Automatic engine stop 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

Automatic engine stop system

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

[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 the vehicle is parked indoors, such as in a garage, and the engine is running. By automatically stopping the engine in this way, carbon monoxide is prevented from filling the indoor space.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-245964

[0004] In recent years, with the spread of power supply devices that supply power to an external device of a vehicle, there are cases where it is preferable not to automatically stop the engine.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an automatic engine stop system that can cancel automatic engine stop.

[0006] The automatic engine stop system of the present disclosure comprises an engine mounted on a vehicle and a control device that automatically stops the engine, wherein the control device has an automatic stop control that automatically stops the engine while the vehicle is parked for a predetermined period of time and the engine is running, obtains an index that corresponds to the usage state of the vehicle while parked and is used to determine whether the engine is being operated intentionally by the user, and changes the operating conditions of the automatic stop control according to the index.

[0007] According to this engine automatic stop system, it is possible to switch between execution and cancellation of the automatic stop control using an index.

[0008] 1 is a system diagram of an automatic engine stop system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure executed by a control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG.

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

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

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

[0012] The engine 2 is an internal combustion engine that burns fuel and emits exhaust gas from an exhaust pipe, including carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.

[0013] The control device 4 executes automatic stop control to automatically stop the engine 2. The automatic stop control is control to automatically stop the engine 2 while the vehicle C is parked for a predetermined time and the engine 2 is running. For example, when the vehicle C is parked indoors, there is a risk that the carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide emitted from the engine 2 will fill the air. For this reason, the control device 4 prevents the air from filling with carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide by automatically stopping the engine 2 when the vehicle C has been parked for a predetermined time. The control device 4 changes the operating conditions of the automatic stop control using indexes according to the usage status of various devices of the vehicle C. Details will be described later.

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

[0015] The power supply device 6 is a device capable of supplying power to external devices. 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 liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The display device 8 may also display the speed of the vehicle C in addition to the execution status of the automatic stop control.

[0016] The radar 10 is a sensor for determining the parking environment of the vehicle C. The radar 10 generates, for example, infrared rays or ultrasonic waves. The control device 4 can determine whether the vehicle C is parked indoors based on the reflection state of the infrared rays or ultrasonic waves generated by the radar 10.

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

[0018] Next, the control procedure executed by the control device 4 will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 2. In this embodiment, the control device 4 starts the control procedure when an ignition switch (not shown) is turned on. However, the timing at which the control procedure starts may be changed as appropriate.

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

[0020] In step S2, the control device 4 executes an index determination. As shown in FIG. 3 , the control device 4 stores a list of indices that correspond to the usage states of various devices in the vehicle C. For example, when power is being supplied by the power supply device 6, the index is 90. That is, when home appliances are used while away from home, such as camping, power is often supplied. During such power supply, it is highly likely that the engine 2 is running due to an intentional operation of the device by the user.

[0021] When remote air conditioning is being performed by operating the air conditioning of vehicle C from outside vehicle C using a smartphone or the like, the index is 80. Even when remote air conditioning is being performed, there is a high possibility that engine 2 is running due to intentional operation of the device by the user.

[0022] If excessive reclining is detected, if a drowsiness detection device or other device detects that the user is asleep, or if a USB port is used, the index is 75. If the USB port is used, the user may be charging their smartphone while waiting in the vehicle, or using the internet via their smartphone or other device to use entertainment functions available on the display device 8, such as the center display. On the other hand, it is also possible that the user simply leaves their smartphone charging and forgets it when they get out of the vehicle. Therefore, the index is lower than when power is supplied by the power supply device. If the driver's seat is reclined excessively, i.e., if the user has reclined the seat, or if the user is asleep, it is likely that the user is taking a nap or resting with the seat reclined. However, it is also possible that the user is unintentionally staying in the vehicle. In this way, the index is lowered for the operation (function) of a device that is intentionally operated by the user but is likely to be operated incorrectly by the user.

[0023] Air conditioning use is an indicator 70. When the user is using the air conditioning, the user may be intentionally waiting in vehicle C, but the user may also be unintentionally staying in the vehicle. Wireless charging is an indicator 65, and room lamp use is an indicator 60. The use of these devices may be intentionally operated by the user, or may be unintentionally operated by the user, such as when the user simply leaves their smartphone behind or forgets to turn off the room lamp. For this reason, the indicators are lower than those of other operations. When the control device 4 determines the indicator, it proceeds to step S3.

[0024] In step S3, the control device 4 determines whether the vehicle C is parked outdoors. For example, the control device 4 may determine that the vehicle C is outdoors if the radar 10 does not detect any obstacles such as a wall X (see FIG. 1) around the vehicle C. The control device 4 may also determine that the vehicle is outdoors if the location determined by GPS is outdoors. If the control device 4 determines that the vehicle is outdoors (YES in step S3), the process proceeds to step S4.

[0025] In step S4, the control device 4 determines whether the index is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value. In this embodiment, the first predetermined value is 90. If the control device 4 determines that the index is equal to or greater than the first predetermined value (YES in step S4), the control device 4 proceeds to step S5. When multiple devices are operating among the operating states of the various devices described above, the control device 4 may select the highest index among the multiple devices.

[0026] In step S5, the control device 4 suspends the automatic stop control of the engine 2. If the index is 90 or greater, there is a very high possibility that the user is intentionally operating the device, and therefore the operation of the engine 2 should not be stopped as a result. For this reason, the control device 4 suspends the automatic stop control. After suspending the automatic stop control of the engine 2, the control device 4 proceeds to step S1, and continues suspending the automatic stop control as long as the index 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 the first predetermined value and greater than or equal to the second predetermined value (step S6: YES), the control device 4 proceeds to step S7.

[0028] In step S7, the control device 4 suspends the start of counting the predetermined time (hereinafter referred to as timer start in the specification and drawings) that is the time for automatically stopping the engine 2 in the automatic stop control. The control device 4 may suspend the timer start for, for example, about half of the predetermined time. In this embodiment, the control device 4 suspends the timer start for about 15 minutes after the index determination, and then proceeds to step S12 and starts the timer. In this embodiment, the operating state of a device with an index of 80 or greater but less than 90 corresponds to remote air conditioning. In the case of such remote air conditioning, the user gets into the vehicle C after the time has elapsed. Therefore, by suspending the timer start, the automatic stop 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 the second predetermined value (NO in step S6), 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 a 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 (YES in step S6), the control device 4 proceeds to step S9.

[0030] In step S9, 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 the screen on the display device 8. The screen that allows the user to select whether to cancel the automatic stop control may be, for example, a screen that displays an icon that allows the user to select cancel. After displaying the screen on the display device 8, the control device 4 proceeds to step S10.

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

[0032] In step S11, the control device 4 suspends the automatic stop control of the engine 2. After suspending the automatic stop control of the engine 2, the control device 4 proceeds to step S1, where it continues suspending the automatic stop control as long as the indicator is less than the second predetermined value and equal to or greater than the third predetermined value outdoors. In this embodiment, the operation states of devices for which the indicator is less than 80 and equal to or greater than 60 are excessive reclining, drowsiness detection, USB use, air conditioning use, wireless charging use, and room lamp use. These devices may be operating due to the use of these functions against the user's intention. Therefore, the automatic stop control is suspended by displaying a suspension screen for 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 device, allowing the operation of the engine 2 to continue based on the user's intention.

[0033] In step S12, the control device 4 starts a 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 prompts 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 prompts the user to select whether to cancel the automatic stop control may be a screen that displays an icon that allows the user to select cancellation, as in 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 "cancel." For example, the control device 4 may determine that the user has selected "cancel" when the user touches an icon. If the user has selected "cancel" (YES in step S15), the control device 4 proceeds to step S11. On the other hand, if the user has not selected "cancel" (NO in step S15), the control device 4 proceeds to step S16 and stops the engine 2. Note that in this embodiment, even if the user selected automatic stop control in step S15, the control device 4 temporarily suspends the automatic stop control of the engine 2 (step S11). However, if the index is less than 60 (NO in step S8), the control device 4 displays a screen (step S14) that prompts the user to select whether to suspend the automatic stop control of the engine 2 every predetermined time (step S13). As a result, if the index is less than 60, the engine 2 will be suspended unless the user touches the display device 8 to suspend the automatic stop control.

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

[0036] As described above, according to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an automatic engine 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 index.

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

[0038] (a) In the above embodiment, the vehicle C is described as a plug-in hybrid vehicle, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The vehicle C may be any vehicle that is equipped with an engine 2 and is capable of being powered.

[0039] (b) In the above embodiment, the display device 8 is described as an LCD display or an organic EL display mounted on the vehicle C, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. 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 embodiment are merely examples, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The indicators may be changed as appropriate depending on the operating state 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 such examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the components of the above-described embodiments may be combined in any manner 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 herein by reference.

[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. An engine mounted on a vehicle; a control device that automatically stops the engine; Equipped with The control device has an automatic stop control that automatically stops the engine while the vehicle is parked for a predetermined time and the engine is running, acquires an index according to a usage state of the vehicle while parked and is used to determine whether the engine is being operated intentionally by a user, changes an operating condition of the automatic stop control according to the index, and delays the start of the automatic stop control when the index is less than a first predetermined value and equal to or greater than a second predetermined value. Automatic engine stop system.

2. The control device suspends the automatic stop control when the index is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value. The automatic engine stop system according to claim 1 .

3. a display device that displays information to a user of the vehicle and accepts operations by the user; When the index is less than a second predetermined value and equal to or greater than a third predetermined value, the control device displays, on the display device, information indicating to the user whether or not the automatic stop control can be stopped, and when the user selects to stop the automatic stop control, the control device stops the automatic stop control. The automatic engine stop system according to claim 1 .

4. a detection device that detects that the vehicle is parked indoors; the control device executes the automatic stop control while the vehicle is parked indoors. The automatic engine stop system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.