JP2007071125A - Engine running-in operation assisting method and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an engine running-in operation assisting method advising an occupant of correct information concerning running-in operation and replacement timing of consumables based on operation information of an engine and to provide an apparatus therefor. <P>SOLUTION: The engine running-in operation assist apparatus is equipped with a vehicle speed sensor 11 for detecting traveling speed of a vehicle, a gear position sensor 12 for detecting a change gear position of a transmission, an integration section 14 for integrating time during traveling of the vehicle based on information from the gear position sensor 12 and the vehicle speed sensor 11, a rotation speed upper limit set section 15 for setting an upper limit value of engine rotation speed corresponding to the vehicle traveling time integrated by the integration section 14, and a display panel 18 for respectively indicating information on the upper limit value of engine rotation speed set by the rotation speed upper limit set section 15 and on the vehicle traveling time integrated by the integration section 14. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an engine habituation driving assistance method and apparatus, and a consumable replacement time determination method and apparatus.

  Many aspects of vehicle inspection and maintenance, such as the timing of the vehicle, are left up to the subjectivity of the vehicle owner, and the original performance is not maintained or exhibited, especially with regard to engine conditions. There is a case, and in the worst case, a case that leads to a malfunction is also expected. For example, it can be easily imagined that it is necessary to appropriately replace the consumable timing belt, spark plug or engine oil. In addition, if the running-in operation at the time of purchasing a new car is not performed properly, there is a possibility that the durability of the subsequent engine will be greatly affected.

  Conventionally, with regard to such replacement of consumables and habituation operation, most of the time is set based on the travel distance of the vehicle. However, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, engine oil replacement is performed. The timing is also predicted optically or by accumulating engine operation information.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-189964

  In high-speed, high-power sports engines, the load on each component is high due to the set operating conditions, and depending on the management, there is a possibility that engine performance and reliability will be greatly affected. . In particular, it is important to regulate the upper limit value of the engine speed in the habituation operation, and it cannot be said that it is preferable to make a determination based only on the mileage. Such a problem also applies to the replacement time of consumables, and in most cases the replacement time should be set according to the load history of the engine.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for assisting in an acclimation operation of an engine capable of notifying an occupant of appropriate information relating to acclimation operation and replacement of consumables based on engine operation information, and replacement of consumables It is to provide a method and apparatus for determining timing.

  The first aspect of the present invention relates to a step of accumulating time during traveling of a vehicle at a predetermined speed or more, a step of setting an upper limit value of the engine speed according to the accumulated traveling time, and an accumulated traveling time. And a step of transmitting information about the set upper limit value of the engine speed to an occupant.

  In the engine habituation driving assistance method according to the first aspect of the present invention, the step of accumulating time during travel of the vehicle may be performed when the engine and the drive wheels are connected.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, a vehicle speed sensor that detects a traveling speed of a vehicle, a gear position sensor that detects a gear position of a transmission, and information from the gear position sensor and the vehicle speed sensor, An accumulating means for accumulating the running time, an engine speed upper limit setting means for setting an upper limit value of the engine speed according to the traveling time of the vehicle accumulated by the accumulating means, and an engine speed upper limit setting means. An engine habituation driving assistance apparatus comprising display means for displaying information on the set upper limit value of the engine speed and information on the accumulated running time of the vehicle accumulated by the accumulating means.

  In the present invention, based on information from the vehicle speed sensor and the gear position sensor, the engine and the driving wheel are in a connected state, that is, the gear position is not in the neutral position but in the forward or reverse stage, and the vehicle is at a predetermined speed or more. The accumulating means accumulates the time when the vehicle is traveling at. The rotation speed upper limit value setting means sets an upper limit value of the engine rotation speed according to the accumulated travel time accumulated by the accumulation means, information on the accumulated travel time accumulated by the display means by the accumulation means, and the rotation speed upper limit Information about the upper limit value of the engine speed set by the value setting means is transmitted to the occupant.

  In the engine habituation driving assistance device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the integration means is configured to provide a vehicle travel time when the vehicle is at or above a preset travel speed and the transmission is in the forward or reverse gear. May be integrated.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there are a step of accumulating times during travel of the vehicle at a predetermined speed or more, a step of determining a replacement time of consumables according to the accumulated travel time, and a replacement time of consumables A method for determining a consumable item replacement time, comprising: a step of transmitting information related to the determination result to an occupant.

  In the consumable item replacement time determination method according to the third aspect of the present invention, the method may further comprise a step of notifying the occupant of information relating to the accumulated travel time.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a vehicle speed sensor for detecting a traveling speed of a vehicle, a gear position sensor for detecting a gear position of a transmission, and information from the gear position sensor and the vehicle speed sensor are used. Accumulating means for integrating the running time, replacement time determining means for determining the replacement time of the consumables according to the traveling time of the vehicle integrated by the integrating means, information on the determination result by the replacement time determining means, A consumable item replacement time determination device comprising display means for displaying information relating to the accumulated travel time of the vehicle accumulated by the accumulation means.

  In the present invention, based on information from the vehicle speed sensor and the gear position sensor, the engine and the driving wheel are in a connected state, that is, the gear position is not in the neutral position but in the forward or reverse stage, and the vehicle is at a predetermined speed or more. The accumulating means accumulates the time when the vehicle is traveling at. The replacement time determination means determines the replacement time of the consumables according to the accumulated travel time accumulated by the accumulation means. Then, the display means informs the occupant of the information related to the accumulated travel time accumulated by the accumulation means and the information related to the replacement time of the consumables determined by the replacement time determination means.

  According to the engine running-in assistance method of the present invention, the time during which the vehicle is traveling at a predetermined speed or more is integrated, and the upper limit value of the engine speed is set according to the integrated traveling time, while the information on the accumulated traveling time Since the information on the upper limit value of the set engine speed is communicated to the occupant, the driver can easily recognize the allowable engine load during driving by using the information on the upper limit value of the engine speed. It is also possible to predict the completion time of the habituation operation based on the information on the accumulated traveling time.

  When integrating the running time of the vehicle when the engine and drive wheels are in a connected state, for example, the state where the transmission is running in inertia in a neutral state is excluded from the accumulated running time, and a more desirable accumulated running time. Can be obtained.

  According to the engine habituation driving assistance device of the present invention, based on the information from the gear position sensor and the vehicle speed sensor, the accumulating means for accumulating the traveling time of the vehicle, and the vehicle traveling time accumulated by the accumulating means. Information on the engine speed upper limit value setting means for setting the engine speed upper limit value, the engine speed upper limit value set by the engine speed upper limit value setting means, and the accumulated running time of the vehicle accumulated by the accumulating means. Since each display means is provided, the driver can easily recognize information on the upper limit value of the engine speed and information on the accumulated travel time via the display means. This also makes it possible to predict the allowable engine load and the completion time during the acclimation operation.

  When the vehicle is above the preset travel speed and the transmission is in the forward or reverse gear and the integration means adds up the vehicle travel time, the transmission is in an inertial state in a neutral state Can be eliminated from the accumulated travel time, and a more desirable accumulated travel time can be obtained.

  According to the consumables replacement time determination method of the present invention, the time during which the vehicle is traveling at a predetermined speed or more is accumulated, the consumable replacement time is determined according to the accumulated traveling time, and the consumable replacement time is determined. Since the information related to the determination result is transmitted to the occupant, the driver can easily and reliably recognize the appropriate consumable replacement time according to the engine load.

  When the information related to the accumulated travel time is transmitted to the occupant, the driver can predict the replacement time of the consumables to some extent.

  According to the expendables replacement time determination device of the present invention, the accumulating means for accumulating the traveling time of the vehicle based on the information from the gear position sensor and the vehicle speed sensor, and the vehicle traveling time accumulated by the accumulating means. Replacement time determination means for determining the replacement time of the consumables, and display means for displaying information relating to the determination result by the replacement time determination means and information relating to the accumulated traveling time of the vehicle accumulated by the accumulation means. Therefore, the driver can easily and surely recognize the appropriate replacement period of the consumable according to the engine load. In addition, it is possible to predict the replacement time of the consumables to some extent.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, but can be modified or modified within the concept of the present invention described in the claims, and thus other modifications belonging to the spirit of the present invention. Of course, it can be applied to any technique.

  The vehicle control block in this embodiment is shown in FIG. 1, and the control procedure is shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, respectively.

  A vehicle speed sensor 11 that detects the traveling speed V and a gear position sensor 12 that detects a shift position or a shift mode position of a transmission by a shift selector selected by a driver are incorporated in the vehicle in the present embodiment. ing. As the vehicle speed sensor 11, a sensor that can detect the rotational speed of the transmission output shaft or a sensor that can calculate the rotational speed of the non-driven wheels can be used. In addition, the gear position sensor 12 in the present embodiment determines that the forward or reverse speed of the transmission is selected in order to determine that a mechanical connection is established between the engine and the drive wheels. Anything that can be determined is acceptable. In general, an inhibitor switch or the like can be employed as the gear position sensor 12.

The control device 13 to which detection signals from the vehicle speed sensor 11 and the gear position sensor 12 are input includes an accumulator 14 that accumulates the travel time of the vehicle, and an accumulated travel time T accumulated by the accumulator 14. An engine speed upper limit value setting unit 15 for setting an engine speed upper limit value _NEM , and a replacement time determining unit 16 for determining a replacement time for consumables set in advance according to the accumulated travel time accumulated by the accumulating unit 14. And are incorporated.

Based on the detection signals from the vehicle speed sensor 11 and the gear position sensor 12, the integrating unit 14 has a vehicle speed V _R that is set in advance in the present embodiment, for example, 5 km / h or more, and the forward speed or reverse speed. Only when the gear position is selected, a timer for integrating the travel time is provided. In the case of a vehicle equipped with a manual transmission having a clutch, a detection signal from a clutch pedal sensor that detects whether the clutch pedal is on or off is further combined, and the clutch pedal is turned off, that is, the engine and the transmission input shaft are connected. By accumulating the traveling time when the vehicle is in the state, a more desirable accumulated traveling time T can be accumulated.

On the other hand, the rotation speed upper limit setting unit 15 in the present embodiment sets the engine upper limit rotation speed N _EM to 6000 rpm until the accumulated travel time T accumulated by the accumulation unit 14 from the state of the new vehicle is, for example, 4 hours. until beyond the cumulative travel time T 4 hours for example 5 hours to set the upper limit rotation speed N _EM of the engine to 7000 rpm. The cumulative travel time T is considered to have completed the running-in time of more than 5 hours, more sets an upper limit rotation speed N _EM of the engine to an upper limit rotation speed of the final engine 8000 rpm. Of course, the upper limit engine speed _NEM and the corresponding accumulated travel time region should be changed as appropriate in accordance with the characteristics of the engine mounted on the vehicle, and it is naturally possible to set more finely than those described above. . Further, the engine set by the rotational speed upper limit setting unit 15 so as not to exceed the upper limit rotation speed N _EM, the engine operation with the fuel supply shut off technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-195948 It is also possible to control.

The replacement time determination unit 16 determines the replacement time of various consumables, for example, engine oil, spark plugs, timing belts, and the like, in accordance with preset cumulative travel times T _RA , T _RB , T _RC . In this embodiment, the timing belt is replaced every cumulative travel time T _RA , for example, every 9000 hours, the spark plug is replaced every T _RB , for example, every 9000 hours, and the engine oil is changed every T _RC , for example, every 200 hours. Is set in advance. These are merely examples, and it is needless to say that other than the present embodiment can be appropriately set as consumables. The accumulated travel times T _A , T _B and T _C counted up by the timer of the integrating unit 14 can be reset by a reset switch 17 connected to the control device 13 which can be operated from the outside. It can be done. Therefore, in this embodiment, the reset switch 17 having such a function is connected to the control device 13.

The dashboard arranged in the passenger compartment includes an accumulated traveling time T being accumulated by the accumulating unit 14, an upper limit rotational speed N _EM set by the rotational speed upper limit setting unit 15, and an exchange time determining unit 16. The display panel 18 for displaying the determination result is incorporated as a display unit of the present invention at a position where it can be viewed by the driver. In this case, it is also effective to blink the display portion when the engine speed is likely to exceed the upper limit engine speed _NEM . Similarly, it is possible to turn on or blink a lamp corresponding to a consumable that is approaching the time for replacement or needs to be replaced.

  The above-described control procedure will be described below with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

In the case of the habituation operation control, the control routine shown in FIG. 2 is repeated at a predetermined cycle by the ON signal of the ignition key switch. First, in step S11, it is determined based on the detection signal from the gear position sensor 12 whether the shift selector has selected the P range or the N range. If it is determined that the shift selector has selected the P range or the N range, torque is not transmitted between the engine and the drive wheels, so that it is determined that the vehicle is not in a running state. Finish the routine. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S11 that the shift selector has selected the forward gear or the reverse gear, it is considered that torque is transmitted between the engine and the drive wheels. proceeds to step in turn determines whether or not the current vehicle speed V is the vehicle speed V _R greater than or equal to the preset.

If it is determined in step S12 that the current vehicle speed V is less than the predetermined vehicle speed V _R , that is, the engine is hardly loaded, it is determined that the vehicle is not substantially in a traveling state and this control routine is executed. Finish. In contrast, the current vehicle speed V is equal to or higher than a predetermined vehicle speed V _R, that is, if it is determined that the load on the engine is applied, after incremented one count value of the timer goes to S13 in step, In step S14, it is determined whether or not the count value, that is, the accumulated traveling time T is a first accumulated traveling time T _R1 set in advance, for example, 4 hours or more.

Initially, since the cumulative travel time T is less than the cumulative travel time T _R1 , the process proceeds to step S15 and the upper limit engine speed N _{EM of the} engine is set to 6000 rpm. When it is determined in step S14 that the cumulative travel time T is _{equal to} or greater than the cumulative travel time T _{R1 in} this way, the process proceeds to step S16, and this time, the cumulative travel time T is preset to the second cumulative value. It is determined whether or not the traveling time T _{R2 is} , for example, 5 hours or longer.

Initially, since the accumulated traveling time T is less than the accumulated traveling time T _R2 , the process proceeds to step S17, and the upper limit engine speed N _{EM of the} engine is set to 7000 rpm. In this way, if it is determined in step S16 that the accumulated traveling time T has become _{equal to} or greater than the accumulated traveling time T _R2 , it is determined that the acclimation operation has been completed, and the process proceeds to step S18 and the engine upper limit speed is set. N _EM is set to the final 8000rpm.

On the other hand, regarding the replacement time of the consumables, the control routine shown in FIG. 3 is repeated at a predetermined cycle by the ON signal of the ignition key switch. First, in step S21, it is determined based on the detection signal from the gear position sensor 12 whether the shift selector has selected the P range or the N range. If it is determined that the shift selector has selected the P range or the N range, torque is not transmitted between the engine and the drive wheels, so that it is determined that the vehicle is not in a running state. Finish the routine. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S21 that the shift selector has selected the forward gear or the reverse gear, it is considered that torque is being transmitted between the engine and the drive wheels. proceeds to step in turn determines whether or not the current vehicle speed V is the vehicle speed V _R greater than or equal to the preset.

If it is determined in step S22 that the current vehicle speed V is less than the predetermined vehicle speed V _R , that is, the engine is hardly loaded, it is determined that the vehicle is not substantially in a running state and this control routine is executed. Finish. In contrast, the current vehicle speed V is equal to or higher than a predetermined vehicle speed V _R, that is, if it is determined that the load on the engine is applied, the process proceeds to S23 in step count value of the timer corresponding to the individual consumable components Move up one by one. Next, it is sequentially determined whether or not these count values, that is, the accumulated travel times T _A , T _B , and T _C are equal to or greater than preset accumulated travel times T _RA , T _RB , T _RC .

First, it is determined at a first cumulative travel time T _RA or in which whether the step S24, the cumulative running time T _A is set in advance. In Initially, cumulative travel time T _A is less than the first cumulative travel time T _RA, the process proceeds to step S25, now second cumulative travel time T _RB or the cumulative travel time T _B is set in advance It is determined whether or not there is. Initially, this cumulative travel time T _B is also less than the second cumulative travel time T _RB, the process proceeds to step S26, this time third cumulative travel time T _RC or more the cumulative travel time T _C is set in advance It is determined whether or not. At first, since this cumulative travel time T _C is also shorter than the third cumulative travel time T _RC , this control routine is finished without doing anything.

In this way, the determination control is repeated, the accumulated travel time T _A at step S24, when it is determined that the first cumulative travel time T _RA or more, of the timing belt and moves to step S27 The display panel 18 displays that the replacement time has come. The accumulated travel time T _A counted by the timer in step S28 is reset to 0. This operation is performed by the reset switch 17 when the timing belt is replaced. Further, the cumulative running time T _B at step S25 when it is determined that the second cumulative travel time T _RB above, the display panel that the replacement timing of the transition to the spark plug comes to step S29 18 is displayed. Then, reset the counted accumulated running time T _B to 0 by the timer at step S30. Similarly, if it is determined in step S26 that the cumulative travel time T _C is equal to or greater than the third cumulative travel time T _RC , the process proceeds to step S31 to indicate that the engine oil replacement time has come. Display on the panel 18. Then, the cumulative traveling time T _C counted by the timer in step S32 is reset to zero.

It is a control block diagram of one embodiment by the present invention. It is a flowchart showing the procedure of the habituation driving | operation in the control block shown in FIG. It is a flowchart showing the determination procedure of the replacement time of the consumable in the control block shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

11 vehicle speed sensor 12 the gear position sensor 13 control device 14 integrating section 15 rpm upper limit value setting unit 16 replacement-timing determining unit 17 resets the switch 18 the display panel N _EM engine speed upper limit _{T, T A, T B,} T C cumulative travel time T _RA, T _RB, cumulative travel time V set T _RC advance vehicle speed V _R preset vehicle speed

Claims (7)

Integrating the time during which the vehicle is traveling at a predetermined speed or higher;
Setting an upper limit value of the engine speed according to the accumulated traveling time;
A method for acclimating driving of an engine, comprising the step of transmitting information on the accumulated running time and information on an upper limit value of the set engine speed to an occupant.   2. The engine acclimation driving assistance method according to claim 1, wherein the step of accumulating the time during which the vehicle is traveling is performed when the engine and the drive wheels are connected. A vehicle speed sensor for detecting the traveling speed of the vehicle;
A gear position sensor for detecting a gear position of the transmission;
Based on information from the gear position sensor and the vehicle speed sensor, an integration unit that integrates time during travel of the vehicle;
A rotation speed upper limit setting means for setting an upper limit value of the engine rotation speed according to the running time of the vehicle accumulated by the accumulation means;
An engine acclimation comprising: an upper limit value of the engine speed set by the rotation speed upper limit setting means and a display means for displaying information relating to the accumulated travel time of the vehicle accumulated by the accumulation means. Driving assistance device.   4. The engine according to claim 3, wherein the accumulating unit accumulates the traveling time of the vehicle when the vehicle is at a speed higher than a preset traveling speed and the transmission is in a forward gear or a reverse gear. Familiar driving assistance device. Integrating the time during which the vehicle is traveling at a predetermined speed or higher;
Determining a replacement time for the consumable according to the accumulated travel time;
A method for determining a consumable item replacement time, comprising: a step of communicating information about a determination result of a consumable item replacement time to an occupant.   The consumable item replacement time determination method according to claim 5, further comprising a step of transmitting information related to the accumulated travel time to an occupant. A vehicle speed sensor for detecting the traveling speed of the vehicle;
A gear position sensor for detecting a gear position of the transmission;
Based on information from the gear position sensor and the vehicle speed sensor, an integration unit that integrates time during travel of the vehicle;
Replacement time determination means for determining the replacement time of consumables according to the running time of the vehicle integrated by the integration means;
A consumable item replacement time determination device comprising: display means for displaying information related to the determination result by the replacement time determination means and information related to the accumulated travel time of the vehicle accumulated by the accumulation means.

Images