JP3194173B2 - Automatic engine start / stop device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic stop and start device for an engine, and more particularly to an automatic start and stop device for an engine which can prevent overdischarge of a battery when the start of the engine fails.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Vehicles such as automobiles are frequently stopped by a red light or the like at an intersection while traveling in an urban area. Even when the vehicle is stopped, fuel is consumed as long as the engine is running. Therefore, there is a problem that the fuel consumption rate is reduced due to the idle operation during the stop. Therefore, by stopping the engine when stopping the vehicle and starting the engine when starting the vehicle, unnecessary fuel consumption during the temporary stop is eliminated, and the fuel consumption rate is improved. Automatic start and stop devices have been proposed.

[0003] The automatic start / stop device of the engine is controlled by an automatic start / stop control means (eco-run computer) to start the engine when predetermined starting conditions are satisfied after the stop of the engine mounted on the vehicle. The control is performed to stop the engine when a predetermined stop condition is satisfied during operation.

Some of the automatic start / stop control means of this automatic start / stop device control the operation of a starter as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 when the engine is started.

That is, in the automatic start / stop control means,
As shown in FIG. 4, when the program starts (step 202), first, as an engine stop condition, it is determined whether or not the interval without an ignition signal (IG) is 0.3 seconds or more, that is, I
It is determined that G no interval> 0.3 seconds (step 204).

If YES in step 204,
It is determined whether the clutch lower switch for detecting the depressed state of the clutch pedal is on or off as a start operation determination condition (step 206).

If the clutch lower switch is ON in step 206, the vehicle is starting and it is determined whether or not there is a flag due to a start failure (step 208).

If YES in step 208,
It is determined whether the start has failed and a predetermined time has elapsed after the failure (step 210).

If the answer is NO in step 210, the process returns to step 204.

If NO in step 208 and YES in step 210, a start relay is turned on to start the engine (step 212), and a start determination is made (step 214). In step 214, the engine speed is set to 500r as the start determination.
pm or not.

If YES in step 214,
Since the engine has started, the start relay is turned off (step 216), and the program ends (step 218).

If the answer is NO in the step 204 and if the answer is OFF in the step 206, since the engine stop condition and the start operation determining condition are not satisfied, the program is immediately ended (step 218).

On the other hand, if NO in step 214, the engine speed is determined, that is, it is determined whether the engine speed is 100 rpm or less one second after the starter is turned on (step 220).

If NO in step 220, it is determined whether three seconds have elapsed since the starter was turned on (step 222).

If the answer is NO in step 222, the process returns to step 204.

If YES in step 220 and YES in step 222, the start relay is turned off (step 224), and then a start failure flag is set (step 226).
Return to 04.

According to the operation control of the starter, if the start of the engine fails during the start of the engine, the operation of the starter is continuously controlled.

Such an automatic start / stop control of the engine is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Publication No. 62-57810 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 62-56349.
Japanese Patent Publication No. 62-57810 discloses a technique for determining whether or not the engine speed is equal to or higher than a predetermined speed when a first predetermined time required for completing the start of the engine has elapsed after the start of automatic energization of the starter. Discriminates and continues to automatically energize the starter when it is determined that the rotation speed is equal to or higher than the predetermined rotation speed. Automatic re-energization of the starter is permitted in response to re-operation of the starting operation mechanism when a required second predetermined time has elapsed. Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 62-56349 discloses a circuit for closing a switch in response to a high-level signal from a rotation speed detection circuit and connecting the power supply circuit of the ignition coil to a power supply by a key switch. A power supply control circuit for a starter motor that opens and closes an open / close switch in response to a low level signal from the controller, and a connection time is detected in response to a high level signal from a rotation speed detection circuit, and an output signal is generated when a predetermined time has elapsed. A power supply stop circuit for interrupting the power supply control circuit by the leverage output signal, and a reset circuit for measuring a predetermined time in response to an output signal of the power supply stop circuit and resetting the power supply stop circuit after completion of the time measurement; This eliminates the start contact from the conventional key switch, and instead activates the key switch to the ignition contact and the engine switch. The starter motor is automatically stopped when the engine has started and the engine has started or when a predetermined time has elapsed without starting, and when the engine has not started, the starter motor is stopped at predetermined time intervals. To start.

[0019]

However, in the conventional automatic start / stop control, the engine does not start,
When the start of the engine fails and the starter is repeatedly started to try to start, the restart is not decided, that is,
Since an upper limit is not set for the number of operations of the starter, there is a disadvantage that when the engine does not start, the operation control of the starter is repeated until the battery is discharged.

[0020]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, in order to eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantages, the present invention controls the start of the engine mounted on a vehicle when a predetermined start condition is satisfied after the engine is stopped, and also controls the start of the engine. When a predetermined stop condition is satisfied during operation of the engine, in the automatic start and stop device for the engine for controlling the stop of the engine, the engine is started after the engine stop condition and the start operation determination condition are satisfied and the starter is operated. If the start of the starter fails, automatic start / stop control means for stopping the operation control of the starter when the number of operations of the starter exceeds a predetermined number is provided, and after the operation control of the starter is stopped, the starter is automatically operated. A re-operation instruction switch for performing a re-operation control is provided.

[0021]

According to the structure of the present invention, when the number of times of operation of the starter exceeds a predetermined number, the operation control of the starter is stopped, so that the battery can be prevented from being over-discharged and the engine can be prevented from being over-discharged. Since the restart instruction switch is operated after the start is stopped, the automatic start / stop control means restarts the operation control of the starter, so that the operation of the main switch is not required, and the engine can be easily started.

[0022]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention; 1 to 3 show an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 2 denotes an engine control means (engine ECU) for controlling the operation of an engine (not shown) mounted on the vehicle; 4, an automatic start / stop control means (eco-run computer); and 6, an injector for supplying fuel to the engine. , 8 is a starter, 10 is an ignition coil, 12
Is a battery.

The automatic start / stop control means 4 controls the start of the engine when a predetermined start condition is satisfied after the engine is stopped, and stops the engine when the predetermined stop condition is satisfied during operation of the engine. To control.

The engine control means 2 is in communication with an idle switch 14 for outputting an idle state signal and a vehicle speed sensor 16 for outputting a vehicle speed signal.

The engine control means 2 is connected with the ignition coil 10 and a first relay 18 which is a fuel injection relay.

The first relay 18 comprises a first contact portion 18a and a first coil 18b. The first contact portion 18a connects and disconnects the battery 12 and the injector 6. The first coil 18b is connected to the automatic start / stop control means 4.

A second relay 20 as a start relay is provided between the starter 8 and the battery 12. The second relay 20 includes a second contact portion 20a and a second
And a coil 20b. The second contact portion 20a is connected to the automatic start / stop control means 4. Second coil 20b
Are directly connected to the starter 8 and the battery 12.

The ignition coil 10 and idle switch 1
4 and the vehicle speed sensor 16 are also communicated to the automatic start / stop control means 4.

A switch box 22 is connected to the automatic start / stop control means 4. The switch box 22 includes an eco-run switch 24, an eco-run operation lamp 26, an abnormality display lamp 28, and a re-operation instruction switch (retry switch) 30, and is also connected to the battery 12.

The automatic start / stop control means 4 includes:
A clutch upper switch 32, which is turned on when a clutch pedal (not shown) is lightly depressed, and a clutch lower switch 34, which is turned on when the clutch pedal is fully depressed, are communicated.

The automatic start / stop control means 4 includes a water temperature sensor 36 for detecting the temperature of cooling water of the engine, a small lamp 38, a radiator fan 40, a heater blower 42, a rear defogger 44, a wiper 46, The signal detector 48, the driver's seat door switch 50, the regulator L terminal 52, the main switch 54, and the engine speed sensor 56 are communicated.

The automatic start / stop control means 4 includes a timer circuit 58 for measuring time such as an interval time of each ignition signal, an elapsed time after a failure in starting the engine, an elapsed time after the starter 8 is turned on, and a starter 8. And a count circuit 60 for counting the number of times of operation.

The automatic start / stop control means 4 receives signals from the various sensors and the like, and when the engine stop condition and the start operation determination condition are satisfied and the starter 8 is actuated, then the engine start fails. The operation control of the starter 8 is stopped when the number of operations of the starter 8 exceeds a predetermined number (for example, three times) before the battery 12 is completely charged. That is, when the operation of the starter 8 is controlled by one program, the operation of the starter 8 is stopped when the number of times of operation of the starter 8 reaches a predetermined number which is the upper limit.

The automatic start / stop control means 4 determines whether the engine stop condition and the start operation determination condition are satisfied and the starter 8
If the start of the engine fails after actuation of the starter, if the number of actuations of the starter 8 exceeds a predetermined number, the predetermined number is increased or decreased according to the temperature state of the engine, for example, the temperature state of the cooling water. The operation control of the starter 8 is stopped.

Further, after the automatic start / stop control means 4 stops the operation control of the starter 8, the restart operation instruction switch 30 is turned on manually, so that the program of the automatic start / stop control means 4 is turned on to start the starter 8. Is automatically performed again.

Also, as shown in FIG.
Are provided with a charge lamp 64, an oil lamp 66, and an engine lamp 68.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In the automatic start / stop control means 4, when the program is started (step 102), first, as an engine stop condition, it is determined whether or not an interval without an ignition signal (IG) is 0.3 seconds or more, that is, no IG interval > 0.3 seconds is determined (step 104).

If YES in step 104,
It is determined whether the clutch lower switch 34 for detecting the depressed state of the clutch pedal is on or off as a start operation determination condition (step 106).

If the clutch lower switch 34 is ON in step 106, the vehicle is starting and it is determined whether or not there is a flag due to a start failure (step 10).
8).

If YES in step 108,
It is determined whether the start has failed and a predetermined time (for example, one second) has elapsed after the failure (step 110).

If the answer is NO in step 110, the process returns to step 104.

If NO in step 108 and YES in step 110, the second relay 20, which is a start relay, is turned on to start the engine (step 112), and a start determination is made (step 1).
14). In step 114, it is determined whether or not the engine speed is 500 rpm or more as a start determination.

If YES in step 114,
Since the engine has started, the second relay 34 is turned off (step 116), and the program ends (step 118).

If NO in step 104 and OFF in step 106, since the engine stop condition and the starting operation determination condition are not satisfied, the program immediately ends (step 118).

On the other hand, if NO in step 114, the engine speed is determined, that is, it is determined whether the engine speed is 100 rpm or less one second after the starter 8 is turned on (step 120).

If NO in step 120, it is determined whether three seconds have elapsed since the starter 8 was turned on (step 122).

If NO in step 122, the process returns to step 104.

If YES in step 120 and YES in step 122, the second relay 20 is turned off (step 124), then a start failure flag is set (step 126). It is determined whether the number of times, that is, the number of times of operation of the starter 8 is equal to or less than a predetermined number of times (for example, three times) (step 128).

If YES in step 128,
Return to step 104.

However, in the case of NO at step 128, the engine cannot be started for some reason, so that the abnormality indicator lamp 28 is turned on (step 13).
0) and end the program (step 11)
8) The operation control of the starter 8 is stopped.

As a result, when the second relay 20 as a start relay is turned on to start the engine, if the number of failures of the start exceeds a predetermined number,
When the engine cannot be started for some reason, the abnormality control lamp 28 is turned on and the operation control of the starter 8 is stopped, so that the overdischarge of the battery 12 can be reliably prevented.

The automatic start control means 4 adjusts the predetermined number of times according to the temperature state of the engine, for example, the cooling water temperature, that is, when the predetermined number of times is three,
The predetermined number is adjusted to less than three times or more than three times depending on the cooling water temperature state. Thus, the upper limit of the number of times of operation of the starter 8 can be appropriately adjusted regardless of the temperature, and overdischarge of the battery 12 can be effectively prevented.

Further, when the program of the automatic start / stop control means 4 ends and the operation control of the starter 8 is stopped, if the reactivation instruction switch 30 is turned on, the main switch 54 needs to be turned off once. In addition, regardless of the temperature of the engine, the program of the automatic start / stop control means 4 can be restarted as shown in FIG. 1, and the engine can be started easily.

[0055]

As is apparent from the above detailed description, according to the present invention, if the engine start fails after the engine stop condition and the start operation determination condition are satisfied and the starter is operated, then the starter is stopped. Automatic start / stop control means for stopping the operation control of the starter when the number of operations exceeds a predetermined number of times, and a restart instruction switch for automatically restarting the starter after stopping the operation control of the starter. Accordingly, when the number of times of operation of the starter exceeds a predetermined number, the operation control of the starter is stopped, so that the battery can be prevented from being over-discharged. , The automatic start / stop control means restarts the operation of the starter, eliminating the need to re-operate the main switch and simplifying engine startup. It can play.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of automatic start / stop control.

FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram of an automatic start / stop device.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a meter panel.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a conventional automatic start / stop control.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Engine control means 4 Automatic start / stop control means 8 Starter 12 Battery 20 Second relay 28 Abnormality indicator lamp 30 Restart instruction switch 36 Water temperature sensor 56 Engine speed sensor 58 Timer circuit 60 Counter circuit

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] An engine mounted on a vehicle is controlled to start when a predetermined start condition is satisfied after the engine is stopped, and is stopped when a predetermined stop condition is satisfied during operation of the engine. In the automatic start and stop device for the engine to be controlled, if the engine start fails after the engine stop condition and the start operation determination condition are satisfied and the starter is actuated, the number of actuations of the starter exceeds a predetermined number. If so, automatic start / stop control means for stopping the operation control of the starter is provided .
Automatically restarts the starter after stopping the operation control of
An automatic start / stop device for an engine, comprising a restart instruction switch for performing dynamic control .