Patent ID: 8347858
Filing Date: 2013-01-08
Classification: F02D

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for detecting condition of load connectable to a general-purpose internal combustion engine equipped with an electronic governor having an actuator that moves a throttle value installed in an air intake passage to regulate a speed of the engine, comprising: a throttle opening detector that detects an opening of the throttle valve; an engine speed detector that detects the engine speed; a desired engine speed convergence determiner that determines whether the detected engine speed converges to a desired engine speed; a threshold value changer that compares a first threshold value with a sum obtained by adding a predetermined value to the detected throttle opening and changes the threshold value to the sum if the first threshold value is less than the sum, when it is determined that the detected engine speed converges to the desired engine speed; a first load condition determiner which determines that the engine is under first load condition where the load consumes power generated by the engine when the throttle opening exceeds the first threshold value; a second load condition determiner which compares a second threshold value with a difference obtained by subtracting a change amount of the engine speed per a unit time from a change amount of the throttle opening per the unit time, and determines that the engine is under second load condition where the load consumes the power generated by the engine when the difference exceeds the second threshold value; and a desired engine speed changer that changes the desired engine speed in response to results of determination of the first load condition determiner and the second load condition determiner.