JP2916353B2 - Engine starter for vehicles - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an engine starter for a vehicle provided with a vehicle having a steering lock device, and more particularly to a vehicle in which the engine of the vehicle can be started without using an ignition key. The present invention relates to an engine starter for a vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a general automobile,
The engine is started using a mechanical ignition key.However, in such a configuration, inserting the ignition key into the keyhole at the time of starting the engine is an indispensable precondition. Is actually on board (or the door is open)
In this case, there is a problem that it becomes inconvenient when, for example, the warm-up operation of the engine is performed before the start of traveling.

In recent years, as a device that can solve such a problem, an engine start device that can control the start of an engine using a remote control terminal carried by a driver has been considered. That is, the vehicle engine starting device includes a receiving device for receiving an engine starting encryption signal transmitted by a radio signal from a remote control terminal carried by the driver, and a predetermined device when the receiving device receives the encryption signal. Of the engine starter motor based on the assumption that the safety conditions (such as that the transmission is not in the driving position, that the parking brake is operated, and that the engine has not been started) are satisfied. And the control device, so that the engine can be started without using the ignition key.

[0004]

Incidentally, a vehicle is usually provided with a steering lock device, but the steering lock device is unlocked by the ignition key. Is common. For this reason, even if an engine starter that does not require an ignition key as in the conventional configuration is provided, the operation of inserting the ignition key into the keyhole and rotating the ignition key is still necessary, and accordingly, the preparation operation for starting the vehicle is required. There was a problem that it was troublesome.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to start an engine and unlock a steering lock device without using a mechanical ignition key, and to start a vehicle. It is an object of the present invention to provide an engine starting device for a vehicle, which has an effect of greatly simplifying a preparation operation for the vehicle.

[0006]

The present invention SUMMARY OF] In order to achieve the above object, setting the vehicle provided with a steering lock device
Transmitted from the transmitter outside the vehicle as a medium.
Encrypted signal for starting the engine and unlocking the door
The vehicle engine starting apparatus having a receiving apparatus for receiving the encrypted signal, and a start control means for the receiving device to start the engine of the vehicle when receiving the encrypted signal said engine starting, wherein said receiving device Unlock control means for unlocking the door lock mechanism of the vehicle upon receiving the door lock release encryption signal, and boarding a driver's seat for a vehicle including unlocking of the door lock mechanism by at least the unlock control means A detection means for detecting a state; and an auxiliary control means for switching the steering lock device to an unlocked state when the detection means is in a detection state in an engine start state by the start control means. .

[0007]

When the receiving device receives the engine start encryption signal from the transmitter outside the vehicle, the engine is started by the start control means. Also, from the receiving device outside the vehicle transmitter
When receiving a door unlocking cryptographic signal, unlocking control means is adapted to unlock the door lock mechanism of the vehicle. After the engine is started in response to the reception of each of the above-mentioned encryption signals and the door lock mechanism is unlocked, if the detection means detects the riding state of the vehicle driver's seat, the auxiliary control is performed. Means will switch the steering lock device to the unlocked state. In other words, the engine start operation and the unlock operation of the door lock mechanism can be performed without using a mechanical ignition key,
The steering lock device can be automatically unlocked in conjunction with such an operation, and the preparation operation for starting the vehicle can be greatly simplified as a whole. still,
In this case, transmission for transmitting the engine start encryption signal and the door lock release encryption signal as described above.
Since the aircraft is originally held by the driver of the vehicle, security concerns do not increase.

[0008]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 2 and 3 show the structure of the main part of the steering lock device 1 for an automobile in different states. 2 and 3, a lock bar 2 arranged to be reciprocally movable in the axial direction is provided with a lock hole 3a which is formed in a depression on the outer periphery of the steering shaft 3.
And the rotation of the steering shaft 3 can be restricted. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, when the tip of the lock bar 2 enters the lock hole 3a and is engaged, the lock bar 2 exhibits a locked state in which the rotation of the steering shaft 3 is restricted. As shown, when the distal end of the lock bar 2 is disengaged from the lock hole 3a and disengaged, the steering shaft 3 exhibits an unlocked state in which the rotation of the steering shaft 3 is allowed.

The lock bar 2 is normally urged by the compression coil spring 4 in the direction of engagement with the lock hole 3a (the direction of the arrow A in FIG. 2), but when the electromagnetic solenoid 5 is energized, the lock bar 2 is locked. It is configured to be moved in the direction of releasing the engagement with the hole 3a (the direction of the arrow A in FIG. 2) and held at the unlocked position. In this case, a push rod 2a is integrally formed on the base end side of the lock bar 2 so as to protrude. When the lock bar 2 is moved to the unlocked position (the position shown in FIG. 3), The unlock detection switch 6 is turned on by the push rod 2a.

A ratchet member 7 having an insertion opening 7a through which the lock bar 2 is inserted is disposed so as to be able to reciprocate in a direction orthogonal to the lock bar 2, and engages with a groove 2b formed in the lock bar 2. The configuration is provided with a matching claw portion 7b. The ratchet member 7 is normally urged by the compression coil spring 8 in the direction of engagement with the groove 2b (the direction of arrow B in FIG. 2), and when the lock bar 2 is moved to the unlocked position. The claw 7b is engaged with the groove 2b to inhibit the lock bar 2 from moving.

The shift lever interlocking rod 9 moves the ratchet member 7 out of the groove 2b when the transmission of the vehicle is shifted to the parking position (in the case of an automatic transmission) (the direction opposite to the arrow B in FIG. 2). ) Is configured to be pressed and displaced against the compression coil spring 8. The unlock hold switch 10 is configured to be turned on by being pressed by the ratchet member 7 in a state where the ratchet member 7 is engaged with the groove 2b.

The steering lock device 1 configured as described above operates as follows. ... When the automatic transmission is shifted to the parking position, the ratchet member 7 is pressed and displaced in the direction indicated by the arrow B by the shift lever interlocking rod 9, so that the ratchet member 7 and the lock bar 2 do not engage with each other. The lock lever 2 can be moved. In this case, the unlock hold switch 10 is turned off.

... In the above state, when the electromagnetic solenoid 5 is in the energized state, the lock bar 2 is moved in the direction opposite to the arrow A, and the engagement with the lock hole 3a of the steering shaft 3 is released. It is held in the locked position. In this case, the unlock detection switch 6 is turned on.

In the above state, when the electromagnetic solenoid 5 is in a disconnected state, the lock lever 2 is moved in the direction of arrow A by the spring force of the compression coil spring 4, so that the tip of the lock lever 2 Is engaged with the lock hole 3a of the steering shaft 3 to switch to the locked state in which the rotation of the steering shaft 3 is restricted (the state of FIG. 2). Incidentally, the tip of the lock lever 2a may not actually match the lock hole 3a, but in such a state, when the steering shaft 3 is rotated and the tip of the lock lever 2a and the lock hole 3a match. Are engaged with each other. In this case, the unlock detection switch 6 is turned off.

In the state where the automatic transmission is shifted to a position other than the parking position, the pressing displacement of the ratchet member 7 by the shift lever interlocking rod 9 is released. An urging force in the direction of arrow B acts.

... In the above state, the lock bar 2
Is in the unlocked position, the pawl 7b of the ratchet member 7 engages with the groove 2b of the lock bar 2 to inhibit the movement of the lock bar 2 (the state shown in FIG. 3). ). Therefore, in this state, even if the electromagnetic solenoid 5 is turned off, the lock lever 2 does not move to the locked state position. In this case, both the unlock detection switch 6 and the unlock hold switch 10 are turned on.

... In the above state, the lock bar 2
Is in the locked position, the claw portion 7b of the ratchet member 7 and the groove 2b of the lock bar 2 are in a disengaged state, and the movement of the lock bar 2 is permitted (an unlock detection switch). 6 and unlock hold switch 1
0 is off for both). Therefore, when the electromagnetic solenoid 5 is energized from this state, when the lock lever 2 is moved to the locked state, the claw 7b of the ratchet member 7 and the groove 2b of the lock bar 2 are engaged. The state is switched to the above state.

In FIG. 1, which shows an electrical configuration, a portable transmitter 11 is carried by a driver of an automobile, and operates according to a predetermined code for instructing start and stop of an engine in accordance with the operation. Command signal Sa (corresponding to the engine start encryption signal in the present invention) and operation stop command signal S
b. An unlock command signal Sc (corresponding to a door unlocking encryption signal in the present invention) and a lock command signal Sd of a predetermined code for unlocking and locking a plurality of vehicle door lock mechanisms 12 are selectively provided. It is configured to generate and transmit the generated signal as an airborne signal, for example, a radio signal.

The receiving unit 13 is a receiving device 1 installed in a place where a radio wave receiving condition is good in a vehicle cabin.
4 so that the receiving device 14 can receive the command signals Sa to Sd. The receiving unit 13 includes, in addition to the receiving device 14, a control circuit 15 that receives the command signals Sa to Sd received by the receiving device 14 (the starting control unit, the unlock control unit, and the auxiliary control unit in the present invention). ) And a plurality of relays 16 to 20 whose operations are controlled by the control circuit 15.

In this case, the ACC relay 16 connects the accessory circuit of the vehicle to the positive power supply terminal + B1 of the vehicle battery in the operating state, and the IG relays 17 and 18 connect the two ignition circuits of the vehicle to the positive power supply in the operating state. It is configured to connect to terminals + B1 and + B2.
The starter relays 19 and 20 are connected to two starter circuits for supplying power to an engine starter motor (not shown) in the operating state by the positive power supply terminals + B1 and + B.
2 is formed.

The engine start detection circuit 21 detects whether or not the engine has been started normally based on the engine speed, the state of the ignition device, and the like. Is supplied with a start signal Sf.

The parking brake switch 22 generates a brake operation signal S1 in a state where the parking brake of the vehicle is in the operating position,
3 generates a parking signal S2 when the shift position of the vehicle is in the parking position, a hood switch 24 generates a hood closing signal S3 when the hood of the vehicle is closed, and a door lock detection switch 25 The door lock signal S4 is generated when all the door lock mechanisms 12 of the automobile are locked. The signals S1 to S4 are provided to the control circuit 15, respectively.

The door courtesy switch 26 generates a door opening signal S5 when the driver's seat door is opened, and the seat switch 27 generates a seating detection signal S6 when the driver is seated on the driver's seat. , Their signals S5
And S6 are also provided to the control circuit 15. The door courtesy switch 26 and the seating switch 27 constitute the detecting means in the present invention together with the unlocking function of the door lock mechanism 12 by the control circuit 15 as described later.

The switch 28 with a display is installed on the instrument panel, for example, so as to be operable by the driver, and as shown in FIG. 4, an illuminated display showing "LOCK, OFF" and "ACC" is provided. Switches 28a and 28b and a light-emitting display section 28 on which "IG" is displayed
c, and each illuminated switch 28
a and 28b are supplied to the control circuit 15.

The control circuit 15 includes a microcomputer, and controls the input signals Sa to Sd, Sf, S1 to S6 and the ON signals from the illuminated switches 28a and 28b. In addition, the unlock detection switch 6 and the unlock hold switch 10
From the electromagnetic solenoid 5, the door lock mechanism 12, and the relays 1 based on the input signals and a preset program.
6 to 20, illuminated switch 28 of switch 28 with display
a, 28b and a light source (not shown) included in the light emitting display unit 28c.

In the following, the control circuit 15
And the operation of the related parts will be described. However, the following description is based on the assumption that the steering lock device 1 is in the locked position (the state shown in FIG. 2) in the initial state and the engine is stopped.

(1) When the control circuit 15 receives the operation command signal Sa from the portable transmitter 1 through the receiver 14, the start signal Sf is not input, the brake operation signal S1, the parking signal S2, The bonnet closing signal S3 and the door lock signal S4 are all input, that is, the engine has not been started, the parking brake is operating, the transmission shift position is in the parking position, The engine start program is executed on the assumption that the hood is closed and the start conditions that all the door lock mechanisms 12 are locked are satisfied.

In this engine start program, AC
After the C relay 16 and the IG relays 17 and 18 are sequentially operated to form an accessory circuit and an ignition circuit of the automobile, the starters 19 and 20 are operated to form a starter circuit to start the engine.

When the state in which the starter circuit is formed continues for a predetermined upper limit time or more, the control circuit 15 interrupts the current path once, and then, when a certain time has elapsed, starts the engine as described above. By re-executing the operation, abnormal consumption of the vehicle-mounted battery is suppressed.

(2) When the engine is started as described above (when the start signal Sf is input), the control circuit 15 stops the operation of the starter relays 19 and 20, and simultaneously operates the ACC relay 16 and the IG. The operation of the relays 17 and 18 is maintained as it is, and the rotation of the engine is continued. When the engine is started, the control circuit 15 controls the illuminated switch 28b of the switch 28 with the display.
And illuminates the light-emitting display section 28c, thereby displaying that the accessory circuit is operating and that the engine is rotating. Further, based on the fact that the unlock detection switch 6 is turned off, the switch with display is displayed. The illuminated switch 28a is illuminated to indicate that the steering lock device 1 is locked.

(3) When the control circuit 15 receives the unlock command signal Sc from the portable transmitter 1 through the receiving device 14, the control circuit 15 performs the unlocking operation of the door lock mechanism 12, and receives the lock command signal Sd. When received through the door 14, the locking operation of the door lock mechanism 12 is performed.

In particular, when the engine is started by the operation command signal Sa and the door lock mechanism 12 is unlocked by the unlock command signal Sc as described above, the control circuit 15 When the door opening signal S5 and the seating detection signal S6 are input (that is, when the riding state of the driver's seat is detected), the state in which the electromagnetic solenoid 5 in the steering lock device 1 is energized is maintained.

At this time, since the transmission is in the parking position, the lock lever 2 in the steering lock device 1 is in a movable state. Therefore, when the electromagnetic solenoid 5 is energized as described above, the lock bar 2 Is moved in the direction opposite to the arrow A in FIG. 2, the engagement between the lock bar 2 and the lock hole 3a of the steering shaft 3 is released, and the steering lock device 1 is held in the unlocked state.

(4) Thereafter, when the transmission is shifted to a position other than the parking position, the pressing displacement of the ratchet member 7 by the shift lever interlocking rod 9 is released, and the ratchet member 7 is compressed by the compression coil spring. 8, the claw portion 7b of the ratchet member 7 engages with the groove 2b of the lock bar 2, and the movement of the lock bar 2 is prohibited. Therefore, in this state, even if the electromagnetic solenoid 5 is inadvertently cut off due to some accident,
The lock lever 2 is not moved to the locked position.

When the steering lock device 1 is in the unlocked state, the unlock detection switch 6 and the unlock hold switch 10 are both turned on, and the ON signals from the switches 6 and 10 are transmitted to the control circuit 15. Is input to Then, the control circuit 15 stops the illumination of the illuminated switch 28a of the display switch 28, and displays that the locked state of the steering lock device 1 has been released.

The state in which the ON signal is not input from the unlock detection switch 6 even though the electromagnetic solenoid 5 is energized corresponds to the state in which the lock lever 2 is not moved to the unlocked position due to being caught halfway. When such an abnormal state occurs, the control circuit 15 performs control such as prohibiting the operation of the transmission other than the parking position or stopping the engine. ing.

(5) When the transmission is shifted to the parking position when the engine is rotating and the steering lock device 1 is in the unlocked state, that is, when the ON signal from the unlock When input is lost,
The state where the input of the ON signal from the switch 28 with the display is permitted is exhibited.

When an ON signal is input from the illuminated switch 28b of the display switch 28 in the above-described input allowable state, the control circuit 15 outputs the IG relays 17, 1 and 2.
8, the engine is stopped, and the illumination of the light emitting display unit 28c is stopped. The control circuit 15
When an ON signal is input from the illuminated switch 28a of the switch 28 with display, the ACC relay 16a is stopped to shut off the accessory circuit, the illumination of the illuminated switch 28b is stopped, and the electromagnetic solenoid 5 is turned off. When the power is cut off, the steering lock device 1 is switched to the locked state, and the illuminated switch 28a is illuminated for a predetermined time, and then the illumination is stopped.

(6) When the operation stop command signal Sb from the portable transmitter 1 is input through the receiving device 14 while the engine is operating, the control circuit 15
When the input timing is after performing the lock state release control of the steering lock device 1 as described above, the operation stop command signal Sb is ignored, but the input timing is set before execution of the lock state release control. If there is, ACC relay 16 and IG relay 17, 1
8 is stopped to stop the engine.

In short, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the start and stop of the engine, and the unlocking and locking of the door lock mechanism 12 can be performed by remote control using the portable transmitter 11. In particular, when the door lock mechanism 12 is unlocked by the same remote operation and the riding state of the driver's seat is detected in the engine start state by such remote operation, the steering lock device 1 is unlocked. It will automatically switch to the locked state. As a result, the engine start operation and the unlock operation of the door lock mechanism 12 can be performed without using a mechanical ignition key, and the steering lock device 1 can be automatically unlocked in conjunction with such operation. In general, the preparation operation for starting the vehicle can be greatly simplified. In this case, the portable transmitter 11 for instructing the start of the engine and the unlocking of the door lock mechanism 12 by remote control as described above includes:
Because it is originally held by the driver of the car,
Security concerns do not increase.

In the above-described embodiment, the state of boarding the driver's seat is detected by using the door courtesy switch 26 and the seat switch 27. However, the detection of the unlock command signal Sc from the portable transmitter 11 is performed. When the unlocking function of the door lock mechanism 12 by the control circuit 15 is activated based on this, it may be configured to detect this as a state of getting into the driver's seat.

[0042]

According to the present invention, as is apparent from the above description, in the engine starting state in response to the reception of the engine start encryption signal consisting of the airborne signal, the door unlocking encryption consisting of at least the airborne signal. Since the steering lock device is automatically switched to the unlocked state when the riding state of the vehicle driver's seat accompanying the unlocking of the door lock mechanism in response to the reception of the signal is detected, the engine is started and The unlocking of the steering lock device can be performed without using a mechanical ignition key, so that the preparatory operation for starting the vehicle can be greatly simplified, and there is an excellent effect that there is no danger of lowering security. It is.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an electrical configuration diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the structure of a main part in a partial cross section.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing the same part as FIG. 2 in a different operation state;

FIG. 4 is a front view of a changeover switch.

[Explanation of symbols]

In the drawings, 1 is a steering lock device, 2 is a lock bar, 3 is a steering shaft, 5 is an electromagnetic solenoid,
6 is an unlock detection switch, 10 is an unlock hold switch, 11 is a portable transmitter, 12 is a door lock mechanism, 13 is a receiving unit, 14 is a receiving device, and 15 is a control circuit (start control means, unlock control means). , Auxiliary control means),
26 is a door courtesy switch (detection means), 27 is a seat switch (detection means), and 28 is a switch with a display.

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Toshihisa Toda No. 1 Noda, Toyota, Oguchi-machi, Niwa-gun, Aichi Prefecture Inside Tokai Rika Electric Works, Ltd. (56) References JP-A-60-148748 (JP, A) JP-A-63-107669 (JP, A) JP-A-62-111083 (JP, A) JP-A-6060 183246 (JP, A) Japanese Utility Model 1983-69555 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model 1-147765 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model Application 3-81164 (JP, U) (58) Field surveyed (Int. . ^6, DB name) B60R 25/02

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A vehicle provided with a steering lock device.
It is installed, using the airborne signal from the transmitter outside the vehicle as a medium
Transmitted engine start encryption signal and door lock release
The vehicle engine starting apparatus provided with a receiver for receiving use encryption signals, and the start control means for starting the engine of the vehicle when the receiving apparatus receives the encrypted signal the engine start, the receiving device Unlocking control means for unlocking the door lock mechanism of the vehicle when receiving the door unlocking encryption signal, at least to the vehicle driver's seat with unlocking of the door lock mechanism by the unlocking control means. Detection means for detecting a riding state; and auxiliary control means for switching the steering lock device to an unlocked state when the detection means is in a detection state in an engine start state by the start control means. Vehicle engine starter.