JPH0318012B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a control device for an automobile engine (mainly an internal combustion engine), and more particularly to a device for automatically controlling engine stop and start.

In recent years, in order to reduce fuel consumption by idling while waiting at traffic lights or during traffic congestion, devices have been developed that stop the engine when the vehicle comes to a stop and start the engine when the vehicle starts moving.

For example, the device described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 51-9085 automatically starts the engine by operating the accelerator pedal when starting the car.
When the vehicle is stopped, the engine is stopped by manually cutting off power to the ignition circuit by the driver.

However, the above device was designed to stop the engine using a manual switch that was separate from normal driving operations, so the driver had to operate the manual switch as an operation separate from normal driving operations. First, it is very complicated, and therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult to utilize this device to the fullest.

Furthermore, when the manual switch is operated, the engine is stopped even when the car is running, and the method of stopping the engine is to cut off the power to the ignition circuit. Therefore, if you accidentally operate the manual switch while driving, the ignition system stops but fuel continues to be supplied, causing unburned fuel to be sent to the heated exhaust purification catalyst device, causing the catalyst device to deteriorate. There was also a risk of a fire occurring.

Additionally, the device described in Automotive Engineering (Published by Railway Japan Co., Ltd.), November 1981 issue, pages 72 to 78, automatically stops the engine when the car stops, and when the car starts, the driver depresses the clutch pedal. is configured to automatically start the engine.

However, in the above-mentioned devices, the engine is automatically stopped when the car stops, so the engine frequently stops even during extremely short stops such as stopping at an intersection or waiting at a traffic light. Since the engine has to be started, fuel consumption due to power consumption at the time of starting increases, and there is a possibility that effective reduction in fuel consumption cannot be obtained.

Furthermore, since the engine is started by depressing the clutch pedal, there is also the problem that it cannot be applied to vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions that do not have a clutch.

Furthermore, if the car is stopped on a slope with the engine stopped and the parking brake is released before the clutch pedal is pressed to start the engine, the car will start moving with the engine still stopped. Especially in modern cars, there are many devices such as power steering devices and power brake devices that provide auxiliary power from the power of the engine, so if you start the car with the engine stopped, the auxiliary power mentioned above will not be provided. The steering wheel suddenly became heavy and the brakes became less effective, which could pose a safety problem.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the various problems of the prior art as described above, and provides engine control that automatically stops and starts the engine only by normal driving operations and that does not pose any safety problems. The purpose is to provide equipment.

In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention,
If the parking brake is applied without pressing the parking brake release button, the engine will stop immediately, and if the parking brake is applied with the release button pressed, the engine will stop while the release button is pressed. The engine is configured so that it does not stop, and when the release button is pressed while the engine is stopped, the engine is started.

With the above configuration, the engine does not stop during extremely short stops where there is no need to apply the parking brake, eliminating deterioration in fuel efficiency due to power consumption caused by frequent starts, and even when stopping on a slope, the engine does not stop. If you return it, the engine will start without fail, so there is no risk of problems with the power brakes, etc.

Also, if you are applying the parking brake for a very short period of time, such as when starting on a hill, you can apply the parking brake while pressing the release button, and the engine will not stop, so there will be no time delay for the engine to restart when starting. . Furthermore, since the operation of the parking brake is a completely normal driving operation, there is no fear that the operation will become complicated, and it can also be applied to vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions, so that many excellent effects can be obtained.

The present invention will be explained in detail below based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a signal waveform diagram of the circuit of FIG.

In Figure 1, S ₁ is the parking brake signal, which is "1" when the parking brake is applied as will be detailed later, and "0" when it is not applied.
become.

Further, _S2 is an ignition switch signal, which becomes "1" when the ignition switch is on.

Further, _S3 is a release signal, which becomes "1" while the parking brake release button, which will be described in detail later, is pressed.

Further, _S4 is a starter signal, which is "1" while the starter switch for operating the starter motor is on.

Further, _S5 is a rotational speed signal, which is a voltage signal proportional to the engine rotational speed. This rotation speed signal S ₅
For example, the neutral point voltage of the alternator may be used, or if the engine has a crank angle sensor that outputs a pulse every time the engine crank angle rotates by a predetermined angle, the frequency of the pulse may be converted into a voltage. You may also use the

Further, _S14 is a starter drive signal, and while this signal is "1", the starter motor operates. Further, _S15 is a fuel cut signal, and while this signal is "1", fuel supply to the engine is cut off.

Next, 1, 2, 3 and 4 are one-shot multi-valve regulators, respectively, which output narrow trigger signals S ₆ , S ₇ , S ₈ and S ₁₀ , respectively, when the input signal rises.

Further, 5, 6 and 7 are OR circuits, 8 is an AND circuit, and 9 and 10 are flip-flops.

Further, 11 is a comparator, which is set to "1" when the value of the rotation speed signal _S5 is less than a predetermined reference voltage V _S.
In the above case, a signal _S9 which becomes "0" is output. The value of the reference voltage V _S is set to the lowest value when the engine rotates independently, for example, a value corresponding to 400 rpm. Therefore, when the signal _S9 is "1", it indicates that the engine is stopped or cranking, and when it is "0", it indicates that the engine is stopped or cranking.
When , it indicates that the engine is running (starting has been completed and is running independently).

Further, 12 is an inverter that inverts and outputs the signal _S9 , 13 is an inverter that inverts and outputs the release signal _S3 , and 14 is an AND circuit.

Then the parking brake signal S ₁ and release signal as mentioned above
A device that outputs _S3 will be explained.

FIG. 3 is an example of a parking brake operating device for operating the parking brake.

In FIG. 3, 20 is a floor panel of the vehicle body, and a parking brake bracket 21 is bolted to the floor panel 20. Further, 22 is a tooth provided on the parking brake bracket 21, 23 is a parking brake lever, 24 is a release button that releases the lock of the parking brake lever 23, and 25 is a tooth that is engaged with the above-mentioned tooth 22, and the parking brake lever 2
26 is a rod that connects the release button 24 and the claw 25, 27 is a release spring, and the release button 2 is
4. Always push the rod 26 and pawl 25 to the left in the drawing. 28 is a stopper for the return spring 27, which is fixed to the parking brake lever 23. 29 also connects the pawl 25 to the parking brake lever 23.
30 is a pin that connects the rod 26 and the pawl 25, 31 is a pin that rotatably supports the parking brake lever 23, 32 is a parking brake cable, 33 is a switch fixed to the parking brake lever 23, 34 is a switch fixed to the floor panel 20, and 35 is a part of the parking brake lever 23, which is a pressing part for pressing the button of the switch 34.

Next, the effect will be explained.

The state shown in FIG. 3 is a state in which the parking brake is not applied at all.

From this state, the driver should press the parking brake lever 23.
When pulled upward in the drawing, the parking brake cable 32 is pulled to the left in the drawing, and a parking brake (not shown) is applied. Since the pawl 25 engages with the teeth 22, the parking brake lever 23 is held in the raised position. Also, at this time, since the pressing part 35 is in a state of pressing the button of the switch 34,
The switch 34 is turned on, and the parking brake signal _S1 shown in FIG. 1 becomes "1".

On the other hand, when the release button 24 is pushed to the right in the drawing by the driver, the pawl 25 and teeth 22 are disengaged, so that the parking brake lever 23 can be pulled down. If you pull down the parking brake lever 23 in this state, the parking brake cable 32
returns to the right side of the drawing, the parking brake (not shown) is released, and the switch 34 is turned off, so the parking brake signal _S1 becomes "0".

Also, while the release button 24 is pressed to the right in the drawing, the upper part of the claw 25 is pressing the button of the switch 33, so the switch 33 is turned on.
The release signal _S3 in FIG. 1 becomes "1".

When the driver stops pressing the release button 24, the claw 25 returns to its previous position due to the force of the return spring 27, so the switch 33 is turned off and the release signal _S3 becomes "0".

While the parking brake is applied as described above, the parking brake signal _S1 becomes "1", and while the release button 24 is pressed, the release signal _S3 becomes "1". As can be seen from the above explanation, when releasing the parking brake once applied, it is necessary to press the release button 24. Therefore, when releasing the parking brake, the release signal _S3 is always "1". "become.

Although the example in Fig. 3 shows a case where a so-called handbrake is used as the parking brake, there are other types of parking brakes, such as those installed in front of the driver's seat, which the driver can pull toward to stop the vehicle. The present invention can be applied in exactly the same way to a brake system.

The operation of the circuit shown in FIG. 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

First, when the ignition switch is turned on at time t1 in FIG. ₂ when the engine is completely stopped, the ignition switch signal _S2 becomes "1". Therefore, the one-shot multivibrator 2 outputs a trigger signal _S7 , and this signal is sent to the OR circuits 6 and 7 as trigger signals respectively.
S ₁₁ and S ₁₂ become flip-flops 9 and 9, respectively.
10 reset terminal R. Therefore, flip-flops 9 and 10 are both reset and Q
The outputs (the Q output of 9 is S ₁₅ and the Q output of 10 is S ₁₃ ) are both "0". In this state, both the starter drive signal _S14 and the fuel cut signal _S15 are "0", and the engine is ready to start.

Then at time t ₂ the starter switch is turned on and
When the starter signal _S4 becomes "1", this signal is applied to the one-shot multivibrator 3 via the OR circuit 5, and the one-shot multivibrator 3 outputs a trigger signal _S8 .

This trigger signal _S8 is applied to the set terminal S of the flip-flop 10, so that the signal at the Q output
_S13 becomes "1". Note that this trigger signal _S8 is
Since it becomes the reset signal _S11 of the flip-flop 9 via the OR circuit 6, _{the fuel cut signal S15 is} always "0" when the trigger signal S8 is output.
and becomes ready for fuel supply.

On the other hand, at time _t2 , since the engine is stopped, the rotational speed signal _S5 is at a low level, and therefore the signal _S9 of the comparator 11 is "1".

As above, both signal S ₁₃ and signal S ₉ are “1”
Therefore, the starter drive signal _S14 output from the AND circuit 8 becomes "1".

When the starter drive signal _S14 becomes "1", a starter motor drive device (not shown) is activated to rotate the starter motor and start the engine. At this time, since the fuel cut signal _S15 is "0" as described above, the fuel injection device (not shown) is operating normally and is supplying fuel.

Next, the engine speed gradually increases until the point
When the rotational speed signal S ₅ becomes equal to or higher than the reference voltage V _S at t ₃ , that is, when the engine starts to operate independently after completion of starting, the signal S ₉ becomes “0”. Therefore, the starter drive signal S ₁₄ output from the AND circuit 8
also becomes "0" and the starter motor stops.

Note that when the signal _S9 becomes “0”, the inverter 12
The output becomes "1", so the one-shot multivibrator 4 outputs the trigger signal _S10 .

This trigger signal _S10 is sent as a signal via the OR circuit 7.
Since the signal _S12 is applied to the reset terminal R of the flip-flop 10, the flip-flop 10 is reset and the signal _S13 also becomes "0".

Next, when starting the car, the release button is pressed at time _t4 to release the parking brake, and the release signal _S3 becomes "1". This signal is applied to the one-shot multivibrator 3 via the OR circuit 5, and as a result, the trigger signal _S8 becomes "1", so the flip-flop 10 is set and the signal _S13 becomes "1". However, at this time, the engine is already operating and the signal _S9 is "0", so the starter drive signal _S14 output from the AND circuit 8 remains at "0". Therefore, the starter motor does not operate.

Note that when the release signal _S3 becomes "1", the signal _S'3 , which is inverted by the inverter 13, becomes "0", and therefore the signal output from the AND circuit 14
_S'1 also becomes "0", but in this case, other circuits are not affected at all.

Then the parking brake is released (parking brake signal
_S1 becomes "0"), the release button is returned at time _t5 , and the release signal _S3 becomes "0".

In this state, the first engine start is completed and the vehicle is ready to run.

Next, a case will be described in which the engine is stopped by applying the parking brake.

First, at time _t6 , when the parking brake is applied without pressing the parking brake release button as in the normal parking brake operation, the parking brake signal S1 becomes " ₁ ". At this time, the release signal S ₃
is “0”, and the inverted signal S′ ₃ is “1”
Therefore, the signal _S'1 outputted from the AND circuit 14 becomes "1", and the one-shot multivibrator 1 outputs the trigger signal _S6 . Therefore, the flip-flop 9 is set, and its Q output, that is, the fuel cut signal _S15 becomes "1".

When the fuel cut signal _S15 becomes "1", a fuel injection device (not shown) cuts off the fuel supply, so the engine stops.

Note that the trigger signal _S6 is a signal via the OR circuit 7.
_S12 is applied to flip-flop 10, so flip-flop 10 is reset and the signal
_S13 becomes "0".

Next, the engine stops and the rotation speed gradually decreases, and when the rotation speed signal S ₅ becomes less than the reference voltage V _S at time t ₇ , the signal S ₉ becomes “1”.

Next, a case will be described in which the engine is started using the release button.

First, at time _t8 , when the driver presses the release button to release the parking brake, the release signal _S3 becomes "1".

When the release signal _S3 becomes "1", the trigger signal _S8 outputted from the one-shot multivibrator 3 becomes "1" as described above.

This trigger signal _S8 is sent as a signal via the OR circuit 6.
Reset terminal R of flip-flop 9 as _S11
given to. Therefore, the flip-flop 9 is reset and the fuel cut signal _S15 becomes "0", making it possible to inject fuel.

Further, since the trigger signal _S8 sets the flip-flop 10 in the same way as described above, the signal _S13 becomes "1", and at this time, the engine is stopped and the signal _S9
Since is "1", the starter drive signal _S14 output from the AND circuit 8 becomes "1", and the starter motor operates and the engine starts in the same manner as described above.

When starting is completed and the rotation speed signal _S5 becomes equal to or higher than the reference voltage V _S , the signals _S9 and _S13 become "0", the starter drive signal _S14 becomes "0", and the starter motor stops. This is the same as above.

Also, when the release signal _S3 becomes “1”, the signal
Since S′ ₃ becomes “0”, the signal S′ ₁ also becomes “0”,
Thereafter, while the vehicle is running, the parking brake is released and the parking brake signal _S1 also becomes "0", so the signal _S'1 is in the state of "0".

Next, a case will be described in which the engine is not stopped even if the parking brake is applied.

First, at time _t10 , when the parking brake is applied while pressing the release button, as in the operation when starting on a slope, the release signal _S3 becomes "1", so the signal _S'3 becomes "0", Therefore, even if the parking brake signal S ₁ becomes "1", the signal S' ₁ becomes "0".
It remains as it is. Therefore, the signal _S6 is not output, the flip-flop 9 remains reset, and the fuel cut signal _S15 is "0".
Therefore, the engine does not stop.

Further, at this time, since the engine is operating and the signal _S9 is "0", the starter drive signal _S14 is not output even if the release signal _S3 becomes "1".

If the parking brake is released in this state, that is, while the release button is held down, the vehicle can be started. Therefore, if you want to temporarily apply the parking brake, such as when starting on a slope, press the release button while applying the parking brake, and then release the parking brake.The engine will not stop and you will need to restart it when starting. Therefore, there is no risk of giving the driver a sense of anxiety due to a time delay during restart, and a smooth start is possible. Additionally, wasteful power consumption due to frequent startups can be eliminated.

As shown at time _t11 , if the release button is returned with the parking brake applied, the release signal _S3 becomes "0" and the signal _S'3 becomes "1", so the signal
_S'1 becomes "1", so the one-shot multivibrator 1 outputs the trigger signal _S6 , the flip-flop 9 is set, the fuel cut signal _S15 becomes "1", and the engine is stopped in the same way as above. I am made to do so.

That is, in the circuit shown in FIG. 1, stopping and starting of the engine can be arbitrarily controlled by applying the parking brake and operating the release button.

Although not shown in FIG. 1, when the ignition switch is turned off, the power to the ignition device is cut off and the engine is stopped, as in a normal automobile engine.

As mentioned above, the circuit shown in Figure 1 has the same start/stop control function as the conventional ignition switch and starter switch, and if the parking brake is applied while the engine is running, the engine will automatically stop. It also has a function that automatically starts the engine when the parking brake release button is pressed, and a function that does not stop the engine even if the parking brake is applied by operating the parking brake while pressing the release button.

Therefore, when the parking brake is applied when the vehicle is stopped, the engine automatically stops, and when the parking brake is released when the vehicle is started, the engine is automatically started, thereby eliminating wasteful fuel consumption due to idling while the vehicle is stopped.

In addition, the engine does not stop during extremely short stops that do not require the parking brake to be applied (such as stopping at an intersection or waiting at a short traffic light), so the engine does not stop, resulting in frequent engine stops and frequent engine starts resulting in fuel consumption. Since there is no increase in consumption, fuel efficiency can be further improved.

In addition, since the operation of the parking brake is a completely normal operation when stopping and starting a car, the driver can drive the car in the same way as a normal car without giving the driver any sense of complication.

In addition, even when starting from parking on a slope, the engine will always start as soon as the parking brake is released to start, so there is no effect on the auxiliary power of power steering, power brakes, etc.
It's safe.

Also, if you want to temporarily apply the parking brake for a very short period of time, such as when starting on a hill, you can keep the engine from stopping by pressing and holding the release button while applying the parking brake, and then releasing the parking brake. Therefore, there is no possibility of the driver feeling uneasy due to a restart delay at the time of starting, and smooth starting can be performed, and wasteful power consumption due to frequent starting can be eliminated.

Additionally, when the parking brake is applied to automatically stop the engine, the fuel cut signal is used to cut off the fuel supply, so there is no risk of unburned fuel having an adverse effect on the catalyst device, etc. .

Furthermore, since the parking brake is provided in all automobiles, it has the advantage that it can be applied to all vehicle types regardless of the type of transmission, etc.

Although the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 illustrates the case where the present invention is constructed using ordinary hardware, it is of course possible to perform similar control using a microcomputer. When applied to an automobile equipped with a central engine control device, the present invention can be implemented simply by changing the program of the microcomputer.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a signal waveform diagram of the circuit of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a diagram of an example of a parking brake operating device. Explanation of symbols, 1 to 4...One-shot multivibrator, 5 to 7...OR circuit, 8...AND circuit, 9, 10...flip-flop, 11...
Comparator, 12, 13...Inverter, 14...AND circuit, S1...Parking _brake signal, _S2 ...Ignition switch signal, _S3 ...Release signal, _S4
……Starter signal, S ₅ ……Rotation speed signal, S ₁₄ ……
Starter drive signal, _S15 ...Fuel cut signal.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. If the parking brake is applied while the engine is running and the parking brake release button is not pressed, the engine will be stopped immediately, and if the parking brake is applied while the release button is pressed, the above An engine comprising: first means for not stopping the engine while the release button is pressed; and second means for starting the engine when the release button is pressed while the engine is stopped. Control device.