Control device and control method for internal combustion engine

Abstract

An object is to improve scavenging performance of a pre-combustion chamber connected to a main combustion chamber via an orifice and suppress reduction in combustion performance of an internal combustion engine. This control device for an internal combustion engine including a main combustion chamber and a pre-combustion chamber having at least one orifice between the pre-combustion chamber and the main combustion chamber, includes a first control device which controls operation of an ignition coil to generate spark discharge at a spark plug, thus combusting fuel gas, and a second control device which controls operation of the ignition coil at a timing other than the timing of combusting the fuel gas, to promote scavenging of the pre-combustion chamber.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention[0001]The present disclosure relates to a control device and a control method for an internal combustion engine.2. Description of the Background Art[0002]For addressing global warming having been raised as an issue in recent years, approaches to reduce greenhouse gases have begun worldwide. Also in the automobile industry, this issue needs to be addressed, and development is going on for improving efficiency of an internal combustion engine. As an example of configurations for improving efficiency of an internal combustion engine, there is a configuration called a pre-chamber type engine in which a pre-combustion chamber having an orifice is provided ahead of a spark plug, fuel in the pre-combustion chamber is ignited, and combustion flame is jetted from the orifice to a main combustion chamber, to ignite fuel in the main combustion chamber (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this configuration, the fuel in the main combustio...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present patent is about a control device and method for an internal combustion engine that can efficiently exhaust and scavenge burnt gas and other substances from the pre-combustion chamber to the outside, which helps to prevent reduced combustion performance. The technical effect of this invention is to improve the engine's performance and efficiency by effectively managing the flow of exhaust gases and reducing the buildup of residual substances in the pre-combustion chamber.

Problems solved by technology

In the pre-chamber type engine, since the pre-combustion chamber is connected to the main combustion chamber via the orifice, there is a problem with scavenging performance, so that the burnt gas generated through combustion is likely to stay in the pre-combustion chamber.

Due to staying of the burnt gas, a necessary amount of fuel cannot enter the inside of the pre-combustion chamber, so that combustion in the pre-combustion chamber is weakened.

As a result, combustion flame jetted from the pre-combustion chamber is also weakened, thus causing a problem of reduction in combustion performance of the main combustion chamber and further, occurrence of misfire.

However, there are various engine shapes and operation conditions, and deposition of carbon, wearing and deterioration of metal members, and the like can occur, whereby the states of the spark plug electrode and the inside of the pre-combustion chamber vary from moment to moment.

Thus, there are limitations on measures that are based on only hardware.

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