JP4328036B2 - Engine start control device for vehicle - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vehicle engine start control device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, automobiles have been required to have improved operability as well as basic performance and safety. Conventionally, an engine start control device having a smart ignition function has been proposed as an example. Smart ignition function means that the engine can be started when the ID code set on the portable device owned by the owner matches the ID code set on the vehicle without using the current machine key It is a state.
[0003]
Conventionally, in this type of engine start control device, there is an operation unit for selectively switching the functional position of the electric system of the vehicle to an OFF system, an ACC (accessory) system, and an ON (ignition on) system in the vicinity of the driver's seat. Is provided. When the operation unit is operated, the function position is switched.
[0004]
An ignition switch such as a push button switch is separately provided in the vicinity of the driver's seat in the vehicle compartment. When the engine can be started, the functional position is switched to the ON system, and the engine is started when the ignition switch is operated.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such a conventional engine start control device, in order to start the engine, it is necessary to operate the operation unit to switch the functional position to the ON system, and then to operate the ignition switch. For this reason, the operation for starting the engine is complicated.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a vehicle engine start control device that can start an engine with a simple operation.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problem, in the invention according to claim 1, a portable device possessed by the owner and a vehicle are provided, and the engine can be started based on mutual communication with the portable device. A vehicle engine start control device comprising: a communication control device for starting the engine; and a start control means for starting the engine when an ignition switch provided in the vehicle compartment is operated in an engine startable state. The communication control device outputs a request signal for enabling mutual communication with the portable device, The portable device is When receiving a request signal from the communication control device, For the communication control device, a transmission signal including a select code for setting a functional position of an electric system in a vehicle is output, and the start control means receives the transmission signal when the communication control device receives the transmission signal. The gist is to switch the functional position based on the select code.
[0008]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle engine start control device according to the first aspect, the start control means turns off the functional position when the communication control device cannot receive the transmission signal. The gist is to switch to the system.
[0009]
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 functional position to an OFF system, and the functional position is set to ACC. The gist of the invention is that it comprises switching means for selecting one of the ACC code for switching to the system and the ON code for switching the functional position to the ON system as the select code.
[0010]
The “action” of the present invention will be described below.
According to the first to third aspects of the present invention, when mutual communication is performed between the portable device and the communication control device, the function position is automatically switched based on the select code included in the transmission signal output from the portable device. Change. When the ignition switch is operated in this state, the engine is started. For this reason, when starting the engine, it is only necessary to operate the ignition switch, and the operation of switching the function position is not necessary.
[0011]
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. For this reason, the operator does not need to perform an operation of switching the functional position to the OFF system when the vehicle gets off.
[0012]
According to the invention described in claim 3, it is possible to switch to a desired functional position by operating the switching means. Moreover, since the switching means is provided in 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 INVENTION
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment embodying the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle engine start control device 1 includes a portable device 11 that is carried by the owner (driver) of the vehicle 2 and a communication control device 21 that is mounted on the vehicle 2.
[0014]
The portable device 11 includes a receiving circuit 12, a transmitting circuit 13, a microcomputer 14, an operation switch 15, a select switch 16, and a display unit 17.
[0015]
The receiving circuit 12 is connected to the microcomputer 14, and when receiving a request signal from the communication control device 21, the signal is demodulated into a pulse signal and input to the microcomputer 14. The transmission circuit 13 is connected to the microcomputer 14 and modulates the ID code signal output from the microcomputer 14 into a radio wave having a predetermined frequency (300 MHz in this embodiment) and transmits the modulated signal to the outside. Antennas 18 and 19 are connected to the receiving circuit 12 and the transmitting circuit 13, 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.
[0016]
Specifically, the microcomputer 14 is a CPU unit including a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM (not shown), and includes a nonvolatile memory 14a. The microcomputer 14 outputs a transmission signal (ID code signal) including a predetermined ID code and a selection code set in advance to the transmission circuit 13 when a request signal is input from the reception circuit 12. Yes. That is, the microcomputer 14 functions as select code adding means. The ID code and 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, three types of select codes including an OFF code, an ACC code, and an ON code are recorded in the memory 14a. The OFF code is a code for switching the function position to the OFF system. The ACC code is a code for switching the functional position to the ACC (accessory) system. The ON code is a code for switching the functional position to the ON (ignition on) system.
[0017]
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 includes a lock switch 15 a and an unlock switch 15 b including two push button switches provided on the surface of the portable device 11. When the lock switch 15a is pressed, the microcomputer 14 outputs a signal obtained by adding a manual lock signal to the ID code as an ID code signal. Further, when the unlocking switch 15b is pressed, the microcomputer 14 outputs a signal obtained by adding a manual unlocking signal to the ID code as an ID code signal.
[0018]
The select switch 16 is constituted by a slide switch provided on the back surface of the portable device 11 and is movable in the direction indicated by the arrow F in FIG. Specifically, the select switch 16 is slidable to an OFF position, an ACC position, and an ON position shown in FIG.
[0019]
The display unit 17 is constituted by a liquid crystal panel or the like provided on the surface of the portable device 11 and always displays the position where the select switch 16 is currently set. For example, if the select switch 16 is in the ACC position, the characters “ACC” are displayed on the display unit 17.
[0020]
When such a portable device 11 receives a request signal from the communication control device 21, it transmits an ID code signal in which the currently set select code is added to the ID code. That is, for example, when the select switch 16 is set to the ACC position, an ID code signal in which the ACC code is added to the ID code is transmitted.
[0021]
On the other hand, the communication control device 21 includes a transmission circuit 22, a reception circuit 23, and a microcomputer (microcomputer) 24. The communication control device 21 is disposed below the driver seat in the vehicle 2.
[0022]
The microcomputer 24 is connected to a door lock driving device 31 and a start control unit 32 as start control means. The door lock drive device 31 is an actuator that locks and unlocks the door based on the input control signal. The start control unit 32 is a device for controlling the switching of the functional position based on the input control signal and for starting and stopping the engine.
[0023]
An antenna 25 is connected to the transmission circuit 22, and an antenna 26 is connected to the reception circuit 23. These antennas 25 and 26 are disposed near the driver's seat. Then, the transmission circuit 22 converts the request signal output from the microcomputer 24 into a radio wave or a magnetic signal, and outputs it to a predetermined area in the vehicle 2 through the antenna 25. Accordingly, 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 output as a 134 kHz radio wave.
[0024]
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 outputs the received signal to the microcomputer 24. It is supposed to be.
[0025]
Specifically, the microcomputer 24 is a CPU unit including a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM (not shown), and includes a nonvolatile memory 24a.
When the microcomputer 24 receives the ID code signal including the manual locking signal, the microcomputer 24 drives the door lock driving device 31 to lock the door lock. Further, 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 lock.
[0026]
Further, the microcomputer 24 intermittently outputs request signals to the transmission circuit 22. A predetermined ID code set in advance is stored in the memory 24 a of the microcomputer 24. 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. . This control signal includes a start permission signal and a select code included in the ID code signal from the portable device 11.
[0027]
As shown in FIG. 3, the start control unit 32 includes an ACC relay 41, an IG relay 42, and a starter relay 43.
One end of the contact 41 a of the ACC relay 41 is connected to the ACC system electric circuit, and the other end is connected to the battery 46. Contact point of IG relay 42 42a One end is connected to an ON-system electric circuit, and the other end is connected to a battery 46. One end of the contact 43 a of the starter relay 43 is connected to a starter motor 45 for driving the engine, and the other end is connected to a battery 46.
[0028]
In addition, drive coils 41 b, 42 b and 43 b for opening and closing corresponding contacts 41 a to 43 a in each relay 41 to 43 are connected to the controller 47. The controller 47 functions as a relay control unit that controls energization of the drive coils 41b to 43b. In other words, the relays 41 to 43 are driven and controlled by the controller 47.
[0029]
A control signal from the microcomputer 24 of the communication control device 21 is input to the controller 47. Then, the controller 47 energizes the drive coils 41b to 43b of the relays 41 to 43 based on the select code included in the control signal. Further, when the control signal is no longer input, the controller 47 cuts off the energization to each of the drive coils 41b to 43b and switches the functional position to the OFF system.
[0030]
Specifically, the controller 47 does not energize the drive coils 41b to 43b if the select code is an OFF code. For this reason, as shown to Fig.4 (a), each relay 41-43 will be in an OFF state, and a functional position will be an OFF system | strain. Further, 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. Further, if the select code is an ON code, the controller 47 energizes the drive coil 41b of the ACC relay 41 and the drive coil 42b of the IG relay 42. For this reason, 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. Note that the position of the functional position is displayed on an indicator provided on an instrument panel (not shown).
[0031]
Therefore, when the portable device 11 and the communication control device 21 communicate with each other, the start control unit 32 switches the function position based on the select code set by the portable device 11.
[0032]
Incidentally, an ignition switch 48 is connected to the controller 47. In the present embodiment, the ignition switch 48 is constituted by a push button switch disposed near the steering in the vehicle interior. 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 is grounded. Therefore, when the ignition switch 48 is pressed, an L level operation signal is input to the controller 47. The controller 47 energizes the IG relay 42 and the starter relay 43 when the ignition switch 48 is pressed while the start permission signal from the microcomputer 24 is input. Thereby, the starter motor 45 is driven and the engine is started. Note that energization of the drive coil 43b of the starter relay 43 is performed only for a predetermined time. Then, after the engine is started (after the energization to the starter relay 43 is cut off), the ACC relay 41 is energized.
[0033]
More specifically, when the ignition switch 48 is pressed when the functional position is in the ON system, the controller 47 drives the starter relay 43 as indicated by an arrow Y1 in FIG. Start the engine. At this time, the energization to the ACC relay 41 is temporarily interrupted and the starter relay 43 is energized, and the ACC relay 41 is energized after the engine is started. Then, when the ignition switch 48 is pressed in the engine driving state, the controller 47 stops the engine and switches the functional position to the ON system, as indicated by an arrow Y2.
[0034]
Further, when the ignition switch 48 is pressed when the functional position is in the ACC system, the controller 47 drives the IG relay 42 and the starter relay 43 to start the engine as indicated by an arrow Y3. At this time, energization to the ACC relay 41 is temporarily interrupted, the IG relay 42 and the starter relay 43 are energized, and the ACC relay 41 is energized after the engine starts. 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 IG relay 42 and switches the functional position to the ACC system.
[0035]
Further, when the ignition switch 48 is pressed when the functional position is in the OFF system, the controller 47 drives the IG relay 42 and the starter relay 43 to start the engine as shown by the arrow Y5, and starts the engine. Later, the ACC relay 41 is driven. When the ignition switch 48 is pressed in the engine driving state, the controller 47 Y6 Stop the engine as shown by. 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 functional position to the OFF system.
[0036]
That is, the controller 47 starts the engine when the ignition switch 48 is pressed regardless of the functional position. Further, when the engine is stopped by the pressing operation of the ignition switch 48, the controller 47 switches to a functional position based on the select code.
[0037]
If the engine fails to start due to a start error or engine stall at the time of engine start, as shown by the arrow Y7 in FIG. 4B, the functional position is maintained in the ON system regardless of the select code. It has become so. That is, in this case, even if the functional position based on the select code is the OFF system or the ACC system, the functional position is maintained in the ON system. However, such ON system maintenance is performed only for a predetermined time T. For this reason, when the ignition switch 48 is pressed again within the predetermined time T, the engine is started from the ON system as indicated by the arrow Y8. If the ignition switch 48 is not pressed even after the predetermined time T has elapsed, as shown by the arrow Y9, the function position based on the select code is entered.
[0038]
Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) When mutual communication between the portable device 11 and the communication control device 21 is performed, the functional position is automatically switched based on the select code included in the ID code signal output from the portable device 11. When the ignition switch 48 is operated in this state, the engine is started. For this reason, when starting the engine, it is only necessary to operate the ignition switch 48 once, and there is no need to switch the functional position. Therefore, the engine can be started with a simple operation.
[0039]
(2) Further, when the mutual communication between the portable device 11 and the communication control device 21 is not performed, the function position is automatically switched to the OFF system. For this reason, the operator does not need to perform an operation of switching the functional position to the OFF system when the vehicle gets off.
[0040]
(3) By operating the select switch 16 of the portable device 11, it can be switched to a desired functional position. Moreover, since the select switch 16 can be operated even when the operator is not in the vehicle, the operability for switching the functional position can be improved.
[0041]
(4) The display unit 17 is provided in the portable device 11, and the set select code is displayed on the display unit 17. For this reason, the operator can easily recognize the currently set select code.
[0042]
(5) The select switch 16 is constituted by a slide switch. Therefore, the selection code can be easily and reliably switched.
(6) When engine start failure or engine stall occurs and engine start fails, the controller 47 maintains the functional position of the electrical system in the ON system. For this reason, when starting the engine again, it is only necessary to drive only the starter relay 43 instead of driving all the relays 41 to 43. Therefore, the load applied to the battery 46 is smaller than when all the relays 41 to 43 are driven at once, and the life of the battery 46 can be extended.
[0043]
In addition, you may change embodiment of this invention as follows.
The select switch 16 as the switching means is not limited to a slide switch, and may be another switch such as a push button switch.
[0044]
In the 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 mutual communication with the communication control device 21 is performed. In this way, consumption of the battery mounted on the portable device 11 can be suppressed, and the operator can check whether the portable device 11 is communicating with the communication control device 21 by viewing the display unit 17. It is possible to easily recognize whether or not.
[0045]
The display unit 17 is not limited to the liquid crystal panel, and may be configured by other display members such as LEDs. Further, the display unit 17 may be omitted. In this way, the configuration of the portable device 11 can be simplified, and the portable device 11 can be reduced in size and weight.
[0046]
In the embodiment, the start control unit 32 is configured to maintain the functional position in the ON system for a predetermined time T when a start error, engine stall, or the like occurs and the engine start fails. However, the start control unit 32 may immediately switch to the function position based on the select code when the engine start fails.
[0047]
In the above-described embodiment, if the ignition switch 48 is pressed in a state where the engine can be started or the engine is started, the engine can be started / stopped regardless of the pressing time of the ignition switch 48. However, the engine may be started / stopped only when the ignition switch 48 is pressed for a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds) or longer. In this way, it is possible to prevent erroneous start / stop of the engine due to erroneous operation.
[0048]
In the 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 in 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 function position based on the select code recorded in the memory 14a is switched. For example, if the ON code is recorded in the memory 14a, the functional position is switched to the ON system during the 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.
[0049]
In the 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 manner. As a predetermined mode, it is conceivable to simultaneously operate the locking switch 15a and the unlocking switch 15b, or to keep pressing at least one of the switches 15a and 15b for a predetermined time or more. In this way, the configuration of the portable device 11 can be simplified by omitting the select switch 16.
[0050]
A 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 a predetermined area inside the vehicle compartment. The communication control device 21 may be configured to automatically unlock the door lock by driving the door lock drive device 31 when receiving the ID code signal in response to the request signal output outside the vehicle compartment. . Further, the communication control device 21 drives the door lock driving device 31 to automatically lock the door lock when it becomes impossible to receive the ID code signal in response to the request signal output outside and inside the vehicle compartment. It may be.
[0051]
In the embodiment, the relays 41 to 43 are driven and controlled by the controller 47 based on the select code from the portable device 11 and the input signal from the ignition switch 48. However, an input signal from the ignition switch 48 may be input to the microcomputer 24 of the communication control device 21 so that the relays 41 to 43 are driven and controlled by the microcomputer 24. In this way, the controller 47 can be omitted.
[0052]
Next, in addition to the technical ideas described in the claims, the technical ideas grasped by the embodiment described above are listed below.
(1) Above In the vehicle engine start control device, the portable device includes a display unit that displays the functional position switched based on the select code. According to the invention described in the technical idea (1), the operator can easily recognize the currently set select code.
[0053]
(2) A portable device owned 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, and provided in the vehicle interior in that state In the vehicle engine start control device comprising a start control means for starting the engine when the ignition switch is operated, the start control means is configured such that mutual communication between the portable device and the communication control device is performed. Switch to the specified functional position on the condition.
[0054]
(3) In a portable device that outputs a transmission signal for enabling the engine to start with respect to a communication control device that is owned by the owner and provided in the vehicle, the functional position of the electric system in the vehicle is turned off. An OFF code for switching to the ACC system, an ACC code for switching the functional position to the ACC system, an ON code for switching the functional position to the ON system, and any one of these codes A portable unit comprising: a selecting unit that selects the code; and a code selected by the selecting unit is added to the transmission signal and output. In the embodiment, the selection means is constituted by the select switch 16.
[0055]
(4) An engine can be started based on mutual communication between a portable device possessed by the owner and a communication control device provided in the vehicle, and an ignition switch provided in the vehicle compartment in the engine startable state is provided. In an engine start control method for starting an engine when operated, the portable control device outputs a transmission signal including a select code for setting a functional position of an electric system in a vehicle to the communication control device, When the communication control device receives the transmission signal, the function position is switched based on the select code, and the engine can be started based on the operation of the ignition switch, and the communication control device transmits the transmission signal. When receiving is no longer possible, switch the function position to the OFF system. An engine start control method.
[0056]
【The invention's effect】
As described in detail above, according to the first to third aspects of the invention, the engine can be started with a simple operation.
[0057]
According to the invention described in claim 2, it is not necessary to perform an operation of switching the functional position to the OFF system when the vehicle gets off.
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.
2A is a front view showing 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 according to the embodiment;
4A is a diagram illustrating a driving state of each relay at each functional position, and FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram illustrating transition of the functional position.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle engine start control apparatus, 2 ... Vehicle, 11 ... Portable machine, 16 ... Select switch as switching means, 21 ... Communication control apparatus, 32 ... Start control part as start control means.

Claims (3)

A portable device owned 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, and provided in the vehicle compartment in the engine startable state In a vehicle engine start control device comprising start control means for starting an engine when an ignition switch is operated,
The communication control device outputs a request signal for enabling mutual communication with the portable device,
When the portable device receives a request signal from the communication control device, it outputs a transmission signal including a select code for setting a functional position of an electric system in a vehicle to the communication control device,
The vehicle engine start control device, wherein the start control means switches the functional position based on the select code when the communication control device receives the transmission signal. 2. The vehicle engine start control device according to claim 1, wherein the start control unit switches the functional position to an OFF system when the communication control device cannot receive the transmission signal. 3. The portable device is one of an OFF code for switching the functional position to the OFF system, an ACC code for switching the functional position to the ACC system, and an ON code for switching the functional position to the ON system. 3. The vehicle engine start control device according to claim 1, further comprising switching means for selecting one as the select code.

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