Apparatus and method for controlling internal combustion engine

Abstract

A variable valve timing mechanism 9 includes an electric motor 10 coupled to an intake camshaft 7. A plurality of rotation sensors 18 to 20 are located about the rotor 17 of the electric motor 10. Each of the sensors 18 to 20 outputs a signal corresponding to induced voltage generated by rotation of the rotor 17. Based on the signals form the rotation sensors 18 to 20, reverse rotation of an engine is detected. A counter C is decremented every time a crank signal is output after the occurrence of reverse rotation is detected. Further, a subtraction value Y is computed that corresponds to a discrepancy between the counter C and the actual crank angle caused by a discrepancy between the actual point in time of the occurrence of reverse rotation and the point in time of the detection of the reverse rotation. The counter C is reduced by the subtraction value Y. As a result, reverse direction of the engine is readily detected without providing a dedicated sensor, and the counter is reliably caused to correspond to the actual crank angle.

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to a device and a method for controlling an internal combustion engine. Background technique [0002] In an internal combustion engine such as a motor vehicle engine, the crank angle is obtained based on a crank signal and a cam signal. Fuel injection and ignition are performed based on the crank angle (refer to Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 8-144825). [0003] As the crankshaft rotates, for example, at every 30° of crank angle, a crankshaft position sensor located near the crankshaft rotor (which is mounted to the crankshaft) outputs a crankshaft signal. The crankshaft rotor is profiled to output crankshaft signals from the crankshaft position sensor at equal time intervals. On the other hand, as the crankshaft rotates, a cam signal is output from a cam position sensor located near the cam rotor (which is attached to the camshaft) every time the camshaft rotates 360° (the crank angle is 720°). The cam rotor is prof...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Therefore, the first fuel injection and ignition cannot be performed at the proper timing (crank angle) after starting the engine

Therefore, the starting performance of the engine cannot be improved

Images