Controller of internal combustion engine, vehicle, control method for internal combustion engine, and control program for internal combustion engine

Abstract

To provide a controller for an internal combustion engine capable of more optimally controlling an internal combustion engine before and after supply of fuel.SOLUTION: A processor of a controller of an internal combustion engine controls the internal combustion engine using operating parameters corresponding to the fuel properties of first fuel in a fuel tank before second fuel is supplied, for a period corresponding to the operation of the internal combustion engine after the second fuel is supplied into the fuel tank; and controls the internal combustion engine using operating parameters corresponding to the fuel properties of third fuel formed by mixing the first fuel and the second fuel after a period corresponding to the operation of the internal combustion engine has elapsed after the second fuel is supplied into the fuel tank.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device for an internal combustion engine, a vehicle, a control method for an internal combustion engine, and a control program for an internal combustion engine. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that communication between a fuel supply facility and a vehicle receiving fuel detects the amount of fuel remaining in the fuel tank of the vehicle receiving fuel immediately after the fuel is supplied and the properties of the fuel, and immediately after the fuel is supplied, the vehicle's internal combustion engine is changed and controlled based on the properties of the fuel after the fuel is supplied. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-208700 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Immediately after receiving the fuel supply, when the internal combustion engine is started, there remains a quantity of fuel between the fuel tank and the injectors that supply the optimum amount of fuel to the combustion chambers of the internal combustion engine.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an internal combustion engine control device, a vehicle, an internal combustion engine control method, and an internal combustion engine control program that are capable of more optimally controlling an internal combustion engine before and after receiving fuel supply. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A control device for an internal combustion engine according to one aspect of the present invention includes a processor for controlling the internal combustion engine and a storage medium for storing information for operation of the processor. The processor acquires fuel properties of a first fuel in a fuel tank and fuel properties of a third fuel obtained by mixing the first fuel and the second fuel in the fuel tank after a second fuel is supplied to the fuel tank, controls the internal combustion engine using operating parameters corresponding to the fuel properties of the first fuel for a period corresponding to operation of the internal combustion engine after the second fuel is supplied to the fuel tank, and controls the internal combustion engine using operating parameters corresponding to the fuel properties of the third fuel after a period corresponding to operation of the internal combustion engine has elapsed after the second fuel is supplied to the fuel tank. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an internal combustion engine control device, a vehicle, an internal combustion engine control method, and an internal combustion engine control program that are capable of more optimally controlling an internal combustion engine before and after receiving fuel supply. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a vehicle control system according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] 4 is a flowchart for estimating the fuel properties in the fuel tank. [Figure 3] Schematic diagram showing fuel properties before and after fuel is supplied to a fuel tank. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a control map for an internal combustion engine that is adjusted based on fuel properties; [Figure 5] 2 is a schematic diagram showing the flow of fuel supply from a fuel tank to an injector provided in an internal combustion engine when the internal combustion engine is started immediately after fuel supply in a vehicle according to an embodiment; [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a control flow when switching operating parameters of an internal combustion engine from the start of the internal combustion engine to the end of consumption of the first fuel in the flow path between the fuel tank and the injector, using a vehicle control device according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the flow of fuel supply from the fuel tank to an injector provided in the internal combustion engine after the internal combustion engine is started immediately after fuel supply and the first fuel is consumed appropriately in a vehicle according to a modified example. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a control flow when switching operating parameters of an internal combustion engine from the start of the internal combustion engine to the end of consumption of the first fuel (including the first fuel in the fourth fuel) in the flow path between the fuel tank and the injector, using a vehicle control device according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A vehicle control system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. FIG.

[0010] The vehicle control system 10 includes a fuel supply facility 12 and a vehicle 14 .

[0011] It should be noted that the fuel supply equipment 12 here is assumed to be equipped with fuel supply nozzles for supplying standardized high-octane, regular, and diesel fuels, as well as fuel supply nozzles for supplying fuels with properties that vary depending on the region, supply company, etc., such as carbon-neutral fuels. For example, it is assumed that there are regions where it is mandatory to use fuels with properties that vary depending on the region, supply company, etc., such as carbon-neutral fuels.

[0012] The fuel supply equipment 12 includes a control unit 22, a storage device (storage medium) 24, and a communication unit .

[0013] The control unit 22 controls the storage device 24 and the communication unit 26. The control unit 22 is a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and executes a program stored in the storage device 24, for example. It is also preferable that the control unit 22 executes a program stored on the cloud. In other words, the program executed by the control unit 22 does not have to be stored in the storage device 24.

[0014] Fuel supply facility 12 may be realized by a plurality of computational resources such as processors and memories, for example, as in a cloud computing system. In this case, each unit constituting control unit 22 is realized by at least one of a plurality of different processors executing a program.

[0015] The storage device 24 is a large-capacity storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores the BIOS (Basic Input Output System) of the computer that realizes the fuel supply equipment 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) that serves as the working area of the fuel supply equipment 12, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive) that stores the OS (Operating System), application programs, and various information referenced when the application programs are executed, and stores information required for the control unit 22 to operate.

[0016] The storage device 24 of the fuel supply facility 12 stores information about fuels such as carbon-neutral fuels, the cetane number or cetane index, and density of fuels whose properties vary depending on the region, supply company, etc.

[0017] The communication unit 26 of the fuel supply equipment 12 functions to communicate with the control unit 22 of the fuel supply equipment 12 and with the control unit 52 of the vehicle 14 via a communication unit 56 of the vehicle 14, which will be described later.

[0018] The internal combustion engine 32 of the vehicle 14 may be either a gasoline internal combustion engine or a diesel internal combustion engine, but an example using a diesel internal combustion engine will be described here. The vehicle 14 may be powered by power generated by the internal combustion engine 32, or may be powered by one or both of the power generated by the internal combustion engine 32 and the power of an electric motor, which is called an HEV.

[0019] The vehicle 14 includes an internal combustion engine 32, a fuel tank 34, a boost pump 36, a pressure accumulator (common rail) 38, an injector 40, and a control device (control device for the internal combustion engine 32) 42.

[0020] The fuel tank 34 stores fuel supplied from an external source.

[0021] The boost pump 36 sucks fuel stored in the fuel tank 34 and applies pressure to the fuel to supply it to the pressure accumulator 38. That is, the boost pump 36 supplies fuel from the fuel tank 34 to the injector 40 at a pressure higher than that inside the fuel tank 34.

[0022] When a diesel internal combustion engine is used as the internal combustion engine 32 as described in this embodiment, the boost pump 36 is preferably provided in the flow path between the fuel tank 34 and the injector 40. When a gasoline internal combustion engine is used as the internal combustion engine 32, the boost pump 36 is provided in the fuel tank 34, for example.

[0023] The pressure accumulator 38 is provided between the boost pump 36 and the injector 40, and stores the fuel while accumulating it at a predetermined pressure. Note that if a gasoline internal combustion engine is used as the internal combustion engine 32, the pressure accumulator 38 is not necessary.

[0024] The internal combustion engine 32 is provided with an injector 40. The injector 40 supplies fuel, which is pressurized to a predetermined pressure in the pressure accumulator 38, to the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine 32.

[0025] The control device 42 includes a control unit 52, a storage device (storage medium) 54, and a communication unit 56.

[0026] The control unit 52 controls the storage device 54 and the communication unit 56. The control unit 52 is a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and executes a program stored in the storage device 54. It is also preferable that the control unit (processor) 52 executes a program placed on the cloud. In other words, the program executed by the control unit 52 does not have to be stored in the storage device 54.

[0027] The control device 42 may be realized by a plurality of computational resources such as processors and memories, as in a cloud computing system, for example. In this case, each unit constituting the control unit 52 is realized by at least one of a plurality of different processors executing a program.

[0028] The storage device 54 is a large-capacity storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores the BIOS (Basic Input Output System) of the computer that realizes the control device 42, a RAM (Random Access Memory) that serves as the working area of the control device 42, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive) that stores the OS (Operating System), application programs, and various information referenced when the application programs are executed, and stores information required for the control unit (processor) 52 to operate.

[0029] The memory device 54 of the control device 42 stores information about the fuel (first fuel and third fuel, which will be described later) between the fuel tank 34 and the injector 40, including the fuel inside the fuel tank 34, such as its cetane number or cetane index, and density. The memory device 54 of the control device 42 also stores information about the amount of fuel currently in the fuel tank 34 and fuel newly added to the fuel tank 34, such as its cetane number or cetane index, and density, which is obtained from the memory device 24 via the communication unit 26 and control unit 22 of the fuel supply equipment 12.

[0030] The storage device 54 according to this embodiment stores a control program for the internal combustion engine 32 and various other programs. The control unit 52 of the control device 42 performs processing by reading and executing the various programs stored in the storage device 54. For example, the control unit 52 performs processing by reading and executing the control program for the internal combustion engine 32 stored in the storage device 54.

[0031] The communication unit 56 functions to communicate, for example, between the control unit 52 of the vehicle 14 and the control unit 22 of the fuel supply equipment 12 by the control unit 52 reading and executing various programs stored in the memory device 54.

[0032] An example of the operation of the vehicle control system 10 according to this embodiment will be described below.

[0033] 2, for example, the driver of vehicle 14 approaches fuel supply facility 12 and parks vehicle 14 (step S1). Signals are transmitted and received between control unit 52 of control device 42 of vehicle 14 and control unit 22 of fuel supply facility 12 via communication unit 56 of control device 42 of vehicle 14 and communication unit 26 of fuel supply facility 12, and control unit 22 of fuel supply facility 12 outputs fuel that can be used in vehicle 14 from among fuels that can be provided by fuel supply facility 12 and presents this to the driver of vehicle 14. Thereafter, for example, assume that an operator of fuel supply facility 12 or the driver of vehicle 14 selects to supply fuel B (referred to as second fuel) having properties that vary depending on the region, supplier, etc., such as carbon-neutral fuel, to fuel tank 34 of vehicle 14.

[0034] The control unit 52 of the vehicle 14 is triggered by unlocking the fuel supply port of the fuel tank 34, and acquires the remaining amount of fuel (referred to as the first fuel) A in the fuel tank 34 from the fuel remaining amount sensor 34a and stores it in the memory device 54 (step S2).

[0035] In addition, after the control unit 52 stores the remaining amount of the first fuel A in the fuel tank 34 in the memory device 54, the operator of the fuel supply equipment 12 or the driver of the vehicle 14 may select the fuel (here, the second fuel B) to be supplied to the fuel tank 34.

[0036] While control unit 22 of fuel supply equipment 12 controls fuel supply equipment 12, for example, an operator of fuel supply equipment 12 or a driver of vehicle 14 supplies second fuel B from fuel supply equipment 12 to fuel tank 34 (step S3). Then, when control unit 22 of fuel supply equipment 12 determines that fuel tank 34 is filled with a predetermined amount of fuel or that a desired amount of fuel has been supplied to fuel tank 34, it stops the supply of second fuel B (step S4).

[0037] As in the present embodiment, when the fuel supply equipment 12 has the communication unit 26 (step S5-Yes), immediately after the fuel supply equipment 12 stops the supply of the second fuel B, the control unit 22 of the fuel supply equipment 12 transmits the fuel properties of the second fuel B and the amount of the second fuel B supplied to the fuel tank 34 via the communication unit 26 and via the communication unit 56 controlled by the control unit 52 of the vehicle 14, and stores the information in the storage device 54. Alternatively, the control unit 52 of the vehicle 14, triggered by locking the fuel supply port of the fuel tank 34, communicates with the control unit 22 of the fuel supply equipment 12, and acquires information about the fuel, such as the amount of the second fuel B supplied to the fuel tank 34 and the fuel properties, from the fuel supply equipment 12, and stores the information in the storage device 54 of the vehicle 14 (step S6).

[0038] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3 described later, the control unit 52 of the vehicle 14 acquires the fuel properties and remaining amount of fuel (referred to as the third fuel) C (= A + B) in the fuel tank 34, and stores them in the memory device 54 (step S7).

[0039] If the fuel supply equipment 12 does not have a communication unit 26 or the communication unit 26 does not function (step S5-No), the control unit 22 of the fuel supply equipment 12 indicates the supply amount and fuel properties of the second fuel B on a display screen, receipt, etc. The driver or the like of the vehicle 14 may read and obtain information regarding the supply amount and fuel properties of the second fuel B supplied to the fuel tank 34 using a camera mounted on the vehicle 14, a smartphone carried by the driver, or the like, and store the information in the storage device 54 of the vehicle 14 (step S8).

[0040] Then, as described above, the control unit 52 of the vehicle 14 acquires the fuel properties and remaining amount of the third fuel C in the fuel tank 34, and stores them in the storage device 54 (step S7).

[0041] As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 52 of the vehicle 14 determines the volume XL of the first fuel A (remaining fuel) remaining in the fuel tank 34 before fuel supply and detected by the fuel remaining amount sensor 34a, the fuel properties (e.g., cetane number CN) of the first fuel A remaining in the fuel tank 34, and the like. A , density ρ A , etc.), the volume YL of the second fuel B provided from the fuel supply equipment 12, the fuel properties of the second fuel B (e.g., cetane number CN B , density ρ B , etc.), the volume (X+Y)L of the third fuel C in the fuel tank 34, the fuel properties of the third fuel C (e.g., the cetane number CN A+B , density ρ A+B , etc.) are calculated and stored in the storage device 54. For this purpose, the storage device 54 stores the fuel properties of the first fuel A and the third fuel C. Note that the storage device 54 may also store the fuel properties of the second fuel B.

[0042] 4, the control unit 52 of the control device 42 of the vehicle 14 according to this embodiment switches the control map (operating parameters) of the internal combustion engine 32 between a case where the fuel injected into the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine 32 is a first fuel A and a case where the fuel injected into the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine 32 is a third fuel C. Therefore, the internal combustion engine 32 of the vehicle 14 is controlled and operated by the control unit 52 of the control device 42 using optimal operating parameters according to the fuel. The operating parameters include control values α, β, γ, Δ, etc.

[0043] The operating parameters when the fuel injected into the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine 32 is the first fuel A are set by the control unit 52 of the control device 42 of the vehicle 14 before the second fuel B is supplied to the fuel tank 34.

[0044] The operating parameters when the fuel injected into the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine 32 is the third fuel C are output by the control unit 52 of the control device 42, for example, together with the fuel property estimation process of step S7 described above, and stored in the storage device 54. That is, the operating parameters are output by the control unit 52 in accordance with the fuel property of the third fuel C.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 5, when the internal combustion engine 32 is started immediately after the second fuel B is supplied into the fuel tank 34, the fuel between the fuel tank 34 and the injector 40 of the internal combustion engine 32 is the first fuel A, just as it was immediately before the second fuel B was supplied.

[0046] FIG. 6 shows a control flow using a control program for the internal combustion engine 32 when switching operating parameters of the internal combustion engine 32 from the start of the internal combustion engine 32 using the control device 42 of the vehicle 14 according to this embodiment until the first fuel A in the flow path between the fuel tank 34 and the injector 40 is completely consumed.

[0047] Based on a command from the driver, the control unit 52 starts the internal combustion engine 32 immediately after the second fuel B is supplied to the fuel tank 34 (step S101-Yes). As in the case immediately before the second fuel B is supplied, the control unit 52 controls the internal combustion engine 32 while setting the operating parameters of the internal combustion engine 32 to match the fuel properties of the first fuel A, assuming that the fuel in the flow path between the fuel tank 34 and the injector 40 of the internal combustion engine 32 is the first fuel A.

[0048] If it is determined that the internal combustion engine 32 has not started (step S101-No), the control unit 52 waits until the internal combustion engine 32 is started.

[0049] Immediately after starting the internal combustion engine 32, the control unit 52 outputs the amount of the first fuel A remaining in the flow path between the fuel tank 34 and the injector 40, based on the volume of the flow path between the fuel tank 34 and the injector 40 and the pressure in the flow path. That is, the control unit 52 estimates the amount of the first fuel A in the flow path (step S102).

[0050] The control unit 52 then estimates the fuel consumption of the first fuel A based on the operation of the vehicle 14 after the internal combustion engine 32 is started. The control unit 52 estimates the time when injection of the first fuel A into the combustion chamber will end based on, for example, the amount of fuel used at the start of the internal combustion engine 32 based on the set operating parameters, the amount of fuel used based on the time the internal combustion engine 32 is idling based on the set operating parameters, and the amount of fuel used per rotation speed when the vehicle 14 is being driven using the power of the internal combustion engine 32 based on the set operating parameters, and outputs the estimated time (step S103). That is, the control unit 52 controls the internal combustion engine 32 using operating parameters corresponding to the fuel properties of the first fuel A for a period corresponding to the operation of the internal combustion engine 32 after the second fuel B is supplied into the fuel tank 34. The time when injection of the first fuel A into the combustion chamber will end varies depending on the operation of the internal combustion engine 32. Therefore, the control unit 52 repeatedly estimates the time when the injection of the first fuel A into the combustion chamber will be completed until it is estimated that the injection of the first fuel A into the combustion chamber has been completed. The period according to the operation of the internal combustion engine 32 here is the period from the start of the internal combustion engine 32 immediately after the second fuel B is supplied to the timing when it is estimated that the first fuel A between the fuel tank 34 and the injector 40 of the internal combustion engine 32 has finished being injected from the injector 40 into the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine 32.

[0051] At the time when it is estimated that the injection of the first fuel A from the injector 40 of the internal combustion engine 32 into the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine 32 has been completed, the control unit 52 controls the internal combustion engine 32 by switching and setting the operating parameters of the internal combustion engine 32 to match the fuel properties of the third fuel C, assuming that the fuel between the fuel tank 34 and the injector 40 of the internal combustion engine 32 is the third fuel C (step S104). That is, the control unit 52 controls the internal combustion engine 32 using the operating parameters according to the fuel properties of the third fuel C after a period corresponding to the operation of the internal combustion engine 32 has elapsed since the second fuel B was supplied into the fuel tank 34.

[0052] Thereafter, the control unit 52 controls the internal combustion engine 32 while maintaining the operating parameters that are compatible with the fuel properties of the third fuel C until the next time new fuel is supplied to the fuel tank .

[0053] The control device 42 of the vehicle 14 according to this embodiment can estimate the fuel properties of the fuel supplied to the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine 32 and stably operate the internal combustion engine 32 according to the fuel properties, even when there is a difference in fuel properties between the fuel in the fuel tank 34 and newly supplied fuel, and the fuel between the fuel tank 34 and the injector 40 is consumed first. Therefore, even if the properties of the fuel injected into the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine 32 change, the control device 42 of the vehicle 14 according to this embodiment can predict the change in fuel properties and switch the operating parameters. Therefore, the control device 42 of the vehicle 14 can continuously optimize the control of the internal combustion engine 32 according to the fuel. In this case, the control device 42 of the vehicle 14 does not necessarily perform so-called feedback control, which optimizes the internal combustion engine 32 only after detecting that the control of the internal combustion engine 32 is not optimized according to the fuel. Therefore, the control device 42 of the vehicle 14 can reduce the time lag required to control the internal combustion engine 32 due to differences in fuel properties.

[0054] Therefore, according to this embodiment, even if a fuel having different properties depending on the region, supplier, etc., such as a carbon-neutral fuel, is supplied to the fuel tank 34, the internal combustion engine 32 can be operated stably, and the control of the internal combustion engine 32 can be continuously optimized according to the fuel, and a control device 42 for the internal combustion engine 32, a vehicle 14 having such a control device 42, a control method for the internal combustion engine 32, and a control program for the internal combustion engine 32 can be provided.

[0055] [Variations] Hereinafter, a modified example regarding the switching of the operating parameters of the internal combustion engine 32 by the control unit 52 of the control device 42 of the vehicle 14 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0056] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the arrangement of fuel in a flow path from the fuel tank 34 to the injector 40 provided in the internal combustion engine 32 in a vehicle 14 according to a modified example, after the internal combustion engine 32 is started immediately after the second fuel B is supplied to the fuel tank 34 and after the first fuel A has been appropriately consumed.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 7 , immediately after the second fuel B is supplied to the fuel tank 34 and after the internal combustion engine 32 is started, as the first fuel A in the flow path between the fuel tank 34 and the injector 40 is consumed, the third fuel C is supplied from the fuel tank 34 to the flow path between the fuel tank 34 and the injector 40. Therefore, as the first fuel A in the flow path between the fuel tank 34 and the injector 40 is consumed, the first fuel A and the third fuel C are mixed in the flow path between the fuel tank 34 and the injector 40. The mixed fuel of the first fuel A and the third fuel C will be referred to as a fourth fuel D (= A + C). Therefore, as the first fuel A is consumed, the fuel in the flow path between the fuel tank 34 and the injector 40 near the injector 40 changes from the first fuel A to the fourth fuel D and finally to the third fuel C. Unlike the first fuel A and the third fuel C, the fuel properties of the fourth fuel D are not constant but gradually change near the injector 40. This is because the fourth fuel D is a mixed fuel of the first fuel A and the third fuel C, but over time, the fourth fuel D may contain a large amount of the first fuel A near the injector 40, but the first fuel A will almost completely disappear and the fourth fuel D will be replaced by the third fuel C.

[0058] For example, the driver of the vehicle 14 supplies the second fuel B to the first fuel A in the fuel tank 34. At this time, in step S7 shown in FIG. 2 , the control device 42 of the vehicle 14 acquires the fuel properties and amount of the third fuel C in the fuel tank 34, and outputs operating parameters for when the fuel injected into the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine 32 is the third fuel C and the fourth fuel D, and stores them in the storage device 54.

[0059] When the fuel injected into the combustion chambers of the internal combustion engine 32 is the fourth fuel D, the control unit 52 may output only one operating parameter, or may output multiple operating parameters based on the estimated mixture. When the control unit 52 outputs only one operating parameter, the control unit 52 may output, for example, a value between the operating parameter when the first fuel A is used and the operating parameter when the third fuel C is used as the operating parameter when the fuel injected into the combustion chambers of the internal combustion engine 32 is the fourth fuel D. When the control unit 52 outputs multiple operating parameters, the control unit 52 may output the operating parameters so that the operating parameters when the first fuel A is used gradually approach the operating parameters when the third fuel C is used, based on the estimated mixture of the first fuel A and the third fuel C.

[0060] FIG. 8 shows a control flow for switching the operating parameters of the internal combustion engine 32 using the control device 42 of the vehicle 14 according to this modified example, from the start of the internal combustion engine 32 until the first fuel A and the fourth fuel D in the flow path between the fuel tank 34 and the injector 40 are consumed and the fuel is switched to the third fuel C.

[0061] The control unit 52 starts the internal combustion engine 32 immediately after the second fuel B is supplied into the fuel tank 34 (step S101-Yes). As in the case immediately before the second fuel B is supplied, the control unit 52 controls the internal combustion engine 32 while setting the operating parameters of the internal combustion engine 32 to match the fuel properties of the first fuel A, assuming that the fuel in the flow path between the fuel tank 34 and the injector 40 of the internal combustion engine 32 is the first fuel A.

[0062] If it is determined that the internal combustion engine 32 has not started (step S101-No), the control unit 52 waits until the internal combustion engine 32 is started.

[0063] Immediately after starting the internal combustion engine 32, the control unit 52 outputs the amount of the first fuel A remaining in the flow path between the fuel tank 34 and the injector 40, based on the volume of the flow path between the fuel tank 34 and the injector 40 and the pressure in the flow path. That is, the control unit 52 estimates the amount of the first fuel A in the flow path (step S102).

[0064] The control unit 52 then estimates the fuel consumption of the first fuel A based on the operation of the vehicle 14 after the internal combustion engine 32 is started. The control unit 52 estimates the time to start supplying the third fuel C from the fuel tank 34, i.e., the time when the first fuel A without the third fuel C will run out, based on, for example, the amount of fuel used at the start of starting the internal combustion engine 32 based on the set operating parameters, the amount of fuel used based on the time the internal combustion engine 32 is idling based on the set operating parameters, and the amount of fuel used per rotation speed when the vehicle 14 is being driven using the power of the internal combustion engine 32 based on the set operating parameters, and outputs this time (step S103a). That is, the control unit 52 controls the internal combustion engine 32 using operating parameters corresponding to the fuel properties of the first fuel A for a period corresponding to the operation of the internal combustion engine 32 after the second fuel B is supplied to the fuel tank 34. The time when the injection of the first fuel A into the combustion chamber described above ends varies depending on the operation of the internal combustion engine 32. Therefore, the control unit 52 repeatedly estimates the time when the injection of the first fuel A into the combustion chamber will be completed until it is estimated that the injection of the first fuel A into the combustion chamber has been completed.

[0065] At the time when it is estimated that the first fuel A, not mixed with the third fuel C, has been completely injected from the injector 40 of the internal combustion engine 32 into the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine 32, the control unit 52 controls the internal combustion engine 32 by assuming that the fuel between the fuel tank 34 and the injector 40 of the internal combustion engine 32 is the fourth fuel D and switching and setting the operating parameters of the internal combustion engine 32 to match the fuel properties of the fourth fuel D (step S104a). That is, after controlling the internal combustion engine 32 using the operating parameters according to the fuel properties of the first fuel A, the control unit 52 controls the internal combustion engine 32 using the operating parameters according to the fuel properties of the fourth fuel D before controlling the internal combustion engine 32 using the operating parameters according to the fuel properties of the third fuel C.

[0066] When the fuel injected into the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine 32 is the fourth fuel D, the control unit 52 may switch the operating parameters multiple times based on the estimated mixture of the first fuel A and the third fuel C so as to gradually approach the operating parameters when the first fuel A is used to the operating parameters when the third fuel C is used.

[0067] Then, the control unit 52 estimates the fuel consumption of the fourth fuel D by the internal combustion engine 32. The control unit 52 estimates the time when the fourth fuel D will run out and the fuel will be switched to the third fuel C, based on, for example, the amount of fuel used at the start of the internal combustion engine 32 based on the set operating parameters, the amount of fuel used based on the time when the internal combustion engine 32 is in an idling state based on the set operating parameters, and the amount of fuel used per rotation speed when the vehicle 14 is driven using the power of the internal combustion engine 32 based on the set operating parameters, and outputs this time (step S105).

[0068] At the time (timing) when it is estimated that the injection of the fourth fuel D from the injector 40 of the internal combustion engine 32 into the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine 32 has been completed, the control unit 52 controls the internal combustion engine 32 by switching and setting the operating parameters of the internal combustion engine 32 to match the fuel properties of the third fuel C, assuming that the fuel between the fuel tank 34 and the injector 40 of the internal combustion engine 32 is the third fuel C (step S106). That is, the control unit 52 controls the internal combustion engine 32 using the operating parameters according to the fuel properties of the third fuel C after a period corresponding to the operation of the internal combustion engine 32 has elapsed since the second fuel B was supplied into the fuel tank 34.

[0069] Thereafter, the control unit 52 controls the internal combustion engine 32 while maintaining the operating parameters that are compatible with the fuel properties of the third fuel C until the next time new fuel is supplied to the fuel tank .

[0070] In this modification, the control unit 52 can continue to estimate the fuel properties of the fourth fuel D injected from the injector 40 into the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine 32. For this reason, it is also preferable that the control unit 52 gradually switches the operating parameters from a state compatible with the first fuel A to a state compatible with the third fuel C, with control of a state compatible with the fuel properties of the fourth fuel D in between, rather than directly switching the operating parameters from a state compatible with the first fuel A to a state compatible with the third fuel C. Therefore, the control device 42 can continue to control the internal combustion engine 32 with optimal operating parameters for the fourth fuel D (mixed fuel) while the fuel injected from the injector 40 into the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine 32 is switching from the first fuel A to the third fuel C.

[0071] The control device 42 of the vehicle 14 according to this modification can stably operate the internal combustion engine 32 without detecting the state of the internal combustion engine 32 and performing feedback control, even if a difference occurs between the fuel in the fuel tank 34 and the newly supplied fuel. Therefore, the control device 42 of the vehicle 14 can reduce the time lag required to control the internal combustion engine 32 due to differences in fuel properties. Furthermore, even if the properties of the fuel injected into the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine 32 change, the control device 42 of the vehicle 14 according to this modification can predict the change in fuel properties and switch operating parameters, thereby continuously optimizing the control of the internal combustion engine 32 according to the fuel.

[0072] Therefore, according to this modified example, even if a fuel having different properties depending on the region, supplier, etc., such as a carbon-neutral fuel, is supplied to the fuel tank 34, the internal combustion engine 32 can be operated stably, and the control of the internal combustion engine 32 can be continuously optimized according to the fuel, and a control device 42 for the internal combustion engine 32, a vehicle 14 having such a control device 42, a control method for the internal combustion engine 32, and a control program for the internal combustion engine 32 can be provided.

[0073] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made in the implementation stage without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the embodiments may be implemented in appropriate combinations, in which case the combined effects can be obtained. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments include various inventions, and various inventions can be extracted by combining selected elements from the disclosed elements. For example, if the problem can be solved and the desired effect can be obtained even if some elements are deleted from all elements shown in the embodiments, the configuration from which these elements are deleted can be extracted as an invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 10...vehicle control system, 12...fuel supply equipment, 14...vehicle, 22...control unit, 24...memory unit, 26...communication unit, 32...internal combustion engine, 34...fuel tank, 34a...fuel level sensor, 36...booster pump, 38...accumulator, 40...injector, 42...control device, 52...control unit (processor), 54...memory unit, 56...communication unit.

Claims

1. a processor for controlling an internal combustion engine; and a storage medium for storing information for the processor to operate; The processor: acquiring fuel properties of a first fuel in a fuel tank and fuel properties of a third fuel obtained by mixing the first fuel and the second fuel in the fuel tank after the second fuel has been supplied into the fuel tank; controlling the internal combustion engine using operating parameters corresponding to the fuel properties of the first fuel for a period corresponding to an operation of the internal combustion engine after the second fuel is supplied into the fuel tank; and controlling the internal combustion engine using operating parameters according to the fuel properties of the third fuel after a period of time according to an operation of the internal combustion engine has elapsed since the second fuel was supplied into the fuel tank. Control device for internal combustion engines.

2. the period according to the operation of the internal combustion engine is a period from the start of the internal combustion engine immediately after the second fuel is supplied to a timing when it is estimated that the first fuel between the fuel tank and an injector of the internal combustion engine has been completely injected from the injector into a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine; The control device for an internal combustion engine according to claim 1.

3. The processor: the first fuel and the third fuel are mixed in the fuel flow path between the fuel tank and an injector of the internal combustion engine, and the fuel properties of the fourth fuel are estimated to be injected from the injector into a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine; controlling the internal combustion engine using operating parameters corresponding to the fuel properties of the first fuel, and then controlling the internal combustion engine using operating parameters corresponding to the fuel properties of the fourth fuel before controlling the internal combustion engine using operating parameters corresponding to the fuel properties of the third fuel. The control device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the fuel tank; a fuel remaining amount sensor provided in the fuel tank and configured to detect the amount of fuel remaining in the fuel tank; an injector of the internal combustion engine that injects the fuel supplied from the fuel tank into the internal combustion engine; a pump provided in the fuel tank or in a flow path between the fuel tank and the injector, the pump supplying the fuel from the fuel tank to the injector at a pressure higher than that in the fuel tank; The control device for an internal combustion engine according to claim 1 or 2; A vehicle equipped with:

5. The pump further includes a pressure accumulator disposed between the pump and the injector.

5. The vehicle of claim 4.

6. acquiring fuel properties of a first fuel in a fuel tank and fuel properties of a third fuel obtained by mixing the first fuel and the second fuel in the fuel tank after the second fuel has been supplied into the fuel tank; controlling the internal combustion engine using operating parameters corresponding to the fuel properties of the first fuel for a period corresponding to an operation of the internal combustion engine after the second fuel is supplied into the fuel tank; controlling the internal combustion engine using operating parameters according to fuel properties of the third fuel after a period of time according to operation of the internal combustion engine has elapsed since the second fuel was supplied into the fuel tank; A method for controlling an internal combustion engine, comprising:

7. the period according to the operation of the internal combustion engine is a period from the start of the internal combustion engine immediately after the second fuel is supplied to a timing when it is estimated that the first fuel between the fuel tank and an injector of the internal combustion engine has been completely injected from the injector into a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine; 7. The method for controlling an internal combustion engine according to claim 6.

8. estimating fuel properties of a fourth fuel, which is obtained by mixing the first fuel and the third fuel in a fuel flow path between the fuel tank and an injector of the internal combustion engine and is to be injected from the injector into a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine; controlling the internal combustion engine using operating parameters corresponding to the fuel properties of the first fuel, and then controlling the internal combustion engine using operating parameters corresponding to the fuel properties of the fourth fuel before controlling the internal combustion engine using operating parameters corresponding to the fuel properties of the third fuel; 8. The method for controlling an internal combustion engine according to claim 6 or 7, comprising:

9. acquiring fuel properties of a first fuel in a fuel tank and fuel properties of a third fuel obtained by mixing the first fuel and the second fuel in the fuel tank after the second fuel has been supplied into the fuel tank; controlling the internal combustion engine using operating parameters corresponding to the fuel properties of the first fuel for a period corresponding to the operation of the internal combustion engine after the second fuel is supplied into the fuel tank; After a period of time corresponding to an operation of the internal combustion engine has elapsed since the second fuel was supplied into the fuel tank, the internal combustion engine is controlled using an operating parameter corresponding to a fuel property of the third fuel. A control program for an internal combustion engine that causes a processor to execute the following:

10. the period according to the operation of the internal combustion engine is set to a period from the start of the internal combustion engine immediately after the second fuel is supplied to a timing when it is estimated that the first fuel between the fuel tank and an injector of the internal combustion engine has been completely injected from the injector into a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine; causing the processor to execute 10. The control program for an internal combustion engine according to claim 9.

11. a fuel property estimation unit for estimating a fourth fuel, which is a mixture of the first fuel and the third fuel in a fuel flow path between the fuel tank and an injector of the internal combustion engine and is to be injected from the injector into a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine; After controlling the internal combustion engine using operating parameters corresponding to the fuel properties of the first fuel, the internal combustion engine is controlled using operating parameters corresponding to the fuel properties of the fourth fuel before controlling the internal combustion engine using operating parameters corresponding to the fuel properties of the third fuel. causing the processor to execute 11. The control program for an internal combustion engine according to claim 9 or 10.

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