ENGINE CONTROLLER

• US 20080294329A1
• Filed: 05/20/2008
• Published: 11/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: NODA, Yoshihiro
• Granted Patent: US 7,971,570 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/112
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 11/002 the diagnostic devices measuring or estimating temperature or pressure in, or downstream of the exhaust apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 9/002 of filter regeneration, e.g. detection of clogging
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/228 Warning displays
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2250/36 Control for minimising NOx emissions
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0235 in relation with the state of the exhaust gas treating apparatus control of exhaust gas treating apparatus per se F01N
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/042 for stopping the engine
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/146 the characteristics being an NOx content or concentration
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/22 Safety or indicating devices for abnormal conditions in air/fuel ratio feedback systems F02D41/1495, in electric control linkage F02D11/107, in purge control systems F02M25/0809
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/222 relating to the failure of sensors or parameter detection devices
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 26/05 High pressure loops, i.e. wherein recirculated exhaust gas is taken out from the exhaust system upstream of the turbine and reintroduced into the intake system downstream of the compressor
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 26/15 in relation to engine exhaust purifying apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 26/28 with liquid-cooled heat exchangers
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 26/33 controlling the temperature of the recirculated gases
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0803 characterised by means for initiating engine start or stop F02N11/0814 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/023 Engine temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/0812 Power-take-off state
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 50/20 Air quality improvement or preservation, e.g. vehicle emission control or emission reduction by using catalytic converters
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

An engine controller for a vehicle equipped with an emission reduction apparatus determines whether the emission reduction apparatus has malfunction. When it is determined that the emission reduction apparatus has malfunction an execution of an idle shutdown control process is permitted. When a predetermined condition is established during an engine idling, the engine is automatically shut down. On the other hand, when it is determined that the emission reduction apparatus has no malfunction, the execution of the idle shutdown control process is prohibited.

Claims

1. An engine controller for a vehicle equipped with an emission reduction apparatus which reduces a specified material in exhaust gas discharged from an engine, the engine controller comprising:

an idle shutdown control means for shutting down the engine at idle when a specified condition is established;

a determination means for determining whether the emission reduction apparatus has malfunction; and

a switching means for prohibiting the idle shutdown control means from shutting down the engine when the determination means determines the emission reduction apparatus has no malfunction, and for permitting the idle shutdown control means to shut down the engine when the determination means determines the emission reduction apparatus has malfunction.

2. An engine controller according to claim 1, wherein

the determination means finally determines that the emission reduction apparatus has malfunction when a plurality of malfunctions are detected in the emission reduction apparatus.

3. An engine controller according to claim 1, wherein

the determination means turns on a warning indicator when it is determined that the emission reduction apparatus has malfunction, and

the switching means for prohibiting the idle shutdown control means from shutting down the engine when the warning indicator is not turned on, and for permitting the idle shutdown control means to shut down the engine when the warning indicator is turned on.

4. An engine controller according to claim 1, wherein

the switching means prohibits an operation of the idle shutdown control means to prevent the idle shutdown control means from shutting down the engine, and permits an operation of the idle shutdown control means to shut down the engine.

5. An engine controller comprising:

an idle shutdown control means for shutting down an engine at idle when a specified condition is established; and

a means for determining whether an output of NOx sensor disposed in an exhaust pipe of the engine is not more than a specified value, and for prohibiting the idle shutdown control means from shutting down the engine when the output of NOx sensor is not more than the specified value.