Patent ID: 6742327
Filing Date: 2004-06-01
Classification: B60K,B60L,B60W,F01N,F02D,F02N,Y02A,Y02T

Abstract:
A method of controlling an internal combustion engine of a vehicle in which an exhaust purifying catalyst capable of storing oxygen is provided in an exhaust system of the engine, the internal combustion engine temporarily substantially stopping when a predetermined condition for stopping the engine is satisfied, and resuming an operation thereof when the predetermined condition is eliminated, the method comprising the step of:operating the internal combustion engine so as to reduce an amount of oxygen stored in the exhaust purifying catalyst during a temporary stoppage of the engine, before fuel starts being burned for resuming the operation of the engine, wherein when the temporary stoppage of the engine includes a moving state of the engine with fuel being cut off, the operating step comprises a step of temporarily supplying fuel to the engine for a predetermined period of time during the moving of the engine, without causing the fuel to be burned, so as to reduce the amount of oxygen stored in the exhaust purifying catalyst, wherein the temporary fuel supply is carried out during moving of the internal combustion engine following a normal operation of the engine.