JPH06257542A - Automatic start device for automobile engine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To increase the reliability of automatic start by preventing an engine from automatically starting unnecessarily at a set time every day by reservation by a timer. CONSTITUTION:An automobile engine 22 is provided with an engine operation detection means 16 which detects that it is switched over from stop condition to operation condition and further switched over to stop condition. When it is detected by the engine operation detection means 16 that the automobile engine 22 is switched over from stop condition to operation condition at a set start time and further switched over to stop condition after a reservation mode is set with a set switch 13, a reservation mode can be cancelled.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic starting apparatus for an automobile engine which automatically starts the automobile engine in advance by a timer reservation before an occupant gets on the vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A vehicle engine automatic starter is used for the purpose of warming up the vehicle engine sufficiently before an occupant gets on the vehicle. , JP-A-61-846
No. 9 publication. As shown in the schematic block diagram of FIG. 11, the automatic starting device 39 for an automobile engine generally has a time setting switch 1 for setting a time at which the automobile engine 22 is automatically started in advance before an occupant gets on the vehicle.
1, a display unit 12 for displaying the set information, a set switch 13 for setting a reservation mode for automatically starting the automobile engine 22 at the starting time set by the time setting switch 11, and the automobile engine 22 are started. Engine starting circuit 2 for operating the engine starter 26
0 and a controller 36 for operating the engine starting circuit 20 according to the reservation mode. Further, the controller 36 includes a switch group 38 such as a door switch that detects that all the doors are closed.
Are connected.

The main flow of the operation of the automatic starter 39 is shown in FIG. The reservation mode is set by the set switch 13 (step S10), and the controller 36 performs a set time elapsed check process (step 20). In this set time elapsed check process, as shown in FIG.
As shown in 3, it is checked whether or not the set start time has elapsed (step 21). If the set time has come, the original main flow is returned to and the engine start safety check is started (step S30). In this engine start safety check, as shown in FIG. 14, the start conditions such as the door switch being turned on and the bonnet switch being turned on are checked (steps S31 to S31).
35) If all the conditions are satisfied, an engine start signal is output (step S36) and the process returns to the main flow. In step S40, the engine starting circuit 20
The engine starter 26 is operated via the engine to start the automobile engine 22, but if the engine start fails, the process returns to the main flow and the engine start is tried up to two more times. In the next step S50, engine continuation control is performed. As shown in FIG. 15, when the engine continuation control is started, the engine is continuously operated while performing a fail-safe check such as the door switch being turned on until a predetermined time t1 elapses (step S51,
S52), after a lapse of a predetermined time, it is determined that the warm-up has ended, the process returns to the main flow, and the vehicle engine 22 is stopped in step S60.

As described above, in the automobile engine automatic starter for starting the automobile engine 22 in advance before the passenger gets on the vehicle by timer reservation, the set switch 13 is used.
When the reservation mode is set by, the automobile engine 22 is automatically started at the set starting time.

[0005]

However, once the reservation mode is set by the set switch 13,
Even if the engine 22 is automatically started at the set starting time, the reservation mode is not cleared, and unless reset by the set switch 13, the engine 22 is automatically started at the same time on the next day. As a result, the engine starts unnecessarily and wastefully consumes gasoline.In addition, the engine will not start if there is no fuel if the engine is not released in the reserved mode for many days. The current will continue to flow through the plug, which may cause the battery to run down.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to prevent the engine from unnecessarily automatically starting at the same set time every day by timer reservation. An object of the present invention is to provide an automobile engine automatic starter having improved automatic start reliability.

[0007]

The present invention for achieving the above object includes a time setting switch for setting a time at which an automobile engine is automatically started in advance before an occupant gets on the vehicle.
An automatic engine starting apparatus for an automobile engine, comprising: a set switch for setting a reservation mode for automatically starting an automobile engine at a starting time set by the time setting switch; and an engine starting circuit for operating an engine starter according to the reservation mode. The engine is switched from a stopped state to an operating state, and further has engine operation detecting means for detecting that it has been switched to a stopped state, and after setting the reservation mode by the set switch,
An automobile engine characterized by canceling the reservation mode when the engine operation detecting means detects that the automobile engine is switched from a stopped state to an operating state at a set start time and further switched to a stopped state. It is an automatic starter of.

[0008]

In the present invention thus constructed, the set switch sets the reservation mode in which the automobile engine is automatically started at the starting time set by the time setting switch. After setting the reservation mode, when the engine operation detecting means detects that the automobile engine is switched from the stopped state to the operating state at the set start time and further switched to the stopped state, the reservation mode is released. With this, it is possible to prevent the engine from being automatically started unnecessarily at the same set time every day by the timer reservation with a simple configuration.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an automatic starting device for an automobile engine according to an embodiment of the present invention together with a schematic configuration of an air conditioner for an automobile, and FIG. 2 is a main flow chart showing the operation of the automatic starting device. 3 is a subroutine of the set time lapse check process shown in FIG. 2, and FIG.
The engine start safety check subroutine shown in
5 is a subroutine of the engine-on control shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 6 is a subroutine of the automatic air conditioner control and engine continuation control shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 7 is a fail-safe check subroutine shown in FIG. Figure 8
An engine off control subroutine shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 9 is a timing chart when the reservation mode is released, and FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing the operation of the automatic starter, which is common to the members shown in FIG. The same reference numerals are given to the members to be described, and the description thereof is partially omitted.

First, the automatic starting device 30 for an automobile engine shown in FIG. 1 will be described. Automatic starter 30
As shown in the figure, a time setting switch 11 for setting a time for automatically starting the automobile engine 22 before an occupant gets on the vehicle, and a display unit 12 for displaying the set information.
A set switch 13 for setting a reservation mode for automatically starting the automobile engine 22 at the starting time set by the time setting switch 11, an engine starting circuit 20 for operating an engine starter 26 for starting the automobile engine 22, And a controller 14 for operating the engine starting circuit 20 according to the reservation mode. The engine starting circuit 20 has a start relay and an ignition relay, and a key switch (not shown) is simulated by turning on the start relay.
Is turned to the start position, and by turning on the ignition relay, the key switch is simulated to be turned to the start position.

The controller 14 is supplied with a signal from the engine operation detecting means 16 for detecting that the automobile engine 22 is switched from a stopped state to an operating state and further switched to a stopped state. The engine operation detecting means 16 is, for example, an alternator signal processing circuit which detects that the automobile engine 22 is switched from a stopped state to an operating state by processing a signal indicating a power generation state of the alternator and further switched to a stopped state. , But is not limited to this. In addition, a door switch that detects that all doors are closed, a side brake switch that detects that the side brakes are set, and a parking position that detects that the select lever of an automatic vehicle is in the parking position. A switch group 17 such as switches is connected. Each of these switches is composed of a micro switch or the like, outputs a signal when a predetermined matter is detected, and is input to the controller 14. Further, although not shown in the drawings, the controller 14 that is in a good engine state, for example, a signal indicating the power generation state of the alternator is also input to the controller 14, has a start time set by the time setting switch 11. Further, it has a reservation mode storage unit 31 for storing the setting or resetting of the reservation mode for automatically starting the automobile engine 22. When the set switch 13 is pressed, the reservation mode storage unit 31 is set and the reservation mode is set. As shown in the timing chart of FIG. 9, when the engine operation detecting means 16 detects that the vehicle engine 22 is switched from a stopped state to an operating state and then to a stopped state after the reservation mode is set. First, the controller 14 resets the reservation mode storage unit 31 to cancel the reservation mode. In this embodiment, the engine 22 is switched from the stopped state to the operating state and then to the stopped state regardless of whether the engine is automatically started according to the reservation mode or is normally started. At this point, the controller 14 resets the reservation mode storage unit 31 to cancel the reservation mode.

Next, the vehicle air conditioner 40 will be described. The automobile air conditioner 40 shown in the figure is a so-called fully automatic air conditioner 40, and has an auto amplifier 65 for controlling the driving of various doors 46, 54, 59 to 61 attached thereto, and the auto amplifier 65.
Is connected to the controller 14 of the automatic starter 30. Then, the illustrated fully automatic air conditioner 40 is
The automobile engine 22 operates in conjunction with automatic start to pre-air-condition the vehicle interior.

As is well known, the air conditioner 40 for an automobile has an intake unit 41 for selectively taking in the air inside the vehicle or the outside air, a cooler unit 42 for cooling the taken air, and a cabin for heating the air. It has a heater unit 43 that blows out to a predetermined position, and is configured by connecting these.

The intake unit 41 is formed with an inside air introducing port 44 for taking in the air in the vehicle interior and an outside air introducing port 45 for taking in the outside air. An intake door 46 for selectively opening and closing these introducing ports 44, 45 is opened and closed. It is provided freely. In addition, the air taken in is cooled by the cooler unit 42.
A fan 47 driven by a fan motor M is provided for sending to. In the cooler unit 42,
An evaporator 48 in which a refrigerant circulates is built in, and heat exchange between the refrigerant and air is performed to cool the air. This evaporator constitutes a cooling cycle together with a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve and the like (not shown). The heater unit 43 is provided with a heater core 49 for heating air so as to have a bypass passage 50. Engine cooling water circulates in the heater core 49, and a mix door 54 is provided on the front surface of the heater core 49 so as to be openable and closable. When the mix door 54 is rotated to the full hot position indicated by H in the figure, the maximum heating operation is performed, and when rotated to the full cool position indicated by C in the figure, the maximum cooling operation is performed. Further, when the mix door 54 is rotated to the intermediate position M, the air from the cooler unit 42 passes through the heater core 49 and the bypass passage 50 at a ratio according to the rotating position and is adjusted to a predetermined temperature. .

A mix chamber 55 for mixing warm air and cold air is formed downstream of the heater core 49, and a defrost port 56 is provided to take out air from the mix chamber 55.
A vent port 57 and a foot port 58 are provided. In addition, a defrost door 59, a vent door 60, and a foot door 61 for opening and closing these ports 56, 57, 58.
(These are collectively referred to as "mode doors") are provided so as to be openable and closable.

The air-conditioning mode of the automobile air conditioner 40 includes a vent mode for blowing air toward the upper half of the occupant, a foot mode for blowing air toward the feet, a bi-level mode for performing cold air conditioning with head cold feet, and removal of wind fog. There are various modes such as a diff mode. These air conditioning modes are realized by switching the positions of the mode doors 59 to 61.

The fully automatic air conditioner 40 detects changes in the vehicle interior temperature due to changes in the outside air temperature, the amount of solar radiation, or changes in the occupant with various sensors 70, and keeps the vehicle interior temperature at the set temperature. The blowing air temperature, the blowing air amount, the air suction port, and the blowing port are automatically switched. The auto amplifier 65 includes an intake door actuator 66 that drives the intake door 46, a fan control circuit 67 that adjusts the voltage applied to the fan motor M, a mix door actuator 68 that drives the mix door 54, and mode doors 59 to 61. A mode door actuator 69 for driving is connected. Further, the auto amplifier 65 is connected with sensors 70 for detecting a vehicle interior temperature, an outside air temperature and the like, an A / C switch 71 for operating a compressor of a cooling cycle, and the like. The auto-amplifier 65 controls the actuators 66, 68, 69 and the fan control circuit 67 comprehensively by processing the input signals from the sensors by a built-in microcomputer.

Next, the operation of the automatic starting device 30 for the automobile engine of this embodiment will be described with reference to the main flow shown in FIG.
Description will be given based on each subroutine shown in FIG. 8 and the timing chart shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the reservation mode is set by pressing the set switch 13 to set the reservation mode storage unit 31 (step S10, a, e, i in FIG. 10), and the controller 14
It is checked whether or not the set start time has passed (step 20).

When the subroutine of the set time elapsed check process (step S20) starts, the controller 14 causes the engine operation detecting means 1 to operate as shown in FIG.
For example, by processing a signal indicating the power generation state of the alternator by 6, it is determined whether or not the automobile engine 22 is switched from the stopped state to the activated state and further switched to the stopped state (step S21). When the engine operation detecting means 16 detects that the automobile engine 22 is switched from the stopped state to the operated state (b in FIG. 10) and further switched to the stopped state, the controller 14 resets the reservation mode storage unit 31. Then, the reservation mode is released (step S23, c in FIG. 10). Thus, for example, when the engine 22 is started for engine inspection and the vehicle is moved to a work place such as a maintenance shop with the reservation mode set, the engine 22 is operated from the stopped state. At the time when it is detected that the state has been switched to the stopped state, and the switch has been switched to the stopped state, the controller 14 sets the reservation mode storage unit 31 to the reset state to release the reservation mode, and safety is ensured. In this case, since the set time for automatically starting the automobile engine 22 set by the time setting switch 11 is retained in the memory, it is not necessary to re-enter it unless the set time is changed, but only set by the set switch 13 again. It can be automatically started at the initially set time.

On the other hand, as in the case where the automobile engine 22 is manually started (d in FIG. 10) and the reservation mode is set thereafter by the set switch 13 (e in FIG. 10),
After the reservation mode is set, if the engine operation detecting means 16 does not detect that the automobile engine 22 has changed from the stopped state to the activated state and further has changed to the stopped state (f in FIG. 10), the process proceeds to step S22. In step S22, the controller 14 determines whether the set time has passed. If the set time has not passed, the process returns to step 21, and until the set time has passed,
The determination in step S21 is always made. Step S
When it is determined in 22 that the set time has elapsed, the process returns to the main flow of FIG.
A safety check for starting the automobile engine 22 is started (step S30).

When the engine starting safety check (step S30) subroutine starts, as shown in FIG. 4, the controller 14 determines whether or not each switch of the switch group 17 such as a door switch is turned on ( Steps S31 to S33) check that the engine condition is good, for example, a signal indicating the power generation state of the alternator (step S34). When all the starting conditions are satisfied, that is, all the doors are closed (S31), the side brakes are set (S32), and the select lever is in the parking position (S33). Also, the engine start signal is output only when the engine is stopped (S34) (step S36), and the process returns to the main flowchart. On the other hand, if even one of the starting conditions in steps S31 to S34 is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S37, a predetermined engine stop processing operation is performed, and the reservation mode is released.

If all of the starting conditions are satisfied, the controller 14 starts engine-on control (step S40). This engine on control (step S
When the subroutine 40) is started, the controller 14 activates the engine starter 26 by turning on the start relay and the ignition relay of the engine starting circuit, as shown in FIG.
2 is started (step S41, g in FIG. 10). Then, the timer 15 built in the controller 14 is started (step S43), and the process returns to the main flowchart. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S42 that the engine startup has failed, the process returns to the main flow of FIG. 2 and the engine startup from the engine startup safety check (step S30) is performed up to two times (steps S44, S44).
45) When it fails three or more times, the process proceeds to step S46, a predetermined engine stop processing operation is performed, and the reservation mode is released.

When the automobile engine 22 is started,
The controller 14 starts the automatic air conditioner control and the engine continuation control (step S50). When the subroutine of the automatic air conditioner control and the engine continuation control (step S50) starts, the controller 14 turns on the A / C switch 71 to operate the fully automatic air conditioner 40 (step S51), as shown in FIG.
In step S52, the vehicle interior temperature detected by the sensors 70 is compared with the target set temperature, and when the vehicle interior temperature is not within a predetermined allowable range with respect to the target set temperature, that is, rapid cooling and heating air conditioning operation is performed. If necessary, the process proceeds to step S53. In step S53, the auto amplifier 65 sets the optimum air-conditioning mode, the intake mode, the fan rotation speed, and the like that can quickly reach the target set temperature, and performs the rapid temperature setting process. When it is determined in step S52 that the vehicle interior temperature is within the predetermined allowable range with respect to the target set temperature, the process proceeds to step S56, the mode is changed to the normal auto air conditioner control mode, and the auto amplifier 65 has the built-in micro A computer processes the input signals from the switches and the sensor group, and each actuator 66,
68, 69 and the fan control circuit 67 are comprehensively controlled so that the temperature of the blown air (the rotation control of the mix door 54) and the amount of the blown air (the voltage applied to the fan motor M are controlled so that the vehicle interior temperature becomes the target set temperature. Control), switching between the air suction port and the air outlet (intake door 46, mode doors 59 to 6)
(1 rotation control) is automatically performed.

While the vehicle air conditioner 40 is operating, that is, while the engine is operating, the fail-safe check (step S54) is always performed. When the fail-safe check (step S54) subroutine is started, as shown in FIG. 7, the controller 14 determines whether or not each switch of the switch group 17 such as a door switch is turned on (steps S71 to S71).
73), the engine state is good, for example, a signal indicating the power generation state of the alternator is checked (step S74). If even one of the conditions of steps S71 to S74 in the fail-safe check (step S54) is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S75, a predetermined engine stop processing operation is performed, and the reservation mode is released.

When all the fail-safe conditions are satisfied, the original automatic air conditioner control and the engine continuation control are returned to and the process proceeds to the next step S55. Continue the pre-cooling operation (steps S52, S53, S56, S5
4, S55), when the timer 15 counts t1 seconds from the start of the engine 22 (step S55), the original main flow is returned to, and the process proceeds to step S60. In this step S60, as shown in FIG. 8, the controller 14 outputs an engine off signal (step S61), a predetermined engine stop processing operation is performed, and the reservation mode is released (step S62, h in FIG. 10). . Preliminary cooling and heating operations will also be stopped accordingly. The time t1 from the start of the automobile engine to the stop is 10 minutes to 20 when the warm-up is completed.
An arbitrary time of about a minute is set.
In the present embodiment, the automobile engine 22 is automatically started at the set start time (k in FIG. 10), and if the set switch 13 is pressed again during this automatic start, the reservation mode storage unit 31 is reset at that time. As a result, the reservation mode is released, and the ignition relay is turned off and the engine 22 is stopped based on the information in the reservation mode storage unit 31 (k in FIG. 10). In this case, the reservation mode storage unit 31 also has a function as a storage unit for whether or not to continue the automatic start of the engine 22.

As described above, in the automatic starting apparatus for the automobile engine of this embodiment, after the reservation mode is set by setting the reservation mode storage section 31 by the set switch 13, the automobile engine is stopped by the engine operation detecting means. When it is detected that the state is switched to the operating state and then switched to the stopped state, the controller 14 sets the reservation mode storage unit 31 to the reset state to release the reservation mode, so that the timer reservation unnecessarily causes the same problem every day. It is possible to prevent the engine from automatically starting at the set time with a simple configuration. As a result, it is possible to wastefully consume gasoline, or even if unnecessary automatic engine start continues for days and runs out of fuel, current may continue to flow to the spark plug and the battery may run out. Disappear. Further, the reservation mode can be set even while the engine is operating, and the reservation mode will not be canceled only by stopping the engine thereafter.

Further, in this embodiment, the engine 22 is switched from the stopped state to the operating state regardless of whether the engine is automatically started according to the reservation mode or is normally started. At the time of switching to the stopped state, the controller 14 causes the reservation mode storage unit 3
Since 1 is set to the reset state and the reservation mode is canceled, for example, when the engine 22 is started for engine inspection and the vehicle is moved to a workshop such as a maintenance shop while the reservation mode is set. In addition, at the time when it is detected that the engine 22 is switched from the stopped state to the operating state and further switched to the stopped state, the controller 14 sets the reservation mode storage unit 31 to the reset state and cancels the reservation mode. As a result, when the engine is inspected by opening the bonnet, it is possible to easily and reliably avoid the situation where the engine suddenly starts automatically at the set start time, and safety is assured. Since it can be implemented with a circuit configuration, the cost can be reduced as compared with installing an expensive bonnet switch.

Further, in this embodiment, since the engine state is turned off when canceling the reservation mode, it is possible to simultaneously cancel the reservation mode and stop the continuation of the automatic start. Since the reservation mode storage unit 31 also serves as a storage unit for whether or not to continue the automatic start of the engine 22 after the engine 22 is automatically started, the circuit configuration should be simpler. I was able to.

[0029]

As described above, the automatic starting apparatus for the automobile engine of the present invention has the engine operation detecting means for detecting that the automobile engine is switched from the stopped state to the operating state and further switched to the stopped state. After setting the reservation mode by the set switch, when the engine operation detecting means detects that the automobile engine is switched from the stopped state to the operating state at the set start time and further switched to the stopped state, the reservation is made. Since the mode is canceled, it is possible to prevent the engine from being automatically started unnecessarily at the same set time every day by a timer reservation with a simple configuration. This allows
The effect of eliminating wasted gasoline, and even if unnecessary automatic engine start continues for days without running out of fuel and the current continues to flow to the spark plug to cause the battery to run out Play. Further, the reservation mode can be set even while the engine is operating, and the reservation mode is not canceled only by stopping the engine thereafter.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an automatic starting device for an automobile engine according to an embodiment of the present invention, together with a schematic configuration of an air conditioner for an automobile.

FIG. 2 is a main flow showing the operation of the automatic starter shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a subroutine of a set time elapsed check process shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a subroutine of an engine start safety check shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a subroutine of engine-on control shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a subroutine of the automatic air conditioner control and the engine continuation control shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a fail-safe check subroutine shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a subroutine for engine off control shown in FIG.

9 is a timing chart when the reservation mode of the automatic starter shown in FIG. 1 is released.

10 is a timing chart showing the operation of the automatic starter shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram showing a conventional automatic starter.

FIG. 12 is a main flow showing the operation of the automatic starter shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a subroutine of the set time elapsed check process shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a subroutine of an engine start safety check shown in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a subroutine of engine continuation control shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 ... Time setting switch 12 ... Display unit 13 ... Set switch 14 ... Controller 15 ... Timer 16 ... Engine operation detecting means 17 ... Switch group 20 ... Engine starting circuit 22 ... Automobile engine 26 ... Engine starter 30, 39 ... Automobile engine automatic Starting device 31 ... Reservation mode storage unit 40 ... Fully automatic air conditioner (air conditioner for automobile) 65 ... Auto amplifier 70 ... Sensors

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A time setting switch (1) for setting a time for automatically starting an automobile engine (22) in advance before an occupant gets on the vehicle.
1), a set switch (13) that sets a reservation mode for automatically starting the automobile engine (22) at the starting time set by the time setting switch (11), and operates the engine starter (26) according to the reservation mode. In an automatic starting apparatus for an automobile engine having an engine starting circuit (20) for causing the engine operation detecting means (16) for detecting that the automobile engine (22) is switched from a stopped state to an operating state and further switched to a stopped state. Having, after setting the reservation mode by the set switch (13), the automobile engine (22) switches from a stopped state to an operating state at the set start time, and further detects that the engine operation has been switched to the stopped state. An automatic engine starting device for an automobile engine, which releases the reservation mode when detected by the means (16).