Control apparatus for an internal combustion engine

• US 6,988,483 B1
• Filed: 10/18/2004
• Issued: 01/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Inventors: Hagari, Hideki
• Primary Examiner(s): WOLFE JR, WILLIS RAY
• Application Number:
  US10/965,859
• Publication Number:
  US 20060011169A1
• Time in Patent Office: 463 Days
• Field of Search: 123/406.16, 123/406.29, 123/406.34, 123/406.35, 123/406.36, 123/406.37, 123/435, 123/488, 73/350.3, 73/350.5, 73/350.8, 73/350.9, 73/351, 73/351.1, 73/351.2, 73/351.3, 731/173, 731/182
• US Class Current: 123/406.16
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 35/027 using knock sensors
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/222 relating to the failure of sensors or parameter detection devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 27/007 Malfunction diagnosis, i.e. diagnosing a sensor defect

Abstract

To provide a control apparatus for an internal combustion engine which can judge an abnormality regardless of one line type or two line type, and can also detect the classification of abnormality. The control apparatus includes: a knock sensor having a piezoelectric element for detecting vibrations that are generated in the internal combustion engine, and a resistor that is connected in parallel with the piezoelectric element; and an interface circuit that detects a knock in accordance with an output from the knock sensor and detects an abnormality of the knock sensor, and the interface circuit includes a bias unit that conducts biasing by pulling up and pulling down an output from the knock sensor, and detects the abnormality of the knock sensor with a direct current component of the bias unit.

Claims

1. A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine which controls an ignition timing on the basis of the detection of a knock, comprising:

a knock sensor having a piezoelectric element for detecting vibrations that are generated in the internal combustion engine, and a resistor that is connected in parallel with the piezoelectric element; and

an interface circuit that detects a knock in accordance with an output from the knock sensor and detects an abnormality of the knock sensor,

wherein the interface circuit includes a bias means that conducts biasing by pulling up and pulling down an output from the knock sensor, and detects the abnormality of the knock sensor with a direct current component of the bias means.

2. A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine according to claim 1, wherein

the knock sensor has one end connected to a constant voltage system of a ground level and sends an output from one line of only the other end of the knock sensor.

3. A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine according to claim 1, wherein:

the knock sensor sends outputs from two lines in a state where both of the ends of the knock sensor are isolated from a constant voltage system of the ground level; and

the bias means of the interface circuit pulls up one end of the knock sensor and pulls down the other end of the knock sensor, to thereby conduct biasing.

4. A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine according to claim 1, wherein:

the knock sensor sends outputs from two lines in a state where both of the ends of the knock sensor are isolated from a constant voltage system of the ground level; and

the bias means of the interface circuit pulls up one end of the knock sensor and pulls down the other end of the knock sensor, and connects both ends of the knock sensor through a resistor for conducting biasing.