FR3059290A1 - CONTROL APPARATUS FOR VEHICLES - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a control device for vehicles including an internal combustion engine (2) installed in a vehicle (1), a fuel pump (3) for supplying fuel to the internal combustion engine (2), a first battery (4), a second battery (5) having a lower output voltage than the first battery (4), a power supply switching switch (6) for switching a power supply connection of the fuel pump (3) between the first battery (4) and the second battery (5), and a suitable power supply switching control device (21), with the establishment of a condition immediately before shutdown, representing a state of the vehicle (1) just before a stop thereof, for controlling the power supply switching switch (6), for switching the power supply connection of the fuel pump (3) of the second battery ( 5) at the first battery (4).

Description

® FRENCH REPUBLIC

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY © Publication number: 3,059,290 (to be used only for reproduction orders)

©) National registration number: 17 61243

COURBEVOIE © Int Cl ⁸ : B 60 W10 / 26 (2017.01), B 60 W 10/30

A1 PATENT APPLICATION

©) Date of filing: 28.11.17. © Applicant (s): SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION - © Priority: 30.11.16 JP 2016-232064. JP. @ Inventor (s): MASUKO SHUN. ©) Date of public availability of the request: 01.06.18 Bulletin 18/22. ©) List of documents cited in the report preliminary research: The latter was not established on the date of publication of the request. (© References to other national documents ® Holder (s): SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION. related: ©) Extension request (s): © Agent (s): CABINET PLASSERAUD.

104 / CONTROL APPARATUS FOR VEHICLES.

FR 3 059 290 - A1 (£ /) The present invention relates to a control device for vehicles including an internal combustion engine (2) installed in a vehicle (1), a fuel pump (3) for supplying fuel to the engine internal combustion (2), a first battery (4), a second battery (5) having an output voltage lower than that of the first battery (4), an electric power switching switch (6) for switching a power supply connection of the fuel pump (3) between the first battery (4) and the second battery (5), and a suitable power supply switching control device (21), with the establishment of a condition immediately before stopping, representing a state of the vehicle (1) just before stopping it, for controlling the power supply switching switch (6), for switching the power supply connection of the pump fuel (3) from the second battery (5) to the first battery (4).

CONTROL APPARATUS FOR VEHICLES

The present invention relates to a control apparatus for vehicles.

A technique was proposed in JP2006-291922 A, including the adjustment of a set of fuel injection sharing ratios among fuel injectors, to present a total flow of fuel injected, as necessary, by injectors, for injection into intake passages, without the use of injectors for intra-cylinder injection, when operating an internal combustion engine in a moving state of a vehicle involving relatively low levels of noise produced throughout the vehicle, for example when moving at a low vehicle speed.

This technique has not in the past considered having two batteries intended to be switched to provide electrical power for a fuel pump of the internal combustion engine.

Thus, in the art in the past, the problem was that in the moving state of the vehicle involving relatively low levels of noise produced throughout the vehicle, when the power supply for the fuel pump is switched, a increased voltage could be imposed on the fuel pump, causing fuel pump drive noises to vary, giving a passenger an uncomfortable feeling in the vehicle.

Therefore an object of the present invention is to provide a control device for vehicles adapted to present reduced uncomfortable sensations given to passengers in vehicles.

To achieve the object, according to aspects of the present invention, a control apparatus is provided for vehicles including an internal combustion engine installed in a vehicle, a fuel pump configured to supply fuel to the internal combustion engine, a first battery, a second battery having an output voltage lower than that of the first battery, an electrical power switching switch configured to switch an electrical power connection of the fuel pump between the first battery and the second battery, and a suitable power supply switching control device, with the establishment of a condition immediately before stopping, representing a state of the vehicle just before it stops, for controlling the power switching switch electric, to switch the power supply connection of the fuel pump from the second battery to the first battery e.

According to aspects of the present invention, a vehicle control apparatus adapted to present reduced uncomfortable sensations given to passengers in vehicles can be provided.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an essential part of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing actions for controlling the power supply of the vehicle control apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a first timing diagram describing the performance of the control unit for vehicles according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a second timing diagram describing the performance of the control unit for vehicles according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of an essential part of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle control device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Control units for vehicles according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 represents a vehicle 1 including an engine 2 installed in the form of an internal combustion engine in the vehicle 1, and a fuel pump 3 electrically usable for supplying fuel to the engine 2.

The vehicle 1 also includes a first battery 4 which can be used to produce a first direct voltage at output, a second battery 5 which can be used to produce at output a second direct voltage lower than the first direct voltage, and a switch for switching the power supply. 6 usable to switch an input connection thereof between a first electrical contact connected to an output terminal of the first battery 4 and a second electrical contact connected to an output terminal of the second battery 5, to supply a power supply electric for a set of electric components including the fuel pump 3. The vehicle 1 also includes an ECM ("Electronic Control Module") usable for controlling the engine 2.

Engine 2 has cylinder bores formed therein. According to embodiments herein, the engine 2 is composed to perform a series of four strokes, an intake stroke, a compression stroke, a rebound stroke, and an exhaust stroke at each cylinder bore.

The fuel pump 3 is composed of an electrically driven pump adapted to follow an ECM control instruction 7, to pump fuel from a fuel tank, to carry out pressurization up to a pressure of fuel within a pressure range equal to or greater than a prescribed supply pressure. The fuel tank is used to store a volume of fuel intended to be supplied to the engine 2. The fuel pump 3 can equally well be a peripheral pump including a combination of a turbine and an electric motor incorporated to drive the turbine , for example.

The first battery 4 is composed of a set of secondary cells. For example, it can just as easily be composed as a lead-acid battery. The first battery 4 is mainly used for the electrical supply to electrical components consuming high powers, such as a starter adapted to restart the engine 2, or an ISG (“Integrated Starter Generator”) adapted to restart or assist the engine 2 The ISG is an electric motor generator including an alternator having an additional function of electric starter motor.

The second battery 5 is composed of a set of secondary cells having higher charge yields than those of secondary cells of the first battery 4. For example, it can just as easily be composed in the form of a lithium-ion battery. The second battery 5 is mainly used for power supply to electrical components consuming low powers, such as an audio system.

The power supply switching switch 6 is adapted to follow an ECM control instruction 7 for switching between the first battery 4 and the second battery 5, to provide power for the fuel pump 3. The switch switching power supply 6 can equally well be composed of a relay or a switching circuit, for example.

The ECM 7 is composed as a computer unit including a CPU (“Central Processing Unit”), RAM (“Random Access Memory”), ROM (“Read Only Memory”), flash memory, a port d input, and an output port.

The computer unit has a program, stored in ROM, together with various constants and maps, for use in making this computer unit serve as ECM. In other words, in the computer unit, the CPU reads and executes the program stored in the ROM, whereby this computer unit is adapted to serve as ECM7 according to an associated embodiment of the present invention.

At ECM 7, the input port is connected to various sensors including a brake stroke sensor 11, an accelerator opening sensor 13, a shift position sensor 15, and a speed sensor vehicle 16. The brake stroke sensor 11 is adapted to detect "an actuated amount of a brake pedal 10" (hereinafter simply called "brake stroke"). The accelerator opening sensor 13 is adapted to detect "an actuated amount of an accelerator pedal 12" (hereinafter simply referred to as "accelerator opening"). The shift position sensor 15 is adapted to detect "an actuated position of a shift lever 14" (hereinafter simply referred to as "shift position"). The vehicle speed sensor 16 is adapted to detect "a vehicle speed of vehicle 1" (hereinafter simply referred to as "vehicle speed").

At ECM 7, the output port is connected to the fuel pump 3, and to the power supply switching switch 6. In addition, the output port is connected to various other control objects, including various devices associated with engine 2, such as a set of injectors for injecting fuel flows into engine 2.

The ECM 7 can use information supplied from sensors connected to the input port, as the basis for operation to control the control objects connected to the output port.

For example, the ECM 7 may serve as a suitable automatic restart-stop device 20, when a prescribed stop condition is established, to cause the engine 2 to stop automatically, and when a condition restart command is established, to execute an idle stop command to restart engine 2.

According to embodiments herein, the ECM 7 has a set of stop necessities defined therein, including: a first stop necessity requiring "a state of the vehicle speed sensor 16 detecting a speed of vehicle equal to or less than a prescribed vehicle speed VI '; a second stopping necessity requiring "a state of the brake stroke sensor 11 detecting a brake stroke equal to or greater than a prescribed brake stroke SI"; and a third stop requirement requiring "a state of the accelerator opening sensor 13 detecting an accelerator opening equal to or less than a prescribed accelerator opening A1".

ECM 7 determines that the prescribed stop condition is established when all three stop necessities, from the first stop necessity to the third stop need, are all met. It should be noted that the above set of stop necessities is an example, and can just as easily be changed according to the type of vehicle 1.

The prescribed vehicle speed VI, the prescribed brake stroke SI, and the prescribed throttle opening A1 are preset to values allowing a reasonable determination that vehicle 1 will stop. For example, vehicle speed VI is preset to an appropriate value within a range between 3 km / h and 10 km / h. The brake stroke SI is preset to an appropriate value allowing a determination which is substantially pressed on the brake pedal 10. The accelerator opening A1 is preset to an appropriate value allowing a determination that pressing the pedal accelerator 12 is substantially prevented.

According to embodiments herein, the ECM 7 has a set of restart necessities, defined therein, including: a first restart necessity requiring "an actuated state of a steering wheel in vehicle 1" ; a second restart requirement requiring "a state of the ECM 7 receiving a request to extinguish a current idle stop command"; and a third need for restarting requiring “a state of the first battery 4 or of the second battery 5 having a quantity of charge equal to or less than a lower limit thereof”.

The set of restart requirements also includes: a fourth restart requirement requiring "a degraded performance condition of an air conditioner in vehicle 1"; a fifth restart requirement requiring "a state of the brake stroke sensor 11 detecting a brake stroke equal to or less than a prescribed brake stroke S2"; and a sixth restart requirement necessitating "a state of the shift position sensor 15 detecting a shift position to a travel position".

The ECM 7 is adapted, when any one of the six restart requirements, from the first restart requirement to the sixth restart requirement, is met (requiring that an additional sufficient condition be met) to determine that a corresponding among associated restart conditions (prescribed, i.e., defined as a whole in ECM 7) is established.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned set of restart requirements is an example, and can just as easily be changed according to the type of vehicle 1.

The prescribed brake stroke S2 is preset to an appropriate value allowing a determination that the depressing of the brake pedal 10 is substantially prevented. The displacement position is a gear change position for the vehicle 1 to move, such as a so-called D ("Drive") position for driving forward or a so-called R ("Reverse") position for reversing.

According to embodiments herein, the set of restart requirements includes: a first subset thereof including two restart requirements, the fifth restart requirement and the sixth restart requirement, namely, "a set of restart requirements just for vehicle 1 to start ”(sometimes referred to herein,“ set of restart requirements for start-up implementation ”); and a second subset thereof including four restart necessities, the first, second, third, and fourth restart necessities, namely, "a set of those remaining from the six aforementioned restart necessities" ( sometimes called, herein, "set of restart requirements not start-up implementation").

It should be noted that the set of restart requirements includes: the first subset, the second subset, and a third subset thereof including an additional restart requirement (for example a seventh restart requirement described below) intended to be observed in association with an associated restart requirement of non-implementation of startup in the second sub-assembly, to establish a corresponding prescribed restart condition.

Consequently, the ECM 7 has, defined therein, a set of restart conditions comprising: “a set of prescribed restart conditions intended to be established each respectively with respect for a corresponding restart requirement for setting start-up work in the first subset of the set of restart requirements ”(sometimes referred to herein as“ set of simple restart conditions ”); and “a set of prescribed restart conditions intended to be established each respectively with the respect of a combination of an associated restart requirement of non-implementation of startup in the second subset of the set of requirements restart and an associated additional restart requirement in the third subset of the restart requirements set "(sometimes referred to herein as" complex restart conditions set ").

Incidentally, in vehicle 1, engine 2 can be put into an automatic stop mode in which it is automatically kept stopped by an idle stop command from the ECM 7. According to embodiments in herein, in the automatic shutdown mode, the simple restart condition and the complex restart condition are both sometimes referred to as "restart implementation restart condition", for practical description.

The ECM 7 can serve as a power supply switching control device 21 adapted to switch a power supply for the fuel pump 3, between the first battery 4 and the second battery 5. Specifically, the ECM 7 controls the switch switching power supply 6, thereby switching the power supply for the fuel pump 3, between the first battery 4 and the second battery 5.

ECM 7 has "a condition immediately before stopping" defined in it as a prerequisite for determining that vehicle 1 is put into a state just before stopping. Consequently, the establishment of "the condition immediately before stopping" represents a state of vehicle 1 just before it stops. The ECM 7, when using the second battery 5 as the power supply for the fuel pump 3, is suitable, when "the condition immediately before stopping" is established, for controlling the switching switch for power supply 6, to switch the power supply for the fuel pump 3 from the second battery 5 to the first battery 4.

According to embodiments herein, the ECM 7 is adapted, when the vehicle speed is equal to or less than a prescribed vehicle speed VL, to determine that "the condition immediately before stopping" is established. For example, the prescribed vehicle speed VL is preset to 1 km / h, as the vehicle speed allowing a determination to be made, for example vehicle 1 is involved in a situation just before a stop. It should be noted that the ECM 7 can just as easily be adapted to determine that "the condition immediately before stopping" is established when the engine 1 has an engine speed equal to or less than an appropriate prescribed value.

The ECM 7, when put into a situation using the first battery 4 as the power supply for the fuel pump 3, is suitable, when any need from the set of start-up restart necessities starting work is respected, to determine that a corresponding simple restart condition is established, and to control the power supply switching switch 6, to switch the power supply connection of the fuel pump 3 of the first battery 4 to the second battery 5.

It should be noted that the ECM 7, when put in the situation using the first battery 4 as the power supply for the fuel pump 3, should be left as it is, using the first battery 4 in as long as the power supply for the fuel pump 3, even when any need for the set of restarting necessities of non-start-up implementation is met, unless an associated additional restarting need is met. Consequently, in this state, the ECM 7 is prevented from operating to effect the switching from the first battery 4 to the second battery 5.

In this regard, the ECM 7, when put in the situation using the first battery 4 as the power supply for the fuel pump 3, is suitable, when any need from the set of needs of restart non start-up implementation is observed in association with compliance with an additional restart requirement (as the seventh restart requirement) requiring a state of the vehicle speed sensor 16 detecting a vehicle speed equal to or greater than a prescribed vehicle speed VD, to determine that a corresponding complex restart condition is established, and to control the power supply switching switch 6, to switch the power supply for the fuel pump 3 from the first battery 4 to the second battery 5.

According to embodiments herein, the prescribed vehicle speed VD is preset to 1 km / h, as the vehicle speed, allowing a determination to be made, such that vehicle 1 is in a traveling state . It should be noted that, according to embodiments herein, the prescribed vehicle speed VD is preset to 1 km / h, like the prescribed vehicle speed VL above, although it cannot be equal to the speed of vehicle prescribed VL.

A description is now made of a series of actions for controlling the power supply, to each of the control units for vehicles according to embodiments herein, configured as described, with reference to an example. shown in Figure 2. There is a control routine involving the series of power supply control actions to be described. This control routine is iterated when the ECM 7 is running. “Each period of this iteration” is sometimes referred to herein as “cycle”.

In the series of power supply control actions, first, in a step S1, the ECM 7 operates to determine that the motor 2 is or is not put in the automatic stop mode.

With a determination (NO) that the motor 2 is not put in the automatic stop mode, the ECM 7 executes a processing in a step S2. With a determination (YES) that the motor 2 is put in the automatic stop mode, the ECM 7 executes a processing in a step S5.

In step S2, the ECM 7 operates to determine whether the condition immediately before shutdown is established or not. With a determination (YES) that the condition immediately before shutdown is established, the ECM 7 performs processing at step S3.

With a determination (NO) that the condition immediately before shutdown is not established, the ECM 7 performs processing at step S4.

In step S3, the ECM 7 operates in a situation using the second battery 5 as the power supply for the fuel pump 3, to control the power supply switching switch 6, to switch the power supply for the fuel pump 3 from the second battery 5 to the first battery 4.

By doing this, the second battery 5, having a high charge efficiency, can be used as a power supply for the fuel pump 3, up to an instant just before the vehicle 1 has minimized levels of noise produced. on the whole of it.

After execution of the processing in step S3, the ECM 7 proceeds to an end of the series of actions for controlling the power supply involved.

In step S4, the ECM 7 operates in a situation using the second battery 5 as the power supply for the fuel pump 3, to maintain the second battery 5 used as the power supply for the fuel pump 3.

After execution of the processing in step S4, the ECM 7 proceeds to an end of the series of actions for controlling the power supply involved.

In step S5, the ECM 7 operates to determine that a corresponding restart condition of start-up implementation is established or not.

With a determination (YES) that the corresponding restart condition of start-up implementation is established, the ECM 7 performs processing in step S6.

With a determination (NO) that the corresponding restart condition of the start-up implementation has not been established, the ECM 7 performs processing at a step S7.

As will be seen from the above, in step S5, the ECM 7 is adapted to determine that no restart condition of start-up implementation is established, even when a certain need for start-up start-up implementation period is respected, if it is accompanied by non-compliance with an associated additional restart requirement, or when neither the start-up implementation restart requirement nor the start-up implementation non-start requirement start is respected.

In step S6, the ECM 7 operates in a situation using the first battery 4 as power supply for the fuel pump 3, to control the power supply switching switch 6, to switch Γ power supply for the fuel pump 3 from the first battery 4 to the second battery 5.

As this is the case, according to embodiments herein, the second battery 5 having a high charge efficiency can be used as power supply for the fuel pump 3 during an early stage.

After executing processing in step S6, the ECM 7 proceeds to an end of the series of power supply control actions involved.

In step S7, the ECM 7 operates in a situation using the first battery 4 as the power supply for the fuel pump 3, to maintain the first battery 4 used as the power supply for the fuel pump 3.

After executing processing in step S7, the ECM 7 proceeds to an end of the series of power supply control actions involved.

It should be noted, in situations involving a combination of any start-up necessity of non-implementation of start-up observed after the execution of the processing in step S7 in this current cycle, and the seventh need to restart (requiring a state of the vehicle speed sensor 16 detecting a vehicle speed equal to or greater than the prescribed vehicle speed VD) as being observed before a step S5 in a subsequent cycle, the ECM 7 must operate, at a step S6 in the subsequent cycle, to control the power supply switching switch 6, to switch électrique power supply for the fuel pump 3 from the first battery 4 to the second battery 5.

A description is now made of performances by actions of controlling the power supply to each of the control apparatuses according to embodiments of the present invention described above, with reference to FIG. 3 or FIG. 4.

FIG. 3 is a timing diagram representing temporal variations in the vehicle speed of vehicle 1, of a number of engine revolutions as the number of revolutions per unit time of engine 2, and of an electrical supply voltage of the fuel pump 3, as defined on common time axes. At a top graph section, the vertical axis represents vehicle speed, the horizontal axis representing time in common. In a middle section of a graph, the vertical axis represents the number of engine revolutions, the horizontal axis representing time in common. In a lower graph section, the vertical axis represents the power supply voltage of the fuel pump 3, the horizontal axis representing the time in common.

The vehicle speed becomes equal to or less than the prescribed vehicle speed VL, at an instant tl, when the condition immediately before stopping is established. After determining this condition as being established in step S2 in a current cycle including time tl, the ECM 7 operates, in step S3 in this cycle, to control the power supply switching switch 6 , to switch the power supply for the fuel pump 3 from the second battery 5 to the first battery 4. After that, the engine 2 enters the automatic stop mode.

The first battery 4 is maintained used as electrical power for the fuel pump 3, during an interval of time between the instant tl and a subsequent instant t2, when any restarting condition of starting operation is established.

After the determination of this condition as being established in step S5 in a current cycle including time t2, the ECM 7 operates in step S6 in this cycle, to switch the power supply for the fuel pump 3 from the first battery 4 to the second battery 5. This is accompanied by a restart of the motor 2.

After that, the second battery 5 is kept in use as a power supply for the fuel pump 3, until a subsequent establishment of the condition immediately before shutdown.

FIG. 4 is also a timing diagram representing temporal variations in the vehicle speed of vehicle 1, in the number of revolutions of the engine in engine 2, and in the power supply voltage of the fuel pump 3, as they are defined on common time axes. At a top graph section, the vertical axis represents vehicle speed, the horizontal axis representing time in common. In a middle graph section, the vertical axis represents the number of engine revolutions, the horizontal axis representing this time in common. At a lower graph section, the vertical axis represents the power supply voltage of the fuel pump 3, the horizontal axis representing this time in common.

The vehicle speed becomes equal to or less than the prescribed vehicle speed VL (= VD), at an instant tll, when the condition immediately before stopping is established. After determining this condition as being established in step S2, in a current cycle including time tll, the ECM 7 operates, in step S3 in this cycle, to control the power supply switching switch 6, to switch the power supply for the fuel pump 3 from the second battery 5 to the first battery 4. After that, the engine 2 enters the automatic stop mode.

At a later instant tl2, any need for start-up of start-up implementation is met, and the engine 2 is restarted by the ECM 7, according to a control routine other than in FIG. 2, thus presenting a number of revolutions of increasing engine. However, at time tl2, the vehicle speed is lower than the prescribed vehicle speed VD, therefore the seventh restart requirement, a corresponding additional restart requirement, is not yet met. Therefore, the ECM 7 is unable to determine a start-up restart condition established in step S5 in a current cycle including time tl2, and operates, in step S7 in this cycle, to maintain the first battery 4 used as power supply for the fuel pump 3.

At a still later time tl3, the vehicle speed becomes equal to or greater than the prescribed vehicle speed VD, thus respecting the seventh restart requirement. Then, the ECM 7 determines a corresponding restarting start-up implementation condition established in step S5 in a current cycle including the instant tl3, and operates, in step S6 in this cycle, to control the switch switching power supply 6, to switch the power supply for the fuel pump 3 from the first battery 4 to the second battery 5.

After that, the second battery 5 is kept in use as a power supply for the fuel pump 3, until a subsequent establishment of the condition immediately before shutdown.

As this is the case, control devices for vehicles according to embodiments herein are each adapted to control that the establishment of the condition immediately before stopping, representing a state of the vehicle 1 just before stopping, exists , to operate to switch the power supply for the fuel pump 3 from the second battery 5 to the first battery 4.

Consequently, the power supply for the fuel pump 3 is switched from the second battery 5 to the first battery which has a higher voltage than that of the second battery 5, before the vehicle 1 enters a stopped state, namely a state with lower levels of noise produced over the entire vehicle 1.

According to embodiments herein, the stopped state of the vehicle 1 can just as easily imply a state of idling of the vehicle 1, as well as a state of the vehicle 1 put into the automatic stop mode by the command of idling stop.

As this is the case, vehicle control units according to embodiments herein are each adapted to prevent electrical power for the fuel pump 3 from being switched from the second battery 5 to the first battery 4, by due to a lack of residual charge at the second battery 5, in a stopped state of the vehicle 1 having reduced levels of noise produced on the entire vehicle 1.

Therefore, vehicle control apparatuses according to embodiments herein are each adapted for the use of noise produced on the entire vehicle 1, to make it difficult for passengers in vehicle 1 to hear fuel pump drive noises 3 which could otherwise be varied in conjunction with increased voltages imposed on the fuel pump 3, thereby enabling reduced uncomfortable sensations given to passengers.

In addition, vehicle control apparatuses according to embodiments herein are each suitable, while the vehicle speed is equal to or less than the prescribed vehicle speed VL, to repeatedly determine that the condition immediately before the stop is established, maintaining the second battery 5, having a high charge efficiency, as electrical power supply for the fuel pump 3, until just before the vehicle 1 stops, thus allowing efficient use of the first battery 4 and the second battery 5.

Furthermore, vehicle control apparatuses according to embodiments herein are each suitable, if any restarting condition of starting operation is established during an automatic engine 2 shutdown mode, for switching the power supply for the fuel pump 3 from the first battery 4 to the second battery 5, thus using the second battery 5, having a high charge efficiency, as a power supply for driving the fuel pump 3 during the interval longer, allowing efficient use of the first battery 4 and the second battery 5.

In addition, vehicle control apparatuses according to embodiments herein are each suitable when the fifth need to restart requires that "one brake stroke be equal to or less than the prescribed brake stroke S2" or the sixth restart requirement requiring that “a shift position be in a traveling position” is respected during an automatic engine 2 stop mode, to determine that a corresponding restart condition for starting operation is established , to immediately switch the power supply for the fuel pump 3 from the first battery 4 to the second battery 5.

In this regard also, vehicle control apparatuses according to embodiments herein are each adapted to employ the second battery 5, having a high charge efficiency, as the power supply for driving the fuel pump 3, during longer time intervals, thus allowing efficient use of the first battery 4 and the second battery 5.

It should be noted that, according to embodiments herein, the ECM 7 can just as easily be adapted, when switching the electrical supply for the fuel pump 3 from the second battery 5 to the first battery 4 in step S3 in a current cycle involved, to present a voltage, at an output end of an output circuit ce of the first battery 4, once reduced (for example by command of connection of cell modules or the like ) from a nominal output voltage thereof to a nominal output voltage of the second battery 5, or close to it, before connection switching intended to be carried out at an electrical supply input terminal from the fuel pump 3 from an output terminal to an output circuit ce of the second battery 5 to an output terminal to the output circuit ce of the first battery 4, followed by a gradual increase in voltage intended to be carried out at the outlet end to the circuit output of the first battery 4, from the reduced voltage to the nominal output voltage of the first battery 4.

By doing this, vehicle control units according to embodiments herein may each be adapted to moderate variations in driving noise levels, intended to be produced at the fuel pump 3 due to increases in input voltage to a fuel pump drive circuit 3, thereby enabling reduced uncomfortable sensations given to passengers in vehicle 1.

In the embodiments described, control devices involved, for vehicles, are each applied to the vehicle 1, a car with automatic transmission. However, these control devices for vehicles can just as easily be applied to cars with manual transmission.

FIG. 5 illustrates a control apparatus for vehicles according to another embodiment of the present invention, as applied to a vehicle 1 composed in the form of a car with manual transmission. Compared to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, identical elements or members are designated with identical reference signs, to avoid redundancy.

FIG. 5 represents an ECM 7 having an input port thereof connected to a clutch stroke sensor 19 adapted to detect "an actuated quantity of a clutch pedal 18 in the vehicle 1" (simply called , herein, "clutch stroke").

In this ECM 7 is defined an eighth restart requirement requiring "a state of the clutch stroke sensor 19 detecting a clutch stroke equal to or greater than a prescribed clutch stroke S2". The eighth restart requirement is substituted for the first subset of the restart requirement set including the fifth restart requirement and the sixth restart requirement. Therefore, the ECM 7 is adapted, when the eighth restart requirement is met during an automatic shutdown mode, to determine that a corresponding restart condition of start-up implementation is established. The clutch stroke SC is preset to an appropriate value allowing a determination which is substantially pressed on the clutch pedal 10.

Note that, in Figure 5, the ECM 7 may as well have a clutch switch substituted for the clutch travel sensor 19, and connected to the input port. In this arrangement, the ECM 7 may just as well have, defined therein, a ninth restart requirement requiring “a detection of a signal from the clutch switch indicating that the pedal is depressed. 'clutch 18 ”. Then, the ECM7 can just as easily be adapted, when the ninth restart requirement is met during an automatic shutdown mode, to determine that a corresponding restart condition of start-up implementation is established.

In addition, in described embodiments, the ECM 7 has an operation function as a combination of automatic restart-stop device 20 and power supply switching control device 21. However, the device automatic restart-stop 20 and the power supply switching control device 21 can just as easily be implemented as a combination of functions in a control device other than the ECM 7, or as individual functions of other control devices.

As will be seen from the above, according to embodiments herein, control devices for vehicles exist, each including an internal combustion engine (2) installed in a vehicle (1), a fuel pump (3) configured to supply fuel to the internal combustion engine (2), a first battery (4), a second battery (5) having an output voltage lower than that of the first battery (4), a switch switch power supply (6) configured to switch a power supply connection of the fuel pump (3) between the first battery (4) and the second battery (5), and a power supply switching control device (21) adapted, with the establishment (Yes to S2) of a condition immediately before stopping, representing a state of the vehicle (1) just before stopping thereof, for controlling the power switching switch electrical inlet (6), for switching the power supply connection from the fuel pump (3) of the second battery (5) to the first battery (4) (S3).

These vehicle control devices are each adapted to present reduced uncomfortable sensations given to passengers in the vehicle (1).

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described, it is obvious that those skilled in the art can make changes without departing from the scope of the present invention. Such modifications or equivalents are also included in the appended claims.

Claims (4)

1. Control device for vehicles, comprising: an internal combustion engine (2) installed in a vehicle (1); a fuel pump (3) configured to supply fuel to the internal combustion engine (2); a first battery (4); a second battery (5) having an output voltage lower than that of the first battery (4); a power supply switching switch (6) configured to switch a power supply connection of the fuel pump (3) between the first battery (4) and the second battery (5); and a suitable power supply switching control device (21), with the establishment of a condition immediately before stopping, representing a state of the vehicle (1) just before it stops, for controlling the power supply switching switch (6), for switching the power supply connection from the fuel pump (3) of the second battery (5) to the first battery (4). 2. Control device for vehicles according to claim 1, in which the electrical power switching control device (21) is adapted, when the vehicle (1) has a vehicle speed (1) equal to or less than a speed vehicle (1) prescribed, to determine that the condition immediately before stopping is established. 3. Control device for vehicles according to claim 1 or 2, comprising an automatic stop-restart device adapted, with the establishment of a prescribed stop condition, to put the internal combustion engine (2) in an automatic stop mode thereof, and, with the establishment of a prescribed restart condition, to cause the internal combustion engine (2) to restart, in which the switching control device for power supply (21) is adapted, in the automatic shutdown mode of the internal combustion engine (2), with the establishment of a restart condition for starting the vehicle (1), for controlling the switching switch d power supply (6), for switching the power supply connection from the fuel pump (3) of the first battery (4) to the second battery (5). 4. Control device for vehicles according to claim 3, in which the electrical power switching control device (21) is adapted, in the mode of automatic stopping of the internal combustion engine (2), to determine that a restart condition, for starting the vehicle (1), is 10 established, subject to compliance with a condition that a vehicle brake pedal (1) has an actuated quantity thereof equal to or less than a prescribed brake stroke or that a vehicle shift lever ( 1) has a position for changing the speed thereof to a displacement position. 1/5