JP2002303173A - Engine starting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress wasteful fuel consumption and avoid a delay time up to starting travel by holding an engine in an operated condition without automatically stopping it during a short stop time. SOLUTION: An EASS(engine automatic stop and start system) ECU 4 establishes an automatic engine stop mode if a vehicle is stopped when a signal 10 indicates a red signal and predetermined conditions are satisfied. At this time, a time Ts up to a change from the red signal to a blue signal is calculated, and if the time Ts is a preset time Ts0 or more, the engine is automatically stopped and if Ts<Ts0, the automatic engine stop mode is cancelled to hold the engine in the operated condition (for example, an idling condition). Thus, wasteful fuel consumption can be suppressed without causing starting loss at restarting since engine stop. Because the engine is held in the operated condition during stop, travel can be started upon changing to the blue signal.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an engine starter for automatically stopping and automatically starting an engine when predetermined conditions are satisfied.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, when a vehicle stops at an intersection at a red light or at a traffic jam, the engine is temporarily stopped once, and then when predetermined starting conditions are met (for example, when the driver 2. Description of the Related Art An engine starting device that automatically starts an engine again when a pedal operation is performed until the accelerator pedal is depressed after the foot is released from the pedal is known.

[0003]

However, when the vehicle is stopped by a red light and the engine is automatically stopped, the traffic light is immediately switched to a green signal and the vehicle starts running, or even if the vehicle stops once due to traffic congestion or the like, the vehicle starts running immediately. In such a case, there is a problem that not only does not lead to an improvement in fuel efficiency, but also a time is required for stopping and restarting the engine, so that there is a time delay before starting to run.

[0004] The present invention has been made on the basis of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to determine that the stop time is short,
An engine starter capable of suppressing an unnecessary fuel consumption by maintaining an operation state (for example, an idling state) without automatically stopping the engine and eliminating a time delay until the vehicle starts traveling. To provide.

[0005]

(Means for Solving the Problems) An engine starter for automatically stopping an engine when a predetermined stop condition is satisfied and automatically starting the engine when a predetermined start condition is satisfied. When the vehicle stops, a calculating means for calculating a stop time until the vehicle starts running again is provided.If the stop time calculated by the calculating means is within a predetermined time, the engine is not automatically stopped. And the engine is kept operating.

According to this configuration, when the calculated stop time is short (within a predetermined time), the engine is not automatically stopped. Therefore, there is no start-up loss when restarting from the stop of the engine, and unnecessary fuel consumption is reduced. It is possible to suppress. In addition, since the engine is maintained in an operating state (for example, an idling state), traveling can be started immediately, and a time delay when the engine is automatically stopped and then restarted can be eliminated.

(Means for Claim 2) In the engine starting device according to claim 1, the calculating means calculates a stop time until a vehicle stopped by a red signal of a traffic light is switched to a green signal and can start running. When the vehicle stops at the red light of the traffic light and the stop time before switching to the green signal is short (within a predetermined time), the engine is maintained in an operating state (for example, an idling state) without automatically stopping the engine. Thus, when the vehicle is switched to the green light, traveling can be started immediately.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the engine starting device according to the second aspect, a signal detecting device for detecting a time until a traffic light switches from a red signal to a blue signal as a signal, and the signal detecting device detects the time. Communication means for communicating signals. This makes it possible to accurately calculate the stop time from when the vehicle stops at the red light of the traffic light to when the vehicle switches to the green signal, so it is better to stop the engine automatically. It is possible to accurately judge whether it is better to hold.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the engine starting device according to the third aspect, the communication means transmits a signal detected by the signal detection means, and receives the signal transmitted by the transmitter. A signal detector and a transmitter are provided in the traffic light, and the receiver is mounted on the vehicle. Thereby, the signal transmitted from the transmitter provided in the traffic light (the time until the traffic light is switched to the green light) can be received by the receiver mounted on the vehicle, and the signal from the time until the traffic light is switched to the green light can be received. The stop time of the vehicle can be calculated more accurately.

[0010]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an electric circuit diagram of the engine starter 1. The engine starter 1 includes an engine ECU 2 for controlling an operation state of the engine, a starter 3 for starting the engine, an eco-run ECU 4 for controlling automatic stop and automatic start of the engine, and the like. Engine ECU
2. When the IG key 5 is turned on to the start position (ST),
It operates by being supplied with power from the battery 6 and controls, for example, the injection amount of the injector 7.

When the exciting coil 8a of the starter relay 8 is energized and the relay contact 8b is closed, the starter 3 is powered by the battery 6 and operates to start the engine. The excitation coil 8a is energized when the IG key 5 is turned on or when the circuit element 9 controlled by the eco-run ECU 4 is turned on. Note that the configuration and operation of the starter 3 are extremely well known from the related art, and description thereof will be omitted.

For example, when the vehicle is stopped by a red signal from the traffic light 10 (when a predetermined stop condition is satisfied), the eco-run ECU 4 calculates a stop time until the traffic light 10 is switched to a green light. It is determined whether or not to automatically stop the engine based on this, and if so, an engine stop signal is output to the engine ECU 2.
Note that the traffic light 10 includes a signal detection device 11 that detects a time from when a red signal is switched to a blue signal as a signal,
A transmitter 12 for transmitting a signal detected by the signal detection device 11; and a receiver 13 for receiving a signal transmitted from the transmitter 12 is mounted on the vehicle side. ing.

Next, the operation of this embodiment by the eco-run ECU 4 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Step 100: Stop at a red light of the traffic light 10, and when a predetermined stop condition is satisfied, an automatic engine stop mode is established. Note that, for example, the following items are applied as the predetermined stop condition. The vehicle speed is 0km / h. The brake pedal is depressed. Gear is neutral.

Step 110: The time Ts until the traffic light 10 switches to the green light is compared with a predetermined time Ts0 (for example, 15 seconds).
If it is 0 (NO), the process proceeds to Step 170. Step120: The engine is automatically stopped by outputting an engine stop signal from the eco-run ECU 4 to the engine ECU 2.
The engine ECU 2 stops supplying power to the injector 7 and stops fuel injection by the injector 7.

Step 130: When a predetermined starting condition is satisfied, an automatic engine start mode is established. Note that, for example, the following items are applied as the predetermined starting conditions. The brake pedal has not been depressed. The accelerator pedal is depressed. Gear operation is performed (in the case of an automatic car). Step 140: The circuit element 9 is turned on to energize the exciting coil 8a, and the relay contact 8b is closed to energize the starter 3.

Step 150: The starter 3 operates to start the engine. Step 160: After the engine is started, the power supply to the starter 3 is stopped. Step170: If the determination result in Step110 is Ts <Ts0, the effect of improving fuel efficiency cannot be expected even if the engine is automatically stopped. Therefore, the automatic engine stop mode is canceled and the engine is brought into an operating state (for example, an idling state). Hold.

(Effects of the present embodiment) The engine starter 1 of the present embodiment can be used, for example, when the vehicle stops at a red light of the traffic light 10 and the stop time Ts until the traffic light 10 is switched to the green light is short (predetermined time). (Within Ts0), the engine is maintained in the operating state (for example, idling state) without automatically stopping the engine, so there is no starting loss when restarting after stopping the engine, and wasteful fuel consumption is suppressed. It is possible.

Further, since the engine is kept operating while the vehicle is stopped at the red light, the vehicle can start running immediately when the vehicle is switched to the green light. As a result, a time delay when the engine is automatically stopped at a red light (a time delay from engine stop to restart) can be eliminated.

In the above embodiment, the signal transmitted from the traffic light 10 is received by the receiver 13 on the vehicle side.
It is also possible to receive using a mobile phone instead of the receiver 13. In the above embodiment, the vehicle is the traffic light 1
When the vehicle stops at a red traffic light of 0, the stop time before switching to a green light is calculated. Is short (within specified time)
In this case, the engine automatic stop mode may be canceled and the engine may be kept operating. That is, the present invention can be applied to all cases in which the stop time from when the vehicle stops to when the vehicle starts running can be calculated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an electric circuit diagram of an engine starting device.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Engine starting device 4 Eco-run ECU (calculation means) 10 Traffic light 11 Signal detection device 12 Transmitter (communication means) 13 Receiver (communication means)

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) F02N 15/00 F02N 15/00 EF term (reference) 3G084 BA13 BA28 CA01 CA07 DA02 DA03 FA04 FA05 FA06 FA10 FA36 3G092 AC03 BB01 CA01 DE01S DF05 DG08 EA13 EA14 FA24 FA30 GA01 GA10 GB10 HA06Z HB01X HF05X HF08Z HF12Z HF19X HF20X HF21Z HF26Z HG04Z 3G093 BA19 BA21 BA22 CA00 CA02 CB00 DA06 DB05 DB11 DB15 DB18 EA00Z01 PF05 EA00G

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An engine starter for automatically stopping an engine when a predetermined stop condition is satisfied and automatically starting the engine when a predetermined start condition is satisfied. It has a calculating means for calculating the stop time before starting, and when the stop time calculated by the calculating means is within a predetermined time, it is necessary to keep the engine running without automatically stopping the engine. Engine starting device characterized by the following. 2. The engine starting device according to claim 1, wherein said calculating means calculates a stop time until a vehicle stopped by a red light of a traffic light is switched to a green light and can start running. Engine starting device. 3. The engine starting device according to claim 2, wherein a signal detecting device detects a time until the traffic light switches from a red signal to a blue signal as a signal, and communication for communicating the signal detected by the signal detecting device. Means for starting an engine. 4. The engine starting device according to claim 3, wherein said communication means transmits a signal detected by said signal detection means, and a receiver receives a signal transmitted by said transmitter. An engine starting device, comprising: a signal device, the signal detection device and the transmitter being provided in a traffic light, and the receiver being mounted on a vehicle.