JP5472084B2 - Vehicle control device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle control device applied to an idle stop start vehicle that automatically stops an engine during idling and restarts the engine after the automatic stop.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an idle stop start vehicle (hereinafter referred to as an idle control vehicle) has been developed and put into practical use in which when a predetermined condition is satisfied while a vehicle is stopped, the operation of the engine is stopped to improve fuel consumption and exhaust gas emission.
Among such idle control vehicles, a vehicle equipped with a manual transmission (MT) is generally based on various types of vehicle information including driver clutch operation information, transmission shift operation information, accelerator operation information, and vehicle speed information. Thus, the driver's intention to stop or start is determined, and the engine is automatically stopped or restarted.
In this case, if the engine is automatically stopped and the driver has an intention to restart the engine as soon as possible, operating the clutch will automatically restart the engine and reflect the driver's intention. Can do.

On the other hand, in an AT / CVT vehicle (automatic transmission vehicle), the engine is automatically stopped and restarted based on the brake pedal operation.
In this case, if the driver wants to restart the engine as soon as possible with the engine automatically stopped, the operation of the brake pedal may be released, but the vehicle moves with the restart of the engine. In a situation where the user is waiting for a right turn at the intersection, such an operation cannot be performed, which is disadvantageous in reflecting the driver's intention.
Therefore, an automatic transmission control device has been proposed in which the idling stop switch can be used to switch idling operation / stop and release idling stop even when the idling stop mode condition is satisfied and idling is stopped ( Patent Document 1).
According to this technique, the idle stop switch for switching idling operation / stop is provided, and when the engine stop signal is output from the idle stop control means to the engine control unit, the assist pump is stopped together with the engine, and the idle stop When an off signal of a brake switch that detects the presence or absence of a brake operation is input to the control means, or when an idle stop control stop signal is input from the idle stop switch, the idle stop control means sends an engine control unit to the engine control unit. A release command for releasing idling stop is output, the starter motor is driven, and the assist pump is driven.

Japanese Patent No. 3898879

However, in the above prior art, when the idle stop control is switched to the stop by the idle stop switch, the engine is forcibly automatically started. After this point, unless an operation for returning the idle stop control is performed again. , Idle stop / auto start control will not function, and the driver's intention to stop idle release / auto start control and the intention to release it will not match the stop / release of idle stop / auto start control in the actual car was there.
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it is possible to accurately reflect the driver's intention to stop and release the idle stop / auto start, and to improve the convenience of the vehicle. An object is to provide an apparatus.

In order to achieve the above-described object, the vehicle control apparatus according to the present invention automatically stops the engine when an automatic stop condition is satisfied while the engine is operating, and when the restart condition is satisfied while the engine is automatically stopped. Automatic stop / restart means for executing an automatic stop / restart function for restarting the engine; an execution state in which the automatic stop / restart means can execute the automatic stop / restart function; and a prohibited state for prohibiting execution of the function a switching means for setting switching bets, when the engine is automatically stopped, forced to forcibly start the engine and the automatic stop and restart means is switched so that the inhibited state by said switching means and starting means, after the engine is forcibly started by the forced starting means, recovery to the execution state the automatic stop and restart means from the inhibition state Characterized in that a return means for.

  According to the present invention, when the engine is automatically stopped, when the automatic stop / restart means is switched to the prohibited state by the switching means, the start means starts the engine, and the start means starts the engine. Then, since the return means is configured to return the automatic stop / restart means from the prohibited state to the execution state, it is stopped by an operation on the switching means when the engine is automatically stopped. When the engine is automatically stopped, such as when the engine is started by the starting means, and further when the engine is started, the automatic stop / restart function of the automatic stop / restart means returns from the prohibited state to the execution state. By operating the means, the intention of the driver can be accurately reflected in the subsequent automatic stop and restart of the engine. There is an effect capable of providing a control device for a vehicle with improved convenience.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control apparatus of the vehicle containing the electric system around the engine which is embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement when an idle stop-off switch is operated in the control apparatus of the vehicle which is embodiment of this invention.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle control device including an electric system around an engine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The vehicle control device includes an ECU 6 that is a microcomputer that controls each part including the engine 1 of the automobile.
The ECU 6 includes a CPU, a ROM that stores and stores a control program, a RAM as an operation area of the control program, an interface unit that interfaces with peripheral circuits and the like. The ECU 6 functions as an engine automatic stop unit (automatic stop / restart unit) 61, an engine restart unit 62, a switching unit 63, and a return unit 64 by executing the control program.

The engine automatic stop means 61 is an idle stop start function that automatically stops the engine 1 when an automatic stop condition is satisfied during operation of the engine 1 and restarts the engine 1 when a restart condition is satisfied while the engine 1 is automatically stopped. The automatic stop condition (hereinafter referred to as an automatic stop / restart function) is set.
The engine restart unit 62 includes a normal auto start unit (automatic stop / restart unit) 71 and a forced start unit (start unit) 72.

The normal auto start means 71 automatically stops and restarts the engine 1 when an automatic stop condition is satisfied during operation of the engine 1 and restarts the engine 1 when a restart condition is satisfied while the engine 1 is automatically stopped. A function restart condition is set.
When the engine 1 is automatically stopped, the forced start means 72 starts the engine 1 when the automatic stop / restart function is switched to a prohibited state by the switching means 63 described later.

The switching means 63 is provided with an idle stop-off switch (switch) 8 for stopping the idle stop operation, and the automatic stop / restart is performed to automatically stop and restart the engine 1 by depressing the idle stop-off switch 8. Switches between function execution state and prohibition state.
The switching unit 63 includes an operation period detecting unit 81 and an idle stop prohibiting unit 82.
The operation period detection means 81 detects a period during which the idle stop-off switch 8 is pressed.
The idle stop prohibiting unit 82 disables the automatic stop / restart function when the operation period detecting unit 81 detects a pressing operation of the idle stop off switch 8 for a predetermined period or longer, for example, a pressing operation for 2 seconds or longer. .

The return means 64 prohibits the automatic stop / restart function when the idle stop-off switch 8 is pressed again for a predetermined period of time of, for example, 2 seconds or more when the automatic stop / restart function is in a prohibited state. The state is switched from the execution state to the execution state, and the automatic stop / restart function is returned to the execution state.
Further, when the engine 1 is automatically stopped by the automatic stop / restart function, the return means 64 switches the automatic stop / restart function to a prohibited state by, for example, a short press operation of the idle stop-off switch 8 of the switching means 63. When the engine 1 is started by the forced start means 72, the automatic stop / restart function is returned from the prohibited state to the execution state.

In this embodiment, the control program includes a main program corresponding to the normal automatic start means 71 of the engine automatic stop means 61 and the engine restart means 62, the forced start means 72 of the engine restart means 62, the switching means 63, An interrupt processing program corresponding to the operation period detecting means 81, the idle stop prohibiting means 82, and the return means 64 is provided.
The ECU 6 executes a main program constituting the engine automatic stop means 61 and the normal auto start means 71 of the engine restart means 62 in the control program. When the automatic stop condition is satisfied, the engine is driven by the engine automatic stop means 61. When the engine is stopped and the restart condition of the normal auto start means 71 is satisfied, the engine restarts.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the automatic stop / restart function of the automatic stop / restart means is realized by the engine automatic stop means 61 and the normal auto start means 71.

  The engine automatic stop means 61 and the normal auto start means 71 of the engine restart means 62 are an ignition key sensor, a first clutch switch, a second clutch switch, a brake vacuum sensor, an engine hood switch, a neutral position sensor, a current sensor, a battery. Based on various vehicle information detected by various detectors including a temperature sensor and an engine water temperature sensor, an engine stop control signal and an engine restart control signal are set, and the engine stop control signal is sent to the fuel injection control means and the starter motor 3. And outputs an engine restart control signal.

In this embodiment, the idle stop-off switch 8 is connected to an interrupt request signal input terminal of the ECU 6 and a predetermined input port IN. When the idle stop-off switch 8 is depressed, the contact is switched from, for example, an open state to a closed state, and when the depression operation is released, the contact is configured by a momentary switch that returns from the closed state to the original open state.
When the idle stop-off switch 8 is operated by the driver, an interrupt request signal is output from the idle stop-off switch 8 to the interrupt request signal input terminal of the ECU 6.

  In this embodiment, the forced start means 72, the switching means 63, and the return means 64 of the engine restart means 62 are stored in the memory as an interrupt processing program executed by outputting an interrupt request signal to the interrupt request signal input terminal. 2 and the operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2 is realized by operating the idle stop-off switch 8.

Further, in this vehicle control apparatus, the ECU 6 transmits and receives CAN communication information to and from other ECUs by a CAN (Controller Area Network) communication system.
This CAN communication information includes, for example, front and left wheel speed information for calculating the vehicle speed, an idle stop non-permission signal for detecting an idle stop stop request, a seed belt reminder signal for detecting the absence of a driver seat belt, an idle stop control system Various output signals transmitted from the ECU 6 in relation to the control are included.

The alternator 2 is configured to interlock with the crankshaft of the engine 1 via a belt and a pulley, and is directly rotated by the engine 1 to generate electric power.
The starter motor 3 is a motor that rotates the engine from the outside when starting the engine.
The in-vehicle battery 4 stores the electric power generated by the alternator 2.
The vehicle-mounted device 5 is an electric device that is driven by being supplied with power from the in-vehicle battery 4, and includes, for example, a car air conditioner, a car stereo, an interior lighting device, and a navigation device.
The current sensor 7 is a sensor that detects the charge / discharge current of the in-vehicle battery 4.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation when the idle stop-off switch 8 is operated in the vehicle control apparatus of this embodiment.
The operation of the vehicle control apparatus of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
In the vehicle control apparatus of this embodiment, the engine automatic stop means 61 determines whether a set automatic stop condition is satisfied according to the main program, and stops the engine when the automatic stop condition is satisfied. .
Further, the normal auto start means 71 determines whether or not a set restart condition is satisfied according to the main program, and restarts the engine when the restart condition is satisfied.
Usually, there are times when the vehicle stops for a short time when it turns right or left because it waits for a signal, waits for an oncoming vehicle or the like. However, in the case of such a stop by waiting for a signal or waiting for an oncoming vehicle, depending on the situation, the automatic stop / restart function may be prohibited, that is, it may not be desired to operate. In such a case, in this embodiment, the driver depresses the idle stop-off switch 8.

When the vehicle stops at the intersection because of waiting for a signal or waiting for an oncoming vehicle, the ECU 6 normally determines whether or not the automatic stop condition set in the engine automatic stop means 61 is satisfied according to the main program. At this time, if the driver decides to stop the automatic stop / restart function for a short time for waiting for a signal or waiting for an oncoming vehicle, in this embodiment, the driver presses the idle stop-off switch 8. Manipulate.
When the idle stop-off switch 8 is pressed, an interrupt request signal is output from the idle stop-off switch 8 to the interrupt request signal input terminal of the ECU 6. When the interrupt request signal is input to the interrupt request signal input terminal, the ECU 6 satisfies the normal operation according to the main program that has been executed so far, for example, the automatic stop condition set in the engine automatic stop means 61 is satisfied. Whether or not the restart condition set in the normal auto start means 71 is satisfied, and the register value and various data are saved, and the ECU 6 is preliminarily stored. The stored interrupt processing program shown in FIG. 2 is executed.

  First, it is detected and determined by the operation period detection means 81 whether or not the period of pressing operation of the idle stop-off switch 8 is a long pressing operation for a predetermined second period or longer, for example, 2 seconds or longer (step) S1). Specifically, for example, the counter is started based on an input signal to the predetermined input port IN when the idle stop-off switch 8 is pressed, and the count value of the counter is incremented by 1 (processing 1). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the depressed state of the idle stop-off switch 8 is released (process 2). If the depressed state of the idle stop-off switch 8 is not released, the idle stop-off switch 8 It is determined whether or not the pressed period T has exceeded 2 seconds (Process 3). If the period T during which the idle stop-off switch 8 is pressed does not exceed 2 seconds, the process returns to process 1. Furthermore, the process 1, the process 2, and the process 3 are repeated until the state where the idle stop-off switch 8 is pressed is released or the period T during which the idle stop-off switch 8 is pressed exceeds 2 seconds.

If it is determined in process 2 that the pressed state of the idle stop-off switch 8 has been released, the period T during which the idle stop-off switch 8 is pressed until released is equal to or longer than a first predetermined period of, for example, 200 msec. It is determined whether or not it is less than 2 seconds. If it is 200 msec or more and less than 2 seconds, it is determined that the idle stop-off switch 8 is pressed shortly.
The period of “200 msec or longer” here corresponds to the period of “first predetermined period or longer” in claim 2.
Further, when the idle stop-off switch 8 is pressed for 2 seconds or longer until the release, or when the idle stop-off switch 8 is pressed for 2 seconds or longer in the process 3 In this case, it is determined that the idle stop-off switch 8 is long-pressed.

As a result, if it is determined that the pressed period is 200 msec or more and the idle stop-off switch 8 is pressed for less than 2 seconds, it is subsequently determined whether or not the engine is in the engine stop state by the idle stop control ( Step S2). At this time, if the automatic stop condition of the automatic stop / restart function is satisfied and the engine is stopped, the automatic stop / restart function is switched to a prohibited state by a short press operation of the idle stop-off switch 8 (step S3). Then, the engine is forcibly started by the forced start means 72 (step S4). When the engine is forcibly started, the subsequent automatic stop / restart function is returned to the execution state by the return means 64 (step S5). Then, returning to the execution process of the main program immediately before the transition to the interrupt process, the engine is automatically stopped if the automatic stop condition of the engine automatic stop means 61 is satisfied, and the normal auto start means 71 is restarted during the automatic stop. If the condition is met, the engine will restart.
On the other hand, if the engine is not stopped in step S2, the process returns from step S2 to the main program execution process immediately before the transition to the interrupt process.

In step S1, when it is determined by the operation period detection means 81 that the operation of the idle stop-off switch 8 is a long press operation for 2 seconds or longer, the idle stop prohibiting means 82 of the switching means 63 subsequently counts the count value C. An idle stop-off switch on counter indicating the number of pressing operations of the idle stop-off switch 8 is incremented by “1” (step S11).
The period of “2 seconds or more” for determining that the operation is the long press operation in step S1 is included in the period of “second predetermined period or more” of claim 3.
In the next step S12, the switching means 63 determines whether or not the counter value C of the idle stop-off switch on counter is “2”, and the counter value C is not “2” (at this time, the idle stop-off switch). The operation of No. 8 is the first time, and if it is determined that the counter value C of the idle stop-off switch on counter is “1”), the process proceeds to step S13. In step S13, the idle stop prohibiting means 82 sets the automatic stop / restart function to the prohibited state on condition that the counter value C of the idle stop off switch on counter is “1”. For this reason, in step S13, since the operation of the idle stop-off switch 8 is the first time, the automatic stop / restart function is prohibited.

Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the engine is stopped (step S21). At this time, if the engine is stopped, the engine 1 is started by the forced start means 72 (step S22), and the process returns to the execution process of the main program immediately before the transition to the interrupt process. Is kept in a prohibited state. On the other hand, if the engine is not stopped in step S21, that is, if it is rotating, the process returns to the main program execution process immediately before the transition to the interrupt process. In this case, however, the automatic stop / restart function is disabled. Retained.
At this time, in the main program, the automatic stop / restart function is disabled during the period when the counter value C of the idle stop-off switch on counter is “1” by step S13 of the interrupt processing program. Even if the various vehicle information detected by the various detectors satisfies the automatic stop condition, the automatic stop / restart function does not operate and the engine does not automatically stop.

If the second idle stop-off switch 8 is pressed for 2 seconds or longer, the counter value C of the idle stop-off switch on counter is incremented by “1” to become “2” in step S11.
When the second operation of the idle stop-off switch 8 is performed, a period for determining that the operation is the long-pressing operation in step S1 determines the first long-pressing operation of the idle stop-off switch 8. For example, a period of “3 seconds or more” may be used. When the second operation of the idle stop-off switch 8 is performed, the “two seconds or longer” period for determining that the operation is the long press operation in step S1 is “second predetermined period or longer” in claim 4. Corresponds to the period of
As a result, the process proceeds from step S1 to step S11, and further from step S12 to step S14, and the automatic stop / restart function prohibited by the first long-pressing operation of the idle stop-off switch 8 is switched to the execution state by the return means 64. The stop / restart function returns to the running state. In the subsequent step S15, the return means 64 resets the idle stop-off switch-on counter whose counter value C is “2” to zero, and returns to the main program execution process immediately before the transition to the interrupt process.

Here, the operation of disabling the automatic stop / restart function when the counter value of the idle stop-off switch on counter is “1” in step S13 will be described.
For example, various vehicle information detected by various detectors including an ignition key sensor, a first clutch switch, a second clutch switch, a brake vacuum sensor, an engine hood switch, a neutral position sensor, a current sensor, a battery temperature sensor, and an engine water temperature sensor. When the automatic stop condition of the original automatic stop / restart function is satisfied, the engine stop control signal is set, and the engine stop control signal is output to the fuel injection control means and the starter motor 3 to become an idle stop, these vehicle information When the automatic stop condition based on the above is established, the counter value C of the idle stop-off switch on counter is not “1”, that is, the counter value C of the idle stop-off switch on counter is “0” or “2”. Article Automatic stop restart function execution state, a configuration which becomes operational on.
With this configuration, when the idle stop-off switch on counter is incremented by “1” in step S12 and the counter value C changes from “0” to “1” and “1” to “2”, the counter During the period in which the value C is “1”, even if the automatic stop condition of the automatic stop / restart function based on various vehicle information is satisfied, the automatic stop / restart function is disabled and turned off.

When the process proceeds from step S12 to step S14 and step S15 and the process returns from the interrupt processing program shown in FIG. 2 to the main program, the idle stop-off switch on counter is reset to zero in step S15. Therefore, the counter value C of the idle stop-off switch on counter is “0”, and the automatic stop / restart function operates based on the establishment of an automatic stop condition based on various vehicle information. During the execution of the program, the automatic stop condition of the automatic stop / restart function is determined based on the various vehicle information detected by the various detectors.
In other words, when the pressing operation period of the idle stop-off switch 8 detected by the operation period detecting unit 81 is equal to or longer than a predetermined first predetermined period, the engine is automatically stopped by the automatic stop / restart function. The automatic stop / restart function is switched from the execution state to the prohibited state, the engine is forcibly started by the forced start means 72 of the engine restart means 62, and then the automatic stop / restart function is executed from the prohibited state by the return means 64. Switch to state. When the automatic stop / restart function returns to the execution state, the engine is automatically stopped if the automatic stop condition of the automatic stop / restart function is satisfied, and the engine is restarted if the restart condition is satisfied.

  Further, when the pressing operation period of the idle stop-off switch 8 detected by the operation period detecting unit 81 of the switching unit 63 is equal to or longer than the second predetermined period longer than the first predetermined period, the second idle stop-off switch As long as the pressing operation for the second predetermined period or more is not performed, the automatic stop / restart function is constantly prohibited. When the second idle stop-off switch 8 is pressed and the operation period detecting means 81 detects that the pressing operation period is equal to or longer than the second predetermined period, the return means 64 of the switching means 63 remains constant until then. The automatic stop / restart function, which has been prohibited for a while, is returned to the execution state.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, when the long press operation of the idle stop-off switch 8 for 2 seconds or more is performed once, the automatic stop / restart function is disabled, and the automatic stop / restart function is constantly set. Will be prohibited. If the idle stop-off switch 8 is pressed again for 2 seconds or longer, the prohibited automatic stop / restart function returns to the run state, and the engine 1 is automatically activated by the automatic stop / restart function. When it is stopped, the normal auto start function also works.

On the other hand, when the short stop operation of the idle stop-off switch 8 for the first predetermined period or shorter than the second predetermined period is performed, the engine 1 is automatically stopped by the automatic stop / restart function. The automatic stop / restart function is switched from the execution state to the prohibition state, and the forced start means 72 forcibly starts the engine 1. When the engine 1 is forcibly started, the return means 64 performs a setting for switching the automatic stop / restart function from the prohibited state to the execution state, and returns the automatic stop / restart function. When the automatic stop condition by the automatic stop / restart function is satisfied, the engine is automatically stopped by the engine automatic stop means 61, and when the restart condition is satisfied, the engine is restarted by the normal auto start means 71.
Therefore, by simply operating the idle stop-off switch 8, it is possible to control the forced start of the engine in the automatically stopped state and the constant prohibition state and release of the automatic stop / restart function. It is possible to accurately reflect the driver's intention in the start operation, and it is possible to provide a vehicle control device with improved convenience.

Further, in the embodiment described above, the configuration is such that the forced start of the engine during idle stop and the prohibition state and execution state of the automatic stop / restart function can be controlled by operating the single idle stop off switch 8. Therefore, it is advantageous in suppressing the cost increase due to the increase in the number of parts.
In addition, you may comprise so that the forced start of the engine in an idling stop and the prohibition state and execution state of an automatic stop restart function can each be controlled by a separate switch. Such a configuration is advantageous in improving operability because there is no need to be aware of short-press and long-press operations.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Engine, 2 ... Alternator, 3 ... Starter motor, 4 ... Battery, 5 ... On-vehicle equipment, 6 ... ECU, 7 ... Current sensor, 8 ... Idle stop-off switch (switch), 61 …… Engine automatic stop means (automatic stop / restart means), 62 …… Engine restart means, 63 …… Switching means, 64 …… Return means, 71 …… Normal auto start means (automatic stop / restart means), 72... Forced starting means (starting means), 81... Operation period detecting means, 82.

Claims (4)

An automatic stop / restart means for executing an automatic stop / restart function for automatically stopping the engine when an automatic stop condition is satisfied during operation of the engine and restarting the engine when a restart condition is satisfied during the automatic stop of the engine. When,
Switching means for switching between an execution state in which the automatic stop / restart means can execute the automatic stop / restart function and a prohibited state for prohibiting the execution of the function;
When the engine is automatically stopped, and the forcible starting means for forcibly starting the said engine and the automatic stop and restart means is switched so that the inhibited state by said switching means,
After the engine is forcibly started by the forced starting means, a return means for returning to the execution state the automatic stop and restart means from the inhibition state,
A vehicle control device comprising: The switching means has a switch,
When the engine is automatically stopped, switching the automatic stop / restart means from the execution state to the prohibited state by an operation of the switch for a first predetermined period or longer;
The vehicle control device according to claim 1. When the engine is automatically stopped, the automatic stop / restart means is switched from the execution state to the prohibition state by an operation for a second predetermined period longer than the first predetermined period of the switch. Continuing the prohibited state without activating the return means;
The vehicle control device according to claim 2. Switching the automatic stop / restart means between the execution state and the prohibition state by operating the switch for more than the second predetermined period during the rotation of the engine;
The vehicle control device according to claim 3.

Images