JP2002004988A - Automatic engine starting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a user to easily use the device without mistake and to apply the device to any vehicle. SOLUTION: This automatic engine starting device 1 automatically starts an engine of an automatic vehicle. The starting device comprises a line signal storing means 21 for detecting and storing a signal pattern in a first ignition line IG1 and a second ignition line IG2 in a manual key operation, and a pattern signal outputting means 22 for outputting an electric signal based on the signal pattern stored in the line signal storing means 21 to the first ignition line IG1 and the second ignition line IG2 when a command of automatic starting of the engine is received.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic engine starting device for automatically starting an engine of an automatic vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a user of a vehicle reaches a time set by a timer, or when a set time elapses, or when an engine start signal wirelessly transmitted from a remote controller is received, a battery is charged. From the starter drive line to the starter motor, supply power to the starter motor via the starter drive line, start the engine automatically, and then close the ignition line and idle the engine by ignition control. Starting devices are known. This is for warming up the engine before boarding the vehicle in advance, or for getting on and off the vehicle in a moderately cooled and heated state.

By the way, the electric signal flowing through the closed ignition line varies depending on the automobile manufacturer, and there are two patterns at present. Therefore, the automatic engine starting device is provided with a changeover switch so as to correspond to one of these two patterns. A user who has installed the automatic engine starting device on the vehicle as an option, after reading the instruction manual, I switched the switch to the appropriate person and used it.

[0004]

However, as described above, if the user switches the switch, it becomes troublesome for the user, and if the switch is erroneously made, the ignition line is not displayed on the ignition line. Each time the engine starts, different patterns of electric signals flow, which has a negative effect on the vehicle.

In recent years, patterns of electric signals flowing through the ignition line have been diversified in recent years, and it is becoming difficult for the user to select a switching operation in response to the patterns.

[0006] The present invention has been proposed in view of the above,
It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic engine starting device that can be easily used by a user without making a mistake, and can be adapted to any vehicle.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to a first aspect of the present invention is an automatic engine starting apparatus for automatically starting an engine of an automatic vehicle. A line signal storage means for detecting and storing a signal pattern in the first ignition line and the second ignition line, and an electric signal based on the signal pattern stored in the line signal storage means when a command for automatic engine start is received. Pattern signal output means for outputting to an ignition line and a second ignition line.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of an automatic engine starting device and a vehicle of the present invention. In the figure, a battery 3 on the vehicle side is a contact piece 4 of a key switch unit 4.
a. Among the four stator contacts ST, IG, ACC and OFF of the key switch section 4, the stator contact ST is connected to the starter motor 5 via a starter drive line (ST line). Also, the stator contact I
G is connected to an ignition control system 6 such as an ignition coil via a first ignition line (IG1 line) and to an electrical component system 7 such as an air conditioner via a second ignition line (IG2 line). Then, according to the position where the user inserts the key and operates the key, the power of the battery 3 is supplied to each of the connected parts.

[0010] The user inserts the key and turns the contact piece 4a from the stator contact OFF to the stator contact (accessory contact) ACC.
, The radio mounted on the vehicle and other so-called accessories become operable. When the ST line is attached to the stator contact (engine start contact) ST and the ST line is closed, the starter motor 5 is driven to start cranking rotation. . Thus, when the engine is started and the user releases the key, the contact piece 4a automatically returns to the position of the ignition contact IG, closes the IG1 line, drives the ignition control system 6, and controls the ignition control. Keeps the engine running.
At the same time, the IG2 line is closed and various electrical components 7
To supply power.

The automatic engine starter 1 is mainly composed of a microcomputer 2 and has four terminals IG1, I
G4, ST, and B, and these four terminals are respectively connected to the vehicle. That is, the terminal IG1 is connected to the IG1 line via the signal line 8, the terminal IG2 is connected to the IG2 line via the signal line 9, and the terminal ST is connected to the IG1 line via the signal line 10.
Each is connected to the T line. Terminal B is connected to battery 3.

In the above-described automatic engine starting device 1,
When a user inserts a key into the key switch unit 4 and manually performs an operation of starting the engine, according to the vehicle, FIG.
As shown in (A) and (B), a signal flows in one of two patterns. That is, the IG1 line and the ST
Although the line is common regardless of the vehicle, the signal flows in two different patterns in the IG2 line. In the pattern (A), a signal that remains on regardless of the cranking time flows, and in the pattern (B), , A signal that turns off in accordance with a predetermined cranking time flows.

The microcomputer 2 of the automatic engine starting device 1 obtains the signal patterns on the IG1 line and the IG2 line when the user manually starts the engine via the signal lines 8 and 9 as described above. It is stored in the line signal storage means 21.

On the other hand, when the user of the vehicle receives an engine start signal from a remote controller wirelessly transmitted using a remote controller (not shown), the automatic engine starter 1 transmits the ST line via a signal line 10 to the ST line. The pattern signal output means 22 outputs an electric signal based on the signal pattern stored in the line signal storage means 21 to the IG1 line and the I
Output to G2 line.

As described above, in the automatic engine starter 1 of the present invention, when an engine start signal is received, an electric signal is output based on a signal pattern stored in advance at the time of manual operation to control automatic start. Different signals can be reliably prevented from flowing between the manual start and the automatic start, so that there is no adverse effect on the vehicle.

Further, the user does not need to make any setting, does not make a mistake in the setting, and can use it easily.

Furthermore, it is possible to accurately adapt to any vehicle that will be diversified in the future,
The automatic engine starting device can be made easy for the user to use.

In the above description, the automatic engine starter 1 is operated by the remote controller. However, when the time set by the timer of the vehicle user is reached, or when the set predetermined time has elapsed. The operation may be performed by an engine start signal output at the time.

[0019]

As described above, according to the automatic engine starting apparatus of the present invention, when an instruction for automatic engine starting is received, a signal is output based on a signal pattern stored in advance at the time of manual operation to control automatic starting. Since this is performed, it is possible to reliably prevent different signals from flowing between the time of manual start and the time of automatic start, so that the vehicle is not adversely affected.

Further, no setting by the user is required, the setting is not mistaken, and the user can easily use the setting.

[0021] Furthermore, it is possible to accurately adapt to any vehicle that will diversify in the future,
The automatic engine starting device can be made easy for the user to use.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of an automatic engine starting device and a vehicle side of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a signal pattern when the engine is started.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Automatic engine starter 2 Microcomputer 3 Battery 4 Key switch part 4a Contact piece 5 Starter motor 6 Ignition control system 7 Electrical equipment system 8 Signal line 9 Signal line 10 Signal line 21 Line signal storage means 22 Pattern signal output means

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An automatic engine starting apparatus for automatically starting an engine of an automatic vehicle, wherein a line signal storage means for detecting and storing a signal pattern in a first ignition line and a second ignition line at the time of manual key operation. And pattern signal output means for outputting an electric signal based on the signal pattern stored in the line signal storage means to the first ignition line and the second ignition line when receiving an instruction to start the engine automatically. An automatic engine starting device, characterized in that: