Vehicle wetting detection device

Abstract

To provide a vehicle wetting detection device capable of detecting wetting even in a short time.SOLUTION: A vehicle wetting detection device comprising: a measurement unit configured to measure a time from when a decrease rate of a temperature detected by a temperature sensor mounted on a vehicle becomes equal to or greater than a decrease threshold value to when an increase rate of the temperature becomes equal to or greater than an increase threshold value during traveling of the vehicle; and a detection unit configured to detect that the vehicle is wetted when the measured time is less than a predetermined time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle water damage detection device. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a technique for detecting that a vehicle has been submerged in water when the amount of decrease in the temperature of the cooling water of an engine mounted on the vehicle reaches a predetermined value or more (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-347841 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] If the vehicle is exposed to water for a short period of time, the temperature of the cooling water may not drop to a predetermined value, and the exposure of the vehicle to water may not be detected.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle water damage detection device that can detect water damage even for a short period of time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The above objective can be achieved by a vehicle water damage detection device that includes a measurement unit that measures the time from when the rate of temperature decrease detected by a temperature sensor mounted on a vehicle while the vehicle is running becomes equal to or exceeds a decrease threshold to when the rate of temperature increase becomes equal to or exceeds an increase threshold, and a detection unit that detects that the vehicle has been submerged in water if the measured time is less than a predetermined time.

[0007] The temperature sensor may include an engine temperature sensor that detects the temperature of an engine mounted on the vehicle.

[0008] The temperature sensor may include an oil temperature sensor that detects the temperature of lubricating oil that lubricates a transmission mounted on the vehicle.

[0009] The temperature sensor may include an engine temperature sensor that detects the temperature of an engine mounted on the vehicle, and an oil temperature sensor that detects the temperature of a lubricating oil that lubricates a transmission mounted on the vehicle, and the measurement unit may measure a first time from when a rate of decrease in the engine temperature becomes equal to or greater than a first decrease threshold while the vehicle is running to when a rate of increase in the engine temperature becomes equal to or greater than a first increase threshold while the vehicle is running, and measure a second time from when a rate of decrease in the lubricating oil temperature becomes equal to or greater than a second decrease threshold while the vehicle is running to when a rate of increase in the lubricating oil temperature becomes equal to or greater than a second increase threshold while the vehicle is running, and the detection unit may detect that the vehicle has been submerged in water if the measured first time is less than a first predetermined time, the measured second time is less than a second predetermined time, and the rate of increase in the engine temperature becomes equal to or greater than the first increase threshold within a third predetermined time, and the rate of increase in the lubricating oil temperature becomes equal to or greater than the second increase threshold. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a water damage detection device for a vehicle that can detect water damage even for a short period of time. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a vehicle. [Figure 2] 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of engine water damage detection control. [Figure 3] 4 is a flowchart illustrating a transmission water exposure detection control. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart illustrating a vehicle water damage detection control. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle 1. The vehicle 1 includes an engine 10, a transmission 20, a differential gear 30, drive wheels 40, and an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 50. The engine 10 is a power source for driving the vehicle 1. The engine 10 is a gasoline engine, but may also be a diesel engine or a hydrogen fuel engine. The rotational power of the engine 10 is transmitted to the transmission 20. The transmission 20 includes a torque converter and an automatic transmission. The rotational power transmitted to the transmission 20 is transmitted to the drive wheels 40 via the differential gear 30. The rotation of the drive wheels 40 causes the vehicle 1 to move.

[0013] The ECU 50 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), and a storage device. The ECU 50 controls the engine 10 by executing programs stored in the ROM and the storage device. The ECU 50 is an example of a control device for the vehicle 1. The ECU 50 functionally realizes a measurement unit and a detection unit using the CPU, ROM, RAM, and storage device. The ECU 50 controls the fuel injection amount, ignition timing, etc. according to the operating state of the engine 10. A water temperature sensor 60, an oil temperature sensor 62, and a speed sensor 64 are electrically connected to the ECU 50. The water temperature sensor 60 detects the temperature of the coolant that cools the engine 10 (hereinafter referred to as the water temperature). The water temperature sensor 60 is an example of an engine temperature sensor. The oil temperature sensor 62 detects the temperature of the lubricating oil that lubricates the transmission 20 (hereinafter referred to as the oil temperature). The speed sensor 64 detects the traveling speed of the vehicle.

[0014] The ECU 50 executes engine water damage detection control, transmission water damage detection control, and vehicle water damage detection control. These controls are repeatedly executed while the ignition is on. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the engine water damage detection control. The ECU 50 determines whether the vehicle 1 is traveling based on the detection value of the speed sensor 64 (step S11). If the answer is No in step S11, this control ends.

[0015] If the answer is Yes in step S11, the ECU 50 determines whether the rate of decrease in water temperature is equal to or greater than a predetermined decrease threshold based on the detection value of the water temperature sensor 60 (step S12). The rate of decrease in water temperature is the decrease in water temperature by degrees per unit time. The decrease threshold is set to the rate of decrease in water temperature when the engine 10 is submerged in water. In other words, a rate of decrease in water temperature equal to or greater than the predetermined decrease threshold indicates that the water temperature has dropped rapidly due to the engine 10 being submerged in water. If the answer is No in step S12, this control ends. The decrease threshold in step S12 is an example of a first decrease threshold.

[0016] If the answer is Yes in step S12, the ECU 50 starts measuring time (step S13). Step S13 is an example of processing executed by the measurement unit. Next, the ECU 50 determines whether the rate of increase in water temperature is equal to or greater than an increase threshold value based on the detection value of the water temperature sensor 60 (step S14). The rate of increase in water temperature is the increase in water temperature per unit time. The increase threshold value is set to the rate of increase in water temperature due to the combustion temperature of the engine 10 after the engine 10 has been removed from water damage. In other words, a rate of increase in water temperature equal to or greater than a predetermined increase threshold value indicates that the engine 10 has been submerged in water. The increase threshold value in step S14 is an example of a first increase threshold value. If the answer is No in step S14, this control ends.

[0017] If the answer is Yes in step S14, the ECU 50 ends time measurement (step S15). Step S15 is an example of processing executed by the measurement unit. Next, the ECU 50 determines whether the measured time is less than a predetermined time (step S16). The predetermined time is set to the time from the sudden drop in water temperature due to the engine 10 being submerged in water to the sudden rise in water temperature after the engine 10 is removed from the water. The predetermined time in step S16 corresponds to the first predetermined time. If the answer is No in step S16, this control ends. If the answer is Yes in step S16, the ECU 50 detects that the engine 10 has been submerged in water (step S17).

[0018] 3 is a flowchart illustrating the transmission water damage detection control. The ECU 50 determines whether the vehicle 1 is moving based on the detection value of the speed sensor 64 (step S21). If the result in step S21 is No, this control ends.

[0019] If the answer is Yes in step S21, the ECU 50 determines whether the rate of decrease in oil temperature is equal to or greater than a predetermined decrease threshold based on the detection value of the oil temperature sensor 62 (step S22). The rate of decrease in oil temperature is the decrease in oil temperature by degrees per unit time. The decrease threshold is set to the rate of decrease in oil temperature when the engine 10 is submerged in water. In other words, a rate of decrease in oil temperature equal to or greater than the predetermined decrease threshold indicates that the oil temperature has dropped rapidly due to the transmission 20 being submerged in water. The decrease threshold in step S22 may be the same value as the decrease threshold in step S12 or may be a different value. If the answer is No in step S22, this control ends. The decrease threshold in step S22 is an example of a second decrease threshold.

[0020] If the answer is Yes in step S22, the ECU 50 starts measuring time (step S23). Step S23 is an example of processing executed by the measurement unit. Next, the ECU 50 determines whether the rate of increase in oil temperature is equal to or greater than an increase threshold based on the detection value of the water temperature sensor 60 (step S24). The rate of increase in oil temperature is the increase in oil temperature per unit time. The increase threshold is set to the rate of increase in oil temperature due to the combustion temperature of the engine 10 after the transmission 20 has been removed from water. In other words, a rate of increase in oil temperature equal to or greater than a predetermined increase threshold indicates that the transmission 20 has been submerged in water. The increase threshold in step S24 may be the same value as the increase threshold in step S14 or may be a different value. The increase threshold in step S24 is an example of a second increase threshold. If the answer is No in step S24, this control ends.

[0021] If the answer is Yes in step S24, the ECU 50 ends time measurement (step S25). Step S25 is an example of processing executed by the measurement unit. Next, the ECU 50 determines whether the measured time is less than a predetermined time (step S26). The predetermined time is set to the time from the sudden drop in oil temperature due to water exposure in the transmission 20 to the sudden rise in oil temperature after the transmission 20 is freed from the water exposure. The predetermined time in step S26 may be the same as or different from the predetermined time in step S16. The predetermined time in step S26 corresponds to the second predetermined time. If the answer is No in step S26, this control ends. If the answer is Yes in step S26, the ECU 50 detects water exposure in the transmission 20 (step S27).

[0022] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating vehicle water damage detection control. The ECU 50 determines whether water damage to the engine 10 and the transmission 20 has been detected (step S31). If the answer is No in step S31, this control ends. If the answer is Yes in step S31, the ECU 50 determines whether water damage to the engine 10 and the transmission 20 has been detected within a predetermined time (step S32). The predetermined time in step S32 corresponds to a third predetermined time. If the answer is No in step S32, this control ends. If the answer is Yes in step S32, the ECU 50 detects water damage to the vehicle 1 (step S33). In this way, water damage to the vehicle 1 is detected when both the engine 10 and the transmission 20 are detected as being under water within the predetermined time. Therefore, water damage to the vehicle 1 is detected with high accuracy.

[0023] Furthermore, as described above, water exposure to the engine 10 is detected based on the rate of decrease and rate of increase of the water temperature. Therefore, even if the engine 10 is exposed to water for a short period of time and the amount of decrease in water temperature is small, water exposure to the engine 10 can be accurately detected. Similarly, water exposure to the transmission 20 is detected based on the rate of decrease and rate of increase of the oil temperature, so water exposure to the transmission 20 can be accurately detected.

[0024] In the above embodiment, water damage to the vehicle 1 is detected based on detection of water damage to both the engine 10 and the transmission 20, but this is not limiting. For example, water damage to the vehicle 1 may be detected when water damage to one of the engine 10 and the transmission 20 is detected. For example, in the case of a vehicle not provided with an oil temperature sensor 62, water damage to the vehicle 1 may be detected when water damage to the engine 10 is detected.

[0025] The vehicle 1 is an engine vehicle, but may also be a hybrid vehicle. The vehicle 1 may also be an electric vehicle. If the vehicle 1 is an electric vehicle, it is provided with a motor instead of the engine 10, and therefore, when water damage to the transmission 20 is detected, it may be detected that the electric vehicle has been damaged by water.

[0026] In the above embodiment, the temperature of the coolant is used as the temperature of the engine 10, but the temperature of the lubricating oil that lubricates the engine 10 may also be used as the temperature of the engine 10. In this case, an oil temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the lubricating oil that lubricates the engine 10 is used as the engine temperature sensor.

[0027] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0028] 1 vehicle 10 Engine 20 Transmission 50 ECU (vehicle water damage detection device, measurement unit, detection unit) 60 Water temperature sensor (temperature sensor) 62 Oil temperature sensor (temperature sensor)

Claims

1. a measurement unit that measures the time from when a rate of decrease in temperature detected by a temperature sensor mounted on the vehicle while the vehicle is running becomes equal to or greater than a decrease threshold to when a rate of increase in the temperature becomes equal to or greater than a rise threshold; a detection unit that detects that the vehicle has been submerged in water if the measured time is less than a predetermined time.

2. 2. The vehicle water damage detection device according to claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor includes an engine temperature sensor that detects the temperature of an engine mounted on the vehicle.

3. 2. The water damage detection device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor includes an oil temperature sensor that detects the temperature of lubricating oil that lubricates a transmission mounted on the vehicle.

4. the temperature sensor includes an engine temperature sensor that detects the temperature of an engine mounted in the vehicle, and an oil temperature sensor that detects the temperature of lubricating oil that lubricates a transmission mounted in the vehicle; the measurement unit measures a first time from when a rate of decrease in the temperature of the engine becomes equal to or greater than a first decrease threshold while the vehicle is running to when a rate of increase in the temperature of the engine becomes equal to or greater than a first increase threshold, and measures a second time from when a rate of decrease in the temperature of the lubricating oil becomes equal to or greater than a second decrease threshold while the vehicle is running to when a rate of increase in the temperature of the lubricating oil becomes equal to or greater than a second increase threshold, The vehicle water damage detection device of claim 1, wherein the detection unit detects that the vehicle has been flooded when the measured first time is less than a first predetermined time, the measured second time is less than a second predetermined time, and the rate of rise in the engine temperature is greater than or equal to the first rise threshold within a third predetermined time, and the rate of rise in the lubricating oil temperature is greater than or equal to the second rise threshold.

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