Vehicle

Abstract

Compared with the case of performing a historical position start for starting the engine based on remote operation at a start history position having an engine start history, in the case of performing a non-historical position start for starting the engine based on remote operation at a position where the vehicle position is different from the start history position, the restrictive conditions for restricting engine start are tightened. That is, in the case where a non-historical position start has been performed, it is difficult to start the engine. As a result, more appropriate measures can be taken when starting the engine based on remote operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle, and more particularly to a vehicle capable of starting an engine based on remote operation. Background Art

[0002] In the related art, as a vehicle of this type, a vehicle provided with an engine, a passenger compartment concentration detection device for detecting the concentration of carbon monoxide in the passenger compartment, and an environmental condition detection device for detecting the environmental condition of the vehicle has been proposed (see, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2016-183568 (JP 2016-183568 A)). In this vehicle, when it is determined that the detection value from the passenger compartment concentration detection device is greater than a reference value and it is determined from the detection value from the environmental condition detection device that the vehicle is in an enclosed space, the engine stops and a warning is given. As a result, the high concentration of carbon monoxide in the passenger compartment is notified to the occupants, and a further increase in the concentration of carbon monoxide in the passenger compartment is suppressed. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In recent years, a vehicle has been proposed in which an engine is started by remote operation to preheat the engine or perform air conditioning of the passenger compartment. When the vehicle is parked outdoors, there is no problem in starting the engine by remote operation, but when the vehicle is parked indoors, it may not be possible to maintain a good environmental state indoors or in the passenger compartment due to exhaust gas. Therefore, in the case of starting the engine by remote operation, it is necessary to perform a process different from the process in the case of starting the engine by getting into the vehicle.

[0004] A vehicle according to an aspect of the present invention takes more appropriate measures when starting the engine based on remote operation.

[0005] The vehicle according to the above aspect of the present invention employs the following means.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention relates to a vehicle including an engine and a controller. The controller is configured to start the engine based on remote operation. The controller is configured to tighten the restriction conditions for restricting engine start in a case of performing a non-historical position start for starting the engine based on remote operation at a position where the vehicle position is different from the start history position, as compared with a case of performing a start at a historical position for starting the engine based on remote operation at a start history position having a start history of the engine.

[0007] In a vehicle according to the aspect of the present invention, compared with the case of performing a historical position start for starting the engine based on remote operation at a start historical position having an engine start history, in the case of performing a non-historical position start for starting the engine based on remote operation at a position where the vehicle position is different from the start historical position, the limiting conditions for restricting engine start are tightened. That is, in the case where a non-historical position start is performed, it is difficult to start the engine. As a result, the risk when starting the engine based on remote operation can be further reduced. As a result, more appropriate measures can be taken when starting the engine based on remote operation.

[0008] In a vehicle according to the aspect of the present invention, the controller may be configured to, in the case of performing a non-historical position start, notify the remote operator that the vehicle position is different from the start historical position and ask the remote operator whether to permit starting the engine. In this way, confirmation of whether to permit starting the engine can be made to the remote operator. In this case, the controller may be configured to, in the case of performing a non-historical position start and determining that the vehicle is parked indoors, notify the remote operator that the vehicle position is different from the start historical position and ask the remote operator whether to permit starting the engine.

[0009] In a vehicle according to the aspect of the present invention, the controller may be configured to relax the limiting conditions in the case of starting the engine based on a switch operation in the passenger compartment compared with the case of starting the engine based on remote operation. That is, when starting the engine based on a switch operation in the passenger compartment, no notification that the vehicle position is different from the start historical position is given, or no inquiry about whether to permit starting the engine is given. The above is based on the operator being present in the passenger compartment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The features, advantages, and technology and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, in which the same reference numerals represent the same elements, and in which:

[0011] Figure 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of the configuration of an information management system 10 having a vehicle 20 as an embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] Figure 2 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a vehicle 20 according to the present embodiment;

[0013] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of remote air conditioning start processing executed by an electronic control unit 30 of the vehicle 20; and

[0014] Figure 4It is a flowchart showing an example of a remote air-conditioning start process according to a modified example. Detailed implementation

[0015] Hereinafter, modes for implementing the present invention will be described with examples.

[0016] Figure 1 It is a configuration diagram showing an outline of the configuration of an information management system 10 having a vehicle 20 as an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 It is a configuration diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the vehicle 20 according to the present embodiment. As Figure 1 shown, the information management system 10 according to the present embodiment includes a vehicle 20, a portable terminal 120, and a management center 220.

[0017] As Figure 2 shown, the vehicle 20 includes an engine EG, an electric motor MG, and an automatic transmission (AT) device. The engine EG is configured as an internal combustion engine driven by using hydrocarbon fuels such as gasoline or light oil, and the output shaft 21 of the engine EG is connected to the input shaft 23 of the automatic transmission device AT via a clutch 22. The electric motor MG is configured as, for example, a synchronous motor generator, and the rotor of the electric motor MG is connected to the input shaft 23 of the automatic transmission device AT. The electric motor MG is driven by converting DC power from a battery (not shown) into three-phase AC power by an inverter (not shown) and applying the converted current power. The automatic transmission device AT is configured as, for example, a hydraulically driven transmission, has six forward gears and one reverse gear, and includes a torque converter and an automatic transmission, and a drive shaft 24 as an output shaft of the automatic transmission device AT is connected to drive wheels 28a, 28b via a differential gear 26.

[0018] The vehicle 20 includes various sensors 40, a camera 60, a millimeter-wave radar 61, a Global Positioning System (GPS) 62, a display device 70, a communication device 72, an air-conditioning device 74 that performs air conditioning in the passenger compartment, a navigation system 80, or an electronic control unit 30.

[0019] Examples of the various sensors 40 include sensors that detect the state or environmental conditions of the vehicle, such as a vehicle speed sensor 49, a wheel speed sensor 50, an acceleration sensor 51, a yaw rate sensor 52, a slope sensor 53, a clearance sonar 54, a sunlight sensor 55, an outside air temperature sensor 56, or a vehicle body vibration sensor 57.

[0020] A plurality of cameras 60 are arranged such that the front, rear, or side of the vehicle can be imaged. The cameras 60 may have the function of a driving recorder and store, for example, vehicle speed, Global Positioning System (GPS) data, and time together with the captured images. The communication device 72 communicates with the management center 220 via a wireless communication network or receives various information via the Internet. The air conditioning device 74 performs air conditioning in the vehicle compartment.

[0021] The navigation system 80 is a system that guides the own vehicle to a set destination, and the navigation system 80 includes a map information database or a display unit (not shown). The map information database stores the following as map information: the road surface state of the road in each section, the width of the road, the number of lanes, the width of the sidewalk, the direction in which the vehicle can travel, the legal speed, etc. When a destination is set, the navigation system 80 sets a route and performs route guidance based on information about the destination, information about the current location (the current position of the own vehicle) acquired by the GPS 62, and information stored in the map information database.

[0022] The electronic control unit 30 is a microcomputer configured around the CPU 31, and in addition to including the CPU 31, it also includes a ROM 32 that stores programs, etc., a RAM 33 that stores data, etc., a flash memory 34 that stores data, etc., a timer 35 having a timer function, etc., or input and output ports (not shown).

[0023] Signals from various sensors are input to the electronic control unit 30 via the input port. Examples of signals input to the electronic control unit 30 via the input port include an ignition signal from the ignition switch 42, a shift position from the shift position sensor 44 that detects the position of the shift lever 43, an acceleration operation amount from the accelerator pedal position sensor 46 that detects the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal 45, and a braking position from the brake pedal position sensor 48 that detects the amount of depression of the brake pedal 47. In addition, examples of signals input to the electronic control unit 30 via the input port also include the vehicle speed from the vehicle speed sensor 49, the wheel speed from the wheel speed sensor 50, the acceleration from the acceleration sensor 51, the yaw rate from the yaw rate sensor 52, the road surface gradient from the gradient sensor 53, proximity information from the clearance sonar 54, sunlight information from the sunlight sensor 55, the outside air temperature from the outside air temperature sensor 56, the vehicle body vibration information from the vehicle body vibration sensor 57, radar information from the millimeter wave radar 61, and GPS data (position information) from the GPS 62. Furthermore, examples of signals input to the electronic control unit 30 via the input port also include signals indicating the state of the engine EG from various sensors attached to the engine EG.

[0024] The electronic control unit 30 outputs various control signals via an output port. Examples of the control signals output from the electronic control unit 30 via the output port include a display control signal sent to the display device 70, a communication control signal sent to the communication device 72, and an air conditioning control signal sent to the air conditioning device 74. In addition, examples of the control signals output from the electronic control unit 30 via the output port further include control signals such as a throttle control signal, a fuel injection control signal, and an ignition control signal for controlling the operation of the engine EG.

[0025] The portable terminal 120 is configured as a smart phone having, for example, a microcomputer function and a telephone function. An air conditioning activation application 130, which is an application software for performing air conditioning in the passenger compartment of the vehicle by remote operation, is installed in the portable terminal 120, and the portable terminal 120 communicates with the management center 220 via a communication network such as the Internet or a telephone line through the processing of the air conditioning activation application 130.

[0026] The management center 220 includes a user authentication unit 230, an air conditioning activation unit 240, or a communication device 250. The user authentication unit 230 performs authentication that the user is a user of the vehicle 20 through the air conditioning activation application 130 of the portable terminal 120. The authentication can be performed by receiving an identification (ID) code and a password input and sent from the portable terminal 120 and determining whether the pre-stored ID code or password matches the ID code of the vehicle 20 or the like. The air conditioning activation unit 240 transmits information required for controlling the air conditioning device 74 or the engine EG of the vehicle 20 by remote operation to the air conditioning activation application 130 of the portable terminal 120 or the electronic control unit 30 of the vehicle via the communication device 250.

[0027] Next, the operation of the information management system 10 configured as described above will be described, particularly the operation of the vehicle 20 when the engine EG is started by remote operation. The start of the engine EG by remote operation is performed in the following order. First, the user authentication unit 230 of the management center 220 performs user authentication by activating the air conditioning activation application 130 on the portable terminal 120 and clicking the activation button of the air conditioning device 74 by remote operation. When the user authentication is confirmed, an air conditioning activation control signal is sent from the air conditioning activation unit 240 of the management center 220 to the electronic control unit 30 of the vehicle 20. The electronic control unit 30 of the vehicle 20 that has received the air conditioning activation control signal activates the air conditioning device 74, and makes a request to start the engine EG due to the need for air conditioning by the air conditioning device 74. The engine EG is started in response to the request to start the engine EG. Figure 3It is a flowchart showing an example of a remote air conditioning start process executed by the electronic control unit 30 of the vehicle 20 when the air conditioning is activated by remote operation. As described above, when the air conditioning activation control signal is received from the management center 220, the remote air conditioning start process is executed.

[0028] In the remote air conditioning start process, first, a remote air conditioning request (air conditioning activation control signal) is received (step S100), and the vehicle position is grasped (step S110). The vehicle position can be grasped based on GPS data from the GPS 62. Subsequently, a determination is made as to whether the vehicle position matches the start history position that has been recorded as the position where the engine was started after parking in the past (step S120). When it is determined that the vehicle position matches the start history position, the air conditioning accompanied by the start of the engine EG is started (step S170), and this process ends. The drive of the air conditioning device 74 can be started by supplying power from a battery (not shown), but when the storage ratio SOC of the battery decreases and the power required for air conditioning cannot be obtained, the engine EG is started using the power obtained from the power of the engine EG to drive the air conditioning device 74. Therefore, the air conditioning performed by the air conditioning device 74 is accompanied by the start of the engine EG.

[0029] When it is determined in step S120 that the vehicle position does not match the start history position, a determination process as to whether the vehicle 20 is parked indoors is executed (step S130). It can be determined whether there is a nearby object based on the proximity information from the gap sonar 54, whether the degree of daytime sunlight is small based on the sunlight information from the sunlight sensor 55, whether there is a structure such as a wall or a shutter based on the recognition of nearby objects by the camera 60, whether there is a difference between the outside air temperature from the outside air temperature sensor 56 and the current temperature obtained from the communication network, whether there is a nearby object based on the radar information from the millimeter wave radar 61, and whether the number of signals captured by the GPS 62 is smaller than usual, etc., to execute this determination. The result of this determination process is determined (step S140), and when it is determined that the vehicle 20 is not parked indoors, the air conditioning accompanied by the start of the engine EG is started (step S170), and this process ends.

[0030] When it is determined in step S140 that the vehicle 20 is parked indoors, the indoor confirmation information is sent to the portable terminal 120 via the management center 220 (step S150). Based on the indoor confirmation information, a message such as "The parking location is different from usual. Is exhaust ventilation feasible?" and buttons for inputting an answer to the message ("OK" and "No" buttons) are displayed on the screen of the portable terminal 120. The user makes an answer by clicking the answer button. When the user operates the "OK" button for this indoor confirmation, a confirmation as "OK" is made in the confirmation process in step S160, and the air conditioning accompanied by the start of the engine EG is started (step S170), and this process ends. On the other hand, when the user operates the "No" button, a confirmation as "No" is made in step S160, the driving of the air conditioning device 74 is stopped (step S180), and this process ends.

[0031] In the vehicle 20 according to the above-described embodiment, when the air conditioning accompanied by the start of the engine EG by remote operation is started, a determination is made as to whether the vehicle 20 is parked indoors when the vehicle position does not match the start history position recorded as the position where the engine has been started after parking in the past. Further, when the vehicle 20 is parked indoors, the user (remote operator) is notified that the vehicle 20 is parked indoors. As a result, it is possible to notify the user (remote operator) that the vehicle is parked indoors. In response to the notification to the user (remote operator) that the vehicle 20 is parked indoors, the user (remote operator) decides whether to start the air conditioning accompanied by the start of the engine EG. As a result, it is possible to suppress deterioration of the environment in the indoor or passenger compartment due to exhaust.

[0032] As described above, in the vehicle 20 according to the present embodiment, compared with the case where the air conditioning accompanied by the start of the engine EG is started based on remote operation at a position where the vehicle position matches the start history position where the engine EG has been started in the past, the restriction conditions for restricting the engine start are tightened in the case where the air conditioning accompanied by the start of the engine EG is started based on remote operation at a position where the vehicle position does not match the start history position. As a result, it is possible to further reduce the risk of starting the air conditioning accompanied by the start of the engine EG based on remote operation. As a result, more appropriate measures can be taken when the engine EG is started based on remote operation.

[0033] In the vehicle 20 according to the present embodiment, when air conditioning is started along with the start of the engine EG by remote operation, a determination is made as to whether the vehicle is parked indoors when the vehicle position does not match the start history position recorded as the position where the engine was started after parking in the past. However, when air conditioning is started along with the start of the engine EG by remote operation and the vehicle position does not match the start history position, the air conditioning along with the start of the engine EG can be immediately prevented from starting without determining whether the vehicle 20 is parked indoors. That is, the start of the air conditioning (start of the engine EG) is prohibited.

[0034] In the vehicle 20 according to the present embodiment, when air conditioning is started along with the start of the engine EG by remote operation, a determination is made as to whether the vehicle position matches the start history position recorded as the position where the engine was started after parking in the past. However, a determination can also be made as to whether the portable terminal 120 when the vehicle 20 is stopped and parked matches the portable terminal 120 when air conditioning is started along with the start of the engine EG by remote operation. In this case, only the Figure 4 remote air conditioning start process needs to be executed, and the Figure 3 remote air conditioning start process does not need to be executed. In the Figure 4 remote air conditioning start process, a remote air conditioning request (air conditioning activation control signal) is received (step S100), and a determination is made as to whether the portable terminal 120 about to start the air conditioning by remote operation matches the portable terminal 120 when the vehicle is stopped and parked (step S115). This determination can be made by storing the portable terminal 120 connected to the electronic control unit 30 by in-vehicle communication when the system of the vehicle 20 stops, and determining whether the stored portable terminal 120 matches the portable terminal 120 about to start the air conditioning by remote operation. When it is determined that the portable terminal 120 about to start the air conditioning by remote operation matches the portable terminal 120 when the vehicle is stopped and parked, the air conditioning along with the start of the engine EG is started (step S170), and this process ends. When it is determined that the portable terminal 120 about to start the air conditioning by remote operation does not match the portable terminal 120 when the vehicle is stopped and parked, a process of determining whether to start the air conditioning based on the determination process of whether the vehicle 20 is parked indoors is executed (steps S130 to S170). Even in this case, it is possible to notify the user (remote operator) that the vehicle is parked indoors.

[0035] After executing the Figure 4In the aspect of starting the remote air conditioning process, in the case where air conditioning is started along with the start of the engine EG by remote operation, when it is determined that the portable terminal 120 for remotely starting the air conditioning does not match the portable terminal 120 when the vehicle 20 is stopped and parked, a determination is made as to whether the vehicle 20 is parked indoors. However, in this case, the air conditioning along with the start of the engine can be immediately prevented from starting without determining whether the vehicle 20 is parked indoors.

[0036] In the vehicle 20 according to the present embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which the electric motor MG is attached via a clutch 22 to the input shaft 23 of an automatic transmission AT connected to the output shaft 21 of the engine EG. However, a hybrid vehicle having any configuration in which an engine is provided can be adopted, or a vehicle in which a traveling motor is not provided but an engine and a transmission are provided can be adopted.

[0037] The correspondence between the main elements of the embodiment and the main elements of the present invention described in the Summary of the Invention section will be described. In the embodiment, the engine EG corresponds to the "engine", the electronic control unit 30 corresponds to the "controller", and the vehicle 20 corresponds to the "vehicle".

[0038] Since the embodiment is an example for specifically describing the mode for implementing the present invention described in the Summary of the Invention section, the correspondence between the main elements of the embodiment and the main elements of the present invention described in the Summary of the Invention section does not limit the elements of the present invention described in the Summary of the Invention section. That is, the interpretation of the present invention described in the Summary of the Invention section should be made based on the description in the Summary of the Invention section, and this embodiment is merely a specific example of the invention described in the Summary of the Invention.

[0039] As described above, the mode for implementing the present invention has been described using the embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0040] The present invention can be used in the vehicle manufacturing industry and the like.

Claims

1. A vehicle, comprising: An engine; And A controller configured to start the engine based on a remote operation; Wherein, the controller is configured to tighten the limiting conditions for restricting engine start in a case of performing a non-historical position start for starting the engine based on a remote operation at a position where the vehicle position is different from the start historical position, as compared with a case of starting at a historical position where the engine start has been performed at the start historical position where the engine has been started after parking in the past.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, The controller is configured to, in a case of performing the non-historical position start, notify the remote operator that the vehicle position is different from the start historical position and ask the remote operator whether to permit starting the engine.

3. The vehicle according to claim 2, wherein, The controller is configured to, in a case of performing the non-historical position start and making a determination that the vehicle is parked indoors, notify the remote operator that the vehicle position is different from the start historical position and ask the remote operator whether to permit starting the engine.

4. The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The controller is configured to relax the limiting conditions in a case of starting the engine based on a switch operation in the passenger compartment, as compared with a case of starting the engine based on the remote operation.

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