Internal combustion engine control device

Abstract

To accurately calculate a quantity of a combustion gas flowing into an in-cylinder injection valve from the inside of a cylinder during a one-time combustion cycle when the pressure in the cylinder is excessively boosted due to the generation of abnormal combustion in the cylinder.SOLUTION: A control device 60 is used for an internal combustion engine 10 having a cylinder 11 and an in-cylinder injection valve 16 for injecting gas fuel into the cylinder 11. A CPU 61 of the control device 60 acquires an in-cylinder pressure being a pressure in the cylinder 11 during a one-time combustion cycle, and a supply fuel pressure being the pressure of the gas fuel which is supplied to the in-cylinder injection valve 16, and calculates a backflow rate being a quantity of a combustion gas which flows into the in-cylinder injection valve 16 from the cylinder 11 during the one-time combustion cycle of the cylinder 11. The CPU 61 calculates the backflow rate so that the backflow rate becomes higher as the in-cylinder pressure is higher, and the backflow rate becomes higher as the supply fuel pressure is lower.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine control device that is applied to an internal combustion engine that is equipped with an in-cylinder injection valve that injects gaseous fuel into a cylinder. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an internal combustion engine equipped with an in-cylinder injection valve that injects CNG (compressed natural gas) into a cylinder. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-353460 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Generally, in internal combustion engines that inject gaseous fuel such as CNG into cylinders through in-cylinder injection valves, a lower fuel supply pressure, which is the pressure of the fuel supplied to the in-cylinder injection valve, is set compared to internal combustion engines that inject liquid fuel such as gasoline into cylinders through in-cylinder injection valves. Therefore, if abnormal combustion such as pre-ignition occurs in a cylinder during the compression stroke and the pressure in the cylinder becomes excessively high, the in-cylinder injection valve may no longer be able to maintain a closed state, causing the combustion gas in the cylinder to backflow into the in-cylinder injection valve. Because the combustion gas in the cylinder is hot, if a large amount of combustion gas backflows into the in-cylinder injection valve, an abnormality may occur in the in-cylinder injection valve. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An internal combustion engine control device for solving the above problems is applied to an internal combustion engine including a cylinder and an in-cylinder injection valve that injects gaseous fuel into the cylinder. The internal combustion engine control device includes an execution device that controls operation of the internal combustion engine. The execution device acquires an in-cylinder pressure, which is the pressure inside the cylinder during one combustion cycle of the cylinder, and a supply fuel pressure, which is the pressure of the gaseous fuel supplied to the in-cylinder injection valve, and calculates a backflow amount, which is the amount of combustion gas that flows from the cylinder into the in-cylinder injection valve during one combustion cycle of the cylinder. In calculating the backflow amount, the execution device calculates the backflow amount so that the higher the in-cylinder pressure is, the larger the backflow amount is, and the lower the supply fuel pressure is, the larger the backflow amount is.

[0006] The present inventors have conducted various experiments and simulations and have obtained the following findings. The higher the pressure inside the cylinder during one combustion cycle, the more likely it is that combustion gases inside the cylinder will flow into the direct injection valve during that combustion cycle.

[0007] The lower the pressure of the gaseous fuel supplied to the direct injection valve, the more easily the combustion gases in the cylinder can flow into the direct injection valve. Therefore, the internal combustion engine control device calculates the backflow amount based on the in-cylinder pressure and the supply fuel pressure. This calculates the backflow amount so that the higher the in-cylinder pressure, the greater the backflow amount, and the lower the supply fuel pressure, the greater the backflow amount. This makes it possible to accurately calculate the amount of combustion gas that flows from the cylinder into the direct injection valve during one combustion cycle when abnormal combustion occurs in the cylinder and the pressure in the cylinder becomes excessively high. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of a control device that is a first embodiment of an internal combustion engine control device and an internal combustion engine to which the control device is applied. [Figure 2] In FIG. 2, (A) is a cross-sectional view of a direct injection valve provided in the internal combustion engine, and (B) is an enlarged view of a part of the direct injection valve. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a plurality of processes executed by the control device of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the actual backflow amount, which is the actual value of the amount of combustion gas flowing from the inside of the cylinder into the direct injection valve, and the backflow amount calculated by the control device of the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the transition of the backflow amount integrated value calculated by the control device of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an integration process executed by a control device that is a second embodiment of an internal combustion engine control device. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a plurality of processes executed by a control device that is a third embodiment of an internal combustion engine control device. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an accumulation process executed by the control device of the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] (First embodiment) A first embodiment of an internal combustion engine control device will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 illustrates an internal combustion engine 10 mounted on a vehicle and a control device 60 applied to the internal combustion engine 10. The control device 60 corresponds to the "internal combustion engine control device."

[0010] <Internal combustion engine> The internal combustion engine 10 is a hydrogen engine that uses hydrogen gas as fuel. Hydrogen gas corresponds to the "gaseous fuel." The internal combustion engine 10 includes a plurality of cylinders 11, a crankshaft 12, an intake passage 13, a throttle valve 14, and an exhaust passage 15. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the internal combustion engine 10 includes four cylinders 11. In this specification, the four cylinders will be referred to as "cylinders 11" when collectively described, and will be referred to as cylinder #1, cylinder #2, cylinder #3, and cylinder #4 when individually described.

[0011] The intake passage 13 is a passage through which air flows to be introduced into the multiple cylinders 11. A throttle valve 14 is installed in the intake passage 13. The amount of intake air, which is the amount of air flowing through the intake passage 13, is adjusted by adjusting the throttle opening, which is the opening degree of the throttle valve 14.

[0012] The internal combustion engine 10 is equipped with a plurality of in-cylinder injection valves 16 and a plurality of ignition devices 17. One in-cylinder injection valve 16 and one ignition device 17 are provided for each cylinder 11. The in-cylinder injection valve 16 injects fuel into the cylinder 11. The configuration of the in-cylinder injection valve 16 will be described later. In the plurality of cylinders 11, combustion gas containing air and fuel is burned by the discharge of the ignition device 17. The power obtained by the combustion of the combustion gas is transmitted to the crankshaft 12, causing the crankshaft 12 to rotate. Exhaust gas is generated by the combustion of the combustion gas in the plurality of cylinders 11. This exhaust gas is discharged from the plurality of cylinders 11 into an exhaust passage 15.

[0013] The internal combustion engine 10 includes a fuel supply device 20 that supplies fuel to the multiple in-cylinder injection valves 16. The fuel supply device 20 includes a fuel tank 21, a fuel supply passage 22, a pressure regulator 23, and a delivery pipe 24.

[0014] Fuel tank 21 stores high-pressure fuel. Fuel supply passage 22 is a passage that supplies the fuel stored in fuel tank 21 to delivery pipe 24. Pressure regulator 23 is installed in fuel supply passage 22. Pressure regulator 23 reduces the pressure of the fuel flowing through fuel supply passage 22 under the control of control device 60. Therefore, the pressure of the fuel flowing in the portion of fuel supply passage 22 that is closer to delivery pipe 24 than pressure regulator 23 is lower than the pressure of the fuel flowing in the portion of fuel supply passage 22 that is closer to fuel tank 21 than pressure regulator 23.

[0015] A plurality of in-cylinder injection valves 16 are connected to the delivery pipe 24. That is, the delivery pipe 24 temporarily stores fuel to be supplied to the plurality of in-cylinder injection valves 16. The pressure of the fuel in the delivery pipe 24 corresponds to the "supply fuel pressure," which is the pressure of the fuel supplied to the in-cylinder injection valves 16.

[0016] The configuration of the direct injection valve 16 will be described with reference to FIG. 2(A) and 2(B), the direct injection valve 16 has a body 41, a seat 42, a needle 43, a spring 44, and an electromagnetic coil 45. The body 41 is cylindrical. The seat 42 is held at a tip end 411 of the body 41. An injection port 46 that injects fuel into the cylinder 11 is formed in the seat 42.

[0017] The needle 43 is housed in the body 41 in a state where it can move toward and away from the seat 42. When the needle 43 is seated on the valve seat of the seat 42, the injection port 46 is closed. The needle 43 corresponds to the "valve body of the in-cylinder injection valve." A state of the in-cylinder injection valve 16 in which the injection port 46 is closed is said to be "the in-cylinder injection valve 16 is closed." On the other hand, when the needle 43 is away from the valve seat of the seat 42 as shown in FIG. 2(B), the injection port 46 is open. A state of the in-cylinder injection valve 16 in which the injection port 46 is open in this way is said to be "the in-cylinder injection valve 16 is open."

[0018] An internal fuel passage 47 through which fuel flows is formed between the inner circumferential surface of the body 41 and the needle 43. The internal fuel passage 47 is connected to the delivery pipe 24. Therefore, when the direct injection valve 16 is opened, the internal fuel passage 47 is connected to the injection port 46. At this time, if the pressure in the internal fuel passage 47 is higher than the pressure in the cylinder 11, fuel is injected from the injection port 46 into the cylinder 11 as shown by the solid arrow in Figure 2(B).

[0019] The spring 44 biases the needle 43 in a direction that presses the needle 43 against the seat 42. That is, when the direct injection valve 16 is closed, the greater the biasing force of the spring 44, the greater the force that presses the needle 43 against the seat 42. When the electromagnetic coil 45 is energized, an electromagnetic force is generated in a direction that moves the needle 43 away from the seat 42. Then, the needle 43 moves away from the seat 42 against the force of the spring 44 that presses the needle 43 against the seat 42. This opens the direct injection valve 16. On the other hand, when the energization of the electromagnetic coil 45 is stopped, the force of the spring 44 presses the needle 43 against the seat 42. This closes the direct injection valve 16.

[0020] The force with which the spring 44 presses the needle 43 against the seat 42 when the direct injection valve 16 is closed is referred to as a "set load." The set load is set to a magnitude sufficient to maintain the needle 43 seated on the valve seat of the seat 42 when normal combustion is occurring in the cylinder 11. In other words, when the electromagnetic coil 45 is de-energized, the needle 43 remains seated on the valve seat of the seat 42 unless abnormal combustion such as pre-ignition occurs in the cylinder 11. In other words, if the pressure in the cylinder 11 becomes excessively high due to the occurrence of abnormal combustion as described above in the cylinder 11, the needle 43 may move away from the seat 42 against the fuel pressure supplied to the direct injection valve 16 and the set load. In this case, the needle 43 moves away from the seat 42, and the injection port 46 is no longer blocked.

[0021] <Detection system for internal combustion engines> As shown in Fig. 1, the internal combustion engine 10 is equipped with a detection system 50 that detects the state of the internal combustion engine 10. The detection system 50 has a plurality of sensors. The plurality of sensors output signals according to the detection results to a control device 60. The plurality of sensors include a crank angle sensor 51, in-cylinder pressure sensors 52 the same number as the number of cylinders, and a supply fuel pressure sensor 53. One in-cylinder pressure sensor 52 is provided for each cylinder 11.

[0022] The crank angle sensor 51 detects the rotation angle of the crankshaft 12. The in-cylinder pressure sensor 52 detects the pressure inside the corresponding cylinder 11. The supply fuel pressure sensor 53 detects the supply fuel pressure inside the delivery pipe 24. The rotation speed of the crankshaft 12 based on the detection value of the crank angle sensor 51 is referred to as the "engine speed NE." The pressure inside the cylinder 11 based on the detection value of the in-cylinder pressure sensor 52 is referred to as the "detected in-cylinder pressure value PCYS." The supply fuel pressure inside the delivery pipe 24 based on the detection value of the supply fuel pressure sensor 53 is referred to as the "detected supply fuel pressure value PDS."

[0023] <Control device> The control device 60 is a processing circuit having a CPU 61 and a memory 62. The memory 62 stores various control programs executed by the CPU 61. By executing the control programs, the CPU 61 controls the opening of the throttle valve 14, the fuel injection amount of the in-cylinder injection valve 16, and the ignition timing of the ignition device 17 based on signals from multiple sensors. In the control device 60, the CPU 61 corresponds to the "execution device."

[0024] 1, the vehicle is equipped with a warning device 70. When an abnormality occurs in the internal combustion engine 10, the warning device 70 operates to notify the vehicle occupants that an abnormality has occurred in the internal combustion engine 10.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, the CPU 61 executes a control program to perform an acquisition process M11, a backflow amount calculation process M13, an accumulation process M15, and a notification process M17. <Acquisition process> In acquisition processing M11, the CPU 61 acquires information required for backflow amount calculation processing M13. Specifically, the CPU 61 acquires an in-cylinder pressure PCY, which is the pressure inside the cylinder 11 during one combustion cycle of the cylinder 11, and a supply fuel pressure PD, which is the pressure of fuel supplied from the delivery pipe 24 to the direct injection valve 16. The CPU 61 also acquires the engine speed NEA. Furthermore, the CPU 61 acquires the end timing TIE of fuel injection from the direct injection valve 16.

[0026] The CPU 61 acquires the in-cylinder pressure PCY(N) of cylinder #N during one combustion cycle of cylinder #N. "N" refers to the cylinder number, and cylinder number N is any of 1, 2, 3, and 4. That is, the CPU 61 acquires the in-cylinder pressure PCY(1) of cylinder #1 during one combustion cycle of cylinder #1. The CPU 61 acquires the in-cylinder pressure PCY(2) of cylinder #2 during one combustion cycle of cylinder #2. The CPU 61 acquires the in-cylinder pressure PCY(3) of cylinder #3 during one combustion cycle of cylinder #3. The CPU 61 acquires the in-cylinder pressure PCY(4) of cylinder #4 during one combustion cycle of cylinder #4.

[0027] Specifically, the CPU 61 acquires the in-cylinder pressure PCY(N) during one combustion cycle of the cylinder #N based on a plurality of in-cylinder pressure detection values ​​PCYS detected during one combustion cycle of the cylinder #N. For example, the CPU 61 acquires the maximum value of the plurality of in-cylinder pressure detection values ​​PCYS detected during one combustion cycle of the cylinder #N as the in-cylinder pressure PCY(N) during one combustion cycle of the cylinder #N.

[0028] The CPU 61 acquires the supply fuel pressure PD(N) during one combustion cycle of cylinder #N. That is, the CPU 61 acquires the supply fuel pressure PD(1) during one combustion cycle of cylinder #1. The CPU 61 acquires the supply fuel pressure PD(2) during one combustion cycle of cylinder #2. The CPU 61 acquires the supply fuel pressure PD(3) during one combustion cycle of cylinder #3. The CPU 61 acquires the supply fuel pressure PD(4) during one combustion cycle of cylinder #4.

[0029] Specifically, the CPU 61 obtains the supply fuel pressure PD(N) during one combustion cycle of the cylinder #N based on a plurality of supply fuel pressure detection values ​​PDS detected during one combustion cycle of the cylinder #N. For example, the CPU 61 obtains the average value of the plurality of supply fuel pressure detection values ​​PDS detected during one combustion cycle of the cylinder #N as the supply fuel pressure PD(N) during one combustion cycle of the cylinder #N.

[0030] The CPU 61 acquires the engine speed NEA(N) during one combustion cycle of cylinder #N. That is, the CPU 61 acquires the engine speed NEA(1) during one combustion cycle of cylinder #1. The CPU 61 acquires the engine speed NEA(2) during one combustion cycle of cylinder #2. The CPU 61 acquires the engine speed NEA(3) during one combustion cycle of cylinder #3. The CPU 61 acquires the engine speed NEA(4) during one combustion cycle of cylinder #4.

[0031] Specifically, the CPU 61 acquires the engine speed NEA(N) during one combustion cycle of the cylinder #N based on multiple engine speeds NE detected during one combustion cycle of the cylinder #N. For example, the CPU 61 acquires the average value of the multiple engine speeds NE detected during one combustion cycle of the cylinder #N as the engine speed NEA(N) during one combustion cycle of the cylinder #N.

[0032] The CPU 61 acquires the end timing of energization of the electromagnetic coil 45 of the in-cylinder injection valve 16 for cylinder #N as the end timing TIE(N) of fuel injection of the in-cylinder injection valve 16. That is, the CPU 61 acquires the end timing TIE(1) of fuel injection of the in-cylinder injection valve 16 for cylinder #1. The CPU 61 acquires the end timing TIE(2) of fuel injection of the in-cylinder injection valve 16 for cylinder #2. The CPU 61 acquires the end timing TIE(3) of fuel injection of the in-cylinder injection valve 16 for cylinder #3. The CPU 61 acquires the end timing TIE(4) of fuel injection of the in-cylinder injection valve 16 for cylinder #4.

[0033] <Backflow volume calculation process> In a backflow amount calculation process M13, the CPU 61 calculates a backflow amount QR(N), which is the amount of combustion gas that flows from inside cylinder #N into the direct injection valve 16 during one combustion cycle of cylinder #N. That is, the CPU 61 calculates the backflow amount QR(1) during one combustion cycle of cylinder #1. The CPU 61 acquires the backflow amount QR(2) during one combustion cycle of cylinder #2. The CPU 61 acquires the backflow amount QR(3) during one combustion cycle of cylinder #3. The CPU 61 acquires the backflow amount QR(4) during one combustion cycle of cylinder #4.

[0034] Here, the CPU 61 injects fuel from the in-cylinder injection valve 16 for cylinder #N during the compression stroke of cylinder #N. The fuel density of hydrogen gas injected as fuel by the in-cylinder injection valve 16 is lower than the fuel density of liquid fuel such as gasoline. Therefore, in an internal combustion engine 10 fueled by hydrogen gas, the end timing of fuel injection from the in-cylinder injection valve 16 is generally more likely to be delayed than in an internal combustion engine fueled by a liquid fuel.

[0035] If the pressure in cylinder #N becomes excessively high due to abnormal combustion such as pre-ignition in cylinder #N, the pressure in cylinder #N may become higher than the pressure in the direct injection valve 16. Pre-ignition is likely to occur during the compression stroke of cylinder #N. If the direct injection valve 16 is energized when such abnormal combustion occurs, the combustion gas in cylinder #N may flow into the direct injection valve 16 through the injection port 46, as indicated by the dashed arrow in FIG. 2B. Furthermore, even if the energization of the direct injection valve 16 has already ended when abnormal combustion occurs, if the pressure in cylinder #N is greater than the sum of the fuel supply pressure to the direct injection valve 16 and the set load, the pressure in cylinder #N may cause the needle 43 to separate from the valve seat 42. If the in-cylinder injection valve 16 cannot be maintained in a closed state in this manner, there is a risk that the combustion gas in cylinder #N will flow into the in-cylinder injection valve 16 through the injection port 46, as shown by the dashed arrow in Figure 2(B).

[0036] When the in-cylinder injection valve 16 does not close due to abnormal combustion as described above, the higher the pressure inside cylinder #N, the greater the pressure difference between cylinder #N and the in-cylinder injection valve 16, and therefore, a larger amount of combustion gas flows from cylinder #N into the in-cylinder injection valve 16. Furthermore, the lower the fuel pressure supplied to the in-cylinder injection valve 16, the greater the pressure difference between cylinder #N and the in-cylinder injection valve 16, and therefore, a larger amount of combustion gas flows from cylinder #N into the in-cylinder injection valve 16. Furthermore, the lower the engine speed, the longer the duration of the in-cylinder injection valve 16 not closing due to excessively high pressure inside cylinder #N. The longer this duration, the greater the amount of combustion gas flows from cylinder #N into the in-cylinder injection valve 16. Furthermore, the later the end timing of fuel injection from the in-cylinder injection valve 16, the longer the period during which combustion gas flows from inside cylinder #N into the in-cylinder injection valve 16, and therefore the greater the amount of combustion gas flowing from inside cylinder #N into the in-cylinder injection valve 16.

[0037] Therefore, in the backflow amount calculation process M13, the CPU 61 calculates the backflow amount QR(N) so that the backflow amount increases as the in-cylinder pressure PCY(N) during one combustion cycle of cylinder #N increases. The CPU 61 calculates the backflow amount QR(N) so that the backflow amount increases as the supply fuel pressure PD(N) during one combustion cycle of cylinder #N decreases. The CPU 61 calculates the backflow amount QR(N) so that the backflow amount increases as the engine speed NEA(N) during one combustion cycle of cylinder #N decreases. The CPU 61 calculates the backflow amount QR(N) so that the backflow amount increases as the end timing TIE(N) of fuel injection of the direct injection valve 16 for cylinder #N becomes later.

[0038] For example, the CPU 61 calculates the backflow amount QR using the following relational expression (D1): In the relational expression (D1), "F1," "F2," "F3," and "F4" are coefficients set based on the shape of the cylinder 11 and the characteristics of the direct injection valve 16. For example, the multiple coefficients F1, F2, F3, and F4 are set so that the backflow amount QR decreases as the design value of the set load of the direct injection valve 16 increases.

[0039] QR=F1×PCY-F2×PD-F3×NEA-F4×TIE...(D1) 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the actual backflow amount, which is the actual backflow amount, and the backflow amount QR, which is the calculated value calculated using the above relational expression (D1). A number of coefficients F1, F2, F3, and F4 are set so that the approximate expression E1 showing the relationship between the actual backflow amount and the backflow amount QR becomes a linear function as shown by the dashed line in FIG.

[0040] When calculating the backflow amount QR(N), which is the amount of combustion gas that flows into the direct injection valve 16 for cylinder #N during one combustion cycle, the CPU 61 substitutes the in-cylinder pressure PCY(N), the supply fuel pressure PD(N), the engine speed NEA(N), and the fuel injection end timing TIE into the above relational expression (D1). In this way, the CPU 61 can calculate the backflow amount QR(N).

[0041] Incidentally, if abnormal combustion such as pre-ignition does not occur during one combustion cycle of cylinder #N, the pressure in cylinder #N does not become excessively high. Therefore, once the power supply to the in-cylinder injection valve 16 is terminated, the in-cylinder injection valve 16 remains closed. That is, during one combustion cycle of cylinder #N, the combustion gas in cylinder #N does not flow into the in-cylinder injection valve 16. Therefore, the CPU 61 determines for each combustion cycle whether abnormal combustion such as pre-ignition has occurred in cylinder #N. For example, the CPU 61 can determine whether abnormal combustion has occurred based on the transition of the in-cylinder pressure detection value PCYS during one combustion cycle of cylinder #N. If the CPU 61 determines that abnormal combustion has occurred, it executes the backflow amount calculation process M13 to calculate the backflow amount QR(N). On the other hand, if the CPU 61 determines that abnormal combustion has not occurred, it does not execute the backflow amount calculation process M13 and therefore does not calculate the backflow amount QR(N).

[0042] <Accumulation processing> As shown in FIG. 3, in integration processing M15, the CPU 61 integrates the backflow amount QR calculated in the backflow amount calculation processing M13 for each cylinder 11. That is, the CPU 61 integrates the backflow amount QR(1) into the direct injection valve 16 for cylinder #1 to calculate an integrated backflow amount value IQR(1). The CPU 61 integrates the backflow amount QR(2) into the direct injection valve 16 for cylinder #2 to calculate an integrated backflow amount value IQR(2). The CPU 61 integrates the backflow amount QR(3) into the direct injection valve 16 for cylinder #3 to calculate an integrated backflow amount value IQR(3). The CPU 61 integrates the backflow amount QR(4) into the direct injection valve 16 for cylinder #4 to calculate an integrated backflow amount value IQR(4).

[0043] <Notification processing> In notification process M17, the CPU 61 notifies a vehicle occupant when the backflow amount integrated value IQR(N) calculated in integration process M15 is equal to or greater than the determination value IQRth. Specifically, the CPU 61 notifies the occupant through the in-vehicle warning device 70 when any of the plurality of backflow amount integrated values ​​IQR(1), IQR(2), IQR(3), and IQR(4) is equal to or greater than the determination value IQRth.

[0044] As described above, the combustion gas in the cylinder 11 is extremely hot. On the other hand, the temperature of the fuel injected into the cylinder 11 from the in-cylinder injection valve 16 is extremely low compared to the combustion gas. Therefore, when the combustion gas in the cylinder 11 repeatedly flows into the in-cylinder injection valve 16, the components of the in-cylinder injection valve 16 are repeatedly heated by the combustion gas and cooled by the fuel. This repeated heating and cooling of the components may cause an abnormality in the in-cylinder injection valve 16. For example, a thin film formed on the surface of the needle 43, which is one of the components of the in-cylinder injection valve 16, may peel off from the needle 43.

[0045] Therefore, in the control device 60, a value is set as a judgment value IQRth to determine whether or not there is a possibility that the above-mentioned abnormality has occurred in the component parts of the in-cylinder injection valve 16 based on the backflow amount integrated value IQR(N).

[0046] FIG. 5 illustrates the transitions of multiple integrated backflow amounts IQR. For ease of understanding, FIG. 5 illustrates the transitions of only three integrated backflow amounts IQR(1), IQR(2), and IQR(3). In the example shown in FIG. 5, of the multiple integrated backflow amounts IQR, integrated backflow amounts IQR(2) and IQR(3) gradually increase, whereas the other integrated backflow amount IQR(1) does not increase very much. At timing t11, integrated backflow amount IQR(3) becomes equal to or greater than the determination value IQRth, so the CPU 61 notifies the occupant via the warning device 70 that an abnormality may have occurred in the direct injection valve 16.

[0047] <Actions and Effects of the First Embodiment> (1-1) As described above, if abnormal combustion such as pre-ignition occurs in cylinder #N during one combustion cycle of cylinder #N, the pressure in cylinder #N becomes excessively high, and the combustion gas in cylinder #N may flow into the direct injection valve 16 for cylinder #N. In this case, the higher the in-cylinder pressure PCY during one combustion cycle of cylinder #N, the more likely it is that the amount of combustion gas flowing from cylinder #N into the direct injection valve 16 will be. Also, the lower the fuel supply pressure PD(N) to the direct injection valve 16, the more likely it is that the amount of combustion gas flowing from cylinder #N into the direct injection valve 16 will be.

[0048] Therefore, the control device 60 calculates the backflow amount QR(N) so that the higher the in-cylinder pressure PCY(N), the greater the backflow amount, and the lower the supply fuel pressure PD(N), the greater the backflow amount. This makes it possible to accurately calculate the amount of combustion gas that flows from inside cylinder #N into the direct injection valve 16 during one combustion cycle when abnormal combustion occurs in cylinder #N and the pressure in cylinder #N becomes excessively high.

[0049] (1-2) The higher the maximum value of the pressure inside cylinder #N during one combustion cycle of cylinder #N, the greater the magnitude of the pressure difference between inside cylinder #N and inside the in-cylinder injection valve 16. Therefore, the control device 60 acquires the maximum value of the pressure inside cylinder #N during one combustion cycle as the in-cylinder pressure PCY(N). Then, the control device 60 calculates the backflow amount QR(N) based on this in-cylinder pressure PCY(N), thereby improving the calculation accuracy of the backflow amount QR(N).

[0050] (1-3) When combustion gas flows from cylinder #N into the direct injection valve 16, the lower the engine speed NEA(N), the more likely it is that the amount of combustion gas that flows from cylinder #N into the direct injection valve 16 will increase. Therefore, the control device 60 calculates the backflow amount QR(N) so that the lower the engine speed NEA(N), the greater the backflow amount. By calculating the backflow amount QR(N) in this way while taking the engine speed NEA(N) into consideration, the calculation accuracy of the backflow amount QR(N) can be further improved.

[0051] (1-4) When combustion gas flows from inside cylinder #N into the direct injection valve 16, the later the end timing TIE of fuel injection from the direct injection valve 16, the more likely it is that the amount of combustion gas flowing from inside cylinder #N into the direct injection valve 16 will be. Therefore, the control device 60 calculates the backflow amount QR(N) so that the later the end timing TIE, the greater the backflow amount. By calculating the backflow amount QR(N) in this way while taking the end timing TIE into account, the calculation accuracy of the backflow amount QR(N) can be further improved.

[0052] (1-5) The control device 60 calculates an integrated backflow amount value IQR(N) by integrating the backflow amount QR(N) as an index showing the degree of accumulated damage to the direct injection valve 16 caused by the combustion gas in cylinder #N flowing into the direct injection valve 16 during one combustion cycle of cylinder #N. If the integrated backflow amount value IQR(N) is equal to or greater than the determination value IQRth, there is a possibility that an abnormality has occurred in a component of the direct injection valve 16 for cylinder #N. Therefore, when the integrated backflow amount value IQR(N) becomes equal to or greater than the determination value IQRth, the control device 60 notifies the driver that there is a possibility that an abnormality has occurred in the internal combustion engine 10. This makes it possible to notify the driver that it is time for maintenance of the internal combustion engine 10.

[0053] (Second embodiment) A second embodiment of an internal combustion engine control device will be described with reference to Fig. 6. In the second embodiment, part of the processing content of the integration processing is different from that of the first embodiment. In the following description, the parts that differ from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the same components as those in the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals and redundant description will be omitted.

[0054] <Accumulation processing> The integration process M15 executed by the CPU 61 of the control device 60 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0055] In step S11, the CPU 61 determines whether the backflow amount QR(N) calculated in the backflow amount calculation process M13 is equal to or greater than a threshold value QRth. As described above, when combustion gas repeatedly flows into the direct injection valve 16, the components of the direct injection valve 16 are repeatedly heated and cooled, which causes damage to the components. However, the present inventors have further obtained the following knowledge as a result of various experiments and simulations.

[0056] When the amount of combustion gas flowing into the direct injection valve 16 from cylinder #N is small, the amount of thermal energy transferred to the components from the combustion gas flowing into the direct injection valve 16 is small, and the temperature of the components rises only slightly. Therefore, even if a small amount of combustion gas repeatedly flows into the direct injection valve 16, the fluctuation in the temperature of the components is not that great, and the components suffer almost no damage.

[0057] Therefore, a threshold value QRth is set as a criterion for determining whether the amount of combustion gas flowing from inside cylinder #N into the direct injection valve 16 is small. If the backflow amount QR(N) is less than the threshold value QRth, it is assumed that the components of the direct injection valve 16 will not be damaged due to the flow of combustion gas into the direct injection valve 16. On the other hand, if the backflow amount QR(N) is equal to or greater than the threshold value QRth, it is assumed that the components of the direct injection valve 16 will be damaged due to the flow of combustion gas into the direct injection valve 16.

[0058] In step S11, if the backflow amount QR(N) is equal to or greater than the threshold value QRth (YES), the CPU 61 proceeds to step S13. On the other hand, if the backflow amount QR(N) is less than the threshold value QRth (S11: NO), the CPU 61 temporarily terminates the integration process M15. That is, the CPU 61 does not integrate the backflow amount QR(N) less than the threshold value QRth.

[0059] In step S13, the CPU 61 calculates the sum of the backflow amount integrated value IQR(N) and the backflow amount QR(N) as the latest value of the backflow amount integrated value IQR(N). That is, the CPU 61 calculates the backflow amount integrated value IQR(N) by integrating only the backflow amounts QR(N) that are equal to or greater than the threshold value QRth among the multiple backflow amounts QR(N) calculated in the backflow amount calculation process M13. Thereafter, the CPU 61 temporarily ends the integration process M15.

[0060] <Actions and Effects of the Second Embodiment> In the second embodiment, in addition to the effects (1-1) to (1-5) of the first embodiment, the following effects can be further obtained.

[0061] (2-1) Even if combustion gas flows into the direct injection valve 16, if the amount is small, the components of the direct injection valve 16 will suffer little damage. Therefore, the control device 60 calculates the integrated backflow amount value IQR(N) by integrating only the backflow amount QR(N) that is equal to or greater than the threshold value QRth. This increases the correlation between the degree of accumulated damage to the components of the direct injection valve 16 and the integrated backflow amount value IQR(N). Therefore, the control device 60 can notify the occupant that an abnormality may be occurring in the internal combustion engine 10 at a more appropriate time.

[0062] (Third embodiment) A third embodiment of an internal combustion engine control device will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. Note that the third embodiment differs from the above-described embodiments in the method for estimating the degree of accumulated damage to components of the direct injection valve. In the following description, differences from the above-described embodiments will be mainly described, and the same reference numerals will be used to designate the same components as those in the above-described embodiments, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0063] When combustion gas flows into the in-cylinder injection valve 16 for the cylinder 11, thermal energy is transferred from the high-temperature combustion gas to the components of the in-cylinder injection valve 16. The greater the amount of combustion gas flowing from inside the cylinder 11 into the in-cylinder injection valve 16, the greater the amount of thermal energy transferred to the components. The greater the amount of thermal energy transferred to the components, the greater the temperature rise of the components. Furthermore, the higher the internal temperature of the cylinder 11, the more likely the temperature of the combustion gas will rise. Furthermore, the higher the temperature of the combustion gas flowing from inside the cylinder 11 into the in-cylinder injection valve 16, the greater the temperature rise of the components caused by the combustion gas flowing into the in-cylinder injection valve 16.

[0064] On the other hand, when the in-cylinder injection valve 16 is opened to inject fuel into the cylinder 11, the fuel flowing through the in-cylinder injection valve 16 absorbs thermal energy from the components, resulting in a decrease in the temperature of the components.

[0065] That is, fluctuations in the temperature of the component due to the flow of thermal energy into and out of the component may cause the film formed on the component to peel off from the component. Therefore, the control device 60 of this embodiment calculates a correlation value of the amount of thermal energy transferred from the combustion gas that flows from inside the cylinder 11 into the direct injection valve 16 during one combustion cycle to the components of the direct injection valve 16. Based on the calculated value, the control device 60 calculates a damage index value that is an index value of damage that is sustained on the components of the direct injection valve 16 due to the combustion gas that flows from inside the cylinder #N into the direct injection valve 16 during one combustion cycle of cylinder #N. Then, the control device 60 estimates the degree of accumulated damage to the components based on the damage index value.

[0066] <Control device> 7, the CPU 61 executes a control program to perform an acquisition process M11, a backflow amount calculation process M13, a damage index value calculation process M21, an accumulation process M151, and a notification process M171. The contents of the acquisition process M11 and the backflow amount calculation process M13 are the same as those in the first embodiment. Therefore, a description of the acquisition process M11 and the backflow amount calculation process M13 will be omitted here.

[0067] <Damage index value calculation process> In damage index value calculation processing M21, the CPU 61 calculates a damage index value X for each cylinder 11. That is, the CPU 61 calculates a damage index value X(1) of the component of the direct injection valve 16 for cylinder #1. The CPU 61 calculates a damage index value X(2) of the component of the direct injection valve 16 for cylinder #2. The CPU 61 calculates a damage index value X(3) of the component of the direct injection valve 16 for cylinder #3. The CPU 61 calculates a damage index value X(4) of the component of the direct injection valve 16 for cylinder #4.

[0068] A specific method for calculating the damage index value X(N) will be described. When abnormal combustion as described above occurs during one combustion cycle of cylinder #N, the damage suffered by the components of the direct injection valve 16 is proportional to the product of the gas temperature, which is the temperature of the combustion gas flowing into the direct injection valve 16, and the backflow energy amount, which is the amount of energy correlated with the amount of backflow. That is, the damage index value X(N) can be calculated using the following relational expression (D2). In relational expression (D2), "TMP" is an index of the gas temperature. "ENR" is an index of the backflow energy amount. According to relational expression (D2), the larger the gas temperature index TMP, the larger the damage index value X. Furthermore, the larger the backflow energy amount index ENR, the larger the damage index value X.

[0069] X = TMP × ENR (D2) The gas temperature index TMP increases as the in-cylinder pressure PCY increases. Therefore, the index TMP is calculated using the following relational expression (D3). In relational expression (D3), "P0" is the reference pressure in cylinder #N. For example, the maximum pressure in one combustion cycle in cylinder #N when no abnormal combustion occurs is set as the reference pressure P0.

[0070] TMP=PCY / P0 (D3) The index ENR of the amount of backflow energy increases as the square of the backflow amount QR(N) increases. Therefore, a value calculated using the following relational expression (D4) is used as the index ENR. In relational expression (D4), "CSA" is the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path of the combustion gas that flows from inside cylinder #N into the direct injection valve 16. For example, the passage cross-sectional area of ​​the internal fuel passage 47 of the direct injection valve 16 is set as the cross-sectional area CSA of the flow path of the combustion gas that flows into the direct injection valve 16.

[0071] ENR=QR^2 / CSA^2 (D4) Then, by using the two relational expressions (D3) and (D4), the relational expression (D2) can be transformed into the following relational expression (D5): Note that "KA" in the relational expression (D5) is a constant that can be expressed by the following relational expression (D6).

[0072] X=PCY×(QR^2) / KA (D5) KA=P0×(CSA^2) (D6) In damage index value calculation processing M21, the CPU 61 calculates the damage index value X(N) using relational expression (D5). When calculating the damage index value X(N) of the component of the direct injection valve 16 for cylinder #N, the CPU 61 can calculate the damage index value X(N) by substituting the in-cylinder pressure PCY(N) and the backflow amount QR(N) into relational expression (D5). In this way, the CPU 61 can calculate the damage index value X(N) so that the damage index value increases as the product of the square of the backflow amount QR(N) and the in-cylinder pressure PCY increases.

[0073] <Accumulation processing> In an accumulation process M151, the CPU 61 accumulates the damage index value X calculated in the damage index value calculation process M21 for each cylinder 11. That is, the CPU 61 accumulates the damage index value X(1) of the component of the direct injection valve 16 for cylinder #1 to calculate the damage index accumulated value IX(1). The CPU 61 accumulates the damage index value X(2) of the component of the direct injection valve 16 for cylinder #2 to calculate the damage index accumulated value IX(2). The CPU 61 accumulates the damage index value X(3) of the component of the direct injection valve 16 for cylinder #3 to calculate the damage index accumulated value IX(3). The CPU 61 accumulates the damage index value X(4) of the component of the direct injection valve 16 for cylinder #4 to calculate the damage index accumulated value IX(4).

[0074] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the specific processing contents of the accumulation process M151. In step S21, the CPU 61 determines whether or not the damage index value X(N) calculated in the damage index value calculation process M21 is equal to or greater than a threshold value Xth.

[0075] Even if the combustion gas in cylinder #N flows into the direct injection valve 16, if the damage index value X is small, the temperature of the components of the direct injection valve 16 does not rise much. Therefore, the fluctuation range of the component temperatures is not so large, and the components are hardly damaged. Therefore, a threshold value QRth is set as a criterion for determining whether damage to the components can be ignored. If the damage index value X(N) is less than the threshold value Xth, it is assumed that the components will not be damaged due to the inflow of combustion gas into the direct injection valve 16. On the other hand, if the damage index value X(N) is equal to or greater than the threshold value Xth, it is assumed that the components will be damaged due to the inflow of combustion gas into the direct injection valve 16.

[0076] In step S21, if the damage index value X(N) is equal to or greater than the threshold value Xth (YES), the CPU 61 proceeds to step S23. On the other hand, if the damage index value X(N) is less than the threshold value Xth (S21: NO), the CPU 61 temporarily terminates the accumulation process M151. That is, the CPU 61 does not accumulate the damage index value X(N) less than the threshold value Xth.

[0077] In step S23, the CPU 61 calculates the sum of the damage index integrated value IX(N) and the damage index value X(N) as the latest value of the damage index integrated value IX(N). That is, the CPU 61 calculates the damage index integrated value IX(N) by integrating only the damage index values ​​X(N) that are equal to or greater than the threshold value Xth, among the multiple damage index values ​​X(N) calculated in the damage index value calculation process M21. Thereafter, the CPU 61 temporarily ends the integration process M151.

[0078] <Notification processing> In notification processing M171, the CPU 61 notifies a vehicle occupant when the damage index integrated value IX(N) calculated in the integration processing M151 is equal to or greater than the determination value IXth. Specifically, the CPU 61 notifies the occupant through the on-board warning device 70 when any of the plurality of damage index integrated values ​​IX(1), IX(2), IX(3), and IX(4) is equal to or greater than the determination value IXth.

[0079] <Actions and Effects of the Third Embodiment> In the third embodiment, in addition to the effects (1-1) to (1-4) of the first embodiment, the following effect can be further obtained.

[0080] (3-1) The control device 60 calculates a damage index value X, which is a value corresponding to the amount of thermal energy transferred from the combustion gas flowing into the direct injection valve 16 to the components of the direct injection valve 16, based on the backflow amount QR. The control device 60 then calculates a damage index integrated value IX by integrating these damage index values ​​X. The magnitude of damage to the components caused by the combustion gas flowing into the direct injection valve 16 tends to increase as the amount of thermal energy increases. Therefore, by calculating the damage index integrated value IX, the degree of accumulated damage to the components can be accurately estimated.

[0081] If the damage index integrated value IX(N) is equal to or greater than the determination value IXth, there is a possibility that an abnormality has occurred in the direct injection valve 16 for cylinder #N. Therefore, when the damage index integrated value IX(N) becomes equal to or greater than the determination value IXth, the control device 60 notifies the driver that there is a possibility that an abnormality has occurred in the internal combustion engine 10. This makes it possible to notify the driver that it is time for maintenance of the internal combustion engine 10.

[0082] (3-2) Even if combustion gas flows into the direct injection valve 16, if the amount of thermal energy transferred to the component of the direct injection valve 16 at that time is small, the component will suffer little damage. Therefore, the control device 60 calculates the damage index integrated value IX(N) by integrating only the damage index values ​​X(N) that are equal to or greater than the threshold value Xth. This increases the correlation between the degree of accumulated damage to the component of the direct injection valve 16 and the damage index integrated value IX(N). Therefore, the control device 60 can notify the occupant that an abnormality may be occurring in the internal combustion engine 10 at a more appropriate time.

[0083] (Example of change) The above-described embodiments can be modified as follows: The above-described embodiments and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they are not technically inconsistent.

[0084] In the above embodiments, the CPU 61 may acquire, as the in-cylinder pressure PCY(N), a value corresponding to the in-cylinder pressure detected value PCYS detected during one combustion cycle of cylinder #N, a value other than the maximum in-cylinder pressure detected value PCYS detected during one combustion cycle of cylinder #N. For example, the CPU 61 may acquire, as the in-cylinder pressure PCY(N), the second largest in-cylinder pressure detected value PCYS among the multiple in-cylinder pressure detected values ​​PCYS detected during one combustion cycle of cylinder #N. Alternatively, for example, the CPU 61 may acquire, as the in-cylinder pressure PCY(N), the average value of the multiple in-cylinder pressure detected values ​​PCYS detected during one combustion cycle of cylinder #N. Alternatively, for example, the CPU 61 may acquire, as the in-cylinder pressure PCY(N), the average value of the multiple in-cylinder pressure detected values ​​PCYS detected during the compression stroke of cylinder #N.

[0085] In the above-described embodiments, the CPU 61 may acquire a value corresponding to a calculated value of the in-cylinder pressure based on the operating state of the internal combustion engine 10 as the in-cylinder pressure PCY(N). In the above embodiments, the CPU 61 may acquire as the supply fuel pressure PD(N) a value that is different from the average value of the multiple supply fuel pressure detection values ​​PDS detected during one combustion cycle of cylinder #N, as long as the CPU 61 can acquire as the supply fuel pressure PD(N) a value that corresponds to the supply fuel pressure detection value PDS detected during one combustion cycle of cylinder #N. For example, the CPU 61 may acquire as the supply fuel pressure PD(N) any one of the multiple supply fuel pressure detection values ​​PDS detected during one combustion cycle of cylinder #N. Specifically, the CPU 61 may acquire as the supply fuel pressure PD(N) the maximum value of the multiple supply fuel pressure detection values ​​PDS detected during one combustion cycle of cylinder #N.

[0086] In the above embodiments, the CPU 61 may acquire a value other than the average value of the multiple engine speeds NE detected during one combustion cycle of cylinder #N as the engine speed NEA(N), as long as the CPU 61 can acquire a value corresponding to the engine speed NE detected during one combustion cycle of cylinder #N. For example, the CPU 61 may acquire one of the multiple engine speeds NE detected during one combustion cycle of cylinder #N as the engine speed NEA(N). Specifically, the CPU 61 may acquire the maximum value of the multiple engine speeds NE detected during one combustion cycle of cylinder #N as the engine speed NEA(N).

[0087] In the above-described embodiments, the CPU 61 may calculate the backflow amount QR without taking into consideration the end timing TIE of the fuel injection of the direct injection valve 16. In the above-described embodiments, the CPU 61 may calculate the backflow amount QR without taking the engine speed NEA into consideration.

[0088] In some embodiments, if the internal combustion engine 10 is equipped with a knock sensor, the CPU 61 may determine whether abnormal combustion has occurred in cylinder #N based on the detection value of the knock sensor during one combustion cycle of cylinder #N.

[0089] In the third embodiment, the CPU 61 may also calculate the damage index integrated value IX by integrating the damage index values ​​X that are less than the threshold value Xth in the integration process M151. In this case, the determination in step S21 can be omitted in the integration process M151 shown in FIG.

[0090] In the first and second embodiments, the CPU 61 may not cause the warning device 70 to notify the occupant even when the backflow integrated value IQR becomes equal to or greater than the determination value IQRth. In this case, the CPU 61 may notify a vehicle dealer or a maintenance shop via an external network that maintenance of the internal combustion engine 10 is required.

[0091] In the third embodiment, even if the damage index integrated value IX becomes equal to or greater than the determination value IXth, the CPU 61 may not cause the warning device 70 to notify the occupant. In this case, the CPU 61 may notify the vehicle dealer or maintenance shop via an external network that maintenance of the internal combustion engine 10 is required.

[0092] In the first and second embodiments, the CPU 61 notifies the occupant via the in-vehicle warning device 70 when any of the plurality of backflow amount integrated values ​​IQR(1), IQR(2), IQR(3), and IQR(4) is equal to or greater than the determination value IQRth, but this is not limiting. For example, the CPU 61 may notify the occupant that the direct injection valve 16 for cylinder #1 should be replaced or repaired when the backflow amount integrated value IQR(1) is equal to or greater than the determination value IQRth.

[0093] In the third embodiment, the CPU 61 notifies the occupant through the on-board warning device 70 when any of the multiple damage index integrated values ​​IX(1), IX(2), IX(3), and IX(4) is equal to or greater than the determination value IXth, but this is not limited to this. For example, the CPU 61 may notify the occupant that it is better to replace or repair the direct injection valve 16 for cylinder #1 when the damage index integrated value IX(1) is equal to or greater than the determination value IXth.

[0094] In multiple embodiments, the number of cylinders of the internal combustion engine to which the control device 60 is applied may be any number other than four. For example, the control device 60 may be applied to an internal combustion engine with one cylinder, an internal combustion engine with three cylinders, or an internal combustion engine with six cylinders.

[0095] In several embodiments, the internal combustion engine to which the control device 60 is applied does not have to be an internal combustion engine fueled by hydrogen gas, as long as it is equipped with an in-cylinder injection valve 16 that injects gaseous fuel into the cylinder 11. For example, the internal combustion engine to which the control device 60 is applied may be an internal combustion engine equipped with an in-cylinder injection valve that injects compressed natural gas into the cylinder 11.

[0096] In some embodiments, the pressure regulator of the fuel supply device does not have to be a valve that reduces the pressure of the fuel through control. That is, the pressure regulator may have a mechanical valve.

[0097] In some embodiments, the fuel supply device may be configured to include a tank for storing liquid hydrogen. In this case, the fuel supply device may include a converter capable of converting liquid hydrogen into hydrogen gas on the fuel supply path from the tank to the in-cylinder injection valve 16, thereby enabling the in-cylinder injection valve 16 to inject hydrogen gas.

[0098] The control device 60 is not limited to a device that includes a CPU and a ROM and executes software processing. In other words, the control device 60 may have any one of the following configurations (a) to (c). (a) The control device 60 includes one or more processors that execute various processes according to a computer program. The processor includes a CPU and memory such as RAM and ROM. The memory stores program code or instructions that cause the CPU to execute processes. Memory, i.e., computer-readable media, includes any available media that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.

[0099] (b) The control device 60 includes one or more dedicated hardware circuits that perform various processes. Examples of dedicated hardware circuits include application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or FPGAs. ASIC stands for "Application Specific Integrated Circuit," and FPGA stands for "Field Programmable Gate Array."

[0100] (c) The control device 60 includes a processor that executes some of the various processes in accordance with a computer program, and a dedicated hardware circuit that executes the remaining processes of the various processes.

[0101] <Technical philosophy> The technical ideas that can be understood from the above-described embodiments and modifications will be described as supplementary notes.

[0102] [Appendix 1] The present invention is applied to an internal combustion engine including a cylinder and an in-cylinder injection valve that injects gaseous fuel into the cylinder, an execution device for controlling the operation of the internal combustion engine; The execution device Acquiring an in-cylinder pressure, which is the pressure inside the cylinder during one combustion cycle of the cylinder, and a supply fuel pressure, which is the pressure of the gaseous fuel supplied to the in-cylinder injection valve; Calculating a backflow amount, which is the amount of combustion gas flowing from the cylinder into the direct injection valve during one combustion cycle of the cylinder; an internal combustion engine control device that calculates the backflow amount so that the higher the in-cylinder pressure is, the larger the backflow amount becomes, and the lower the supply fuel pressure is, the larger the backflow amount becomes.

[0103] [Appendix 2] The internal combustion engine control device according to Appendix 1, wherein the execution device acquires the maximum value of the pressure in the cylinder during the combustion cycle of the cylinder as the in-cylinder pressure when acquiring the in-cylinder pressure.

[0104] [Appendix 3] The internal combustion engine control device according to appendix 1 or appendix 2, wherein the execution device calculates the backflow amount so that the lower the rotation speed of the internal combustion engine, the larger the backflow amount becomes.

[0105] [Appendix 4] The internal combustion engine control device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 3, wherein the execution device calculates the backflow amount so that the later the end timing of injection of gaseous fuel from the in-cylinder injection valve, the larger the backflow amount.

[0106] [Appendix 5] The internal combustion engine is mounted on a vehicle, The execution device integrates the calculated backflow amount; 5. The internal combustion engine control device according to any one of Supplementary note 1 to Supplementary note 4, further comprising: a notification to an occupant of the vehicle when the integrated value of the backflow amount is equal to or greater than a determination value.

[0107] [Appendix 6] The internal combustion engine is mounted on a vehicle, The execution device Calculating a damage index value that is an index value of damage to the direct injection valve caused by the combustion gas in the cylinder flowing into the direct injection valve during one combustion cycle of the cylinder; accumulating the calculated damage index values; If the calculated integrated value of the damage index value is equal to or greater than a determination value, a notification is given to an occupant of the vehicle; 5. The internal combustion engine control device according to claim 1, wherein, in calculating the damage index value, the damage index value is calculated so that the larger the product of the square of the backflow amount and the in-cylinder pressure, the larger the damage index value.

[0108] [Supplementary Note 7] The internal combustion engine control device according to Supplementary Note 6, wherein the execution device, in accumulating the damage index values, accumulates only the damage index values ​​that are equal to or greater than a threshold value among the calculated damage index values. [Explanation of symbols]

[0109] 10...Internal combustion engine 11, #1~#4...cylinder 12...Crankshaft 16...In-cylinder injection valve 24...Delivery pipe 60...Control device 61...CPU 62...Memory 70...Warning device

Claims

1. The present invention is applied to an internal combustion engine including a cylinder and an in-cylinder injection valve that injects gaseous fuel into the cylinder, an execution device for controlling the operation of the internal combustion engine; The execution device Acquiring an in-cylinder pressure, which is the pressure inside the cylinder during one combustion cycle of the cylinder, and a supply fuel pressure, which is the pressure of the gaseous fuel supplied to the in-cylinder injection valve; Calculating a backflow amount, which is the amount of combustion gas flowing from the cylinder into the direct injection valve during one combustion cycle of the cylinder; and determining whether abnormal combustion has occurred based on a change in pressure in the cylinder during one combustion cycle of the cylinder; In calculating the backflow amount, the backflow amount is calculated so that the higher the in-cylinder pressure is, the larger the backflow amount becomes, and the lower the supply fuel pressure is, the larger the backflow amount becomes. When it is determined that the abnormal combustion has occurred, the backflow amount is calculated, and when it is determined that the abnormal combustion has not occurred, the backflow amount is not calculated. Internal combustion engine control device.

2. The execution device acquires, as the in-cylinder pressure, a maximum value of the pressure in the cylinder during one combustion cycle of the cylinder. The internal combustion engine control device according to claim 1.

3. The execution device calculates the backflow amount so that the lower the rotation speed of the internal combustion engine, the larger the backflow amount becomes. The internal combustion engine control device according to claim 1.

4. The execution device calculates the backflow amount so that the backflow amount increases as the end timing of injection of the gaseous fuel from the direct injection valve becomes later. The internal combustion engine control device according to claim 1.

5. The internal combustion engine is mounted on a vehicle, The execution device Integrating the calculated backflow amount; If the integrated value of the backflow amount is equal to or greater than a determination value, a notification is given to an occupant of the vehicle. The internal combustion engine control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The present invention is applied to an internal combustion engine equipped with a cylinder and an in-cylinder injection valve that injects gaseous fuel into the cylinder, the engine being mounted on a vehicle, an execution device for controlling the operation of the internal combustion engine; The execution device Acquiring an in-cylinder pressure, which is the pressure inside the cylinder during one combustion cycle of the cylinder, and a supply fuel pressure, which is the pressure of the gaseous fuel supplied to the in-cylinder injection valve; Calculating a backflow amount, which is the amount of combustion gas flowing from the cylinder into the direct injection valve during one combustion cycle of the cylinder; Calculating a damage index value that is an index value of damage to the direct injection valve caused by the combustion gas in the cylinder flowing into the direct injection valve during one combustion cycle of the cylinder; accumulating the calculated damage index values; If the calculated integrated value of the damage index value is equal to or greater than a determination value, a notification is given to an occupant of the vehicle; In calculating the backflow amount, the backflow amount is calculated so that the higher the in-cylinder pressure is, the larger the backflow amount becomes, and the lower the supply fuel pressure is, the larger the backflow amount becomes. In calculating the damage index value, the damage index value is calculated so that it increases as the product of the square of the backflow amount and the in-cylinder pressure increases. Internal combustion engine control device.

7. The execution device, in accumulating the damage index values, accumulates only the damage index values ​​that are equal to or greater than a threshold value among the calculated damage index values.

7. The internal combustion engine control device according to claim 6.

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