JP2009262856A - Engine starter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an engine starter capable of reducing throughput necessary for a power supply control system to manage a starting operation of an engine and of causing a vehicle to perform power supply transition as usual. <P>SOLUTION: A one push engine starting system 19 assigns an engine switch 20 only an engine starting/stopping function. Every time the engine switch 20 is operated, a power supply transition function sequentially switches the power supply state of a vehicle 1 in a routine operation from a power supply OFF state to an ACC relay ON state to an IG relay ON state. However, the power supply transition function is omitted from a switching function. When a driver rides on the vehicle 1 and an indoor check is established between the vehicle 1 and a portable device 4, the ACC relay 29 and the IG relay 30 turns on in advance ahead of an engine starting operation and power is supplied from an on-vehicle battery 24 to vehicular electrical equipment 25. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an engine starter used when starting an engine in a vehicle such as an automobile.

  In recent years, an electronic key system using an electronic key that wirelessly transmits a unique key code of the vehicle itself to the vehicle as a vehicle key has been widely used. One type of electronic key system is a key operation free system that automatically transmits a key code of an electronic key. This key operation free system wirelessly transmits a key code reply request from the vehicle, and when the vehicle receives the key code returned by the electronic key in response to this request, the vehicle performs key verification using this key code, If the time key verification is established, for example, the door lock / unlock and engine start are permitted or executed.

  One function of this key operation free system is a one-push engine start system that can start the engine only by a specific switch operation without performing a key operation using a vehicle key. In this way, the reason why the system is called a one-push engine start system is that the engine can be started only by pushing the push-type momentary engine switch once (one-push operation). An example of a one-push engine start system is disclosed in, for example, Patent Literature 1 and the like. The engine switch function of this type of one-push engine start system includes, for example, an engine start / stop function for starting or stopping the engine and a power supply transition function for changing the power supply state (power supply position) of the vehicle.

For example, when the engine is stopped and the engine switch is operated with the brake pedal depressed, the starter relay of the vehicle power supply is turned on and the engine is started. On the other hand, when the engine switch is operated when the engine is in an operating state, the IG relay of the vehicle power supply is turned off, and the engine that has been operating until then is switched to a stop this time. In addition, when only the engine switch is operated without depressing the brake pedal, the power state of the vehicle is switched between the power off state (all relays off) → ACC relay on state → IG relay on state. A switching operation can be repeatedly performed at the switching destination for each operation.
JP 2007-76415 A

  However, when the engine start / stop function and the power transition function are assigned to the engine switch, the power control system for monitoring the switch operation of the engine switch and switching the power state (various relays) is the engine switch. It is necessary to control ON / OFF of various relays in a relay state in accordance with the operation position while maintaining which operation position is at each time. Therefore, there is a problem that processing required for the power supply control system is complicated. Also, even if the power switch function is omitted from the engine switch and the processing load on the power control system is reduced, it is necessary for the vehicle to perform the operation corresponding to the power switch as usual. There was no current situation.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an engine starter that can reduce the processing load required for a power supply control system that manages the start operation of the engine and can also cause the vehicle to perform power supply transition as before.

  In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, an electronic key capable of wirelessly transmitting a key code is used as a vehicle key, and when the key code of the electronic key matches that of the vehicle and key verification is established, In the engine starter in which at least the start of the engine is permitted and an engine switch that is an operation system of the engine is operated under the permission, the engine that has been stopped so far is started by the operation. Switch control means for functioning as a switch that can be operated only for starting and stopping the engine, and on-board battery before the engine starting operation is performed by the engine switch, provided that the key verification is established. Turn on the power supply relay that turns on / off the power of the vehicle to the vehicle electrical components in advance. And gist that a-controlled unit.

  According to this configuration, the power supply transition function is omitted from the switch function of the engine switch, and the switch function provided to the engine switch is limited to the engine start / stop function. For this reason, it is possible to simplify the power control system that monitors the switch state of the engine switch and switches and controls the power state (various relays) of the vehicle as much as the power transition function is omitted. Even if the power switch function is omitted from the engine switch as in this configuration, the power relay before the engine is started is switched on, that is, the power transition that has been performed so far is the key between the vehicle and the electronic key. It is executed at a specific timing before the engine switch is operated to start the engine on condition that the verification is established. Therefore, even if the power transition function is omitted from the engine switch, it is possible to cause the vehicle to perform power transition as before.

  In the present invention, when the relay control means detects one operation in a series of operations performed on the vehicle when the driver gets into the vehicle under the condition that the key verification is established, The gist is to turn on the relay.

  According to this configuration, for example, when the power relay is turned on prior to the engine start operation, no special operation is required, so that it is difficult to feel troublesome when the power relay is turned on.

  In the present invention, the key collation is in-vehicle collation that collates with the electronic key located in the vehicle, and the relay control means has been turned off until the in-vehicle collation is established. The gist is that the power relay is turned on prior to the starting operation of the engine.

  According to this configuration, the switching on of the power relay performed by the vehicle as the power transition is executed when the in-vehicle collation is established. By the way, the fact that the in-vehicle verification has been established can be considered that the user has boarded with a fairly high probability. Therefore, if the on-timing of the power relay is established in the vehicle as in this configuration, the power relay can be switched on at a more suitable timing. For this reason, compared with the case where the power relay is turned on in the dark clouds, since the power relay is turned on at a truly necessary timing, it is possible to suppress the current consumption consumed by the relay on as low as possible.

  In the present invention, when the power relay is on, the relay control means does not establish in-vehicle collation as the key collation with the electronic key located in the vehicle, and all the doors of the vehicle are locked. Then, the gist is to switch off the power supply relay that has been turned on until then.

  According to this configuration, switching of the power supply relay in the on state to off is executed when in-vehicle verification is not established and all the doors of the vehicle are locked. By the way, if all the doors of the vehicle are locked without the in-vehicle verification being established, it can be considered that the vehicle at this time has entered a parking state (engine stopped and door lock locked). Therefore, if the vehicle enters the parking state, it is not necessary to turn on the power relay thereafter. Therefore, if the power relay off timing is set to the timing of this configuration, the power relay is switched off at a suitable timing. It becomes possible.

  In the present invention, when the power supply relay is on, the relay control means does not establish in-vehicle collation as the key collation with the electronic key located in the vehicle, and the in-vehicle collation is not established. The gist is to switch off the power supply relay that has been on until then when the elapsed time from the time exceeds a certain time.

  According to this configuration, the switching of the power supply relay in the on state to the off state is made on the condition that the elapsed time after the in-vehicle verification is not established exceeds a certain time. By the way, the fact that the elapsed time after the in-vehicle verification is not satisfied exceeds a certain time can be considered that the vehicle at this time has entered a stopped state (engine stop and door lock unlocked) with high probability. Therefore, if the power relay off timing is set to the timing of this configuration, the power relay is switched off at a timing when the driver does not intend to get into the vehicle for a while. For this reason, since it is not necessary to leave the power relay unnecessarily turned on, it is possible to keep the current consumption required to turn on the relay as low as possible.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to cause the vehicle to perform power supply transition as before while reducing the processing load required for the power supply control system that manages the engine start operation.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of an engine starter embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 1 is a kind of an electronic key system 2 that uses an electronic key as a vehicle key, and performs vehicle operations such as door locking / unlocking and engine start / stop without actual key operations. The key operation free system 3 that can be used is mounted. In the key operation free system 3, a portable device 4 capable of transmitting an ID code (key code) unique to a key by wireless communication is used as a vehicle key. The key operation free system 3 transmits a request signal Srq by narrow-range communication as an ID code reply request from the vehicle 1, and when the portable device 4 receives the request signal Srq, the portable device 4 responds to the request signal Srq by its own ID. The ID signal Sid carrying the code is automatically returned to the vehicle 1 by narrow area communication. When the ID code of the portable device 4 matches the ID code of the vehicle 1, door locking / unlocking and engine start / stop are permitted or executed. The portable device 4 corresponds to an electronic key.

  The key operation free system 3 includes a smart entry system 5 as a function that does not require a key operation at the time of door lock locking / unlocking operation. In such a smart entry system 5, a verification ECU 6 is provided in the vehicle 1 as a controller that performs ID verification with the portable device 4. In addition, the vehicle 1 includes an out-of-vehicle LF transmitter 7 capable of transmitting an LF band signal outside the vehicle, an in-vehicle LF transmitter 8 capable of transmitting an LF band signal into the vehicle, and an RF band transmitted by the portable device 4. An RF receiver 9 capable of receiving signals is provided. In addition, a door ECU 10 that controls door locking / unlocking / unlocking is connected to the verification ECU 6 via an in-vehicle LAN 11. A door lock motor 12 is connected to the door ECU 10 as a drive source at the time of locking and unlocking the door lock.

  When the vehicle 1 is parked (the engine is stopped and the door lock is locked), the verification ECU 6 intermittently transmits the LF band request signal Srq from the outside LF transmitter 7, and the outside communication area of the request signal Srq around the vehicle. Form. When the portable device 4 enters the outside communication area and receives the request signal Srq, the portable device 4 responds to the request signal Srq and transmits the ID signal Sid carrying the ID code registered in its own memory 13 to the RF band. Reply with the signal. When the wireless communication (hereinafter referred to as smart communication) is established by receiving the ID signal Sid by the RF receiver 9, the verification ECU 6 illuminates the ID code registered in its own memory 14 and the ID code of the portable device 4. In addition, ID verification, so-called smart verification (external vehicle verification) is performed. When the verification ECU 6 recognizes that this outside verification has been established, the verification flag is set in the memory 14 for a certain period of time, and the touch sensor 16 embedded in the exterior door handle knob 15 is activated during that period. . When the door ECU 10 detects that the outside door handle knob 15 is touched by the activated touch sensor 16 when the door lock is locked, the door ECU 10 drives the door lock motor 12 to unlock the locked door lock.

  On the other hand, when the vehicle 1 is in a stopped state (engine stop and door lock unlocked state), the verification ECU 6 detects that the lock button 17 provided on the door handle knob 15 on the vehicle is pushed and operated. 7 sends a request signal Sr q. When the verification ECU 6 receives the request signal Srq and recognizes that the verification outside the vehicle is established in the ID signal Sid returned from the portable device 4, the verification ECU 6 outputs a door lock locking request to the door ECU 10. When the door ECU 10 receives this door lock locking request when the door lock is unlocked, the door ECU 10 drives the door lock motor 12 to lock the unlocked door lock.

  Further, the key operation free system 3 has a one-push engine start function as a function capable of performing a start / stop operation of the engine 18 by a simple switch operation without requiring an actual vehicle key operation at the time of engine start / stop operation. There is a system 19. In such a one-push engine start system 19, an engine switch 20 is provided at the driver's seat of the vehicle 1 as an operation system for switching the power state (power position) of the vehicle 1. The engine switch 20 is a push type that pushes in and operates a switch operation unit 21 that is an operation location. Further, after the push operation, the switch operation unit 21 automatically returns to its original position when the hand is released from the switch operation unit 21. It has become.

  The vehicle 1 includes an engine ECU 22 that performs ignition control and fuel injection control of the engine 18, a shift ECU 23 that controls an automatic transmission based on the operation of a select lever, and vehicle electrical components (various ECUs and in-vehicle devices) from an in-vehicle battery 24. And a power supply ECU 26 for managing the power supplied to 25. The ECUs 22, 23, and 26 are connected to various ECUs such as the verification ECU 6 through the in-vehicle LAN 11. Further, a vehicle speed sensor 27 that detects the speed of the vehicle 1 and a brake sensor 28 that detects an operation amount of the brake pedal are connected to the power supply ECU 26. Further, an ACC relay 29 connected to various on-vehicle accessories, an IG relay 30 connected to the various ECUs, and a starter relay 31 connected to the starter motor 18 a of the engine 18 are connected to the power supply ECU 26. The ACC relay 29 and the IG relay 30 constitute a power supply relay.

  In the one-push engine start system 19 of this example, only the engine start / stop function is assigned to the engine switch 20, and the power state of the vehicle 1 is changed from the power off state to the ACC relay on state to the IG relay on state each time the engine switch 20 is operated. The power supply transition function that sequentially switches between one operation is omitted from the switch function. That is, when the engine switch 20 is pushed while the engine is stopped with the brake pedal depressed, the engine 18 is operated. When the engine switch 20 is pushed again while the engine is running, the engine 18 is switched to stop. However, even if the engine switch 20 is pushed and operated without depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle 1 (power supply state) does not operate.

  When the one-push engine start system 19 is of this type, the power supply ECU 26 includes a vehicle power supply relay control unit 32 that manages on / off of the ACC relay 29 and the IG relay 30, and a starter relay control unit 33 that manages on / off of the starter relay 31. And are provided. The vehicle power supply relay control unit 32 precedes the ACC relay 29 and the IG relay 30 before the user performs an engine start operation with the engine switch 20 when the user gets on the parked vehicle 1 and operates the vehicle 1. Turn it on. Further, the starter relay control unit 33 controls on / off of the starter relay 31 based on a switch signal acquired from the engine switch 20. The vehicle power supply relay control unit 32 corresponds to a relay control unit, and the starter relay control unit 33 corresponds to a switch control unit.

Next, the operation of the one push engine start system 19 of this example will be described.
Here, for example, it is assumed that the driver unlocks the door lock of the vehicle 1 by touching the door handle knob 15 outside the vehicle, and then opens the driver's seat door and gets into the vehicle. The verification ECU 6 transmits a request signal Srq from the in-vehicle LF transmitter 8 when it recognizes that the driver has boarded by opening the door with the courtesy switch 34, for example, after the vehicle exterior verification is established and the door lock is unlocked. Thus, an in-vehicle communication area for the request signal Srq is formed throughout the vehicle. When the portable device 4 possessed by the rider receives this request signal Srq, the portable device 4 returns an ID signal Sid to the vehicle 1 in response to the request signal Srq.

  When the ID signal Sid returned from the portable device 4 entering the in-vehicle communication area is received by the RF receiver 9, the verification ECU 6 compares the ID code registered in the mobile device 4 with the ID code of the portable device 4. , So-called smart verification (in-vehicle verification) is performed. When the in-vehicle collation is established, the collation ECU 6 sets an in-vehicle collation establishment flag in the memory 14 to recognize that the in-vehicle collation is established, and confirms that the driver has entered the vehicle. In addition, when the verification ECU 6 recognizes that vehicle-side verification is established in this manner, the verification ECU 6 outputs a vehicle-internal verification establishment notification to the vehicle power supply relay control unit 32 to notify the vehicle power supply relay control unit 32 of that fact.

  When the vehicle power supply relay control unit 32 obtains the in-vehicle collation establishment notification from the collation ECU 6, it recognizes that the in-vehicle collation has been established by accepting this notification, and determines that the driver has boarded the vehicle. The vehicle power supply relay control unit 32 switches the ACC relay 29 and the IG relay 30 from off to on as shown in FIG. 2 after confirming that the driver has entered the vehicle. Thereby, the vehicle electrical component 25 connected to the ACC relay 29 and the IG relay 30 is in a state where the current of the in-vehicle battery 24 flows, and the vehicle electrical component 25 is operable.

  By the way, in the vehicle electrical component 25, for example, there are in-vehicle devices (accessory system electrical components) such as a navigation system, an air conditioner system, and an audio system. This type of vehicle-mounted device takes a standby mode in which a power switch is turned on when a current flows when its power switch is turned off. This standby mode is a mode in which preparations that can be executed in advance are completed in advance so that when the power switch is turned on, the startup state can be taken. It is in mode. Therefore, when the vehicle power supply relay control unit 32 turns on the ACC relay 29 and the IG relay 30 in advance, the vehicle electrical component 25 operates to enter the standby mode if its power switch is off.

  Assume that, for example, the power switch of the vehicle electrical component 25 is turned on after the vehicle electrical component 25 enters the standby mode. At this time, the vehicle electrical component 25 wakes up from the standby mode and enters the start mode (start state). That is, for example, if the vehicle electrical component 25 is a navigation system, a guide screen is displayed on the display, and if the vehicle electrical component 25 is an air conditioner system, air is blown into the vehicle. On the other hand, when the vehicle electrical component 25 takes the start mode, if the power switch is turned off this time, the vehicle electrical component 25 that has been in the start mode stops operating and returns to the standby mode again.

  Subsequently, it is assumed that the driver who has boarded the vehicle presses the engine switch 20 while depressing the brake pedal in order to start the engine 18. When the starter relay control unit 33 detects that the engine switch 20 is pushed while the brake pedal is depressed when the engine 18 is in a stopped state, the starter relay 31 is operated until then as shown in FIG. Switch from off to on. Thereby, the starter motor 18a takes a state of energizing the in-vehicle battery 24 and starts rotating, and the engine 18 that has been in the stopped state is started. At this time, the vehicle power supply relay control unit 32 keeps the ACC relay 29 and the IG relay 30 on. Further, when the starter relay control unit 33 detects that the engine switch 20 has been pushed while the engine 18 is in an operating state, the starter relay control unit 33 switches the starter relay 31 from on to off to stop the engine 18. The verification ECU 6 stops the output of the in-vehicle verification establishment notification that has been issued until then when the engine 18 once in the operating state is switched to the stop state.

  Further, it is assumed that after the engine stop operation, the driver who gets off the vehicle 1 pushes the lock button 17 of the vehicle door handle knob 15 to lock the vehicle door. At this time, the verification ECU 6 operates to output a door lock locking request to the door ECU 10 if the vehicle external verification is established. When the door ECU 10 receives the door lock locking request from the verification ECU 6, all the seats of the vehicle 1 are opened to the door. Perform the locking action. When the door lock of all seats is completed, the door ECU 10 outputs a door lock locking completion notification to the vehicle power supply relay control unit 32 (power supply ECU 26) as a notification to that effect.

  When the vehicle power supply relay control unit 32 confirms that the vehicle interior verification is not established and the door lock locking completion notification is received from the door ECU 10 and the vehicle 1 is all-doors locked, the ACC relay 29 that has been turned on until then. And IG relay 30 are both switched off. More specifically, when the door power lock completion notification is input from the door ECU 10, the vehicle power supply relay control unit 32 confirms whether or not an in-vehicle collation establishment notification is received from the collation ECU 6, and if this is the case, the in-vehicle collation establishment notification is temporarily notified. If not received, both the ACC relay 29 and the IG relay 30 are turned off. As a result, no current flows through the vehicle electrical component 25, the vehicle electrical component 25 enters the power-off mode, and the power-off mode is maintained until the ACC relay 29 and the IG relay 30 are turned on next time.

  Further, the vehicle power supply relay control unit 32 does not set the condition for turning off both the relays 29 and 30 not to establish in-vehicle verification and to make the vehicle 1 be all-door door-locked. The elapsed time Tx from when the verification establishment notification is not accepted is measured, and when it is confirmed that the elapsed time Tx exceeds the predetermined time T1, both the ACC relay 29 and the IG relay 30 are switched off at that time. That is, when the elapsed time Tx after the in-vehicle verification is no longer established reaches a certain time T1, the ACC relay 29 and the IG relay 30 are turned off at that time, and the vehicle electrical component 25 is switched to the power-off mode. Take.

  Next, the operation performed by the vehicle power supply relay control unit 32 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This flowchart is repeatedly executed in a predetermined cycle while the power supply ECU 26 is powered on, for example.

  In step 100, it is determined whether in-vehicle verification is established. That is, it is determined whether an in-vehicle verification establishment notification is received from the verification ECU 6. At this time, if in-vehicle verification is established, the process proceeds to step 101, and if in-vehicle verification is not established, the process proceeds to step 102.

In step 101, the vehicle power supply is turned on. That is, both the ACC relay 29 and the IG relay 30 are turned on.
In step 102, it is determined whether or not the vehicle 1 is an all-seat door lock. That is, it is determined whether or not a door lock locking completion notification is received from the door ECU 10. At this time, if the vehicle 1 is in the all-seat door lock, the process proceeds to step 103, and if the vehicle 1 is not in the door lock, the process proceeds to step 104.

In step 103, the vehicle power supply is turned off. That is, both the ACC relay 29 and the IG relay 30 are turned off.
In step 104, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time Tx after the in-vehicle collation is no longer established has passed a predetermined time T1. At this time, if the elapsed time Tx exceeds the certain time T1, the process proceeds to step 103. If the elapsed time Tx does not exceed the certain time T1, the process returns to step 100 to confirm again whether or not the in-vehicle collation is established.

  In this example, the power supply transition function is omitted from the switch function of the engine switch 20, and the engine switch 20 has only the start / stop function of the engine 18. As a result, the power supply ECU 26 only needs to be able to determine the two positions of the switch position, whether the operation position when the engine switch 20 is operated is processed as the engine start operation or the engine stop operation. The switch position determination function can be simplified. Therefore, if the function for determining the switch position that the power supply ECU 26 has to be simplified in this way, the circuit structure of the power supply ECU 26, the processing program to be mounted on the power supply ECU 26, and the like can be simplified. It becomes possible.

  In addition, when the driver gets into the stopped vehicle 1 and the in-vehicle collation is established, the ACC relay 29 and the IG relay 30 are turned on prior to the start of the engine of the vehicle 1 when the inside of the vehicle is established. That is, when the driver gets into the vehicle, the ACC relay 29 and the IG relay 30 are turned on first before the driver starts the engine 18 with the engine switch 20. Therefore, even if the power supply transition function is omitted from the engine switch 20, the power supply transition of turning on the ACC relay 29 and the IG relay 30 prior to the engine start operation by the engine switch 20 is executed as before. Therefore, even if the power supply transition function is omitted from the switch function of the engine switch 20, the vehicle 1 can perform the power supply transition as before.

According to the configuration of the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) By omitting the power transition function from the switch function of the engine switch 20 and limiting to the engine start / stop function, the ACC relay 29 and the IG relay 30 are turned on prior to the engine start operation when the in-vehicle verification is established. Therefore, the power supply transition of the vehicle power supply is made possible. Therefore, the structure of the power supply ECU 26 can be simplified by omitting the power supply transition function from the engine switch 20, and even if the power supply transition function is omitted from the engine switch 20, the vehicle 1 remains powered as before. Transition actions can be taken.

  (2) The on / off switching of the ACC relay 29 and the IG relay 30 is one operation in a series of operations performed when the driver gets on and off the vehicle 1 such as in-vehicle collation establishment or door lock operation. For this reason, a special operation is not required when the ACC relay 29 and the IG relay 30 are turned on prior to the engine starting operation. Therefore, when the ACC relay 29 and the IG relay 30 are turned on in advance, a troublesome operation is performed on the driver. There is no need to pay.

  (3) The switch-on of the ACC relay 29 and the IG relay 30 that is performed in the vehicle 1 as a power supply transition is based on the establishment of in-vehicle collation. By the way, the fact that the in-vehicle collation has been established means that the portable device 4 exists in the vehicle, and therefore it can be considered that the driver is in the vehicle with a considerably high probability. Therefore, if the in-vehicle verification is established when both relays 29 and 30 are switched on as in this example, the ACC relay 29 and the IG relay 30 can be efficiently turned on. Current consumption can be kept as low as possible.

  (4) Switching the ACC relay 29 and the IG relay 30 in the on state to off is executed when in-vehicle collation is not established and the vehicle 1 is locked in all seats. By the way, the fact that the in-vehicle verification is not established and the vehicle 1 is in the all-seat door lock state can be considered that the vehicle 1 at this time has entered the parking state (engine stop and door lock locked), and the vehicle 1 is parked in this way. After entering the state, it is not necessary to turn on the ACC relay 29 and the IG relay 30 thereafter. Therefore, if the off timing of the ACC relay 29 and the IG relay 30 is set to the same timing, both the relays 29 and 30 can be turned off at a suitable timing, that is, the vehicle electrical component 25 can be shifted to the power off mode.

  (5) The ACC relay 29 and the IG relay 30 in the on state are switched off when the elapsed time Tx after the in-vehicle verification is not established exceeds a certain time T1. By the way, the fact that the elapsed time Tx after the in-vehicle verification is not established exceeds the certain time T1 can be considered that the vehicle 1 at this time has entered a stopped state (engine stop and door lock unlocked) with high probability. Thus, if the vehicle 1 enters the stop state, it can be considered that the user has no intention to get into the vehicle 1 for a while. Therefore, if the off timing of the ACC relay 29 and the IG relay 30 is set to the same timing, it is not necessary to leave both the relays 29 and 30 unnecessarily turned on, which is effective in reducing the current consumption required to turn on the relay. high.

Note that the embodiment is not limited to the configuration described so far, and may be modified as follows.
The condition for turning on the ACC relay 29 and the IG relay 30 prior to the engine start operation is not necessarily limited to the establishment of in-vehicle verification. For example, the touch sensor 16 detects the touch operation of the door handle knob 15 outside the vehicle, the door opening / closing operation is detected by the door courtesy switch 34, the driver's seating in the driver's seat is detected by the seating sensor, Conditions such as touching the steering wheel, detection of seat belt attachment by a buckle sensor, and verification outside the vehicle may be satisfied.

  The advance ON of the ACC relay 29 and the IG relay 30 may be performed on the condition that, for example, a dedicated switch or sensor is provided somewhere in the vehicle 1 and a predetermined user operation is detected by the switch or sensor.

  The conditions for returning the ACC relay 29 and the IG relay 30 in the on state to off are that the in-vehicle verification is not established and the vehicle 1 is in the all-seat door lock, or the elapsed time Tx after the in-vehicle verification is not established. Is not limited to exceeding a certain time T1. For example, the relays 29 and 30 that have been on until then may be switched off on condition that the seating sensor embedded in the seat (driver's seat or passenger seat) no longer detects seating of the passenger.

  -When the lock button 17 of the door handle knob 15 outside the vehicle is operated and the vehicle 1 locks the door lock, when the lock button 17 is operated, the in-vehicle verification is performed again, and the portable device 4 is left behind in the vehicle. You may go to see if there is any. Then, the misconfirmation confirmation result may be included in the condition of whether to turn off the ACC relay 29 and the IG relay 30. That is, if the portable device 4 is left behind in the vehicle, both relays 29 and 30 may be kept on. If the portable device 4 is not in the vehicle, both relays 29 and 30 may be switched off.

  -The ON timing of the ACC relay 29 and the IG relay 30 is not limited to being both at the same time, and the ON conditions may be changed in each of the relays 29 and 30, so that there is a time difference in switching to ON. . This can also be said when the ACC relay 29 and the IG relay 30 in the on state are turned off.

-A power supply relay is not necessarily limited to two, the ACC relay 29 and the IG relay 30, For example, you may provide only the IG relay 30. FIG.
-Key verification is not necessarily limited to smart verification. For example, an immobilizer verification that incorporates a transponder in the portable device 4 and compares the ID code of the transponder with the vehicle 1 may be adopted. Needless to say, various frequencies can be used for wireless communication between the vehicle 1 and the portable device 4.

Next, technical ideas that can be grasped from the above-described embodiment and other examples will be described below together with their effects.
(1) In any one of claims 1 to 4, when the electronic key receives the request that the vehicle has transmitted as a key code reply request, the electronic key responds to the request. This is key operation-free communication key verification that causes the vehicle to perform key verification by returning a key code to the vehicle. According to this configuration, since the key code is automatically transmitted from the electronic key, it is possible to make the key verification simple and difficult to feel troublesome.

  (2) In any one of claims 1 to 4 and the technical idea (1), the key collation includes an outside vehicle collation for collating with the electronic key located outside the vehicle and the electronic located inside the vehicle. The vehicle interior verification is performed with the key, and when the vehicle exterior verification is established, at least locking and unlocking of the door lock of the vehicle is permitted or executed, and when the vehicle interior verification is established, at least the The engine is allowed to start. According to this configuration, when the outside verification is established, door locking / unlocking is permitted or executed, and when the inside verification is established, the engine is permitted to start. It is possible to have a system with.

The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the electronic key system in one Embodiment. The block diagram which shows the power supply transition operation | movement of a one push engine start system. The block diagram which shows the engine starting operation | movement of a one push engine start system. The flowchart performed by a vehicle power supply relay control part.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle, 4 ... Portable machine as an electronic key, 18 ... Engine, 20 ... Engine switch, 24 ... Vehicle-mounted battery, 25 ... Vehicle electrical component, 29 ... ACC relay which comprises a power relay, 30 ... Power relay IG relay, 32... Vehicle power supply relay control unit as relay control means, 33... Starter relay control unit as switch control means, Tx... Elapsed time, T 1.

Claims (5)

An electronic key that can transmit a key code wirelessly is used as a vehicle key. When the key code of the electronic key matches that of the vehicle and the key verification is established, at least engine start is permitted. When an engine switch that is an operation system of the engine is operated, the engine that has been stopped until then is started by the operation.
Switch control means for causing the engine switch to function as a switch operable only for starting and stopping the engine;
On the condition that the key collation is established, before the engine start operation is performed by the engine switch, a power supply relay that turns on / off the power of the vehicle-mounted battery with respect to the vehicle electrical components is turned on in advance. An engine starter characterized by comprising a relay control means.   The relay control means turns on the power relay when detecting one operation in a series of operations performed on the vehicle when the driver gets into the vehicle under the condition that the key verification is established. The engine starter according to claim 1. The key verification is in-vehicle verification that performs verification with the electronic key located in the vehicle,
3. The relay control unit according to claim 1, wherein when the in-vehicle verification is established, the relay control unit turns on the power relay that has been turned off before the start operation of the engine. Engine starter.   When the power control relay is on, the relay control means does not establish in-vehicle collation as the key collation with the electronic key located in the vehicle, and if all the doors of the vehicle are locked, The engine starter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the power supply relay that has been turned on is switched off.   When the power supply relay is on, the relay control means does not establish in-vehicle collation as the key collation with the electronic key located in the vehicle, and the elapsed time since the in-vehicle collation is not established. The engine starting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the power exceeds a predetermined time, the power relay that has been turned on until then is switched off.

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