JPH0719149A - Engine starting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To start an engine automatically at the fixed time using an engine starting timer. CONSTITUTION:An engine starting device is so constituted that an engine start command is sent out to an engine starter 13 from an engine starting timer 15 so as to start the engine of an automobile automatically at the fixed time. Sufficient warming-up and comfortable air-conditioning can be thereby provided at the automobile use starting time without starting the engine previously by an engine start key 14 so as to enable smooth, pleasant operation immediately after getting into the automobile.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an engine starting device capable of unmanned starting an automobile engine at a time set by an engine starting timer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Not only passenger cars but also automobiles with an engine start by energizing an ignition system by inserting an engine start key, that is, an ignition key into a predetermined key hole and switching on. However, for example, a person who uses a car to go to work at a company must idling until the engine warms up, that is, until the temperature of the cooling water in the radiator rises to some extent, especially in the winter when the engine is hard to warm up. Combustion in the combustion chamber is not smooth, knocking occurs, and the engine speed does not rise as expected, which is likely to hinder driving. However, there is a problem in that it is easy to omit warm-up operation or to round up early because of the busy time at work, and the engine load is unnecessarily increased due to the extra load on the engine.

Therefore, an engine starting device has been proposed which is configured so that the engine can be started by remote control without actually getting into the vehicle. The engine starting device 1 shown in FIG. 4 is proposed, for example, in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 64-46474 “Engine Starting Device”, in which the signal receiving unit 3 transmits a wireless signal issued by the remote operation unit 2 to instruct the engine starting. Upon reception, the engine starting unit 4 is activated to start the automobile engine 5. The engine starting unit 4 starts the engine 5 after confirming that the engine starting key 6 is in the OFF state and the transmission 7 is in the neutral state, and after starting, the engine speed sensing unit 8 idles. When it is detected that the engine speed has settled down, the engine 5 is stopped.

[0004]

In the conventional engine starter 1 described above, it is necessary to always have the remote control unit 2 for emitting a radio signal for instructing the start of the automobile engine 5, and the remote control unit 2 as well. If the remote control unit 2 and the car are too far from each other or the car is parked in an environment where wireless signals are hard to reach, the There is a problem that signals may not reach and remote control may not be possible depending on the usage environment. In addition to such space restrictions, interference is likely to occur when engine start signals are simultaneously transmitted from a plurality of remote control units 2 of the same type, and even if there is no intention to start, another vehicle can be used. There is a problem that the engine 5 may be arbitrarily started by the wireless signal emitted by the engine.

Furthermore, the conventional engine starting device 1
Even if it is clear that the engine starting key 6 is in the OFF state and the transmission 7 is in the neutral state, it is likely that the vehicle is not actively stopped, that is, the parking brake is not applied. sometimes,
If the engine 5 is started by remote control, there is a risk that the automobile will suddenly start moving due to a shock at the time of starting the engine. Particularly, when the vehicle is parked on a slope, such a risk is further increased. was there.

Further, in the conventional engine starting device 1, if the door happens to be unlocked when the engine 5 is started by remote control, a third party who does not have an engine start key can always hold it. Since it is possible to drive the car without permission, there were problems such as unlicensed driving of children and the risk of theft.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems and provides an engine starter which is connected to an engine of an automobile and which starts the engine in response to an engine start command. And an engine start timer which is connected and issues an engine start command to the engine starter when a preset time arrives.

According to the present invention, the engine start timer is such that the vehicle wheel speed is zero, the transmission is in the parking position or the neutral position, the parking brake is applied, and the engine start key. Is issued, the engine start command is issued on the premise that the engine is not inserted, and when the engine start timer issues the engine start command, all the doors of the automobile are locked so that they cannot be opened. , Is another feature.

[0009]

According to the present invention, an engine start command is issued from an engine start timer to an engine starter when a preset time arrives so that an automobile engine can be started on time at regular intervals.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a circuit configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an engine starting device of the present invention, and FIG.
3 is a flowchart for explaining the timer setting operation of the time setting unit shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the engine timer starting operation of the engine start timer shown in FIG.

In the engine starter 11 shown in FIG. 1, an engine starter 13 for starting the engine 12 by igniting an ignition system of the engine receives an engine start command from both an engine start key 14 and an engine start timer 15. There is. However, while the engine start key 14 can start the engine 12 almost unconditionally by a required key operation, the engine start timer 15 has various prerequisites in consideration of starting the engine unattended. I am doing it. That is, here, the wheel speed of the automobile is zero, the transmission is in the parking position or the neutral position, the parking brake is applied, and the engine start key 14 is not inserted. The condition is the premise of the timer start, and in order to determine whether these preconditions are satisfied, in the embodiment, the wheel speed sensor 16 and the shift position sensor 1 are used.
A total of four sensors, 7, a parking brake sensor 18 and an engine start key sensor 19, are connected to the engine start timer 15.

The wheel speed sensor 16 detects the rotation of the wheel optically or magnetically, and is provided on each of the left and right front and rear wheels. In addition, the shift position sensor 17
Is for detecting the position of the shift lever for selecting the gear position of the transmission. In the case of an automatic vehicle, the drive position (D) and the low gear position are provided in addition to the parking position (P) and the neutral position (N). (L) and retracted position (R)
The position where the shift lever is located is detected. The parking brake sensor 18 detects that a manual or foot-operated parking brake is in an operating state. The engine start key sensor 19 is provided in a key hole into which the engine start key 14 is inserted, and detects that the engine start key 14 is inserted into the key hole.

In the embodiment, when the engine 12 is started by the start command from the engine start timer 15, all the doors of the automobile are locked so that they cannot be opened in order to prevent theft or unauthorized use by a third party. Door lock control unit 2
0 is connected to the engine start timer 15. Also, in order to prevent the timer-started engine 12 from being left for a long time, the warm-up timer 21 sets an engine start timer so that the engine 12 is automatically stopped when a predetermined warm-up time has elapsed. It is connected to 15. Reference numeral 22 is a time setting unit for setting the warm-up time and the engine start time, and the vehicle use start time and the warm-up time can be arbitrarily set.

Before using the engine starting device 11, it is necessary to set a timer via the time setting unit 22. In this case, in step (101) of FIG. 2, the date and time of a clock (not shown) incorporated in the engine start timer 15 is set to the correct time at that time while listening to the time signal of the radio. Next, the user waits for the time to actually use the automobile, that is, the setting of the automobile use start time. Then, in response to the setting of the vehicle use start time, in the determination step (103) following the determination step (102), it is determined whether or not the warm-up operation time is set. When the warm-up time is set, step (104)
Then, the engine start time is set to the time when the warm-up operation time set from the vehicle use start time is set. Also,
If the warm-up time has not been set, go to step (1
In 05), the engine start time is set to the time when the warm-up operation time peculiar to the vehicle is started from the vehicle use start time, and the timer setting operation is finished.

Although the timer setting necessary for the actual use is completed for the engine starter 11 in this way, the time setting is made as to whether the same setting content is repeatedly executed every day or only once after the setting. An execution mode selection button (not shown) provided in the setting unit 22 can be used to make an arbitrary selection.

When the predetermined setting is completed, the engine start timer 15 starts the timer start operation. Here, in step (201) shown in FIG. 3, it is first determined whether or not the engine start time has come. When the engine start time, that is, the time when the warm-up operation time has come after the vehicle use start time, the four conditions that are prerequisites for timer start are checked in steps (202) to (205). That is, when all four conditions are satisfied, that is, the wheel speed is zero, the transmission is in the parking position or the neutral position, the parking brake is applied, and the engine start key is not inserted. Only when the timer of the engine 12 is started is permitted.

When it is determined that the above prerequisites are met, the engine start timer 16 causes the door lock controller 20 to operate.
A lock command is issued to, and as shown in step (206), all the doors of the automobile are closed and locked. Next, in step (207), after the warm-up timer 21 is activated, an engine start command is issued to the engine starter 13. As a result, the engine starter 13 operates the starting cell motor and the ignition system of the engine 12, and the engine 12 is started.

After the engine is started, the warm-up timer 21 is usually used.
The warming-up operation is performed until the warming-up operation time set in is elapsed, and the determination step (20
9), the process proceeds to step (211), and the engine start timer 15 issues an engine stop command to the engine starter 13. If the engine start key 14 is inserted even during the warm-up operation, the determination step (21
In step (211) subsequent to 0), an engine stop command is issued from the engine start timer 15 to the engine starter 13. Therefore, even if the engine 12 is in the idling state, it will not be damaged by the engine start key 14 twice and will not damage the starter motor, and if the engine start key 14 is inserted, the idling state will be stopped immediately. Then you can start driving.

As described above, the engine starting device 11 described above is used.
According to this, even if the engine start key 14 is not directly operated, when the predetermined engine start time comes, the engine starter 1 automatically outputs the output from the engine start timer 15.
3 operates to start the engine 12, and the engine 12 automatically stops when a certain warm-up operation time has elapsed. Therefore, by getting into the vehicle during warm-up operation or after a while after that, the engine 12 that has been sufficiently warmed-up can be operated smoothly and the vehicle can be driven. In winter, the vehicle can be started with moderate heating, and in the summer, it can be started with moderate cooling in the vehicle. Therefore, you can enjoy comfortable driving regardless of the four seasons.

Also, unlike the wireless system in which the engine is started remotely by wireless, there is no spatial restriction that it can be used only within the range that the wireless can reach, and it cannot be started unless the remote control unit is operated. However, since the engine start timer 15 always starts the engine 12 when the start time arrives, it is suitable for a case where the automobile is driven at the same time every day.

Furthermore, the engine start timer 15 is set such that the vehicle wheel speed is zero, the transmission is in the parking position or the neutral position, the parking brake is applied, and the engine start key 14 is inserted. Since it is configured to issue the engine start command on the premise that the vehicle is not in operation, it is possible to start the engine 12 by a timer after repeatedly checking that the vehicle is in a completely stopped state. The timer start is performed after picking up all the danger buds that the unmanned starting of 12 leads to the runaway of the car, and it is possible to surely eliminate the danger lurking behind the convenience.

Since the engine start timer 15 locks all the doors of the vehicle so that they cannot be opened when the engine start command is issued, it means that the vehicle with the engine 12 is unmanned. , A third party unrelated to the owner of the car may illegally drive the car, or a child who does not have a driver's license may drive the car, resulting in an accident, or leaving the car stolen or stolen. Can be prevented.

[0023]

As described above, according to the present invention, when a preset time arrives, the engine start timer issues an engine start command to the engine starter, and the engine of the automobile is started on time at regular intervals. Since it is configured so that you can enjoy sufficient warm-up and comfortable air conditioning at the start time of vehicle use, even if you do not actually get into the vehicle and start the engine with the engine start key, immediately after boarding Smooth and comfortable driving is possible, and unlike the wireless system that remotely starts the engine using wireless, there is no spatial restriction that it can be used only within the range that the wireless can reach, and the remote control unit is operated. It is not possible to start unless you start it, and it will always start when the start time arrives, so it is suitable for cases where you drive a car at the same time every day. Excellent effects etc. is.

Further, according to the present invention, the engine start timer is such that the vehicle wheel speed is zero, the transmission is in the parking position or the neutral position, the parking brake is applied, and the engine start key is Since it is configured to issue an engine start command on the premise that it is not plugged in, it is possible to start the engine with a timer after repeatedly checking that the car is in a completely stopped state, Therefore, the timer is started after catching all the danger buds that the unmanned starting of the engine leads to the runaway of the automobile, and it is possible to surely eliminate the danger behind the convenience.

Furthermore, in the engine starter of the present invention, the engine start timer locks all the doors of the vehicle so that they cannot be opened when the engine start command is issued. Is unmanned, a third party unrelated to the owner of the car is driving the car illegally, or a child without a driver's license driving the car causes an accident, It is possible to prevent inconveniences such as throwing away or being stolen.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an engine starting device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining a timer setting operation of a time setting unit shown in FIG.

3 is a flowchart for explaining a timer starting operation of the engine by the engine starting timer shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a conventional engine starting device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 Engine Starting Device 12 Engine 13 Engine Starter 15 Engine Starting Timer 16 Wheel Speed Sensor 17 Shift Position Sensor 18 Parking Brake Sensor 19 Engine Starting Key Sensor 20 Door Lock Control Section 21 Warm-up Timer 22 Time Setting Section

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An engine starter which is connected to an engine of a vehicle and starts the engine in response to an engine start command, and the engine starter which is connected to the engine starter and which reaches a preset time. And an engine start timer for issuing an engine start command to the engine start device. 2. The engine start timer is such that the vehicle wheel speed is zero, the transmission is in the parking position or the neutral position, the parking brake is applied, and the engine start key is inserted. The engine starting device according to claim 1, wherein the engine starting command is issued on the precondition that the engine is not running. 3. The engine starter according to claim 1, wherein the engine start timer locks all the doors of the automobile so that the doors cannot be opened when the engine start command is issued.