JP4210412B2 - Engine starter for vehicle - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vehicle engine starting device, and more particularly to a vehicle engine starting device that can start an engine without using a mechanical key.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, automobiles have been required to have improved operability as well as basic performance and safety. Conventionally, as an example, an engine starter having a smart ignition function has been proposed. Smart ignition function means that the engine can be started when the ID code set on the portable device owned by the owner matches the ID code set on the vehicle without using the current machine key It is a state. By using such an engine starting device, a complicated operation of inserting and rotating a mechanical key into the key switch is not required when starting the engine, and the operability is improved.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional engine starting device, it is necessary to newly provide a switch for starting the engine. For this reason, there was a problem that the number of parts increased and the cost was increased.
[0004]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a vehicle engine starter that can prevent an increase in the number of parts.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle engine starter that can prevent an engine from being easily started by a third party.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problem, in the invention according to claim 1, when the ID code set in the portable device owned by the owner and the ID code set on the vehicle side match, the engine is In a vehicle engine starting device that can be started, the engine is started when an existing switch provided in a steering device including a steering and a steering column is operated, and the existing switch is provided in the steering column. The present invention includes at least one of a lever combination switch and a shift switch provided in the steering .
In the invention according to claim 2, when the ID code set in the portable device possessed by the owner matches the ID code set on the vehicle side, the vehicle engine that can start the engine In the starting device, the engine is started when an existing switch provided in a steering device including a steering and a steering column is operated, and the existing switch is a switch operated during driving.
[0006]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle engine starting device according to the first or second aspect , the engine is started when the existing switch is operated in combination of at least two kinds. To do.
[0008]
The “action” of the present invention will be described below.
According to invention of Claims 1-3, an engine is started by operating the existing switch. For this reason, it is not necessary to separately provide a switch for starting the engine in the vehicle. Therefore, an increase in the number of parts can be prevented.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the engine can be started without impairing operability by using the lever combination switch or the shift switch.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the existing switch is a switch that is operated during driving, and therefore is in a position that is easy for the driver to operate. Therefore, the engine can be started without impairing operability by using this existing switch.
[0009]
According to the invention described in claim 3 , the engine is started by operating a combination of two or more existing switches. For this reason, the engine can be started based on a reliable intention. In addition, since the operation for starting the engine is complicated, it is possible to prevent the engine from being easily started by a third party.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment embodying the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0012]
As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicular remote control device 1 includes a portable device 11 carried by the owner (driver) of the vehicle 2 and a communication control device 12 mounted on the vehicle 2. The portable device 11 includes a reception circuit 13, a microcomputer (microcomputer) 14, and a transmission circuit 15.
[0013]
The receiving circuit 13 is a circuit for receiving a request signal from the communication control device 12 and inputting the signal to the microcomputer 14. The microcomputer 14 is a circuit for outputting a transmission signal (ID code signal) including a predetermined ID code set in advance when a request signal from the receiving circuit 13 is input. The transmission circuit 15 is a circuit for modulating the ID code signal into a radio wave of a predetermined frequency and transmitting it to the outside. Antennas 16 and 17 are connected to the receiving circuit 13 and the transmitting circuit 15, respectively.
[0014]
On the other hand, the communication control device 12 includes a first transmission circuit 21, a second transmission circuit 22, a reception circuit 23, and a microcomputer (microcomputer) 24. A shift position sensor 31, a brake switch 32, a shift switch 33, a door lock driving device 34, and an engine starting device 35 are connected to the microcomputer 24. The shift position sensor 31 is a sensor that detects where the shift position is. The brake switch 32 is a switch that is turned on when the brake pedal is depressed. As shown in FIG. 2, the shift switch 33 is two existing switches provided in the steering 36, and is constituted by a momentary push button switch. These shift switches 33 are usually designed to shift down when one is pressed (ON) and to shift up when the other is pressed (ON).
[0015]
Antennas 25 to 27 are connected to the transmission circuits 21 and 22 and the reception circuit 23, respectively. The first transmission circuit 21 is a circuit for converting the first request signal output from the microcomputer 24 into a radio wave or a magnetic signal and outputting the radio signal or a magnetic signal to a predetermined area outside the vehicle compartment via the antenna 25. On the other hand, the second transmission circuit 22 is a circuit for converting the second request signal output from the microcomputer 24 into a radio wave or a magnetic signal and outputting it to a predetermined area in the vehicle compartment via the antenna 26. Therefore, mutual communication between the portable device 11 and the communication control device 12 is possible within the output area of these request signals.
[0016]
The receiving circuit 23 receives the ID code signal output from the portable device 11 via the antenna 27, demodulates the ID code signal into a pulse signal, generates a received signal, and sends the received signal to the microcomputer 24. It is a circuit for outputting.
[0017]
Specifically, the microcomputer 24 is a CPU unit including a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM (not shown), and intermittently outputs the first or second request signal. The microcomputer 24 stores a predetermined ID code that is set in advance. When the reception signal is input, the microcomputer 24 compares its own ID code with the ID code included in the reception signal. When the ID codes match, if the ID code is included in the ID code signal transmitted in response to the first request signal, the microcomputer 24 drives the door lock driving device 34. Unlock the door lock.
[0018]
If the matched ID code is included in the ID code signal transmitted in response to the second request signal, the microcomputer 24 enters an engine start standby state. The microcomputer 24 drives the engine starter 35 to start the engine when a predetermined operation is performed under a predetermined condition in the engine start standby state. Therefore, the engine start operation in this embodiment will be described.
[0019]
First, the microcomputer 24 determines the operating state of the engine based on an input signal from the engine starter 35. If the engine is not started, the microcomputer 24 reads input signals from the shift position sensor 31 and the brake switch 32. Thereby, if the shift position is in the “P” position or the “N” position and the brake switch 32 is in the ON state, the microcomputer 24 enters the engine start permission state. In this state, the microcomputer 24 drives the engine starter 35 to start the engine when each shift switch 33 is operated in a predetermined manner set in advance. In this embodiment, after one shift switch 33 is pressed, the engine is started when the other shift switch 33 is pressed within a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds). Here, after the one of the shift switch 33 is pressed, even if the other shift switch 33 from exceeding a predetermined time is pressed, the engine is adapted not started. That is, the operation according to the predetermined mode of the shift switch 33 is a trigger for starting the engine.
[0020]
When the shift switch 33 is operated after the engine is started, the engine starter 35 is not driven and normal operations (shift down and shift up) are performed.
[0021]
Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The engine is started by operating a shift switch 33 which is an existing switch. For this reason, it is not necessary to separately provide a switch for starting the engine in the vehicle. Therefore, an increase in the number of parts can be prevented.
[0022]
Further, since the shift switch 33 is a switch that is operated during driving, it is in a position that is easy for the driver to operate. Therefore, by using this shift switch 33, the engine can be started without impairing operability.
[0023]
(2) In order to start the engine, a predetermined operation procedure is required in which one shift switch 33 is pressed and then the other shift switch 33 is pressed within a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds). That is, the engine is prevented from starting by a simple operation. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the engine from being easily started by a third party.
[0024]
(3) The ID code matches by mutual communication between the portable device 11 and the communication control device 12, the shift position is in the “P” position or the “N” position, and the brake switch is turned on. When the engine is running, the engine is allowed to start. That is, if these various conditions are not satisfied, even if the shift switch 33 is operated, the engine does not start. For this reason, it is possible to more reliably prevent the engine from being easily started by a third party.
[0025]
In addition, you may change embodiment of this invention as follows.
In the above-described embodiment, after pressing one shift switch 33, the engine is started by pressing the other shift switch 33 within a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds). However, the operation mode of the shift switch 33 is not limited to this, and the engine starts when the other shift switch 33 is pressed while one shift switch 33 is pressed, or when both shift switches 33 are pressed simultaneously. You may make it do. Further, when the other shift switch 33 is pressed twice while one shift switch 33 is pressed, or when both shift switches 33 are pressed twice simultaneously within a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds), the engine You may make it start. That is, the operation mode of the shift switch 33 may be set in any way.
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 2, the steering column 37 is usually provided with two lever combination switches 38 and 39. Therefore, instead of operating the shift switch 33, the engine may be started by operating these lever combination switches 38 and 39 in a predetermined manner.
[0027]
For example, a one-shot wiper switch that is turned on by moving the lever combination switch 38 toward the steering 36 or a passing switch that is turned on by moving the lever combination switch 39 toward the steering 36 may be used. More specifically, the engine may be started by turning on the one-shot wiper switch once or a plurality of times, or by turning on the passing switch once or a plurality of times. Further, the engine may be started by combining ON operations of these switches.
[0028]
Furthermore, the engine may be started by operating a momentary rotation switch such as a rear wiper switch.
In this way, even if the vehicle is not provided with the shift switch 33, the engine can be started by the existing switch. In addition, since the lever combination switches 38 and 39 are in positions that are easy for the driver to operate, the engine can be started without impairing operability.
[0029]
-Instead of operating the shift switch 33, the engine may be started by operating the horn switch 40 shown in FIG. 2 in a predetermined manner.
[0030]
The engine may be started by combining the operation of the shift switch 33 with the operation of the lever combination switches 38 and 39 and the horn switch 40. For example, the engine may be started by turning on a passing switch while one shift switch 33 is pressed. In this way, the operation for starting the engine can be made more secure, and the start of the engine by a third party can be prevented more reliably.
[0031]
In the above embodiment, in addition to the ID code match and shift position conditions, if the brake switch does not satisfy the ON state, it will not start even if the shift switch 33 is operated. It has become. However, the operating state of the brake switch need not be a condition. Moreover, it is good also considering the operating state of a side brake as a condition instead of a brake switch.
[0032]
-The smart entry function may be omitted, and the door lock may be locked and unlocked with a mechanical key or keyless entry.
Next, in addition to the technical ideas described in the claims, the technical ideas grasped by the embodiment described above are listed below.
[0033]
(1) In the engine starting apparatus for the vehicle, when the same was operated either shift switch operation to the other shift switch within a predetermined time from among the shift switch, thereby starting the engine.
[0034]
(2) In the engine starting apparatus for a vehicle, to start the engine when operating the other shift switch while operating the one shift switches of said each shift switch.
[0035]
(3) In the engine starting apparatus for a vehicle, to start the engine when said operating the respective shift switch simultaneously.
According to the inventions described in the technical ideas (1) to (3), it is possible to prevent the engine from being easily started by a third party.
[0036]
(4) In the engine starting apparatus for the vehicle, the lever combination switch, the one-shot wiper switch, passing switch, and momentary consists rotary switch, start the engine when operating at least one of each of these switches Make it.
[0037]
(5) In the engine starting apparatus for a vehicle, to start the engine when operated multiple times within the same switch a predetermined time.
[0038]
(6) In the engine starting apparatus for a vehicle, to start the engine when the respective operation is performed in the ON state of the brake switch.
[0039]
(7) In the engine starting apparatus for a vehicle, the vehicle portable device mutually communicable communication control apparatus which is possessed by the driver is arranged, a predetermined ID code set in the portable device by their intercommunication Permitting the engine to be started by the predetermined operation when the ID matches the predetermined ID code set in the communication control device. According to the invention described in this technical idea (7), the start of the engine by a third party can be surely prevented.
[0040]
【The invention's effect】
As described in detail above, according to the first to third aspects of the invention, an increase in the number of parts can be prevented.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the engine can be started without impairing operability.
According to invention of Claim 2, an engine can be started, without impairing operativity.
[0041]
According to the invention described in claim 3 , it is possible to prevent the engine from being easily started by a third party .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of the vehicle compartment according to the embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Remote control device, 2 ... Vehicle, 11 ... Portable machine, 12 ... Communication control device, 24 ... Microcomputer (microcomputer), 31 ... Shift position sensor, 32 ... Brake switch, 33 ... Shift switch, 35 ... Engine starter , 36 ... steering, 37 ... steering column, 38,39 ... lever combination switch.

Claims (3)

In the vehicular engine starting device that makes the engine startable when the ID code set in the portable device owned by the owner matches the ID code set on the vehicle side,
The engine is started when an existing switch provided in the steering device comprising the steering and the steering column is operated ,
The vehicle engine starter according to claim 1, wherein the existing switch includes at least one of a lever combination switch provided in the steering column and a shift switch provided in the steering .   In the vehicular engine starting device that makes the engine startable when the ID code set in the portable device owned by the owner matches the ID code set on the vehicle side,
  The engine is started when an existing switch provided in the steering device including the steering and the steering column is operated,
  The vehicle engine starting device, wherein the existing switch is a switch operated during driving. The vehicle engine starter according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the engine is started when the existing switch is operated in combination of at least two or more kinds .

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