltage determination unit S5: Rotational speed control unit T: Starting point

Claims (11)

An engine that is provided with a spark plug that applies a voltage at a predetermined ignition timing to spark-ignite an air-fuel mixture in a combustion chamber, and whose maintenance is performed at a predetermined maintenance cycle,
a required voltage measuring unit that measures a required voltage required by the spark plug according to the internal state of the combustion chamber;
a storage unit that temporally stores the required voltage measured by the required voltage measuring unit;
a required voltage estimated value deriving unit that calculates an approximate line of the required voltage up to the current time stored in the storage unit and estimates that the required voltage estimated value after the current time exists on the approximate line;
a maintenance cycle adjustment unit that changes the start point of the next maintenance cycle when the estimated voltage demand value derived by the estimated voltage demand value deriving unit exceeds a predetermined upper limit value of the voltage demand ,
A compressor connected to the output shaft is provided as a heat pump for air conditioning,
The demand voltage estimated value derivation unit calculates the approximate line based on the demand voltage measured in the same season as the current demand voltage at the most recent demand voltage stored in the storage unit up to the present time. When the required voltage measured by the required voltage measuring unit exceeds the required voltage upper limit value and the required voltage estimated value estimated by the required voltage estimated value derivation unit is less than the required voltage upper limit value 2. The engine according to claim 1 , further comprising an exceptional required voltage determination unit that determines whether or not an exceptionally high required voltage is generated in certain cases. 3. The engine according to claim 2 , further comprising a rotation speed control section that executes rotation speed increase control for increasing the engine rotation speed when the exceptional requested voltage determining portion determines that the exceptional requested voltage is being generated. 2. The rotation speed control unit increases the engine rotation speed while maintaining the engine output in the rotation speed increase control when the exceptional required voltage determination unit determines that the exceptional required voltage is generated. 3. The engine according to 3 . When the exceptional required voltage determination unit determines that the exceptional required voltage is generated, the ignition timing of the spark plug is advanced from the ignition timing when it is determined that the exceptional required voltage is generated. 3. The engine according to claim 2 , further comprising an ignition timing control section for executing ignition timing advance control. In the ignition timing advance control, when the exceptional required voltage determination unit determines that the exceptional required voltage is generated, the ignition timing control unit performs ignition with the spark plug while maintaining the engine output. 6. The engine of claim 5 , which advances timing. Equipped with a spark plug that applies voltage at a predetermined ignition timing to spark-ignite the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber, and has a compressor that is connected to the output shaft as a heat pump for air conditioning, and performs maintenance at a predetermined maintenance cycle that has been determined in advance. is a remote monitoring device for an engine in which
A required voltage measuring unit for measuring a required voltage required by the spark plug according to the internal state of the combustion chamber of the engine; and an engine-side transmitting/receiving unit for transmitting the required voltage measured by the required voltage measuring unit. and an engine-side control unit having
a monitoring-side transmitting/receiving unit for receiving the requested voltage transmitted from the engine-side transmitting/receiving unit; a storage unit for temporally storing the requested voltage received by the monitoring-side transmitting/receiving unit; a demand voltage estimated value derivation unit that calculates an approximate line of the demand voltage and estimates that the demand voltage estimate value after the present time exists on the approximate line; and a maintenance cycle adjustment unit that changes the start point of the next maintenance cycle when a predetermined upper limit of the required voltage is exceeded ,
The demand voltage estimated value derivation unit calculates the approximate line based on the demand voltage measured in the same season as the current demand voltage, which is the most recent demand voltage stored in the storage unit up to the present time. It is equipped with a spark plug that applies a voltage at a predetermined ignition timing to spark-ignite the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber, and is equipped with a compressor that is connected to the output shaft as a heat pump for air conditioning, and has a predetermined maintenance cycle that is determined in advance. A maintenance cycle adjustment method for an engine that performs maintenance, comprising:
a required voltage measuring step of measuring a required voltage required by the spark plug according to the internal state of the combustion chamber;
a storage step of temporally storing the required voltage measured in the required voltage measuring step;
a required voltage estimated value deriving step of calculating an approximate line of the required voltage stored up to the current time in the storing step, and estimating that the required voltage estimated value after the current time exists on the approximate line;
a maintenance cycle adjustment step of changing the start point of the next maintenance cycle when the estimated voltage demand derived in the estimated voltage demand value deriving step exceeds a predetermined upper limit of the voltage demand ,
The required voltage estimated value deriving step calculates the approximate line based on the most recent required voltage stored in the storing step up to the current time and the required voltage measured in the same season as the current time. . An engine that is provided with a spark plug that applies a voltage at a predetermined ignition timing to spark-ignite an air-fuel mixture in a combustion chamber, and whose maintenance is performed at a predetermined maintenance cycle,
a required voltage measuring unit that measures a required voltage required by the spark plug according to the internal state of the combustion chamber;
a storage unit that temporally stores the required voltage measured by the required voltage measuring unit;
a required voltage estimated value deriving unit that calculates an approximate line of the required voltage up to the current time stored in the storage unit and estimates that the required voltage estimated value after the current time exists on the approximate line;
a maintenance cycle adjustment unit that changes the start point of the next maintenance cycle when the estimated voltage demand value derived by the estimated voltage demand value deriving unit exceeds a predetermined upper limit value of the voltage demand;
When the required voltage measured by the required voltage measuring unit exceeds the required voltage upper limit value and the required voltage estimated value estimated by the required voltage estimated value derivation unit is less than the required voltage upper limit value an exceptionally requested voltage determining unit that determines whether or not an exceptionally requested voltage is generated in which an exceptionally high requested voltage is generated in a certain case. A remote monitoring device for an engine that includes a spark plug that applies a voltage at a predetermined ignition timing to spark-ignite an air-fuel mixture in a combustion chamber, and performs maintenance at a predetermined predetermined maintenance cycle,
A required voltage measuring unit for measuring a required voltage required by the spark plug according to the internal state of the combustion chamber of the engine; and an engine-side transmitting/receiving unit for transmitting the required voltage measured by the required voltage measuring unit. and an engine-side control unit having
a monitoring-side transmitting/receiving unit for receiving the requested voltage transmitted from the engine-side transmitting/receiving unit; a storage unit for temporally storing the requested voltage received by the monitoring-side transmitting/receiving unit; a demand voltage estimated value derivation unit that calculates an approximate line of the demand voltage and estimates that the demand voltage estimate value after the present time exists on the approximate line; a maintenance cycle adjustment unit that changes the start point of the next maintenance cycle when a predetermined upper limit of required voltage is exceeded; and a required voltage measured by the required voltage measuring unit that exceeds the upper limit of required voltage an exceptional required voltage generation state in which an exceptionally high required voltage is generated when the required voltage estimated value estimated by the required voltage estimated value derivation unit is less than the required voltage upper limit value A remote monitoring device comprising a monitoring-side control unit having an exceptionally requested voltage determination unit that determines whether or not. A maintenance cycle adjustment method for an engine, which includes a spark plug that applies a voltage at a predetermined ignition timing to spark-ignite an air-fuel mixture in a combustion chamber, and performs maintenance at a predetermined maintenance cycle,
a required voltage measuring step of measuring a required voltage required by the spark plug according to the internal state of the combustion chamber;
a storage step of temporally storing the required voltage measured in the required voltage measuring step;
a required voltage estimated value deriving step of calculating an approximate line of the required voltage stored up to the current time in the storing step, and estimating that the required voltage estimated value after the current time exists on the approximate line;
a maintenance cycle adjusting step of changing the start point of the next maintenance cycle when the estimated required voltage value derived in the estimated required voltage value deriving step exceeds a predetermined upper limit value of required voltage;
the required voltage measured in the required voltage measuring step exceeds the required voltage upper limit value, and the required voltage estimated value estimated in the required voltage estimated value deriving step is less than the required voltage upper limit value; A maintenance cycle adjustment method, comprising: an exceptional required voltage determining step for determining whether or not an exceptional required voltage is generated in which an exceptionally high required voltage is generated in a certain case.

Images