JP3078543B1 - Auxiliary device for starting the engine - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides an engine start assist device that can prevent a function stop of an engine start unit due to a relay failure. SOLUTION: When an engine is started using an ignition key, a first portion and a second portion on a signal transmitting portion for electrically connecting a battery of the vehicle and an engine starting portion are provided. First and second relays connected in parallel, a first voltmeter for measuring the voltage of the first part, a second voltmeter for measuring the voltage of the second part, and selectively the first and second relays And a control unit that performs on / off control on the
The control unit switches the first relay to an ON state when a voltage of a predetermined level is detected in the first voltmeter, and further, when the first relay is switched to an ON state, the voltage of the predetermined level in the second voltmeter is If not detected, the second relay is turned on.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an auxiliary engine starter for assisting a failure of a relay provided on a signal line for electrically connecting a battery of a vehicle and an engine starting portion. It concerns the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an example of a conventional portion related to engine starting of a vehicle (hereinafter also referred to as an "engine starting portion"), as shown in FIG. 3, a battery 101, an engine starting portion 102, an ignition key 103 Signal transmission means 1 for electrically connecting between the battery 101 and the engine starting unit 102 when the starting operation using the
04.

The signal transmitting means 104 includes, for example, a switch 104a that is opened and closed in conjunction with a start operation using an ignition key 103, and a first signal line that electrically connects the battery 101 and the switch 104a. 1
04b, a second signal line 104c for electrically connecting between the switch 104a and the engine starting unit 102, and a relay 104d connected on the second signal line 104c. The relay 104d is connected to the switch 10
4a is controlled so as to be turned on when the 4a is closed, and for supplying power to a means for starting the engine such as an engine starter and a means for rotating the engine such as an ignition plug. It is provided in.

In order to start an engine of a vehicle using the engine starting portion having such a configuration, first, a driver performs a starting operation using an ignition key 103 (for example, inserting the ignition key 103 into a keyhole and a predetermined position). (If it is twisted to the position at the start), and the state is maintained), the switch 104a is switched from the open state to the closed state, then the relay 104d is turned on, and the battery 101 and the engine starting unit 102 Are electrically connected. The engine starting unit 102 that has received the power supply from the battery 101 performs an engine starting operation, and as a result, the engine starts. Then, when the driver releases the ignition key 103 after confirming the start of the engine, the ignition key 103 automatically returns to a predetermined position (the position at the time of driving), and the switch 104a is turned from the closed state to the open state. And the relay 104d is turned off.

[0005]

However, in the above-described engine starting portion of the vehicle, when the relay 104d breaks down, the driver performs a starting operation using the ignition key 103 to turn the switch 104a from the open state to the closed state. The battery 101 and the engine starting unit 102
Is not electrically connected, and the engine does not start.

The vehicle having the above-described structure, that is, the relay 1
04d from the battery 101 to the engine starter 1
Vehicles that are configured to supply electric power to the vehicle 02 are generally large vehicles such as trucks and specially equipped vehicles, and it is very difficult to move the vehicle with the engine stopped. However, there is a problem that a traffic jam or the like may occur when the vehicle is stopped for a long time.

The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an auxiliary device for starting an engine which can prevent the function of an engine starting portion from stopping due to a failure of a relay.

[0008]

An auxiliary device for starting an engine according to the present invention is a signal for electrically connecting between a battery of a vehicle and an engine starting portion when the engine is started using an ignition key. A plurality of relay means connected in parallel between the first part and the second part on the transmission means; a first voltage measuring means for measuring the voltage of the first part; and a second voltage measuring means for measuring the voltage of the second part. And a control means for selectively turning on and off a plurality of relay means. When the first voltage measurement means detects a voltage of a predetermined level, the control means includes a plurality of relay means. One of the means is switched to an ON state to establish a conductive state between the battery and the engine starting portion; and further, when the one relay means is switched to an ON state, a second voltage measuring means is provided. In the case where a voltage of a predetermined level is not detected at this time, another one of the plurality of relay means is switched to an ON state to establish a conductive state between the battery and the engine starting unit. Characterized. According to the above configuration, when the relay means in use has failed, another relay means can be used in place of the failed relay means.

Further, the control means may include a notifying means for performing a predetermined notifying operation when the control means switches another one of the plurality of relay means to the on state. With the above configuration, the driver can be notified that the relay means in use has failed.

[0010] Furthermore, the control means may determine that the voltage of the predetermined level is not detected by the first voltage measurement means,
Further, when a voltage of a predetermined level is detected by the second voltage measuring means, a short-circuit detection signal may be output. With the above configuration, it is possible to detect that the battery and the engine starting unit are directly connected.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an embodiment of an engine start assist device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing an embodiment of an auxiliary device for starting an engine according to the present invention.

In the present embodiment, the engine start assist device is a signal for electrically connecting between the battery 2 of the vehicle and the engine start unit 3 when the engine is started using the ignition key 1. A first relay 5a and a second relay 5b connected in parallel between the first part P1 and the second part P2 on the transmitting means, and a second relay as first voltage measuring means for measuring the voltage of the first part P1. 1 voltmeter 6 and
A second voltmeter 7 as a second voltage measuring means for measuring the voltage of the second portion P2, a first relay 5a and a second relay 5
b (for example, CPU
(Central processing unit)
And 8.

The signal transmission means includes, for example, a switch 4a that is opened / closed in conjunction with a start operation using the ignition key 1, and a first signal line 4b that electrically connects between the battery 2 and the switch 4a. A second signal line 4c for electrically connecting the switch 4a to the first relay 5a and the second relay 5b, and an electrical connection between the first relay 5a and the second relay 5b and the engine starting unit 3. The first portion P1 is located near the switch 4a on the second signal line 4c, and the second portion P2 is connected to the engine on the third signal line 4d. It is located near the activation unit 3.

The control unit 8 has a first terminal 8a to which a signal indicating a measurement result of the first voltmeter 6 is input,
A second terminal 8b to which a signal indicating a measurement result in the second voltmeter 7 is input, a first relay 5a and a second relay 5b
Has a third terminal 8c and a fourth terminal 8d for outputting a control signal for selectively turning on and off the. When a voltage of a predetermined level is detected by the first voltmeter 6, the control unit 8 outputs a control signal for switching the first relay 5a of the first relay 5a and the second relay 5b to the ON state, and outputs the control signal. If a voltage of a predetermined level is not detected in the second voltmeter 7 even after outputting a control signal for switching the first relay 5a to the ON state between the second voltmeter 7 and the engine starting section 3 and outputting the control signal for switching the first relay 5a to the ON state, A control signal for switching the second relay 5b to the ON state is output to make the battery 2 and the engine starting unit 3 conductive.

Next, an operation example of the auxiliary device for starting the engine will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation example of the engine start auxiliary device shown in FIG.

First, when the driver performs a starting operation using the ignition key 1 (for example, the ignition key 1
Is inserted into the keyhole and twisted to a predetermined position (position at the time of starting) and the state is maintained (step S1), the switch 4a switches from the open state to the closed state, and the first voltmeter 6 Is measured (step S2).

When a voltage of a predetermined level is measured by the first voltmeter 6, the control section 8 outputs a control signal for turning on the first relay 5a (step S).
3). Here, if the first relay 5a has not failed (if the determination result in step S4 is NO), the first signal line 4b, the switch 4a, the second signal line 4c, the first relay 5a, and the third signal Power is supplied from the battery 2 to the engine starting unit 3 via the line 4d, and at the same time, a voltage of a predetermined level is measured by the second voltmeter 7 (Step S).
5). Thereafter, when the driver confirms the start of the engine and releases his / her hand from the ignition key 1, the ignition key 1 automatically returns to a predetermined position (the position at the time of driving), and the switch 4a is changed from the closed state to the open state. And the first relay 5a is turned off.

On the other hand, if the first relay 5a is out of order,
Alternatively, if the first relay 5a fails (if the determination result in step S4 is YES), the voltage of the predetermined level is not measured by the second voltmeter 7, so the control unit 8
A control signal for turning on the second relay 5b is output instead of the control signal for turning on the relay 5a (step S6). As a result, power is supplied from the battery 2 to the engine starting unit 3 via the first signal line 4b, the switch 4a, the second signal line 4c, the second relay 5b, and the third signal line 4d, and at the same time, the second voltmeter 7, a voltage of a predetermined level is measured (step S7). Thereafter, when the driver confirms the start of the engine and releases his / her hand from the ignition key 1, the ignition key 1 automatically returns to a predetermined position (the position at the time of driving), and the switch 4a is changed from the closed state to the open state. And the second relay 5b
Is turned off.

Therefore, by providing the engine start-up auxiliary device having such a structure in the engine start portion, even if the first relay 5a is out of order, the second relay 5b can be used instead of the first relay 5a. Thus, the engine can be started as usual.

When the first relay 5a fails (that is, when the control unit outputs a control signal for switching the second relay 5b to the ON state), the engine starting auxiliary device shown in FIG. A notification unit for performing a predetermined notification operation may be further provided. As the notification means, there are a means for performing notification for visual sense, a means for performing notification for hearing, and a means for performing notification for both vision and hearing. For example, an LED (light-emitting) is used as a device that performs notification for the sight.
In some cases, information is displayed by flashing or displaying information using numbers and characters using a diode or a light bulb.
On the other hand, LS
I (large scale integrated)
For example, a specific message created in advance or a simple sound (for example, a buzzer sound) is output to notify the user. The control of the notification operation of the notification means is performed by the control unit 8. As described above, by further providing the notification means, the first
The failure of the relay 5a can be clearly indicated, and the driver can replace the failed relay with a normal relay.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an engine start assist device having two relays as a plurality of relays has been described. However, the number of relays is not limited to two. One relay may be appropriately selected and used from three or more relays. Generally, as a method of vehicle theft, the connection between the battery 2 and the engine starting unit 3 is performed without using the ignition key 1. There is one that directly starts the engine and moves the vehicle. In order to detect such a stolen vehicle theft, the control unit 8 of the above-described auxiliary device for starting the engine includes:
If the first voltmeter 6 does not detect a predetermined level of voltage and the second voltmeter 7 detects a predetermined level of voltage, a terminal and a function for outputting a short-circuit detection signal are further provided. Alternatively, based on the output of the short-circuit detection signal, theft notification may be performed by sound, light, or the like.

[0024]

As described above, the auxiliary device for starting the engine of the present invention electrically connects the battery of the vehicle and the engine starting portion when the engine is started using the ignition key. The first on the signal transmitting means
A plurality of relay means connected in parallel between the part and the second part, a first voltage measuring means for measuring a voltage of the first part, a second voltage measuring means for measuring a voltage of the second part, Control means for selectively turning on and off a plurality of relay means, wherein the control means detects one of the plurality of relay means when a voltage of a predetermined level is detected by the first voltage measuring means. When the relay means is turned on to make the battery and the engine starting section conductive, and when the one relay means is turned on, a voltage of a predetermined level is not detected by the second voltage measuring means. The other one of the plurality of relay means is switched to the ON state, to establish a conductive state between the battery and the engine start unit,
Since the engine is started using another relay in place of the failed relay, it is possible to prevent the engine starting unit from stopping functioning due to the failure of the relay.

When the control means switches one of the plurality of relay means to the ON state, the control means may include a notification means for performing a predetermined notification operation. It can be replaced with a normal relay.

Further, the control means may determine that the voltage of the predetermined level is not detected by the first voltage measuring means,
Further, when a voltage of a predetermined level is detected by the second voltage measuring means, a short-circuit detection signal may be output, so that vehicle theft can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of an engine start assist device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation example of the engine start auxiliary device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an engine start section of a conventional vehicle.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ignition key 2 Battery 3 Engine starting part 4a Switch 4b First signal line 4c Second signal line 4d Third signal line 5a First relay 5b Second relay 6 First voltmeter 7 Second voltmeter 8 Control unit

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] When a start of an engine is performed using an ignition key, a first portion and a second portion of a signal transmitting means for electrically connecting a battery of a vehicle and an engine starting portion are provided. A plurality of relay means connected in parallel to each other, a first voltage measuring means for measuring a voltage of a first part, a second voltage measuring means for measuring a voltage of a second part, and a plurality of relay means. Control means for performing on / off control, wherein the control means switches one of the plurality of relay means to an on state when a voltage of a predetermined level is detected by the first voltage measurement means. If the battery and the engine start-up unit are brought into conduction, and if the second voltage measuring means does not detect a voltage of a predetermined level when this one relay means is switched to the ON state, Another one auxiliary device for starting the engine, characterized in that between those to conducting state and the relay means is switched to the ON state battery and the engine starting unit of the number of relay means. 2. The engine starter according to claim 1, further comprising a notifying unit that performs a predetermined notifying operation when the control unit switches another one of the plurality of relay units to an on state. Auxiliary equipment. 3. The control means according to claim 1, wherein said first voltage measurement means does not detect a voltage of a predetermined level and said second voltage measurement means
2. The auxiliary device for starting an engine according to claim 1, wherein a short-circuit detection signal is output when a voltage of a predetermined level is detected by the voltage measuring means.