JP2998917B2 - Engine remote start system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a remote engine starting system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A remote engine starting system can remotely start an engine of a car parked in a cold outdoor from a warm room or the like.

[0003] The engine remote start system of Conventional Example 1 is
Engine start command generated by operating the start switch
A portable transmitter for transmitting a signal, receiving circuit for receiving a start command signal, contact the common contact and the starter drive contact of the ignition switch until it is determined that the engine has started
Relay circuit to continue, start discrimination circuits to determine that the engine is started when the output voltage of the alternator exceeds a predetermined value
And in response to the start command signal receiving circuit has received a vehicle mounting a receiver having a control circuit for operating a relay circuit
Tei Ru.

[0004] The engine remote start system of Conventional Example 2 is
Engine start command generated by operating the start switch
A portable transmitter for transmitting a signal, receiving circuit for receiving a start command signal, the common contact and a relay circuit and a starter drive contact to connect a predetermined time bypass the ignition switch,
A start determination circuit for determining whether or not the engine is started based on the battery voltage after the starter is started, and a reception circuit
Activates relay circuit in response to start command signal received by road
And a vehicle mounting the receiver, when it is determined that the engine has started performs warm-up operation, the control circuit judges that no start actuates the relay circuit d has a control circuit which
Restart the engine.

[0005]

According to the technique of the prior art 1,
It is necessary to connect a lead wire for detecting the output voltage of the alternator to the power generation terminal of the alternator, and there is a disadvantage that the mounting operation takes time and effort . Contact the slave come to Example 2 of the technology
Information, the time that is suitable for starting the engine, the type of car,
Battery status, because differ slightly from the outside air temperature, etc., en
Jin of the restart number of times a number is to lead to a deterioration of the starter.

A first object of the present invention is to provide an engine remote start system in which a starter driving time is determined to a value suitable for a vehicle type, a state of a battery, and the like, and an engine remote start can be reliably performed. A second object of the present invention may fail the engine remote starting at the first, in reliably providing engine remote starting system for far septum start the engine with a small restart times number.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an engine remote start system having the following configuration.
System. (1) Preparations transmission circuit for transmitting a startup command signal of the engine
A mobile transmitter was example, the start command signal from the portable transmitter
When the engine's ignition switch
To the starter start position and the engine operation maintaining position.
In engine remote starter system comprising a control circuit <br/> constituted by the onboard receiver that controls the operation of the relay circuit for holding, in the ignition switch is manually operated
Connected to the starter start position and the engine operation maintaining position.
And the on-board battery voltage (V _B ) is the starter drive judgment value
(Vth) or less, the time measurement is started and the
The engine starter system voltage (V _ST ) has gone low.
When the time measurement is finished and the ignition switch
Total There has been maintained time held in the starter starting position (T _S)
Measuring means for measuring, the sustain time said measuring means has measured
And memorize means for storing (T _S), starting from the portable transmitter
When the ignition switch is
The starter driving time of holding the starter starting position, small
At least when the engine was started by manual operation the previous time
An engine remote start system comprising means for setting the maintenance time stored in the means . (2) In the above remote engine starting system,
Starter drive time setting means can be manually operated several times in the past
When the engine is started by the
Starter driving time based on the average of the number of maintenance times
Engine remote start system that sets (3) In each engine remote start system described above,
Under the control of the control circuit in the vehicle-mounted receiver,
When the engine does not start,
Means for restarting the engine at predetermined standby time intervals
The starter driving time is sequentially changed according to the number of restarts.
Next to the engine equipped with a correction means
Remote starting system . (4) In each engine remote start system described above,
The number of restarts of the engine has reached the specified limit
The ignition switch to the starter start position
To switch from the engine and engine operation maintaining position to the OFF position
Engine remote start system with steps.

[0008]

An example of the embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7 Description <br/> bright. 1, the engine remote starting system E is composed of a portable transmitter K user to the mobile, by an onboard receiver C assembled to an automobile.

[0009] Mobile transmit unit K is the engine start switch 11 for instructing an engine start, the engine stop switch 12 for instructing the engine stop, the engine start lamp 13, the engine stop lamp 14, transmitting circuit 16, receiving circuit 17,
It has an antenna 18, a battery (not shown), and the like.

[0010] the engine start switch 11, the engine stop switch 12 are both the push button switch of the normally-open form, when pressed, engine start command signal S _1,
Selectively generating an engine stop command signal S _2.

[0011] engine start lamp 13, the engine stop lamp 14 (each, LED) is in the receiving circuit 17 wave 40 the engine start signal S a or the engine stop signal Sb
When receiving via the antenna 18 Ri, or receive another signal until the power of the portable transmitter K is turned off, the lighting state.

The on-vehicle receiver C comprises an antenna 2, a receiving circuit 3, a transmitting circuit 4, a control circuit 5, an E ² PROM 6, a RAM
7 and a relay circuit 8.

The receiving circuit 3 receives the radio wave 1 via the antenna 2
0 is a circuit for demodulating the engine start command signals S ₁ or engine <br/> emission stop command signal S ₂ received by.

[0014] transmitting circuit 4, the portable transmitter K by the engine start signal Sa or <br/> engine stop signal Sb the radio waves 40
Is a circuit that sends to the receiving circuit 17.

The control <br/> control circuit 5 which have configured by a microcomputer, a digital converter 51, the memory controller 52,
An engine start determination unit 53, a control unit 54, a measurement unit 56, and a correction unit 57 are provided.

The digital converter 51 is an AD converter, the battery voltage (detection battery voltage V _B), de the ignition system of the voltage (detected ignition voltage V _IG)及 beauty starter system voltage (detection starter voltage V _ST) Convert to digital values. When the engine is started by a manual operation , the memory control unit 52 activates the ignition switch SW.
Is maintained at the starter start position by the maintenance time T _S by E ² PR
Stored in OM6, E ² PROM6 maintenance time stored in T _S
Is read.

The engine start determining unit 53, the digital value V of the detected battery voltage in the digital values V ₁ and scan <br/> starter starting before detection battery voltage after the starter deactivation
Digital value difference between _zero according to the determination and greater than (determination value)
And it is determined that the engine has started. Control unit 54, is demodulated by the receiving circuit 3 the engine start command signals S ₁ also
Inputs an engine stop command signal S _2, the signals S _1,
In response to S ₂ actuates the relay circuit 8. Measuring unit 56
, When the engine starting by manual operation, an ignition switch SW is measured as follows maintenance time T _S that is maintained in the starter starting position ST.

When the detected ignition voltage V _IG is at a high level, the detected battery voltage V _B becomes equal to the starter drive determination value V
ing to th less than starts a timer TM for maintenance time measurement and {detected battery voltage V _B by the rush current to the starter drops considerably}, detects the detection ignition voltage V _IG is a high level starter voltage V _{When ST} goes low, the timer TM is stopped ( see FIG. 5).

The correction section 57 calculates the starter drive time T by calculating the average of the past eight maintenance times T _S ,... T _S stored in the E ² PROM 6 when the engine is manually started, D
The correction is made based on the number of restarts of the engine .

The E ² PROM 6 as a storage element is a non-volatile memory, and stores the past maintenance time T _S measured by the measuring unit 56 and the times T 1, T 2, corrected according to the number of restarts .
Data related to T3 is stored .

The relay circuit 8 includes a control unit 54 of the control circuit 5.
Operated by, "A CC" the ignition switch SW by the conduction state between certain contacts of the ignition switch SW, "IG", a circuit for the same state as "ST" was switched to the position.

Next, the operation of the control circuit 5, <br/> flow chart and Figure 5 in FIGS. 2-4 will be described with reference to the time chart of FIG.

[0023] In step s1, determines whether or not the control unit 54 engine start command signals S ₁ is input when the input is not detected (NO), the process proceeds to step s2, when it is detected (YES), step s15 Proceed to.

In step s2, the digital converter 5
1 detects the ignition voltage V _IG was detected, it is determined whether the control unit 54 is a high level, when it is determined that the high level (YES), the process proceeds to step s3, when it is determined that the low level ( (NO) returns to step s1 (see FIG. 5).

In step s3, the digital converter 5
1 Detection Starter voltage V _ST was detected, it is determined whether the control unit 54 is a low level, when it is determined that the low level (YES), the processing proceeds to step s4, when it is determined that the high level ( (NO) returns to step s2 {see FIG. 5}.

In step s4, the digital conversion unit 5
1 is detected battery voltage V _B detected to determine whether the control unit 54 is less than the starter drive judgment value Vth is, V _B <
When it is determined that the Vth (YES) step s5
The process proceeds, when it is determined that the V _B ≧ Vth (NO), the process proceeds to step s13 {see FIG. 5}.

In step s5, the control unit 54Star
Data drivenStart timer TM for maintaining time measurement
Then, the process proceeds to step s6 {see FIG. 5}. Step s6
The detection ignition detected by the digital conversion unit 51
Voltage V_IGThe control unit 54 determines whether or not
Distinct and determined to be high levelWhen(YES) is
Proceed to step s7 and determine that the level is low.When
(NO) advances to step s14 {see FIG. 5}.

In step s7, the digital conversion unit 5
1 Detection Starter voltage V _ST was detected, it is determined whether the control unit 54 is a low level, can and was determined to be a low level (YES), the process proceeds to step 8, when it is determined that the high level (NO) returns to step s6 {FIG.
reference}.

In step s8, the measuring section 56 is provided.
The control unit 54 stops the timer TM for measuring the maintained time, and proceeds to step s9 {see FIG. 5}. Step s9
Then, the memory control unit 52 stores the maintenance time T _S measured by the timer TM in the E ² PROM 6 and proceeds to step s10 (see FIG. 5). In step s10, E ² PRO
M6 stored past eight times the maintenance time T _S in (current Include the) content, the memory controller 52 reads from the E ² PROM6, an average value.

[0030] In step s11, the correction unit 57 is ahead
To the determined meta average, with modifications commensurate with the restart number of the engine {longer as the number of restart times increases} obtains the times T1, T2, T3, the process proceeds to step s12. In step s12, the memory control unit 52 stores the data corresponding to the obtained times T1, T2, and T3 in the E ² PROM 6, and returns to step s1.

[0031] In step s13, the detection ignition voltage V _IG digital converter 51 has detected, it is determined whether the control unit 54 is a high level, when it is determined that the high level (YES), the step s4 Returning to step s1, when it is determined that the signal is at the low level (NO).
Return to

[0032] In step s14, to clear the timer TM for maintenance time measurement control unit 54, step s
Return to 1.

In step s15, the control unit 54 executes the restart variable n = 1, and the flow advances to step s16. Steps
In 16, as the control unit 54 is in a state where the Lee grayed two <br/> Tsu Deployment switch SW actuates the relay circuit 8, is switched from "OFF""IG" position, COM contact - between IG contacts Is bypass- connected, and the process proceeds to step s17 {elapsed time 701 in FIG. 6}.

At step s17, the battery voltage V
_The controller 54 waits for 3 seconds until _B is stabilized, and the process proceeds to step s18 with the elapse of the standby time {elapsed time 702}. In step s18, the digital conversion of the battery voltage is performed by the digital conversion unit 51 according to the instruction of the control unit 54 (time 702), and the memory control unit 52 stores in the RAM 7 the digital value V ₀ of the detected battery voltage before the starter is started. Then, the process proceeds to step s19.

In step s19, the restart variable n =
The control unit 54 determines whether or not n = 1, and when n ≠ 1 (N
O), the process proceeds to step s21, when n = 1 (YES)
Goes to step s20. In step s20, the starter driving time T is set to T1, and the process proceeds to step s24.
In the case where 8 times the data about maintenance time T _S the ignition switch SW during the engine starting by manual operation is maintained to the starter starting position is not stored in the E ² PROM6 is, T1 = 1.5 (sec) And T 2 = 2
(Seconds), T3 = 2. Set to 5 (seconds).

In step s21, the restart variable n =
2 is determined by the control unit 54, and when n ≠ 2 (N
O), the process proceeds to step s23, when n = 2 (YES)
Goes to step s22. In step s22, the starter driving time T is set to T2, and the process proceeds to step s24.
In step s23, the starter driving time T is set to T3, and the process proceeds to step s24.

In step s24, in response to an instruction from the control unit 54, the relay circuit 8 sets the ignition switch S
W so that a state was cut conversion Erare the "ST" position from the "IG" position, COM contacts - Bas between ST contacts bypass contact
Continued teeth {elapse 703,709}, the process proceeds to step s25.

[0038] In step s25, and determines whether or not the starter driving time T (T1, T2, T3) has elapsed, when the elapsed (YES), the flow proceeds to step s26. In addition,
Regardless of the values of the times T1, T2, and T3 , the starter driving time T is set to a maximum of 3 to prevent the starter from deteriorating.
Limited to seconds.

In step s26, the relay circuit 8 operates the ignition switch S in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 54.
W is such that the state is switched to "IG" position from the "ST" position, COM contacts - bypass contact between ST contacts
Continuation is canceled {time 704, 710}, step s2
Go to 7.

[0040] In step s27, until the battery voltage V _B is stabilized, the control unit 54 waits for 2.5 seconds, waiting time elapses {elapse 705,711} and step s28
Proceed to. In step s28, instruct by <br/> by Ride digital converter 51 performs digital conversion of the battery voltage {elapse 705,711} of the control unit 54, the detection battery voltage memory control unit 52 after stopping the starter actuation storing the digital values V ₁ to RAM 7, the process proceeds to step s29.

In step s29, the memory control unit 52 reads from the RAM 7 the digital value V ₁ of the detected battery voltage after the starter operation is stopped and the detected battery voltage value V ₀ before the starter is driven in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 54. Then, by an instruction of the control unit 54, the engine start determining unit 53 (V ₁ -V _0)> to determine whether or not the determination value is satisfied, when satisfied (YES), the process proceeds to step s30, when not satisfied ( NO) proceeds to step s33.

[0042] In step s30, when the engine stop command signal S ₂ is whether or not the control unit 54 determines input from the portable transmitter, the input is not detected (NO), step s3
The process proceeds to step s1. If an input is detected (YES), the process proceeds to step s32.

[0043] In step s31, when the warm-up timer is determined whether the count-up, counted up (Y
ES) proceeds to step s32. In step s32, the control unit 54 instructs the relay circuit 8, a relay circuit 8, so that the state switched to the "OFF" position the ignition switch SW is "IG", COM contact -I
To cancel the bypass connection between the G contact, the flow returns to step s1.

In step s33Is,RestartVariable n
The control unit 54 determines whether or not ≧ 3.When
(YES) proceeds to step s32 where n <3When(N
O) proceeds to step s34. In step s34
hand,RestartVariable n= NExecute +1 and go to step s35.
move on. In step s35, the control unit 54
And the relay circuit 8 switches the ignition switch SW
ButSwitch from “IG” to “OFF” positionWas obtainedTo the state
BecomeLikeBetween COM contact and IG contactNo baIpasConnectionTo
Cancel, and proceed to step s36. At step s36,
The control unit 54 waits for one second, and stops when the standby time elapses.
Return to step s16.

Next , advantages of the remote engine starting system E of this embodiment will be described. [A] driver to perform the engine start-up in manual operation,
Between the required minimum limit to start the engine, to maintain the "ST" position of the ignition switch SW. The engine remote starting system E is manually operated maintenance time the ignition switch SW is held in the starter starting position "ST" upon starting the engine by (≒ maintenance time T _S)
Is measured, and the memory controller 52 stores the measured maintenance time T _S in the E ² PROM 6, and when the engine is remotely started, C
OM Contact - ST contacts between the bypass connection to that starter drive time T (the first time), is configured to determine the average value × 1.3 of the read past eight times the maintenance time T _S.

[0046] Therefore, the starter drive time T for performing energizing the starter during the first engine remote startup, is determined to be a value commensurate with the vehicle type, battery status, etc., it can be reliably engine remote starting . [B] If no engine GaHajime dynamic by the first remote starting, the second remote starter T1 + 0.5 seconds, the third distance
In the case of alternate starting , the engine restarts , such as T2 + 0.5 seconds.
As the number of starts increases, the starter drive time T is extended .
Since it is configured to correct the cormorants can be reliably remotely start the engine.

[0047] The remote starting was not achieved engine start judging section 53 is {NO in step s29} discrimination, COM contact in step S35 - configured to release one second bypass connection <br/> between IG contacts since it is, by any chance, though the engine has started, even if misjudged that no start, COM contact in step S35 - the bypass connection between the IG contact 1
Since it is configured to release seconds, is not viable Ji inconvenience start starter during engine operation.

[0048] In addition, since the limit automatically number of times to restart the engine to 2 times (up to a total of three times), it is possible to prevent the battery up. In the c] Automatic vehicle in order to prevent runaway, usually neutral start switch is connected as shown in FIG. Therefore, the voltage of the starter system is driven starter when exceeding the judgment value, the starter when below a determination value to employ a method to have stopped, the ignition switch SW is maintained in a starter starting position "ST" In the case of measuring the maintenance time, even if the position of the shift lever is changed, there is a problem that the starter motor cannot be distinguished from the drive of the starter motor because the voltage of the starter system changes.

[0049] However, the engine remote starting system E
Manually operated maintenance time the ignition switch SW is maintained in a starter starting position "ST" upon starting the engine by the (≒ maintenance time T _S), as shown in FIG. 2, step s1~ step s4, the step s13 since measured with reference to a flowchart shown in, it is mounted on automatic car connecting the neutral start switch, as shown in FIG. 7, maintaining time (≒ maintenance time T _S) can be accurately measured.

[0050] Also, because it is not configured to detect the output voltage of the alternator directly, it is not necessary to connect the lead wire to the power terminals of the alternator, labor and time is not applied significantly installation, excellent wearability.

The present invention includes the following embodiments in addition to the above embodiments. a. In the above embodiment, the battery voltage, the ignition system voltage, and the starter system voltage are converted into the digital conversion unit 51 (AD
It was used for various discrimination into digital values by the converter), but it may also be determined by the analog value in place of the comparator. b. When starting the engine remotely, the first start was achieved
The engine started after the second or third restart
When, 8 as shown in (FIG. 2, FIG. 3 also in combination), to store a star <br/> motor drive time T as maintenance time T _S of m times (once 8 times) to E ² PROM6 if changes to the configuration, Ru reliably it is possible to perform <br/> engine remote starting from the next at a time. c. ACC voltage V _ACC is utilized to become low when the starter drive, as shown in FIG. 9, the step s4 in Fig. 2 V _ACC = Lo? And the step s7 is changed to V _ACC = Hi? But it may also be measured cranking time to change the determination {corresponding to Claim 1}.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a remote engine starting system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the receiver mounting car that engine remote starting system.

3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the receiver mounting car that engine remote starting system.

4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the vehicle mounting the receiver of the engine remote starting system.

5 is its engine remote starting system of a car mounting receiver timing chart showing waveforms of various portions (engine start manual).

6 is its engine remote starting system of a car mounting receiver timing chart showing waveforms of various portions (remote starting successful second).

FIG. 7 is an electric circuit diagram illustrating connection of a neutral start switch in an automatic vehicle.

8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the vehicle mounting the receiver in a modification.

FIG. 9 shows a vehicle having a remote engine start system according to a modification.
It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a mounted receiver .

[EXPLANATION OF SYMBOLS] 3 receiving circuit (detecting means) 6 E ² PROM (memory element) 8 relay circuit (bypass means) 10, 40 radio (electromagnetic wave) 51-digital converter (voltage detecting means) 53 engine start determining unit (engine start judgment means) 54 control unit (control means) 56 measuring unit (measuring unit) 57 correcting section (correction means) 52 memory controller (memory means) C car mounting receiver E engine remote starting system S ₁ engine start command signal ( command signal) S ₂ engine stop command signal (command signal) K mobile transmitter SW ignition switch V _IG detecting ignition voltage V _ST detecting starter voltage V _B detected battery voltage Vth determination value T cranking time T _S hold time

Continuation of the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) F02N 11/08 F02D 11/02 F02D 45/00 376

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A transmission circuit for transmitting an engine start command signal.
A portable transmitter having a path , and the starting finger from the portable transmitter.
When the engine's ignition signal is received.
Connect the switch to the starter start position and the engine operation
A control circuit that controls the operation of the relay circuit
In engine remote starter system constructed by the vehicle-mounted receiver with a star the ignition switch by a manual operation
Connected to the engine start position and the engine operation
The battery voltage (V _B ) is the starter drive determination value (Vth)
Start measuring time when
When the tarter system voltage (V _ST ) goes low,
Stop the measurement and start the ignition switch.
Storing a total measuring means for measuring the starting position to the retained maintenance time (T _S), the maintenance time of the measuring means has measured (T _S)
Storage means; and when receiving a start command signal from the portable transmitter,
Set the starter drive time to keep the ignition switch in the starter start position at least by the last manual operation.
Set the maintenance time stored in the storage means when starting the gin
A remote starting system for an engine, comprising: 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the setting means for the starter driving time is a
When the engine is started by manual operation several times,
Based on the average value of a plurality of maintenance times stored sequentially
2. The starter driving time is set according to claim 1.
Engine remote start system. 3. The control of the control circuit in the on-vehicle receiver.
Control circuit when the engine does not start under control
The engine is restarted at specified standby time intervals under the control of
Means for moving the star according to the number of restarts.
Correction means is provided to make corrections so that the
Engine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that digit
Remote starting system. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the number of restarts of the engine is a predetermined limit.
When the number has been reached, start the ignition switch
From the engine start position and engine operation maintaining position to the OFF position
4. A method according to claim 3, further comprising means for switching.
On-board engine remote start system.