JP2003293915A - Driving device and automobile mounted with it - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To certainly start an engine. <P>SOLUTION: When the engine does not completely explode within a predetermined time after engine start by driving a starter motor and a fuel pump (S100 to S104), the driving of the fuel pump is stopped for a predetermined time (for example, 3 sec) and is restarted after a predetermined time (S106 to S110). The driving of the fuel pump is temporarily stopped because repeating of driving and stopping of the fuel pump frequently allows removal of a foreign matter even when the foreign matter intrudes into the fuel pump to cause a starting failure. Thus, the fuel pump is normally driven, so that the engine is started further certainly. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a drive unit and a vehicle equipped with the same, and more particularly to an internal combustion engine, a fuel pump capable of pumping fuel in a fuel tank to the internal combustion engine, and an output of the internal combustion engine. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a drive device including a power output means capable of outputting power to a shaft and a vehicle equipped with the drive device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a drive device of this kind, a fuel pump for pumping fuel in a fuel tank so as to supply fuel to the internal combustion engine and an output shaft of the internal combustion engine for starting the internal combustion engine provided in the drive device. It has been proposed to provide an electric motor for outputting power. In this drive device, the electric motor is driven to rotate the internal combustion engine to a predetermined rotation speed, the fuel pump is driven, and the fuel injection valve is opened to supply the internal combustion engine with an amount of fuel suitable for starting the internal combustion engine. , The internal combustion engine is starting.

[0003]

However, in such a drive unit, when foreign matter such as dust is caught in the fuel pump, the driving force of the fuel pump is reduced, so that it is necessary to start the internal combustion engine. There is a problem in that the amount of fuel cannot be supplied and the startability of the internal combustion engine may deteriorate. In particular, when the drive device is operated in such a manner that the start and stop of the internal combustion engine are frequently repeated, the probability of foreign matter being caught in the fuel pump increases, so the above problem is further highlighted.

The drive device of the present invention has an object to solve these problems and more reliably start the internal combustion engine provided in the drive device. In addition, the drive device of the present invention,
One of the purposes is to detect an abnormality of a drive device based on a starting state of an internal combustion engine.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problem and Its Action / Effect The drive unit of the present invention employs the following means in order to achieve at least a part of the above-mentioned object.

The drive system of the present invention comprises an internal combustion engine, a fuel pump capable of supplying the fuel in the fuel tank to the internal combustion engine,
A drive device having power output means capable of outputting power to an output shaft of the internal combustion engine, wherein the fuel is supplied for a predetermined time to start the internal combustion engine when an instruction to start the internal combustion engine is given. The fuel pump and the power output means are configured to drive and control the pump and the power output means, and to re-drive the fuel pump with a temporary stop when the internal combustion engine does not start regardless of the drive control. The gist of the present invention is to include a starting control means for driving and controlling the motor.

In the drive system of the present invention, the starting control means drives and controls the fuel pump and the power output means for a predetermined time to start the internal combustion engine when an instruction to start the internal combustion engine is given. In addition, when the internal combustion engine does not start regardless of the drive control, the fuel pump and the power output means are drive-controlled so as to be re-driven with the temporary stop of the fuel pump. That is, since the foreign substances that obstruct the fuel flow due to the pressure change in the pump and the fuel supply path are removed by temporarily stopping the fuel pump, the foreign substances in the fuel pump are effectively removed by a simple method. Normal driving can be secured and the internal combustion engine can be started more reliably.

In such a driving apparatus of the present invention, the starting control means may be a means for controlling the fuel pump to be driven with a larger driving force when re-driving the fuel pump. By doing so, the foreign matter in the fuel pump can be removed more effectively.

Further, in the drive system of the present invention, the starting control means may be means for controlling the power output means so that the fuel pump is continuously driven even when the fuel pump is stopped. . By doing so, it is possible to more quickly remove the foreign matter in the fuel pump and start the internal combustion engine.

Further, the drive apparatus of the present invention is provided with an abnormality output means for outputting an abnormality when the internal combustion engine does not start even though the fuel pump has been redriven for a predetermined number of times. You can also In this way, the abnormality can be detected based on the starting condition of the internal combustion engine.

A vehicle of the present invention is a vehicle equipped with the drive device according to each of the above aspects, wherein the internal combustion engine is an engine capable of outputting power to a drive shaft connected to drive wheels of the vehicle. And

In the motor vehicle of the present invention, the internal combustion engine equipped with the drive device of each of the above aspects and the drive device is capable of outputting power to the drive shaft connected to the drive wheels of the vehicle. It is possible to secure good startability of the internal combustion engine that is the source.

In the vehicle of the present invention, the power output means may be an electric motor capable of outputting power to the output shaft of the internal combustion engine and outputting power to the drive wheels of the vehicle.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to examples. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of a configuration of an automobile 20 which is an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the automobile 20 of the embodiment has an engine 22, a planetary gear 30 connected to a crankshaft 23 as an output shaft of the engine 22 via a damper 25, and a motor MG1 capable of generating electricity connected to the planetary gear 30.
And a motor MG which is also connected to the planetary gear 30.
2 and a hybrid electronic control unit (hereinafter referred to as a hybrid ECU) 70 that controls the entire drive system of the vehicle.

The engine 22 outputs power obtained by explosive combustion of fuel (for example, hydrocarbon fuel such as gasoline or light oil) supplied from a fuel tank 26 by a fuel pump 27 and injected by a fuel injection valve 28. It is configured as an internal combustion engine, and its drive is controlled by an engine electronic control unit (hereinafter referred to as engine ECU) 24. The engine ECU 24 receives signals from various sensors that detect the operating state of the engine 22, and controls the intake air amount for adjusting the amount of air taken in by the engine 22, and the fuel in the fuel tank 26 at a required fuel pressure. A control signal is output to the fuel pump 27 so that the fuel is injected to the fuel injection valve 28, and the fuel is supplied to the engine 22 at a required air-fuel ratio.
Fuel injection control for outputting a control signal to the fuel injection valve 28 so that the fuel is injected into the engine 22 and ignition control for making the air-fuel mixture in the engine 22 explosive fuel. The engine ECU 24 communicates with the hybrid ECU 70, and controls the operation of the engine 22 by a control signal from the hybrid ECU 70, and outputs data regarding the operating state of the engine 22 as necessary.

The planetary gear 30 includes a sun gear 31 as an external gear, a ring gear 32 as an internal gear arranged concentrically with the sun gear 31, and a plurality of pinion gears 33 that mesh with the sun gear 31 and mesh with the ring gear 32.
And a carrier 34 that holds a plurality of pinion gears 33 to rotate and revolve freely, and performs a differential action with the sun gear 31, the ring gear 32, and the carrier 34 as rotating elements. In the planetary gear 30, the carrier 34 is connected to the crankshaft 23 of the engine 22, the sun gear 31 is connected to the rotating shaft 31a of the motor MG1, and the ring gear 32 is connected to the rotating shaft 32a of the motor MG2. Carrier 34 when functioning as
The power from the engine 22 input from the sun gear 31
Side and ring gear 32 side according to the gear ratio,
When the motor MG1 functions as an electric motor, the power from the engine 22 input from the carrier 34 and the power from the motor MG1 input from the sun gear 31 are integrated and output to the ring gear 32. Further, the power from the motor MG1 input from the sun gear 31 can be output to the carrier 34 side to start the engine 22. Therefore, the motor MG1 has a function as a starter motor responsible for starting the engine 22. Ring gear 32
Are mechanically connected to drive wheels 39a and 39b via a belt 36, a gear mechanism 37, and a differential gear 38. Therefore, the power output to the ring gear 32 is output to the drive wheels 39a and 39b via the belt 36, the gear mechanism 37, and the differential gear 38.

Both the motor MG1 and the motor MG2 are configured as a well-known synchronous generator motor that can be driven as a generator and also as an electric motor, and exchange electric power with the battery 43 via the inverters 41 and 42. An electric power line 54 connecting the inverters 41, 42 and the battery 43 is configured by using a positive electrode bus bar and a negative electrode bus line shared by the inverters 41, 42, and outputs electric power generated by one of the motors MG1, MG2 to the other. It can be consumed by the motor. Therefore, the battery 50 is charged and discharged by the electric power generated from the motors MG1 and MG2 and the insufficient electric power. Both the motors MG1 and MG2 are drive-controlled by a motor electronic control unit (hereinafter referred to as a motor ECU) 40. The motor ECU 40 includes motors MG1 and MG2.
Necessary for driving and controlling the motor, eg motor MG
Signals from rotational position detection sensors 43 and 44 detecting the rotational positions of the rotors of the motors MG1 and MG2, a phase current applied to the motors MG1 and MG2 detected by a current sensor (not shown), and the like are input, and the motor ECU 40 Outputs a switching control signal to the inverters 41 and 42. The motor ECU 40 is a hybrid EC
It communicates with the U70, drives and controls the motors MG1, MG2 by a control signal from the hybrid ECU 70, and outputs data regarding the operating states of the motors MG1, MG2 to the hybrid ECU 70 as necessary. The battery 50 is managed by a battery electronic control unit (hereinafter, referred to as battery ECU) 52. A signal necessary for managing the battery 50 is input to the battery ECU 52, and data regarding the state of the battery 50 is output to the hybrid ECU 70 as needed. The battery ECU 52 also calculates the remaining capacity (SOC) based on the integrated value of the charging / discharging current detected by the current sensor for managing the battery 50.

The hybrid ECU 70 is configured as a microprocessor centered on a CPU 72,
ROM 74 storing a processing program in addition to the CPU 72
A RAM 76 for temporarily storing data, and an input / output port and a communication port (not shown). The hybrid ECU 70 includes a shift position sensor 82 for detecting an ignition signal from an ignition switch 80 and an operation position of a shift lever 81, a shift position SP for detecting a depression amount of an accelerator pedal 83, and a accelerator pedal position sensor 84 for detecting an amount of depression of an accelerator pedal 83. The brake pedal position BP from the brake pedal position sensor 86 that detects the depression amount of the brake pedal 85, the vehicle speed V from the vehicle speed sensor 88, and the like are input through the input port. Also,
As described above, the hybrid ECU 70 is connected to the engine ECU 24, the motor ECU 40, and the battery ECU 52 via the communication port, and the engine ECU 2
4 exchanges various control signals and data with the motor ECU 40 and the battery ECU 52.

The operation of the thus constructed vehicle 20 of the embodiment, particularly the operation when starting the engine 22, will be described. FIG. 2 is a CPU of the hybrid ECU 70.
7 is a flowchart showing an example of an engine start control routine executed by 72. This routine is executed when an instruction to start the engine 22 is issued. The instruction to start the engine 22 is issued when the ignition switch 80 is turned on, the accelerator pedal position AP from the accelerator pedal position sensor 84, the vehicle speed V from the vehicle speed sensor 88, and the remaining battery 50 calculated by the battery ECU 52. This is performed when a predetermined starting condition is satisfied from the capacity (SOC) or the like.

When the engine start control routine is executed, the CPU 72 of the hybrid ECU 70 first executes a process of starting the engine 22 by driving the motor MG1 and the fuel pump 26 (step S100). . In this process, the motor MG
Specifically, the driving of No. 1 is to set the target torque of the motor MG1 so that the crankshaft 23 of the engine 22 is rotated at the set rotation speed and output the set target torque to the motor ECU 40. Is performed by the motor ECU 40 controlling the drive of the motor MG1 with the target torque. Specifically, the fuel pump 26 is driven by outputting a control signal instructing the driving of the fuel pump 26 to the engine ECU 24. This is performed by the engine ECU 24 drivingly controlling the fuel pump 26. When the process of starting the start of the engine 22 is performed, a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds) from the start of the start
It is determined whether or not the engine 22 has completely exploded (steps S102 and S104). When it is determined that the engine 22 has completely exploded within the predetermined time, this routine is finished as it is. On the other hand, when it is determined that the engine 22 has not completed the explosion within the predetermined time, the restart process of the engine 22 described below is executed.

The restart process of the engine 22 is performed by stopping the driving of the fuel pump 26 for a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds) and restarting the driving after the predetermined time has elapsed (steps S106 to S110). Fuel pump 26
The driving of the fuel pump 26 is temporarily stopped even when foreign matter such as dust is present in the fuel supply system such as in the fuel pump 26 or in the fuel supply path to interrupt the fuel flow.
This is based on the fact that if the stop and the driving are alternately performed, the foreign matter is often removed due to the pressure change in the fuel supply path. It should be noted that even while the fuel pump 26 is stopped, the motor M
G1 is controlled to be continuously driven.

When the engine 22 is restarted in this manner, it is determined whether or not the engine 22 has completely exploded within a predetermined time from the start of restarting (steps S112 and S11).
4) When it is determined that the complete explosion has been completed within the predetermined time, this routine is terminated as it is, and when it is determined that the complete explosion has not been completed within the predetermined time, a counter N (initial value) indicating the number of times of restart processing of the engine 22 is repeated. The value is set to the value 0) (step S116), and the value of the counter N is set to the threshold value Nref (for example, the value 1 or the value 2).
It is determined whether or not (step S118).
As a result of the determination, when it is determined that the value of the counter N is less than or equal to the threshold value Nref, the process returns to step S106 and the restart process is repeated. When it is determined that the value of the counter N exceeds the threshold value Nref, the restart process is performed. Despite the repeated execution of the above, it is determined that the engine 22 has not started and an abnormality has occurred in the engine 22 or the fuel supply system, and the abnormality output (for example, a display indicating the abnormality is output to the monitor). (Step S120) and this routine is completed.

According to the vehicle 20 of the embodiment described above, when the complete explosion does not occur within the predetermined time from the start of the engine 22, foreign matter is present in the fuel supply system such as the fuel pump 26 and the fuel supply path, and the fuel is The fuel pump 26 is restarted with a temporary stop of the fuel pump 26 because it is determined that the flow of the fuel is blocked, so that the foreign matter in the fuel supply system is effectively removed by the pressure change due to the temporary stop of the fuel pump 26. You can
It is possible to ensure the normal driving of the fuel pump 26.
As a result, the engine 22 can be started more reliably. Moreover, since the fuel pump 26 is simply re-driven with a temporary stop, the normal driving of the fuel pump 26 can be more easily ensured. Further, since the motor MG1 is continuously driven to rotate the engine 22 even while the fuel pump 26 is stopped, the engine 2 can be quickly operated.
2 restarts can be performed.

Further, according to the automobile 20 of the embodiment, when the engine 22 does not start despite the restart process of the engine 22 being repeated a predetermined number of times, an abnormal output of the engine 22 or the fuel supply system is output. The safety of the vehicle can be ensured.

In the automobile 20 of the embodiment, when the engine 22 does not completely explode within a predetermined time, the fuel pump 2
6 was re-driven with a temporary stop,
When driving the fuel pump 26 again, it may be driven with a larger driving force. Further, when the engine 22 does not complete the explosion within the predetermined time in the initial starting process, the fuel injection by the fuel injection valve 28 is started after the fuel pressure is sufficiently increased after the fuel pump 27 is restarted. Alternatively, the process of restarting the engine 22 may be executed.

In the automobile 20 of the embodiment, the motor MG1 for outputting power to the crankshaft 23 of the engine 22.
Is continuously driven even while the fuel pump 26 is stopped, the driving of the motor MG1 may be stopped while the fuel pump 26 is stopped.

In the vehicle 20 of the embodiment, the engine 22 is started by the motor MG1, but the starter motor may be used separately from the motor MG1 to start the engine 22.

The vehicle 20 of the embodiment is constructed as a hybrid vehicle which uses the engine 22 and the motors MG1 and MG2 as driving power sources, but is started on the output shaft of the internal combustion engine for a predetermined time based on the start instruction. As long as it is equipped with a device that outputs the power required for the engine and a fuel pump that pressure-feeds fuel to the internal combustion engine, various other hybrid vehicles and normal vehicles that use the internal combustion engine as a power source for traveling It does not matter what you do. Further, it may be applied to a drive device other than an automobile using an internal combustion engine as a power source.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and various embodiments are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course, it can be implemented in.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of a configuration of an automobile 20 which is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a hybrid ECU 7 of the automobile 20 according to the embodiment.
6 is a flowchart showing an example of an engine start control routine executed by 0.

[Explanation of symbols]

20 automobile, 22 engine, 23 crankshaft, 24 engine ECU, 25 damper, 26 fuel tank, 27 fuel pump, 28 fuel injection valve, 30
Planetary gear, 31 sun gear, 31a rotating shaft, 3
2 ring gear, 32a rotating shaft, 33 pinion gear, 34 carrier, 36 belt, 37 gear mechanism, 3
9a, 39b Drive wheels, 40 Motor electronic control unit (motor ECU), 41, 42 Inverter, 43,
44 rotation position detection sensor, 50 battery, 52 battery electronic control unit (battery ECU), 54 electric power line, 70 hybrid electronic control unit (hybrid ECU), 72 CPU, 74 ROM, 7
6 RAM, 80 ignition switch, 81 shift lever, 82 shift position sensor, 83 accelerator pedal, 84 accelerator pedal position sensor, 85 brake pedal, 86 brake pedal position sensor, 88 vehicle speed sensor, MG1, MG2 motor.

Front page continuation (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) F02D 41/06 325 F02M 37/08 A F02M 37/08 F02N 11/04 D F02N 11/04 B60K 6/04 ZHV (72 ) Inventor Katsuhiko Yamaguchi 1 Toyota Town, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture Toyota Automobile Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kiyoshiro Ueoka 1 Toyota Town, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture Toyota Motor Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Takahiro Nishigaki Toyota, Aichi Prefecture Toyota Town, Toyota-shi, Ltd. (72) Inventor Mamoru Tomatsui Toyota-cho, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture Toyota-cho, Ltd. F-term (reference) 3G093 AA07 BA21 CA01 DA06 DA12 DB05 DB11 DB15 DB19 EA03 EA05 EC02 FA12 FB05 3G301 JA12 KA01 LB07 LB13 LC03 NA08 NE16 NE23 PF01Z PF03Z PF05Z PF07Z PF16Z PG01Z

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A drive device having an internal combustion engine, a fuel pump capable of supplying fuel in a fuel tank to the internal combustion engine, and power output means capable of outputting power to an output shaft of the internal combustion engine, When an instruction to start the internal combustion engine is given, the fuel pump and the power output means are driven and controlled for a predetermined time to start the internal combustion engine, and the internal combustion engine is started regardless of the drive control. A drive device including a start-time control means for driving and controlling the fuel pump and the power output means so as to re-drive the fuel pump when the fuel pump is temporarily stopped. 2. The drive unit according to claim 1, wherein the start-time control unit is a unit that controls the fuel pump to be driven with a larger driving force when the fuel pump is re-driven. 3. The drive device according to claim 1, wherein the start time control means is a means for controlling the power output means so that the power output means is continuously driven even while the fuel pump is stopped. Drive. 4. The drive device according to claim 1, wherein an abnormality is output when the internal combustion engine does not start even though the fuel pump has been redriven for a predetermined number of times. A drive device including output means. 5. A vehicle equipped with the drive device according to claim 1, wherein the internal combustion engine is an engine capable of outputting power to a drive shaft connected to drive wheels of the vehicle. . 6. The vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the power output means is an electric motor capable of outputting power to an output shaft of the internal combustion engine and outputting power to drive wheels of the vehicle.