JPS63314347A - Failure warning type wire driven throttle valve controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To give caution to other drivers automatically to ease the burden on a driver in emergency by controlling a hazard lamp switch to light a lamp when a failure of a throttle valve is judged. CONSTITUTION:An electronically controlling unit 8 which controls a stepper motor 6 driving a throttle valve 3, a solenoid type fuel injection valve 4, the solenoid valve of the hydraulic controller in an automatic transmitter TM and so on incorporates a failure judging means which judges whether a throttle valve 3 is controlled properly or not on the criterion of the outputs of sensors such as a throttle sensor 9, an accelerator sensor 10, an air flow sensor 16 and so on. When a failure of the throttle valve is detected, the throttle valve 3 is driven under the control of both a fail safe mechanism or a back-up mechanism (not illustrated). At the same timer, the switch 29 of a warning lamp 30 inside a car is closed to light the lamp 30 and a hazard lamp switch 26 is closed to have the hazard lamp 28 blink.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention is directed to a throttle valve disposed in an intake passage of an internal combustion engine, and an artificially operated accelerator pedal disposed in a vehicle control room such as a passenger compartment. Instead of mechanically coupling the throttle valve to the operating member, the throttle valve can be driven by an actuator such as an electric motor, and a control signal based on the amount of operation of the human operating member such as the accelerator pedal is output to this actuator. Drive-by-wire technology that enables opening and closing control of the throttle valve.
) type throttle valve control device, in particular, a drive-by-wire type throttle system that can automatically turn on (flash) a hazard lamp to issue a warning to alert other vehicles when the throttle valve control device fails. This invention relates to a valve control device.

[Prior Art] Various drive-by-wire throttle valve control devices as described above have been proposed.

As an example of such a drive-by-wire throttle valve control device, a throttle valve disposed in the intake passage of a gasoline engine (internal combustion engine) can be rotationally driven by an electric motor such as a stepper motor (also referred to as a step motor). The electronic control unit (ECU)
) to rotate a stepper motor by a desired amount (desired number of steps). In addition, the electronic control unit receives information such as the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal as a human operating member, as well as vehicle speed, etc. Based on this information, the electronic control unit determines the optimal throttle opening (throttle The stepper motor is driven to achieve the determined throttle opening.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in such a drive-by-wire throttle valve control device, if each sensor unit used to obtain information on the electric motor, vehicle speed, etc. fails, the throttle valve control becomes impossible. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a fail-safe mechanism for when the throttle valve control system fails so that the throttle valve can be controlled even in the event of such a failure.

However, with this kind of fail-safe K4'Y throttle valve control, even if it is possible to give a certain degree of control to the throttle valve, it is difficult to maintain the same control function as under normal conditions (before the failure). There are possible cases.

Therefore, there is a need for a warning means to make other vehicles aware of the failure of the throttle valve control device (the fact that the throttle valve control function cannot be maintained as before the failure).

The present invention was proposed in view of this situation, and is designed to automatically turn on (blink) the hazard lamps to issue a warning to other vehicles when the throttle valve cannot be normally controlled. An object of the present invention is to provide a drive-by-wire throttle valve control device that warns when a failure occurs.

[Means for Solving the Problems] Therefore, the fail-can type drive-by-wire throttle valve control device of the present invention includes an actuator that opens and closes a throttle valve disposed in an intake passage of an internal combustion engine. , an operation amount detection means for detecting an operation amount of an artificial operation member for operating the internal combustion engine, and a control signal outputted to the actuator based on the detection result from the operation amount detection means, thereby controlling the throttle valve. In the drive-by-wire throttle valve control device, the drive-by-wire throttle valve control device is provided with a control means for opening and closing the throttle valve, and a failure determination means for determining a failure when the throttle valve cannot be normally controlled and outputting a failure determination signal, and a hazard lamp switch closing control device. The hazard lamp switch is characterized in that the hazard lamp switch is configured to be closed based on the failure determination signal that is output when the failure determination means determines that a failure has occurred.

[Function] In the above-mentioned failure type drive-by-wire throttle valve control device of the present invention, when the throttle valve cannot be normally controlled, the failure determination means determines this as a failure, and based on this failure determination signal, a hazard is detected. The lamp switch closes, the hazard lamp lights up (or flashes),
Warns other vehicles of your vehicle's breakdown.

[Embodiment] Hereinafter, a failure warning type drive-by-wire throttle valve control device as an embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings.
Figure (b) is a block diagram of the control at the time of failure, and Figure 2 is a flowchart for explaining its operation.

First, the overall configuration of this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. A stepper motor (ffi![) 6 is provided as an actuator for driving the opening and closing. That is, the stepper motor 6 is capable of driving the opening and closing of the throttle valve 3 via the throttle shaft 3a.

The stepper motor 6 is operated by an electronic control unit (EC) as a control means consisting of a microprocessor, memories such as RAM and ROM, and input/output interfaces.
The amount of rotational drive (step amount) is controlled by receiving an electric control signal from U)8.

In addition, this electronic control unit 8 outputs an electric signal for controlling the stepper motor 6 and the throttle valve 3, and also sequentially injects fuel to an electromagnetic fuel injection valve (injector) 4 provided at the intake port of each cylinder. At the same time, it outputs a control signal for shifting to a solenoid valve (not shown) of a hydraulic control section in an automatic transmission TM attached to this engine E (a control signal between this automatic transmission T'M and engine E). If a damper clutch is provided in the torque converter interposed therebetween, it outputs a control signal (including a control signal for turning on and off the damper clutch). That is, this electronic control unit 8 includes a computer section (THC) that controls opening and closing of the throttle opening, a computer section (ECI) that controls the amount of injected fuel, and a computer section (ELC) that controls the speed change of the automatic transmission TM. ). In addition, this electronic control 22-1
-8 also have a computer section for controlling ignition timing.

The electronic control unit 8 is connected to a throttle position sensor 9. Accelerator position sensor 10. Shift position sensor 129 rotation speed sensor 13. Water temperature sensor 14. Vehicle speed sensor 15° air flow sensor 16. Intake temperature sensor 17. Shift information detection means 18. Detection signals from other sensors 21 are input.

Here, the throttle position sensor 9 detects the opening degree of the throttle valve 3, and uses, for example, a potentiometer.

The accelerator position sensor 10 detects the amount of depression (operation amount) of an accelerator pedal 11, which is an artificially operated member for operating the vehicle.

The shift position sensor 12 is connected to the selector lever 128.
The rotation speed sensor 13 detects the engine rotation speed from the number of ignition pulses, etc., and the water temperature sensor 14 detects the engine cooling water temperature. This is to detect.

The vehicle speed sensor 15 detects the actual speed of the vehicle, and the air flow sensor 16 is provided near the air cleaner 2 and detects the amount of intake air by detecting the Karman vortex street. The sensor 17 detects the intake air temperature.

The shift information detection means 18 detects shift information such as the transmission output shaft rotation speed and the kickdown drum rotation speed.

Note that instead of the accelerator position sensor 1o, a switch that can detect whether the accelerator pedal 11 is depressed or not by turning it on or off can also be used.

Other sensors include atmospheric pressure sensors.

Examples include an 02 sensor provided in the exhaust passage 5 of the engine E or an acceleration sensor that detects the acceleration of the vehicle.

By the way, inside the electronic control unit 8, as shown in FIG. 1(b), there are a throttle position sensor 9, an accelerator position sensor 10, and so on. A failure determining means 27 is provided which determines whether the throttle is being controlled normally based on sensors such as the air flow sensor 16 and determines this as a failure if the throttle is not being controlled normally. When the throttle valve control device is determined to be malfunctioning by this failure determination means 27, an activation command (failure determination signal) is immediately output to the fail-safe or backup mechanism 25, and the fail-safe or backup mechanism 25 is The throttle valve 3 is driven and controlled by the backup mechanism 25.

Additionally, when a failure is determined, a closing command is immediately output to the switch 29 of the warning differential 30 in the vehicle interior, and the warning differential 3o in the vehicle interior is turned on.

The failure determination by the failure determination means 27 is always performed, and when the failure determination state continues for a certain period of time, a closing command is output to the hazard lamp switch 26, causing the hazard lamp 28 installed in the vehicle to blink. It is designed to let you do so.

Note that when the failure determination means 27 makes a failure determination, the fail-safe or backup mechanism 2 is immediately activated.
5 is now working.

After determining the failure in the failure determining means 27, it takes some time until the fail-safe or backup device MIt25 is activated and the throttle valve 3 is controlled, and a closing command is output to the hazard lamp switch 26 described above. The predetermined period of time for the fail-safe or backup mechanism 25 to control the throttle valve 3 is a period of time long enough to clear the time required for the throttle valve 3 to be controlled by the fail-safe or backup mechanism 25.

Since the failure warning type drive-by-wire throttle valve control device as an embodiment of the present invention is configured as described above, 1. During normal times, the opening and closing of the throttle valve 3 is controlled by the electronic control unit 8 as a control means. However, once a failure occurs in any part of the control device, the failure determination means 27 determines the failure of the device and sends the information to the fail-safe or backup mechanism 25, the interior interior light switch 29, and the hazard lamp switch 26. A signal is sent.

The operation at the time of a failure will be explained with reference to the flowchart 1 in FIG.
Fail-safe backup mechanism 25 through the route
At the same time, an activation command is issued to the second
Although not shown in the figure, a closing command is output to the warning light switch 29 in the vehicle interior.

Next, in step a3, it is determined whether the fail-safe backup mechanism 25 has been activated within the required time and the function equivalent to that before the failure, that is, the throttle control can be performed normally. If the throttle control function equivalent to that before the failure cannot be obtained within the required time, that is, if the failure determination signal does not disappear for a certain period of time, the NO route is taken in step a3, and step a4
The hazard lamp switch 26 is closed, and the hazard lamp 28 flashes to warn other vehicles of the malfunction condition.

On the other hand, if the fail-safe backup mechanism 25 is activated and the function equivalent to that before the failure is restored within the required time, that is, the function that allows normal throttle control, the YES route is taken in step a3. Jump to a4. In other words, the hazard lamp switch 26 is not closed and remains in the closed state, and the hazard lamp 28 does not blink.

In this way, if the throttle valve control device does not operate normally, there is an advantage that other vehicles can be automatically and reliably warned that their own vehicle is in a malfunctioning state, and it is also possible for the driver to There is also the advantage that the driver no longer needs to operate a lamp switch to warn other vehicles, allowing the driver to concentrate more on troubleshooting.

In addition, after a failure determination, the hazard lamp switch 26 may be immediately closed after a certain period of time, and the hazard lamp 28 may be turned on.

[Effects of the Invention] As detailed above, according to the drive-by-wire throttle valve control device of the present invention, when the throttle valve cannot be normally controlled, it is determined as a failure and a failure determination signal is issued. The hazard lamp switch is provided with a determination means and a hazard lamp that is turned on when the hazard lamp switch is closed, and the hazard lamp switch is closed based on the failure determination signal that is output when the failure determination means determines that a failure has occurred. Due to its simple structure, it is possible to automatically and reliably issue a warning to other vehicles when the throttle valve cannot be controlled, and it also reduces the burden on the driver in an emergency, allowing the driver to take more appropriate measures. There are advantages that can be achieved.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figures 1 and 2 show a failure warning type drive-by-wire throttle valve control device as an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 (a) is its overall configuration, and Figure 1 (b) is its The failure control block diagram, FIG. 2, is a flowchart for explaining its operation. 1... Intake passage, 2... Air cleaner, 3... Throttle valve, 3 a... Throttle shaft, 3 b...
Pulley, 4...-Electromagnetic fuel injection valve (injector),
5--Exhaust passage, 6--Electric motor (stepper motor) as actuator, 7--Belt, B,-,-
, 71 child control unit) - (ECU), 9...-throttle position sensor, 1o...-accelerator position sensor as operation amount detection means, 11...accelerator pedal as human operation member, 12...-shift Position sensor, 12a--Selector lever, 13--Rotation speed sensor, 14--Water temperature sensor, 15--Vehicle speed sensor, 16--Air flow sensor, 17--Intake temperature sensor, 18-- Shift information detection means, 25-fail safe or backup mechanism, 26-hazard lamp switch, 27--failure determination means, 28--hazard lamp, 29-in-cabin warning light, E--gasoline engine (internal combustion engine) , TM--automatic transmission.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A manipulated variable detection means that includes an actuator that opens and closes a throttle valve disposed in an intake passage of an internal combustion engine, and detects the manipulated variable of an artificial operating member for operating the internal combustion engine, and the manipulated variable detecting means In a drive-by-wire throttle valve control device, which is equipped with a control means that opens and closes the throttle valve by outputting a control signal to the actuator based on a detection result from the controller, if the throttle valve cannot be controlled normally, this is treated as a failure. It is equipped with a failure judgment means that makes a judgment and outputs a failure judgment signal, and a hazard lamp that turns on when a hazard lamp switch is closed. A drive-by-wire throttle valve control device that warns when a failure occurs, characterized in that a lamp switch is configured to close.