Vehicle control system

Abstract

To provide a vehicle control device that can properly ensure the starting performance of an internal combustion engine. [Solution] The vehicle control device has a processing circuit. The vehicle is equipped with an internal combustion engine, a starter, a throttle valve, and an electric supercharger. The internal combustion engine has a first passage, a second passage, and a one-way valve. The first passage connects the crankcase to the downstream portion of the intake passage beyond the throttle valve. The second passage connects the crankcase to the upstream portion of the intake passage beyond the throttle valve and downstream of the electric supercharger. The one-way valve is provided in the first passage. The one-way valve opens when the intake pressure, which is the pressure downstream of the throttle valve in the intake passage, becomes lower than the pressure inside the crankcase. When the internal combustion engine is started in a low-temperature environment, the processing circuit operates the electric supercharger by closing the throttle valve while cranking the internal combustion engine with the starter (S103, S104, S105).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a vehicle control device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, when stopping an internal combustion engine in a cold state, there are vehicle control devices that scavenge the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine before stopping it. A cold state is a state in which the temperature of the internal combustion engine is below the ambient temperature. For example, the vehicle control device described in Patent Document 1 performs a scavenging process that motorizes the internal combustion engine while stopping fuel injection when stopping the internal combustion engine in a cold state.

[0003] Scavenging is performed to remove moisture from the combustion chamber and prevent problems caused by moisture remaining in the combustion chamber while the internal combustion engine is stopped. These problems include, for example, the freezing of the spark plug. By stopping the internal combustion engine after scavenging is complete, problems caused by residual moisture in the combustion chamber are suppressed. Therefore, the starting performance of the internal combustion engine can be ensured. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-039347 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] The control device described in Patent Document 1 has the following concerns. For example, water is generated when fuel is burned. Depending on the amount of water generated during fuel combustion, there is a risk that water may not be sufficiently removed from inside the internal combustion engine. For this reason, for example, in a low-temperature environment, there is a concern that the water remaining inside the internal combustion engine may freeze, hindering the smooth starting of the engine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A vehicle control device that solves the above problems has a processing circuit. The vehicle comprises an internal combustion engine having a crankcase, a starter for starting the internal combustion engine, a throttle valve provided in an intake passage for introducing air into the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine, and an electric supercharger provided upstream of the throttle valve in the intake passage. The internal combustion engine has a first passage, a second passage, and a one-way valve. The first passage connects the crankcase to the portion of the intake passage downstream of the throttle valve. The second passage connects the crankcase to the portion of the intake passage upstream of the throttle valve and downstream of the electric supercharger. The one-way valve is provided in the first passage. The one-way valve opens when the intake pressure, which is the pressure downstream of the throttle valve in the intake passage, becomes lower than the pressure inside the crankcase. The processing circuit is configured to perform a first process in which, when the internal combustion engine is started in a low-temperature environment, the starter cranks the internal combustion engine while the throttle valve is closed to activate the electric supercharger. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the vehicle control device of the present invention, the starting performance of the internal combustion engine can be appropriately ensured. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an internal combustion engine according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This flowchart shows the procedure for the first processing step among the pre-startup processing performed by the control device according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram of an internal combustion engine showing the gas flow when a control device according to one embodiment is performing a first process as part of the pre-startup process. [Figure 4] This flowchart shows the procedure for the second processing step among the pre-startup processing performed by the control device according to one embodiment. [Figure 5]It is a schematic diagram of an internal combustion engine showing the gas flow when a control device according to an embodiment executes a second process during pre-start processing. [Figure 6] It is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an internal combustion engine according to another embodiment.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a control device for a vehicle will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, a control device 1 controls a vehicle. The vehicle includes an internal combustion engine 10. The internal combustion engine 10 is a power source of the vehicle and uses, for example, hydrogen as fuel. The internal combustion engine 10 has a cylinder block 11, a cylinder head 12, a head cover 13, and a crankcase 14.

[0010] The cylinder block 11 has a plurality of cylinders 15 and a plurality of pistons 16. For convenience of explanation, only one cylinder 15 and one piston 16 are shown in FIG. 1. The cylinder 15 is a space provided inside the cylinder block 11 and has a circular cross-sectional shape. The piston 16 is a cylindrical body having a circular cross-sectional shape and is reciprocally accommodated inside the cylinder 15.

[0011] The cylinder head 12 is provided on the upper part of the cylinder block 11. The cylinder head 12 has a combustion chamber 17, an intake port 18, and an exhaust port 19. The combustion chamber 17 is a space where combustion occurs in the internal combustion engine 10 and is formed by the cylinder block 11, the cylinder head 12, and the piston 16. The intake port 18 introduces intake air into the combustion chamber 17. An intake valve 20 is provided in the intake port 18. The exhaust port 19 discharges exhaust from the combustion chamber 17. An exhaust valve 21 is provided in the exhaust port 19.

[0012] The cylinder head 12 has a spark plug 22. The spark plug 22 is a device that ignites the air-fuel mixture of fuel injected from a fuel injection valve (not shown) into the combustion chamber 17 and air introduced into the combustion chamber 17 from the intake port 18. The fuel injection valve is provided in the cylinder head 12. The fuel injected from the fuel injection valve is, for example, hydrogen.

[0013] The head cover 13 is provided on the upper part of the cylinder head 12. The head cover 13 is a hollow body that covers the upper part of the cylinder head 12. The crankcase 14 is provided at the lower part of the cylinder block 11. The crankcase 14 houses a crankshaft (not shown). The crankshaft is connected to the piston 16 via a connecting rod (not shown). The crankshaft rotates in conjunction with the reciprocating motion of the piston 16.

[0014] The vehicle includes a starter 23. The starter 23 is a device for starting the internal combustion engine 10. The starter 23 is, for example, a motor and is connected to the crankshaft so as to be able to transmit power. When starting the internal combustion engine 10, the starter 23 rotates the crankshaft until the internal combustion engine 10 can operate independently.

[0015] The vehicle has an intake passage R IN and an exhaust passage R OUT The intake passage R IN is a passage for introducing air into the combustion chamber 17 of the internal combustion engine 10 and has an intake manifold 31 and an intake pipe 32. The exhaust passage R OUT is a passage for discharging the exhaust gas discharged from the combustion chamber 17 of the internal combustion engine 10 and has an exhaust pipe 33. The first end of the exhaust pipe 33 is connected to the downstream part of the exhaust port 19. The second end of the exhaust pipe 33 is open to the atmosphere via an exhaust system.

[0016] The intake manifold 31 is connected to the upstream part of the intake port 18. The upstream part is the part of the intake port 18 on the side opposite to the combustion chamber 17. The intake pipe 32 is connected to the upstream portion of the intake manifold 31. The upstream portion is the part of the intake manifold 31 opposite the intake port 18.

[0017] The intake manifold 32 includes an air cleaner 35, an electric supercharger 36, a turbocharger 37, an intercooler 38, and a throttle valve 39. The air cleaner 35, electric supercharger 36, turbocharger 37, intercooler 38, and throttle valve 39 are arranged in that order from the upstream side of the intake manifold 32.

[0018] The air cleaner 35 filters the air taken into the intake pipe 32. The electric supercharger 36 assists in providing the pressure necessary for supercharging. Supercharging is the process of compressing air to increase its density and introducing it into the cylinder 15 of the internal combustion engine 10. The electric supercharger 36 has a motor and a compressor driven by the motor. The compressor compresses the air in the intake manifold 32.

[0019] The turbocharger 37 is a device that supercharges the internal combustion engine 10 using exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine 10 as a power source. The turbocharger 37 has a compressor 37A and a turbine 37B. The compressor 37A is located on the intake pipe 32. The turbine 37B is located on the exhaust pipe 33.

[0020] The compressor 37A and the turbine 37B are connected coaxially. The turbine 37B is driven by exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine 10. The compressor 37A is driven by the turbine 37B. The compressor 37A compresses the air in the intake manifold 32. The temperature of the air rises as it is compressed.

[0021] The supercharging by the turbocharger 37 is assisted by the electric supercharger 36. This ensures the responsiveness of the turbocharger 37. For example, in the low rotational speed range of the turbine 37B, compressed air from the electric supercharger 36 is supplied to the compressor 37A.

[0022] The intercooler 38 is, for example, a heat exchanger that cools the air whose temperature has risen due to compression by the compressor 37A. The throttle valve 39 is a valve that adjusts the amount of intake air to the internal combustion engine 10. The opening degree of the throttle valve 39 is changed, for example, by a motor.

[0023] <Ventilation System> The internal combustion engine 10 has a ventilation system. The ventilation system is configured to ventilate blow-by gas in the crankcase 14. Blow-by gas is gas that leaks from the combustion chamber 17 into the crankcase 14 through the gap between the piston 16 and the cylinder 15 during the compression stroke or combustion stroke of the internal combustion engine 10. Blow-by gas includes, for example, combustion gases, unburned fuel mixture, and lubricating oil for the internal combustion engine 10. The ventilation system has, for example, a first passage R1 and a second passage R2.

[0024] <First passage R1> The first passage R1 is a passage that connects the crankcase 14 and the intake manifold 31. The first passage R1 includes a first gas passage 51A, a second gas passage 51B, a first oil separator 51C, a second oil separator 51D, and a PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) valve 51E.

[0025] The first oil separator 51C is located in the middle of the first gas passage 51A in the cylinder block 11. The second oil separator 51D is located inside the head cover 13. The first oil separator 51C and the second oil separator 51D separate the blow-by gas flowing through the first passage R1 into oil mist and unburned gas.

[0026] The first gas passage 51A is a gas passage that passes through the inside of the cylinder block 11 and the cylinder head 12, and is a gas passage that communicates between the crankcase 14 and the second oil separator 51D. The first gas passage 51A guides the blow-by gas in the crankcase 14 to the second oil separator 51D.

[0027] The second gas passage 51B connects the second oil separator 51D and the intake manifold 31. The second gas passage 51B may be, for example, a heat-resistant silicone hose. The second gas passage 51B guides unburned gas in the second oil separator 51D to the intake manifold 31.

[0028] The PCV valve 51E is located in the second gas passage 51B. The PCV valve 51E is a one-way valve. The PCV valve 51E restricts the flow of gas from the intake manifold 31 to the crankcase 14 via the first passage R1, while allowing the flow of gas from the crankcase 14 to the intake manifold 31 via the first passage R1. However, the PCV valve 51E opens when the pressure in the intake manifold 31 is lower than the pressure in the second oil separator 51D. This allows gas to flow from the second oil separator 51D into the intake manifold 31. The pressure in the second oil separator 51D is equal to the pressure in the crankcase 14.

[0029] <Second passageway R2> The second passage R2 is a passage that connects the portion of the intake pipe 32 between the electric supercharger 36 and the turbocharger 37 with the crankcase 14. The second passage R2 includes a third gas passage 52A, a valve chamber 52B, a third oil separator 52C, and a fourth gas passage 52D.

[0030] The third gas passage 52A is a gas passage that passes through the inside of the cylinder block 11 and cylinder head 12, and is a gas passage that connects the crankcase 14 and the valve chamber 52B. The third gas passage 52A functions as a passage for returning oil from the valve chamber 52B to the crankcase 14, and also functions as a passage for circulating gas between the valve chamber 52B and the crankcase 14.

[0031] The valve train chamber 52B is a space located inside the head cover 13 and houses the valve train mechanism of the cylinder head 12. The valve train mechanism controls the operation of the intake valve 20 and exhaust valve 21 in the internal combustion engine 10.

[0032] The third oil separator 52C is located inside the head cover 13. Gas can flow between the third oil separator 52C and the valve train chamber 52B. The third oil separator 52C separates the blow-by gas flowing through the second passage R2 into oil mist and unburned gas.

[0033] The fourth gas passage 52D connects the portion of the intake pipe 32 between the electric supercharger 36 and the turbocharger 37 to the third oil separator 52C. The fourth gas passage 52D may be, for example, a silicone hose with excellent heat resistance.

[0034] <Ventilation during natural intake operation> Next, we will describe the ventilation of the crankcase 14 when the internal combustion engine 10 is operating in the naturally aspirated range. In this case, the intake air is restricted by the throttle valve 39 in order to adjust the load on the internal combustion engine 10. Therefore, the intake passage R downstream of the throttle valve 39 IN In that area, for example, the pressure inside the intake manifold 31 becomes negative. Negative pressure is a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure. Because the pressure inside the intake manifold 31 becomes lower than the pressure inside the crankcase 14, and consequently the pressure inside the second oil separator 51D, the PCV valve 51E opens.

[0035] When the PCV valve 51E opens, air flows into the crankcase 14 from the intake manifold 32 through the second passage R2. Additionally, blow-by gas from the crankcase 14 is drawn into the intake manifold 31 through the first passage R1. The blow-by gas drawn into the intake manifold 31 is sent to the combustion chamber 17 along with the intake air for combustion. This process of blow-by gas treatment ventilates the crankcase 14, thereby reducing the hydrogen concentration within the crankcase 14.

[0036] However, the internal combustion engine 10 configured in this way has the following concerns. For example, water is produced when the fuel is burned. In particular, the internal combustion engine 10 that uses hydrogen as fuel is more prone to producing water during fuel combustion than, for example, an internal combustion engine that uses gasoline as fuel. When the vehicle is running, the water is discharged as water vapor along with the exhaust gas, but when the vehicle is driven short distances or idles for long periods of time repeatedly, water is released into the intake passage R IN Water tends to accumulate inside the internal combustion engine 10. Therefore, if the internal combustion engine 10 is stopped in a low-temperature environment, the water accumulated in various parts of the internal combustion engine 10 may freeze, potentially causing various malfunctions. For example, if water adhering to the engine valves or piston rings freezes, there is a concern that the internal combustion engine 10 may fail to start due to compression loss. Furthermore, hydrogen injected to start the internal combustion engine 10 may freeze in the crankcase 14 or intake passage R. IN It accumulates there, and the hydrogen concentration increases.

[0037] Therefore, in this embodiment, the control device 1 is configured as follows. <Control device 1> The control device 1 has a processing circuit 1A that includes one of the following three configurations A1, A2, and A3.

[0038] A1. One or more processors that operate according to a computer program, which is software. A processor includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memory. One or more dedicated circuits, such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) that executes at least some of the various processes. The ASIC may include a CPU and memory.

[0039] A circuit combining configurations A1 and A2. The memory is a computer-readable medium that stores a program describing processes or instructions for the computer. In this embodiment, the computer is a CPU. The memory includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory). The CPU executes various controls by executing the program stored in the memory at a determined operation cycle.

[0040] The processing circuit 1A captures the detection results of various sensors mounted on the vehicle. The sensors include a temperature sensor 24. The temperature sensor 24 detects, for example, the outside air temperature. The outside air temperature is the temperature outside the vehicle. When the starting operation of the internal combustion engine 10 is performed in a low-temperature environment, the processing circuit 1A executes pre-start processing. The pre-start processing is, for example, processing for melting ice generated by freezing of the water accumulated in each part of the internal combustion engine 10. The starting operation is, for example, the operation of turning on the start switch of the vehicle. The start switch is a switch operated when starting or stopping the internal combustion engine 10. When the starting operation is performed, the processing circuit 1A drives the starter 23. [[ID=十二]]

[0041] The pre-start processing includes, for example, a first process and a second process. The first process is mainly a process for eliminating the freezing of the spark plug 22, the intake valve 20, the exhaust valve 21, or the piston 16. The freezing of the piston 16 includes the freezing of the piston ring. The intake valve 20 and the exhaust valve 21 are collectively referred to as engine valves. The second process is a process executed after the first process, mainly for ventilating and eliminating the freezing of the intake passage R IN and eliminating freezing. The freezing of the intake passage R IN includes the freezing of the throttle valve 39.

[0042] <Procedure for the first step> Next, the procedure for the first processing step, which is part of the pre-start processing performed by the processing circuit 1A, will be described. The first processing step is performed when the internal combustion engine 10 is started.

[0043] As shown in Figure 2, when the internal combustion engine 10 is started, the processing circuit 1A determines whether a starting failure has occurred (step S101). The processing circuit 1A determines whether a starting failure has occurred based, for example, on whether the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine 10 reaches a set rotational speed within a set time elapsed from the starter 23 to the start of operation. The set time is set, for example, based on the normal value of the time required from the start of operation of the starter 23 to the completion of starting the internal combustion engine 10.

[0044] If the processing circuit 1A determines that a starting failure has occurred in the internal combustion engine 10 (YES in step S101), it determines whether the environment is low temperature (step S102). The processing circuit 1A determines whether the environment is low temperature based, for example, on the ambient temperature detected by the temperature sensor 24. A low temperature environment is, for example, an environment where the ambient temperature is 0° or lower. If the internal combustion engine 10 cannot be started in a low temperature environment, it is thought that the cause is compression loss due to freezing of the engine valves or piston rings.

[0045] If the processing circuit 1A determines that it is a low-temperature environment (YES in step S102), it starts cranking the internal combustion engine 10 via the starter 23 (step S103). Cranking is the rotation of the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine 10.

[0046] Furthermore, the processing circuit 1A closes the throttle valve 39 (step S104). The opening of the throttle valve 39 is, for example, fully closed. Fuel injection is maintained in a stopped state. Ignition at the spark plug 22 is also maintained in a stopped state.

[0047] After this, the processing circuit 1A activates the electric supercharger 36 (step S105). The air compressed by the electric supercharger 36 enters the intake passage R IN It is supplied to. Next, the processing circuit 1A determines whether the stop condition for the electric supercharger 36 is met (step S106). The stop condition is, for example, that a set time has elapsed since the electric supercharger 36 was activated in step S105. The processing circuit 1A may change the set time according to the ambient temperature. For example, the processing circuit 1A sets a longer set time the lower the ambient temperature.

[0048] If the processing circuit 1A determines that the stopping condition has been met (YES in step S106), it stops the electric supercharger 36 (step S107) and terminates the process. The processing circuit 1A also stops the cranking of the internal combustion engine 10.

[0049] Furthermore, if the processing circuit 1A determines in step S106 that the stop condition is not met (NO in step S106), it will wait until the stop condition is met. Also, if the processing circuit 1A determines in step S102 that the environment is not low temperature (NO in step S102), it will terminate the process. Also, if the processing circuit 1A determines in step S101 that there is no starting failure in the internal combustion engine 10 (NO in step S101), it will terminate the process.

[0050] <Gas flow due to the first treatment> Next, we will explain the gas flow resulting from the first treatment. As shown in Figure 3, the throttle valve 39 is in the fully closed position. As a result, the high-temperature air compressed by the electric supercharger 36 flows into the crankcase 14 via the second passage R2, and then flows into the second oil separator 51D via the first gas passage 51A along with the blow-by gas in the crankcase 14. The pressure of the air compressed by the electric supercharger 36 is higher than atmospheric pressure. Since the pressure in the second oil separator 51D becomes higher than the pressure in the intake manifold 31, the PCV valve 51E opens.

[0051] When the PCV valve 51E opens, gas from the crankcase 14 is drawn into the intake manifold 31 via the first passage R1. The gas includes air from the electric supercharger 36 and blow-by gas. The gas drawn into the intake manifold 31 passes through the combustion chamber 17 and is discharged through the exhaust pipe 33. This ventilates the crankcase 14 and the combustion chamber 17. The engine valves are opened and closed by the cranking of the internal combustion engine 10. Since air from the electric supercharger 36 is supplied to all of the combustion chambers 17, all of the combustion chambers 17 are ventilated. At the same time as the ventilation, the high-temperature air supplied from the electric supercharger 36 melts any ice adhering to the engine valves or piston rings. As a result, the internal combustion engine 10 becomes ready to start smoothly.

[0052] <Steps for the second process> Next, the procedure for the second process, which is part of the pre-startup processing performed by processing circuit 1A, will be explained. The second process is executed when the first process is completed.

[0053] As shown in Figure 4, once the first process is complete, the processing circuit 1A opens the throttle valve 39 (step S201). The throttle valve 39 is opened to, for example, fully open. Fuel injection is kept stopped. Ignition at the spark plug 22 is also kept stopped.

[0054] After this, the processing circuit 1A activates the electric supercharger 36 (step S202). The air compressed by the electric supercharger 36 enters the intake passage R IN It is supplied to. Next, the processing circuit 1A determines whether the stop condition for the electric supercharger 36 is met (step S203). The stop condition is, for example, that a set time has elapsed since the electric supercharger 36 was activated in step S202.

[0055] If the processing circuit 1A determines that the stopping condition has been met (YES in step S203), it stops the electric supercharger 36 (step S204) and terminates the process. Furthermore, if it is determined in step S203 that the stop condition is not met (NO in step S203), the processing circuit 1A will wait until the stop condition is met.

[0056] <Gas flow due to the second treatment process> Next, we will explain the gas flow resulting from the second treatment. As shown in Figure 5, the throttle valve 39 is fully open. Therefore, the high-temperature air compressed by the electric supercharger 36 flows into the combustion chamber 17 via the intake pipe 32 and intake manifold 31, and is discharged via the exhaust pipe 33. Intake passage R IN By ventilating the intake passage R IN The hydrogen accumulated there is discharged. Also, the intake passage R including the throttle valve 39 IN The ice adhering to the engine is melted by the high-temperature air supplied from the electric supercharger 36. As a result, the internal combustion engine 10 becomes ready to start smoothly.

[0057] <Effects of the Embodiment> This embodiment provides the following effects. (1) When the internal combustion engine is started in a low-temperature environment, the processing circuit 1A performs a first process in which the internal combustion engine 10 is cranked by the starter 23 while the throttle valve 39 is closed to activate the electric supercharger 36. With this configuration, the hot air compressed by the electric supercharger 36 flows into the crankcase 14 through the second passage R2. Since the pressure of the air compressed by the electric supercharger 36 is higher than atmospheric pressure, the pressure inside the crankcase 14 is higher than the intake pressure. The intake pressure is in the intake passage R IN This is the pressure downstream of the throttle valve 39. Therefore, the PCV valve 51E opens. The hot air supplied from the electric supercharger 36, along with the gas in the crankcase 14, enters the first passage R1 and the intake passage R INThe hot air supplied from the electric supercharger 36 is introduced into the combustion chamber 17. The hot air melts ice that has accumulated on, for example, the engine valves or piston rings. As a result, the internal combustion engine 10 becomes ready to start smoothly. In addition, the crankcase 14 and the combustion chamber 17 are ventilated.

[0058] (2) After the first process is completed, the processing circuit 1A performs a second process in which it opens the throttle valve 39 and operates the electric supercharger 36. With this configuration, the intake passage R IN It can be ventilated.

[0059] (3) The processing circuit 1A executes the first process only when a starting failure occurs in the internal combustion engine 10 under low temperature conditions. With this configuration, the first process is not executed when the internal combustion engine 10 starts. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the unnecessary execution of the first process.

[0060] (4) The fuel for the internal combustion engine 10 is hydrogen. The internal combustion engine 10 that uses hydrogen as fuel generates a large amount of water when the fuel is burned. Therefore, after the internal combustion engine 10 is stopped in a low-temperature environment, the water that accumulates in various parts of the internal combustion engine 10 may freeze, which may cause various functional malfunctions. For this reason, the control device 1 of this embodiment is suitable for vehicles equipped with an internal combustion engine 10 that uses hydrogen as fuel.

[0061] <Other Embodiments> This embodiment may be implemented with the following modifications. As shown in Figure 6, the electric supercharger 36 is considered to be positioned downstream of the connection point of the fourth gas passage 52D in the intake manifold 32. The second passage R2 is connected to the crankcase 14 and the intake passage R upstream of the electric supercharger 36. INIt communicates with the part. In this case, when the internal combustion engine 10 is started, the processing circuit 1A may perform the same processing as the second processing shown in Figure 4. That is, if the internal combustion engine 10 fails to start in a low-temperature environment, the processing circuit 1A opens the throttle valve 39 and operates the electric supercharger 36. The air compressed by the electric supercharger 36 enters the intake passage R IN It is then introduced into the crankcase 14 through the gap between the piston 16 and the cylinder 15. This allows the crankcase 14 and the intake passage R to enter. IN Both are ventilated simultaneously. In addition, the hot air supplied from the electric supercharger 36 melts any ice adhering to the engine valves or piston rings.

[0062] The internal combustion engine 10 may also have a third passage R3. The third passage R3 connects the crankcase 14 and the intake manifold 31. The third passage R3 has a PCV valve 53A. The PCV valve 53A restricts the flow of gas from the crankcase 14 to the intake manifold 31 via the third passage R3, while allowing the flow of gas from the intake manifold 31 to the crankcase 14 via the third passage R3. However, the PCV valve 53A is located in the intake passage R IN The valve opens when the intake pressure, which is the pressure downstream of the throttle valve 39, becomes higher than the pressure inside the crankcase 14. In this case, the air compressed by the electric supercharger 36 flows through the intake passage R IN And, via the third passage R3, it is directly introduced into the crankcase 14. Therefore, intake passage R IN This allows for efficient ventilation between the engine and the crankcase 14.

[0063] In the first process shown in Figure 2, step S101 may be omitted. That is, when the starting operation of the internal combustion engine 10 is performed, the processing circuit 1A proceeds to step S103 if it is in a low-temperature environment (YES in step S102), regardless of whether a starting failure occurred in the internal combustion engine 10. Alternatively, the processing circuit 1A may execute the process of step S103 after the process of step S105.

[0064] The internal combustion engine 10 may have a hydrogen concentration sensor. The hydrogen concentration sensor is located in the intake passage R IN The hydrogen concentration inside or within the crankcase 14 is detected. The processing circuit 1A controls the electric supercharger 36 and throttle valve 39, etc., so that compressed air is supplied to areas with high hydrogen concentrations. This enables more efficient ventilation.

[0065] The vehicle does not necessarily have a turbocharger 37. The electric supercharger 36 is used in conjunction with the turbocharger 37, for example, to improve the response of the turbocharger 37. However, improvements in throttle response can be expected even with only the electric supercharger 36.

[0066] The internal combustion engine 10 may be an internal combustion engine that uses a fuel other than hydrogen. The fuel may be, for example, gasoline or diesel fuel. Even in internal combustion engines that use a fuel other than hydrogen, there is a risk that the internal combustion engine 10 may fail to start due to freezing of the engine valves or piston rings. For this reason, there is technical significance in performing pre-starting treatment when the internal combustion engine 10 fails to start in a low-temperature environment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1...Control device, 1A...Processing circuit, 10...Internal combustion engine, 14...Crankcase, 17...Combustion chamber, 23...Starter, 36...Electric supercharger, 39...Throttle valve, 51E...PCV valve (one-way valve), R IN ...Intake passage, R1...First passage, R2...Second passage (passage).

Claims

1. A vehicle control device having a processing circuit, The vehicle comprises an internal combustion engine having a crankcase, a starter for starting the internal combustion engine, a throttle valve provided in an intake passage for introducing air into the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine, and an electric supercharger provided upstream of the throttle valve in the intake passage. The internal combustion engine includes a first passage that connects the crankcase and the portion of the intake passage downstream of the throttle valve, A second passage connecting the crankcase and the portion of the intake passage upstream of the throttle valve and downstream of the electric supercharger, The system includes a one-way valve provided in the first passage, which opens when the intake pressure, which is the pressure downstream of the throttle valve in the intake passage, becomes lower than the pressure inside the crankcase, The processing circuit is a vehicle control device configured to perform a first process in which, when the internal combustion engine is started in a low-temperature environment, the starter cranks the internal combustion engine while closing the throttle valve and operating the electric supercharger.

2. The vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein the processing circuit 1A is configured to perform a second process of opening the throttle valve and operating the electric supercharger after the first process is completed.

3. The vehicle control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the processing circuit is configured to execute the first processing only when a starting failure of the internal combustion engine occurs in a low-temperature environment.

4. The vehicle control device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the fuel for the internal combustion engine is hydrogen.

5. A vehicle control device having a processing circuit, The vehicle comprises an internal combustion engine having a crankcase, a starter for starting the internal combustion engine, a throttle valve provided in an intake passage for introducing air into the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine, and an electric supercharger provided upstream of the throttle valve in the intake passage. The internal combustion engine has a passage that connects the crankcase and the portion of the intake passage upstream of the electric supercharger, The processing circuit is a vehicle control device configured to open the throttle valve and activate the electric supercharger when the internal combustion engine is started in a low-temperature environment.

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