Learning control system for controlling an automotive engine

Claim 1

A system for updating data in an apparatus for controlling air-fuel ratio in an automotive engine by the updated data, the system comprising: a table for storing data; first means for detecting an operating condition of the engine and for producing a feedback signal dependent on the condition; the apparatus comprising means for controlling the air-fuel ratio dependent on said feedback signal and on currently prevailing of the data in the table; said system further comprising: second means for determining that the engine (operating condition) is in a state suitable for updating the data stored in the table and for producing an output signal at the first occurrence of the state; third means for detecting the output signal and for producing a first updating signal when the output signal did not exist before, and respectively for producing a second updating signal in accordance with the output signals after the first occurrence of said output signal; fourth means responsive to the first updating signal for updating the data in the table with new value dependent on the feedback signal; fifth means responsive to the second updating signal for incrementing and decrementing the data in the table with a minimum incremental value of one bit; and sixth means for continuing the operation of the fifth means until the feedback signal reaches a desired value.

Claim 2

A system for updating data in an apparatus for controlling air-fuel ratio in an automotive engine by the updated data, the system comprising: a table for storing data; first means for detecting an operating condition of the engine and for producing a feedback signal dependent on the condition; the apparatus comprising means for controlling the air-fuel ratio dependent on said feedback signal and on currently prevailing of the data in the table; said system further comprising: second means for determining that the engine (operating condition) is in a state suitable for updating the data stored in the table and for producing an output signal at the first occurrence of the state; third means for detecting the output signal and for producing a first updating signal when the output signal did not exist before, and respectively for producing a second updating signal in accordance with the output signals after the first occurrence of said output signal; fourth means responsive to the first updating signal for updating the data in the table with new value dependent on the feedback signal; fifth means responsive to the second updating signal for incrementing and decrementing the data in the table with a minimum incremental value of one bit; and sixth means for continuing the operation of the fifth means until the feedback signal reaches a desired value.

Claim 3

A system for updating data in an apparatus for controlling air-fuel ratio in an automotive engine by the updated data, the system comprising: a look-up table for storing data with respect to at least one operating condition of the engine; and first means for detecting an operating condition of the engine and for producing a feedback signal dependent on the latter operating condition; the apparatus comprising means for controlling the air-fuel ratio dependent on said feedback signal and on the currently prevailing of the data in the look-up table; said system further comprising: second means for determining that engine operation is in steady state by determining that two variables of engine operation stay in one of divisions of a matrix for a predetermined period, the matrix being formed by the two variables of engine operation, said second means for producing an output signal when the steady state is so determined; third means for detecting said output signal and for producing a first updating signal when said output signal did not occur before, and respectively for producing a second updating signal in response to occurrence of the output signal after a first occurrence of said output signal; fourth means responsive to the first updating signal for completely updating the data in the table stored with respect to said at least one operating condition of the engine with a value dependent on an arithmetical average of the feedback signal; fifth means responsive to the second updating signal for incrementing and respectively decrementing the data stored in the table with a minimum value capable of storing in said table; and sixth means for continuing the operation of the fifth means until the feedback signal reaches a desired value.

Claim 4

A system for updating data in an apparatus for controlling air-fuel ratio in an automotive engine by the updated data, the system comprising: a look-up table for storing data with respect to at least one operating condition of the engine; and first means for detecting an operating condition of the engine and for producing a feedback signal dependent on the latter operating condition; the apparatus comprising means for controlling the air-fuel ratio dependent on said feedback signal and on the currently prevailing of the data in the look-up table; said system further comprising: second means for determining that engine operation is in steady state by determining that two variables of engine operation stay in one of divisions of a matrix for a predetermined period, the matrix being formed by the two variables of engine operation, said second means for producing an output signal when the steady state is so determined; third means for detecting said output signal and for producing a first updating signal when said output signal did not occur before, and respectively for producing a second updating signal in response to occurrence of the output signal after a first occurrence of said output signal; fourth means responsive to the first updating signal for completely updating the data in the table stored with respect to said at least one operating condition of the engine with a value dependent on an arithmetical average of the feedback signal; fifth means responsive to the second updating signal for incrementing and respectively decrementing the data stored in the table with a minimum value capable of storing in said table; and sixth means for continuing the operation of the fifth means until the feedback signal reaches a desired value.