JP5008435B2 - Engine start control device and engine start control method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an engine start control device and an engine start control method, and more particularly to an engine start control device and an engine start control method for starting an engine based on a signal from a transmitter.

  A system for starting a vehicle engine based on a start signal from a remote transmitter has become widespread. A conventional engine starting system will be described with reference to FIG. The engine starting system includes a remote engine starter ECU (Electric Control Unit) 10, a smart body ECU 20, and an EFI (Electric Fuel Injection) 30 in a vehicle 50. The remote transmitter 40 transmits a start signal for starting the engine as a radio signal. An RF (Radio Frequency) antenna 24 receives a start signal. Smart body ECU 20 transmits a start signal to remote engine starter ECU 10. The remote engine starter ECU 10 causes the smart body ECU 20 to release the immobilizer of the EFI 30 if the start signal is authentic. Further, the remote engine starter ECU 10 transmits a signal for starting the engine 32 to the EFI 30.

  While the engine 32 is operating, a transmission request signal is transmitted from the LF (Low Frequency) antenna 26 to the remote transmitter 40. The remote transmitter 40 transmits a door unlock signal and an identification number. The smart body ECU 20 receives a door unlock signal via the RF antenna 24. Further, the door knob switch 23 detects that the door knob has been pulled, and a detection signal is transmitted to the smart body ECU 20. Thereby, the smart body ECU 20 releases the lock of the door 22. When the remote engine starter ECU 10 receives the door unlock signal from the smart body ECU 20, the remote engine starter ECU 10 causes the EFI 30 to stop the engine 32.

Patent Document 1 discloses a control device that outputs a starter start / stop signal in response to a lock / unlock signal of a door lock switch.
JP-A-8-61194

  In the prior art shown in FIG. 1, even if the engine 32 is started using the remote transmitter 40, the engine 32 stops when the door 22 is unlocked. This is done from a security perspective. For example, if the door 22 is unlocked with the engine 32 running, the vehicle may be stolen. However, it is necessary for the driver to start the engine 32 again after unlocking the door 22, and the operation of the driver is complicated.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an engine start control device and an engine start control method capable of reducing the operation of the driver while ensuring security. To do.

  The present invention provides an engine operating means for transmitting a signal for operating an engine based on a start signal from a remote transmitter, and the engine is not stopped when the door is unlocked with a specific key in the engine operating state. And an engine stop means for stopping the engine when the door is unlocked by a key other than the specific key. According to the present invention, when the door is unlocked with a specific key, the operation of the driver can be reduced because the engine is not stopped. Furthermore, when the door is unlocked with a key other than a specific key, the engine is stopped, so that security can be ensured.

  In the above configuration, the specific key is an electronic key using the same remote transmitter as the remote transmitter, an electronic key using a pre-registered remote transmitter, or a machine key that can unlock the door. Can do.

  In the above configuration, whether the engine stop unit is an electronic key using the same remote transmitter as the remote transmitter or an electronic key using the pre-registered remote transmitter. The door can be set as a mechanical key that can be unlocked. According to this structure, a specific key can be changed according to a user's request.

  In the above configuration, the electronic key using the remote transmitter and the start signal may have different frequencies.

  In the above configuration, the engine stopping means may be configured to stop the engine when the door is not unlocked even after a certain period of time has elapsed after the engine is operated. According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the engine from being left for a long time while operating.

  In the above configuration, the engine stopping means may be configured to stop the engine if no travel preparation operation is performed after a certain period of time has elapsed after the door is unlocked. According to this configuration, the engine can be prevented from being left for a long time after the door is unlocked.

  The said structure WHEREIN: When a door is unlocked with the said specific key, it can be set as the structure which comprises the air-conditioner setting means which changes the setting of an air-conditioner. Further, the setting of the air conditioner may be configured to be at least one setting of a wind direction, an air volume and a set temperature of the air conditioner. According to these configurations, when the door is unlocked, the air conditioner can be set to be comfortable for the passenger.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an engine start control device and an engine start control method that can reduce driver's operations while ensuring security.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram when the engine is started in the engine start system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram when the door is unlocked. 2 and 3, the remote engine starter ECU 10 has an engine start control device 16 and a storage unit 18 with respect to the engine start system of FIG. 1. The engine start control device 16 has an engine operation means 12 and an engine stop means 14. Other configurations are the same as those in FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the engine start system. 4 and 2, remote transmitter 40 transmits unique identification information ID1 and a start signal for starting engine 32. The transmission frequency is, for example, 300 MHz to 400 MHz. The RF antenna 24 of the vehicle receives the identification information ID1 and the start signal transmitted from the remote transmitter 40. The engine operating means 12 of the engine start control device 16 receives the identification information ID1 and the start signal of the remote transmitter 40 via the smart body ECU 20 (step S10). If the start signal is authentic, the engine operating means 12 causes the smart body ECU 20 to release the immobilizer of the EFI 30. Further, the engine 32 is started by the EFI 30 (step S12). The engine operating unit 12 stores the identification information ID1 in the storage unit 18 (step S14). The storage unit 18 is a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, for example. The engine stop means 14 determines whether or not a certain time has elapsed since the engine was started (step S16). In the case of Yes, the engine stop means 14 makes the EFI 30 stop the engine 32 (step S28). If No in step S16, the process waits until a door unlock signal is received (step S18). In the first embodiment, the example in which the identification information ID1 is stored in the storage unit 18 in step S14 is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the identification information ID1 is stored in the storage unit 18 in advance, and It is not necessary to perform processing.

  Referring to FIGS. 4 and 3, identification information ID <b> 1 and a door unlock signal are transmitted from remote transmitter 40. For example, when the transmission request signal is transmitted from the LF antenna 26 to the remote transmitter 40 and is received by the remote transmitter 40, the remote transmitter 40 transmits the identification information ID1 and the door unlock signal. The transmission frequency is 60 kHz, for example. Further, the door knob switch 23 detects that the door knob has been pulled, and a detection signal is transmitted to the smart body ECU 20. Thereby, the smart body ECU 20 receives the identification information ID1 and the genuine door unlock signal (step S18), and receives the detection signal of the door knob switch 23, the smart body ECU 20 unlocks the door 22 (step S20). ). The smart body ECU 20 may unlock the door 22 without receiving the detection signal of the door knob switch 23 as a condition.

  The engine stop means 14 receives the received identification information ID1 from the smart body ECU 20. The engine stop unit 14 determines whether the received identification information matches the identification information stored in the storage unit 18 (step S22). In the case of Yes, the remote transmitter 40 that transmitted the start signal and the remote transmitter 40 that transmitted the door unlock signal are the same. In this case, the engine stop means 14 does not stop the engine 32 by the EFI 30, and proceeds to step S24. In the case of No in step S22, the engine stop unit 14 causes the EFI 30 to stop the engine 32 (step S28). The engine stop means 14 determines whether a travel preparation operation has been performed (step S24). In the case of Yes, the engine is not stopped (step S26) and the running state is entered. In step S24, in the case of No, the process returns to step S16, the engine 32 is operated until a predetermined time elapses, and the engine is stopped after the predetermined time elapses (step S28). The traveling preparation operation is, for example, an operation of an ignition key or turning on an engine start switch.

  According to the first embodiment, the engine operating means 12 of the engine start control device 16 operates the engine 32 based on the start signal from the remote transmitter 40 as in step S12 of FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the identification information of the remote transmitter 40 that has started the engine and the remote transmitter 40 that has unlocked the door 22, and the state of the engine 32 after the door is unlocked. With reference to item number 1 in FIG. 5, when the identification information of the remote transmitter 40 that has started the engine 32 is ID1, the identification information ID1 is stored in the storage unit 18 as in step S14 in FIG. If the identification information of the remote transmitter 40 that unlocks the door 22 is ID1, that is, if the door is unlocked by the same remote transmitter 40 that transmitted the start signal in the engine operating state, step S26. As described above, the engine stop means 14 does not stop the engine 32. On the other hand, referring to the item number 2 in FIG. 5, when the door 22 is unlocked using the remote transmitter 4 having the identification information ID2 other than the remote transmitter 40 that transmitted the start signal, the engine is stopped as in step S28. Means 14 stops the engine.

  Thus, when the door 22 is unlocked by the remote transmitter 40 that has started the engine 32, the engine stop means 14 does not stop the engine 32, so the driver does not need to start the engine 32 again. Further, since there is no useless starter operation, battery consumption can be reduced. Further, when the door 22 is unlocked by a device other than the remote transmitter 40 that started the engine 32, the engine stop means 14 stops the engine 32, so that security can be improved. In particular, since the engine stop means 14 does not stop the engine 32 only when the door 22 is unlocked by the remote transmitter 40 that has started the engine 32, it is more secure than the methods of item numbers 3 and 4 in FIG. Can be increased.

  Referring to item number 3 in FIG. 5, when one or more remote transmitters 40 are registered in the storage unit 18 in advance and the doors 22 are unlocked using the registered remote transmitters 40, the engine is not stopped. It can also be done. Thus, for example, even if the user who starts the engine in the family and the user who unlocks the door 22 are different, if the identification information of the remote transmitter 40 is registered, the user can board the vehicle without stopping the engine 32. it can.

  Referring to item number 4 in FIG. 5, the engine 32 can be prevented from stopping when the door 22 is unlocked using a mechanical key regardless of the identification information stored in the storage unit 18.

  As described above, when the door 22 is unlocked with a specific key while the engine is operating (engine operating state), the engine stop means 14 does not stop the engine 32 and unlocks the door 22 with a key other than the specific key. When locked, the engine 32 is stopped. The specific key may be an electronic key using the same remote transmitter 40 as the remote transmitter 40 that transmitted the start signal as in item No. 1 in FIG. 5, or remote transmission registered in advance as in item 3 An electronic key using the machine 40 may be used. Furthermore, a mechanical key that can unlock the door 22 as in item No. 4 may be used.

  A machine capable of unlocking the door in the storage unit 18 using a specific key as an electronic key using the same remote transmitter as the remote transmitter, an electronic key using a pre-registered remote transmitter Selection information for selecting whether to use a key may be stored, and the engine stop unit 14 may use a specific key based on the selection information. The selection information may be set electrically, for example, or may be set by a specific mechanical operation (for example, opening and closing of a door). In this way, it is possible to select which one is used as a specific key according to the user's application.

  The remote transmitter 40 serves as both a remote device for starting the engine and an electronic key for unlocking the door. The frequency of the electronic key and the frequency different from the start signal are used. The electronic key uses low-frequency electromagnetic waves having a strength ranging from several meters to the vehicle, and the start signal for starting the engine uses high-frequency electromagnetic waves ranging from several tens of meters.

  As in steps S16 and S28 in FIG. 4, the engine stop means 14 preferably stops the engine 32 if the door 22 is not unlocked even after a predetermined time has elapsed after the engine 32 is started. As a result, it is possible to prevent the engine 32 from being left for a long time in an operating state.

  As in steps S24, S16 and S28 in FIG. 4, the engine stop means 14 turns off the engine 32 if the engine start operation (travel preparation operation) is not performed even after a certain period of time has elapsed after the door 22 is unlocked. It is preferable to stop. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the engine 32 from being left for a long time after the door 22 is unlocked.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an engine start system according to the second embodiment. Compared to FIG. 2 of the first embodiment, an air conditioner 42 is provided. Further, the engine start control device 16 has an air conditioner setting means 15. When step S22 of FIG. 4 is Yes, the air conditioner setting means 15 changes the setting of the air conditioner 42. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  When the engine 32 is started using the remote transmitter 40, the air conditioner setting means 15 rapidly cools the inside of the vehicle in the summer and rapidly warms in the winter, and the wind direction is set to the defroster mode to remove the ice on the windshield. Decompress. However, the user feels uncomfortable when boarding with this setting. Therefore, when the door 22 is unlocked, the air conditioner setting means 15 can set the air direction, air volume, set temperature, etc. of the air conditioner 42 to be comfortable for the passenger.

  For example, when the engine 32 is started using the remote transmitter 40, the air conditioner setting unit 15 stores the air conditioner set temperature set by the user. The air conditioner setting means 15 sets the air conditioner 42 to the highest temperature in the winter season (sets the air conditioner 42 to the lowest temperature in the summer season) and operates the air conditioner 42. When the door 22 is unlocked using a specific key, the air conditioner setting means 15 returns the air conditioner 42 to the air conditioner set temperature set by the user. With such control, when the passenger gets on the vehicle, the operation of returning the air conditioner set temperature does not have to be performed.

  Further, in winter, when the engine 32 is started using the remote transmitter 40, the air conditioner 42 can be set to the defroster mode. When the door 22 is unlocked using a specific key, the normal mode can be restored. With such control, when the passenger gets on the vehicle, the operation of returning the air conditioner 42 from the defroster mode to the normal mode may not be performed.

  Furthermore, if the door is not unlocked for a certain period of time after the engine is started, the set temperature and defroster mode can be returned to the air conditioner settings set by the user. By such control, it is possible to prevent the heating or cooling in the vehicle 50 from being excessively effective. Furthermore, an ice-breaking sensor can be provided in the window, and when the window is melted, the air conditioner setting in which the defroster mode has been set can be restored. By such control, it is possible to prevent the air conditioner 42 from operating in the defroster mode more than necessary even after the window has melted.

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the engine start control device 16 has been described as being included in the remote engine starter ECU 10, but may be included in the smart body ECU 20. Further, these ECUs may be provided independently.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. Is possible.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional engine starting system. FIG. 2 is a block diagram (part 1) of the engine start system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram (part 2) of the engine start system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the operation of the engine stop means by the key to be unlocked. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an engine start system according to the second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10 Remote engine starter ECU
12 Engine operation means 14 Engine stop means 15 Air conditioner setting means 16 Engine start control device 18 Storage section 20 Smart body ECU
22 Door 23 Door knob switch 24 RF antenna 26 LF antenna 30 EFI
32 Engine 42 Air conditioner

Claims (11)

Engine operating means for transmitting a signal for operating the engine based on a start signal from a remote transmitter;
Engine stop means for stopping the engine when the door is unlocked with a key other than the specific key without stopping the engine when the door is unlocked with a specific key in the engine operating state. An engine start control device.   2. The engine start control device according to claim 1, wherein the specific key is an electronic key using the same remote transmitter as the remote transmitter.   2. The engine start control device according to claim 1, wherein the specific key is an electronic key using a remote transmitter registered in advance.   2. The engine start control device according to claim 1, wherein the specific key is a mechanical key capable of unlocking the door.   The engine stop means may use the specific key as an electronic key using the same remote transmitter as the remote transmitter, an electronic key using the pre-registered remote transmitter, or the door 2. The engine start control device according to claim 1, wherein an unlockable machine key can be set.   4. The engine start control device according to claim 2, wherein the electronic key using the remote transmitter and the start signal use different frequencies.   2. The engine start control device according to claim 1, wherein the engine stop means stops the engine when the door is not unlocked even after a predetermined time has elapsed after the engine is operated.   2. The engine start control device according to claim 1, wherein the engine stop means stops the engine if a travel preparation operation is not performed even after a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the door is unlocked.   2. The engine start control device according to claim 1, further comprising air conditioner setting means for changing an air conditioner setting when the door is unlocked by the specific key.   The engine start control device according to claim 9, wherein the setting of the air conditioner is at least one setting of a wind direction, an air volume and a set temperature of the air conditioner. A step of operating the engine based on a start signal from the remote transmitter;
A step of stopping the engine when the door is unlocked with a key other than the specific key without stopping the engine when the door is unlocked with a specific key in an engine operating state. Engine start control method.

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