Abstract: Vehicle data detected in a vehicle 10 is transmitted to an information center 12 so as to detect a fault. When detecting generation of the fault, the information center 12 instructs the vehicle to perform a fault identification process. Identification of the fault location is performed while using mutual communication. When the detected fault is one that requires a recovery countermeasure, the information center 12 instructs the vehicle to perform a recovery process. The recovery process is performed while using mutual data communication so as to eliminate the influence of the fault.

Abstract: An air-fuel ratio sensor that outputs a sensor signal used for the feedback control of an air-fuel ratio is provided. It is determined whether an element crack is present by applying a reverse voltage to the air-fuel ratio sensor. The value of the sensor signal output from the air-fuel ratio sensor is corrected during a time period “A”. The time period “A” consists of a reverse-voltage application time period in which the reverse voltage is applied, and a return time period “T” after application of the reverse voltage ends. The return time period “T” is set based on sensor impedance correlated with the internal resistance of the air-fuel ratio sensor. The return time period “T” decreases as the sensor impedance decreases.

Abstract: A device for controlling an internal combustion engine, comprising a variable valve mechanism for varying opening areas (valve lift) or the working angles (valve-opening periods) of at least either the intake valves or the exhaust valves, wherein a pressure in the cylinder is calculated based on the opening area or the working angle of at least either the intake valve or the exhaust valve varied by the variable valve mechanism, and the internal combustion engine is controlled based on the pressure in the cylinder. Upon calculating the pressure in the cylinder based on the opening areas or the working angles of the intake and exhaust valves, it is possible to more suitably control the internal combustion engine based not only upon the peak combustion pressure in the cylinder like when a combustion pressure sensor is used but also upon a pressure in the cylinder at a moment other than the peak combustion pressure.

Abstract: An air-fuel ratio sensor that outputs a sensor signal used for the feedback control of an air-fuel ratio is provided. It is determined whether an element crack is present by applying a reverse voltage to the air-fuel ratio sensor. The value of the sensor signal output from the air-fuel ratio sensor is corrected during a time period “A”. The time period “A” consists of a reverse-voltage application time period in which the reverse voltage is applied, and a return time period “T” after application of the reverse voltage ends. The return time period “T” is set based on sensor impedance correlated with the internal resistance of the air-fuel ratio sensor. The return time period “T” decreases as the sensor impedance decreases.

Abstract: A device for controlling an internal combustion engine, comprising a variable valve mechanism for varying opening areas (valve lift) or the working angles (valve-opening periods) of at least either the intake valves or the exhaust valves, wherein a pressure in the cylinder is calculated based on the opening area or the working angle of at least either the intake valve or the exhaust valve varied by the variable valve mechanism, and the internal combustion engine is controlled based on the pressure in the cylinder. Upon calculating the pressure in the cylinder based on the opening areas or the working angles of the intake and exhaust valves, it is possible to more suitably control the internal combustion engine based not only upon the peak combustion pressure in the cylinder like when a combustion pressure sensor is used but also upon a pressure in the cylinder at a moment other than the peak combustion pressure.

Abstract: A device for controlling an internal combustion engine, comprising a variable valve mechanism for varying opening areas (valve lift) or the working angles (valve-opening periods) of at least either the intake valves or the exhaust valves, wherein a pressure in the cylinder is calculated based on the opening area or the working angle of at least either the intake valve or the exhaust valve varied by the variable valve mechanism, and the internal combustion engine is controlled based on the pressure in the cylinder. Upon calculating the pressure in the cylinder based on the opening areas or the working angles of the intake and exhaust valves, it is possible to more suitably control the internal combustion engine based not only upon the peak combustion pressure in the cylinder like when a combustion pressure sensor is used but also upon a pressure in the cylinder at a moment other than the peak combustion pressure.

Abstract: A device for controlling an internal combustion engine, comprising a variable valve mechanism for varying opening areas (valve lift) or the working angles (valve-opening periods) of at least either the intake valves or the exhaust valves, wherein a pressure in the cylinder is calculated based on the opening area or the working angle of at least either the intake valve or the exhaust valve varied by the variable valve mechanism, and the internal combustion engine is controlled based on the pressure in the cylinder. Upon calculating the pressure in the cylinder based on the opening areas or the working angles of the intake and exhaust valves, it is possible to more suitably control the internal combustion engine based not only upon the peak combustion pressure in the cylinder like when a combustion pressure sensor is used but also upon a pressure in the cylinder at a moment other than the peak combustion pressure.

Abstract: A device for controlling an internal combustion engine, comprising a variable valve mechanism for varying opening areas (valve lift) or the working angles (valve-opening periods) of at least either the intake valves or the exhaust valves, wherein a pressure in the cylinder is calculated based on the opening area or the working angle of at least either the intake valve or the exhaust valve varied by the variable valve mechanism, and the internal combustion engine is controlled based on the pressure in the cylinder. Upon calculating the pressure in the cylinder based on the opening areas or the working angles of the intake and exhaust valves, it is possible to more suitably control the internal combustion engine based not only upon the peak combustion pressure in the cylinder like when a combustion pressure sensor is used but also upon a pressure in the cylinder at a moment other than the peak combustion pressure.

Abstract: Vehicle data detected in a vehicle 10 is transmitted to an information center 12 so as to detect a fault. When detecting generation of the fault, the information center 12 instructs the vehicle to perform a fault identification process. Identification of the fault location is performed while using mutual communication. When the detected fault is one that requires a recovery countermeasure, the information center 12 instructs the vehicle to perform a recovery process. The recovery process is performed while using mutual data communication so as to eliminate the influence of the fault.

Abstract: A device for controlling an internal combustion engine, comprising a variable valve mechanism for varying opening areas (valve lift) or the working angles (valve-opening periods) of at least either the intake valves or the exhaust valves, wherein a pressure in the cylinder is calculated based on the opening area or the working angle of at least either the intake valve or the exhaust valve varied by the variable valve mechanism, and the internal combustion engine is controlled based on the pressure in the cylinder. Upon calculating the pressure in the cylinder based on the opening areas or the working angles of the intake and exhaust valves, it is possible to more suitably control the internal combustion engine based not only upon the peak combustion pressure in the cylinder like when a combustion pressure sensor is used but also upon a pressure in the cylinder at a moment other than the peak combustion pressure.

Abstract: A device for controlling an internal combustion engine, comprising a variable valve mechanism for varying opening areas (valve lift) or the working angles (valve-opening periods) of at least either the intake valves or the exhaust valves, wherein a pressure in the cylinder is calculated based on the opening area or the working angle of at least either the intake valve or the exhaust valve varied by the variable valve mechanism, and the internal combustion engine is controlled based on the pressure in the cylinder. Upon calculating the pressure in the cylinder based on the opening areas or the working angles of the intake and exhaust valves, it is possible to more suitably control the internal combustion engine based not only upon the peak combustion pressure in the cylinder like when a combustion pressure sensor is used but also upon a pressure in the cylinder at a moment other than the peak combustion pressure.

Abstract: A control apparatus is provided for a valve actuating system which is operable to lift an intake valve or an exhaust valve of an internal combustion engine and includes a lift characteristic changing mechanism for changing a lift characteristic of the intake valve or the exhaust valve. The control apparatus calculates a target operation value of the lift characteristic changing mechanism, and calculates a realizable range of the operation value which can be realized by the lift characteristic changing mechanism, based on a controlled variable that can be given to the lift characteristic changing mechanism and at least one parameter related to an environment surrounding the lift characteristic changing mechanism. If the target operation value is not within the realizable range of the operation value, the control apparatus calculates a new target operation value to be within the realizable range.

Abstract: An engine speed control unit of an internal combustion engine for controlling an engine speed so that it can reach a target value, changes the engine speed so that it can reach a target value in a period of time from the completion of the initial combustion of the engine starting to the idling steady state. The after-start engine speed peak actual value “gnepk”, which is an engine speed in the idling state in a predetermined period of time from the start of the engine, is calculated, and the after-start engine speed peak target value “tnepk” is read in from the map, and the ratio “rnepk” is found. When the ratio “rnepk” is out of the target range, it can be considered that the burning state is bad.

Abstract: A control apparatus is provided for a valve actuating system which is operable to lift an intake valve or an exhaust valve of an internal combustion engine and includes a lift characteristic changing mechanism for changing a lift characteristic of the intake valve or the exhaust valve. The control apparatus calculates a target operation value of the lift characteristic changing mechanism, and calculates a realizable range of the operation value which can be realized by the lift characteristic changing mechanism, based on a controlled variable that can be given to the lift characteristic changing mechanism and at least one parameter related to an environment surrounding the lift characteristic changing mechanism. If the target operation value is not within the realizable range of the operation value, the control apparatus calculates a new target operation value to be within the realizable range.

Abstract: A device for controlling an internal combustion engine, comprising a variable valve mechanism for varying opening areas (valve lift) or the working angles (valve-opening periods) of at least either the intake valves or the exhaust valves, wherein a pressure in the cylinder is calculated based on the opening area or the working angle of at least either the intake valve or the exhaust valve varied by the variable valve mechanism, and the internal combustion engine is controlled based on the pressure in the cylinder. Upon calculating the pressure in the cylinder based on the opening areas or the working angles of the intake and exhaust valves, it is possible to more suitably control the internal combustion engine based not only upon the peak combustion pressure in the cylinder like when a combustion pressure sensor is used but also upon a pressure in the cylinder at a moment other than the peak combustion pressure.

Abstract: An electronic control unit 10 of an internal combustion engine sets a target throttle valve opening degree based on the amount of accelerator pedal operation, and starts driving an electronically controlled throttle valve 16 after a predetermined delay time has passed in order to precisely estimate the actual throttle valve opening degree when the intake valve of the cylinder is closed and to estimate the amount of the intake air filled in the cylinder. In an engine equipped with a variable valve timing mechanism 50, the ECU 10 estimates the target throttle valve opening degree of when the intake valve closes, estimates the actual valve timing when the intake valve closes based on the estimated target opening degree, and estimates the amount of the air filled in the cylinder when the intake valve of the cylinder closes based on the estimated throttle valve opening degree and on the estimated valve timing. The amount of the air taken in is thus precisely estimated even in a variable valve timing engine.

Abstract: In control apparatus and method of an internal combustion engine, an engine speed change-to-throttle opening change ratio rdlnetha, that is, a ratio of the amount of change in the engine rotation speed dine to the amount of change in the extent of opening of a throttle valve being under the feedback control, is determined. It is determined whether the engine speed change-to-throttle opening change ratio rdlnetha is within a predetermined range. If the determination is negative, a flag xnedown indicating an imperfect combustion state is turned on. Then, the intake air flow feedback control is stopped, and the control is switched to an ignition timing feedback control or an fuel injection amount feedback control. Therefore, the occurrence of the imperfect combustion state during the feedback control of the engine idle speed can be precisely detected.

Abstract: In a control apparatus, a peak engine revolution actual value gnepk during a present post-startup of an engine is calculated. A post-startup peak engine revolution target value tnepk is read from a map. An intake air flow QST used for the next startup is determined by multiplying the intake air flow QST used for the present startup by the ratio between the post-startup peak engine revolution actual value gnepk and the post-startup peak engine revolution target value tnepk, that is, tnepk/gnepk. This control apparatus is therefore able to control the engine revolution during the post-startup with good precision.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having an intake passage that is closed at the time of engine starting operation wherein a holding time for completely closing a throttle valve is made as long as possible within such a range that the engine does not fail to be started. The throttle valve is held at its full-closure position when an ignition switch is turned on. Then, at the time of engine starting operation, an amount of air consumed by the engine is calculated based on a cumulative rotational speed of the engine, a cylinder volume of the engine, and a parameter of volumetric efficiency corresponding to an engine rotational speed, and, if so, the throttle valve is opened to a predetermined opening degree.

Abstract: An engine control apparatus is disclosed, in which the combustion instability is improved regardless of the type of fuel supplied to the engine so that the idle state immediately after an engine start is stabilized for improving the fuel consumption rate, preventing the deterioration of emission and thereby improving the durability of catalysts. A counter counts the time elapsed from an engine start. A sensor detects the engine speed. A control circuit controls the timing of fuel injection into the engine. The intake-synchronous injection is carried out during a first predetermined time immediately after a cold engine start. The intake-asynchronous injection is carried out after the lapse of the first predetermined time. During the intake-asynchronous injection, the engine speed is monitored to determine whether it is reduced below a reference engine speed until the lapse of a second predetermined time.