Control device and method for internal combustion engine

A control device for an internal combustion engine for controlling an engine rpm of the internal combustion engine, the internal combustion engine including a plurality of cylinders and independently controllable electronic throttles for the respective cylinder, the control device comprising:

• engine rpm detection means for detecting the engine rpm of the internal combustion engine;
• target rpm setting means for setting a target rpm based on an operation state of a vehicle in which the internal combustion engine is provided;
• difference detection means for detecting a difference between the target rpm and the engine rpm of the internal combustion engine;
• and
• control means for independently controlling the plurality of electronic throttles based on a magnitude of the difference so as to increase or decrease an intake air amount so that the target rpm and the engine rpm of the internal combustion engine match each other,
• wherein the control means is configured to:
• set, to each of a plurality of the electronic throttles, a range of the difference where the each of the plurality of the electronic throttles is prevented from being operated as a dead zone thereof;
• determine, for the each of the plurality of the electronic throttles, whether or not the difference detected by the difference detection means is in the dead zone;
• prevent, when one of the plurality of the electronic throttles is determined to have the difference in the dead zone, the electronic throttle from operating;
• and
• determine, when one of the plurality of the electronic throttles is determined to have the difference exceeding the dead zone, a control gain for the electronic throttle depending on the magnitude of the difference detected by the difference detection means so as to operate the electronic throttle.