Vehicle control system

Abstract

To provide a vehicle control device that allows the vehicle user to regularly and accurately check the engine oil level. [Solution] A control device for a vehicle having a storage unit for storing engine oil to be supplied to the engine, comprising: a detection unit for detecting the oil level of the engine oil stored in the storage unit; and a control unit that, when starting the engine, starts the engine without the detection unit detecting the oil level of the engine oil in the storage unit if a first condition is met, and prohibits starting the engine if the first condition is not met, while the detection unit detects the oil level of the engine oil in the storage unit, and generates a warning if the detected engine oil level does not meet a second condition.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a control device for a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] A vehicle equipped with an engine is provided with a storage part (for example, an oil pan) that stores engine oil (hereinafter, also referred to as "oil") used for cooling, cleaning, lubrication, etc. So far, the oil level in the storage part has been confirmed by inserting a rod-shaped oil level gauge into the storage part and checking the position (range) of the oil adhering to the pulled-out oil level gauge.

[0003] However, the operation of checking the oil level using an oil level gauge (checking operation) takes time and effort, and requires regular implementation by the user. Therefore, in order to reduce the user's labor and working time, a technique has been disclosed in which a sensor is provided in the storage part, and the sensor detects whether the oil amount (oil level) in the storage part is normal or abnormal (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Since it is difficult to detect the exact oil level when the engine is running, the detection of the oil level needs to be carried out when the engine is stopped. On the other hand, since it takes some time to detect the oil level, if the engine starts during this detection, it will be difficult to detect the oil level.

[0006] Therefore, if the engine is started while the oil level is being detected, it becomes difficult for the driver or other vehicle users to know the oil level at that time.

[0007] Therefore, the purpose of this disclosure is to provide a vehicle control device that allows the vehicle user to periodically and accurately determine the engine oil level. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] This disclosure is made to solve at least some of the aforementioned problems and can be implemented in the following forms or applications.

[0009] The vehicle control device according to this application example is a vehicle control device having a storage unit for storing engine oil to be supplied to the engine, and is characterized by comprising: a detection unit for detecting the oil level of the engine oil stored in the storage unit; and a control unit that, when starting the engine, permits the engine to start without the detection unit detecting the oil level of the engine oil in the storage unit if a first condition is met, and prohibits the engine to start if the first condition is not met, while the detection unit detects the oil level of the engine oil in the storage unit and generates a warning if the detected engine oil level does not meet a second condition.

[0010] According to this application example, a first condition is set in advance: whether or not to detect the engine oil level when starting the engine. Whether or not to allow the engine to start and whether or not to detect the engine oil is controlled based on whether or not the first condition is met. In other words, if the first condition is not met when starting the engine, the engine is prohibited from starting, the engine oil level is detected, and if the detected engine oil level does not meet the second condition, a warning is issued. Therefore, since a check is performed before starting the engine, the engine oil level can be accurately determined. This allows the vehicle user to regularly and accurately know the engine oil level. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the vehicle control device according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This flowchart shows the control procedure in the vehicle control device according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] This is an example of a display image shown on the display unit. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. This disclosure is not limited to the content described below, and can be modified and implemented as such without altering its essence. Furthermore, the drawings used in describing the embodiment are schematic representations of the components, and may be partially emphasized, enlarged, reduced, or omitted to enhance understanding, and may not accurately represent the scale or shape of the components.

[0013] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle 1 equipped with a control device according to this embodiment. The vehicle 1 to which the control device of this embodiment is installed is a commercial vehicle such as a bus or truck. As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle 1 comprises an engine 10 as a power source, a storage unit 11 for storing oil, and an ECU (control unit) 12 for controlling the vehicle 1.

[0014] The engine 10 in this embodiment is a diesel engine and is equipped with fuel injectors (not shown) that inject fuel into each cylinder. The engine's output shaft (not shown) is connected to the left and right drive wheels 22 via a power transmission unit consisting of a transmission and a differential, and a drive shaft. The vehicle 1 in this embodiment has four wheels 20: left and right front wheels and left and right rear wheels. The left and right front wheels are steering wheels 21 that change the direction of travel of the vehicle 1, and the left and right rear wheels are drive wheels 22 that transmit the driving force generated by the engine 10 to enable the vehicle 1 to move.

[0015] The storage unit 11 is, for example, an oil pan mounted at the bottom of the engine 10. The oil stored in the storage unit 11 is sucked up by a pump or the like (not shown) and circulated to the various parts of the engine 10. The storage unit 11 is provided with a detection unit 30 for detecting the oil level of the oil in the storage unit 11.

[0016] The detection unit 30 is a roughly rod-shaped sensor that is inserted diagonally from the outside to the inside of the side surface of the storage unit 11 and fixed to the side surface. In this embodiment, the detection unit 30 is a sensor whose resistance value changes according to the oil level (oil surface height) of the oil stored in the storage unit 11. The detection unit 30 is connected to the ECU 12, which will be described later, in a communication manner, and transmits the oil level detected by the detection unit 30 to the ECU 12 as detection information.

[0017] The ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 12 is a computer that includes a central processing unit (CPU), a main storage device (such as ROM and RAM) used for storing control programs and control maps, an input / output device, a timer counter, and the like. The ECU 12 is communicably connected to various devices and other control units mounted on the vehicle 1 via a CAN (Controller Area Network), which is a vehicle internal communication network. It can acquire information from various devices and other control units and control various devices based on the acquired information.

[0018] For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the ECU 12 of this embodiment is communicably connected to a detection unit 30, an ignition switch 31, and a display unit 32. The detection unit 30 is as described above.

[0019] The ignition switch 31 is, for example, a push button switch provided near the driver's seat. The ignition switch 31 is a switch for starting (so-called ignition on) or stopping (so-called ignition off) the engine 10 in accordance with the user's pressing operation. When the user turns on the ignition, the ECU 12 cranks the engine 10 with a starter (not shown) for automatic start.

[0020] The display unit 32 is, for example, display means provided on the instrument panel of the driver's seat. The display unit 32 includes a monitor screen such as a liquid crystal panel and a speaker, and displays information regarding the oil level and warning information according to the instruction of the ECU 12, and outputs sound as necessary. The information regarding the oil level includes information on the state of the oil level (for example, proper state) or the amount of oil replenishment required to make the oil level in the proper state.

[0021] The ECU 12 of this embodiment includes a state determination unit 12a and an oil level determination unit 12b. The ECU 12 prohibits cranking of the engine 10 until the state determination unit 12a and the oil level determination unit 12b determine the state of the vehicle 1.

[0022] The state determination unit 12a has a function of determining whether the vehicle 1 satisfies a first condition described later. Specifically, when it is determined by the state determination unit 12a that the vehicle 1 satisfies the first condition, the ECU 12 releases the prohibition of cranking of the engine 10 and starts the engine 10. On the other hand, when it is determined by the state determination unit 12a that the vehicle 1 does not satisfy the first condition, the ECU 12 prohibits cranking of the engine 10 for a certain period of time, and during that time, causes the detection unit 30 to detect the oil level in the storage unit 11.

[0023] The first condition is a condition for releasing the prohibition of cranking of the engine 10. The first condition in the present embodiment includes, for example, (1) when it is immediately after the stop of the engine 10 (first condition 1), (2) when the stop time Th of the engine 10 is less than the time threshold THo (engine stop time Th < time threshold THo) (first condition 2), (3) when the elapsed period (number of elapsed days) Td from the previous oil level detection is less than the period threshold TDa (elapsed period Td < period threshold TDa) (first condition 3), (4) when the cranking prohibition time Ts is equal to or more than the prohibition time threshold TSe (cranking prohibition time Ts ≧ prohibition time threshold TSe) (first condition 4), and the like. Also, when any one of the first conditions is satisfied by the state determination unit 12a, that is, when it is determined that the first condition is satisfied, the ECU 12 releases the prohibition of cranking of the engine 10 and turns the starter to start the engine 10.

[0024] The oil level determination unit 12b has a function of determining the oil level of the oil in the storage unit 11. Specifically, the oil level determination unit 12b determines whether the oil level in the storage unit 11 detected by the detection unit 30 satisfies a second condition described later. When it is determined by the oil level determination unit 12b that the detected oil level satisfies the second condition, the ECU 12 turns the starter to start the engine 10 and causes the display unit 32 to display information regarding the oil level. On the other hand, when it is determined by the oil level determination unit 12b that the detected oil level does not satisfy the second condition, the display unit 32 displays warning information.

[0025] The second condition is to set the oil level in the storage section 11 to an arbitrary threshold (for example, the minimum oil level that will not lead to damage to the engine 10). The second condition can be set according to the amount of oil that can be stored in the storage section 11. Generally, in the case of a large truck, approximately 28L to 38L of oil can be stored in the storage section 11. In this case, for example, the arbitrary threshold (second condition) can be set to a value a few liters lower than the upper limit of the amount that can be stored, and the oil level determination unit 12b will make a determination based on this value of the oil level.

[0026] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the control procedure of the vehicle control device according to this embodiment. Figure 3 is an example of a display image shown on the display unit. Below, the oil level detection control performed by the ECU 12 when starting the engine will be described in accordance with the flowchart in Figure 2. This flow starts when the ignition switch 31 is turned ON.

[0027] First, in step S1, the state determination unit 12a of the ECU 12 determines whether or not it is immediately after the engine 10 has stopped (first condition 1). Immediately after the engine 10 has stopped means, for example, when the ignition is turned on immediately after being turned off, that is, when the ignition is turned on within the few seconds it takes for the ECU 12 to completely stop after being turned off. In this case, the ECU 12 has the oil level before the ignition was turned off stored in its memory, and the oil level has already been detected. If the determination result in step S1 is false (No), that is, it is not immediately after the engine 10 has stopped, the state determination unit 12a of the ECU 12 proceeds to the next step S2.

[0028] In step S2, the state determination unit 12a of the ECU 12 determines whether the engine 10's stop time Th is less than the time threshold THo (first condition 2). The time threshold THo is, for example, 2 hours after the ignition is turned off. If the determination result is false (No), that is, if the engine 10's stop time Th is greater than or equal to the time threshold THo, the state determination unit 12a of the ECU 12 proceeds to the next step S3.

[0029] In step S3, the state determination unit 12a of the ECU 12 determines whether the elapsed period Td since the last oil level detection is less than the period threshold TDA (first condition 3). The period threshold TDA is, for example, 7 days since the last oil level detection. If the determination result is false (No), that is, if the elapsed period Td since the last oil level detection is greater than or equal to the period threshold TDA, the state determination unit 12a of the ECU 12 proceeds to the next step S4.

[0030] In step S4, the oil level determination unit 12b of the ECU 12 determines whether or not it can detect the oil level in the storage unit 11. If the determination result is false (No), that is, if the detection unit 30 cannot detect it, the oil level determination unit 12b of the ECU 12 proceeds to the next step S5. On the other hand, if the determination result is true (Yes), that is, if the detection unit 30 can detect it, the oil level determination unit 12b of the ECU 12 proceeds to the next step S6.

[0031] In step S5, the state determination unit 12a of the ECU 12 determines whether the cranking prohibition time Ts is greater than or equal to the prohibition time threshold TSe (first condition 4). The prohibition time threshold TSe is, for example, 4 seconds after the ignition is turned on. If the determination result is false (No), that is, if the engine 10 prohibition time Ts is less than the prohibition time threshold TSe, the state determination unit 12a of the ECU 12 returns to step S4.

[0032] In step S6, the oil level determination unit 12b of the ECU 12 performs control to detect the oil level of the oil in the storage unit 11.

[0033] In step S7, the oil level determination unit 12b of the ECU 12 determines whether the oil level al in the storage unit 11 is equal to or greater than the oil level threshold AL. If the determination result is false (No), that is, if the oil level al in the storage unit 11 is less than the oil level threshold AL, the oil level determination unit 12b of the ECU 12 proceeds to the next step S8.

[0034] In step S8, the ECU 12 executes control to display information regarding the oil level and warning information on the display unit 32, and returns the flowchart. In this case, the display unit 32 will display, for example, "Oil level is too low. Add oil: 10L" as information regarding the oil level, as shown in Figure 3(c). In addition, along with the information regarding the oil level, the display unit 32 will display "Do not start the engine. Add engine oil" as warning information. Note that the content of the oil level information and warning information displayed is not limited to the above.

[0035] On the other hand, if the result of any of the steps S1, S2, S3, S5, or S7 is true (Yes), the state determination unit 12a or oil level determination unit 12b of the ECU 12 proceeds to step S9. In other words, if it is determined in step S1 that the engine 10 has just stopped, if it is determined in step S2 that the engine 10 stop time Th is less than the time threshold THo, if it is determined in step S3 that the elapsed period Td since the last oil level detection is less than the period threshold TDa, if it is determined in step S5 that the cranking prohibition time Ts is greater than or equal to the prohibition time threshold TSe, or if it is determined in step S7 that the oil level al is greater than or equal to the oil level threshold AL, the state determination unit 12a or oil level determination unit 12b of the ECU 12 proceeds to step S9.

[0036] In step S9, the ECU 12 executes control to release the engine start prohibition and returns to the flowchart. If the oil level determination unit 12b of the ECU 12 determines the oil level, the ECU 12 executes control to display information about the oil level on the display unit 32. In this case, the display unit 32 displays information about the oil level according to the oil level detected by the detection unit 30, for example, as shown in Figure 3(a) or (b). If the oil level is appropriate, "Oil level OK" is displayed as shown in Figure 3(a). If the oil level is low (the amount of oil is small), "Oil replenishment: 3L" is displayed as shown in Figure 3(b).

[0037] In this embodiment, the control device for vehicle 1 has a first condition set in advance: whether or not to detect the oil level when starting the engine. The control device controls whether or not to allow the engine 10 to start and whether or not to detect the engine oil depending on whether or not the oil level satisfies the first condition. In other words, if the first condition is not met when starting the engine, the engine is not started, and the oil level is detected. If the detected oil level does not meet the second condition, a warning is issued. Therefore, since a check is performed before starting the engine 10, the oil level can be accurately determined. This allows the vehicle user to regularly and accurately know the engine oil level. Furthermore, safety can be improved while maintaining user comfort.

[0038] This concludes the description of embodiments of the present invention, but the forms of the present invention are not limited to these embodiments.

[0039] Vehicle 1 in the above embodiment is a commercial vehicle equipped with a diesel engine, but it can be applied to other vehicles as well. For example, the engine may be a gasoline engine or a passenger car.

[0040] Although the engine 10 in the above embodiment is a wet sump, it may also be a dry sump with the storage section 11 being a tank.

[0041] In the above embodiment, the ignition switch 31 only has ignition off and ignition on functions, but for example, it may also have ignition off (engine stopped), ignition on (engine stopped or started depending on the conditions), and starter on (engine started). [Explanation of Symbols]

[0042] 1 vehicle 10 Engines 11 Storage section 12 ECU (control unit) 12a State determination unit 12b Oil level determination unit 20 drive wheels 30 Detection unit 31 Ignition switch 32 Display section

Claims

[Claim 1] A control device for a vehicle having a storage section for storing engine oil to be supplied to the engine, A detection unit for detecting the oil level of the engine oil stored in the storage unit, A control unit that controls the starting of the engine, which, when the first condition is met, permits the engine to start without the detection unit detecting the oil level of the engine oil in the reservoir, and prohibits the engine from starting when the first condition is not met, while the detection unit detects the oil level of the engine oil in the reservoir, and issues a warning if the detected engine oil level does not meet the second condition, A vehicle control device characterized by comprising the following:

Images