JP2004314836A - Engine start prohibiting device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an engine start prohibiting device whereby the driver or his assistant is forced to go outside the vehicle once before starting the vehicle running and perform a minimum required procedure for confirming the safety, for example after the starting inspection, loading/unloading of goods, etc., capable of being embodied in a simple structure, lessening the risk of malfunction and of being accomplished at low cost. <P>SOLUTION: The engine start prohibiting device includes two push-button switches operated from outside the vehicle and is configured so that a starter switch will never be effective unless either of the push-button switches is pushed. When the engine is stopped during running owing to any cause, the engine can be restarted without pushing a push-button switch provided outside the vehicle. At this time, a depress receive delay time for the push-button switch is provided so as to force the driver to go to outside the vehicle for a specified time. If the engine is not started immediately after the safety is confirmed, the confirmation is made invalid and re-confirmation should be conducted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The device of the present invention is used for safety confirmation performed before running an automobile. The present invention relates to an improvement of an apparatus for setting a vehicle so that the vehicle cannot travel until safety is confirmed outside the vehicle.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In Patent Document 1 (applicant: Suzuki), an obstacle detection device is arranged at the front of the vehicle, and an operation switch is provided at the rear of the vehicle to operate from outside the vehicle, and no obstacle is detected at the front of the vehicle. In addition, there is disclosed an apparatus configured to prohibit starting of the engine unless an operation switch at the rear of the vehicle is operated.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-291781
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
A user of the vehicle may inadvertently forget to check that there are no obstacles in the direction of travel of the vehicle when starting the vehicle, even after unloading luggage such as during start-up inspection and loading / delivery. Not to mention neglect, but is it possible to equip a simple device that does not forget the safety check? " When starting the vehicle, the vehicle is often started backwards due to the parking position.
[0005]
The device disclosed in the above publication is an excellent device for confirming safety before and after a vehicle. However, if this device is to be mounted on a practical vehicle, some improvements must be made as follows, for example. There are points.
1) In this conventional device, a switch operated by the driver from the outside of the vehicle is provided at the rear of the vehicle so that the engine is not started unless the switch is operated. However, loading of luggage is performed by bringing the rear of the vehicle into contact with a warehouse platform. In many cases, the switch on the rear of the vehicle cannot be operated. If this switch is set at a high position where it can be operated from the platform, it may be difficult to operate when the vehicle stops on the road.
2) This conventional device is equipped with an obstacle detection device at the front of the vehicle. If an obstacle is detected at this device, the engine does not start. There is a case where cargo is unloaded from the rear in a state in which it is placed in this state, and in this case, it is necessary to perform some kind of release device or invalid setting operation.
[0006]
In order to solve these conventional problems, the present applicant has filed Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-366871, Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-366876, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-366881. A request for improvement). Briefly describing these prior inventions, two external switches arranged at the front and rear of the vehicle so as to be manually operated from outside the vehicle, respectively, and when any one of the plurality of external switches is operated It is provided with a holding circuit that is set to a holding state, and a relay circuit that prohibits supply of starting current to the engine starting motor when the holding circuit is not in the holding state.
[0007]
According to this, the start current can be supplied to the engine starting motor by operating either the front or rear exterior switch of the vehicle, so that the front or rear exterior of the vehicle can be supplied. As long as the switch can be operated, the conventional problem is solved.
[0008]
However, there are additional problems here. In the prior invention proposed by the present applicant, the timing at which the external switch is pressed is not considered.
[0009]
For example, in the invention of the prior application, after the driver inserts a key and activates the power supply of the vehicle, the engine can be started even if the switch outside the vehicle is immediately pressed without confirming safety. That is, regardless of whether or not the driver has actually confirmed the safety, when the switch outside the vehicle is pressed, the engine can be started.
[0010]
In addition, the prior invention does not consider the period from when the external switch is pressed to when the engine is actually started.For example, after the driver inserts a key and turns on the vehicle power, After confirming, depressed the switch outside the car and boarded.However, if the emergency call, such as a telephone call from the company, made it impossible to depart immediately, and if you leave after a while, get off before departure and re-safe. In spite of the fact that confirmation is required, the engine can actually be started immediately.
[0011]
An object of the present invention is to improve these and provide an inexpensive and practical auxiliary device for safety confirmation. An object of the present invention is to provide a device for forcing a driver (or his / her assistant) to perform safety confirmation once outside a vehicle before starting the vehicle. An object of the present invention is to provide a device with less malfunction. An object of the present invention is to provide a device that can be realized at low cost. The invention aims to provide a device that can be optionally equipped.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The first feature of the present invention is that an operation input of a switch outside the vehicle is not accepted unless a first predetermined time t1 has elapsed after closing both the start switch and the door switch of the engine start prohibition device. . This forces the driver to stay outside the vehicle for at least the predetermined time t1. This forces the driver to check the safety outside the vehicle.
[0013]
Further, the second feature is that when the state where the vehicle exterior switch is depressed and the engine start is permitted is continued until the second predetermined time t2 (> t1) elapses, the state is released. Thus, for example, when the driver checks the safety and presses the switch outside the vehicle and then gets on the vehicle, the vehicle cannot be immediately departed due to urgent use such as telephone communication from the company, and the driver departs after a while. In this case, the state in which the engine is permitted to be started has been released, and the driver has to get off and check the safety again.
[0014]
Furthermore, after the driver checks the safety, presses the switch outside the vehicle, gets on the vehicle and starts the engine, the driver cannot immediately depart due to urgent use such as telephone contact from the company, etc. There are situations. In such a case, for example, the state of "the engine is running but not started" is automatically detected from the parking brake situation, etc., the already started engine is stopped, and the safety check is performed again. You can make it start over.
[0015]
That is, the present invention provides an external switch which is disposed at the front and rear of the vehicle so as to be manually operated from outside the vehicle, and a holding switch which is set to a holding state when any of the plurality of external switches is operated. An engine start prohibition device comprising a circuit and a relay circuit for prohibiting supply of a starting current to an engine start motor when the holding circuit is not in a holding state. Means for detecting whether the start switch and the door switch of the start prohibiting device are closed, and detecting the closed state of the start switch and the door switch before the first predetermined time t1 has elapsed since the detection of the start switch and the door switch. Means for prohibiting reception of an operation input of the vehicle exterior switch; and a second predetermined time t2 (> t) in which the holding state of the holding circuit is longer than the first predetermined time. ) If the area is continued until after there is to provided with a means for releasing the holding state.
[0016]
As described above, the device of the present invention is a simple device that can be realized by 1) two exterior switches, 2) a holding circuit, 3) a relay circuit, 4) a timer circuit, and 5) electrical components for connection. . Although a similar logic circuit can be implemented by using a microprocessor to implement the present invention, it is economical to implement it with simple hardware when the number of manufactured products is small.
[0017]
The device of the present invention may be provided with a means for releasing the holding state of the holding circuit when the engine key is operated to the off position, and the holding circuit may be provided when the engine key is pulled out. It is also possible to provide a means for releasing the holding state. The device of the present invention may be configured to include means for interlocking with the parking brake and for invalidating the operation of the external switch when the parking brake is not in the braking state. Thus, the habit of applying the parking brake whenever the driver goes out of the vehicle can be established.
[0018]
Further, a means for sounding the horn for a third predetermined time t3 when an operation input of the external switch is received may be provided. According to this, the driver can be outside the vehicle and can confirm the reception of the operation input of the switch outside the vehicle. Further, an illumination device for illuminating a road surface below the vehicle may be provided, and means for lighting the illumination device for a fourth predetermined time t4 when an operation input of the exterior switch is received may be provided. According to this, the safety can be confirmed even in a dark situation such as at night.
[0019]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is an electric circuit of the engine start inhibiting device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The two push-button switches S1 and S2 are respectively located at the front and rear of the vehicle so that they can be operated from outside the vehicle. These two external switches are push-button switches each covered with a resilient waterproof member (synthetic rubber, plastic, etc.), and are respectively mounted inside the front and rear bumpers. These two push button switches S1 and S2 are connected only when pressed, and released when released. The two pushbutton switches S1 and S2 are electrically connected in parallel.
[0020]
The parking brake switch PB is closed when the parking brake is in a braking state. The key detection switch KS1 is a switch that is closed when the engine key is inserted into the keyhole. The key detection switch KS1 is a switch that is closed even when the engine key is inserted into the keyhole and is in the off position. The safety monitoring switch SC is a switch for activating the engine start prohibition device of the present embodiment, but may be interlocked with the key detection switch KS1 without being provided separately. The door switches DS1 and DS2 are switches that are closed when the driver's seat or the passenger's seat door is open. The starter switch SS is a switch that closes when the engine key is turned to the start position.
[0021]
Next, the operation of the engine start prohibition device of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. When the engine is stopped and the parking brake switch PB is in the closed state (braking state) (step 0), when the driver closes the safety monitoring switch SC, the safety monitoring mode is set (step 1). , Transition to the monitoring state of the door switches DS1 and DS2 (step 2).
[0022]
In this state, when the driver goes out of the vehicle and the door switch DS1 or DS2 is closed at least for a short time (step 3), the relay RL4 is excited. This relay RL4 forms a self-holding circuit by connecting one of the contacts to one end of the winding.
[0023]
When the relay RL4 is excited, current is supplied to the timers T1 and T2 via the contacts of the relay RL4, so that the timers T1 and T2 start measuring time (step 4). In the present embodiment, the timer T1 is set to one minute (1M), and the timer T2 is set to five minutes (5M). The set times of the timers T1 and T2 are appropriately set according to the operation status of the vehicle. The contact of the timer T1 is normally open and is closed after the end of the one-minute clock. Further, the contact of the timer T2 is normally closed, and becomes open after the end of the five-minute clock.
[0024]
When the timer T1 has counted one minute (step 5), the contact of the timer T1 is closed. As a result, one ends of the push button switches S1 and S2 as the start preparation switches are connected to the vehicle power supply + B, and the state transits to the start preparation switch monitoring state (step 6).
[0025]
In this state, when the push button switch S1 or S2 is closed for at least a short time by being pressed by the driver (step 7), the relay RL1 is excited to bring the contact into a make state. The relay RL1 forms a self-holding circuit by connecting one of the contacts to one end of a winding, and the make state is maintained after the push-button switches S1 and S2 are once operated. The condition for releasing the make state is when any of the parking brake switch PB, the contact of the timer T2, and the safety monitoring switch SC is released.
[0026]
This also supplies a current to the lamp circuit L and the horn circuit H. At this time, in the present embodiment, the horn circuit H causes the horn to blow for 0.5 seconds (step 8). Thereby, the driver can confirm that the operation input of the push button switch S1 or S2 has been received. Further, the lamp circuit L turns on an illuminating device for illuminating a road surface under the vehicle for 30 seconds (step 8). Thus, the driver can surely confirm the safety even in a dark situation such as at night.
[0027]
In this way, the contact of relay RL1 is maintained in the make state, and current is supplied from battery terminal B + to relay RL2 via the contact of relay RL1 and backflow prevention diode D1, driving relay RL2 to bring the contact into the make state. And As a result, the state transits to the start preparation completed state (step 9). In this state, when the starter switch SS is operated, the starter relay SR is excited. Since the structure of the starter motor driven by the starter relay SR is well known, a description thereof will be omitted.
[0028]
Relay RL3 is a self-holding relay whose winding is connected in parallel with the winding of starter relay SR via key detection switch KS1. That is, when the starter relay SR is energized with the engine key inserted into the keyhole, its contact becomes a make state, which is held until the engine key is removed from the keyhole. When the contact make state of the relay RL3 is maintained, the relay RL2 is maintained. The holding state of the relay RL2 is maintained even after the parking brake switch PB is released, that is, even after the holding state of the relay RL1 is released. Thus, when the engine stops for some reason and the starter motor must be used again, the engine can be restarted without operating the push button switch S1 or S2 outside the vehicle. When the engine key is removed from the keyhole, the holding state of the relay RL3 is released, so that it is necessary to stop the vehicle by enabling the parking brake and execute the procedure from step 1 again.
[0029]
On the other hand, when the vehicle is ready to start (step 9), the state also transits to the monitoring state of the parking brake switch PB (step 10). That is, it is monitored whether the driver has started the engine and started the car. In this state, if the parking brake switch PB is not released for more than 5 minutes (steps 11 and 12), the contact is released when the timer T2 finishes measuring 5 minutes. The contact of the timer T2 is connected in series with the parking brake switch PB. When the contact of the timer T2 is released, the self-holding state of the relays RL1 and RL4 is released and the safety monitoring mode is reset (step 13). The reason for performing such a reset is, as described above, that the driver inserts the key into the keyhole, activates the power supply of the vehicle, checks the safety, and then depresses the push button switch S1 or S2 outside the vehicle. This is because, for example, if the train cannot be departed immediately due to urgent use such as a telephone call from a company, and departs after a while, it is necessary to confirm the safety again before departure.
[0030]
Furthermore, after the driver checks the safety and depresses the push button switch S1 or S2 outside the vehicle and gets on the vehicle and starts the engine, the driver cannot immediately depart due to urgent use such as telephone communication from the company. There are also situations in which you will leave after a while. In such a case, the time from the engine start time to the release of the parking brake switch PB is measured, and when this time exceeds a predetermined time, the engine is forcibly stopped, and The procedure from step 1 described in the embodiment may be redone.
[0031]
(Second embodiment)
FIG. 3 is an electric circuit of the engine start inhibiting device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. This example is implemented in a vehicle that is not equipped with a switch (KS1) that operates only by inserting a key, as described in the first embodiment, or the key is simply inserted. Even if a switch (KS1) that operates with is provided, the switch is not used. In this case, a vehicle power supply which is turned on / off by the key switch KS2 is used as the power supply to be supplied to the contact point of the relay RL3. The other configuration is the same as that of the engine start prohibition device of the first embodiment, and the configuration and operation can be similarly understood, so that the detailed description is omitted. In the case of the second embodiment, the key switch KS2 and the safety monitoring switch SC may be linked.
[0032]
In the second embodiment, when the engine stops for some reason while traveling on the road, the engine key switch is operated to the start position without operating the engine once to the off state, so that the push-button The engine can be started without requiring the operation of the switch S1 or S2. When the engine is stopped and restarted during running, once the engine key switch is turned off, the push button switch S1 or S2 outside the vehicle must be operated.
[0033]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, an inexpensive and practical auxiliary device for safety confirmation can be provided. This device forces the driver or his / her assistant to go out of the vehicle before starting the vehicle and perform the minimum safety confirmation operation.Since the structure is simple, there is little malfunction and small cost. It can be realized by. The device of the present invention can be offered as an option only to customers who want the device.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an electric circuit diagram of an engine start inhibiting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the engine start prohibition device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an electric circuit diagram of an engine start prohibition device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
D1 to D4 Diode DS1, DS2 Door switch H Horn circuit KS1 Key detection switch KS2 Key switch L Lamp circuit PB Parking brake switch S1, S2 Push button switch SS Starter switch SR Starter relay RL1 to RL4 Relay T1 , T2 timer

Claims (6)

An external switch arranged at the front and rear of the vehicle so as to be manually operated from outside the vehicle,
A holding circuit that is set to a holding state when any of the plurality of exterior switches is operated;
A relay circuit for prohibiting supply of a starting current to the engine starting motor when the holding circuit is not in a holding state.
Means for detecting whether the start switch and the door switch of the engine start prohibiting device are closed,
Means for prohibiting reception of an operation input of the external switch before a first predetermined time (t1) elapses after the detecting means detects the close connection of the start switch and the door switch;
Means for canceling the holding state when the holding state of the holding circuit is continued until a second predetermined time (t2> t1) longer than the first predetermined time elapses. Start prohibition device. 2. The engine start inhibiting device according to claim 1, further comprising means for releasing the holding state of the holding circuit when the engine key is operated to the off position. 2. The engine start inhibiting device according to claim 1, further comprising means for releasing a holding state of the holding circuit when the engine key is pulled out. 2. The engine start inhibiting device according to claim 1, further comprising means for invalidating the operation of the external switch when the parking brake is not in a braking state. 2. The engine start prohibition device according to claim 1, further comprising means for sounding a horn for a third predetermined time (t3) when an operation input of the external switch is received. A lighting device for illuminating a road surface under the vehicle is provided,
2. The engine start prohibition device according to claim 1, further comprising means for turning on the illumination device for a fourth predetermined time (t4) when an operation input of the external switch is received.

Images