Automatic engine shut-off system

Abstract

Provided is an automatic engine stop system comprising: an engine mounted on a vehicle; and a control device for automatically stopping the engine. The control device has automatic stop control for automatically stopping the engine while the vehicle is parked for a predetermined time and the engine is operating. The control device acquires an index that corresponds to a use state during parking of the vehicle and that is used to determine whether or not the engine is intentionally operated by a user, and changes an operation condition of the automatic stop control according to the index.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an engine automatic stop system that automatically stops an engine.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a system for automatically stopping an engine mounted on a vehicle has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 automatically stops the engine when an automobile is parked indoors, such as in a garage, and the engine is operating. By automatically stopping the engine in this way, it is possible to suppress the filling of carbon monoxide indoors.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In recent years, due to the spread of power supply devices that supply power to the outside of a vehicle, there may be cases where it is preferable not to automatically stop the engine.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an engine automatic stop system capable of canceling automatic engine stop.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The engine automatic stop system according to this disclosure comprises an engine mounted on a vehicle and a control device for automatically stopping the engine, wherein the control device has an automatic stop control that automatically stops the engine when the vehicle is parked for a predetermined period of time and the engine is operating, and acquires an index corresponding to the usage state of the vehicle while parked, for determining whether or not the engine is being operated intentionally by the user, and changes the operating conditions of the automatic stop control according to the index. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] This automatic engine stop system allows for switching between executing and deactivating automatic stop control using indicators. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A system diagram of an automatic engine stop system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] A flowchart illustrating a control procedure performed by a control device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] A diagram showing an example of an indicator. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, one embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] As shown in Figure 1, the automatic engine stop system 1 comprises an engine 2, a control device 4, a power supply device 6, a display device 8, a radar 10, and a battery 12. The automatic engine stop system 1 is mounted on a vehicle C. Vehicle C is a hybrid vehicle that drives a motor (not shown) using electricity generated by a generator (not shown) driven by, for example, the engine 2, and electricity from the battery 12. In this embodiment, vehicle C is a plug-in hybrid vehicle that can charge the battery 12 with external power via a charger 14.

[0011] Furthermore, vehicle C in this embodiment is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) capable of receiving external power. Vehicle C can supply power from the battery 12 to external devices such as home appliances and household equipment via the power supply device 6. When the charge level of the battery 12 decreases, vehicle C operates the engine 2, which drives the generator. Vehicle C supplies the power generated by the generator to external devices via the power supply device 6.

[0012] Engine 2 is an internal combustion engine that burns fuel. Engine 2 emits exhaust gases through its exhaust pipe. These exhaust gases contain carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.

[0013] The control device 4 performs automatic stop control, which automatically stops the engine 2. This automatic stop control automatically stops the engine 2 when the vehicle C is parked for a predetermined period of time and the engine 2 is running. For example, if the vehicle C is parked indoors, there is a risk that carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide emitted from the engine 2 will accumulate. Therefore, the control device 4 prevents the accumulation of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide by automatically stopping the engine 2 when the vehicle C is parked for a predetermined period of time. The control device 4 changes the operating conditions of the automatic stop control using indicators corresponding to the usage status of various equipment in the vehicle C. Details will be described later.

[0014] The control unit 4 is actually an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) and consists of a microcomputer including an arithmetic unit, memory, and input / output buffers. Based on signals from various sensors and devices mounted on the engine 2, as well as maps and programs stored in memory, the control unit 4 controls the engine automatic stop system 1 so that the engine 2 reaches the desired operating state. Note that various controls are not limited to software processing; they can also be processed by dedicated hardware (electronic circuits). Furthermore, the control unit 4 is electrically connected to the engine 2, power supply unit 6, display device 8, radar 10, battery 12, and charger 14, and can control these devices.

[0015] The power supply device 6 is a device capable of supplying power to external equipment. The display device 8 displays the execution status of the automatic stop control to the user. The display device 8 is, for example, a touch panel type liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. In addition to the execution status of the automatic stop control, the display device 8 may also display the speed of vehicle C, etc.

[0016] Radar 10 is a sensor for determining the parking environment of vehicle C. Radar 10 emits, for example, infrared rays or ultrasonic waves. The control device 4 can determine whether or not vehicle C is parked indoors based on the reflection state of the infrared rays or ultrasonic waves emitted by radar 10.

[0017] The battery 12 is capable of driving the motor of vehicle C and can also supply power to external devices via the power supply device 6.

[0018] Next, the control procedure performed by the control device 4 will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 2. In this embodiment, the control device 4 starts the control procedure when an ignition switch (not shown) is turned ON. However, the timing of starting the control procedure may be changed as appropriate.

[0019] In step S1, the control device 4 determines whether or not vehicle C is parked. For example, the control device 4 may determine that vehicle C is parked if the shifter (not shown) of vehicle C is in the parking position and the engine 2 is running. If the control device 4 determines that vehicle C is parked (step S1 YES), it proceeds to step S2. If the control device 4 determines that vehicle C is not parked (step S1 NO), it repeats the process in step S1.

[0020] In step S2, the control device 4 executes index determination. As shown in FIG. 3, the control device 4 stores a list defining indexes according to the usage states of various devices of the vehicle C. For example, when power supply is being executed by the power supply device 6, the index is 90. That is, when using household appliances at a destination such as a campsite, power supply is often performed. During such power supply, it is very likely that the engine 2 is operating due to an intentional operation of the device by the user.

[0021] When a remote air conditioner that operates the air conditioner of the vehicle C using a smartphone or the like from outside the vehicle C is being executed, the index is 80. Even when the remote air conditioner is being executed, it is likely that the engine 2 is operating due to an intentional operation of the device by the user.

[0022] When excessive reclining use is detected, when the user's sleeping state is detected by a drowsiness detection device or the like, and when the use of the USB port is detected, the index is 75. When the USB port is being used, the user may be charging the smartphone while waiting in the vehicle, using the Internet using the smartphone or the like, or using the entertainment function available on the display device 8 such as the center display. On the other hand, there is also a case where the user simply forgets to charge the smartphone and gets off the vehicle. Therefore, the index is lower than the execution of power supply by the power supply device. In the case of an excessive driver's seat reclining state, that is, when the user has reclined the seat, or when the user is in a sleeping state, it is considered that the user is reclining the seat to take a short nap or rest. However, there is also a possibility that the user is staying in the vehicle unintentionally. For such operations (functions) of the device that are intentional operations of the engine 2 by the user but where user operation errors are conceivable, the index becomes lower.

[0023] The air conditioner usage is indicator 70. When the user is using the air conditioner, the vehicle C may be intentionally waiting, but there is also a possibility that the user is staying in the vehicle unintentionally. The wireless charging is indicator 65 and the room lamp usage is indicator 60. The usage of these devices may be due to the user's unintentional operation in addition to intentional operation, such as simply forgetting to place the smartphone or turn off the room lamp. Therefore, the indicators are lower compared to other operations. When the control device 4 determines the indicator, it proceeds to step S3 for processing.

[0024] In step S3, the control device 4 determines whether the vehicle C is parked outdoors. For example, when the control device 4 does not detect an obstacle such as a wall X (see FIG. 1) around the vehicle C by the radar 10, it may determine that it is outdoors. Also, when the location measured by the GPS is outdoors, the control device 4 may determine that it is outdoors. When the control device 4 determines that it is outdoors (step S3 YES), it proceeds to step S4 for processing.

[0025] In step S4, the control device 4 determines whether the indicator is greater than or equal to the first predetermined value. In this embodiment, the first predetermined value is 90. When the control device 4 determines that the indicator is greater than or equal to the first predetermined value (step S4 YES), it proceeds to step S5 for processing. Among the operating states of the above various devices, when a plurality of devices are operating, the control device 4 may select the highest indicator among the plurality of devices.

[0026] In step S5, the control device 4 aborts the automatic stop control of the engine 2. When the indicator is 90 or more, the possibility that the user is intentionally operating the device is very high, so the operation of the engine 2 associated with this should not be stopped. Therefore, the control device 4 aborts the automatic stop control. When the control device 4 aborts the automatic stop control of the engine 2, it proceeds to step S1 for processing and continues to abort the automatic stop control as long as the indicator is greater than or equal to the first predetermined value outdoors.

[0027] If the control device 4 determines in step S4 that the index is less than 90 (step S4 NO), the control device 4 proceeds to step S6. In step S6, the control device 4 determines whether the index is less than a first predetermined value and greater than or equal to a second predetermined value. In this embodiment, the second predetermined value is 80. If the control device 4 determines that the index is less than a first predetermined value and greater than or equal to a second predetermined value (step S6 YES), the control device 4 proceeds to step S7.

[0028] In step S7, the control device 4 postpones the start of the countdown for a predetermined time, which is the time for automatically stopping the engine 2 in the automatic stop control (hereinafter referred to as timer start in the specification and drawings). The control device 4 may postpone the timer start for, for example, about half of the predetermined time. In this embodiment, the control device 4 postpones the timer start for about 15 minutes from the indicator determination, then proceeds to step S12 and starts the timer. In this embodiment, the operating state of equipment with an indicator of 80 or more and less than 90 corresponds to remote air conditioning. In the case of such remote air conditioning, the user gets into vehicle C after a certain amount of time has elapsed. Therefore, by postponing the timer start, the automatic stopping of the engine 2 is delayed.

[0029] In step S6, if the control device 4 determines that the index is not less than the first predetermined value and not greater than or equal to the second predetermined value (step S6 NO), the control device 4 proceeds to step S8. In step S8, the control device 4 determines whether the index is less than the second predetermined value and greater than or equal to the third predetermined value. In this embodiment, the third predetermined value is 60. If the control device 4 determines that the index is less than the second predetermined value and greater than or equal to the third predetermined value (step S6 YES), the control device 4 proceeds to step S9.

[0030] In step S9, the control device 4 generates a screen that allows the user to choose whether or not to cancel the automatic stop control of the engine 2, and displays it on the display device 8. The screen that allows the user to choose whether or not to cancel the automatic stop control can, for example, display an icon that allows the user to select to cancel. Once the control device 4 displays the screen on the display device 8, it proceeds to step S10.

[0031] In step S10, the control device 4 determines whether the user has selected to cancel. For example, the control device 4 may determine that the user has selected to cancel if the user touches an icon. If the user has selected to cancel (step S10 YES), the control device 4 proceeds to step S11. On the other hand, if the user has not selected to cancel (step S10 NO), the control device 4 proceeds to step S12 and starts the timer.

[0032] In step S11, the control device 4 discontinues the automatic stop control of the engine 2. After discontinuing the automatic stop control of the engine 2, the control device 4 proceeds to step S1 and continues to discontinue the automatic stop control as long as the indicator is less than the second predetermined value and greater than or equal to the third predetermined value outdoors. In this embodiment, the operating states of the equipment where the indicator is less than 80 and greater than or equal to 60 are excessive reclining use, drowsiness detection, USB use, air conditioning use, wireless charging use, and room lamp use. In these cases, these functions may be used against the user's intention, causing the equipment to operate. Therefore, the automatic stop control is discontinued by displaying a screen for discontinuing the automatic stop control on the display device 8 and allowing the user to select an option. This clarifies the user's intention to continue operating the equipment, and allows the engine 2 to continue operating based on the user's intention.

[0033] In step S12, the control device 4 starts the timer and proceeds to step S13. In step S13, after a predetermined time (30 minutes in this embodiment) has elapsed, the control device 4 proceeds to step S14. In step S14, the control device 4 generates a screen that allows the user to select whether or not to cancel the automatic stop control of the engine 2, and displays it on the display device 8. The screen that allows the user to select whether or not to cancel the automatic stop control can be any screen that displays an icon that allows the user to select cancel, similar to step S10. After displaying the screen on the display device 8, the control device 4 proceeds to step S15.

[0034] In step S15, the control device 4 determines whether the user has selected to cancel. The control device 4 may determine that the user has selected to cancel if, for example, the user touches an icon. If the user selects to cancel (step S15 YES), the control device 4 proceeds to step S11. On the other hand, if the user does not select to cancel (step S15 NO), the control device 4 proceeds to step S16 and stops the engine 2. In this embodiment, even if the user selects automatic stop control in step S15, the automatic stop control of the engine 2 is temporarily suspended (step S11). However, if the indicator is less than 60 (step S8 NO), the control device 4 displays a screen prompting the user to select whether or not to cancel the automatic stop control of the engine 2 at predetermined intervals (step S13) (step S14). As a result, if the indicator is less than 60, the engine 2 will stop unless the user touches the display device 8 and cancels the automatic stop control.

[0035] If the control device 4 determines in step S3 that vehicle C is parked indoors (step S3 NO), the process proceeds to step S12. Therefore, the engine automatic stop system 1 of this disclosure will stop the engine 2 if the parking environment of vehicle C is indoors, unless the user touches the display device 8 to cancel the automatic stop control. This suppresses the generation of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, and helps to ensure the safety of the user of vehicle C.

[0036] As described above, this disclosure provides an engine automatic stop system 1 that can switch between executing and canceling automatic stop control by changing the operating conditions of the automatic stop control using an indicator.

[0037] <Other Embodiments> Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. In particular, the various modifications described herein can be combined as needed.

[0038] (a) In the above embodiments, vehicle C was described as a plug-in hybrid vehicle, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. Vehicle C may be any vehicle that is equipped with an engine 2 and capable of supplying power.

[0039] (b) In the above embodiments, the display device 8 was described as a liquid crystal display or organic EL display mounted on the vehicle C, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. The display device 8 may be, for example, a smartphone owned by the user of the vehicle C.

[0040] (c) The indicators in the above embodiments are examples and the disclosure is not limited thereto. The indicators may be changed as appropriate to suit the operating conditions of each device.

[0041] Although various embodiments have been described above with reference to the drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to these examples. It is clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications or alterations can be conceived within the scope of the claims, and these will naturally also fall within the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the components of the above embodiments may be combined in any way without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0042] This application is based on a Japanese patent application (Patent Application No. 2023-213615) filed on December 19, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated by reference within this application. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0043] 1: Automatic engine stop system, 2: Engine 4: Control device, 6: Power supply device, 8: Display device 10: Radar, 12: Battery, 14: Charger C: Vehicle

Claims

1. The engine installed in the vehicle, A control device for automatically stopping the engine, Equipped with, The control device has an automatic stop control that automatically stops the engine when the vehicle is parked for a predetermined time and the engine is running, and acquires an index corresponding to the usage state of the vehicle while parked, which is used to determine whether the engine is being operated intentionally by the user, changes the operating conditions of the automatic stop control according to the index, and delays the start of the automatic stop control if the index is less than a first predetermined value and greater than or equal to a second predetermined value. Automatic engine shut-off system.

2. The control device cancels the automatic stop control if the indicator is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value. The automatic engine stop system according to claim 1.

3. The vehicle further includes a display device that displays information to the user of the vehicle and accepts user input, If the indicator is less than a second predetermined value and greater than or equal to a third predetermined value, the control device displays information on the display device indicating to the user whether or not to cancel the automatic stop control, and if the user selects to cancel the automatic stop control, the control device cancels the automatic stop control. The automatic engine stop system according to claim 1.

4. The vehicle is further equipped with a detection device that detects when the vehicle is parked indoors. The control device executes the automatic stop control when the vehicle is parked indoors. An automatic engine stop system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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