JP2006316644A - Engine control device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To appropriately establish engine start timing in relation to an engine control device appropriately establishing engine start timing. <P>SOLUTION: An engine control device 1 automatically starting an engine based on a condition of a preceding vehicle is provided with a travel condition determination means 3a determining whether the preceding vehicle is under a creep travel condition or not, and automatically starts the engine based on determination by the travel condition determination means 3a. Also, the engine control device 1 is provided with a distance determination means 5 detecting distance between the preceding vehicle and own vehicle, and preferably automatically starts the engine based on distance detected by the distance detection means 5 and determination by the travel condition determination means 3a. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an engine control device that appropriately sets an engine start time.

Conventionally, assuming that the preceding vehicle travels at a constant vehicle speed at the time of start, for example, a creeping vehicle speed, the start time of the host vehicle is calculated, and the engine is automatically started based on the calculated start time A control device is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-201881 A

  In the conventional idle control device described above, the vehicle speed during creep travel of the preceding vehicle is used when calculating the start start time of the host vehicle. Further, since the vehicle speed used for this calculation is fixed to a constant value, there is a possibility that the engine start timing of the own vehicle may not be set appropriately when the preceding vehicle is not in the creep running state and the vehicle speed is not constant.

  The present invention is to solve such problems, and has as its main object to set the engine start time appropriately.

  One aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object is an engine control device for automatically starting an engine based on a vehicle state of a preceding vehicle, wherein whether or not the preceding vehicle is in a creep running state is determined. An engine control device comprising: a running state judging means for judging, wherein the engine is automatically started based on the judgment made by the running state judging means.

  The preceding vehicle includes, for example, a vehicle positioned in front of the host vehicle, a vehicle positioned in front of the host vehicle, and the like. The creep travel state refers to a state in which the vehicle travels in an AT (Automatic Transmission) type vehicle even though the shift lever is set to the D (Drive) range and the accelerator pedal is not depressed. .

  According to this aspect, the engine control device automatically starts the engine based on whether or not the preceding vehicle is in the creep travel state by the travel state determination means. From the start of the preceding vehicle, when the creep travel is performed and when the creep travel is not performed (for example, when the accelerator pedal is depressed), the optimal start time for starting the host vehicle is different, The optimal engine start time is also different. Therefore, the engine start timing can be appropriately set by starting the engine based on the determination as to whether or not the vehicle is in the creep running state.

  In this aspect, it further comprises distance detection means for detecting the distance between the preceding vehicle and the host vehicle, and based on the distance detected by the distance detection means and the determination by the traveling state determination means. Preferably, the engine is automatically started.

  For example, when the traveling state determining means determines that the preceding vehicle is in the creep traveling state, based on a predetermined vehicle speed during creep traveling and the distance detected by the distance detecting means, The engine start time can be set. On the other hand, when the traveling state determination means determines that the preceding vehicle is not in the creep traveling state, the engine of the host vehicle is started based on the vehicle speed of the preceding vehicle and the distance detected by the distance detection means. You can set the time. That is, it is possible to appropriately set the engine start timing according to the determination as to whether or not the preceding vehicle is in the creep running state.

  In this aspect, the traveling state determination means can determine whether or not the preceding vehicle is in the creep traveling state based on the brake operation state of the preceding vehicle.

  For example, when a brake operation for releasing the depression of the brake pedal is performed in the preceding vehicle, the preceding vehicle can be in the creep running state.

  The travel state determination means can detect the brake operation state of the preceding vehicle based on the image information of the brake lamp of the preceding vehicle. For example, when the brake lamp is lit, the brake pedal is depressed. On the other hand, when the brake lamp is extinguished, the brake pedal is released.

  In this aspect, the traveling state determination means can determine whether or not the preceding vehicle is in the creep traveling state based on the accelerator operation state of the preceding vehicle. For example, if the depression of the brake pedal is released and the accelerator pedal is not depressed, the preceding vehicle can be in the creep running state.

  Note that operation information receiving means for receiving accelerator operation information of the preceding vehicle may be further provided. The traveling state determination means can make the determination based on the accelerator operation information such as the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal acquired by the operation information receiving means.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately set the engine start time.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The basic concept, main hardware configuration, operating principle, basic control method, and the like of the engine control device are known to those skilled in the art, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a system configuration of an engine control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The engine control device 1 according to the present embodiment is mainly configured by control means such as an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 3 or the like.

  The ECU 3 is composed of a microcomputer, and executes various processes in accordance with control and arithmetic programs, and also controls a CPU (Central Processing Unit) for controlling each part of the apparatus 1 and a ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing an execution program for the CPU. A RAM (Random Access Memory) that stores calculation results, a timer, a counter, an input interface, and an output interface.

  The ECU 3 is connected to a distance detection sensor 5 such as a millimeter wave radar, an optical radar, or a clearance sonar (ultrasonic sensor) that detects the distance between the preceding vehicle positioned ahead of the own vehicle and the own vehicle.

  The ECU 3 is connected to a camera 7 that acquires image information such as a preceding vehicle. The ECU 3 performs image processing on the image information from the camera 7 and detects the lighting state of the brake lamp of the preceding vehicle, the color change of the traffic light, the distance from the preceding vehicle, and the like based on the image processing data. Further, an exhaust gas sensor that detects gas discharged from the vehicle is connected to the ECU 3. The ECU 3 may detect the start of the preceding vehicle based on the exhaust gas of the preceding vehicle detected by the exhaust gas sensor.

  The ECU 3 transmits / receives data to / from vehicle-mounted communication devices mounted on other vehicles (vehicle-to-vehicle communication), and transmits / receives data to / from road communication devices such as ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) installed on the road. An in-vehicle communication device 9 that performs (road-to-vehicle communication) is connected.

  For example, DSRC (Dedicated Short-Range Communication) radio is used for road-to-vehicle communication with a roadside communication device. Since the DSRC radio has a very high radio frequency of 5.8 GHz, there is little radio interference and the communication speed is as high as 1.024 Mbps, so it is particularly effective for road-to-vehicle communication.

  The in-vehicle communication device 9 receives travel information of other vehicles such as a vehicle speed of other vehicles, a brake operation state (depression amount), an accelerator operation state (depression amount), turn signal operation information (direction instruction information), and the like. The travel information of other vehicles received by the in-vehicle communication device 9 includes the travel information (relay information) of other vehicles received by the other vehicle and the information of other vehicles acquired through road-to-vehicle communication.

  The ECU 3 detects a current location of a vehicle such as a GPS (Global Positioning System) and a map storage unit including a storage medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD (Digital Video Disk) on which map information is described and a reading device thereof. A position detection unit, a destination setting unit for setting a destination of the vehicle, map information from the map storage unit, a current position detected by the position detection unit, and a destination set by the destination setting unit Is connected to a navigation device 11 having route information calculation means for calculating route information from the current location to the destination, and travel guidance means for guiding to the destination based on the calculated route information. ing. Note that the route information includes, for example, intersection information on the route, lane information, railroad crossing information, tollgate information on an automobile road, traffic signal information, traffic jam information, and the like.

  Further, the ECU 3 has a traveling state determination means 3a for determining whether or not the preceding vehicle is in a creep traveling state. The traveling state determination unit 3a determines that the preceding vehicle has started based on the image information of the brake lamp of the preceding vehicle taken by the camera 7. Furthermore, the traveling state determination means 3a determines whether or not the accelerator pedal of the preceding vehicle has been depressed based on the accelerator operation information of the preceding vehicle received by the in-vehicle communication device 9. When it is determined that the preceding vehicle has started and the accelerator pedal has been depressed, the traveling state determination means 3a determines that the preceding vehicle is not in the creep traveling state. On the other hand, when the traveling state determination means 3a determines that the accelerator pedal is not depressed even though the preceding vehicle has started, it determines that the preceding vehicle is in the creep traveling state. The running state determination means 3a is realized by a program stored in the ROM and executed by the CPU.

  The ECU 3 is connected to an engine ECU 13 that controls the engine, and the engine ECU 13 stops, for example, an engine in an idling state based on a control signal transmitted from the ECU 3, or restarts the engine once stopped. (Start idling).

  By the way, the engine ECU 13 automatically stops the engine in the idling state, or automatically restarts the engine once stopped, thereby reducing unnecessary idling time and reducing fuel consumption and exhaust gas. Control is performed.

  On the other hand, a certain time lag occurs until the engine once stopped is restarted and the vehicle travels again. Therefore, if the engine is started at an appropriate timing, the driver can start the vehicle safely without feeling uncomfortable, and can further reduce the fuel consumption and the exhaust gas described above.

  Next, a control method for appropriately setting the start timing of the engine in the idling stop state and restarting the engine will be described.

  FIG. 2 is an example of a flowchart showing a control processing flow until the idling engine is stopped and restarted. FIG. 2 is an example of a flowchart showing a control processing flow when the engine in the idling state is restarted based on the change in the inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle. The control routine shown in FIG. 2 and later-described FIG. 3 is repeatedly executed every predetermined minute time, for example, every 64 ms.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when the vehicle running state (S100) is changed to the vehicle stopped state (vehicle speed is 0) and the engine is in the idling state, the ECU 3 determines whether or not a predetermined stop condition for stopping idling is satisfied (S110). ).

  When ECU 3 determines that the predetermined stop condition is satisfied, it stops the engine in the idling state (S120). On the other hand, when the ECU 3 determines that the predetermined stop condition is not satisfied, the engine 3 is kept idling (S160).

  Next, the ECU 3 restarts the engine in the idling stop state based on the change in the inter-vehicle distance between the host vehicle and the preceding vehicle.

  For example, the ECU 3 determines whether or not the distance between the preceding vehicle detected by the distance detection sensor 5 has changed and the preceding vehicle has started (S130). Note that the ECU 3 may determine that the preceding vehicle has started when the amount of change in the inter-vehicle distance with the preceding vehicle becomes a predetermined amount or more. For example, it is possible to eliminate a case where the preceding vehicle is different from the start of the preceding vehicle, such as when the vehicle is moved by a minute distance just to adjust the distance between the preceding vehicle and the accuracy of the determination.

  When the inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle changes and the ECU 3 determines that the preceding vehicle has started, the ECU 3 transmits a control signal to the engine ECU 13 to automatically restart the engine and set it to an idling state (S140). By automatically restarting the engine of the host vehicle in accordance with the start of the preceding vehicle and setting it to an idling state, the driver can follow the start of the preceding vehicle and start the host vehicle smoothly. Become.

  On the other hand, when the ECU 3 determines that there is no change in the inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle and the preceding vehicle has not started, the ECU 3 continues the idling stop state without restarting the engine (S150).

  As described above, it is possible to set the engine start timing that allows the host vehicle to start smoothly at an appropriate timing while ensuring a safe distance from the preceding vehicle.

  Further, the ECU 3 may restart the engine by transmitting a control signal to the engine ECU 13 based on the image information of the brake lamp of the preceding vehicle photographed by the camera 7. For example, even if the brake lamp of the preceding vehicle is turned on (state where the brake pedal is depressed) and turned off (state where the brake pedal is not depressed), the engine is started after a predetermined time (for example, 1 second). Good. In this case, the condition is that the shift lever position detected by the shift lever position detection sensor is not at N (neutral position) or P (parking position) when the vehicle is stopped, and the brake pedal is depressed and stopped.

  As described above, the ECU 3 automatically restarts the engine when the distance between the host vehicle and the preceding vehicle changes. However, the engine automatically starts after the standby time has elapsed since the preceding vehicle started. It may be restarted.

  For example, when the ECU 3 determines that the preceding vehicle is in the creep running state, the distance (relative distance) from the preceding vehicle detected by the distance detection sensor 5 is set to a predetermined vehicle speed (for example, a preset creep state). The waiting time is calculated by dividing by 4 km / h). On the other hand, when the ECU 3 determines that the preceding vehicle is not in the creep running state, the ECU 3 divides the distance from the preceding vehicle detected by the distance detection sensor 5 by the average vehicle speed of the preceding vehicle received by the in-vehicle communication device 9 and waits. Calculate time. The ECU 3 may start the engine after the calculated waiting time has elapsed since the start of the preceding vehicle.

  In this case, since it is determined whether or not the preceding vehicle is in the creep running state, the standby time from when the preceding vehicle starts to when the engine is started is calculated more accurately. That is, the engine start time can be set more appropriately.

  Moreover, ECU3 may restart the engine in an idling stop state based on the change of the lighting state of a traffic light.

  For example, when the ECU 3 determines that the lighting state of the traffic light has changed from red to blue based on the image information of the traffic signal captured by the camera 7, the engine in the idling stop state may be restarted.

  FIG. 3 is an example of a flowchart showing a control processing flow when the engine in the idling stop state is restarted based on a change in the lighting state of the traffic light.

  In the idling stop state (S200), the ECU 3 determines whether or not the traffic light is present in the front visual field based on the image information from the camera 7 (S210).

  When the ECU 3 determines that the traffic light is present in the front visual field, the ECU 3 determines whether the lighting state of the traffic light has changed from red to blue (S220).

  When the ECU 3 determines that the lighting state of the traffic light has changed from red to blue, the ECU 3 transmits a control signal to the engine ECU 13 to automatically restart the engine to an idling state (S230). On the other hand, when the ECU 3 determines that the lighting state of the traffic light has not changed from red to blue, the ECU 3 continues the idling stop state without restarting the engine (S240).

  In the process of (S210), when the ECU 3 determines that the traffic signal does not exist in the forward visual field, the ECU 3 determines whether or not the preceding vehicle has started (S250).

  When it is determined that the preceding vehicle has started, the ECU 3 automatically restarts the engine to enter an idling state (S230). On the other hand, when the ECU 3 determines that the preceding vehicle has not started, the idling stop state is continued without restarting the engine (S260).

  As described above, when the lighting state of the traffic light changes from red to blue, the host vehicle can start. Therefore, the ECU 3 can appropriately set the engine start time based on the change in the lighting state of the traffic light.

  Moreover, ECU3 may judge the change of the lighting state of a signal apparatus based on the lighting information which the vehicle-mounted communication apparatus 9 received via road-to-vehicle communication. In this case, the ECU 3 can recognize the lighting information of the traffic light in advance. For example, the engine 3 may be restarted before a predetermined time (such as 3 seconds before) when the lighting state of the traffic light changes from red to blue. At almost the same time as the traffic light turns blue, the driver can start the vehicle. On the other hand, since the driver can recognize in advance the timing when the lighting state of the traffic light changes from red to blue by starting the engine, the driver can smoothly prepare for driving.

  The lighting information described above includes the type of lighting (lighting color such as blue lighting, red lighting, etc.), the time until the lighting is performed (for example, the time from when the current red lighting changes to blue lighting), straight ahead There are a time until an indicator light of an arrow is displayed, a time until an indicator light of a right turn and a left turn arrow is displayed, and the like.

  The ECU 3 may restart the engine in the idling stop state based on the lighting state of the traffic light, the direction indication information of the preceding vehicle, the lane information of the host vehicle, and the like.

  For example, even when the ECU 3 determines that the preceding vehicle has started by the distance detection sensor 5, based on the image information of the traffic light from the camera 7, the control is performed so that the engine is not restarted when the traffic light is red. May be. Thereby, the vehicle start accompanying the misrecognition of the lighting state of the traffic light in a driver | operator can be prevented. In addition, it is possible to determine when the preceding vehicle is different from the start of the preceding vehicle, such as when the vehicle is moved by a small distance just to adjust the distance between the preceding vehicle and the engine start time more appropriately Can be set to

  In addition, even when the traffic signal at the intersection is lit red, a sign indicating that the vehicle can turn left is recognized based on the image information from the camera 7, and the vehicle is in a lane where the vehicle can turn left based on the route information from the navigation device 11. In addition, when the host vehicle is directed to the left (the blinker on the left side is blinking), the ECU 3 may determine that the vehicle can be started and start the engine.

  Normally, when the traffic light is lit red, vehicle entry into the intersection is prohibited, but vehicle entry into the intersection is exceptionally permitted under the predetermined conditions described above. Therefore, the ECU 3 can appropriately set the engine start time by starting the engine under predetermined conditions.

  Furthermore, even if the traffic light at the intersection changes from red lighting to blue lighting and the preceding vehicle starts, if the road ahead across the intersection is congested, it will stop within the intersection even if the vehicle starts immediately there is a possibility. Therefore, in this case, the ECU 3 performs control so that the engine is not started immediately even when the traffic light changes to blue lighting. The traffic congestion information on the road is received by, for example, the in-vehicle communication device 9 via road-to-vehicle communication or vehicle-to-vehicle communication. Further, the ECU 3 may perform control so as to start the engine when it is determined that the traffic congestion on the road has been resolved after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  As mentioned above, although the best mode for carrying out the present invention has been described using one embodiment, the present invention is not limited to such one embodiment, and within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention, Various modifications and substitutions can be made to the above-described embodiment.

  For example, in the above embodiment, when the ECU 3 determines that the vehicle is in a toll gate, an intersection, or a railroad crossing based on the route information from the navigation device 11, the engine in the idling state is stopped. You may control so that it may not be made. In this case, the vehicle can be started smoothly while improving safety.

  Further, in the above embodiment, when the preceding vehicle changes from the state where the traffic light is stopped in red to the blue state, the engine in the idling stop state is restarted and the engine is notified to the rear vehicle. You may perform control which performs a start notification. The rear vehicle receives the start notification from the preceding vehicle, restarts the engine after a predetermined time (for example, after one second), and further transmits the engine start notification to the rear vehicle. The above is repeated from the leading vehicle to the last trailing vehicle. In this way, by linking the start of the engine in the idling stop state in continuous vehicles, the idling time of each vehicle can be shortened, fuel consumption can be reduced, and traffic congestion can be effectively reduced. it can. The start notification is transmitted / received via inter-vehicle communication by the in-vehicle communication device 9 mounted on each vehicle.

  In the above-described embodiment, the engine in the idling stop state may be restarted, and a part of the vehicle such as a brake pedal, a steering wheel, and a seat may be vibrated to prompt the driver to start the vehicle. Thereby, a vehicle can be started smoothly, for example, leading to elimination of traffic congestion.

  In the above-described embodiment, the engine in the idling stop state may be restarted, and the driver may be prompted to start the vehicle by sound of a speaker, blinking of an indoor lamp, display on a display device, or the like. Thereby, a vehicle can be started smoothly, for example, leading to elimination of traffic congestion.

  The present invention can be used for a vehicle control device that automatically stops and starts an engine in an idling state, for example. The appearance, weight, size, running performance, etc. of the vehicle to be mounted are not limited.

It is the schematic which shows the system configuration | structure of the engine control apparatus which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is an example of the flowchart which shows the control processing flow until the engine in an idling state is stopped and restarted. It is an example of the flowchart which shows the control processing flow when the engine in an idling state is restarted based on the change of the lighting state of a traffic light.

Explanation of symbols

1 Engine control device 3 ECU
3a Traveling state determination means 5 Distance detection sensor (distance detection means)
7 Camera 9 In-vehicle communication device (operation information receiving means)
11 Navigation device 13 Engine ECU

Claims (6)

An engine control device that automatically starts an engine based on a vehicle state of a preceding vehicle,
Travel state determination means for determining whether the preceding vehicle is in a creep travel state;
An engine control device that automatically starts the engine based on the determination by the traveling state determination means. The engine control device according to claim 1,
A distance detecting means for detecting a distance between the preceding vehicle and the host vehicle;
An engine control device that automatically starts the engine based on the distance detected by the distance detection means and the determination by the traveling state determination means. The engine control device according to claim 1 or 2,
The engine control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the traveling state determination unit determines whether the preceding vehicle is in the creep traveling state based on a brake operation state of the preceding vehicle. The engine control device according to claim 3,
The engine control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the traveling state determination unit detects a brake operation state of the preceding vehicle based on image information of a brake lamp of the preceding vehicle. The engine control device according to claim 1 or 2,
The engine control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the traveling state determination unit determines whether or not the preceding vehicle is in the creep traveling state based on an accelerator operation state of the preceding vehicle. The engine control device according to claim 5,
An engine control device further comprising operation information receiving means for receiving accelerator operation information of the preceding vehicle.

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