JPH112143A - Control device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a control device for a vehicle in which an internal combustion engine is stopped when driving force is not necessary, and in which it can be immediately started when an accelerator pedal is stepped on. SOLUTION: As an accelerator is put off during stoppage of a vehicle (Yes for S14), an internal combustion engine 11 is stopped (S20). In the condition where a brake is off (No for S14), when an inter-vehicle distance is large (Yes for S32), the internal combustion engine is started (S24). As the vehicle is stopped for a red signal, with the internal combustion engine 11 stopped, the signal is changed into blue, and a vehicle ahead is started to enlarge the inter- vehicle distance, then the inter-vehicle distance enlarged is detected to start the internal combustion engine 11. By thus preliminarily starting the internal combustion engine 11 when probability of an accelerator pedal being stepped on is high, thereby the vehicle can be immediately started when the accelerator pedal is stepped.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle control device for stopping and starting an internal combustion engine of a vehicle as required.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A vehicle using an internal combustion engine is configured to transmit rotation generated by the internal combustion engine to a transmission, perform a shift in the transmission, and then transmit the transmission to driving wheels. Here, when the vehicle is stopped such as at a traffic light, the internal combustion engine is driven in an idling state.
At this time, since the internal combustion engine is rotated even though the vehicle is not running, fuel consumption and exhaust gas emission are continued.

[0003] For this reason, during a stop on a congested road, a signal waiting, etc.
In other words, if the accelerator off state continues for a certain period of time,
BACKGROUND ART An engine temporary stop system that temporarily stops an internal combustion engine and starts the internal combustion engine again when an accelerator pedal is depressed has been put to practical use. According to this system,
While the internal combustion engine is stopped, no exhaust gas is emitted and no fuel is consumed.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned engine temporary stop system, when the internal combustion engine is temporarily stopped, the driver depresses the accelerator pedal and then starts the internal combustion engine. It took a while for the vehicle to actually start off after being rare.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and has as its object to stop the internal combustion engine when no driving force is required and to execute the operation when the accelerator pedal is depressed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle control device that can start immediately.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle control apparatus for stopping and starting an internal combustion engine, and an inter-vehicle distance for measuring an inter-vehicle distance with a preceding vehicle. A measuring device, an engine stopping means for detecting a predetermined condition that does not require the output of the internal combustion engine, and automatically stopping the internal combustion engine by the engine control device when the condition is satisfied; When the inter-vehicle distance measured by the measuring device is larger than a preset range than when the engine is stopped by the engine stop means, the engine control means restarts the internal combustion engine. And technical means.

A vehicle control device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the vehicle control device according to the first aspect, further comprising a brake sensor for detecting whether or not a brake pedal is depressed.
A technical feature is to restart the internal combustion engine on condition that the brake sensor is not depressed.

The technical feature of the third aspect of the present invention is that the engine stopping means and the engine restarting means operate even while the vehicle is running.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first to third aspects, there is provided an accessory driving means capable of driving an accessory driven by the internal combustion engine independently of the internal combustion engine while the internal combustion engine is stopped. Characteristic.

In the vehicle control device according to the first aspect, the engine stop means detects a predetermined condition that does not require the output of the internal combustion engine, and causes the engine control device to stop the internal combustion engine. Then, the engine restart means causes the engine control means to start the internal combustion engine when the inter-vehicle distance measured by the inter-vehicle distance measuring device is large.
For this reason, for example, when the vehicle stops at a red light, the engine stop means stops the internal combustion engine, then the signal changes to a green light, and when the preceding vehicle starts and the inter-vehicle distance becomes empty,
The engine restarting means starts the internal combustion engine when the inter-vehicle distance is larger than when the engine is stopped. Alternatively, the driver turns off the accelerator after visually recognizing that the signal in front is a red light, while the engine stopping means stops the internal combustion engine and coasts,
When the traffic light changes to a green light and the preceding vehicle accelerates and the inter-vehicle distance is increased, the engine restarting means restarts the internal combustion engine due to the increased inter-vehicle distance. Thus, after the internal combustion engine is stopped, the internal combustion engine is started in advance when the accelerator pedal is likely to be depressed, so that the vehicle can be started and accelerated immediately when the accelerator pedal is depressed.

In the vehicle control device according to the second aspect, the engine stop means stops the internal combustion engine by the accelerator off while the vehicle is stopped, and the engine restart means increases the inter-vehicle distance when the brake is not depressed. Restart the internal combustion engine when For this reason, for example, after stopping at a red light, after the engine stop means stops the internal combustion engine, the signal is replaced with a green signal, when the preceding vehicle starts and the inter-vehicle distance is clear, the engine restart means, The internal combustion engine is restarted due to the increased inter-vehicle distance. In this way, to start the internal combustion engine in advance when the accelerator pedal is likely to be depressed,
The vehicle can be started immediately when the accelerator pedal is depressed.

In the vehicle control device according to the third aspect, the engine stop means stops the internal combustion engine (or stops the supply of fuel) by the accelerator-off while the vehicle is running, and the engine restart means operates while the vehicle is running. When the inter-vehicle distance is large, the internal combustion engine is started (or the fuel supply is restarted). For this reason, for example, the driver turns off the accelerator after confirming that the signal in front is a red light, and while the engine stopping means is stopping the internal combustion engine and coasting, the signal becomes a green signal. Instead, when the preceding vehicle accelerates and the inter-vehicle distance is increased, the engine restarting means restarts the internal combustion engine due to the increased inter-vehicle distance. As described above, since the internal combustion engine is started in advance when the accelerator pedal is highly likely to be depressed after the internal combustion engine is stopped, the vehicle can be immediately accelerated when the accelerator pedal is depressed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the auxiliary device drive means operates the auxiliary devices of the internal combustion engine, such as a power steering and an air conditioner, while the internal combustion engine is stopped. The internal combustion engine can be stopped while the vehicle is running.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a vehicle control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a vehicle according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a power transmission system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The internal combustion engine (E / G) 11 in FIG. 1 is controlled by a control device described later, and is driven while the vehicle is running and stopped when the vehicle is stopped. Automatic transmission 12
Is connected to the internal combustion engine 11 and the internal combustion engine 1
The speed change is performed in response to the rotation generated by the control unit 1. The automatic transmission 12 has a clutch Cl as a friction engagement element.
The clutch Cl is disengaged by a hydraulic servo (not shown). The rotation after the shift is transmitted from the automatic transmission 12 to drive wheels (not shown).

Further, the rotation of the internal combustion engine 11 is transmitted to a crank pulley 13 which is received via a one-way clutch F. As shown in FIG. 2, auxiliary pulleys 22 and 23 are attached to the crank pulley 13 via a V-belt 21 as shown in FIG.
Auxiliary equipment pulleys 26 and 27 are connected via a belt 25, respectively. The air conditioner 15 is connected to the auxiliary equipment pulley 22, the DC electric motor 17 is connected to the auxiliary equipment pulley 23, and the oil pump 16 is connected to the auxiliary equipment pulley 26. However, a brake vacuum pump 18 for supplying a vacuum to a brake system (not shown) is connected to the auxiliary pulley 27. A P / S pump for operating a power steering (not shown),
Auxiliary equipment such as a cooling water system water pump can also be connected.

Therefore, each accessory is connected to the internal combustion engine 1
It is operated by receiving the rotation transmitted from 1 to the crank pulley 13. In this case, the crank pulley 13 and each of the accessory pulleys 22, 23, 26, and 27 have the crank pulley 13 as a primary pulley and the accessory pulley 2
A V-belt type continuously variable transmission (CVT) having 2, 23, 26, and 27 as secondary pulleys is configured.

The crank pulley 13 and the auxiliary pulleys 22, 23, 26, 27 are respectively provided with a fixed pulley, a movable pulley and hydraulic servos K-1 to K-1.
The movable pulley is moved by supplying a predetermined hydraulic pressure to each of the hydraulic servos K-1 to K-5, and the crank pulley 13 and the auxiliary pulleys 22, 23, 26 are provided. , 27 by changing the interval between the "V" -shaped grooves, thereby changing the effective lengths of the crank pulley 13 and the auxiliary pulleys 22, 23, 26, 27, and changing the stepless speed ratio. The gear is changed.

Therefore, each of the auxiliary pulleys 22, 23,
By controlling the rotation speeds of 26 and 27, the air conditioner 15, the oil pump 16, the electric motor 17, the brake vacuum pump 18 and the like can be operated in a highly efficient state. The electric motor 17 is connected to a 12 [V] auxiliary battery 19. The electric motor 17 can be used as a generator to charge the battery 19. Further, the battery 19
Are connected to auxiliary equipment such as a light and a stereo, so that current can be supplied to the auxiliary equipment and the electric motor 17.

Next, the operation of the vehicle having the above configuration will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control system of the vehicle according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, a control device 50 for controlling the entire vehicle includes hydraulic servos K-1 to K-5.
And an engine control device 52 for controlling the internal combustion engine 11. The hydraulic control device 51 is provided with the hydraulic servos C-1, K
A predetermined oil pressure is supplied to -1 to K-5. On the other hand, while the vehicle is running, the engine control device 52 controls the fuel system, the ignition system, and the like to control the rotation speed of the internal combustion engine 11. Start and stop by starter. The vehicle speed sensor 55 detects the vehicle speed, the accelerator sensor 56 detects the degree of depression of an accelerator pedal (not shown), and the brake sensor 57 detects whether a brake pedal (not shown) has been depressed or whether the side brake has been applied. .

On the other hand, the control device is provided with a front sensor 60 which is disposed at the front of the vehicle and measures an inter-vehicle distance to a vehicle traveling ahead. The front sensor 60 irradiates a laser beam and measures an inter-vehicle distance based on an arrival time of reflected light from an obstacle. Here, an example using laser light will be described, but as a device for measuring the distance to a preceding vehicle, the arrival time of a reflected wave from an obstacle using radio waves, ultrasonic waves, and the like, and the frequency deviation due to the Doppler effect are measured. In addition to those for measurement, two CCD cameras can be used.
An image captured by one CCD camera can be analyzed by a computer to determine the distance.

While the vehicle is running, the internal combustion engine 11
Is driven through the engine control device 52, and the mechanical output generated in the internal combustion engine 11, that is, rotation is transmitted to drive wheels (not shown) via the automatic transmission 12. At this time, the one-way clutch F (FIG. 1)
Is locked, the rotation of the internal combustion engine 11 is controlled by the one-way clutch F, the crank pulley 13, the respective auxiliary pulleys 22, 23, 26, 27, and the V-belt 2.
The air is transmitted to the air conditioner 15, oil pump 16, electric motor 17, brake vacuum pump 18 and the like via the first and the second 25 (see FIG. 2). Then, the battery 19 is charged by the current generated by the electric motor 17.

Therefore, while the vehicle is running, the air conditioner 15, the oil pump 16, the electric motor 17, the brake vacuum pump 18 and the like are operated by the rotation of the internal combustion engine 11. The electric motor 17
Since the battery 19 is charged by the current generated by the above, it is possible to operate auxiliary equipment such as a light and a stereo.

At this time, the hydraulic servos K-1 to K-1
Since the hydraulic pressure supplied to −5 is controlled by the hydraulic control device 51, the air conditioner 15, the oil pump 16, the electric motor 17, the brake vacuum pump 18 and the like are operated in a highly efficient state.

Here, when the stop condition of the internal combustion engine described later is satisfied, the control device 50 drains the oil of the hydraulic servo C-1 via the hydraulic control device 51 to release the clutch Cl. Therefore, the automatic transmission 12 becomes neutral, and rotation from the internal combustion engine 11 is
at 1 and is not transmitted to the drive wheels.

Subsequently, the internal combustion engine control means stops the internal combustion engine 11 via the engine control device 52 when the set time until the clutch Cl is sufficiently released has elapsed. At this time, the electric motor 17 is used as an electric motor, and a current is supplied from the battery 19.
Then, the mechanical output generated by driving the electric motor 17, that is, the rotation is converted to the crank pulley 1.
The air conditioner 15, the oil pump 16, the brake vacuum pump 18, and the like are transmitted through the control unit 3 to operate the air conditioner 15, the oil pump 16, the brake vacuum pump 18, and the like. At this time, the hydraulic pressure generated by the oil pump 16 is set to a predetermined hydraulic pressure by the hydraulic control device 51 and supplied to the hydraulic servos K-1 to K-5, so that the air conditioner 15, the oil pump 16, the brake vacuum The pump 18 and the like are operated in a highly efficient state.

During this time, since the one-way clutch F is in the free state, the rotation generated by the electric motor 17 is not transmitted to the internal combustion engine 11.
Therefore, no drag occurs in the internal combustion engine 11.

Subsequently, when predetermined conditions described later, such as the driver depressing the accelerator pedal, are satisfied, the control device 50
The internal combustion engine 11 is started via the engine control device 52. When a set time elapses until the internal combustion engine 11 is rotated at the idle speed, the control device 5
Numeral 2 supplies the hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic servo C-1 via the hydraulic control device 51 to engage the clutch Cl.

As described above, when there is no need to drive the internal combustion engine 11, for example,
Can be stopped, the amount of exhaust gas can be reduced, and fuel efficiency can be improved. Also,
While the internal combustion engine 11 is stopped, the air conditioner 1
5, oil pump 16, brake vacuum pump 18
In addition to operating the auxiliary equipment, it is possible to operate auxiliary equipment such as a light and a stereo.

Next, the stop / start operation of the internal combustion engine 11 by the control device 50 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. The control device 50 first sets the vehicle speed to zero based on a signal from the vehicle speed sensor 55, that is,
It is determined whether the vehicle is stopped (S12 shown in FIG. 4). Here, when the vehicle is running (No in S12), the process proceeds to step 52 shown in FIG. On the other hand, when the vehicle is stopped (Yes in S12), the process proceeds to step 14, where the foot is released from the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal is depressed based on signals from the accelerator sensor 56, the brake sensor 57, and the engine control device 52. The vehicle is stopped and the engine is started, that is, the vehicle stops at traffic lights, traffic jams, etc.
It is determined whether the driver is depressing the brake pedal.

Here, the foot is released from the accelerator pedal,
When the brake pedal is depressed and the engine has been started (S14: Yes), the routine proceeds to step 16, where the clutch C1 of the automatic transmission 12 is disengaged and switched to neutral. And the front sensor 60
From a predetermined range (for example, within 2m)
It is determined whether or not a vehicle exists. If the vehicle stops at the forefront of the intersection at a red traffic light and there is no vehicle ahead (No at S18), it is necessary to start immediately after confirming the green traffic light. Return to

On the other hand, when there is a vehicle ahead (S18)
Yes), the process proceeds to step 20, and the internal combustion engine 11 is stopped (the supply of fuel is stopped and the engine speed is set to 0). Here, the control device 50 stops the internal combustion engine 11 after releasing the clutch C1 as described above with reference to FIGS.

When the accelerator pedal is depressed after the internal combustion engine 11 is stopped, the determination in step 14 is No, and the process proceeds to step 22. In step 22, it is determined whether the side brake has been released or the accelerator pedal has been depressed. Here, when the driver depresses the accelerator pedal or releases the side brake to start the vehicle (S22: Yes), the internal combustion engine is started (S24). Here, after the internal combustion engine 11 has been started, the control device 50 engages the clutch C1 of the automatic transmission and shifts the gear from neutral to when a predetermined time elapses until the engine can be rotated at the idle speed. Switching to the range, and increasing the rotation speed of the internal combustion engine according to the depression amount of the accelerator pedal (S2
6).

On the other hand, when the driver has released his / her foot from the brake pedal, the above-mentioned steps 12 and 22 are No, and the process proceeds to step 30. In step 30, it is determined whether the internal combustion engine 11 is stopped. Here, the process returns to step 12 until the internal combustion engine 11 is stopped. On the other hand, while the engine is stopped (S30 is Y
es) Based on the information from the front sensor 60, it is determined whether or not the inter-vehicle distance with the vehicle ahead is large. Here, when the red light continues, or when the preceding vehicle has not started on a congested road and the inter-vehicle distance is not large (S32
No), the process returns to step 12. On the other hand, for example, when the traffic light turns green while stopped at a red light and the preceding vehicle starts,
Alternatively, when the preceding vehicle starts on a congested road and the inter-vehicle distance is increasing (Yes in S32), step 24 is executed.
Proceeds and starts the internal combustion engine 11.

Here, after the internal combustion engine is stopped at a traffic light, a traffic jam, etc., the preceding vehicle starts and the inter-vehicle distance is vacant, and the internal combustion engine is started in advance when the accelerator pedal is likely to be depressed. The vehicle can be started immediately when is stepped on.

Next, the processing when it is determined in step 12 that the vehicle speed is present, that is, the vehicle is not stopped (No in S12), will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step 52, after determining whether the vehicle speed is zero, it is determined whether the internal combustion engine 11 is operating (S52).
54). Here, during the rotation of the internal combustion engine 11 (S54
Yes), the process proceeds to step 56, and the driver keeps his or her foot continuously away from the accelerator pedal for 2 seconds or more, or the engine speed from the accelerator off, the fuel cut-return speed (starts fuel cut and does not stop. It is determined whether the rotation speed is lower than the rotation speed at which fuel is resupplied, for example, 800 rpm. Here, when the driver depresses the accelerator pedal within a predetermined range and is traveling at a constant speed, or when the accelerator pedal is turned on and off and repeats acceleration and deceleration in a short cycle, the step 56 of whether the accelerator is continuously off is performed. The determination is no, and the process returns to step 52. On the other hand, for example, when the driver who recognizes that the signal in front has turned red has released his / her foot from the accelerator pedal to decelerate due to engine braking, or keeps releasing his / her foot from the accelerator pedal while traveling downhill (S56 is Ye
s) The supply of fuel to the internal combustion engine is stopped, and the engine speed is set to 0 (S58). Note that, at this time, unlike the above-described process during the stop of the vehicle, control for setting the gear position of the automatic transmission to neutral is not performed. This is to prevent the engine brake from becoming ineffective during traveling.

When the internal combustion engine 11 is stopped during running, it is determined in step 52 whether the vehicle speed is zero. Here, when the traffic light changes to red, decelerates, and stops at the red traffic light, it is determined that the vehicle speed is zero (Yes in S52), and FIG.
To step 14 described above with reference to
The automatic transmission is switched to neutral at 6 to prepare for starting the internal combustion engine 11. On the other hand, while stopping the fuel supply to the engine (which is different from stopping the engine),
When the vehicle continues to run by inertia, the process proceeds to step 54. Here, the determination as to whether the engine is operating is No, and the routine proceeds to step 60. In step 60, it is determined whether the accelerator pedal is depressed again. Here, when the driver operates the accelerator pedal, the supply of fuel to the internal combustion engine 11 is restarted (S62).

When the accelerator pedal is not operated (S
60 is No), it is determined whether or not the inter-vehicle distance with the preceding vehicle has increased based on information from the forward sensor 60 (S6).
4). When the inter-vehicle distance does not increase (S64 is N
o), returning to step 52; On the other hand, when the inter-vehicle distance to the preceding vehicle increases during running due to inertia, for example, the driver turns off the accelerator after confirming that the signal in front is a red signal, and supplies fuel to the internal combustion engine. When the vehicle stops and coasts, the signal changes to a green light, and when the preceding vehicle accelerates and the inter-vehicle distance becomes empty (No in S64), the supply of fuel to the internal combustion engine 11 is restarted. (S62). In this way, after the fuel supply to the internal combustion engine is stopped, the supply of fuel to the internal combustion engine is restarted in advance when the accelerator pedal is highly likely to be depressed, so that the vehicle is immediately started when the accelerator pedal is depressed. Can be accelerated.

In this embodiment, when the power of the internal combustion engine is not required during traveling, the supply of fuel is stopped.
Alternatively, the clutch C1 can be disengaged, and the rotation of the internal combustion engine can be completely stopped. Also,
When the foot is released from the accelerator pedal, the internal combustion engine 11
Is stopped, and when the accelerator pedal is depressed, the internal combustion engine 11 is started by transmitting rotation from a self-motor or an automatic transmission. In such a configuration, in the determination in step 52 shown in FIG. 5, it is sufficient to determine whether the automatic transmission is neutral, together with the determination whether the vehicle speed is present.

In the above-described embodiment, the vehicle in which the electric motor 17 drives the engine accessories while the internal combustion engine 11 is stopped has been described as an example. However, the internal combustion engine stop / start system according to the present invention is applicable to the engine. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a vehicle having no accessory drive mechanism. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the vehicle using the automatic transmission has been described as an example, but the vehicle control device of the present invention can be applied to a vehicle of a manual transmission.

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention, after the internal combustion engine is stopped, the internal combustion engine is started in advance when the accelerator pedal is highly likely to be depressed. The vehicle can be started or accelerated immediately.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a power transmission system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a control system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by the control device according to the first embodiment while the vehicle is stopped.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by the control device according to the first embodiment during traveling of the vehicle.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 11 internal combustion engine 12 automatic transmission 13 crank pulley 17 electric motor 18 brake vacuum pump 22, 23, 26, 27 auxiliary machine pulley 50 control unit 52 engine control unit 55 vehicle speed sensor 56 accelerator sensor 57 brake sensor 60 forward sensor F one-way clutch

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An engine control device for stopping and starting an internal combustion engine, an inter-vehicle distance measuring device for measuring an inter-vehicle distance with a vehicle in front, and a predetermined condition which does not require the output of the internal combustion engine. An engine stopping means for automatically stopping the internal combustion engine by the engine control device when the condition is satisfied; and And an engine restarting means for restarting the internal combustion engine by the engine control means when the engine speed is larger than a preset range. 2. A brake sensor for detecting whether or not a brake pedal is depressed, wherein the engine restart means restarts the internal combustion engine on condition that the brake sensor is not depressed. The vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein said engine stop means and said engine restart means operate even during vehicle running. 4. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary device driving means capable of driving an auxiliary device driven by the internal combustion engine independently of the internal combustion engine when the internal combustion engine is stopped. The control device for a vehicle according to any one of the above.