JP2008064048A - Engine system controller - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To limit the number of times that an engine can be started by warning a driver, and to certainly urge the driver to have a vehicle inspected and repaired, when a breakdown deteriorating exhaust gas is continued in the vehicle and the vehicle is continuously used without repair to almost influence on atmosphere, in an engine system controller. <P>SOLUTION: A controlling means accumulates the number of times of starting an engine after detecting an abnormal condition of an engine system, when the abnormal condition of the engine system is detected, and prohibits one or more number of times of starting the engine when the accumulated number of times of starting the engine reaches a predetermined value set in advance. On the other hand, when an normal condition of the engine system is judged before the accumulated number of times of starting the engine reaches the predetermined value, the accumulation of the number of time of starting the engine is returned to an initial value so as not to prohibit the starting of the engine. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an engine system control apparatus, and more particularly to an engine system control apparatus that performs engine start-up control after detecting an abnormality in an engine system having an in-vehicle failure diagnosis system.

  In a vehicle engine, when a failure occurs such that the exhaust gas level exceeds a specified value during operation, an on-vehicle failure diagnosis system (OBD system) that informs the driver of the failure in order to prevent air pollution due to the exhaust gas : On-board diagnosis system) is becoming mandatory.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an abnormality determination device for an engine system includes an in-vehicle type failure diagnosis system. A diagnosis is performed, and the number of times determined to be abnormal and the number of times determined to be normal are stored in a counter. Depending on the comparison with the abnormality counter, it is finally determined whether it is normal or abnormal, and in this case, the counter is used as means for determining abnormality.
In addition, the failure diagnosis device stores the number of times of failure diagnosis and the number of times of abnormality determination in a counter in time series, and further calculates the abnormality rate, abnormality change rate, and abnormality change acceleration rate in time series from the number of times. In some cases, a fault diagnosis is performed based on the result of the calculation, and in this case, the counter is used as a means for determining abnormality.
JP 2001-349239 A JP-A-6-266919

  By the way, in the conventional engine system control apparatus, in either of the above-mentioned Patent Documents 1 and 2, the purpose is to accurately perform the failure diagnosis, and the counter has the number of times of failure diagnosis, the number of abnormality diagnosis, and the normal diagnosis. As a result, there are some drivers who continue to drive while leaving the fault as it is even if the warning that “exhaust gas is getting worse” is displayed. There is a disadvantage that it causes air pollution to progress.

  Therefore, the object of the present invention is to give a warning to the driver and start the engine when the trouble that the exhaust gas deteriorates continues in the vehicle and the vehicle is not used for repair but is used continuously. It is an object of the present invention to provide an engine system control device that limits the number of times and allows a driver to check and repair a vehicle reliably.

  The present invention provides a plurality of diagnosis targets related to engine operation, and is activated each time a diagnosis condition is established for each diagnosis target to execute abnormality diagnosis of the engine system and detect abnormality of the engine system. In the engine system control apparatus provided with a control means provided with a start counter for accumulating the number of engine starts under a predetermined condition, the control means, when the abnormality detection means detects an abnormality of the engine system, When the engine counter is accumulated by the start counter after the engine system is detected to be abnormal, and the accumulated engine start count reaches a predetermined value, the engine is prohibited from being started once or more. Before the accumulated number of engine starts reaches the predetermined value. When determining the normal system, and controlling the accumulation of engine start number in the start counter so as not to prohibit the starting of the engine is returned to the initial value.

  The engine system control apparatus according to the present invention performs an abnormality diagnosis and determines that an abnormality has occurred, and then limits the number of times the engine can be started, thereby further detecting a failure for repeated use of the vehicle. It is possible to prevent the continuous use that may last for a long time and to prevent the influence on the atmosphere.

In order to prevent continued use that may last for a longer period of time after faults are continuously detected, the present invention determines the number of times the engine can be started after performing an abnormality diagnosis and determining that an abnormality has occurred. It is realized by limiting.
Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail and specifically with reference to the drawings.

1 to 8 show an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 1 denotes an engine system of a vehicle equipped with a failure diagnosis system (OBD: on-board diagnosis system), and 2 denotes an engine system control device.
The engine system 1 is configured by providing the engine 3 with a plurality of diagnosis objects 4 related to the operation of the engine 3. The plurality of diagnosis objects 4 include, for example, in-vehicle components related to the operation of the engine 3 such as an evaporative fuel processing device, an exhaust sensor (O2 sensor, an air-fuel ratio sensor), an EGR device, a fuel level sensor, and a fuel injection device. Those that affect exhaust gas components and those in the fuel supply system. The engine 3 is also provided with a starter 5 that is driven at the time of starting, an injector 6 that injects fuel, an ignition plug 7 that ignites the injected fuel, and other devices 8.
The starter 5, injector 6, spark plug 7, and other devices 8 are connected to a control means (ECM) 9. This control means 9 consists of an engine controller etc., for example.
The control means 9 is repeatedly activated each time a diagnosis condition is established for each diagnosis target 4 of the CPU (central processing unit) 10, the RAM (storage device) 11, and the engine 3. An abnormality detecting means 12 for executing diagnosis and detecting an abnormality of the engine system 1 and a start counter 13 for counting and counting the number of engine starts under a predetermined condition are provided.
Furthermore, an ignition switch 14, a battery 15, and a warning device 16 for notifying the driver are connected to the control means 9.

When the abnormality detection unit 12 detects an abnormality in the engine system 1, the control unit 9 accumulates the number of engine starts after the abnormality detection of the engine system 1 in the start counter 13, and the accumulated engine start number is stored in advance. When the set predetermined value (specified number of times) is reached, the engine 3 is prohibited from starting one or more times, while the abnormality detecting means 12 is connected to the engine system 1 before the accumulated number of engine starts reaches the predetermined value. When it is determined that the engine is normal, the accumulation of the number of engine starts in the start counter 13 is returned to the initial value (= 0), and control is performed so as not to prohibit the start of the engine 1.
Further, the control means 9 is individually set for the diagnosis object 4 having a plurality of start counters 13, and prohibits the start of the engine 3 by prohibiting start of the starter 5 and prohibiting fuel injection. It can be done by doing.
Further, the control means 9 notifies the driver of the state of the engine system 1 including the number of startable times when the engine 3 is started, when the accumulated number of engine starts is present.

The warning device 16 is means for notifying the driver, and includes, for example, a warning lamp 17 shown in FIG. 3, a speaker 18 shown in FIG. 4, or a display 19 shown in FIG.
In the warning lamp 17 shown in FIG. 3, as an example of displaying the number of possible operations, the number of possible start of the engine 3 is displayed without displaying information such as failure items (information on failure items is displayed separately). Can also do). Further, every time the engine 3 is started once, it is counted down.
The speaker 18 shown in FIG. 4 is an example in the case of warning by voice announcement, announces the failure item, announces the number of start-ups until it becomes impossible to start, and announces “go to repair shop” request. To do.
On the display 19 shown in FIG. 5, information such as a failure item and the number of startable times is displayed, the display is displayed at the time of starting and only for a predetermined time from the start, and thereafter, normal use is performed, or “when the counter becomes zero It also displays a notice that it can no longer be started, or a request to go to a repair shop.
In the warning device 16, a warning lamp 17, a speaker 18, and a display 19 can be used in combination to give a warning to the driver.

  In this embodiment, as a first example of a warning system configuration for a driver, when warning display or the like is performed by a single controller, as shown in FIG. 7, an in-vehicle high-speed communication line (for example, control (CAN communication etc. connecting between devices) 20, as a plurality of control means 9, an engine controller 21, an A / T (automatic transmission) controller 22, an A / C (air conditioner) controller 23 and an ABS (anti-brake system) controller 24 and the traction controller 25 are connected. The engine controller 21 is connected to the starter 5, the injector 6, the spark plug 7, and other devices 8 so as to control the start restriction of the engine 3, and as a warning device 16, a warning lamp 17 and a speaker 18 are connected. A display 19 is connected. In this case, the engine controller 21 monitors the target failure flags of all the controllers and controls the start counter 13 after the failure of the engine system 1.

  As a second example of the warning system configuration for the driver, when the warning device 16 is connected to the high-speed communication line 20 and controlled, the control is performed on the high-speed communication line 20 as shown in FIG. As means 9, the engine controller 21, the A / T controller 22, the A / C controller 23, the ABC controller 24, and the traction controller 25 are connected. The engine controller 21 is connected to a starter 5, an injector 6, a spark plug 7, and other devices 8 so as to perform start restriction control of the engine 3. In addition, a warning lamp 17, a speaker 18, and a display 19 are connected to the high-speed communication line 20 as a warning device 16. In this case, the engine controller 21 monitors the target failure flag of all the controllers and controls the start counter 13 after the failure.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing start-up control of the engine 3.
As shown in FIG. 1, when the program of the control means 9 is started (step A01), it is first determined whether or not there is a failure flag for the diagnosis object 4 (step A02).
If this step A02 is YES, there is a failure with respect to the diagnosis object 4, the number of engine starts after this failure is detected is accumulated, and is this accumulated engine start number less than a predetermined value (specified number)? It is determined whether or not (step A03).
If this step A03 is YES, the accumulated engine start count is less than a predetermined value, normal control is executed (step A04), the engine 3 is started (step A05), and the engine start count after failure detection Is counted up (step A06), and is output to the warning device 16 (step A07), and the program is terminated (step A08).
When step A03 is NO, the accumulated number of engine starts reaches a predetermined value, and the starter 5 is stopped, or the start of the engine 3 is stopped by stopping the fuel injection or stopping the ignition (step A09). Is prohibited as impossible (step A10), and is output to the warning device 16 (step A11), and the program is terminated (step A08).
On the other hand, when the step A02 is NO, it is determined that the engine system 1 is normal before the accumulated number of engine starts reaches the predetermined value, and the accumulation of the engine start number after the failure is detected is reset to the initial value. (Step A12), normal control is executed (Step A13), the engine 3 is started (Step A14), and the program is terminated (Step A08).

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing control during operation of the engine 3.
As shown in FIG. 2, when the program of the control means 9 is started (step B01), it is first determined whether or not the engine 3 is in operation (step B02).
If this step B02 is YES, it is in operation and it is determined whether or not failure diagnosis execution conditions are satisfied (step B03). If this step B03 is NO, the process returns to step B02.
If this step B03 is YES, a failure diagnosis is performed (step B04), and it is determined whether or not the result of this failure diagnosis is normal (step B05). If this step B05 is NO, the above step is performed. Return to B02.
If this step B05 is YES, the accumulation of the number of engine starts after the failure detection is cleared to an initial value (step B06), and the program is terminated (step B07).
On the other hand, when the step B02 is NO, the program is immediately terminated because it is not in operation (step B07).

In other words, in the method of limiting the number of possible start times when the failure continues, when the failure continues such that the exhaust gas level exceeds the regulation value, and the operation from cold start (cold start-run-stop) reaches a predetermined number of times. Then, the start of the cold machine is prohibited by using means such as prohibition of starting of the starter 5 or prohibition of fuel injection. In addition, the number of operations for prohibiting cold start may be set for each failure item in consideration of the degree of influence on exhaust gas. Furthermore, not only a cold start but also a system that counts all starts may be used.
Further, in the case of saving the number of operation times information from the start of the engine 3, in the case of an emergency, when the terminal can be started by removing the terminal of the battery 15, a volatile memory or a storage device (RAM) 11 is used. The storage device (RAM) 11 is practically advantageous due to maintenance and local environment. When the specified number of times is reached, the information is stored in the nonvolatile memory when the engine 3 cannot be started unless the start counter 13 is cleared with a predetermined diagnostic tool. This nonvolatile memory is advantageous in terms of environmental pollution.
Further, in clearing the operation number information from the start of the engine 3, when the start counter 13 returns to normal before reaching the predetermined number of times, the information is cleared after that point. In addition, when the repair at the repair shop is completed, the information is cleared by a dedicated tool. However, when the information is stored in the storage device (RAM) 11, it can be cleared by removing the terminal of the battery 15. .

  In this embodiment, in a vehicle for which an abnormality diagnosis is confirmed, the abnormality is confirmed by the failure diagnosis system for the purpose of preventing the influence on the atmosphere due to the continuous use without being repaired immediately, and the failure display. Control that limits the number of times that the engine 3 can be started when the display is completed for the driver by the light (MIL) and the engine 3 is continuously used in a failed state without being properly repaired. The start counter 13 performs control to count down the number of starts after the failure is confirmed.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the configuration of the above-described embodiments will be described for each claim.
First, in the first aspect of the invention, when the abnormality detection unit 12 detects an abnormality in the engine system 1, the control unit 9 accumulates the number of engine starts after the abnormality detection in the engine system 1 by the start counter 13. In addition, when the accumulated number of engine starts reaches a predetermined value set in advance, the engine 3 is prohibited from being started one or more times, while an abnormality is detected before the accumulated number of engine starts reaches the predetermined value. When the means 12 determines that the engine system 1 is normal, control is performed so as not to prohibit the start of the engine 3 by returning the accumulated number of engine starts in the start counter 13 to the initial value. As a result, it is possible to prevent the vehicle from being used continuously for a long time while the engine system 1 is in a failed state, and to give the driver or owner an opportunity to urge repairs of the failed part. The influence on the environment can be suppressed.
In the second aspect of the invention, the control means 9 individually sets the diagnosis target 4 having a plurality of start counters 13 to prohibit the start of the engine 3 from the start of the starter 5 and the fuel injection. This can be done by implementing one or more of the prohibitions. Thereby, the increase in the further failure location can be suppressed by restricting the opportunity to continue using it in the failure state of the engine system 1.
Furthermore, in the invention described in claim 3, when there is the accumulated engine start number, the control means 9 notifies the driver of the state of the engine system 1 including the startable number of times at the time of starting. As a result, since the start is not suddenly restricted, it is possible to call attention for prompting repair or the like while making it difficult to cause inconvenience in terms of convenience such as driver convenience and local environment.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various application modifications are possible.
For example, many controllers are used for vehicle control, and some of them perform failure diagnosis. Among these, in particular, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of problems by warning the driver with a similar system for specific diagnostic items related to safety during traveling, and limiting the number of engine starts.
Also, a different failure code is provided for each vehicle-mounted component so that the failed vehicle-mounted component can be identified. It is possible to change the guidance for each part on the display device.
Furthermore, the start counter is set for each of a plurality of target flags. The predetermined value of the start counter can be changed according to the diagnosis target, and the degree of regulation can be made desired according to the importance of the failure. When an abnormality is correctly detected, there is a high probability that the same device (diagnostic object) repeatedly becomes abnormal. In that case, the start counter may count the sum of a plurality of target flags.
Furthermore, in the event of an emergency of the vehicle, it is possible to start the engine and perform emergency evacuation or the like by releasing the limit on the number of times the engine can be started.

  In the event of a failure in the engine system, the warning can be given to the driver to limit the number of times that the engine can be started, and can be applied to other controls.

It is a flowchart of control at the time of engine starting. It is a flowchart of control during engine operation. It is a figure of a warning lamp. It is a figure of a speaker. It is a figure of a display. It is a block diagram of an engine system control apparatus. It is a warning system block diagram to a driver by the 1st example. It is a warning system block diagram to the driver | operator by a 2nd example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Engine system 2 Engine system control apparatus 3 Engine 4 Diagnosis object 5 Starter 6 Injector 7 Spark plug 8 Other apparatus 9 Control means 10 CPU
11 RAM
12 Abnormality detection means 13 Start counter 14 Ignition switch 15 Battery 16 Warning device 17 Warning lamp 18 Speaker 19 Display

Claims (3)

  An abnormality detecting means for providing a plurality of diagnosis targets related to engine operation and repeatedly starting each time a diagnosis condition for each diagnosis target is established to perform an abnormality diagnosis of the engine system and detecting an abnormality of the engine system and a predetermined condition In the engine system control apparatus provided with the control means provided with the start counter for accumulating the engine start frequency, the control means is configured to detect the abnormality in the engine system when the abnormality detection means detects an abnormality in the engine system. When the number of engine starts after detection of an abnormality in the engine system is accumulated, and the accumulated number of engine starts reaches a predetermined value set in advance, the engine start is prohibited at least once, while the accumulated Before the engine start count reaches the predetermined value, the abnormality detection means When determining the normal, the engine system control device and controls the accumulation of engine start number in the start counter so as not to prohibit the starting of the engine is returned to the initial value.   The control means individually sets the diagnosis target having a plurality of start counters, and performs prohibition of starting the engine by executing one or more of prohibition of starter start and prohibition of fuel injection. The engine system control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the engine system control apparatus can be used.   The said control means notifies the state of the said engine system including the frequency | count of startable to a driver | operator at the time of the said engine starting, when there exists the said number of times of engine starting. 2. The engine system control device according to 2.

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