Vehicle control system

• US 8,251,044 B2
• Filed: 04/22/2010
• Issued: 08/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Russell, John David, Kotwicki, Allan J., Rutkowski, Brian D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kwon, John
• Application Number:
  US12/765,722
• Publication Number:
  US 20100204906A1
• Time in Patent Office: 859 Days
• Field of Search: 123/339.1, 123/339.23, 123345-348, 123/360, 123/361, 123/376, 123/328, 123/336, 123/337, 123/391, 123402-405, 701/103
• US Class Current: 123/345
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 1/181 Centre pivot rocking arms
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 1/3442 using hydraulic chambers with variable volume to transmit the rotating force
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 2001/0535 Single overhead camshafts [SOHC]
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 2800/00 Methods of operation using a variable valve timing mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 2075/125 Direct injection in the combustion chamber for spark ignition engines, i.e. not in pre-combustion chamber
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 23/104 the injector being placed on a side position of the cylinder
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 13/02 during engine operation
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 13/0219 by shifting the phase, i.e. the opening periods of the valves are constant
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 13/0223 Variable control of the intake valves only
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 13/04 using engine as brake
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/002 by simultaneous control of throttle and variable valve actuation
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/0406 Intake manifold pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2250/18 Control of the engine output torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 31/001 Electric control of rotation speed
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0002 Controlling intake air
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0007 for control of turbo-charged or super-charged engines control of the pumps per se F02B37/12
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/182 for the control of a fuel injection device
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

A method is provided for controlling an engine via an outlet control device of an intake manifold, such as via variable valve lift operation. The engine may further include an inlet control device, such as an electronic throttle, as well as coordination between the inlet and outlet control devices for controlling airflow in the engine.

Claims

1. A method for controlling engine airflow, the engine having at least one cylinder, at least one intake valve, and a throttle valve, comprising:

generating a desired cylinder air amount; and

adjusting variable valve lift of the at least one intake valve and the throttle valve to provide the desired cylinder air amount, including;

during a first operating condition, adjusting the throttle valve to provide the desired cylinder air amount, and

during a second operating condition, adjusting the variable valve lift of the at least one intake valve to provide the desired cylinder air amount.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first operating condition includes operating at a first engine load and the second operating condition includes operating at a second engine load that is greater than the first engine load.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the desired cylinder air amount is generated based at least on a pedal position.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the desired cylinder air amount is generated based at least on engine speed.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the engine has a variable valve timing system, and the method further comprises:

adjusting the variable valve timing system; and

wherein the engine has a direct injection fuel injector coupled to the at least one cylinder, and the method further comprises;

adjusting fuel injected directly into the engine via said fuel injector to maintain a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio entering a three-way catalyst in an exhaust of the engine.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the engine has a direct injection fuel injector coupled to the at least one cylinder, and the method further comprises:

adjusting fuel injected directly into the engine via said fuel injector to maintain a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio.

7. A method for controlling engine airflow, the engine having at least one cylinder, at least one intake valve, and a throttle valve, comprising:

generating a desired cylinder air amount; and

adjusting variable valve lift of the at least one intake valve and the throttle valve to provide the desired cylinder air amount, including;

adjusting the variable valve lift of the at least one intake valve to provide the desired cylinder air amount to a set-point value of an operating parameter, and

adjusting the throttle valve to provide the desired cylinder air amount beyond the set-point value of the operating parameter.

8. A method for controlling engine airflow, the engine having at least one cylinder, at least one intake valve, and a throttle valve, comprising:

generating a desired cylinder air amount; and

adjusting variable valve lift of the at least one intake valve and the throttle valve to provide the desired cylinder air amount, including;

adjusting the throttle valve to be open wider than it would if only the throttle valve controlled airflow without the at least one intake valve, and

adjusting the variable valve lift of the at least one intake valve to provide the desired cylinder air amount.