JP2008279854A - Vehicle control device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress occurrence of a deviation caused by repetition of start and stop of an engine between an actual rotational position of a step motor and a rotational position detected based on an amount of operation. <P>SOLUTION: An engine ECU executes a program including a step (S102) for turning on a start announcement signal upon engine start request (YES in S100), a step (S108) for disabling a starter upon receipt of a step motor drive allowance signal (YES in S106), and a step (S110) for driving the starter when no step motor drive allowance signal is received. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle control device, and more particularly, to a technique for preventing a deviation between an actual rotational position and a rotational position detected based on an operation amount of a step motor, which occurs due to a decrease in power supply voltage when starting an engine.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an air conditioner mounted on a vehicle, a motor (hereinafter referred to as a step motor or a stepping motor) is used to switch a damper provided in an air flow path that circulates inside the air conditioner. The step motor is controlled in an open loop. For this reason, when the key switch (ignition key) is turned on, the rotational position of the motor is returned to the original position by abutting against the stopper and reset to the initial position. Thus, a technique for correcting a deviation between the actual rotational position of the step motor and the rotational position detected based on the operation amount of the step motor is known.

  For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-322597 (Patent Document 1) discloses a motor actuator control method using a stepping motor that requires less so-called origin reset frequency and generates less out-of-step sound. This motor actuator control method is a motor actuator control method using a stepping motor used in a vehicle air conditioner, and starts driving the motor actuator after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the engine. .

  According to the motor actuator control method disclosed in the above publication, voltage fluctuation is likely to occur by configuring the motor actuator to be forcibly prohibited when voltage fluctuation is likely to occur. Since the driving of the motor actuator is forcibly prohibited for a predetermined time during so-called cranking, the occurrence of so-called door misalignment due to the stepping motor step-out can be reliably reduced. For this reason, the frequency of resetting the origin of the so-called motor actuator can be reduced, the frequency of unpleasant step-out noise that occurs at the time of resetting the origin is reduced, and the comfort in the passenger compartment can be further improved.

  In addition, from the viewpoint of preventing global warming and saving resources, when the vehicle stops at a red light at an intersection or the like, the engine is automatically stopped and the driver operates the vehicle to start running again (for example, by depressing the accelerator pedal). An idling stop system (also called an economy running system or engine automatic stop-and-start system) that restarts the engine when the pedal is depressed or the brake pedal is depressed) has been put into practical use.

In a vehicle equipped with such an idling stop system, control for stopping the engine is performed when a predetermined stop condition is satisfied.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-322597

  In a vehicle equipped with an idling stop system, starting and stopping of the engine are frequently repeated. If the rotation position of the step motor is not reset to the initial position due to reasons such as the difficulty of predicting the next engine start, each time the engine is started and stopped, it is based on the actual rotation position and the rotation amount of the step motor. Therefore, the deviation from the rotational position detected in this way is enlarged.

  In the motor actuator control method disclosed in the above publication, the driving of the step motor is only stopped when the ignition switch is turned on. Therefore, if the engine is repeatedly started and stopped after the ignition switch is turned on, such as in a vehicle equipped with an idling stop system, the distance between the actual rotational position of the step motor and the rotational position detected based on the operation amount It is not possible to suppress the deviation that occurs.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and its object is detected on the basis of the actual rotational position of the step motor and the operation amount of the step motor resulting from repeated starting and stopping of the engine. It is providing the control apparatus of the vehicle which suppresses generation | occurrence | production of the shift | offset | difference between the rotational position which is.

  A vehicle control apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is a vehicle control apparatus equipped with a motor and a starter that starts an internal combustion engine that repeatedly starts and stops after the vehicle is started. This control device requires a determination means for determining a start request for the internal combustion engine based on a predetermined start condition including at least a condition regarding a running state of the vehicle, a driving period of the motor, and start. Means for prohibiting driving of either the motor or the starter so that the period from the time point until the internal combustion engine is started does not overlap.

  According to the first invention, the determining means determines a request for starting the internal combustion engine on the basis of a predetermined starting condition including at least a condition regarding a running state of the vehicle. The internal combustion engine is started based on the start conditions such as the vehicle speed, for example, by preventing the drive period of the motor (for example, the step motor) from overlapping with the period from the time when the start of the internal combustion engine is required to the start. In a vehicle equipped with an idling stop system, the motor can be prohibited from driving when the internal combustion engine is started by the starter. Further, the driving of the starting device can be prohibited when the motor is driven. Thereby, it is possible to prevent malfunction of the motor due to power reduction, and to prevent deviation between the actual rotational position of the motor and the rotational position of the motor detected based on the operation amount of the motor. Further, since the motor can be stopped at an early stage before the engine is actually started, it is possible to reliably avoid the overlap between the driving period of the starting device and the driving period of the motor. Therefore, it is possible to provide a vehicle control device that suppresses the occurrence of deviation between the actual rotational position of the motor and the rotational position detected based on the operation amount of the motor due to the repeated starting and stopping of the engine. it can.

  In the vehicle control apparatus according to the second invention, in addition to the configuration of the first invention, the vehicle has the internal combustion engine stopped when a predetermined stop condition is satisfied, and a predetermined start condition. An idling stop system for starting the internal combustion engine by the starter when the condition is established is mounted. The determination means includes means for determining that there is a request for starting the internal combustion engine when a predetermined start condition is satisfied.

  According to the second aspect of the invention, the idling stop is achieved by preventing the drive period of the motor (for example, the step motor) from overlapping with the period from when the predetermined start condition is satisfied until the internal combustion engine is started. In a vehicle equipped with the system, the driving of the motor can be prohibited when the internal combustion engine is started by the starter. Therefore, in a vehicle equipped with an idling stop system that repeatedly starts and stops the internal combustion engine, it is detected based on the actual rotational position of the motor and the amount of operation of the motor due to a decrease in the power supply voltage that occurs each time the internal combustion engine starts. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of a deviation from the rotational position.

  In the vehicle control apparatus according to the third aspect of the invention, in addition to the configuration of the first or second aspect of the invention, the motor is used to switch the flow path of the medium that circulates inside the components provided in the vehicle.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the rotation detected based on the actual rotation position of the motor and the operation amount of the motor due to the decrease in the power supply voltage by not overlapping the driving period of the motor and the driving period of the starting device. Since the deviation from the position can be suppressed, the flow path of the medium in a component (for example, an air conditioner) provided in the vehicle can be appropriately switched.

  In the vehicle control apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the invention, in addition to the configuration of any one of the first to third aspects, the prohibiting means includes means for prohibiting the driving of the motor at the time when the start is required. Including. The control device further includes control means for controlling the starter so that the internal combustion engine starts after the drive of the motor is prohibited.

  According to the fourth invention, the prohibiting means prohibits driving of a motor (for example, a step motor) at a time when starting is required. The control means controls the starter so as to start the internal combustion engine after the motor drive is prohibited. Accordingly, since the motor can be stopped at an early stage before the engine is actually started, the motor drive period and the period from when a predetermined start condition is satisfied until the internal combustion engine is started Can be avoided reliably. As a result, in a vehicle equipped with an idling stop system, a deviation between the actual rotational position of the motor and the rotational position detected based on the operation amount of the motor due to a decrease in the power supply voltage that occurs every time the internal combustion engine is started. Can be suppressed.

  In the vehicle control apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the invention, in addition to the configuration of the fourth aspect of the invention, the motor is used for switching the flow path of the air flowing inside the air conditioner mounted on the vehicle.

  According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the motor is used for switching the flow path of the air flowing inside the air conditioner mounted on the vehicle. By preventing the motor drive period and the starter drive period from overlapping each other, it is possible to prevent a deviation between the actual rotational position of the motor and the rotational position detected based on the operation amount of the motor due to a decrease in power supply voltage. Since it can suppress, the switching of the air flow path in an air conditioner can be performed appropriately.

  The vehicle control apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the invention further includes means for determining whether or not the motor is being driven, in addition to the configuration of any one of the first to third aspects of the invention. The prohibiting means includes means for prohibiting starting of the internal combustion engine by the starting device when the motor is being driven.

  According to the sixth aspect of the invention, the prohibiting means prohibits starting of the internal combustion engine by the starting device when the motor is being driven. Thereby, it is possible to avoid overlap between the drive period of the motor and the drive period of the starter. As a result, in a vehicle equipped with an idling stop system, a deviation between the actual rotational position of the motor and the rotational position detected based on the operation amount of the motor due to a decrease in the power supply voltage generated when the internal combustion engine is started is generated. Can be suppressed.

  In the vehicle control device according to the seventh aspect of the invention, in addition to the configuration of the fourth or sixth aspect of the invention, the motor has at least one of the inside of the internal combustion engine and the inside of the transmission mounted on the vehicle. Used to switch the flow path of the circulating cooling medium.

  According to the seventh invention, the motor is used for switching the flow path of the cooling medium flowing through at least one of the inside of the internal combustion engine and the inside of the transmission mounted on the vehicle. Therefore, by avoiding the overlap between the motor drive period and the starter drive period, a deviation between the actual rotation position of the motor and the rotation position detected based on the operation amount of the motor due to a decrease in the power supply voltage is generated. Can be suppressed. Thereby, switching of the flow path of a cooling medium can be performed appropriately.

  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.

<First Embodiment>
With reference to FIG. 1, the control block of the idling stop system which concerns on embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. The transmission mounted on the vehicle may be a manual transmission or an automatic transmission.

  As a hardware system to be controlled in this idling stop system, an engine 100 that is an internal combustion engine, a starter 200 that cranks the engine 100 to start the engine 100, a crankshaft pulley of the engine 100, and a belt are connected. Further, an alternator 244, an auxiliary load 240, and a battery (secondary battery) 250 that supplies electric power to the starter 200 and the auxiliary load 240 are included. Note that a motor generator may be used instead of the starter 200. The battery may further include a battery for supplying power when the engine 100 is stopped. The starter 200 or the motor generator corresponds to the “starting device” of the engine 100. The auxiliary load 240 includes a step motor 242 and vehicle components such as lights, audio, an air conditioner compressor (not shown), and the like.

  The step motor 242 is a motor used for switching the flow path of the medium that circulates inside the components provided in the vehicle. The motor is not particularly limited to a step motor as long as electric power is used during driving.

  In the present embodiment, step motor 242 is used for switching a damper provided in an air flow path that circulates inside the air conditioner, but is not particularly limited thereto. For example, step motor 242 may be used for switching a damper provided in a flow path of a cooling medium that flows through at least one of engine 100 and a transmission mounted on a vehicle. Good.

  As a control system for controlling such a hardware system, the idling stop system includes an antilock braking system (ABS) _ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 1000, an eco-run ECU 2000, an engine ECU 3000, and a step motor ECU 3400.

  The ABS_ECU 1000 includes signals from the G sensor 1100 (signals of physical quantities representing vehicle tilt and acceleration), signals from the brake master pressure sensor 1200 (signals of physical quantities representing the effectiveness of the vehicle braking device), and vehicle speed sensors 1300. (Signals of physical quantities representing the speed of the vehicle) are respectively input.

  The eco-run ECU 2000 is supplied with a brake signal indicating that the brake in conjunction with the brake lamp signal is in operation, a shift signal indicating the shift position of the transmission, and a clutch signal indicating the operation state of the clutch.

  The engine ECU 3000 includes a signal from an accelerator switch 3100 that detects that the accelerator pedal is depressed, a signal from an EMPS (Electronic Motor Power Steering) sensor 3200 that detects that the steering is being operated, A signal from the NE sensor 3300 for detecting the rotation speed (NE) and a signal from the voltmeter 3500 for detecting the voltage of the battery 250 are input.

  A sensor signal is transmitted from ABS_ECU 1000 to eco-run ECU 2000, a start command signal and a stop command signal for engine 100 are transmitted from eco-run ECU 2000 to engine ECU 3000, and a sensor signal is transmitted from engine ECU 3000 to eco-run ECU 2000. Engine ECU 3000 transmits a start signal to starter 200 based on the start command signal of engine 100 received from eco-run ECU 2000, starter 200 cranks engine 100, and engine 100 restarts.

  A predetermined start condition and a predetermined stop condition of the engine 100 are stored in the memory of the eco-run ECU 2000. The predetermined starting condition is a condition including at least a condition regarding a running state of the vehicle. For example, the predetermined start condition and the predetermined stop condition are conditions regarding the speed of the vehicle, the state of the shift position of the transmission, the state of the brake, and the like. The predetermined start condition may be a condition that a predetermined stop condition is not satisfied.

  Eco-run ECU 2000 transmits a start command signal for engine 100 to engine ECU 3000 when a predetermined start condition is satisfied. Eco-run ECU 2000 transmits a stop command signal for engine 100 to engine ECU 3000 when a predetermined stop condition is satisfied.

  Engine ECU 3000 transmits a drive permission signal or a drive inhibition signal for step motor 242 to step motor ECU 3400. In the present embodiment, the step motor ECU corresponds to the air conditioner ECU. That is, when step motor ECU 3400 receives a drive permission signal from engine ECU 3000, step motor ECU 3400 drives step motor 242 in accordance with the operating state or driving state of an air conditioner (not shown). When step motor ECU 3400 receives the drive inhibition signal from engine ECU 3000, step motor 242 stops driving or does not drive step motor 242 regardless of the operating state or driving state of the air conditioner.

  Further, step motor ECU 3400 transmits a signal indicating whether or not step motor 242 is in a driving state to engine ECU 3000. Engine ECU 3000 can determine whether or not step motor 242 is being driven based on a signal received from step motor ECU 3400. The signal indicating whether or not step motor 242 is in a driving state may be, for example, a signal corresponding to a flag that is turned on by step motor ECU 3400 when step motor 242 is driven, or an encoder provided in step motor 242 May be a signal indicating the amount of rotation of the step motor 242 output from the engine ECU 3000 to the engine ECU 3000.

  The vehicle control apparatus according to the present embodiment is implemented by engine ECU 3000 and step motor ECU 3400. In the present embodiment, engine ECU 3000 and step motor ECU 3400 will be described separately provided. However, the present invention is not particularly limited to such a configuration. For example, the ECU is an ECU in which engine ECU 3000 and step motor ECU 3400 are integrated. It may be configured.

  In the vehicle having the above-described configuration, the present invention enables the stepping motor of the engine ECU 3000 so that the driving period of the stepping motor 242 does not overlap with the period from when the starting is required until the engine 100 starts. It is characterized in that the driving of either one of 242 and starter 200 is prohibited.

  Specifically, in the present embodiment, engine ECU 3000 prohibits driving of step motor 242 at the time when start of engine 100 is requested, and after engine driving of step motor 242 is prohibited, engine 100 The starter 200 is controlled to start.

  FIG. 2 shows a functional block diagram of engine ECU 3000 and step motor ECU 3400 which are vehicle control devices according to the present embodiment. The vehicle control apparatus according to the present embodiment is implemented by engine ECU 3000 and step motor ECU 3400.

  Engine ECU 3000 includes an input interface (hereinafter referred to as an input I / F) 300, an arithmetic processing unit 400, a storage unit 500, and an output interface (hereinafter referred to as an output I / F) 600. .

  Input I / F 300 receives a start command signal and a stop command signal from eco-run ECU 2000 and a step motor drive permission signal from step motor ECU 3400.

  Arithmetic processing unit 400 includes a start request determination unit 402, a warning signal output unit 404, a step motor drive permission determination unit 406, and a starter control unit 408.

  Start request determination unit 402 determines whether or not start of engine 100 is requested. Specifically, start request determination unit 402 determines that start of engine 100 is requested when a start command signal is received from eco-run ECU 2000. Further, start request determination unit 402 determines that start of engine 100 is not requested when a start command signal is not received from eco-run ECU 2000 or when a stop command signal is received. For example, when start request determination unit 402 determines that start of engine 100 is requested, start request determination flag may be turned on.

  When it is determined that the engine 100 is requested to start, the warning signal output unit 404 generates a startup warning signal and transmits it to the step motor ECU 3400 via the output I / F 600. Note that the warning signal output unit 404 may transmit a start warning signal to the step motor ECU 3400 when the start request determination flag is on.

  Step motor drive permission determination unit 406 determines whether or not drive of step motor 242 is permitted. Specifically, when step motor drive permission determination unit 406 receives a step motor drive permission signal from step motor ECU 3400, it determines that driving of step motor 242 is permitted. Further, when step motor drive permission determination unit 406 does not receive a step motor drive permission signal from step motor ECU 3400 or receives a drive prohibition signal, step motor drive permission determination unit 406 determines that driving of step motor 242 is not permitted.

  The starter control unit 408 brings the stator 200 into a non-driven state when the driving of the step motor 242 is permitted. The starter control unit 408 drives the starter 200 when the drive of the step motor 242 is permitted.

  In the present embodiment, the start request determination unit 402, the warning signal output unit 404, the step motor drive permission determination unit 406, and the starter control unit 408 are all stored in the storage unit of the CPU that is the arithmetic processing unit 400. Although described as functioning as software realized by executing the program stored in 500, it may be realized by hardware. Such a program is recorded on a storage medium and mounted on the vehicle.

  On the other hand, step motor ECU 3400 includes an input I / F 350, a calculation processing unit 450, a storage unit 550, and an output I / F 650.

  Input I / F 350 receives a start warning signal from engine ECU 3000. Arithmetic processing unit 450 includes a start notice determination unit 452, a permission signal output unit 454, a drive request determination unit 456, a drive permission determination unit 458, and a step motor control unit 460.

  Start notice determination unit 452 determines whether or not engine ECU 3000 has been notified of start of engine 100. Specifically, start notice determination unit 452 determines that start of engine 100 has been noticed when a start notice signal is received from engine ECU 3000. It should be noted that the start notice determination unit 452 may turn on the notice determination flag when it is determined that the start of the engine 100 is notified.

  If the start signal is not received, permission signal output unit 454 generates a step motor drive permission signal and transmits it to engine ECU 3000 via output I / F 650. The permission signal output unit 454 stops outputting the step motor drive permission signal when receiving the start notice signal. Alternatively, the permission signal output unit 454 may generate a step motor drive prohibition signal when receiving the start notice signal and transmit it to the engine ECU 3000 via the output I / F 650.

  The permission signal output unit 454 may transmit a step motor drive permission signal to the engine ECU 3000 when the notice determination flag is off, for example.

  The drive request determination unit 456 determines whether or not there is a drive request for the step motor 242. For example, when step motor 242 is used for switching a damper provided in the air flow path of the air conditioner, whether or not there is a drive request for step motor 242 based on the operating state of the air conditioner and the operating state of the air conditioner. Determine. For example, when an operation corresponding to switching from the flow path corresponding to the inside air circulation to the flow path corresponding to the outside air introduction is performed, the drive request determination unit 456 activates the switching motor that switches the flow path. It is determined that the drive is requested. Note that the drive request determination unit 456 may turn on the drive request determination flag when determining that the step motor 242 is requested to drive, for example.

  The drive permission determination unit 458 determines whether or not the driving of the step motor 242 is permitted when the driving of the step motor 242 is requested. Specifically, drive permission determination unit 458 determines that driving of step motor 242 is permitted when a step motor drive permission signal is transmitted to engine ECU 3000. Further, when the step motor drive permission signal has not been transmitted to engine ECU 3000 or when the step motor drive prohibition signal has been transmitted to engine ECU 3000, drive permission determination unit 458 is permitted to drive step motor 242. Judge that there is no. The drive permission determination unit 458 may turn on the permission determination flag when the drive of the step motor 242 is permitted.

  The step motor control unit 460 drives the step motor 242 when the driving of the step motor 242 is requested and the driving of the step motor 242 is permitted. Further, the step motor control unit 460 stops the step motor 242 if the driving of the step motor 242 is not permitted or the driving of the step motor 242 is not permitted even if the driving is requested. Or do not drive. Note that step motor controller 460 may drive step motor 242 when the drive request determination flag is on and permission determination flag is on, for example. Step motor control unit 460 may stop or not drive step motor 242 if, for example, either the drive request determination flag or the permission determination flag is off.

  In the present embodiment, all of the start notice determination unit 452, the permission signal output unit 454, the drive request determination unit 456, the drive permission determination unit 458, and the step motor control unit 460 are the arithmetic processing unit 450. Although it is described that the CPU functions as software, which is realized by executing a program stored in the storage unit 550, the CPU may be realized by hardware. Such a program is recorded on a storage medium and mounted on the vehicle.

  Various types of information, programs, threshold values, maps, and the like are stored in the storage unit 550, and data is read or stored from the arithmetic processing unit 450 as necessary.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 3, a control structure of a program executed by engine ECU 3000 which is the vehicle control apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.

  In S100, engine ECU 3000 determines whether or not start of engine 100 is requested. If there is an engine start request (YES in S100), the process proceeds to S102. If not (NO in S100), the process proceeds to S104.

  In S102, engine ECU 3000 turns on the start notice signal. That is, engine ECU 3000 transmits a start notice signal to step motor ECU 3400.

  In S104, engine ECU 3000 turns off the start notice signal. That is, engine ECU 3000 stops the transmission of the start notice signal to step motor ECU 3400. Thereafter, this process ends.

  In S106, engine ECU 3000 determines whether or not step motor 242 is permitted to be driven. If driving of step motor 242 is permitted (YES in S106), the process proceeds to S108. If not (NO in S106), the process proceeds to S110.

  In S108, engine ECU 3000 does not drive starter 200. In S110, engine ECU 3000 drives starter 200.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 4, a control structure of a program executed by step motor ECU 3400 which is the vehicle control apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.

  In S200, step motor ECU 3400 determines whether or not a start notice signal is received. If the start warning signal is received (YES in S200), the process proceeds to S202. If not (NO in S200), the process proceeds to S204.

  In step S202, step motor ECU 3400 turns off the step motor drive permission flag. In step S204, step motor ECU 3400 turns on the step motor drive permission flag. That is, step motor ECU 3400 transmits a step motor drive permission signal to engine ECU 3000.

  In step S206, step motor ECU 3400 determines whether there is a step motor drive request. If there is a step motor drive request (YES in S206), the process proceeds to S208. If not (NO in S206), the process proceeds to S212.

  In step S208, step motor ECU 3400 determines whether or not the step motor drive permission flag is on. If the step motor drive permission flag is on (YES in S208), the process proceeds to S210. If not (NO in S208), the process proceeds to S212.

  In step S210, step motor ECU 3400 drives step motor 242. In step S212, step motor ECU 3400 stops driving step motor 242. Alternatively, step motor ECU 3400 does not drive step motor 242.

  The operations of engine ECU 3000 and step motor ECU 3400, which are vehicle control apparatuses according to the present embodiment, based on the above-described structure and flowchart will be described.

  Assume a case where the vehicle after starting is temporarily stopped by a red light or the like. At this time, when a predetermined stop condition is satisfied, engine 100 stops. In the idling stop system, the air conditioner is operating even when the engine 100 is stopped. Here, since the start notice signal is OFF (NO in S200), the driving of step motor 242 is permitted (S204).

  Depending on the operating state of the air conditioner or the operating state of the air conditioner, for example, if there is a drive request for step motor 242 corresponding to switching of the damper between the introduction of outside air and the circulation of inside air (YES in S206), step motor drive permission Since the flag is on (YES in S208), step motor 242 is driven (S210). At this time, the air flow rate in the air conditioner is switched.

  If the driver switches the shift position from the neutral (N) position to the forward travel (D) position or releases the brake pedal by operating the shift lever, a predetermined start condition is satisfied (or predetermined) Therefore, it is determined that the engine 100 is required to be started (YES in S100), and the start warning signal is turned on (S102). At this time, if the step motor drive permission flag is on (YES in S106), starter 200 is not driven (S108).

  When the start notice signal is turned on (YES in S200), the step motor drive permission flag is turned off (S202). Therefore, even in a state where the driving of step motor 242 is required (YES in S206), step motor 242 stops because the step motor drive permission flag is off (NO in S208) (S212). Alternatively, even if there is a drive request, the step motor 242 is not driven.

  Further, when the engine is required to be started (YES in S100) and the start notice signal is turned on (S102), when the step motor drive permission flag is turned off (NO in S106), The starter 200 is driven (S110). Thereby, the starting process of engine 100 is started. Therefore, when engine 100 is started, overlap between the drive period of starter 200 and the drive period of step motor 242 is avoided.

  As described above, according to the control apparatus for a vehicle according to the present embodiment, idling can be achieved by ensuring that the driving period of the step motor does not overlap with the period from when the engine is required to start. In a vehicle equipped with a stop system, the step motor can be prohibited from driving when the starter starts the engine. Thereby, it is possible to reliably avoid the overlap between the starter driving period and the step motor driving period. Therefore, since the step motor can be stopped at an early stage before the engine is actually started, it is possible to prevent the step motor from malfunctioning due to a power supply drop. A deviation from the rotational position of the step motor detected based on the operation amount of the motor can be prevented. Accordingly, there is provided a vehicle control device that suppresses the occurrence of deviation between the actual rotational position of the step motor and the rotational position detected based on the operation amount of the step motor due to the repetition of starting and stopping of the engine. be able to.

  Further, since it is possible to suppress the deviation between the actual rotational position of the step motor and the rotational position detected based on the operation amount of the step motor, it is possible to appropriately switch the air flow path in the air conditioner. it can.

  In the above description, the present invention has been described as being applied to a vehicle equipped with an idling stop system. However, as a vehicle to which the present invention is applied, there is an internal combustion engine that repeatedly starts and stops after the vehicle is started. The vehicle is not particularly limited as long as the vehicle is mounted. For example, the vehicle may be a hybrid vehicle on which a rotating electrical machine serving as a drive source and an engine are mounted, and a vehicle on which an idling stop system is not mounted.

<Second Embodiment>
Hereinafter, the vehicle control apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described. Compared with the configuration of the vehicle control device according to the first embodiment described above, the vehicle control device according to the present embodiment has a functional block configuration of engine ECU 3000 and the vehicle control according to the present embodiment. The difference is that the apparatus is realized by engine ECU 3000. The rest of the configuration is the same as the configuration of the vehicle control device according to the first embodiment described above. They are given the same reference numerals. Their functions are the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated here.

  The present embodiment is characterized in that engine ECU 3000 prohibits driving of step motor 242 when engine 100 is being started.

  FIG. 5 shows a functional block diagram of engine ECU 3000 which is a vehicle control apparatus according to the present embodiment. Engine ECU 3000 includes an input interface (hereinafter referred to as input I / F) 300, an arithmetic processing unit 400, a storage unit 500, and an output interface (hereinafter referred to as output I / F) 600.

  Input I / F 300 receives an engine start command signal and an engine stop command signal from eco-run ECU 2000, an engine speed signal from NE sensor 3300, and a voltage detection signal from voltmeter 3500.

  Arithmetic processing unit 400 includes an engine start determination unit 452, a step motor control unit 454, and a starter control unit 456.

  Engine start determination unit 452 determines whether engine 100 is starting. Specifically, engine start determination unit 452 detects a decrease in voltage of battery 250 based on a voltage detection signal from voltmeter 3500. When the starter 200 is driven, the voltage is further lowered than the voltage drop during normal discharge (other than when the starter 200 is driven). Therefore, engine start determination unit 452 determines whether engine 100 is starting based on the degree of decrease in voltage of battery 250. The engine start determination may be made, for example, when the engine speed received from the NE sensor 3300 changes from substantially zero to the self-sustained speed or more, and it may be determined that the engine 100 is starting, or You may make it determine based on the voltage of the starter relay which is not shown in figure.

  When the engine start determination unit 452 determines that the engine 100 is starting, the step motor control unit 454 generates a drive prohibition signal so as to prohibit the drive of the step motor 242 and passes through the output I / F 600. To the step motor ECU 3400. When step motor ECU 3400 receives the drive inhibition signal from engine ECU 3000, step motor ECU 3400 stops driving step motor 242 or does not drive step motor 242.

  Further, step motor control unit 404 generates a drive permission signal so as to permit driving of step motor 242 when engine start determination unit 402 determines that engine 100 is not being started, and passes output I / F 600. And transmitted to the step motor ECU 3400. When step motor ECU 3400 receives the drive permission signal from engine ECU 3000, step motor ECU 3400 drives step motor 242 in accordance with the operating state or operating state of the air conditioner.

  When the starter control unit 406 receives an engine start command signal from the eco-run ECU 2000, the starter control unit 406 generates a starter control signal so that the starter 200 is driven, and transmits the starter control signal to the starter 200 via the output I / F 600.

  In the present embodiment, engine start determination unit 402, step motor control unit 404, and starter control unit 406 all execute a program stored in storage unit 500 by CPU that is arithmetic processing unit 400. Although the description will be made assuming that it functions as software, it may be realized by hardware. Such a program is recorded on a storage medium and mounted on the vehicle.

  Various information, programs, threshold values, maps, and the like are stored in the storage unit 500, and data is read or stored from the arithmetic processing unit 400 as necessary.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 6, a control structure of a program executed by engine ECU 3000 which is the vehicle control apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.

  In S300, engine ECU 3000 determines whether engine 100 is being started. If engine 100 is starting (YES in S300), the process proceeds to S302. If not (NO in S300), the process proceeds to S304.

  In S302, engine ECU 3000 prohibits driving of step motor 242. That is, engine ECU 3000 transmits a drive inhibition signal for step motor 242 to step motor ECU 3400.

  In S304, engine ECU 3000 permits the driving of step motor 242. That is, engine ECU 3000 transmits a drive permission signal for step motor 242 to step motor ECU 3400.

  The operation of engine ECU 3000 as the vehicle control apparatus according to the present embodiment based on the structure and flowchart as described above will be described.

  Assume a case where the vehicle after starting is temporarily stopped by a red light or the like. At this time, when a predetermined stop condition is satisfied, engine 100 stops. In the idling stop system, even if engine 100 is stopped (NO in S300), the air conditioner is in operation. At this time, since the driving of the step motor 242 is permitted (S304), for example, the step motor 242 is adapted to switch between the introduction of the outside air and the circulation of the inside air according to the operating state of the air conditioner or the operating state of the air conditioner. Is driven to switch the air flow path in the air conditioner.

  If the driver switches the shift position from the neutral (N) position to the forward travel (D) position or releases the brake pedal by operating the shift lever, a predetermined start condition is satisfied (or predetermined) Therefore, the engine 100 is started. At this time, since power supply voltage of battery 250 is reduced by driving starter 200, it is determined that engine 100 is being started (YES in S300). Therefore, the driving of the step motor 242 is prohibited (S302).

  As described above, according to the vehicle control apparatus according to the present embodiment, by preventing the drive period of the step motor and the drive period of the starter from overlapping, in the vehicle equipped with the idling stop system, Since the step motor can be stopped when the engine is started, it is possible to prevent the step motor from malfunctioning due to a power supply drop, and further, the step detected based on the actual rotation position of the step motor and the operation amount of the step motor. Deviation from the rotational position of the motor can be prevented. Accordingly, there is provided a vehicle control device that suppresses the occurrence of deviation between the actual rotational position of the step motor and the rotational position detected based on the operation amount of the step motor due to the repetition of starting and stopping of the engine. be able to.

<Third Embodiment>
Hereinafter, the vehicle control apparatus according to the third embodiment will be described. Compared to the configuration of the vehicle control device according to the second embodiment described above, the vehicle control device according to the present embodiment has a functional block configuration of engine ECU 3000 and control of a program executed by engine ECU 3000. The structure is different. The other configuration is the same as the configuration of the vehicle control device according to the second embodiment described above. They are given the same reference numerals. Their functions are the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated here.

  The present embodiment is characterized in that engine ECU 3000 prohibits starter 200 from starting engine 100 when step motor 242 is being driven.

  Specifically, as a functional block of engine ECU 3000, a step motor drive determining unit (not shown) is further included in addition to the functional blocks shown in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, preferably, step motor 242 operates intermittently and has a short drive time within a range in which start delay of engine 100 is acceptable. It is desirable that For example, in the present embodiment, step motor 200 is used to switch a damper provided in a flow path of hydraulic fluid that circulates at least one of the inside of engine 100 and the inside of a transmission mounted on a vehicle. Used.

  The step motor drive determination unit determines whether or not the step motor 242 is being driven. The step motor drive determination unit determines whether or not the step motor 242 is being driven based on a signal indicating whether or not the step motor 242 is received from the step motor ECU 3400 via the input I / F 300. Determine whether. For example, when receiving a signal indicating that step motor 242 is being driven under the control of step motor ECU 3400, step motor drive determining unit determines that step motor 242 is being driven. Alternatively, the step motor drive determination unit may determine that the step motor 242 is being driven when the amount of rotation from the encoder has changed. The step motor drive determination unit may turn on the step motor drive determination flag when the step motor is being driven.

  The starter control unit 406 prohibits driving of the starter 200 when the step motor 242 is being driven. The starter control unit 406 permits the starter 200 to be driven when it is determined that the step motor 242 is not being driven, for example, because the driving of the step motor 242 is stopped. When the starter control unit 406 is permitted to drive the starter 200 and receives an engine start command signal from the eco-run ECU 2000, the starter control unit 406 generates a starter control signal so that the starter 200 is driven, and starts the starter 200 via the output I / F 600. Send to.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 7, a control structure of a program executed by engine ECU 3000 which is the vehicle control apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.

  In S400, engine ECU 3000 determines whether or not step motor 242 is being driven. If step motor 242 is being driven (YES in S400), the process proceeds to S402. If not (NO in S400), the process proceeds to S404.

  In S402, engine ECU 3000 prohibits starter 200 from being driven. That is, engine ECU 3000 does not drive starter 200 even if it receives an engine start command signal from eco-run ECU 2000.

  In S404, engine ECU 3000 permits starter 200 to be driven. That is, engine ECU 3000 drives starter 200 in response to reception of an engine start command signal from eco-run ECU 2000.

  The operation of engine ECU 3000 as the vehicle control apparatus according to the present embodiment based on the structure and flowchart as described above will be described.

  Assume a case where the vehicle after starting is temporarily stopped by a red light or the like. At this time, when a predetermined stop condition is satisfied, engine 100 stops. At this time, in the case where the electric oil pump is mounted on the vehicle, even if the engine 100 is stopped, the hydraulic oil in the engine 100 and the transmission flows and depends on the state of the engine 100 and the transmission. When the flow path is switched, the step motor 242 is driven.

  At this time, when the driver switches the shift position from the neutral (N) position to the forward travel (D) position or releases the brake pedal by operating the shift lever, a predetermined start condition is satisfied (or Predetermined stop condition is not met). However, since step motor 242 is being driven (YES in S400), drive of starter 200 is prohibited (S402). Therefore, the starter 200 is not driven.

  Then, when the flow path is switched and driving of step motor 242 is stopped (NO in S400), operation of starter 200 is permitted (S404). Therefore, starter 200 is driven and engine 100 is started. Therefore, when engine 100 is started, overlap between the drive period of starter 200 and the drive period of step motor 242 is avoided. It should be noted that the time from when a predetermined start condition is established until the step motor 242 is driven is within a range in which the start delay of the engine 100 is allowed, so that the driver may feel uncomfortable. Absent.

  As described above, according to the vehicle control device of the present embodiment, by preventing the drive period of the step motor and the drive period of the starter from overlapping, in the vehicle equipped with the idling stop system, It is possible to prevent the starter from being driven while the step motor is being driven to prevent the step motor from malfunctioning due to a power drop, and to detect the step based on the actual rotation position of the step motor and the operation amount of the step motor. Deviation from the rotational position of the motor can be prevented. Accordingly, there is provided a vehicle control device that suppresses the occurrence of deviation between the actual rotational position of the step motor and the rotational position detected based on the operation amount of the step motor due to the repetition of starting and stopping of the engine. be able to.

  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 figure which shows the structure of the idling stop vehicle by which the control apparatus of the vehicle which concerns on 1st Embodiment is mounted. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an engine ECU and a step motor ECU, which are vehicle control devices according to the first embodiment. In 1st Embodiment, it is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the program performed by engine ECU. 3 is a flowchart showing a control structure of a program executed by a step motor ECU in the first embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of engine ECU which is a control device of vehicles concerning a 2nd embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the program performed by engine ECU which is a control apparatus of the vehicle which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the program performed by engine ECU which is a control apparatus of the vehicle which concerns on 3rd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  100 engine, 200 starter, 240 auxiliary load, 242 step motor, 244 alternator, 250 battery, 300, 350 input I / F, 400, 450 arithmetic processing unit, 402 start request determination unit, 404 warning signal output unit, 1000 ABS ECU 1100 G sensor, 1200 brake master pressure sensor, 1300 vehicle speed sensor, 2000 eco-run ECU, 3000 engine ECU, 3100 accelerator SW, 3200 EMPS sensor, 3300 NE sensor, 3400 step motor ECU, 3500 voltmeter.

Claims (7)

A vehicle control device equipped with a motor and a starting device for starting an internal combustion engine that repeats starting and stopping after starting the vehicle,
Determination means for determining a start request for the internal combustion engine based on a predetermined start condition including at least a condition about a running state of the vehicle;
For prohibiting driving of either the motor or the starter so that the drive period of the motor does not overlap with the period from when the start is required to when the internal combustion engine starts. Means for controlling the vehicle. The vehicle is equipped with an idling stop system that stops the internal combustion engine when a predetermined stop condition is satisfied, and starts the internal combustion engine by the starter when the predetermined start condition is satisfied,
The vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit includes a unit for determining that there is a request for starting the internal combustion engine when the predetermined start condition is satisfied.   The vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein the motor is used for switching a flow path of a medium that circulates inside a component provided in the vehicle. The prohibiting means includes means for prohibiting driving of the motor when the start is required,
The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control device further includes control means for controlling the starter so that the internal combustion engine is started after driving of the motor is prohibited. Control device.   5. The vehicle control device according to claim 4, wherein the motor is used to switch a flow path of an air flowing inside an air conditioner mounted on the vehicle. The control device further includes means for determining whether the motor is being driven,
The vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein the prohibiting unit includes a unit for prohibiting starting of the internal combustion engine by the starting device when the motor is being driven.   The vehicle according to claim 4 or 6, wherein the motor is used for switching a flow path of a cooling medium flowing through at least one of the inside of the internal combustion engine and the inside of a transmission mounted on the vehicle. Control device.

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