Process and apparatus for controlling the combustion course in an Otto combustion engine

Device for controlling combustion in an Otto combustion engine, comprising:

• a first unit for detecting actual engine condition variables;
• a second unit whose output signal controls adjustment of engine control elements;
• a third unit for precalculating a desired value of a burn-through function during a power cycle charge cycle phase, based on actual engine condition variables detected by said first unit by integrating the combustion course during the preceding power cycle with respect to either time or crank angle;
• a fourth unit for determining an actual burn-through function value during a power cycle high-pressure phase using a neuronal network which receives as inputs one or several quantities representative of the combustion course;
• and
• a fifth unit for determining influence factor values associated with the determined actual burn-through function values, by a comparison of the precalculated desired burn-through function value with the determined actual burn-through function value, an output of said fifth unit being provided to said second unit;
• a sixth unit for controlling combustion in the Otto combustion engine based on determined actualized values for the burn-through function influence factors on which a combustion-controlling determination of control variable values for a subsequent power cycle is based.