JP2005202784A - Vehicle control device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle control device in which erroneous determination about the abnormality of a switch due to insufficient switch operation is reduced. <P>SOLUTION: The vehicle control device is provided with a push start switch 1 comprising a knob 10 which is depressed by a driver and two switches 40 for outputting ON signals and capable of driving an ignition power supply 71 by the ON signal from the switch 40, an abnormality determination part 36 for determining the existence of abnormality on one switch 40 when the ON signal output time of one switch 40 is continued for prescribed time in addition to determination of existence of abnormality on the other switch 40 when the number of times of outputting ON signals only from one switch 40 is continued by the prescribed number of times and a warning lamp 74 for generating warning to the driver at the time of determining the existence of abnormality of the other switch. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention belongs to the technical field of vehicle control devices using push buttons.

  Conventionally, for example, in a vehicle control device using a push switch that starts an engine by pressing a push button, the operability is excellent, but if an abnormality occurs in the switch due to secular change or contact failure, the input target Even if there is no abnormality in the device to become, there is a possibility that it becomes impossible to operate.

Therefore, in order to solve this problem, the conventional switch device is provided so that two switches are connected simultaneously at the time of input, and when only one switch is ON, an abnormality has occurred in the other switch. The driver's attention is alerted by a warning light or the like (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese translation of PCT publication No. 2002-529314

  However, in the above prior art, if only one switch is turned on by insufficient switch operation, such as pushing the push button diagonally, there is a possibility that the switch is mistakenly judged as a malfunction and a warning is issued to the driver. is there.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle control device in which erroneous determination of switch abnormality due to insufficient switch operation is small.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the vehicle control device of the present invention, a push button that is pressed by the driver, and a push switch that is pressed simultaneously when the push button is pressed and outputs an ON signal, In addition, in the vehicle control device having the control means for controlling the in-vehicle device by the ON signal from the push switch, the two push switches are provided, and the number of times that only one push switch outputs the ON signal continues a predetermined number of times. A push switch abnormality determining means for determining that there is an abnormality in the other push switch, and a warning means for issuing a warning to the driver when it is determined that there is an abnormality in the other push switch. It is characterized by that.

  Therefore, in the present invention, only when one of the push switches outputs the ON signal for a plurality of times, it is determined that the other push switch is abnormal, and a warning is issued to the driver. Even when an insufficient switch operation such as pressing the button diagonally is performed and only one of the push switches is turned on, erroneous determinations that erroneously determine that the switch is abnormal can be reduced.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below based on Examples 1 and 2.

First, the configuration will be described.
FIG. 1 is a front view of the push start switch 1 according to the first embodiment.
The push start switch 1 is for driving the starter motor to start the engine, and with the knob (push button) 10 and the upper surface 21 of the housing 20 exposed, near the steering column of the instrument panel (not shown). Is arranged.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the push start switch 1. The push start switch 1 includes a knob 10, a housing 20, a substrate 30, two push switches (hereinafter referred to as switches) 40a and 40b, and a push piece 50. And coil spring 60.

  The knob 10 is formed in a solid cylindrical shape having an operation surface 11 for receiving a driver's operation input on the upper surface and a pressing surface 12 for pressing the push piece 50 on the lower surface. And the knob step part 13 is formed in the axial direction center part of the side surface. The knob step portion 13 is formed with a groove portion 14 for fitting the coil spring 60 in the axial direction of the knob 10.

  The housing 20 is a hollow casing having an open lower end, and a recess 22 into which the knob 10 is fitted is provided at the center of the upper surface 21. In addition, a flange portion 23 that slidably supports the knob 10 is formed on the upper surface 21 so as to surround the recess 22. A housing step 24 corresponding to the knob step 13 of the knob 10 is set between the recess 22 and the flange 23. The knob 10 strokes from the position shown in FIG. 2 to a position where the knob step 13 contacts the housing step 24. The coil spring 60 is interposed between the housing step portion 24 and the groove portion 14 of the knob 10, and generates an operation reaction force when the knob 10 is pressed.

  The board 30 is fitted into the lower end opening of the housing 20, and the first switch 40 a and the second switch 40 b are mounted on the board 30. The first switch 40 a and the second switch 40 b are arranged in parallel with the axial direction (pressing direction) of the knob 10. The board 30 outputs a signal for switching the power source and starting the starter motor of the engine in response to the ON / OFF signals output from the two switches 40a and 40b.

Between the knob 10 and the 1st, 2nd switch 40a, 40b, the push piece 50 which transmits the pressing operation of the knob 10 to switch 40a, 40b is provided.
The push piece 50 is set to a length that turns on the two switches 40a and 40b when the knob 10 is pressed, and is applied to the knob contact portion 51 located on the knob 10 side and the two switches 40a and 40b. It has two switch pressing parts 52 including a first switch pressing part 52a and a second switch pressing part 52b that are in contact with each other, and is formed in a trifurcated shape.
Further, the push piece 50 is supported by a push piece support hole 25 provided in the housing 20 so as to be slidable in the axial direction.

  The knob contact portion 51 and the tip portions of the switch pressing portions 52a and 52b are formed in a hemispherical shape, and are provided so as to be able to press the two switches 40a and 40b even when the knob 10 is pressed obliquely downward. .

FIG. 3 is a control block diagram showing the push start switch 1 and the control unit 31.
In the first embodiment, the control unit 31 is configured separately from the push start switch 1, but may be integrated.
The control unit 31 includes a first switch determination unit 32, a second switch determination unit 33, a first storage device 34, a second storage device 35, an abnormality determination unit 36, and a counter 37.

  The first switch determination unit 32 detects the ON signal of the first switch 40a described above, and similarly, the second switch determination unit 33 detects the ON signal of the second switch 40b.

  The first storage device 34 stores the number of times that only the first switch 40a is turned on, and the second storage device 35 stores the number of times that only the second switch 40b is turned on.

  Based on the ON signals from the first switch determination unit 32 and the second switch determination unit 33, the control unit 31 turns on the relays of the ignition power source 71, the accessory power source 72, and the starter motor 73.

  The abnormality determination unit 36 detects the number of times each of the first storage device 34 and the second storage device 35 has been stored, and the number of times exceeds a preset number (3 in the first embodiment). Then, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the push start switch 1, and the warning lamp 74 is turned on to alert the driver.

Next, the operation will be described.
[Action to reduce misjudgment of switch abnormality due to push piece tip shape]

  In FIG. 2, when the operator presses the knob 10, the knob 10 moves downward, the pressing surface 12 comes into contact with the top of the knob contact portion 51 of the push piece 50, and presses the push piece 50 downward. Accordingly, the tops of the switch pressing portions 52a and 52b of the push piece 50 come into contact with the two switches 40a and 40b, and the switches 40a and 40b are pressed to output ON signals to the substrates 30, respectively.

  When the operator presses a portion off the center portion of the knob 10, the knob 10 moves downward in an inclined state, so that the pressing surface 12 is inclined with respect to the top of the knob contact portion 51 of the push piece 50. To touch.

At this time, the tip end portion of the knob abutting portion 51 is formed in a hemispherical shape, and the tip end portions of the switch pressing portions 52a and 52b are also formed in a hemispherical shape. The axial pressing force is evenly transmitted, and the two switches 40a and 40b are pressed almost simultaneously.
Therefore, it is possible to reduce misjudgment of switch abnormality caused by turning on only one of the two switches 40a and 40b as the knob 10 is pushed obliquely.

[Switch abnormality judgment control processing by continuous ON count measurement]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of the switch abnormality determination control process executed by the control unit 31.

  In step S1, the abnormality determination unit 36 determines whether both the first switch 40a and the second switch 40b are ON. If YES, the process proceeds to step S10, and if NO, the process proceeds to step S2.

  In step S2, whether or not only the first switch 40a is ON is determined by the abnormality determination unit 36. If YES, the process proceeds to step S3, and if NO, the process proceeds to step S5.

  In step S3, the number of times that only the first switch 40a is turned on is stored by the first storage device 34, and the process proceeds to step S4.

  In step S4, it is determined by the abnormality determination unit 36 whether only the first switch 40a is continuously turned on three times. If YES, the process proceeds to step S8, and if NO, the process proceeds to step S10.

  In step S5, whether or not only the second switch 40b is ON is determined by the abnormality determination unit 36. If YES, the process proceeds to step S6, and if NO, the process proceeds to step S10.

  In step S6, the number of times that only the second switch 40b is turned on is stored by the second storage device 35, and the process proceeds to step S7.

  In step S7, it is determined whether or not only the second switch 40b is continuously turned on three times by the abnormality determination unit 36. If YES, the process proceeds to step S8, and if NO, the process proceeds to step S10.

  In step S8, the abnormality determination unit 36 determines that the push start switch 1 is abnormal, and the process proceeds to step S9.

  In step S9, the abnormality determination unit 36 issues a command to issue a warning to the warning lamp 74, and the process proceeds to step S11.

  In step S10, the abnormality determination unit 36 determines that the push start switch 1 is normal and proceeds to return.

  In step S11, the normal switch of either the first switch 40a or the second switch 40b is allowed to continue input, and the process proceeds to return.

[Switch abnormality judgment control operation by continuous ON count measurement]
When the first switch 40a is ON, the second switch 40b is OFF, and only the first switch 40a is ON continuously three times, in the flowchart of FIG. 4, step S1, step S2, step S3, step The flow proceeds from S4 to step S8 to step S9 to step S11.
That is, in step S8, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the second switch 40b. In step S9, the warning lamp 74 indicating an abnormality in the push start switch 1 is turned on. In step S11, the power supply is turned on according to the input of the first switch 40a. Switch control and the engine starter motor power are turned on.

When the first switch 40a is OFF, the second switch 40b is ON, and only the second switch 40b is ON continuously three times, in the flowchart of FIG. 4, step S1, step S2, step S5, step Step S6 → Step S7 → Step S8 → Step S9 → Step S11.
That is, in step S8, it is determined that the first switch 40a is abnormal. In step S9, the warning lamp 74 is turned on. In step S11, the input is continued to the second switch 40b and the control is terminated.

  When both the first switch 40a and the second switch 40b are ON, in the flowchart of FIG. 4, the flow proceeds from step S1 to step S10, and it is determined that both of the switches 40 are normal and the process ends.

[Switch abnormality judgment control action by continuous ON count measurement]
When the push start switch 1 is pressed obliquely by the operator, the knob 10 moves while being inclined, and the push piece 50 is also inclined and pressed accordingly.

  At that time, if the inclination angle of the push piece 50 is not large due to the roundness of the switch pressing portion 52 of the push piece 50, the operation input is input to both the two switches 40a and 40b. The operation input is transmitted only to either the switch 40a or the second switch 40b.

  Thereby, when the operation input is largely inclined, the ON signal is detected only from one of the two switches 40a and 40b. In addition, when one of them is abnormal due to a failure or the like, an ON signal is detected only from the other.

  At this time, the abnormality determination unit 36 measures the number of times one of the two switches is continuously turned on in Step 8, and sends an ON signal to only one of the first switch 40a and the second switch 40b. It is detected whether the number of times of output has continued three times.

  If it is a normal operation, it is unlikely that the operator will make an input that is inclined obliquely three times in a row, so if an ON signal is detected only from one of the switches 40a, 40b three times in succession, the other will be Judged to be abnormal.

  Therefore, the abnormality determination unit 36 determines that an abnormality has occurred in one of the switches, and causes the other normal switch to continue operation.

Next, the effect will be described.
In the vehicle control apparatus according to the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) When the pressing operation of the knob 10 is detected by the ON / OFF signals of the two switches 40a and 40b, and only one of the two switches 40 outputs the ON signal for a predetermined number of times, An abnormality determination unit 36 that determines that the switch 40 is abnormal and a warning lamp 74 that issues a warning to the driver when it is determined that the other switch 40a or 40b is abnormal are provided.
Accordingly, even when an insufficient switch operation such as pressing the push button obliquely is performed and only one of the push switches is turned on, erroneous determination that the switch is erroneously performed can be reduced.

(2) When the abnormality determination unit 36 determines that one of the switches is abnormal, the ignition power supply 71, the accessory power supply 72, and the starter motor 73 are operated according to the signal from the other switch.
Thereby, even when one of the two switches 40a and 40b fails, the operation of the push start switch 1 can be continued by the other.

  (3) Since the knob contact portion 51 of the push piece 50 and the tip portions of the two switch pressing portions 52a and 52b are hemispherical, it becomes possible to transmit operation inputs evenly to the two switches 40a and 40b. Even when the person presses the knob 10 at an angle, it is possible to reduce the fact that only one of the switches is turned on to determine that the switch is abnormal.

  In the second embodiment, the abnormality determination unit 36 determines that the other switch is abnormal when the number of times that only one switch outputs the ON signal continues for a predetermined number of times, and the ON signal of one switch is When the output time continues for a predetermined time, it is different from the first embodiment in that it is determined that the switch is abnormal.

Next, the operation will be described.
[Switch abnormality judgment control processing by continuous ON time measurement]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the switch abnormality determination control process executed by the control unit 31, and only parts different from those in the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  In step S14, the abnormality determining unit 36 determines whether or not the first switch 40a is continuously ON. If YES, the process proceeds to step S8, and if NO, the process proceeds to step S21.

  In step S17, the abnormality determination unit 36 determines whether or not the second switch 40b is continuously ON. If YES, the process proceeds to step S8, and if NO, the process proceeds to step S23.

  In step S21, the time during which only the first switch 40a is ON is measured by the counter 37, and the process proceeds to step S22.

  In step S22, the abnormality determining unit 36 determines whether the ON time of the first switch 40a exceeds the specified time. If YES, the process proceeds to step S8, and if NO, the process proceeds to step S10.

  In step S23, the counter 37 measures the time during which only the second switch 40b is ON, and proceeds to step S24.

  In step S24, the abnormality determining unit 36 determines whether the ON time of the second switch 40b exceeds the specified time. If YES, the process proceeds to step S8, and if NO, the process proceeds to step S10.

  [Switch abnormality judgment control operation by continuous ON time measurement]

When the first switch 40a is ON, the second switch 40b is OFF, and only the first switch 40a is ON continuously three times, in the flowchart of FIG. 4, step S1, step S2, step S3, step The flow proceeds from S14 to step S8 to step S9 to step S11.
That is, in step S8, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the second switch 40b. In step S9, the warning lamp 74 indicating the abnormality in the push start switch 1 is turned on. In step S11, the first switch 40a is continuously input and controlled. Exit.

When the first switch 40a is ON and the second switch 40b is OFF, and only the first switch 40a is not turned ON continuously three times, but the ON time of the first switch 40a exceeds the set time In the flowchart of FIG. 4, the process proceeds in the order of step S1, step S2, step S3, step S14, step S21, step S22, step S8, step S9, and step S11.
That is, in step S8, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the first switch 40a. In step S9, the warning lamp 74 indicating an abnormality in the push start switch 1 is turned on. Exit.

When the first switch 40a is ON and the second switch 40b is OFF, and only the first switch 40a is not continuously turned ON three times, and the ON time of the first switch 40a does not exceed the set time In the flowchart of FIG. 4, the process proceeds in the order of step S1, step S2, step S3, step S14, step S21, step S22, and step S10.
That is, in step S10, it is determined that the push start switch 1 is normal, and the control ends.

When the first switch 40a is OFF, the second switch 40b is ON, and only the second switch 40b is ON continuously three times, in the flowchart of FIG. 4, step S1, step S2, step S5, step Step S6 → Step S17 → Step S8 → Step S9 → Step S11.
That is, in step S8, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the first switch 40a. In step S9, the warning lamp 74 indicating an abnormality in the push start switch 1 is turned on. In step S11, the second switch 40b is continuously input and controlled. Exit.

When the first switch 40a is OFF and the second switch 40b is ON, and only the second switch 40b has not been turned ON continuously three times, but the ON time of the second switch 40b exceeds the set time In the flowchart of FIG. 4, the flow proceeds from step S 1 → step S 2 → step S 5 → step S 6 → step S 17 → step S 23 → step S 24 → step S 8 → step S 9 → step S 11.
That is, in step S8, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the second switch 40b. In step S9, the warning lamp 74 indicating the abnormality in the push start switch 1 is turned on. In step S11, the first switch 40a is continuously input and controlled. Exit.

When the first switch 40a is OFF and the second switch 40b is ON, and only the second switch 40b is not continuously turned ON three times, and the ON time of the second switch 40b does not exceed the set time In the flowchart of FIG. 4, the process proceeds in the order of step S1, step S2, step S5, step S6, step S17, step S23, step S24, and step S10.
That is, in step S10, it is determined that the push start switch 1 is normal, and the control ends.

  When both the first switch 40a and the second switch 40b are ON, in the flowchart of FIG. 4, the flow proceeds from step S1 to step S10, and it is determined that both of the switches 40 are normal and the process ends.

[Switch abnormality judgment control action by continuous ON time measurement]
The abnormality determination unit 36 measures the number of times the first switch 40a is continuously turned on in step 14, and the number of times that only one of the first switch 40a and the second switch 40b outputs the ON signal is determined. Detect if it lasted 3 times.

  At this time, if the ON signal is output three times continuously, the abnormality determination unit 36 determines that there is an abnormality as described above. If the ON signal is not detected three times continuously, the counter 37 The time during which the first switch 40a is ON is measured.

  When the measured time exceeds the specified time, it is determined by the abnormality determination unit 36 that the first switch 40a is fixed to ON even if there is no operation input, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred, and the second switch 40b is Let the operation continue.

  Similarly, in the second switch 40b, when the ON signal is not detected three times in succession and the ON time exceeds the specified time, it is determined that the second switch 40b remains fixed and an abnormality has occurred. Then, the first switch 40a continues to operate.

Next, the effect will be described.
In the vehicle control device of the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects (1) to (3) of the first embodiment.

  (4) The abnormality determination unit 36 determines that the other switch 40 is abnormal when the number of times that the ON signal is output to only one switch continues for a predetermined number of times, and the ON signal of one switch 40 When the output time continues for a predetermined time, it is determined that the switch 40 is abnormal, so that the accuracy of determining the switch abnormality can be improved as compared with the first embodiment.

(Other examples)
The best mode for carrying out the present invention has been described based on the first and second embodiments. However, the specific configuration of the present invention is not limited to the first and second embodiments.

  In the first embodiment, if only one of the switches 40 is continuously turned on three times, it is determined that there is an abnormality, but this number may be increased or decreased.

It is a front view of a push start switch. It is sectional drawing of a push start switch. It is a control block diagram which shows a push start switch and a control part. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the switch abnormality judgment control process performed by a control part. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the switch abnormality judgment control process performed by a control part.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Push start switch 10 Knob 11 Operation surface 12 Press surface 13 Knob step part 14 Groove part 20 Housing 21 Housing upper surface 22 Recess 23 Flange part 24 Housing step part 25 Push piece support hole 30 Board | substrate 31 Control part 32 1st switch judgment part 33 1st 2 switch determination unit 34 first storage device 35 second storage device 36 abnormality determination unit 37 counter 40 switch 40a first switch 40b second switch 50 push piece 51 knob contact portion 52 switch pressing portion 52a first switch pressing portion 52b first switch 2 Switch pressing part 60 Coil spring 71 Ignition power supply 72 Accessory power supply 73 Starter motor 74 Warning lamp

Claims (4)

A push button pressed by the driver;
A push switch that is pressed simultaneously when this push button is pressed and outputs an ON signal;
Control means for controlling the in-vehicle device by the ON signal from the push switch;
In a vehicle control device comprising:
Two push switches are provided,
Push switch abnormality determining means for determining that there is an abnormality in the other push switch when the number of times of outputting the ON signal only for the one push switch is continued a predetermined number of times,
Warning means for issuing a warning to the driver when it is determined that the other push switch is abnormal,
A vehicle control device characterized by comprising: The vehicle control device according to claim 1,
The push switch abnormality determining means determines that one of the push switches is abnormal when the output time of the ON signal of one of the push switches continues for a predetermined time. In the vehicle control device according to claim 1 or 2,
The two push switches are arranged in parallel with the pressing direction of the push button,
Provided is an input transmission member comprising a push button abutting portion that abuts on the push button, and two push switch pressing portions that press two push switches when the push button is pressed.
A vehicular control device, wherein a tip end portion of the push button contact portion is formed in a hemispherical shape. The vehicle control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
When the control means determines that one of the push switches is abnormal, the control device controls the in-vehicle device in accordance with a signal from the other push switch.

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