Vehicle control device
The control device addresses hydrogen leakage in internal combustion engines by monitoring crankcase concentration, performing ventilation and locking the engine hood, and warning the operator, effectively preventing hydrogen gas from entering the engine room during maintenance.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2022109163
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-07-06
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-23
- Estimated Expiration
- 2042-07-06
AI Technical Summary
Hydrogen gas tends to leak into the engine room during maintenance of internal combustion engines using hydrogen as fuel, posing a safety risk.
A control device that acquires the hydrogen concentration in the crankcase and executes suppression processes, including ventilation control, locking the engine hood, and warning the operator when the concentration exceeds a threshold, to prevent hydrogen leakage into the engine room.
Effectively suppresses hydrogen gas leakage during maintenance by diluting the gas and preventing access to the engine room, ensuring safety and reducing the risk of hydrogen accumulation.
Smart Images

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Figure 0007711642000002 
Figure 0007711642000003
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a control device for a vehicle.
Background Art
[0002] For example, the vehicle described in Patent Document 1 includes a fuel cell unit in the front room at the front of the vehicle. Further, this vehicle includes a sensor that detects the concentration of hydrogen leaked from the fuel cell unit, and a lock mechanism that locks a hood provided on the upper part of the front room. And when the hydrogen concentration detected by the sensor is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the hood is locked in a closed state to prevent the user from accessing the fuel cell unit.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] By the way, in an internal combustion engine using hydrogen as fuel, there is a risk that hydrogen gas leaks into the engine room during maintenance.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0005] The control device for a vehicle that solves the above problems is applied to a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine using hydrogen as fuel in an engine room. This control device executes an acquisition process for acquiring the hydrogen concentration in the crankcase of the internal combustion engine, and a suppression process for suppressing the leakage of the hydrogen gas in the crankcase into the engine room when the acquired hydrogen concentration is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value.
[0006] According to the same configuration, when the hydrogen concentration in the crankcase is equal to or higher than the threshold value, the above suppression process is executed, so that it is possible to suppress the leakage of hydrogen gas into the engine room during the maintenance of the internal combustion engine.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0007]
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Modes for Carrying Out the Invention
[0008] (First Embodiment) Hereinafter, a first embodiment in which a control device for a vehicle is embodied will be described. <Configuration of the Vehicle> As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle 500 is equipped with an internal combustion engine 10 that uses hydrogen as fuel.
[0009] The crankshaft 18 of the internal combustion engine 10 is mechanically connected to the carrier C of a planetary gear mechanism 350 that constitutes a power split device. The sun gear S of the planetary gear mechanism 350 is mechanically connected to the rotating shaft 352a of a first motor generator (hereinafter referred to as the first MG) 352.
[0010] Further, the ring gear R of the planetary gear mechanism 350 is mechanically connected to the rotating shaft 354a of a second motor generator (hereinafter referred to as the second MG) 354 and the drive wheels 360. The first MG352 functions as a generator that generates electricity using the engine output, and also functions as a starting starter (motor) that cranks the crankshaft 18 when the internal combustion engine 10 starts. This first MG352 is a motor capable of applying torque to the crankshaft 18.
[0011] The second MG354 functions as an electric motor that generates the driving force of the drive wheels 360, and also functions as a generator that generates electricity by regenerative braking when the vehicle 500 decelerates. The first MG352 and the second MG354 exchange electric power with the battery 250 via a PCU (Power Control Unit) 200. The PCU 200 includes a converter that boosts the DC voltage input from the battery 250 and outputs it, and an inverter that converts the DC voltage boosted by the converter into an AC voltage and outputs it to each of the MG352 and 354.
[0012] <Configuration of the internal combustion engine> As shown in FIG. 2, the internal combustion engine 10 includes a cylinder block 11, a cylinder head 12, a head cover 13, and an oil pan 14. An oil filler cap 150 is detachably provided on the upper part of the head cover 13. The oil filler cap 150 is a cap that is opened when replenishing oil to the oil pan 14 of the internal combustion engine 10.
[0013] Inside the cylinder block 11, a cylinder 16 in which a piston 15 is reciprocally arranged is provided. The cylinder head 12 is provided with an intake port 30 for introducing intake air into the combustion chamber 17 of the internal combustion engine 10 and an exhaust port 70 for discharging exhaust gas from the combustion chamber 17. An intake valve 81 is provided in the intake port 30. In the drive system of this intake valve 81, an intake-side variable valve timing mechanism 85, which is a variable valve mechanism for changing the valve timing (opening and closing timing) of the intake valve 81, is provided. An exhaust valve 82 is provided in the exhaust port 70. In the drive system of this exhaust valve 82, an exhaust-side variable valve timing mechanism 86, which is a variable valve mechanism for changing the valve timing (opening and closing timing) of the exhaust valve 82, is provided.
[0014] Further, the cylinder head 12 is provided with a port injection valve 83 for injecting hydrogen as fuel into the intake port 30, a direct injection valve 84 for directly injecting hydrogen as fuel into the combustion chamber 17, and a spark plug (not shown).
[0015] A crankcase 19 housing a crankshaft 18, which is the output shaft of the internal combustion engine 10, is provided at the lower part of the cylinder block 11. An oil pan 14 for storing lubricating oil is provided at the lower part of the crankcase 19.
[0016] An intake manifold 29 having a surge tank 60 is connected upstream of the intake port 30, and an intake pipe 20 is connected upstream of the surge tank 60. The intake pipe 20, the surge tank 60, and the intake manifold 29 constitute the intake passage of the internal combustion engine 10.
[0017] In the intake pipe 20, in order from its upstream, an air cleaner 21, an air flow meter 51, a compressor wheel 24C of a supercharger 24 driven by using the exhaust gas discharged from the combustion chamber 17, an intercooler 27, a supercharging pressure sensor 54, and a throttle valve 28 are installed. Further, an intake pressure sensor 55 is installed in the surge tank 60. Note that the opening degree of the throttle valve 28 is changed by an electric motor.
[0018] The air cleaner 21 filters the intake air taken into the intake pipe 20. The supercharger 24 supercharges the air in the intake pipe 20. Further, the intercooler 27 cools the air after it passes through the compressor wheel 24C. And the throttle valve 28 measures the intake air amount by adjusting the valve opening degree.
[0019] The air flow meter 51 detects the intake air amount GA. Further, the supercharging pressure PTC, which is the pressure at the downstream portion of the compressor wheel 24C in the intake pipe 20, is detected by the supercharging pressure sensor 54. Also, the intake pressure PIM, which is the pressure in the surge tank 60, is detected by the intake pressure sensor 55.
[0020] An exhaust passage 90 is connected downstream of the exhaust port 70. A housing that houses the turbine wheel 24T of the supercharger 24 is connected in the middle of the exhaust passage 90. Also, the upstream portion and the downstream portion of the turbine wheel 24T in the exhaust passage 90 are communicated with each other via a bypass passage 92. A wastegate valve (hereinafter referred to as WGV) 93 whose opening degree is adjusted by an actuator is provided in the middle of the bypass passage 92. This WGV 93 is a valve that adjusts the amount of exhaust flowing through the bypass passage 92. The larger the opening degree, the larger the amount of exhaust that bypasses the turbine wheel 24T and passes through the bypass passage 92. Therefore, the supercharging pressure of the intake air increased by the supercharger 24 becomes lower.
[0021] The internal combustion engine 10 is provided with a blow-by gas treatment device that treats gas that leaks from the combustion chamber 17 into the crankcase 19 during the compression stroke or the combustion stroke, so-called blow-by gas. This blow-by gas treatment device includes a suction passage 32 for guiding the blow-by gas in the crankcase 19 to the main separator 31, which is an oil separator provided in the head cover 13. The end of the suction passage 32 connected to the main separator 31 opens into the crankcase 19.
[0022] The main separator 31 is connected to the surge tank 60 via a PCV (positive crankcase ventilation) valve 34 which is a differential pressure valve and a PCV passage 35. The PCV valve 34 opens when the pressure in the surge tank 60 becomes lower than the pressure in the main separator 31, allowing the blow-by gas to flow from the main separator 31 into the surge tank 60. These intake passages 32, main separator 31, PCV valve 34, and PCV passage 35 constitute a communication passage that connects the surge tank 60, which forms part of the intake passage, and the crankcase 19.
[0023] For example, when the supercharging pressure of the supercharger 24 is low, the pressure in the surge tank 60 becomes lower than the pressure in the main separator 31. Therefore, the blow-by gas in the crankcase 19 is sucked into the surge tank 60 through the intake passage 32, main separator 31, PCV valve 34, and PCV passage 35. The sucked blow-by gas is sent to the combustion chamber 17 together with the intake air and burned.
[0024] Also, an ejector 40 is connected to the main separator 31 via a connection passage 41. The ejector 40 is provided in the middle of a bypass passage 36 that connects the intake pipe 20 upstream of the compressor wheel 24C and the intake pipe 20 downstream of the compressor wheel 24C. The ejector 40 is provided with a throttle portion for generating a negative pressure by the Venturi effect.
[0025] The blow-by gas treatment device also includes an air introduction passage 37 for introducing intake air into the crankcase 19 for scavenging. One end of both ends of the air introduction passage 37 is connected to the intake pipe 20 between the air cleaner 21 and the compressor wheel 24C. The air introduction passage 37 passes through the head cover 13, through the inside of the cylinder head 12 and the cylinder block 11, and is connected to the crankcase 19. An air-side separator 38, which is an oil separator installed in the head cover 13, is provided in the middle of the air introduction passage 37.
[0026] When the supercharging pressure of the supercharger 24 is high, air flows through the bypass passage 36 from the downstream side to the upstream side of the compressor wheel 24C, creating a negative pressure in the ejector 40. Then, due to the negative pressure generated in the ejector 40, the blow-by gas in the crankcase 19 is sucked into the interior of the ejector 40 through the suction passage 32, the main separator 31, and the connection passage 41. The blow-by gas sucked into the ejector 40 is introduced into the intake pipe 20 upstream of the compressor wheel 24C via the bypass passage 36 together with the air. The blow-by gas introduced into the intake pipe 20 is sent to the combustion chamber 17 together with the intake air and burned.
[0027] <Regarding the control device> The control device 100 controls the internal combustion engine 10 and operates various controlled devices such as the throttle valve 28, the port injection valve 83 and the in-cylinder injection valve 84, the ignition plug, the intake-side valve timing variable mechanism 85, the exhaust-side valve timing variable mechanism 86, and the WGV 93.
[0028] Also, the control device 100 operates the inverter via the PCU 200 to control the torque, which is the control amount of the first MG 352 as the control target. Further, the control device 100 operates the inverter via the PCU 200 to control the torque, which is the control amount of the second MG 354 as the control target.
[0029] The control device 100 includes a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) 110, a memory 120 in which control programs and data are stored, and the like. Then, the control device 100 executes processes related to various controls by the CPU 110 executing the programs stored in the memory 120.
[0030] The control device 100 receives the detection signals from the above-described air flow meter 51, supercharging pressure sensor 54, and intake air pressure sensor 55. Further, the control device 100 also receives the detection signal from a crank angle sensor 52 that detects the rotation angle (crank angle) of the crankshaft 18 in order to calculate the engine rotational speed NE. Further, the control device 100 also receives detection signals such as an accelerator operation amount sensor 53 that detects an accelerator operation amount ACCP which is the operation amount of the accelerator pedal, and a vehicle speed sensor 56 that detects the vehicle speed SP of the vehicle 500. Further, in order to control the control amounts of the first MG 352 and the second MG 354, the control device 100 receives the output signal Sm1 of a first rotation angle sensor 390 that detects the rotation angle of the first MG 352 and the output signal Sm2 of a second rotation angle sensor 392 that detects the rotation angle of the second MG 354. Further, the control device 100 receives the state of charge of the battery 250 (hereinafter referred to as SOC) calculated by the PCU 200. Further, the control device 100 receives the state of charge of the battery 250 (hereinafter referred to as SOC) calculated by the PCU 200 in the engine room of the vehicle 500. Further, an engine hood switch 57 is connected to the control device 100. The engine hood switch 57 is a switch that is operated when opening the engine hood provided at the opening of the engine room of the vehicle 500, and when this switch is operated, a signal SWh indicating a request to open the engine hood is input to the control device 100. Further, the control device 100 outputs a control signal to an actuator that operates the lock mechanism 130. The lock mechanism 130 is a mechanism that locks the engine hood in a closed state by an actuator that operates in response to a control signal. Further, a warning lamp 140 that lights up when the hydrogen concentration HR in the crankcase 19 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value HRref is connected to the control device 100.
[0031] Although not shown, the control device 100 is composed of a plurality of control units such as a control unit of the internal combustion engine 10 and a control unit of the PCU 200. The control device 100 calculates the engine load factor KL based on the engine rotational speed NE and the intake air amount GA. The engine load factor KL is a parameter that determines the amount of air filled in the combustion chamber 17, and is the ratio of the intake air amount per combustion cycle of one cylinder to the reference intake air amount. Note that the reference intake air amount is variably set according to the engine rotational speed NE.
[0032] For example, the control device 100 calculates the required torque necessary for the running of the vehicle 500 based on the accelerator operation amount ACCP and the vehicle speed SP. Further, the control device 100 controls the output of the internal combustion engine 10, the torque of the first MG 352, the second MG 354, etc. so as to satisfy the required torque of the vehicle 500.
[0033] The control device 100 calculates a target output Pe which is a target value of the output required for the internal combustion engine 10 based on the required torque described above. When the target output Pe is large, control is executed to make the air-fuel ratio of the air-fuel mixture smaller than when the target output Pe is small. More specifically, the control device 100 basically maintains the throttle valve 28 at an opening degree equal to or greater than a default value, for example, an opening degree near full opening. Then, the required injection amount Qd is set so that the required injection amount Qd increases as the target output Pe increases. The required injection amount Qd is the target value of the fuel injected from the port injection valve 83 and the in-cylinder injection valve 84. Then, the control device 100 controls the port injection valve 83 and the in-cylinder injection valve 84 so that the required injection amount Qd is obtained. In this way, in the internal combustion engine 10, the output is adjusted by changing the air-fuel ratio of the air-fuel mixture basically through the adjustment of the fuel injection amount instead of the intake air amount.
[0034] Further, the control device 100 calculates the target valve timing of the intake valve 81 and the exhaust valve 82 based on the engine rotational speed NE, the engine load factor KL, etc. Then, drive control of the intake-side valve timing variable mechanism 85 and the exhaust-side valve timing variable mechanism 86 is performed based on the target valve timing and the like.
[0035] Further, the control device 100 calculates a target supercharging pressure PTCp based on the engine rotational speed NE, the engine load factor KL, and the like. Then, by adjusting the opening degree of the WGV 93 based on the target supercharging pressure PTCp and the like, the supercharging pressure control of the supercharger 24 is performed.
[0036] Further, the control device 100 executes a process of calculating the hydrogen concentration HR in the crankcase 19. The hydrogen concentration HR is a value correlated with the engine rotational speed NE, the required injection amount Qd, the air-fuel ratio, and the elapsed time since engine start. Therefore, the control device 100 calculates the hydrogen concentration HR using the engine rotational speed NE, the required injection amount Qd, the intake air amount GA, and the elapsed time since engine start as parameters.
[0037] <Suppression process> The internal combustion engine 10 uses hydrogen as fuel. Therefore, hydrogen gas contained in the blow-by gas tends to accumulate in the crankcase 19. If hydrogen gas accumulates in the crankcase 19, there is a risk that such hydrogen gas may leak into the engine room when the internal combustion engine 10 is being maintained. For example, when removing the oil filler cap 150 to replenish oil, hydrogen gas is likely to leak from the crankcase 19 into the engine room. Also, such hydrogen gas leakage is likely to occur when checking the amount of oil stored in the oil pan 14 with an oil level gauge or when removing the spark plug for inspection.
[0038] Therefore, when the hydrogen concentration HR is equal to or higher than the threshold value HRref, the control device 100 executes a suppression process to suppress the leakage of hydrogen gas in the crankcase 19 into the engine room.
[0039] Fig. 3 shows the processing procedure for executing the suppression process. In the following, the step numbers of each process are represented by numbers with "S" added at the beginning. In the series of processes shown in Fig. 3, the control device 100 first determines whether the internal combustion engine 10 is in an engine stop state where the operation is stopped and there is a request to open the engine hood (S100).
[0040] When it is determined that the engine is stopped and there is a request to open the engine hood (S100: YES), the control device 100 executes a process of acquiring the currently calculated hydrogen concentration HR (S110).
[0041] Next, the control device 100 determines whether or not the acquired hydrogen concentration HR is equal to or greater than a threshold value HRref (S120). The threshold value HRref is a predetermined value, and when hydrogen gas leaks into the engine room, the lowest value that cannot be tolerated as the concentration of the hydrogen gas is set.
[0042] When it is determined that the hydrogen concentration HR is equal to or greater than the threshold value HRref (S120: YES), the control device 100 performs a warning process of warning that the hydrogen concentration HR in the crankcase 19 is equal to or greater than the threshold value HRref by lighting the warning lamp 140 (S130). This warning process is one of the above suppression processes.
[0043] Next, the control device 100 executes a locking process of locking the engine hood in a closed state by operating the locking mechanism 130 (S140). This locking process is also one of the above suppression processes.
[0044] Next, the control device 100 calculates a ventilation time Tven (S150). The ventilation time Tven is the execution time of ventilation control for ventilating the crankcase 19. The control device 100 calculates the ventilation time Tven based on the hydrogen concentration HR such that the longer the value of the acquired hydrogen concentration HR, the longer the calculated ventilation time Tven.
[0045] Next, the control device 100 executes ventilation control for the time of the ventilation time Tven (S160). The control device 100 performs the following process as ventilation control. That is, the control device 100 performs a process of rotating the crankshaft 18 with the torque of the first MG352 while stopping the fuel injection in the internal combustion engine 10 and driving the first MG352. This ventilation control is also one of the above suppression processes.
[0046] Then, when the ventilation control is completed, the control device 100 turns off the warning light 140 (S170). When the process of S170 is completed, or when a negative determination is made in the process of S120, the control device 100 releases the lock of the engine hood by stopping the operation of the lock mechanism 130 (S180). When the process of S180 is performed, the engine hood is opened.
[0047] Note that when the process of S180 is completed, or when a negative determination is made in the process of S100, the control device 100 ends the process shown in FIG. 3. <Operation and Effect> The operation and effect of this embodiment will be described.
[0048] (1) When the hydrogen concentration HR in the crankcase 19 is equal to or higher than the threshold value HRref, various suppression processes for suppressing the leakage of hydrogen gas in the crankcase 19 into the engine room are executed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the leakage of hydrogen gas into the engine room during the maintenance of the internal combustion engine 10.
[0049] (2) As one of the suppression processes, ventilation control for ventilating the crankcase 19 is performed. In this ventilation control, crank king by the first MG352 is performed while stopping fuel injection in the internal combustion engine 10. When cranking is performed in this way, fresh air is introduced into the crankcase 19 from the air introduction passage 37. By introducing this fresh air, the hydrogen gas in the crankcase 19 is diluted and the hydrogen concentration decreases. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the leakage of high-concentration hydrogen gas from the crankcase 19 into the engine room during the maintenance of the internal combustion engine 10.
[0050] The hydrogen gas in the crankcase 19 with a decreased concentration is introduced into the intake passage through the intake passage 32, the main separator 31, the PCV valve 34, and the PCV passage 35. The hydrogen gas introduced into the intake passage is discharged to the atmosphere through the combustion chamber 17 and the exhaust passage 90.
[0051] (3) As one of the suppression processes, a locking process of the engine hood is executed. When the engine hood is locked in the closed state, it becomes impossible to remove the above-described oil filler cap 150 and the like. Therefore, it is possible to suppress hydrogen gas from leaking from the crankcase 19 into the engine room when the internal combustion engine 10 is being maintained.
[0052] (4) As one of the suppression processes, the warning light 140 is turned on. When the warning light is turned on, the operator who maintains the vehicle 500 can know that the hydrogen concentration HR is high, so the operator does not perform the operation of removing the above-described oil filler cap 150 and the like. Therefore, it is possible to suppress hydrogen gas from leaking from the crankcase 19 into the engine room when the internal combustion engine 10 is being maintained.
[0053] (Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment in which the vehicle control device is embodied will be described. In the first embodiment, the hydrogen concentration HR was calculated. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the hydrogen concentration HR is detected by a sensor, and the processing procedure for executing the suppression process is partially different. Therefore, below, the vehicle control device of this embodiment will be described centering on such differences.
[0054] As shown in FIG. 1, a concentration sensor 58 for detecting the hydrogen concentration HR in the crankcase 19 is connected to the control device 100. <Suppression Process> FIG. 4 shows the processing procedure for executing the suppression process in this embodiment.
[0055] In the series of processes shown in FIG. 4, the control device 100 first determines whether the internal combustion engine 10 is in an engine stop state where the operation has stopped and whether there is a request to open the engine hood (S200).
[0056] When it is determined that the engine is stopped and there is a request to open the engine hood (S200: YES), the control device 100 executes a process of acquiring the hydrogen concentration HR currently detected by the concentration sensor 58 (S210).
[0057] Next, the control device 100 determines whether or not the acquired hydrogen concentration HR is equal to or greater than the above-described threshold value HRref (S220). When it is determined that the hydrogen concentration HR is equal to or greater than the threshold value HRref (S220: YES), the control device 100 performs a warning process of warning that the hydrogen concentration HR in the crankcase 19 is equal to or greater than the threshold value HRref by lighting the warning lamp 140 (S230). The process of S230 is one of the above suppression processes.
[0058] Next, the control device 100 executes a locking process of locking the engine hood in a closed state by operating the locking mechanism 130 (S240). The process of S240 is also one of the above suppression processes.
[0059] Next, the control device 100 executes the above-described ventilation control (S250). That is, the control device 100 performs a process of rotating the crankshaft 18 with the torque of the first MG352 while stopping the fuel injection in the internal combustion engine 10 and driving the first MG352. This ventilation control is also one of the above suppression processes.
[0060] When the ventilation control is executed, the control device 100 repeatedly executes the processes of S210, S220, S230, S240, and S250 until a negative determination is made in the process of S220.
[0061] By ventilating the inside of the crankcase 19 by the ventilation control, the hydrogen concentration HR in the crankcase 19 decreases. When it is determined in the process of S220 that the hydrogen concentration HR is less than the threshold value HRref (S220: NO), the control device 100 stops the ventilation control by stopping the driving of the first MG352 (S260).
[0062] Next, the control device 100 turns off the warning lamp 140 (S270). Next, the control device 100 unlocks the engine hood by stopping the operation of the lock mechanism 130 (S280). When the process of S280 is performed, the engine hood is opened.
[0063] Note that when the control device 100 completes the process of S280 or makes a negative determination in the process of S200, the control device 100 ends the process shown in FIG. 4. <Actions and Effects> In this embodiment as well, the same suppression process as in the first embodiment described above is performed, so the actions and effects (1) to (4) described above can be obtained. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the following actions and effects can be obtained.
[0064] (5) Since the hydrogen concentration HR to be acquired is not a calculated value but an actual measurement value detected by the concentration sensor 58, the determination accuracy in the process of S220 is improved. (6) Since the ventilation control is executed until the actually measured hydrogen concentration HR becomes less than the threshold value HRref, it is possible to suppress the execution time of such ventilation control from being insufficient or excessively long.
[0065] <Modification Example> Note that each of the above embodiments can be implemented with the following modifications. Each embodiment and the following modification examples can be implemented in combination with each other within a technically non - conflicting range.
[0066] · Although the warning lamp 140 is lit as a warning process, the warning process may be executed in other modes. For example, a warning sound may be generated. · As the suppression process described above, at least one of ventilation control, lock processing, and warning processing may be executed.
[0067] Note that, as used herein, the expression "at least one" means "one or more" of the desired options. As an example, when the number of options is two, the expression "at least one" as used herein means "only one option" or "both of the two options". As another example, when the number of options is three or more, the expression "at least one" as used herein means "only one option" or "any combination of two or more options".
[0068] · The PCV passage 35 is connected to the surge tank 60, but if it is a site downstream of the throttle valve 28 in the intake passage, the connection site may be changed as appropriate. · The internal combustion engine 10 may be provided with only one of the port injection valve 83 or the in-cylinder injection valve 84.
[0069] · It is not essential for the internal combustion engine 10 to be provided with a supercharger 24 or an ejector 40. · It is not essential for the internal combustion engine 10 to be provided with an intake-side valve timing variable mechanism 85 or an exhaust-side valve timing variable mechanism 86.
[0070] · The number of motor generators of the vehicle 500 can be changed as appropriate. · A reduction gear may be interposed between the ring gear R and the second MG354. · The vehicle 500 was a series-parallel hybrid vehicle, for example, but other types of hybrid vehicles may also be used. For example, it may be a parallel hybrid vehicle.
[0071] · The vehicle may be equipped with only the internal combustion engine 10 as the prime mover of the vehicle. In this case, the above-described ventilation control can be implemented by using a starter motor for cranking the internal combustion engine 10.
[0072] ·The control device is not limited to one that includes a CPU 110 and a memory 120 and executes software processing. For example, at least a part of what was software-processed in the above embodiment may be provided with a dedicated hardware circuit such as an ASIC that performs hardware processing. That is, the control device may have any of the following configurations (a) to (c). (a) It includes a processing device that executes all of the above processing according to a program, and a program storage device such as a ROM that stores the program. (b) It includes a processing device and a program storage device that execute a part of the above processing according to a program, and a dedicated hardware circuit that executes the remaining processing. (c) It includes a dedicated hardware circuit that executes all of the above processing. Here, the software execution device including the processing device and the program storage device, and the dedicated hardware circuit may be one or any plurality of them.
[0073] <Related technical idea> The technical idea that can be grasped from the above embodiment and the modified example will be described. (Appendix 1) A control device for a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine using hydrogen as fuel in an engine room, an acquisition process for acquiring the hydrogen concentration in the crankcase of the internal combustion engine, a control device for a vehicle that executes a suppression process for suppressing leakage of hydrogen gas in the crankcase into the engine room when the acquired hydrogen concentration is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value.
[0074] (Appendix 2) The control device for a vehicle according to Appendix 1, wherein the suppression process includes ventilation control for ventilating the crankcase.
[0075] (Appendix 3) The vehicle has a motor capable of applying torque to the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine, the internal combustion engine has a communication passage that communicates the crankcase and the intake passage, The vehicle control device according to appended note 2, which executes a process of rotating the crankshaft by the torque of the motor while stopping fuel injection in the internal combustion engine as the ventilation control.
[0076] (Appended note 4) The vehicle includes a locking mechanism that locks the engine hood provided at the opening of the engine room in a closed state. The suppression process includes a process of locking the engine hood in a closed state by operating the locking mechanism. The vehicle control device according to any one of appended notes 1 to 3.
[0077] (Appended note 5) The suppression process includes a warning process of warning that the hydrogen concentration in the crankcase is equal to or higher than the threshold value. The vehicle control device according to any one of appended notes 1 to 4.
[0078] (Appended note 6) The acquisition process and the suppression process are processes that are executed when the internal combustion engine is stopped and there is a request to open the engine hood provided at the opening of the engine room. The vehicle control device according to any one of appended notes 1 to 5.
Explanation of symbols
[0079] 10…Internal combustion engine 19…Crankcase 20…Intake pipe 28…Throttle valve 29…Intake manifold 32…Suction passage 34…PCV valve 35…PCV passage 36…Bypass passage 37…Atmosphere introduction passage 40…Ejector 60…Surge tank 81…Intake valve 82…Exhaust valve 83…Port injection valve 84…In-cylinder injection valve 85…Intake-side valve timing variable mechanism 90…Exhaust passage 92…Bypass passage 93…Wastegate valve (WGV) 100…Control device 110…Central processing unit (CPU) 120…Memory 352…First motor generator 500…Vehicle
Claims
1. A control device for a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine using hydrogen as fuel in an engine room, comprising: an acquisition process for acquiring the hydrogen concentration in the crankcase of the internal combustion engine; when the acquired hydrogen concentration is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value, a suppression process for suppressing leakage of hydrogen gas in the crankcase into the engine room is executed; the vehicle has a motor capable of applying torque to the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine; the internal combustion engine has a communication passage communicating the crankcase and an intake passage; the suppression process includes ventilation control for ventilating the crankcase; as the ventilation control, a process of rotating the crankshaft by the torque of the motor while stopping fuel injection in the internal combustion engine is executed A control device for a vehicle.
2. The vehicle is provided with a locking mechanism for locking the engine hood provided at the opening of the engine room in a closed state; the suppression process includes a process of locking the engine hood in a closed state by operating the locking mechanism The control device for a vehicle according to claim 1.
3. The suppression process includes a warning process for warning that the hydrogen concentration in the crankcase is equal to or higher than the threshold value The control device for a vehicle according to claim 1.
4. The acquisition process and the suppression process are processes executed when the internal combustion engine is stopped and there is a request to open the engine hood provided at the opening of the engine room. The control device for a vehicle according to claim 1.
Citation Information
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