Oliff & Berridge, PLC
Apparatus and method for controlling direct injection engines
 An apparatus for controlling an engine to switch combustion modes in accordance with the load applied to the engine. An injector injects fuel into a combustion chamber to perform a plurality of combustion modes. A valve, such as a swirl control valve, is arranged in an intake passageway to adjust the intensity of the swirling motion produced in the combustion chamber. An ECU determines the combustion mode that is to be performed in accordance with the load applied to the engine. The ECU controls the valve to optimize the intensity of the swirling motion in accordance with the determined combustion mode. The ECU also controls the injector to perform the determined combustion mode. When the combustion mode that is to be performed switches between stratified charge or semi-stratified charge and homogeneous charge, the ECU controls the injector to perform semi-stratified charge combustion for a certain time period before performing a newly determined combustion mode. The ECU varies the time period in accordance with the difference between the actual position and a target position of the valve. This stabilizes combustion when switching combustion modes and produces a smooth transition between combustion modes. 
Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
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Hiroyuki
Mizuno