MBT Control through Individual Cylinder Pressure Detection

Making use of spark-plug-washer type cylinder pressure sensors and a high-performance 16-bit microprocessor, the authors have developed a new control system (Nissan ECCS) of ignition timing for gasoline engine.

Use of this system results in effective control, enabling each engine to deliver maximum torque and minimum fuel consumption at all conditions, regardless of changes in environmental conditions, etc. Features of this system are summarized as follows:

1. (1)
   It is able to be realized that the ignition is kept near the MBT (Minimum advance for the Best Torque) by a feedback control, detecting accurately the peak timing (crank angle) of cylinder pressure from low frequency component signal.
2. (2)
   The best performance of acceleration is obtained at all conditions, regardless of changes in fuel characteristics and environmental conditions.
3. (3)
   This system is able to absorb variability in the dimensions and characteristics of components in the same specification engines, and then the ignition timing for the best fuel consumption is performed.