Internal-combustion engines – Spark ignition timing control – Electronic control
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-30
2002-07-30
Yuen, Henry C. (Department: 3754)
Internal-combustion engines
Spark ignition timing control
Electronic control
C123S406220, C123S406410, C123S435000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06425371
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
The present invention is related to Japanese patent application No. Hei. 11-343124, filed Dec. 2, 1999; the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a controller for an internal combustion engine, and more particularly, to a controller for an internal combustion engine having an improved method of stabilizing combustion of an internal combustion engine.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In an engine for burning a mixture by stratified charge combustion such as a direct-injection engine, the mixture forms lumps and the lumps move. As disclosed in JP-A No. H11-2172, there is a technique disclosed using a plurality of spark plugs in each cylinder. When reduction in torque is requested, ignition timing is set behind a normal timing, and the mixture is ignited by a spark plug disposed in a position where a lump of the mixture passes, thereby preventing deterioration of combustion.
As disclosed in JP-A No. H6-229297, in an engine controlling the strength of a swirl flow or the strength of a tumble flow in a cylinder, when engine speed is lower than a target idle speed, the strength of the swirl flow or the strength of the tumble flow is enhanced to stabilize combustion, thereby controlling the engine speed to the target idle speed.
In recent years, however, a higher performance engine is requested to assure stable drivability by always stabilizing combustion under any operating condition. Even when combustion under the specific operating conditions as described above is stabilized, combustion cannot be stabilized under various operating conditions other than the specific operating conditions. The request of assuring the stable drivability cannot be sufficiently addressed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a controller for an internal combustion engine, capable of assuring stable drivability by stabilizing combustion under various operating conditions.
To achieve these and other objects, a controller for an internal combustion engine of the present invention detects a combustion state of an internal combustion engine by combustion state detecting means and, when combustion becomes unstable, executes combustion stabilizing control with a combustion stabilizing control means. As such, at least the combustion velocity or combustion pressure is controlled to stabilize combustion. The combustion velocity and the combustion pressure are parameters which have the greatest effect on combustion stabilization. Therefore, when combustion becomes unstable, by controlling the combustion velocity and the combustion pressure to stabilize combustion according to the operating conditions at that time, combustion can be stabilized under various operating conditions. Thus, stable drivability is assured.
Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4094286 (1978-06-01), Kuroda et al.
patent: 5575248 (1996-11-01), Tada
patent: 5682866 (1997-11-01), Shimizu et al.
patent: 6055956 (2000-05-01), Nishimura et al.
patent: 6116208 (2000-09-01), Nishimura et al.
patent: 63-1763 (1988-01-01), None
patent: 2-245443 (1990-10-01), None
patent: 6-229297 (1994-08-01), None
patent: 9-68080 (1997-03-01), None
patent: 2001-159367 (2001-06-01), None
Denso Corporation
Nixon & Vanderhye P.C.
Vo Hieu T.
Yuen Henry C.
LandOfFree
Controller for internal combustion engine does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Controller for internal combustion engine, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Controller for internal combustion engine will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2851995