JP2002147321A - Engine starter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an engine starter capable of preventing an erroneous operation. SOLUTION: Starting signals for an engine are outputted from a start control circuit 50 through branch lines 10-13 to plural connection lines Acc, IG1, IG2, ST and 12V interposed through connection terminals 7 and 8 between a pair of connection terminals 5 and 6 for connecting an ignition switch 1 to an engine control circuit 4, and the engine is started. At that time, relays RY6 and RY7 are interposed in the ignition connection lines IG1 and IG2 out of the plural connection lines Acc, IG1, IG2, ST and 12V on the more ignition switch 1 side than the branch lines 11 and 12, and the connection lines IG1 and IG2 are cut off by the relays RY6 and RY7.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an engine starter for starting a vehicle engine by remote control, or for stopping the engine once when idling while stopped at a traffic light and then restarting the engine. It is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an engine starter for a vehicle in which, for example, an engine of a vehicle in a stopped state is started by a start signal transmitted via a radio wave from a transmitter. . This type of starting device is configured to perform an engine start control on condition that a predetermined engine start condition is satisfied when a start signal is received from a transmitter, and an ignition switch and an engine switch are provided. 2. Description of the Related Art There is a known configuration in which a connection line is interposed between a control circuit and a control circuit, so that the connection line can be attached to a completed vehicle later.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, an ignition switch 90 and a control circuit 91 for controlling an engine (not shown) are connected via a harness 94 provided with a pair of connection terminals 92 and 93. When installing the engine starter, disconnect the connection terminals 92 and 93,
In the meantime, the connection harness 94 is inserted, and the connection harness 94 is inserted.
Is connected to a start control circuit 96 of the engine starter.

The accessory terminal Ac of the start control circuit 96
c, the first ignition terminal IG1, the second ignition terminal IG2, the starter terminal ST, and the power supply terminal 12V
Each connection line Acc, IG1, IG2, S of the harness 94
T, 12V. And the start control circuit 9
6 outputs signals from the accessory terminal Acc, the first ignition terminal IG1, the second ignition terminal IG2, and the starter terminal ST at a timing corresponding to the operation of the ignition switch 90.

[0005]

However, in such a conventional device, when a signal is output from the first ignition terminal IG1 and the second ignition terminal IG2 depending on the type of the vehicle, the control circuit 91 is controlled via the ignition switch 90. There is a problem that a starter start signal is output to the starter terminal ST and a starter (not shown) may malfunction.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide an engine starting device which prevents malfunction.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention takes the following means to solve the problem. That is, a plurality of connection lines interposed between a pair of connection terminals for connecting an ignition switch and a control circuit of an engine via a connection terminal are connected to a plurality of connection lines. In the engine starting device that outputs and starts the engine, a disconnection control that interposes a relay on an ignition connection side of the ignition connection line out of the branch line among the plurality of connection lines and disconnects the connection line by the relay. An engine starting device comprising means is provided.

When the start control circuit receives a start signal of the engine, the start control circuit outputs a signal corresponding to an operation of the ignition switch to start the engine. A configuration in which the connection line is interrupted by a relay may be employed. Alternatively, the cutoff control means may be configured to cut off the connection line by the relay when an idling stop condition is satisfied. Further, it is preferable that the relay uses a contact b.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an ignition switch, and a plurality of contacts of the ignition switch 1 are sequentially closed by rotating a key 2 to be inserted. In this embodiment, when the ignition switch 1 is operated, the accessory contact is first closed, and when the ignition switch 1 is further operated, the first and second ignition contacts are closed while the accessory contact is kept closed. When further operated, the accessory contact and the second ignition contact are opened, and the starter contact is closed with the first ignition contact closed.

In a completed vehicle, the ignition switch 1 is generally connected to an engine control circuit 4 (not shown) via a pair of connection terminals 5 and 6. Connection lines Acc, IG1,
IG2, ST, connection terminals 7 provided at both ends of 12V,
8 is reconnected to each.

The accessory contact of the ignition switch 1 has an accessory connection line Acc, the first ignition contact has a first ignition connection line IG1, and the second ignition contact has a second ignition connection line IG2.
However, a starter connection line ST is connected to the starter contact, and a power supply connection line 12V is also connected to the ignition switch 1.

Accessory connection line Acc, first and second ignition connection lines IG1, IG2, starter connection line ST
Are connected to a first to fourth branch lines 10 to 13, respectively, and a power supply branch line 14 is connected to the power supply connection line 12V. The first to fourth branch lines 10 to 13 and the power supply branch line 14 are connected to the first branch line via a pair of connection terminals 16 and 18, respectively.
To the fifth relays RY1 to RY5.

The other of the a contacts of the first to fourth relays RY1 to RY4 is connected to the coil 2 of the first to fourth relays RY1 to RY4.
0 to 23 are connected to a drive circuit 64 to be described later. The a contact side of the coil 20 to 23 of the first to fourth relays RY1 to RY4 is connected to the a contact of the fifth relay RY5, a power supply branch line. 14 is connected to the power supply connection line 12V. Both ends of the coil 24 of the fifth relay RY5 are connected to the power supply branch line 14 and the drive circuit 64, respectively.

The first ignition connection line IG1 is provided with a contact b of the sixth relay RY6 closer to the ignition switch 1 than the third branch line 12. The second ignition connection line IG2 is provided with a contact b of the seventh relay RY7 closer to the ignition switch 1 than the fourth branch line 13. Sixth relay RY6 and seventh relay R
The coils 26 and 28 of Y7 are respectively connected to a drive circuit 64 described later.

In this embodiment, the connection terminals 7 and 8, the accessory connection line Acc, the first and second ignition connection lines IG
1, IG2, starter connection line ST, power supply connection line 12V,
The first to fourth branch lines 10 to 13, the power supply branch line 14, the sixth relay RY6 and the seventh relay RY7, and the connection terminal 16 are formed as an integral connection harness. Thus, the pair of connection terminals 5, 6 can be removed from the completed vehicle, and the connection harness can be easily attached.

Each of the first to seventh relays RY1 to RY7 is connected to an electronic control circuit 50. The electronic control circuit 50
The well-known CPU 52, ROM 54, and RAM 56 are configured as the center of a logical operation circuit, and an output circuit 58 and an input circuit 60 that perform input and output with the outside are mutually connected via a common bus 62.

A drive circuit 64 and a buzzer 84 are connected to the output circuit 58. The first to seventh relays RY1 to RY7, the buzzer 84
Is operated. When a drive signal is output to the first to fifth relays RY1 to RY5 and the coils 20 to 24 are excited, the first
To fifth relays RY1 to RY5 are first to fourth branch lines 10 to 10
13. The a-contact connecting the power supply branch line 14 is closed. When a drive signal is output to the sixth and seventh relays RY6 and RY7 to excite the coils 26 and 28, the sixth and seventh relays RY6 and RY7 are connected to the first and second ignition connection lines I and R6.
Open the b contact that cuts off G1 and IG2.

The CPU 52 receives signals from outside such as a receiver 70, a foot brake switch 72, a shift position sensor 74, a courtesy switch 76, a generator 78, and first to fourth branch lines 10 to 13 via an input circuit 60. Enter On the other hand, based on these signals, data in the ROM 54 and the RAM 56, and a control program stored in advance, the CPU 5
2 outputs a signal from the output circuit 58 to start an engine (not shown). When the receiver 70 receives the start signal from the transmitter 82 placed near the user, the receiver 70 outputs the start signal to the CPU 52 via the input circuit 60.

Next, the remote start control process performed in the electronic control circuit 50 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. First, the ID code transmitted from the transmitter 82 and the ID stored in the ROM 54 in advance
It is determined whether the codes match (step 10).
0). If they do not match, the process stands by, and if they match, 3 is substituted for the counter n (step 11).
0). Next, it is determined whether the shift position of the transmission is the parking position (step 120). The shift position of the transmission is detected by a shift position sensor 74. When the vehicle is not at the parking position, a process of issuing an alarm from the buzzer 84 and stopping the operation is performed (step 125).

When the remote start condition at the parking position is satisfied, a drive signal is output to the fifth relay RY5 to connect the power supply branch line 14 and the drive circuit 64 (step 130). Next, each connection line Acc, IG
It is determined whether 1, 1, IG2, and ST are at a high level (step 140).

Each of the first to fourth branch lines 1
If the signal is detected through 0 to 13 and is at the high level, it is determined that any of the contacts of the first to fourth relays RY1 to RY4 is in a welded state, and a process for issuing an alarm and stopping the operation is performed. (Step 125).

When the signal is not at the high level, a drive signal is output to the sixth and seventh relays RY6 and RY7 to open the contact b and cut off the first and second ignition connection lines IG1 and IG2 (step 150). Thereby, the first and second ignition connection lines IG are connected via the ignition switch 1.
1, IG2 and the starter connection line ST are connected to prevent the starter from being driven.

Next, a drive signal is output to the first relay RY1, and the power supply connection line 12V and the accessory connection line Acc are connected to the first branch line 10, the a contact of the first relay RY1, and the a contact of the fifth relay RY5. Are connected via the power supply branch line 14 (step 160). Thereby, the accessory connection line A
cc becomes high level, and power is supplied to a car radio or the like.

Next, it is determined whether or not the accessory connection line Acc is at a high level based on a signal input via the first branch line 10 (step 170). 1st relay RY
If 1 is abnormal, the accessory connection line Acc does not go to the high level. If the accessory connection line Acc is not at the high level, a process for issuing an alarm and stopping the operation is performed (step 125).

When the signal is at the high level, it is determined that the signal is normal, and a drive signal is output to the second and third relays RY2 and RY3 to output the first and second ignition connection lines IG1 and IG1.
IG2 and the power supply connection line 12V are connected to the second and third branch lines 11,
12. Connection is made via the a-contacts of the second and third relays RY2 and RY3 and the power supply branch line 14 (step 180). As a result, power is supplied to devices required for operating the engine.

Next, the first and second ignition connection lines I
It is determined whether or not G1 and IG2 are at the high level.
The determination is made based on the signals from the branch lines 11 and 12 (step 190). If not high, it is determined that the second and third relays RY2 and RY3 are abnormal, and a process for issuing an alarm and stopping the operation is performed (step 125).

When the signal is at the high level, a process for waiting until a preset glow time elapses is executed (step 200), and a drive signal is output to the fourth relay RY4 to connect the starter connection line ST to the fourth relay RY4. The power supply connection line 12V is connected via the fourth branch line 13, the contact a of the fourth relay RY4, and the power supply branch line 14 (step 210). As a result, the starter motor is driven.

Next, it is determined whether or not the starter connection line ST is at a high level (step 220). If it is not high level, it is determined that the fourth relay RY4 is abnormal,
A process for issuing an alarm and stopping the operation is performed (step 125). When the starter time Ts is at the high level, it is determined whether or not a preset starter time Ts has elapsed (step 230). When the starter time Ts has not elapsed, it is determined whether or not the engine has been started. Judgment is made from the output of the terminal (step 240).

When the L terminal output is at a high level,
When it is determined that the engine has been started, the output of the drive signal to the fourth relay RY4 is stopped, and the drive of the starter motor is stopped (step 250). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the starter connection line ST is at a low level (Step 260).
If it is not at the low level, it is determined that the fourth relay RY4 is abnormal, and a process for issuing an alarm and stopping the operation is performed (step 125).

If it is at the low level, it is determined whether the vehicle is at the parking position based on the shift position sensor 74 (step 270). When the shift lever is operated during the start-up control and the shift lever is set to a position other than the parking position, a process of issuing an alarm and stopping the operation is executed (step 1).
25).

When the parking position is maintained, the control waits until the idling time Ta elapses (step 28).
0), after the idling time Ta has elapsed, the output of the drive signal to all the relays RY1 to RY7 is stopped (step 290). This ends idling,
The engine is stopped, and the control process is temporarily ended.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the starter time Ts has elapsed by executing the processing of step 230, the fourth
The output of the drive signal to the relay RY4 is stopped, and the drive of the starter motor is stopped (step 300). afterwards,
It is determined whether or not the starter connection line ST is at a low level (step 310).
It is determined that Y4 is abnormal, and a process for issuing an alarm and stopping the operation is performed (step 125).

When it is at the low level, 1 is subtracted from the counter n (step 320), and it is determined whether or not the counter n becomes 0 (step 330). When the counter n is not 0, all the relays RY1 to RY1
After the output of the drive signal to RY6 is stopped (step 3
40), the processing of step 120 and subsequent steps is repeatedly executed. When the counter n becomes 0 without starting the engine, a process for issuing an alarm and stopping the operation is executed (step 125). In the present embodiment, the execution of the processing in step 150 functions as a cutoff control unit.

Next, an idling stop control process for stopping idling when the vehicle is stopped by a signal or the like will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. First, it is determined whether or not the engine is running based on the output of the L terminal of the generator 78 (step 500). If the engine is not driven, the process waits. If the engine is driven, the shift position sensor 74 determines whether the shift position of the shift lever of the transmission is at the parking position (step 510). .

When the shift position sensor 74 detects that the vehicle is in the parking position, the foot brake switch 7 determines whether or not the foot brake is depressed.
(Step 520). In the present embodiment, when the foot brake is depressed and the shift position is at the parking position, it is determined that the idling stop condition is satisfied. If any of the conditions is not satisfied, the process waits without executing the following processing. Note that the shift position sensor 74 may detect the parking position by detecting the voltage of an indicator lamp indicating the shift position, or may directly detect the position of the shift lever.

When the idling stop condition is satisfied, a drive signal is output to the sixth and seventh relays RY6 and RY7, and the first and second ignition connection lines IG1 and IG
2 is shut off (step 530), and the engine is stopped. After stopping the engine, it is determined whether or not the first and second ignition connection lines IG1 and IG2 are at a low level.
The determination is made based on the signals from the branch lines 11 and 12 (step 540). If it is not low, it is determined that the second and third relays RY2 and RY3 are abnormal, and a process for issuing an alarm and stopping the operation is performed (step 545).

When the level is low, it is determined whether or not the foot brake switch 72 is turned off (step 550). When the foot brake switch 72 is not turned off, the process waits. When the foot brake switch 72 is turned off, the foot brake switch 72 is turned off. It is determined whether the switch has been turned on (step 560).

That is, when the foot brake is depressed again after the foot brake is depressed, it is determined that the restart condition is satisfied, and 3 is substituted into the counter n (step 570). Next, the shift position sensor 7 determines whether the shift position of the transmission is the parking position.
4 (step 580). When the vehicle is not at the parking position, a process for issuing an alarm and stopping the operation is performed (step 545).

When the vehicle is in the parking position, a drive signal is output to the fifth relay RY5 to connect the power supply branch line 14 to the drive circuit 64 (step 590). next,
It is determined whether or not the first and second ignition connection lines IG1 and IG2 and the starter connection line ST are at a high level (step 600). If it is at the high level, it is determined that one of the contacts of the second to fourth relays RY2 to RY4 is in a welded state, and a process for issuing an alarm and stopping the operation is performed (step 545).

When the signal is not at the high level, a driving signal is output to the second and third relays RY2 and RY3 to output the first and second relays RY2 and RY3.
Ignition connection lines IG1, IG2 and power supply connection line 12
V is connected via the second and third branch lines 11 and 12, the a contacts of the second and third relays RY2 and RY3, and the power supply branch line 14 (step 610). As a result, power is supplied to devices required for operating the engine.

Next, the first and second ignition connection lines I
It is determined whether or not G1 and IG2 are at the high level.
The determination is made based on the signals from the branch lines 11 and 12 (step 620). If not high, it is determined that the second and third relays RY2 and RY3 are abnormal, and a process for issuing an alarm and stopping the operation is performed (step 545).

When the signal is at the high level, a process for waiting until a preset glow time elapses is executed (step 630), and a drive signal is output to the fourth relay RY4 to connect the starter connection line ST to the fourth relay RY4. The power supply connection line 12V is connected via the fourth branch line 13, the contact a of the fourth relay RY4, and the power supply branch line 14 (step 640). As a result, the starter motor is driven.

Next, it is determined whether or not the starter connection line ST is at a high level (step 650). If it is not high level, it is determined that the fourth relay RY4 is abnormal,
A process for issuing an alarm and stopping the operation is performed (step 545). If the starter time Ts has elapsed, it is determined whether the starter time Ts has elapsed (step 660). If the starter time Ts has not elapsed, whether or not the engine has been started is determined by the L of the generator 78. It is determined from the output of the terminal (step 670).

When the L terminal output is at a high level,
When it is determined that the engine has been started, the output of the drive signal to the fourth relay RY4 is stopped, and the drive of the starter motor is stopped (step 680). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the starter connection line ST is at low level (step 690),
If it is not low, it is determined that the fourth relay RY4 is abnormal, and a process for issuing an alarm and stopping the operation is performed (step 545).

When it is at the low level, the output of the drive signal to the sixth and seventh relays RY6 and RY7 is stopped and
After directly connecting the second ignition connection lines IG1 and IG2 (step 710), the second, third, and fifth relays R
The output of the drive signals to Y2, RY3, and RY5 is stopped (step 720), and the control process is temporarily terminated.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the starter time Ts has elapsed by executing the processing of step 660, the fourth
The output of the drive signal to the relay RY4 is stopped, and the drive of the starter motor is stopped (step 730). afterwards,
It is determined whether or not the starter connection line ST is at a low level (step 740).
It is determined that Y4 is abnormal, and a process for issuing an alarm and stopping the operation is performed (step 545).

When it is at the low level, 1 is subtracted from the counter n (step 750), and it is determined whether or not the counter n becomes 0 (step 760). When the counter n is not 0, the output of the drive signal to the second, third, and fifth relays RY2, RY3, and RY5 is stopped (step 770), and the processing of step 580 and subsequent steps is repeatedly executed. Without starting the engine,
When the counter n becomes 0, a process for issuing an alarm and stopping the operation is executed (step 545).
In the present embodiment, the execution of the process of step 530 functions as a cutoff control unit.

As described above, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0049]

As described in detail above, the engine starter of the present invention can be easily mounted on a completed vehicle later, and since the ignition connection line is cut off by the relay, the malfunction can be prevented. Play.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an engine starting device as one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first half of a remote start control process performed in the electronic control circuit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a latter half of a remote start control process performed in the electronic control circuit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first half of an idling stop control process performed in the electronic control circuit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an intermediate portion of an idling stop control process performed in the electronic control circuit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the latter half of the idling stop control process performed in the electronic control circuit of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional engine remote start device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 90: ignition switch 2: key 4, control circuit 5, 6, 7, 8, 16, 18: connection terminal 10: first branch line 11: second branch line 12: third branch line 13: fourth branch Line 14: power supply branch line 12V: power supply connection line 20 to 24, 26, 28 ... coil 50 ... electronic control circuit 70 ... receiver 72 ... foot brake switch 74 ... shift position sensor 76 ... courtesy switch 78 ... generator 82 ... transmission Instrument Acc Accessory connection line IG1 First ignition connection line IG2 Second ignition connection line ST Starter connection line RY1 First relay RY2 Second relay RY3 Third relay RY4 Fourth relay RY5 Fifth relay RY6 ... 6th relay RY7 ... 7th relay

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A starting line from an engine starting control circuit to a plurality of connecting lines interposed between a pair of connecting terminals for connecting an ignition switch and a control circuit of an engine via a connecting terminal. An engine starting device for starting the engine by outputting a relay on an ignition connection side of the ignition connection line rather than the branch line out of the plurality of connection lines, and disconnecting the connection line by the relay An engine starting device comprising a shut-off control unit that performs the control. 2. The start control circuit, when receiving a start signal of the engine, outputs a signal corresponding to an operation of the ignition switch to start the engine. The engine starting device according to claim 1, wherein the connection line is interrupted by a relay. 3. The engine starting device according to claim 1, wherein the shutoff control unit cuts off the connection line by the relay when an idling stop condition is satisfied. 4. The engine starting device according to claim 1, wherein the relay uses a contact b.