JP2823498B2 - Engine starter for vehicles - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle engine starting device provided with a vehicle having a shift lock mechanism, and more particularly to a vehicle in which a vehicle engine can be started without using an ignition key. The present invention relates to an engine starter for a vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a general automobile,
The engine is started using a mechanical ignition key.However, in such a configuration, inserting the ignition key into the keyhole at the time of starting the engine is an indispensable precondition. Is actually on board (or the door is open)
In this case, there is a problem that it becomes inconvenient when, for example, the warm-up operation of the engine is performed before the start of traveling.

In recent years, as a device that can solve such a problem, an engine start device that can control the start of an engine using a remote control terminal carried by a driver has been considered. That is, the vehicle engine starting device includes a receiving device for receiving an engine starting encryption signal transmitted by a radio signal from a remote control terminal carried by the driver, and a predetermined device when the receiving device receives the encryption signal. Of the engine starter motor based on the assumption that the safety conditions (such as that the transmission is not in the driving position, that the parking brake is operated, and that the engine has not been started) are satisfied. And the control device, so that the engine can be started without using the ignition key.

[0004]

By the way, an automobile is usually provided with a steering lock device for preventing theft. However, unlocking of the steering lock device, that is, release of the antitheft function, is required. , An ignition key is generally used. For this reason, even if an engine starter that does not require an ignition key as in the conventional configuration is provided, the operation of inserting the ignition key into the keyhole and rotating the ignition key is still necessary, and accordingly, the preparation operation for starting the vehicle is required. There was a problem that it was troublesome.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to start an engine and release an anti-theft function without using a mechanical ignition key, and to start a vehicle. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle engine starting device that has an effect of greatly simplifying the preparation operation of the vehicle.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided a parking mechanism for locking wheels in a state where an automatic transmission is in a parking position, and wherein the automatic transmission is shifted from a parking position to another position. An engine starting device provided in a vehicle provided with a shift lock mechanism for prohibiting an engine starting encryption signal and an engine stopping encryption signal including an airborne signal; When the device receives the engine start encryption signal, the vehicle engine is started on the assumption that the automatic transmission is in the parking position, and at least the vehicle brake device is in such an engine start state. The shift prohibition function of the shift lock mechanism is invalidated when a shift enabling condition including the operation of (1) is satisfied, and the automatic transmission is shifted to the parking position when the receiving device receives the engine stop encryption signal in the engine start state. And control means for performing control to stop the engine on the premise of the above.

[0007]

When the automatic transmission is in the parking position, the vehicle is held in a state in which traveling (including traction) is prohibited because the parking mechanism locks the wheels. Shifting of the automatic transmission to another position is prohibited by the shift lock mechanism. In such a state, when the receiving device receives the engine start encryption signal, the control means starts the engine on the assumption that the automatic transmission is in the parking position. Further, when the shift start condition including the operation of the vehicle brake device is satisfied in a state where the engine is started as described above, the control unit invalidates the shift prohibition function by the shift lock mechanism. Therefore, the engine start operation can be performed without using a mechanical ignition key, and the automatic transmission can be automatically switched to a state in which the automatic transmission can be shifted to another position. It can be greatly simplified.

When the receiving apparatus receives the engine stop encryption signal from the state where the engine is started by the engine start encryption signal as described above, the control means assumes that the automatic transmission is in the parking position. The engine will stop. Therefore, when the engine is stopped, the automatic transmission is always shifted to the parking position, and the shift to another position is prohibited by the shift lock mechanism.
The state in which the traveling of the vehicle is prohibited by the parking mechanism is maintained, and the security against theft is ensured.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an automobile engine starting device will be described below with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1 showing an electric configuration, a portable transmitter 1 is shown.
Is an operation command signal Sa of a predetermined code for instructing start and stop of an engine of the vehicle in accordance with the operation of the vehicle (corresponding to an engine start encryption signal in the present invention). And a stop command signal Sb (corresponding to an engine stop encryption signal in the present invention), an unlock command signal Sc and a lock command signal of a predetermined code for commanding unlocking and locking of the plurality of door lock mechanisms 2 of the vehicle. Sd is selectively generated, and the generated signal is transmitted as an airborne signal, for example, a radio signal.

The receiving unit 3 is provided with a receiving device 4 installed in a place where the radio wave reception condition is good in the interior of the vehicle, and the command signal S is transmitted by the receiving device 4.
a to Sd can be received. The receiving unit 3 includes, in addition to the receiving device 4, the receiving device 4
Control circuit 5 for receiving each of command signals Sa to Sd received by
(Corresponding to the control means in the present invention), and a plurality of relays 6 to 10 whose operation is controlled by the control circuit 5.

In this case, the ACC relay 6 connects the accessory circuit of the vehicle to the positive power supply terminal + B1 of the vehicle battery in the operating state, and the IG relays 7 and 9 connect the two ignition circuits of the vehicle in the operating state to the positive power supply. It is configured to connect to terminals + B1 and + B2. Also,
The starter relays 8 and 10 are configured to form two systems of starter circuits for energizing an unillustrated engine starter motor in the operating state through the positive power supply terminals + B1 and + B2.

The engine start detecting circuit 11 detects whether or not the engine has been started normally based on the engine speed, the state of the ignition device, and the like. 5 is provided with a start signal Sf.

The parking brake switch 12 generates a brake operation signal S1 in a state where the parking brake of the vehicle is in the operating position, and the shift position switch 1
3 generates a parking signal S2 when the automatic transmission of the vehicle is in the parking position, a hood switch 14 generates a hood closing signal S3 when the hood of the vehicle is closed, and a door lock detection switch 15 The door lock signal S4 is generated when all the door lock mechanisms 2 of the automobile are in a locked state, and the signals S1 to S4 are given to the control circuit 5, respectively.

The door courtesy switch 16 generates a door open signal S5 when the driver's seat door is opened, and the seat switch 17 generates a seat detection signal S6 when the driver is seated on the driver seat. , Their signals S5
And S6 are also provided to the control circuit 5.

The shift lock mechanism 18 has a well-known structure having a function of prohibiting the automatic transmission from being shifted from the parking position to another position, and shifts to another position only when the electromagnetic solenoid 19 is energized. Is allowed. Although not shown, the vehicle to which the present invention is applied is provided with a well-known parking mechanism that locks the wheels while the automatic transmission is in the parking position.

The ECU for the shift lock mechanism 18 (El
The ectronic control unit 20 includes a parking signal S2 from the shift position switch 13 and a brake from a foot brake switch 21 (corresponding to a vehicle brake device in the present invention) which is turned on when a foot brake of the vehicle is operated. It receives a signal S7 and an energization permission signal Sz output from the control circuit 5 as described later, and energizes the electromagnetic solenoid 19 in a state where the respective signals S2, S7 and Sz are input simultaneously. It has become.

The control circuit 5 includes a microcomputer, and each of the input signals Sa to Sa as described above.
Based on Sd, Sf, S1 to S6 and a preset program, the door lock mechanism 2, the relays 6 to 10
And the output control of the energization allowance signal Sz to the ECU 20. Hereinafter, the control contents of the control circuit 5 and the operation of the parts related thereto will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. explain.

That is, the control circuit 5 includes an operation command signal Sa, a stop command signal Sb, an unlock command signal Sc, a locking command signal Sd, and a door courtesy switch 16 from the portable transmitter 1.
A standby loop is formed to sequentially determine the input state of the door opening signal S5 from the CPU (steps A1 to A5).

When the operation command signal Sa from the portable transmitter 1 is received through the receiving device 4 ("YE" in step A1).
In step S6), it is determined whether or not the start signal Sf has been input and whether or not the brake operation signal S1, the parking signal S2, the hood closing signal S3, and the door lock signal S4 have all been input (step A6). , A7). At this time, if the start signal Sf has been input or if any of the signals S1 to S4 has been stopped, the process returns to the standby loops A1 to A5.
Is stopped and the brake operation signal S1, the parking signal S2, the hood closing signal S3, and the door lock signal S4 are all input, the process returns to the standby loops A1 to A5 after executing the engine start routine A8.

That is, the engine start routine A8
Means that when the operation command signal Sa from the portable transmitter 1 is received, the engine has not been started, the parking brake is operating, the automatic transmission is in the parking position, Is executed on the premise that the start condition that the door lock mechanism 2 is in the locked state is closed, and the ACC relay 6 and the IG relay 7 are executed in the engine start routine A8. , 9 are sequentially operated to form the accessory circuit and the ignition circuit of the automobile, and then the starter relays 8 and 10 are operated to form the starter circuit to start the engine.

In the engine start routine A8, when the state in which the starter circuit is formed is continued for a predetermined upper limit time or more, the current path is temporarily cut off. By re-executing the engine start operation, abnormal consumption of the on-vehicle battery is suppressed. However, if the engine does not start even if such an engine start operation is repeated a predetermined number of times (when the start signal Sf is not input). Returns to the standby routines A1 to A5.

In the engine start routine A8, when the engine is started as described above (when the start signal Sf is input), the starter relay 8,
10, the ACC relay 6 and the IG
The operation state of the relays 7, 9 is maintained as it is, and the rotation of the engine is continued.

When the stop command signal Sb from the portable transmitter 1 is received through the receiving device 4 ("YE" in step A2).
S "), it is determined whether or not the start signal Sf has been input (step A9). If the input of the start signal Sf has been stopped, the process returns to the standby loop A1 to A5, but the start signal Sf has been input. In this case (that is, when the engine is operating), it is determined whether or not the parking signal S2 has been input (step A10). If the parking signal S2 has not been input, the process returns to the standby loops A1 to A5.
If it has been input, an engine stop routine A11 is executed.

That is, the engine stop routine A11
Is executed on the assumption that the engine has been started and the automatic transmission has been shifted to the parking position when the stop command signal Sb from the portable transmitter 1 has been received. In the engine stop routine A11, the operation of the ACC relay 6 and the IG relays 7, 9 is stopped to cut off the accessory circuit and the ignition circuit of the automobile, thereby stopping the engine.

After the execution of the engine stop routine A11, a step A12 for resetting (initializing) a lock release flag RF to "0" to be described later and a step A13 for stopping output of the energization permission signal Sz are sequentially executed. Return to A1 to A5.

When the unlock command signal Sc from the portable transmitter 1 is received through the receiving device 4 ("YE" in step A3).
In step S14), the unlocking operation of the door lock mechanism 2 is performed (step A14). Thereafter, step A15 for setting the lock release flag RF to "1" is executed, and the process returns to the standby loops A1 to A5.

When the locking command signal Sd from the portable transmitter 1 is received through the receiving device 4 ("YE" in step A4).
S "), the door lock mechanism 2 is locked (step A16), and thereafter, a step A17 for resetting the lock release flag RF and a step A18 for stopping the output of the energization permission signal Sz are sequentially executed, and then the standby loop A1. ~
Return to A5.

When the door opening signal S5 from the door courtesy switch 16 is received ("YES" in step A5), the input of the seating detection signal S6 from the seating switch 17 and the start signal Sf from the engine start detection circuit 11 is input. The presence / absence is sequentially determined (steps A19 and A20), and when the signals S6 and Sf are not input, the standby loop A
Returning to 1 to A5, when both signals S6 and Sf are input, that is, when the riding state to the driver's seat is detected while the engine is started by the operation command signal Sa as described above, , The lock release flag RF
Is determined to be "1" (step A21).

When the lock release flag RF is "0", the process returns to the standby loop A1 to A5. When the flag RF is "1", that is, when the door lock mechanism 2 is activated by the unlock command signal Sc as described above. If the unlocking operation has been performed, the output of the operation permission signal Sz is started in step A22.
Are executed, the process returns to the standby loops A1 to A5.

In short, as a result of the above-described control being performed in the control circuit 5, the following operations and effects are obtained. In other words, when the automatic transmission is in the parking position, the parking mechanism (not shown) locks the wheels, so that the running (including towing) of the vehicle is held in a prohibited state. Shifting to another position is prohibited by the shift lock mechanism 18.

In such a state, when the receiving device 4 receives the operation command signal Sa from the portable transmitter 1,
The engine is started on the assumption that predetermined starting conditions including that the automatic transmission is in the parking position are satisfied. The receiving device 4
Receives the stop command signal Sb from the portable transmitter 1, the engine is stopped on the assumption that a predetermined stop condition including that the automatic transmission is shifted to the parking position is satisfied. Further, when the receiving device 4 receives the unlock command signal Sc or the lock command signal Sd from the portable transmitter 1, the unlocking or locking operation of the door lock mechanism 2 is performed.

In particular, when the riding state of the driver's seat is detected while the engine is started as described above, the door lock mechanism 2 is unlocked by the portable transmitter 1 as described above. Only when the unlock command signal Sc has been issued, the ECU 2 of the shift lock mechanism 18
The operation permission signal Sz is given to 0.

Then, the ECU 20 sets the shift position switch 1 in the input state of the operation permission signal Sz.
3 and the brake signal S7 from the foot brake switch 21 are supplied simultaneously, the electromagnetic solenoid 19 of the shift lock mechanism 18 is energized. Accordingly, the automatic transmission is moved from the parking position to another position. It becomes possible to shift to a position.

That is, when the engine is in the starting state, the door lock mechanism 2 can be unlocked by the unlock command signal Sc from the portable transmitter 1, the driver can enter the driver's seat, and the foot brake can be depressed. Only when the condition is satisfied, the shift prohibition function by the shift lock mechanism 18 is invalidated and the vehicle can be switched to a running state. When the automatic transmission is shifted from the parking position to another position, the parking signal S2 from the shift position switch 13 disappears, so that the ECU 20 stops energizing the electromagnetic solenoid 19.

As a result, the engine start operation can be performed without using a mechanical ignition key, and the release operation of the anti-theft function by the shift lock mechanism 18 is automatically performed without using the above-mentioned ignition key. This makes it possible to greatly simplify the preparation operation for starting the vehicle as a whole. Moreover, in this case, the portable transmitter 1 for remotely instructing the start of the engine and the unlocking of the door lock mechanism 2 as described above is originally held by the driver of the automobile. Therefore, security concerns do not increase.

Further, since the engine can be stopped only when the automatic transmission is shifted to the parking position, the automatic transmission always stays at the parking position when the engine is stopped. At the same time, shifting to another position is performed by the shift lock mechanism 1.
Therefore, the parking mechanism keeps the state in which the running (including towing) of the automobile is prohibited, and the security against theft is ensured. Further, as a result of securing the security against theft in this way, it is possible to eliminate the need for the steering lock device which has been required in the past, thereby realizing cost reduction.

In the above-described embodiment, the function of detecting the state of boarding the driver's seat is added. However, such a function may be provided as needed.
As a precondition for outputting z, the door lock mechanism 2
Is performed in response to the unlock command signal Sc from the portable transmitter 1, but such a condition may be added if necessary.

[0038]

According to the present invention, as apparent from the above description, the engine is started in response to the reception of the engine start encryption signal composed of the airborne signal, and the vehicle is stolen by using the shift lock mechanism. The start of the engine and the release of the anti-theft function can be performed without using a mechanical ignition key, greatly simplifying the preparation operation for starting the vehicle. In addition to this, there is an excellent effect that security can be improved while reducing costs.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an electrical configuration diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing control contents.

[Explanation of symbols]

In the drawing, 1 is a portable transmitter, 2 is a door lock mechanism, 3 is a receiving unit, 4 is a receiving device, 5 is a control circuit (control means), 13 is a shift position switch, 18 is a shift lock mechanism, and 19 is an electromagnetic device. Solenoid, 20 is ECU, 2
Reference numeral 1 denotes a foot brake switch (vehicle brake device).

Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification symbol FI H04K 1/00 H04K 1/00 Z (72) Inventor Taketoshi Sakurai 1 Noda No. 1 Toyoda, Oji-machi, Oguchi-cho, Niwa-gun, Aichi Prefecture Tokai Rika Electric Works, Ltd. (72) Inventor Tadashi Wakitani No. 1 Noda, Toyoda, Oguchi-cho, Niwa-gun, Niwa-gun, Aichi Prefecture Inside the Tokai Rika Electric Works, Ltd. (56) References Shiro 20-20927 (JP, U) Shiro Hei 21-21172 (JP, U) JP-A-4-62954 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B60R 25/06 B60K 28/10 B60R 25/00 B60R 25/04

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A vehicle comprising: a parking mechanism for locking wheels when an automatic transmission is in a parking position; and a shift lock mechanism for preventing the automatic transmission from shifting from a parking position to another position. A receiver for receiving an engine start encryption signal and an engine stop encryption signal comprising an airborne signal; and an automatic transmission when the receiver receives the engine start encryption signal. The vehicle engine is started on the premise that the transmission is in the parking position, and when a shiftable condition including at least the operation of the vehicle brake device is satisfied in such an engine starting state, Control for disabling the shift prohibition function of the shift lock mechanism and stopping the engine on the premise that the automatic transmission is in the parking position when the receiving device receives the engine stop encryption signal in the engine start state. And a means for starting the vehicle engine.