Method and device for controlling an internal combustion engine

A device for controlling an internal combustion engine with an intake device, comprising:

• intake pipes for intakes of cylinders of the internal combustion engine;
• one or more first actuators for adjusting an effective pipe length of at least one of the intake pipes by closing or opening at least one opening between neighboring intake pipes;
• at least one second actuator for controlling the first actuators based at least on a speed of the engine;
• first means that within a first speed range whose upper limit is a first threshold value, move the first actuators into a closed position;
• second means that for a speed exceeding the first threshold value but less than a second threshold value, move the first actuators into a leakage position;
• and
• third means that for a speed exceeding the second threshold value, move the first actuators into an open position.

A device for controlling an internal combustion engine with an intake device, comprising:

• intake pipes coupled with intakes of cylinders of the internal combustion engine;
• one or more first actuators for adjusting an effective pipe length at least one of the intake pipes by closing or opening at least one opening between neighboring intake pipes;
• at least one second actuator for controlling the first actuators;
• and
• a control unit for controlling the second actuator based at least on a speed of the engine;
• wherein
• within a first speed range whose upper limit is a first threshold value, the control unit controls the second actuator to move the first actuators into a closed position;
• for a speed exceeding the first threshold value but less than a second threshold value, the control unit controls the second actuator to move the first actuators into a leakage position;
• and
• for a speed exceeding the second threshold value, the control unit controls the second actuator to move the first actuators into an open position.

A method for controlling an internal combustion engine comprising the steps of:

• providing intake control means for controlling an effective pipe length of an intake pipe system by opening or closing at least one opening between neighboring intake pipes;
• determining an engine speed;
• within a first speed range whose upper limit is a first threshold value, closing the opening;
• for a speed exceeding the first threshold value but less than a second threshold value, controlling said opening to allow a leakage;
• and
• for a speed exceeding the second threshold value, opening said opening.