JPH0110263Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed explanation of the idea] <Technical field> The present invention relates to an engine starting device.

<Background technology> In recent years, more and more vehicles are equipped with automatic transmissions that automatically shift gears to reduce driver fatigue, and most of these vehicles use torque converters to connect the engine and transmission. ing. In such vehicles, the engine can be started only when the shift lever of the transmission is in the neutral range or parking range to prevent dangers such as the vehicle suddenly jumping out when starting the engine. This is a safety measure.

However, the fuel efficiency of vehicles using a torque converter is lower than that of a mechanical clutch, and for this reason, in recent years, vehicles using a regular mechanical clutch have been proposed (for example, Utility Application No. 163228-1982).
(No.), the conventional methods alone do not provide sufficient safety when starting the engine. Furthermore, in order to reduce the load applied to the starter motor and improve engine startability, when a mechanical clutch is used, it is preferable to start the engine with the clutch in the disengaged state. In order to improve engine startability, a system that cuts off power transmission to auxiliary equipment when starting the engine has previously been proposed (Jitsukai Sho.
57-18767).

<Purpose of the invention> This invention was made in view of the above circumstances.
The engine can be started when three conditions are met: the transmission is in the neutral position, the clutch is in the disengaged position, and the handbrake is in the activated position.
The presence or absence of the above three conditions is displayed so that immediate action can be taken when the engine does not start, and an emergency pass switch is provided so that the engine can be started regardless of the above three conditions. By doing so, the purpose is to improve safety during engine starting and engine startability while taking safety measures in the event of an emergency.

<Summary of the invention> For this reason, the invention provides a neutral detection means for detecting the neutral position of the transmission, a clutch position detection means for detecting the disengaged/engaged position of the clutch,
handbrake detection means for detecting the operating state of the handbrake, display means for displaying the detection results of these detection means, each of the detection means detecting a neutral position, a clutch disengaged position, and a handbrake operating position, and engine start determination means for outputting a start signal to the starter motor when the engine start signal is output from the key switch; A pass switch is provided to output a starting signal from the engine starting determination means to the starter motor.

<Example> Hereinafter, one example of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 1 is a neutral detection device that detects that the automatic transmission is in the neutral position and outputs an "H" level output, and 2 is a neutral detection device that detects the clutch disengagement/engagement position and outputs an "H" level output when the clutch disengagement position is detected. A clutch position detection device 3 outputs a level, and numeral 3 is a handbrake detection device that detects the activated and non-activated positions of the handbrake and outputs an "H" level when it is in the activated position. Each of these detection devices 1, 2, 3
The output is input to the first AND circuit 5 of the engine start determination circuit 4. The output of the first AND circuit 5 is OR
The output of the pass switch 10, which will be described separately later, is input to the OR circuit 6. and,
The output of this OR circuit 6 is input to a second AND circuit 7 to which the start signal of the engine key switch 8 is input, and the output of this second AND circuit 7 is input to the starter motor 9. When the engine start determination circuit 4 receives a start signal from the key switch 8 while the detection signals for the neutral position, clutch disengagement, and handbrake operating position are being input from each of the detection devices 1, 2, and 3, 2AND
It is configured to set the output of the circuit 7 to "H" level and output an engine starting signal to the starter motor 9. Further, when an on signal from the pass switch 10 is input to the engine start determination circuit 4,
Regardless of the detection signals from the detection devices 1, 2, and 3, a start signal from the key switch 8 is used to output a start signal to the starter motor of the engine. Reference numeral 11 denotes a display device that displays an error of the corresponding detection device when any one of the outputs of the detection devices 1, 2, and 3 is at the "L" level.

Next, the effect will be explained.

When the engine starts, the transmission is in neutral position.
When the clutch is disengaged and the handbrake is in operation, the outputs of the neutral detection device 1, clutch position detection device 2, and handbrake detection device 3 all become “H” level, so the first AND circuit of the engine start determination circuit 4 The output of circuit 5 becomes "H" level, and the output of OR circuit 6 also becomes "H" level.
At this time, the key switch 8 is set to the starter position and the start signal is output to the engine start determination circuit 4.
When input to the 2AND circuit 7, this 2nd AND circuit 7
The output becomes "H" level, and this output is issued as a start signal sent from the engine start determination circuit 4 to the starter motor 9, so that the starter motor 9 is driven and the engine can be started.

On the other hand, if any one of the detection devices 1, 2, and 3 has an "L" level output and the pass switch 1
When 0 is off, the output of the OR circuit 6 is "L" level, so even if the start signal is output from the key switch 8, the output of the second AND circuit 7 is "H" level.
level, and the engine start determination circuit 4 does not output an engine start signal. Then, the display device 11 indicates which condition among the three conditions of the transmission, clutch, and handbrake is not satisfied.
Displayed by.

With this configuration, it is possible to reliably prevent the car from suddenly starting to move against the driver's will, further improving safety when starting the engine.
Further, since the clutch is always in the disengaged state when starting the engine, the load applied to the starter motor 9 can be reduced and starting performance can be improved.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, even if the three conditions that the transmission is in the neutral position, the clutch is in the disengaged state, and the handbrake is in the activated position are not met, if the pass switch 10 is turned on, the OR circuit 6 will output an "H" level. , the engine start determination circuit 4 is configured to be able to output an engine start signal in response to a start signal from the key switch 8. This allows the vehicle to run with the driving force of the starter motor while the transmission remains in gear, making it possible to escape in an emergency when the engine stalls, and as a safety measure in the event of an emergency. Also,
The pass switch 10 is in the neutral position of the transmission,
It may be provided for each condition that the clutch is in the disengaged state and the handbrake is in the activated position, or it may be provided as a combination of any two conditions.

Further, FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of an engine start determination program when a microcomputer is used.

To explain this simply, when the start signal of key switch 8 is output, first the pass switch 1 is output.
0 is on or not (S1), and if it is not on, it is sequentially determined whether the transmission is in the neutral position, the clutch is in the disengaged position, and the handbrake is in the activated position (S2 to S4). At this time, one of
If judged NO, NG is displayed (S5) and START
Return to Further, when all the determinations are YES, a start signal is issued to the starter motor, the starter motor is turned on, and the engine is started (S6). Also, if the pass switch is determined to be on (YES),
The neutral position, clutch position, and handbrake position are not detected and determined, but a starting signal is issued to the starter motor.

<Effects of the invention> As explained above, according to the invention, it is possible to start the engine using the key switch when three conditions are met: the transmission is in the neutral position, the clutch is in the disengaged position, and the handbrake is in the activated position. As a result, safety when starting the engine can be further improved. Furthermore, since the clutch is always disengaged when starting the engine to reduce the load on the starter motor, engine startability can be improved.

Furthermore, if the engine does not start, it is possible to check on the display which condition is not satisfied, so it is possible to quickly take action when the engine does not start.

In addition, the engine can be started even if the conditions are not met by operating the pass switch, so it is possible to make an emergency escape in the event of an engine stall by putting the transmission in gear and driving with the starter motor, which is safe even in an emergency.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an example of a flowchart when a microcomputer is used. 1... Neutral detection device, 2... Clutch position detection device, 3... Handbrake detection device,
4... Engine start determination circuit, 8... Key switch, 9... Starter motor, 10... Pass switch, 11... Display device.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] Neutral detection means for detecting the neutral position of the transmission, clutch position detection means for detecting the disengaged/engaged position of the clutch, handbrake detection means for detecting the operating state of the handbrake, and the detection results of these detection means, respectively. A display means for displaying the display, and an engine start determination system in which each of the detection means detects a neutral position, a clutch disengaged position, and a handbrake operating position, and outputs a start signal to a starter motor when an engine start signal is output from a key switch. and a pass switch that outputs a start signal from the engine start determination means to the starter motor in response to the start signal of the key switch when turned on, regardless of the detection signals of the respective detection means. Engine starting device.