JP2006283727A - Start-control system for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a start-control system for a vehicle by which driver's operability in engine-starting is improved. <P>SOLUTION: The start-control system for a vehicle for controlling a starter 12 for starting the engine comprises an engine ECU 9. In the case when a start switch 3 is pressed with a brake-pedal down (a stop switch 5 is on), the engine ECU 9 feeds normal driving-current 10 to a starter relay 11 on the basis of a start-command signal 8 transmitted from a power-source control ECU 4. If the start switch 3 is pressed and held for a specified time, the power-source control ECU 4 switches the current to be fed to the starter relay 11 to an emergency driving current 13 irrespective of the press-down state of the brake-pedal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle start control device that controls a starter that starts an engine.

Conventionally, an automatic stop / start device for automatically stopping / starting an engine is known (for example, Patent Document 1). This automatic stop / start device is used to ensure a negative pressure when the brake booster device is in a state in which the negative pressure of the brake booster is released due to the depressing operation of the brake pedal after the engine is automatically stopped. The engine is automatically started.
JP 2001-140672 A

  By the way, in a push type start system, a method is generally employed in which an engine is started by pressing a start switch after a driver depresses a brake pedal to give a braking force to the vehicle. However, the engine cannot be started unless the depression of the brake pedal is detected for some reason.

  In this regard, the above-described conventional automatic stop / start device can automatically start the engine when a negative pressure loss is detected, but cannot solve the above-described problem.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle start control device that improves the operability of the driver at the time of engine start.

In order to solve the above problems, according to one aspect of the present invention,
In a vehicle start control device for controlling a starter for starting an engine,
First starter operating means for operating the starter when a predetermined operating condition is satisfied when the brake pedal is depressed;
A second starter actuating means for actuating the starter regardless of the depression state of the brake pedal;
There is provided a vehicle start control device comprising switching means for switching means for operating the starter from the first starter operating means to the second starter operating means. Thereby, even in a situation where the depression of the brake pedal is not detected, the starter can be operated and the engine can be started by switching by the switching means.

  Further, the predetermined operating condition is that a switch for receiving an engine start instruction from an operator is pressed, and the switching means is configured to switch the first starter when the switch is continuously pressed for a predetermined time. It is preferable to switch from the operating means to the second starter operating means. In this case, if the driver depresses the brake pedal and presses the switch, the starter can be operated, but even in a situation where the depression of the brake pedal is not detected, the driver continues the switch. If it is pushed, the above-described switching is performed, so that the starter can be operated to start the engine.

  Further, the predetermined operating condition is that a switch that receives an engine start instruction from an operator is pressed, and the switching means is configured to perform the first operation when the negative pressure of the brake booster is equal to or lower than a predetermined value. It is preferable to switch from the starter operating means to the second starter operating means. In this case, the driver can operate the starter by depressing the brake pedal and pressing the switch. However, even in a situation where the depression of the brake pedal is not detected, the negative pressure of the brake booster is predetermined. When the value is less than the value, the above-described switching is performed, so that the starter can be operated to start the engine.

  Further, it is preferable that the starter can be operated by the second starter operating means while the switch is continuously pressed. Even when switching to the second starter operating means, it is sufficient for the driver to keep pressing the switch in order to start the engine, and good operability can be secured.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the operativity of a driver | operator at the time of engine starting can be improved.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a push-type start system which is an embodiment of a vehicle start control device according to the present invention. The push-type start system generally starts an engine when a driver depresses a brake pedal and applies a braking force to the vehicle and then presses a start switch. Hereafter, each component of FIG. 1 is demonstrated roughly.

  The stop switch 5 detects the depression state of the brake pedal, is attached to the brake pedal portion, and is turned ON / OFF according to the vertical movement of the brake pedal. For example, the switch is turned on when a predetermined amount of stroke of the brake pedal is present from the stop position. When the stop switch 5 is turned on, the stop lamp 6 is lit by energization with the battery 1. Further, the ON / OFF state of the stop switch 5 is input to the power supply control ECU 4. As a means for detecting the depression state of the brake pedal, it is possible to use a foot brake sensor for detecting the depression movement amount (or depression force) of the brake pedal instead of the ON / OFF switch.

  The start switch 3 is a momentary button switch that can be operated by the driver, and is a switch that receives an instruction to start or stop the engine from the driver. The ON / OFF state of the start switch 3 is input to the power supply control ECU 4.

  The power supply control ECU 4 controls the power supply state of the vehicle based on the states of the stop switch 5 and the start switch 3 and the like. When an ON operation (pushing operation) of the start switch 3 is detected while the brake pedal is depressed, the power control ECU 4 causes a driving current to flow through the power relay 7 (by operating the power relay 7), and the battery 1 is supplied to the engine ECU 9 and other loads downstream of the power relay 7. The power supply control ECU 4 has a function of giving an engine start instruction to the engine ECU 9. Further, when the start switch 3 is pressed during engine operation, the power control ECU 4 stops energization of the power relay 7 and cuts off power supply to the engine ECU 9 and the like.

  Based on an engine start instruction from the power supply control ECU 4, the engine ECU 9 supplies a drive current to the starter relay 11 and operates the starter 12 to start the engine.

  By the way, when the driver depresses the brake pedal, a brake booster (not shown in particular) assists the depressing force of the brake pedal by using the negative pressure due to the intake air of the engine. However, as described above, if the operation of depressing the brake pedal is repeated, negative pressure may be consumed and the assist force may be reduced. When such a phenomenon occurs, in order to start the engine with the push-type start system, the driver cannot step on the stop switch 5 unless the driver depresses the brake pedal with a strong pedal force. The Further, in the case of a driver having a relatively weak pedaling force such as an elderly person or a disabled person, the concern becomes more prominent.

  Therefore, the vehicle start control device according to the present invention is configured to allow the starter 12 to operate by supplying a drive current from the power control ECU 4 to the starter relay 11 so as to eliminate such a concern. Hereinafter, an operation example of the vehicle start control device according to the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a control operation flow of the vehicle start control device according to the present invention. This flow shows from the vehicle parking state (the state where the power supply by the power control ECU 4 is cut off and the engine stopped) until the engine starts and returns to the vehicle parking state again.

  When the ON operation of the start switch 3 is detected in a state where the brake pedal is depressed (the stop switch 5 is ON) (S1), the power supply control ECU 4 operates the power relay 7 (S2) and sends it to the engine ECU 9 or the like. Start power supply. After the start of power supply, the power supply control ECU 4 sends a start instruction signal 8 to the engine ECU 9 (S3). The engine ECU 9 that has received the start instruction signal 8 supplies a relay drive current (normal drive current 10) to the starter relay 11 and operates the starter 12 to perform engine start control. When the ON operation of the start switch 3 is detected after the engine is started (S4, S5), the power control ECU 4 ends energization to the power relay 7 (S6).

  On the other hand, when the ON operation of the start switch 3 is detected in a state where the brake pedal is not depressed (stop switch 5 is OFF) (S7), the power control ECU 4 operates the power relay 7 to supply power to the engine ECU 9 and the like. It is only supplied (S8). Then, in this state, when the brake pedal is depressed when the ON operation of the stop switch 3 is detected (S9), the power supply control ECU 4 sends a start instruction signal 8 (S3). However, when the brake pedal is not depressed in S9, in the known technique, control to end energization of the power relay 7 is performed (shift to S6), but control is performed according to the ON duration of the start switch 3. Switching is done.

  The switching will be described below. When the ON operation of the start switch 3 is detected in a state where the brake pedal is not depressed while the power supply relay 7 is being driven (S10), the ON duration of the start switch 3 is longer than a predetermined time T1 (for example, 3 seconds). In the case (S11; No), the power supply control ECU 4 starts energization of the emergency drive current 13 to the starter relay 11 from the time T1 has elapsed (S12). When the ON continuation time of the start switch 3 is less than T1, the power supply control ECU 4 performs control (S6) to end energization of the power supply relay 7. As described above, the starter relay 11 and the starter 12 are operated when the emergency drive current 13 is energized, so that the engine can be started.

  When the start switch 3 that is kept ON in S12 is turned off (S13), the power supply control ECU 4 stops energization of the emergency drive current 13 (S14), thereby stopping the starter 12 as well. Therefore, the driver may turn off the start switch 3 after confirming that the engine has been started (after confirming that cranking has been completed and the engine has started). Even if the engine could not be started by turning off the start switch 3 before the engine explosion, the engine can be restarted by continuing to turn on the start switch 3 (S10, S11, S12 via S4). It becomes.

  In other words, in order to start the engine, the driver can usually start the engine by simply pressing the start switch 3 (without continuing). However, if the engine does not start even when the start switch 3 is pressed, the driver who feels an abnormality can continue to press the start switch 3 to start the engine.

  As described above, according to the flow of FIG. 2, the condition that the control is switched according to the ON duration of the start switch 3 and the brake pedal is depressed is removed from the starter operating condition, and the state of the stop switch 5 Therefore, the engine can be started, so that the engine can be easily started even when the negative pressure of the brake booster is lost.

  It should be noted that not only the negative pressure release of the brake booster but also the fuse 2 of the line supplying power to the stop switch 5 is blown, the stop switch 5 itself is broken, or the ON / OFF state of the stop switch 5 is controlled by the power control ECU 4. Even if the line for making it recognize is disconnected or the state of the stop switch 5 cannot be recognized and it becomes difficult to start the engine, the present invention can be used as a countermeasure.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions can be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Can be added.

  In the above embodiment, the control is switched according to the ON duration of the start switch 3 (S11, S12). However, the control may be switched when the negative pressure of the brake booster is equal to or less than a predetermined value. The control operation flow of the vehicle start control device according to the present invention when the negative pressure of the brake booster is used can be expressed as shown in FIG. 3 using FIG. In FIG. 3, when the ON operation of the start switch 3 is detected in a state where the brake pedal is not depressed while the power supply relay 7 is being driven (S10 in FIG. 2), the negative pressure in the negative pressure chamber of the brake booster is predetermined. If it is equal to or less than the value (S20; Yes), the power supply control ECU 4 starts energizing the emergency drive current 13 to the starter relay 11 from the time point T1 regardless of the ON duration of the start switch 3 (S21). Then, the process proceeds to S13 in FIG. 2, and in S13, it is determined whether or not the start switch 3 turned on in S10 is turned off. On the other hand, if the negative pressure in the negative pressure chamber of the brake booster is not less than the predetermined value (S20; No), the process proceeds to S6 in FIG.

  In the present specification and claims, “negative pressure” is expressed as a pressure difference from atmospheric pressure. Therefore, “the negative pressure is large” and “the negative pressure is high” means that the pressure difference from the atmospheric pressure is large, that is, the absolute pressure is low. Conversely, “small negative pressure” and “low negative pressure” mean that the pressure difference from atmospheric pressure is small.

  Further, since it is only necessary to detect the depression state of the brake pedal, instead of the stop switch 5, another depression switch may be used or a new dedicated switch may be set to detect the depression state. For example, in cruise control in which it is necessary to detect the depression state of the brake pedal, when a switch related to cruise control is installed on the brake pedal in the same manner as the stop switch 5, the switch can be used.

1 is a configuration diagram of a push start system that is an embodiment of a vehicle start control device according to the present invention. FIG. It is a control operation | movement flow of the starting control apparatus for vehicles in this invention. It is a control operation | movement flow of the vehicle starting control apparatus in this invention at the time of utilizing the negative pressure of a brake booster.

Explanation of symbols

1 battery 2 fuse 3 start switch 4 power control ECU
5 Stop switch 6 Stop lamp 7 Power relay 8 Start instruction signal 9 Engine ECU
10 Normal drive current 11 Starter relay 12 Starter 13 Emergency drive current

Claims (4)

In a vehicle start control device for controlling a starter for starting an engine,
First starter operating means for operating the starter when a predetermined operating condition is satisfied when the brake pedal is depressed;
A second starter actuating means for actuating the starter regardless of the depression state of the brake pedal;
A vehicle start control device comprising: switching means for switching means for operating the starter from the first starter operating means to the second starter operating means. The predetermined operating condition is that a switch that receives an engine start instruction from an operator is pressed,
2. The vehicle start control device according to claim 1, wherein the switching means switches from the first starter operating means to the second starter operating means when the switch is continuously pressed for a predetermined time. The predetermined operating condition is that a switch that receives an engine start instruction from an operator is pressed,
2. The vehicle start control device according to claim 1, wherein the switching unit switches from the first starter operating unit to the second starter operating unit when the negative pressure of the brake booster is equal to or lower than a predetermined value.   4. The vehicle start control device according to claim 2, wherein the starter can be operated by the second starter operating means while the switch is continuously pressed. 5.

Images