JP2006220015A - Vehicle control device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To promote engine warm-up even at the time of failure of an electric water pump that supplies cooling water in a heat storage tank to the engine.
An engine ECU communicates a port A on a mechanical water pump side with a port C on a heat storage tank side in a three-way valve provided in a pipe line connecting the mechanical water pump and the heat storage tank ( S104), a step of driving the electric water pump (S106), and a state where the heat storage tank water temperature THW (2) is higher than the threshold value (YES in S110) continues for a predetermined time (S112). YES), a program including a step of determining that the electric water pump is out of order (S114) and a step of starting the engine (S116) is executed.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle control device equipped with a heat storage system that temporarily stores a liquid medium in a heat-retaining state, and in particular, supplies a high-temperature liquid medium to an internal combustion engine or supplies a low-temperature liquid medium to an internal combustion engine. The present invention relates to a vehicle control apparatus that controls the temperature of an internal combustion engine.

  When an internal combustion engine mounted in an automobile or the like is started in a cold state, the wall surface temperature of the intake port, the combustion chamber, etc. becomes low, so that it is difficult for the fuel to atomize and flame extinguishing occurs at the periphery of the combustion chamber This will cause a decrease in startability and a deterioration in exhaust emission.

  In order to solve such problems, a water-cooled internal combustion engine is provided with a heat storage device that retains high-temperature cooling water, and the internal combustion engine is supplied with cooling water stored in the heat storage device when the internal combustion engine is started. Techniques have been proposed to increase the temperature of the engine, thereby improving startability and speeding up warm-up.

  For example, a hybrid vehicle disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-122061 (Patent Document 1) includes a heat accumulator that keeps at least a part of engine cooling water in a heat-retaining state, and cooling water in an animal heat generator in the engine. A pump for transferring to the engine, a drive unit for starting the engine including at least one of a motor or an electric starter, a key switch that is closed by the driver when the vehicle is operating, and a motor waiting for driving the vehicle in response to the key switch being closed And a power source management unit for starting the engine. When the key switch is closed and the temperature of the cooling water in the livestock heater is higher than the temperature of the cooling water in the engine by a predetermined value or more, the power source management unit first drives the pump to cool the Water is transferred into the engine, and then the engine starting drive unit is driven to start the engine. The power source management unit omits the operation of the pump prior to the operation of the engine starting drive unit when a predetermined number of times that the temperature of the cooling water in the engine does not reach the estimated temperature even after a predetermined time has elapsed. To do.

According to this hybrid vehicle, when the temperature of the cooling water in the livestock heater is higher than the temperature of the cooling water in the engine by a predetermined value or more when the key switch is closed, that is, the cooling water stored in the livestock heater is used as the engine. When the engine can be substantially preheated by being transferred into the pump, the pump is driven and the cooling water in the livestock heater is transferred into the engine. Thereafter, the engine starting drive unit is driven to start the engine. Thereby, the engine can be warmed prior to starting by the heat stored in the regenerator, the engine oil can be softened and the engine can be made smooth from the initial rotation. Further, the fuel in the cylinder can be easily burned, and the emission of harmful unburned components such as HC and CO can be reduced. Further, when a predetermined number of times that the temperature of the cooling water in the engine does not reach the estimated predetermined temperature after a predetermined time has elapsed, the operation of the pump prior to the operation of the engine starting drive unit is omitted. The Thereby, when a malfunction occurs in the heat storage system including the pump, it is possible to prevent the engine preheating unit from warping and hindering the vehicle performance.
JP 2002-122061 A

  However, the hybrid vehicle described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-122061 has a problem that the warm-up of the engine cannot be promoted because the pump operation is omitted when the pump or the like is malfunctioning. It was.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle control device that can further promote warm-up of an internal combustion engine in a vehicle equipped with a heat storage system. It is to be.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control device for a vehicle, wherein a storage means for keeping a part of a liquid medium circulating in a flow path provided in an internal combustion engine is kept warm, a liquid medium in the storage means, the storage means and the internal combustion engine A vehicle equipped with a circulating means for circulating between the engines is controlled. The circulation means includes a first pump for a liquid medium driven by an internal combustion engine and a second pump driven by electric power supplied from a power storage mechanism mounted on the vehicle. The control device includes a determination unit for determining whether or not the second pump has failed, and, when the second pump has failed, the liquid medium in the storage unit is stored in the storage unit and the internal combustion engine by the first pump. And a control means for controlling the circulation means so as to circulate between them.

  According to the first invention, when the second pump driven by electric power fails, the liquid medium in the storage means is circulated between the storage means and the internal combustion engine by the first pump driven by the internal combustion engine. The Thus, even if the liquid medium cannot be circulated between the storage means and the internal combustion engine by the second pump before the internal combustion engine is started, the liquid medium is stored by the first pump after the internal combustion engine is started. It can be circulated with the internal combustion engine. Therefore, warming up of the internal combustion engine can be promoted. As a result, in a vehicle equipped with a heat storage system, it is possible to provide a vehicle control device that can further promote warm-up of the internal combustion engine.

  In the vehicle control apparatus according to the second invention, in addition to the configuration of the first invention, the circulation means includes a valve provided in a pipeline connecting the first pump and the storage means. The control means includes means for controlling the valve so that the liquid medium flows between the first pump and the storage means when the second pump fails.

  According to the second invention, when the second pump fails, the liquid medium is provided between the first pump and the storage means so that the liquid medium is circulated between the first pump and the storage means. The valve is controlled. Thereby, the liquid medium in the storage means can be supplied to the internal combustion engine by the first pump.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  The heat storage system shown in FIG. 1 is applied to a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine (engine). This vehicle may be a vehicle equipped only with an engine or a hybrid vehicle equipped with an engine and a motor driven by a battery.

  As shown in FIG. 1, this heat storage system keeps a part of cooling water flowing through a cooling water flow path provided in a cylinder head (hereinafter referred to as a head) 100 and a cylinder block 110 in a heat storage tank 310. The cooling water is stored and supplied to the head 100 and the cylinder block 110 from the heat storage tank 310 as necessary. Cooling water is circulated by the mechanical water pump 200 between the head 100 and the cylinder block 110 and the radiator 400 or the radiator bypass passage 410. The flow rate control valve 430 controls which of the radiator 400 and the radiator bypass passage 410 passes through.

  Cooling water is supplied from the heat storage tank 310 to the head 100 and the cylinder block 110 by the electric water pump 300. By driving the electric water pump 300, the cooling water (hot water or cold water) in the heat storage tank 310 is supplied to the head 100, the cylinder block 110, the heater core 500, etc. via the three-way valve 610. . The three-way valve 610 is in a fully closed state, a fully open state (port A, port B and port C are in communication), port A and port B are in communication, port A and port C are in communication, port B and port C Can be realized in five different states.

  Further, as temperature sensors of this heat storage system, an engine coolant temperature sensor 120 provided on the coolant outlet side of the head 100, a heat storage tank outlet temperature sensor 320 provided on the outlet side of the heat storage tank 310, and a radiator 400 A radiator outlet water temperature sensor 420 provided at the outlet is provided. Signals from these temperature sensors are input to an engine ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 1000.

  The engine ECU 1000 controls the electric water pump 300, the three-way valve 610, and the flow control valve 430. The flow rate control valve 430 can control the flow rate of the cooling water flowing through the radiator 400 and the flow rate of the cooling water flowing through the radiator bypass passage 410 by changing the control duty. At this time, the flow rate control valve 430 can flow cooling water only to the radiator 400, only to the radiator bypass passage 410, and to the radiator 400 and the radiator bypass passage 410. When the flow control valve 430 receives a fully open command signal from the engine ECU 1000, the flow control valve 430 controls the flow rate so that the entire amount of cooling water flows to the radiator 400. Further, when the flow control valve 430 receives a full-close command signal from the engine ECU 1000, the flow control valve 430 controls the flow rate so that the entire amount of cooling water flows through the radiator bypass passage 410. Further, the flow control valve 430 can receive a command signal from the engine ECU 1000 and control the flow rate so that a part of the cooling water flows to the radiator 400 and the remaining cooling water flows to the radiator bypass passage 410. .

  Further, engine ECU 1000 can control the discharge rate of electric water pump 300 by changing the control duty of the motor that drives electric water pump 300 to control the number of revolutions of the motor. Further, this control may be performed by making the voltage of the motor of the electric water pump 300 variable. Further, by changing the energization time of the motor of the electric water pump 300, the driving time of the electric water pump 300 is controlled to control the total amount of cooling water discharged from the electric water pump 300. Good. Electric water pump 300 is driven by electric power supplied from auxiliary battery 700.

  A control structure of a program executed by engine ECU 1000 of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step (hereinafter step is abbreviated as S) 100, engine ECU 1000 detects engine coolant temperature THW (1) based on the signal transmitted from engine coolant temperature sensor 120, and heat storage tank outlet temperature sensor. Based on the signal transmitted from 320, the heat storage tank water temperature THW (2) is detected.

  In S102, engine ECU 1000 determines whether or not the cooling water in heat storage tank 310 is supplied to the engine. Whether or not the cooling water in the heat storage tank 310 is supplied to the engine may be determined based on a map stored in the memory of the engine ECU 1000, for example. When cooling water in heat storage tank 310 is supplied to the engine (YES in S102), the process proceeds to S104. If not (NO in S102), the process proceeds to S116.

  In S104, engine ECU 1000 communicates port A and port C of three-way valve 610 and blocks port B. In S106, engine ECU 1000 drives electric water pump 300.

  In S108, engine ECU 1000 detects heat storage tank water temperature THW (2). In S110, engine ECU 1000 determines whether or not heat storage tank water temperature THW (2) is higher than threshold value (1). If heat storage tank water temperature THW (2) is higher than threshold value (1) (YES in S110), the process proceeds to S112. If not (NO in S110), the process proceeds to S111. In S111, engine ECU 1000 stops electric water pump 300.

  In S112, engine ECU 1000 has driven electric water pump 300, and whether or not the state in which heat storage tank water temperature THW (2) is higher than threshold value (1) has continued for a longer period of time. Is determined. If state where heat storage tank water temperature THW (2) is higher than threshold value (1) continues for a longer time than the predetermined time (YES in S112), the process proceeds to S114. If not (NO in S112), the process returns to S110.

  In S114, engine ECU 1000 determines that electric water pump 300 is malfunctioning. In S116, engine ECU 1000 cranks the engine and starts it.

  In S118, engine ECU 1000 determines whether or not heat storage tank water temperature THW (2) is higher than threshold value (2). If heat storage tank water temperature THW (2) is higher than threshold value (2) (YES in S118), the process proceeds to S120. If not (NO in S118), the process proceeds to S122.

  In S120, engine ECU 1000 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed after cranking. If a predetermined time has elapsed after cranking (YES in S120), the process proceeds to S122. If not (NO in S120), the process returns to S118. In S122, engine ECU 1000 communicates port A and port B of three-way valve 610 and blocks port C. Thereafter, this process ends.

  An operation of the heat storage system according to the present embodiment based on the above-described structure and flowchart will be described.

  When the driver operates the ignition switch from OFF to ON to start the engine, the engine cooling water temperature THW (1) and the heat storage tank water temperature THW (2) are detected (S100), and the cooling water in the heat storage tank 310 is converted into the engine. It is determined whether or not to supply to (S102).

  Here, it is assumed that the high-temperature cooling water in heat storage tank 310 is supplied to the engine (YES in S102). In this case, the port A and the port C of the three-way valve 610 are communicated, the port B is shut off (S104), and the electric water pump 300 is driven (S106).

  As a result, if the electric water pump 300 is normal, the high-temperature cooling water in the heat storage tank 310 causes the heat storage tank 310, the cylinder block 110, the mechanical water pump 200, the three-way valve 610, and the electric water pump 300 to flow. Circulate.

  Therefore, if the electric water pump 300 is normal, high-temperature cooling water flows out from the heat storage tank 310, and low-temperature cooling water flows in instead. Therefore, the heat storage tank water temperature THW (2) decreases.

  In order to determine whether the electric water pump 300 is normal or faulty, the heat storage tank water temperature THW (2) is detected (S108), and is the heat storage tank water temperature THW (2) higher than the threshold value (1)? It is determined whether or not (S110).

  If heat storage tank water temperature THW (2) is lower than threshold value (1) (NO in S110), electric water pump 300 operates normally and the cooling water in heat storage tank 310 has been replaced. I can say that. In this case, since further engine warm-up due to the cooling water in the heat storage tank 310 cannot be expected, the port A and the port B of the three-way valve 610 are communicated and the port C is blocked (S122). Thereby, circulation of the cooling water between the heat storage tank 310 and the engine is stopped.

  On the other hand, if heat storage tank water temperature THW (2) is higher than threshold value (1) (YES at S110) for longer than a predetermined time (YES at S112), electric water pump 300 is normal. Therefore, it can be said that the cooling water in the heat storage tank 310 is not replaced. In this case, it is determined that the electric water pump 300 is out of order (S114), and the engine is cranked and started (S116).

  The mechanical water pump 200 is driven by starting the engine. Thereby, the cooling water in the heat storage tank 310 circulates through the heat storage tank 310, the electric water pump 300, the three-way valve 610, the mechanical water pump 200, and the cylinder block 110. Thereby, the temperature of the engine can be raised by the high-temperature cooling water in the heat storage tank 310, and the warm-up of the engine can be promoted.

  The engine is warmed up by the mechanical water pump 200 when the heat storage tank water temperature THW (2) is higher than the threshold value (2) (YES in S118) unless a predetermined time elapses after cranking ( In S120, NO) is continued.

  When the cooling water in heat storage tank 310 is replaced by mechanical water pump 300 and heat storage tank water temperature THW (2) becomes lower than threshold value (2) (NO in S118), the cooling water in heat storage tank 310 Can not expect further engine warm-up. When a predetermined time has elapsed after cranking (YES in S120), it can be said that the engine has been sufficiently warmed up by the high-temperature cooling water in heat storage tank 310. In these cases, the port A and the port B of the three-way valve 610 are communicated and the port C is blocked (S122). Thereby, circulation of the cooling water between the heat storage tank 310 and the engine is stopped.

  As described above, the engine ECU of the heat storage system according to the present embodiment supplies the cooling water in the heat storage tank to the engine by the mechanical water pump after the engine is started when the electric water pump fails. Thereby, the temperature of an engine can be raised rapidly with the high temperature cooling water in a thermal storage tank. Therefore, engine warm-up can be promoted even when the electric water pump fails.

  In the present embodiment, the electric water pump 300 is determined to be normal or faulty based on the heat storage tank water temperature THW (2). However, the electric water pump is determined by other methods. You may make it discriminate | determine whether 300 is normal or it is a failure.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

It is a control block diagram of the heat storage system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the flowchart which shows the control structure of the program performed by engine ECU of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  100 Cylinder Head, 110 Cylinder Block, 120 Engine Cooling Water Temperature Sensor, 200 Mechanical Water Pump, 300 Electric Water Pump, 310 Thermal Storage Tank, 320 Thermal Storage Tank Outlet Temperature Sensor, 400 Radiator, 410 Radiator Bypass Path, 420 Radiator Outlet Water Temperature Sensor, 430 Flow control valve, 500 Heater core, 610 Three-way valve, 700 Auxiliary battery, 1000 Engine ECU.

Claims (2)

A storage means for keeping a part of the liquid medium circulating in a flow path provided in the internal combustion engine to keep warm, and a circulation for circulating the liquid medium in the storage means between the storage means and the internal combustion engine And the circulating means includes a first pump for the liquid medium driven by the internal combustion engine and electric power supplied from a power storage mechanism mounted on the vehicle. A second pump driven by
The controller is
Determining means for determining whether or not the second pump has failed;
Control means for controlling the circulation means so that the liquid medium in the storage means is circulated between the storage means and the internal combustion engine by the first pump when the second pump fails. A vehicle control apparatus including: The circulation means includes a valve provided in a pipe line connecting the first pump and the storage means,
The control means includes means for controlling the valve so that the liquid medium flows between the first pump and the storage means when the second pump fails. The vehicle control device according to claim 1.

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