JP2002317689A - Engine start control device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: A vehicle engine start control device and an engine start control method capable of starting an engine with a simple operation are provided. An ID code signal including a select code is output from a portable device during mutual communication between the portable device and a communication control device. The select code is a code for switching the functional position of the electric system in the vehicle 2. When receiving the ID code signal, the communication control device 21 outputs a control signal including a start permission signal and a select code to the start control unit 32. Then, the start control unit 32 automatically switches the function position based on the select code.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle engine start control device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, automobiles have been required to have not only improved basic performance and safety but also improved operability. Conventionally, as one example, an engine start control device having a smart ignition function has been proposed. The smart ignition function is the ID set on the portable device owned by the owner without using the current machine key
When the code matches the ID code set on the vehicle side, the engine can be started.

Conventionally, in this type of engine start control device, a function position of an electric system of a vehicle is selectively switched to an OFF system, an ACC (accessory) system, or an ON (ignition on) system near a driver's seat. An operation unit is provided. Then, when the operation unit is operated, the function position is switched.

[0004] An ignition switch, such as a push button switch, is separately provided near the driver's seat in the vehicle cabin. Then, in a state where the engine can be started, the function position is switched to an ON system, and the engine is started when an ignition switch is operated.

[0005]

However, in such a conventional engine start control device, in order to start the engine, it is necessary to switch the function position to the ON system by operating the operation section, and then to operate the ignition switch. . Therefore, the operation for starting the engine is complicated.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an engine start control device for a vehicle that can start an engine with a simple operation.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a portable device carried by an owner and a portable device provided in a vehicle and communicating with the portable device are provided. A vehicle engine starter comprising: a communication control device that makes the engine startable based on the engine start condition; and start control means that starts the engine when an ignition switch provided in the vehicle compartment is operated in the engine startable state. In the control device, the portable device outputs, to the communication control device, a transmission signal including a select code for setting a functional position of an electric system in a vehicle, and the start control unit includes: The gist is to switch the function position based on the select code when the transmission signal is received.

[0008] In the invention described in claim 2, in the vehicle engine start control device according to claim 1, the start control means is configured to execute the function when the communication control device cannot receive the transmission signal. The point is to switch the position to the OFF system.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle engine start control device according to the first or second aspect, the portable device includes an OFF code for switching the function position to an OFF system, Position A
The gist of the invention is to provide a switching means for selecting any one of the ACC code for switching to the CC system and the ON code for switching the function position to the ON system as the select code. .

Hereinafter, the "action" of the present invention will be described. According to the first to third aspects of the present invention, when mutual communication between the portable device and the communication control device is performed, the function position is automatically switched based on the select code included in the transmission signal output from the portable device. Be replaced. Then, when the ignition switch is operated in this state, the engine starts. For this reason, when starting the engine, it is only necessary to operate the ignition switch, and there is no need to perform the operation of switching the function position.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the mutual communication between the portable device and the communication control device is not performed, the function position is automatically switched to the OFF system. Therefore, the operator does not need to perform the operation of switching the function position to the OFF system when the vehicle gets off the vehicle.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a desired function position can be switched by operating the switching means. Moreover, since the switching means is provided on the portable device, the switching means can be operated even when the operator is not in the vehicle. Therefore, the operability for switching the function position is improved.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle engine start control device 1 includes a portable device 11 owned by an owner (driver) of the vehicle 2 and a communication control device 21 mounted on the vehicle 2.

The portable device 11 includes a receiving circuit 12, a transmitting circuit 1,
3, a microcomputer (microcomputer) 14, an operation switch 15, a select switch 16, and a display unit 17.

The receiving circuit 12 is connected to the microcomputer 14,
When a request signal from the communication control device 21 is received, the signal is demodulated into a pulse signal and input to the microcomputer 14. The transmission circuit 13 is a microcomputer 14
The ID code signal output from the microcomputer 14 is modulated into a radio wave of a predetermined frequency (300 MHz in the present embodiment) and transmitted to the outside. In addition,
The receiving circuit 12 and the transmitting circuit 13 have antennas 18 and 19, respectively.
Are connected respectively. That is, the receiving circuit 12 receives a request signal via the antenna 18, and the transmitting circuit 13 outputs an ID code signal via the antenna 19.

The microcomputer 14 includes a C (not shown)
It is a CPU unit composed of PU, ROM, and RAM,
The nonvolatile memory 14a is provided. This microcomputer 1
The transmission circuit 13 transmits a transmission signal (ID code signal) including a predetermined ID code and a select code when a request signal is input from the reception circuit 12.
Output. That is, the microcomputer 14
Functions as a select code adding unit. This ID
The code and the select code are recorded in the memory 14a. The ID code is a unique code set for each corresponding vehicle 2. The select code is a code for switching the functional position of the electric system in the vehicle 2. In the present embodiment, the memory 14a has OFF
Three types of select codes including a code, an ACC code, and an ON code are recorded. The OFF code is a code for switching a function position to an OFF system. The ACC code indicates that the function position is A
This is a code for switching to the CC (accessory) system. The ON code is a code for switching a function position to an ON (ignition ON) system.

An operation switch 15, a select switch 16, and a display unit 17 are connected to the microcomputer 14.
As shown in FIG. 2, the operation switch 15 is
It is composed of a lock switch 15a and an unlock switch 15b, each of which is composed of two push button switches provided on one surface. Then, when the lock switch 15a is pressed, the microcomputer 14 outputs a signal obtained by adding a manual locking signal to the ID code as an ID code signal.
When the unlock switch 15b is pressed, the microcomputer 14 outputs a signal obtained by adding a manual unlock signal to the ID code as an ID code signal.

The select switch 16 is constituted by a slide switch provided on the back surface of the portable device 11, and is movable in a direction indicated by an arrow F in FIG. More specifically, the select switch 16 is in the OFF position shown in FIG.
It can slide to the ACC position and the ON position.

The display section 17 is composed of a liquid crystal panel or the like provided on the surface of the portable device 11, and constantly displays the current position of the select switch 16. For example, select switch 1
If 6 is at the ACC position, the display section 17 displays the letters "ACC".

The portable device 11 includes a communication control device 21
When the request signal is received, an ID code signal obtained by adding the currently set select code to the ID code is transmitted. That is, for example, when the select switch 16 is set to the ACC position, the ID code
The ID code signal to which the CC code is added is transmitted.

On the other hand, the communication control device 21
2, a receiving circuit 23, and a microcomputer (microcomputer) 24. The communication control device 21 is disposed below the driver's seat in the vehicle 2.

The microcomputer 24 includes a door lock driving device 3
1 and a start control unit 32 as start control means are connected. The door lock driving device 31 is an actuator that locks and unlocks a door based on an input control signal. The start control unit 32 is a device for controlling the switching of the function position based on the input control signal and for starting and stopping the engine.

An antenna 25 is connected to the transmitting circuit 22, and an antenna 26 is connected to the receiving circuit 23.
These antennas 25 and 26 are arranged near the driver's seat and the like. Then, the transmission circuit 22 converts the request signal output from the microcomputer 24 into a radio wave or a magnetic signal, and outputs the signal to a predetermined area in the room of the vehicle 2 via the antenna 25. Therefore, the portable device 11 and the communication control device 21 can communicate with each other within the output area of the request signal. In the present embodiment, the request signal is
It is designed to be output as a 134 kHz radio wave.

The receiving circuit 23 receives the ID code signal output from the portable device 11 via the antenna 26, demodulates the ID code signal into a pulse signal, generates a received signal, and converts the received signal into a microcomputer. 24.

The microcomputer 24 includes a C (not shown)
It is a CPU unit composed of PU, ROM, and RAM,
A nonvolatile memory 24a is provided. Microcomputer 24
When receiving an ID code signal including a manual locking signal,
The door lock driving device 31 is driven to lock the door lock. When receiving the ID code signal including the manual unlocking signal, the microcomputer 24 drives the door lock driving device 31 to unlock the door.

The microcomputer 24 outputs a request signal to the transmission circuit 22 intermittently. Microcomputer 24
In the memory 24a, a predetermined ID code set in advance is stored. When the received signal is input, the microcomputer 24 compares its own ID code with the ID code included in the received signal. When the ID codes match, if the ID code is included in the ID code signal transmitted in response to the request signal, the microcomputer 24 outputs a control signal to the start control unit 32. . The control signal includes a start permission signal and a select code included in the ID code signal from the portable device 11.

As shown in FIG. 3, the start control unit 32
CC relay 41, IG relay 42 and starter relay 4
3 is provided. One end of a contact 41a of the ACC relay 41 is connected to an ACC system electric circuit, and the other end is a battery 4a.
6 is connected. One end of a contact 41a of the IG relay 42 is connected to an ON-system electric circuit, and the other end is a battery 4a.
6 is connected. Contact 43a of starter relay 43
Is a starter motor 4 for driving the engine
5 and the other end is connected to the battery 46.

A drive coil 41 for opening and closing the corresponding contacts 41a to 43a in each of the relays 41 to 43.
b, 42b and 43b are connected to the controller 47. This controller 47 is provided with each of the drive coils 41b to
It functions as a relay control means for controlling energization to 43b. That is, each of the relays 41 to 43 is driven and controlled by the controller 47.

The controller 47 receives a control signal from the microcomputer 24 of the communication control device 21. Then, the controller 47 controls each of the relays 41 to 41 based on the select code included in the control signal.
Power is supplied to the 43 drive coils 41b to 43b.
Further, when the control signal is no longer input, the controller 47 cuts off the power supply to each of the drive coils 41b to 43b, and switches the function position to the OFF system.

More specifically, if the select code is an OFF code, the controller 47
No current is supplied to 1b to 43b. For this reason, FIG.
As shown in (a), each of the relays 41 to 43 is in the OFF state, and the functional position is in the OFF system. If the select code is an ACC code, the controller 47 energizes only the drive coil 41b of the ACC relay 41. For this reason, as shown in the figure, only the ACC relay 41 is turned ON, the electric power from the battery 46 is supplied to the electric circuit of the ACC system, and the functional position becomes the ACC system. When the select code is the ON code, the controller 47 determines whether the drive coil 41 b of the ACC relay 41 and the drive coil 42
and b. Therefore, as shown in the figure, the ACC relay 41 and the IG relay 42 are turned on. As a result, the electric power from the battery 46 is supplied to the electric circuit of the ACC system and the electric circuit of the ON system, and the functional position becomes the ON system. The position of the functional position is displayed on an indicator provided on an instrument panel (not shown).

Therefore, the start controller 32 controls the portable device 1
1 and the communication control device 21 communicate with each other,
The function position is switched on the basis of the select code set in.

Incidentally, an ignition switch 48 is connected to the controller 47. In the present embodiment, the ignition switch 48 is configured by a push button switch disposed near the steering in the vehicle compartment. More specifically, the ignition switch 48 is a normally open momentary switch, one end of which is connected to the controller 47 and the other end of which is grounded. Therefore, when the ignition switch 48 is pressed, an L-level operation signal is input to the controller 47. Then, when the ignition switch 48 is pressed while the start permission signal from the microcomputer 24 is being input, the controller 47 energizes the IG relay 42 and the starter relay 43. Thus, the starter motor 45 is driven, and the engine starts. The drive coil 43 of the starter relay 43
The power supply to b is performed only for a predetermined time. Then, after the engine is started (after the power supply to the starter relay 43 is cut off), power is supplied to the ACC relay 41.

More specifically, the functional position is O
When the ignition switch 48 is pressed when the system is in the N system, the controller 47 drives the starter relay 43 to start the engine as indicated by an arrow Y1 in FIG. 4B. At this time, the power supply to the ACC relay 41 is temporarily interrupted, and the power supply to the starter relay 43 is performed.
After the engine is started, the ACC relay 41 is energized.
Then, when the engine is driven, the ignition switch 4
8 is pressed, the controller 47 moves the arrow Y2.
As shown by, the engine is stopped and the functional position is switched to the ON system.

When the ignition switch 48 is pressed when the function position is in the ACC system, the controller 47 sets the IG as shown by an arrow Y3.
The relay 42 and the starter relay 43 are driven to start the engine. At this time, energization to the ACC relay 41 is temporarily interrupted to energize the IG relay 42 and the starter relay 43, and energize the ACC relay 41 after the engine is started. When the ignition switch 48 is pressed while the engine is running, the controller 4
7 stops the engine as indicated by arrow Y4.
At the same time, the controller 47 cuts off the power supply to the IG relay 42 and switches the function position to the ACC system.

When the ignition switch 48 is pressed when the function position is in the OFF system, the controller 47 sets the IG as shown by an arrow Y5.
The engine is started by driving the relay 42 and the starter relay 43, and the ACC relay 41 is driven after the engine is started. Then, when the ignition switch 48 is pressed in the engine driving state, the controller 47 stops the engine as indicated by an arrow Y4. At the same time, the controller 47 cuts off the power supply to the ACC relay 41 and the IG relay 42 and switches the function position to the OFF system.

That is, the controller 47 starts the engine when the ignition switch 48 is pressed, regardless of the functional position. When the engine is stopped by pressing the ignition switch 48, the controller 47 switches to a function position based on the select code.

If the engine start fails due to a start error, engine stall, or the like at the time of engine start, the functional position is set to the ON system irrespective of the select code, as indicated by the arrow Y7 in FIG. Is to be maintained. That is, in this case, even if the function position based on the select code is the OFF system or the ACC system, the function position is maintained in the ON system. However, the maintenance of the ON system is performed only for a predetermined time T. Therefore, the ignition switch 48 is again turned on within the predetermined time T.
Is pressed, the engine is started from the ON system as shown by the arrow Y8. If the ignition switch 48 is not pressed even after the predetermined time T has elapsed, the operation shifts to the function position based on the select code as indicated by the arrow Y9.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) When the portable device 11 and the communication control device 21 communicate with each other, the function position is automatically switched based on the select code included in the ID code signal output from the portable device 11. Then, when the ignition switch 48 is operated in this state, the engine starts. For this reason, when starting the engine, the ignition switch 48 needs to be operated only once, and the operation of switching the function position is not required. Therefore, the engine can be started with a simple operation.

(2) The portable device 11 and the communication control device 2
When the mutual communication with No. 1 is not performed, the function position is automatically switched to the OFF system. Therefore, the operator does not need to perform the operation of switching the function position to the OFF system when the vehicle gets off the vehicle.

(3) Select switch 16 of portable device 11
Can be switched to a desired function position. Moreover, since the select switch 16 can be operated even when the operator is not in the vehicle, the operability for switching the function position can be improved.

(4) The portable device 11 is provided with a display unit 17 on which a set select code is displayed. For this reason, the operator
The currently set select code can be easily recognized.

(5) The select switch 16 is constituted by a slide switch. Therefore, the selection code can be easily and reliably switched. (6) If the engine start fails due to an engine start error or engine stall, the controller 47
Maintains the functional position of the electrical system on the ON system.
Therefore, when the engine is started again, only the starter relay 43 need be driven instead of driving all the relays 41 to 43. Therefore, the load on the battery 46 is smaller than when all the relays 41 to 43 are driven again at a time, and the life of the battery 46 can be extended.

The embodiment of the present invention may be modified as follows. -The select switch 16 as a switching means is not limited to a slide switch, and may be another switch such as a push button switch.

In the above embodiment, the display unit 17 of the portable device 11 always displays the set select code. However, the display unit 17 may display the select code only when the mutual communication with the communication control device 21 is being performed. By doing so, the consumption of the battery mounted on the portable device 11 can be suppressed, and by visually recognizing the display unit 17, the operator can use the communication control device 21.
It can be easily recognized whether or not they are communicating with each other.

The display unit 17 is not limited to a liquid crystal panel.
It may be constituted by another display member such as an LED. Further, the display unit 17 may be omitted. If you do this,
The configuration of the portable device 11 can be simplified.
Can be reduced in size and weight.

In the above embodiment, the start control unit 32
When the engine start fails due to a start error or engine stall, the functional position is maintained in the ON system for a predetermined time T. However, the start control unit 32
May immediately switch to the functional position based on the select code when the engine start fails.

In the above embodiment, if the ignition switch 48 is depressed in a state where the engine can be started or in a state where the engine is started, the ignition switch 48
The engine can be started and stopped regardless of the pressing time. However, the engine may be started / stopped only when the ignition switch 48 is pressed for a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds) or more. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent an erroneous start / erroneous stop of the engine due to an erroneous operation.

In the above embodiment, the function position is switched by the select switch 16 of the portable device 11. However, only one of the OFF code, the ACC code, and the ON code may be recorded in the memory 14a of the microcomputer 14 of the portable device 11, and the select switch 16 may be omitted. In this way, at the time of mutual communication between the portable device 11 and the communication control device 21, the position is switched to the function position based on the select code recorded in the memory 14a. For example, the memory 14
If the ON code is recorded in a, the function position is switched to the ON system at the time of mutual communication between the portable device 11 and the communication control device 21. Therefore, in such a case, the configuration of the portable device 11 can be simplified by omitting the select switch 16.

In the above embodiment, the function position is switched by the select switch 16 of the portable device 11. However, the function position may be switched when the lock switch 15a and the unlock switch 15b of the portable device 11 are operated in a predetermined mode.
As the predetermined mode, it is possible to operate the lock switch 15a and the unlock switch 15b at the same time, or to keep pressing at least one of the switches 15a and 15b for a predetermined time or more. With this configuration, the configuration of the portable device 11 can be simplified by omitting the select switch 16.

The request signal may be selectively output from the transmission circuit 22 of the communication control device 21 to a predetermined area outside the vehicle compartment and to a predetermined area inside the vehicle compartment.
Then, when receiving the ID code signal in response to the request signal output outside the vehicle compartment, the communication control device 21 may drive the door lock drive device 31 to automatically unlock the door lock. . In addition, the communication control device 21
When the ID code signal in response to the request signal output outside the vehicle compartment and inside the vehicle compartment cannot be received,
The door lock drive device 31 may be driven to automatically lock the door lock.

In the above embodiment, the controller 47 drives and controls the relays 41 to 43 based on the select code from the portable device 11 and the input signal from the ignition switch 48. But,
An input signal from the ignition switch 48 may be input to the microcomputer 24 of the communication control device 21, and the microcomputer 24 may drive and control each of the relays 41 to 43. By doing so, the controller 47 can be omitted.

Next, in addition to the technical ideas described in the claims, technical ideas grasped by the above-described embodiment will be listed below. (1) In the vehicle engine start control device according to claim 1 or 2, the portable device includes a display unit that displays the function position that is switched based on the select code. According to the invention described in the technical concept (1), the operator can easily recognize the currently set select code.

(2) A portable device possessed by the owner, a communication control device provided in the vehicle and capable of starting the engine based on mutual communication with the portable device, A start control unit for starting an engine when an ignition switch provided is operated, wherein the start control unit performs mutual communication between the portable device and the communication control device. Switching to a predetermined functional position on condition that

(3) A functional position of an electric system in a vehicle in a portable device which is carried by an owner and outputs a transmission signal for enabling an engine to be started to a communication control device provided in the vehicle. An OFF code for switching the function position to the OFF system, an ACC code for switching the function position to the ACC system, and
Recording means for recording an ON code for switching the function position to the ON system; and selecting means for selecting any one of the codes, and the code selected by the selecting means is included in the transmission signal. A portable device characterized by adding and outputting. In the above embodiment, the selecting means is constituted by the select switch 16.

(4) The engine is started in a state in which the engine can be started based on the mutual communication between the portable device carried by the owner and the communication control device provided in the vehicle, and the engine is provided in the vehicle interior in a state in which the engine can be started. In the engine start control method for starting an engine when an ignition switch is operated, a transmission signal including a select code for setting a functional position of an electric system in a vehicle is output from the portable device to the communication control device. When the communication control device receives the transmission signal, the communication control device switches the function position based on the select code, and sets a state in which an engine can be started based on an operation of the ignition switch. When the transmission signal cannot be received, the function position is turned off. An engine start control method characterized by switching to (1).

[0056]

As described in detail above, according to the first to third aspects of the present invention, the engine can be started by a simple operation.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is no need to perform an operation of switching the function position to the OFF system when the vehicle gets off the vehicle. According to the third aspect of the present invention, the operability for switching the function position can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle engine start control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a front view illustrating an appearance of a portable device used in the embodiment, and FIG. 2B is a rear view of the portable device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a start control unit of the embodiment.

4A is a diagram illustrating a driving state of each relay at each function position, and FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram illustrating a shift of a function position.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 1: vehicle engine start control device, 2: vehicle, 11: portable device, 16: select switch as switching means, 21
... Communication control device, 32 ... Start control unit as start control means.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Masaki Yoshino 3-260 Toyota, Oguchi-machi, Niwa-gun, Aichi Prefecture Inside Tokai Rika Electric Works, Ltd. (72) Inventor Hirokazu Shamoto 3-260 Toyota, Oguchi-machi, Niwa-gun, Aichi Prefecture In-house Tokai Rika Electric Machinery Co., Ltd. (72) Shinji Kishida 1st Toyota Town, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture Toyota Auto (72) Inventor Toshio Asahi 1 Toyota Town, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture Toyota Motor Corporation (72) Inventor Koji 1 Toyota Town, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture Toyota Motor Corporation F-term (reference 3G084 CA01 DA03 EA07 EA11 FA36 5K048 AA15 BA42 DA01 DC01 EA11 EB02 FC01 HA01 HA02 HA05 HA13 HA21

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A portable device possessed by an owner, a communication control device provided in a vehicle and configured to start an engine based on mutual communication with the portable device, and a vehicle in the engine startable state. A start control unit for starting an engine when an ignition switch provided in the room is operated. A transmission signal including a select code for setting a function position is output, and the start control unit switches the function position based on the select code when the communication control device receives the transmission signal. Characteristic vehicle engine start control device. 2. The vehicle engine start according to claim 1, wherein the start control means switches the function position to an OFF system when the communication control device cannot receive the transmission signal. Control device. 3. The portable device according to claim 2, wherein the function position is O.
OFF code for switching to FF system, ACC code for switching the function position to ACC system,
3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising switching means for selecting any one of ON codes for switching the function position to an ON system as the select code. Vehicle engine start control device.