JP3274763B2 - Valve open / close control method and apparatus - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a valve opening / closing control device, and more particularly, to a highly accurate valve opening / closing control method and apparatus suitable for a throttle valve of an automobile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in automobiles, in order to purify exhaust gas and improve fuel efficiency, a throttle valve and an accelerator valve are not mechanically connected to each other, but a valve actuator is used in response to an accelerator pedal depression angle. It is in the direction to control the throttle valve. The control of the throttle valve is to control the heart of the gasoline engine, and safety is particularly important. Further, since the throttle valve control is used even for automatic gear shifting or the like, a high-speed response is required. In addition, high-precision valve opening control is required in order to perform idle speed control (ISC control) without stepping on the accelerator.

As a conventional example of the throttle valve control device, there is a "throttle valve control device" described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-208632, in which a throttle valve is controlled by an actuator via a gear. In this throttle valve control device, a return spring for applying a force in the closing direction to the valve is provided. When the actuator is out of order, the return spring prevents the throttle valve from being fully opened.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-95734 discloses that
"Throttle opening control device" is described. In this throttle opening control device, when the throttle valve approaches the idle opening, the rotation speed of the throttle valve is switched to a low rotation speed, and the measurement accuracy of the throttle opening is improved.

[0005] Also, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-79356 discloses that
"Throttle opening control device for internal combustion engine" is described. In this throttle opening control device, the opening of the throttle valve is detected immediately before the excitation of each step of the stepping motor for adjusting the opening of the throttle valve is updated. Then, based on the detected value, it is determined whether the throttle valve is at a predetermined opening position. This prevents the reference control position from being erroneously detected due to damping at the time of one-step response of the stepping motor, and attempts to execute accurate control of the throttle valve opening.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-119640 discloses a "method of controlling an engine intake throttle valve". In the throttle valve control method, the motor that drives the throttle valve includes a piezoelectric body in which a large number of piezoelectric pieces that are polarized in opposite directions are alternately arranged, an elastic body, and a mover. . Then, two kinds of high-frequency voltages are supplied to the piezoelectric body, and a traveling wave is generated in the elastic body to move the mover. The throttle valve is moved by the movement of the mover. This aims to realize a small and lightweight valve driving motor with little driving noise. There are various types of valve actuators for adjusting the opening degree of the valve, but a DC motor is considered as the most common control motor.

[0007]

Incidentally, the opening of the valve has a tendency of hysteresis due to the presence of a gear or a return spring. Furthermore, if a DC motor is used as a valve actuator,
There is also hysteresis in brush friction. by this,
In the extreme case, the setting accuracy of the valve opening is reduced, and in an extreme case, an unstable phenomenon may be caused to cause disturbance of the engine speed.

When a contact type sensor (for example, a potentiometer) is used as a valve opening sensor,
It has a hysteresis in which the inclination of the brush changes depending on the rotation direction until it stops at the time of positioning. For this reason, an accurate valve opening could not be detected, causing a reduction in valve opening setting accuracy (valve position accuracy).

When a stepping motor described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-79356 or a motor described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-119640 is used as a valve actuator, the return spring of the valve or the valve opening Because of the presence of hysteresis by the degree sensor, the valve opening degree setting accuracy was low.

An object of the present invention is to realize a valve opening / closing control method and apparatus which have a simple structure and improved valve opening degree setting accuracy.

[0011]

The present invention is configured as follows to achieve the above object. In a valve opening / closing control method of controlling the opening degree of a valve for adjusting a flow rate of a fluid by a valve actuator, a command drive signal of a valve actuator corresponding to a valve opening command value includes a valve opening degree, a valve moving speed, or a based on at least one of the magnitude of the load of the actuator by adding the pulsation signal for changing the amplitude value, a drive signal pulsating signal is added you supplied to the valve actuator.

Preferably, in the valve opening / closing control method, the valve is provided with a driving force in a fixed direction by a spring mechanism. Preferably, in the valve opening / closing control method, the valve opening is detected, and the valve opening is controlled in accordance with a deviation between the detected valve opening and the valve opening command value.

[0013] Preferably, in the valve opening and closing control method, the opening degree of the valve, Ru is detected by the contact-type opening sensor in contact with a mechanism for moving along with the opening and closing of the valve.

[0014]

[0015]

[0016] In addition, preferably, the valve opening and closing system personage
Oite law, the period of the pulsation signal is synchronized with the generation timing of the drive signal.

Preferably, the valve opening / closing control method is
Oite law, the period of the pulsation signal is more than twice the generation period of the drive signal.

[0018]

Preferably, the valve opening / closing control method is
Oite law, the valve is a throttle valve of an automobile. Also, preferably, Te placed <br/> to the valve opening and closing control how, given pulsating current during the valve opening control of the idling operation of the vehicle, is added to the command drive signal.

[0020]

In the prior art, the valve overshoots the target opening greatly because the valve and the valve actuator have a hysteresis torque. Next, the valve is moved again from the opening with a large overshoot to the target opening. Then, the valve undershoots the target opening. In this way, the valve is stationary within the range of the static friction torque. When such an operation is repeated, the valve opening control becomes unstable.

In the present invention, a pulsation signal is added to the command drive signal of the valve actuator corresponding to the valve opening command value. The valve actuator moves the valve to the angle indicated by the opening command value while drawing a minute hysteresis curve by the drive signal to which the pulsation signal is added. As a result, the hysteresis torque is compensated, and highly accurate position setting is performed.

In the case where an opening sensor for detecting the opening of the valve is provided, and the opening sensor is of a contact type, the contact portion of the sensor is slightly vibrated in both directions by the pulsation signal. The opening is detected at the position. Thereby, the hysteresis characteristic of the opening degree sensor is compensated, and highly accurate position detection is performed.

[0023]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic circuit diagram of a valve opening / closing control device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the embodiment. Note that, in this embodiment, the present invention
This is an example in which the present invention is applied to an electronic throttle system for an automobile.

In FIG. 2, a throttle body 1 has a throttle valve 2 for controlling an air flow rate, and a spring MB disposed at one end of a shaft of the throttle valve 2 for urging the throttle valve 2 in a closing direction. Is provided. A gear G3 is attached to the other end of the shaft of the throttle valve 2. Then, the power from the shaft of the DC motor DCM is transmitted to the shaft of the throttle valve 2 via the gear G1, the gear G2, and the gear G3.

The gear G1, together with the clutch plate KL and the slide bearing SB, is arranged on the shaft of the DC motor DCM, and has a structure slidable in the axial direction of the DC motor DCM. Further, a spring BN is arranged between the clutch plate KL and the clutch plate KM, and the clutch plate K
M acts to separate the clutch plate KL.
The DC motor DCM includes a rectifying unit KB in which a brush and a commutator are arranged, a rotor RT having a rotor coil RK wound on an iron core, a clutch plate KM, and a stator magnetic pole extended to an upper portion of the clutch plate KM. SP.

Many small DC motors use permanent magnets for the field. This is because a control circuit for externally controlling the field can be omitted, and the structure can be simplified. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the stator magnetic pole SP
Uses a permanent magnet, but it is also possible to use a magnetic pole formed by winding a stator coil instead of a permanent magnet.

On the gear G3 side of the throttle valve 2, a throttle valve opening sensor 103 for measuring the opening of the throttle valve 2 is arranged. Opening sensor 103
In many cases, a brush-type potentiometer is used in terms of price.

Next, in FIG. 1, the DC motor DC M from the DC power supply V via the H-shaped armature current control circuit ACC
Is supplied with power. In the armature current control circuit ACC, transistors TR1 and TR2 connected in series
And transistors TR3 and TR4 connected in series are connected in parallel. A connection point between transistors TR1 and TR2 and a connection point between transistors TR3 and TR4 are connected to motor DCM. The position control circuit APR, which is composed of an arithmetic unit such as a microcomputer, receives a position command (valve opening command) PS from a higher-level control device of the vehicle.
Is supplied. Further, the current position Pf indicating the opening degree of the valve detected by the opening degree sensor 103 is also supplied to the position control circuit APR. The position control circuit APR calculates a deviation between the supplied position command PS and the current position Pf, and supplies a current value signal Io for driving the motor DCM to the adder AD.

The adder AD is also supplied with a pulsating current command signal Im that alternates between positive and negative, and the current value signal Io and the pulsating current command signal Im are added. The pulsating current command signal Im is a rectangular wave having a frequency that is synchronized with the generation timing of the position command Ps and whose half cycle is the generation cycle of the position command Ps. For example, if the generation cycle of the position command Ps is 1 ms, the frequency of the pulsating current command signal Im is
500 Hz.

The current value signal Io added in the addition period AD
And the pulsating current command signal Im, as a current command signal Ic,
It is supplied to the current control circuit ACR. Current control circuit ACR
Is also supplied with the motor current detection signal Is detected by the current detector SH. Then, in the current control circuit ACR, the current command signal Ic and the current detection signal Is are compared, and a signal corresponding to a deviation between the signals Ic and Is is supplied to the drive circuit DV. Then, the transistors TR1 and T1 of the armature current control circuit ACC are output from the drive circuit DV.
A drive control signal is supplied to the bases of R2, TR3, and TR4, and the current supplied to the motor DCM is controlled. As a result, the motor DCM is driven, and the opening of the throttle valve 2 is controlled.

Now, in the valve opening / closing control device, torque having hysteresis is generated in the spring MB, the gear G1, the gear G2, the gear G3, and the sliding parts such as the DC motor DCM and the bearing of the valve. Further, static friction is generated between the brush and the commutator in the commutator KB of the DC motor DCM.

The opening control of the throttle valve 2 includes an opening control during running of the automobile and an opening control during idling. The accuracy of the opening control during traveling is ± 0.
About 5 degrees is enough. On the other hand, the opening control during the idling operation requires an accuracy of ± 0.05 degrees or less. At the time of idling operation requiring such high-precision opening control, if there is the above-mentioned hysteresis torque, static friction torque, etc., conventionally, high-precision control becomes difficult, and unstable phenomena, for example, The engine speed was disturbed.

In general, when the valve opening degree control is performed by proportional integral control, if the gain of the integral term is small, the valve cannot move due to the hysteresis torque and the static friction torque, and is stopped until the integral term is accumulated. . Then, when the integral term is accumulated and becomes movable, the movement of the valve is started so as to eliminate the deviation between the position command Ps and the current position Pf. However, as described above, since the hysteresis torque exists, the valve greatly overshoots the target opening. Next, the valve is moved again from the opening with a large overshoot to the target opening. Then, the valve undershoots the target opening. In this way, the valve is stationary within the range of the static friction torque. When such an operation is repeated, the valve opening control becomes unstable.

In one embodiment of the present invention, as described above, the current value signal I
The pulsating current command Im is added to o. This pulsating current command I
If the value obtained by multiplying the maximum value of m by the torque constant is equal to or greater than the above-mentioned hysteresis torque and static friction torque, it is always in a movable state by overcoming the hysteresis torque and static friction torque, etc. It is possible to follow. Then, by adding the pulsating current command Im to the current value signal Io, the valve 2 is set to the target opening degree without largely overshooting or undershooting. That is, the motor DCM
The pulsating current command Im moves to a target position while drawing a minute hysteresis curve. Thereby, the hysteresis torque is compensated. Also, the opening degree sensor 10
The brush No. 3 is slightly vibrated in both directions by the pulsating current command Im, and the opening degree is detected at the vibration center position. As a result, the hysteresis characteristic of the opening sensor is also compensated, and highly accurate position detection is performed.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a valve position command (valve opening command) PC, a pulsating current I, and a current valve position (current opening) PP in one embodiment of the present invention, and the horizontal axis is used. Is time, and the vertical axis is position (opening) and current.
FIG. 4 shows a valve position command PC, a command current I, and a current position (current opening) P when no pulsating current is added.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing P and the horizontal axis is time, and the vertical axis is position (opening) and current as in FIG. FIGS. 3 and 4 show an example in which the position command PC has a ramp shape.

In the example of FIG. 3, it can be easily understood that the current position PP follows the position command PC well with a slight delay (control is linearized). it can. In contrast, in the example of FIG. 4, with respect to the position command PC, a current position PP is from time t ₀ to the vicinity of t _1, changes only to a small. When the near point t _1, the current position PP is sharply changed (in this case, in FIG. 4, the current position PP is not overshoot the position command PC, also resulting in an overshoot is there). Correspondingly, the current I is changed.
Further, the current position PP is from time t ₁ to the vicinity of t _2, and minimal change, become time t ₂ or more, will change greatly.

As compared with the characteristic shown in FIG. 4 in which the pulsating current is not added, the characteristic shown in FIG. 3 in which the pulsating current is added to the command current and supplied to the valve actuator is as follows. The current position PP is stably and satisfactorily following.

As described above, according to the valve opening / closing control device of one embodiment of the present invention, the current command Ic obtained by adding the pulsating current command Im is used as the current command to the DC motor DCM. Valve 2 bearings, gears,
By compensating for the hysteresis torque of the spring MB or the like, it is possible to realize a valve opening / closing control device having a simpler configuration and improved valve opening degree setting accuracy.

Further, even when a contact type sensor, for example, a potentiometer is used as the opening degree sensor 103, the position detection error due to the inclination of the brush is compensated, and the position detection becomes highly accurate. As a result, it is possible to realize a valve opening / closing control device capable of detecting a valve opening with high accuracy and setting a valve opening with high accuracy.

The pulsating current Im is generated by a generating unit (not shown in FIG. 1) which can generate a rectangular wave by alternating a constant current in positive and negative directions in synchronization with the generation timing of the position command Ps.

One embodiment of a valve opening / closing control method corresponding to the valve opening / closing control device shown in FIG. 1 is as follows. First, in a first step, the current opening of the valve is detected. Next, in a second step, the detected valve opening is compared with a valve opening command value,
A drive signal to the valve actuator is calculated. Then, in the third step, the calculated drive signal is
A predetermined pulsating signal that alternates between positive and negative and has a cycle synchronized with the generation timing of the drive signal is added.

Next, in a fourth step, the current drive signal supplied to the valve actuator is compared with the drive signal to which the pulsation signal has been added. Then, the fifth
In the step, based on the result of the comparison in the fourth step, the drive signal of the valve actuator is controlled to be a drive signal to which the pulsation signal is added. When the fifth step is completed, the process returns to the first step,
Control of the valve opening is executed.

According to the valve opening / closing control method described above, the valve opening / closing control method has a simple structure and improved valve opening setting accuracy while compensating for the hysteresis characteristics of the valve actuator and the valve opening detector. Can be realized.

FIG. 5 is a schematic circuit diagram of a valve opening / closing control device according to another embodiment of the present invention. As in the example of FIG. 1, the present invention is applied to an electronic throttle system for an automobile. is there. Therefore, a schematic configuration diagram of the valve opening / closing control device is equivalent to the example of FIG.

The difference between the example of FIG. 5 and the example of FIG. 1 is that the magnitude of the pulsating current command Im is changed according to the difference between the current position Pf and the position command value Ps. As the deviation between the position Pf and the position command Ps becomes smaller, the accuracy of valve opening detection and control is improved. That is, as the deviation between the current position Pf and the position command value Ps decreases, the magnitude (amplitude value) of the pulsating current increases.

Now, in FIG. 5, the pulsating current value calculating section P
The position command value Ps and the current position Pf are supplied to CA. The pulsating current value calculation unit PCA calculates a deviation between the position command value Ps and the current position Pf, and calculates a pulsating current value Ia that is inversely proportional to the absolute value of the deviation. Then, the calculated pulsating current value Ia is supplied to the multiplication circuit MTP.

The reference pulsating current generator RPC generates a reference pulsating current Imo that alternates between positive and negative. This reference pulsating current Imo is synchronized with the generation timing of the position command Ps,
It is a rectangular wave having a frequency that makes the generation cycle of the position command Ps a half cycle. The generated reference pulsating current Imo is supplied to the multiplication circuit MTP, and is multiplied by the pulsating current value Ia. Then, a pulsating current Im whose amplitude value is the pulsating current value Ia and whose frequency is a half cycle of the generation cycle of the position command Ps is supplied from the multiplication circuit MTP to the adder AD.
The pulsating current Im and the current value signal Io are added by the adder AD and supplied to the current control circuit ACR as a current command Ic. The subsequent operation is the same as in the example of FIG. The reference pulsating current generator RPC and the pulsating current value calculator P
A pulsating current change is constituted by CA and the multiplication circuit MTP.

As described above, according to the valve opening / closing control apparatus of another embodiment of the present invention, the same effect as that of the example of FIG. 1 can be obtained, and the deviation between the position command Ps and the current position Pf is small. As the amplitude of the pulsating current Im increases, the valve opening / closing control device that is simple in configuration and saves power, and that can set the valve opening with high precision and high accuracy. Can be realized.

Incidentally, the amplitude value of the pulsating current may be configured to change in accordance with the current position of the valve. That is, for example, it is possible to increase the amplitude value of the pulsating current as the valve approaches the opening at the time of idling. Also, the amplitude value of the pulsating current can be configured to increase as the moving speed of the valve decreases. That is, it can be determined that the command position is approached as the moving speed of the valve decreases. This moving speed can be calculated from the changing speed of the current position.

Further, the amplitude value of the pulsating current may be changed according to the magnitude of the load on the valve actuator. For example, as the load decreases,
It is also possible to configure so that the amplitude value of the pulsating current becomes large. The detection of the load of the actuator is performed by, for example, the motor D
It can be calculated from the current value supplied to the CM.

Another embodiment of the valve opening / closing control method corresponding to the valve opening / closing control device shown in FIG. 5 is as follows. First, in a first step, the current opening of the valve is detected. Next, in a second step, a drive signal to the valve actuator is calculated by comparing the detected valve opening with the valve opening command value. Then, in a third step, according to the deviation between the current position and the valve opening degree command value of the valve is small, alternating amplitude value becomes large, positive and negative, and, synchronized with the generation timing of the drive signals A predetermined pulsation signal having a cycle that is calculated is added to the calculated drive signal.

Next, in a fourth step, the current drive signal supplied to the valve actuator is compared with the drive signal to which the pulsation signal has been added. Then, the fifth
In the step, based on the result of the comparison in the fourth step, the drive signal of the valve actuator is controlled to be a drive signal to which the pulsation signal is added. When the fifth step is completed, the process returns to the first step,
Control of the valve opening is executed.

According to another embodiment of the valve opening / closing control method described above, the hysteresis characteristics of the valve actuator and the valve opening detector are compensated, and the valve opening setting accuracy is improved with a simple configuration. The valve opening / closing control method described above can be realized. Further, according to another embodiment of the valve opening / closing control method, it is possible to realize a valve opening / closing control method which has a simple configuration and saves power and is capable of setting a highly accurate valve opening degree. it can.

In another embodiment of the valve opening / closing control method, as in the example of FIG. 5, the valve opening / closing control method is configured to change according to the current position of the valve, the moving speed, or the magnitude of the load on the valve actuator. You can also.

Further, the addition of the pulsating current to the current command signal may be executed only during the idling control of the vehicle. The pulsating cycle of the pulsating current may be a half cycle that is twice or more the cycle of the timing at which the position command is generated. Further, the pulsating current may be asynchronous with the generation timing of the position command.

The pulsating current is not limited to a rectangular wave but may be a sine wave or a sawtooth wave. The spring that biases the throttle valve in the closing direction may be a mechanical spring or an electromagnetic spring.

Further, the opening degree sensor may be of a non-contact type. Also, the present invention is applicable to a valve actuator using a stepping motor.

In the above example, the command signal I
Although 0, Ic, Im and the like are current signals, they may be voltage signals. Furthermore, the above-described example is an example in which the present invention is applied to an electronic throttle system for an automobile, but the present invention is also applicable to other devices that control the opening degree of a valve that adjusts the flow rate of a fluid by a valve actuator. It is.

[0059]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects. The valve actuator moves the valve to the angle indicated by the opening command value while drawing a minute hysteresis curve by the drive signal to which the pulsation signal is added. As a result, the hysteresis torque is compensated, and highly accurate position setting is performed. Therefore, it is possible to realize a valve opening / closing control method and apparatus with a simple configuration and improved valve opening degree setting accuracy.

When the opening sensor for detecting the opening of the valve is a contact type, the contact portion of the sensor is slightly vibrated in both directions by the pulsation signal, and the opening is detected at the center of the vibration. Will be Thereby, the hysteresis characteristic of the opening degree sensor is compensated, and highly accurate position detection is performed. Therefore, it is possible to realize a valve opening / closing control method and apparatus with a simple configuration and improved valve opening detection accuracy and setting accuracy.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic circuit diagram of one embodiment of a valve opening / closing control device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an overall schematic configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing a correspondence between a position command PC and a current position PP in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a position command PC and a current position PP in a conventional example.
It is a graph which shows the correspondence relationship with.

FIG. 5 is a schematic circuit diagram of another embodiment of the valve opening / closing control device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 throttle body 2 throttle valve 103 opening sensor ACC armature current control circuit ACR current control circuit AD adder APR position control circuit DV drive circuit BN spring DCM DC motor G1, G2, G3 Gear KB Rectifier KL, KM Clutch plate MTP Multiplication circuit MB Spring PCA Pulsation current value calculation unit RK Rotor coil RPC Reference pulsation current generation unit RT Rotor SP Stator magnetic pole SB Slide bearing SH Current detector V Power supply

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Tatsuya Yoshida 2520, Kojita, Katsuta-shi, Ibaraki Hitachi, Ltd. Automotive Equipment Division (56) References JP 1-2232147 (JP, A) JP JP-A-5-312077 (JP, A) JP-A-5-79356 (JP, A) JP-A-2-36922 (JP, Y2) (58) Fields studied (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) F02D 9 / 00-11/10 F02D 41/00-41/40 F02D 43/00-45/00

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. An opening degree of a valve for adjusting a flow rate of a fluid,
In a valve opening / closing control method controlled by a valve actuator, a command drive signal of a valve actuator corresponding to a valve opening command value is based on at least one of a valve opening, a valve moving speed, or a magnitude of a load on the valve actuator. Adding a pulsation signal for changing the amplitude value and supplying a drive signal to which the pulsation signal is added to the valve actuator. 2. The valve opening / closing control method according to claim 1, wherein the valve is provided with a driving force in a certain direction by a spring mechanism. 3. The valve opening / closing control method according to claim 1, wherein an opening degree of the valve is detected, and the opening degree of the valve corresponding to a deviation between the detected valve opening degree and the valve opening command value. And a valve opening / closing control method. 4. The valve opening / closing control method according to claim 3, wherein the opening of the valve is detected by a contact-type opening sensor that comes into contact with a mechanism that moves with the opening and closing of the valve. Valve opening and closing control method. 5. The valve opening / closing control method according to claim 1, wherein a cycle of the pulsation signal is synchronized with a generation timing of the drive signal. 6. The valve opening / closing control method according to claim 5, wherein the cycle of the pulsation signal is at least twice the generation cycle of the drive signal. 7. The method of claim 1 Symbol placement of the valve opening and closing control method, the valve, the valve opening and closing control method which is a throttle valve of an automobile. 8. The valve opening / closing control method according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined pulsation signal is added to the command drive signal at the time of controlling the valve opening during idling operation of the vehicle. Method.