Control system for an internal combustion engine and a vehicle having the same

• US 20060095165A1
• Filed: 11/01/2004
• Published: 05/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch Corporation (Robert Bosch GmbH), Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Hackel, Vincent, Zevchak, David, Schnabel, Claus
• Granted Patent: US 7,359,789 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/1
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1454 the characteristics being an oxygen content or concentration or the air-fuel ratio
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/266 the computer being backed-up or assisted by another circuit, e.g. analogue
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/28 Interface circuits

Abstract

The invention provides a control system for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle. The control system includes a sensor controller and an engine controller. The sensor controller includes a first interface configured to be connected to a sensor coupled to the engine, a first one or more components to provide power regulation and electromagnetic compatibility for the sensor controller, a second interface configured to be connected to a local communication bus of the vehicle, and a first processor and memory configurable to provide control and diagnostics of the sensor. The engine controller includes a third interface configured to be connected to the local communication bus, a second one or more components to provide power regulation and electromagnetic compatibility for the engine controller, and a second processor and memory configurable to control at least one aspect of the internal combustion engine based on information from the sensor controller.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising:

a power plant comprising an internal combustion engine;

a sensor coupled to the engine;

a sensor controller connected to the sensor, the sensor controller comprising a first microcontroller and a first transceiver, the sensor controller being configured to provide control and diagnostics of the sensor for acquiring sensed information;

an automotive communication bus connected to the transceiver of the sensor controller; and

an engine controller comprising a second microcontroller and a second transceiver, the second transceiver connected to the automotive communication bus, the engine controller being configured to control or monitor at least one aspect of the engine based on the sensed information.

2. A vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the vehicle further comprises a second sensor directly coupled to the engine controller, and wherein the engine controller is further configured to control or monitor at least one aspect of the engine based on information sensed by the second sensor.

3. A vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the sensor controller further comprises electromagnetic compatibility circuitry.

4. A vehicle as set forth in claim 3 wherein the sensor controller further comprises a power regulator, and a filter.

5. A vehicle as set forth in claim 3 wherein the engine controller further comprises eletromagnetic compatibility circuitry.

6. A vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the sensor comprises an oxygen sensor.

7. A vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the sensor comprises a wide-band oxygen sensor.

8. A vehicle comprising:

a power plant comprising an internal combustion engine; and

an engine management system (EMS) to monitor and control the operation of the engine, the EMS comprising

an oxygen sensor coupled to the engine,

a sensor controller connected to the sensor, the sensor controller comprising a first power regulator, a first microcontroller, a first transceiver and a first electromagnetic compatibility circuitry, the sensor controller being configured to provide control and diagnostics of the sensor for acquiring sensed information,

an automotive communication bus connected to the transceiver of the sensor controller, and

an engine controller comprising a second power regulator, a second microcontroller, a second transceiver, and a second electromagnetic compatibility circuitry, the second transceiver connected to the automotive communication bus, the engine controller being configured to control or monitor at least one aspect of the engine based on the sensed information.

9. A vehicle as set forth in claim 8 wherein the EMS further comprises a second sensor directly coupled to the engine controller, and wherein the engine controller is further configured to control or monitor at least one aspect of the engine based on information sensed by the second sensor.

10. A vehicle as set forth in claim 8 wherein the oxygen sensor comprises a wide-band oxygen sensor.

11. A control system for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, the control system comprising:

a sensor controller comprising

a first interface configured to be connected to a sensor coupled to the engine,

a first one or more components to provide power regulation and electromagnetic compatibility for the sensor controller,

a second interface configured to be connected to a local communication bus of the vehicle, and

a first processor and memory configured to provide control and diagnostics of the sensor; and

an engine controller comprising

a third interface configured to be connected to the local communication bus,

a second one or more components to provide power regulation and electromagnetic compatibility for the engine controller, and

a second processor and memory configurable to control at least one aspect an internal combustion engine based on information from the engine controller.

12. A control system as set forth in claim 11 wherein the sensor controller comprises a power regulator and electromagnetic compatibility circuitry.

13. A control system as set forth in claim 12 wherein the engine controller comprises a power regulator and electromagnetic compatibility circuitry.

14. A control system as set forth in claim 11 wherein the sensor comprises an oxygen sensor.

15. A control system as set forth in claim 11 wherein the sensor comprises a wide-band oxygen sensor.