ENGINE STARTER

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application claims priority to and incorporates by reference the entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-139638 filed in Japan on Aug. 20, 2020.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to an engine starter.

Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. H07-075210 discloses a technique for stopping the engine of a vehicle to perform EV traveling when the vehicle is determined to be traveling inside an emission gas regulation area based on position information by a GPS.

SUMMARY

There is a need for providing an engine starter capable of reducing the possibility that a driver is accidentally penalized inside an emission gas regulation area.

According to an embodiment, an engine starter of a vehicle to switch between EV traveling and HV traveling includes: an engine starting unit configured to start an engine based on a starting operation by a driver of the vehicle during the EV traveling; and a starting operation switching unit configured to switch the starting operation to a first starting operation while the vehicle is traveling in an outside area of a preset emission gas regulation area and to switch the starting operation to a second starting operation different from the first starting operation while the vehicle is traveling in an inside area of the emission gas regulation area. Further, while the vehicle is performing the EV traveling in the inside area of the emission gas regulation area, the engine starting unit is not start the engine when the first starting operation is performed by the driver and to start the engine when the second starting operation is performed by the driver.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a geo-fencing system including an engine starter according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a first example of a processing procedure of an engine starting method performed by the engine starter according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a warning screen to be displayed on a display unit when a driver performs an erroneous starting operation in the engine starting method illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a second example of a processing procedure of an engine starting method performed by the engine starter according to the embodiment; and

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a warning screen to be displayed on the display unit when a driver performs an erroneous starting operation in the engine starting method illustrated in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Inside an emission gas regulation area, a driver can be penalized for starting the engine because of a decrease in the SOC or the like by paying a fine stipulated by laws and regulations. For example, if a driver performs an engine starting operation without noticing that its own vehicle is inside an emission gas regulation area, the driver is penalized for starting the engine. Thus, a system is required in order for a driver not to be penalized although the driver mistakenly performs an engine starting operation without knowing that the driver is inside an emission gas regulation area.

An engine starter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is described with reference to the drawings. Note that, the constituent elements in the following embodiment include those that can be easily replaced by those skilled in the art or are substantially the same.

The engine starter according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is described with reference to FIG. 1. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a geo-fencing system 1 including the engine starter according to the present embodiment includes a server device 10 and a vehicle 20 including an in-vehicle device 26. Specifically, the engine starter according to the present embodiment is implemented by the functions of a control unit 21 and the in-vehicle device 26 of the vehicle 20. In addition, only one vehicle 20 is illustrated in the drawing, but there may be a plurality of vehicles 20.

The server device 10 and the vehicle 20 each have a communication function and are configured to be able to communicate with each other through a network NW. This network NW is implemented by, for example, the Internet network, a mobile phone network or the like.

The server device 10 performs processing related to geo-fencing based on position information of the vehicle 20 acquired from the vehicle 20 (hereinafter, referred to as “vehicle position information”). The server device 10 is implemented by a general-purpose computer such as a workstation, a personal computer, or the like.

In the geo-fencing, for example, an emission gas regulation area where emission gas is regulated (hereinafter, referred to as a “geo-fencing zone”) is set in a certain area of a city to prohibit HV traveling using the engine inside the geo-fencing zone and only allow EV traveling. Then, in the geo-fencing, if a driver starts the engine of the vehicle 20 inside the geo-fencing zone (when performing HV traveling), a penalty is imposed on the vehicle 20 or the driver.

The “penalty” is a punishment for an act prohibited in the geo-fencing (here, starting the engine) and is stipulated by, for example, laws and regulations of local governments. Specific examples of the penalty include payment of taxes and fines, or travel restriction measures or travel prohibition measures inside the geo-fencing zone.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the server device 10 includes a control unit 11, a communication unit 12, and a storage unit 13. The control unit 11 specifically includes a processor implemented by a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or the like, and a memory (main storage unit) implemented by a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM) or the like.

The control unit 11 loads and executes a program stored in the storage unit 13 in the work area of the main storage unit and controls each component or the like through the execution of the program to implement a function matching a predetermined purpose. The control unit 11 specifically functions as a fence determination unit 111 through the execution of the program described above.

The fence determination unit 111 determines whether the vehicle 20 has entered the inside of the geo-fencing zone based on the vehicle position information collected from the vehicle 20 through the network NW and fence setting information 131 stored in the storage unit 13. Then, the fence determination unit 111 outputs information as to whether the vehicle 20 has entered the inside of the geo-fencing zone (hereinafter, referred to as “fence determination information”) to the vehicle 20 through the network NW.

The communication unit 12 is implemented by, for example, a local area network (LAN) interface board, a wireless communication circuit for wireless communication or the like. The communication unit 12 is connected to the network NW such as the Internet, which is a public communication network. Then, the communication unit 12 communicates with the vehicle 20 by connecting to the network NW.

The storage unit 13 is implemented by recording media such as an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), a hard disk drive (HDD), a removable medium and the like. Example of the removable media include disc recording media such as a universal serial bus (USB) memory, a compact disc (CD), a digital versatile disc (DVD), and a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disc (BD). The storage unit 13 can store an operating system (OS), various programs, various tables, various databases and the like.

The storage unit 13 stores the fence setting information 131 including information on, for example, the range (area) of the geo-fencing zone and the like. The storage unit 13 may store, in addition to the fence setting information 131, the vehicle position information and the like through the network NW as needed.

Vehicle

The vehicle 20 is a mobile body capable of communicating with the outside and is implemented by a hybrid vehicle, a plug-in hybrid vehicle or the like. That is, the vehicle 20 is a vehicle capable of switching between EV traveling and HV traveling. In addition, the vehicle 20 may be either a manually driven vehicle or an automatically driven vehicle.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the vehicle 20 includes a control unit 21, a communication unit 22, a storage unit 23, a positioning unit 24, a switching button 25, and an in-vehicle device 26. The control unit 21 is an electronic control unit (ECU) that comprehensively controls the operations of various constituent elements mounted on the vehicle 20. Specifically, the control unit 21 functions as an engine starting unit 211 and a starting operation switching unit 212 through the execution of the program stored in the storage unit 23.

The engine starting unit 211 starts the engine of the vehicle 20 based on an engine starting operation by the driver of the vehicle 20 while the vehicle 20 is performing the EV traveling. As the engine starting operation, two types of engine starting operations of a first starting operation and a second starting operation are prepared.

The first starting operation is a starting operation for starting the engine and switching to the HV traveling while the vehicle 20 is performing the EV traveling outside the geo-fencing zone. The second starting operation is a starting operation for starting the engine and switching to the HV traveling while the vehicle 20 is performing the EV traveling inside the geo-fencing zone.

While the vehicle 20 is performing the EV traveling inside the geo-fencing zone, the engine starting unit 211 does not start the engine when the first starting operation is performed by the driver and starts the engine when the second starting operation is performed by the driver. Similarly, while the vehicle 20 is performing the EV traveling outside the geo-fencing zone, the engine starting unit 211 does not start the engine when the second starting operation is performed by the driver and starts the engine when the first starting operation is performed by the driver.

Examples of methods of the engine starting operation (starting operation mode) include the following methods (1) to (3). Note that, as the method of the engine starting operation, any one of the following methods (1) to (3) may be used, or the following methods (1) to (3) may be used in combination.

(1) Method using the switching button 25

(2) Method using the driver's utterance voice

(3) Method using the display by the display unit 262 of the in-vehicle device 26

In the case of the starting operation using the switching button 25, the first starting operation can be set to, for example, the operation “to press the switching button 25 once” or the like, and the second starting operation can be set to, for example, the operation “to long-press the switching button 25 for a predetermined time or to press the switching button 25 successively a predetermined number of times” or the like. The button operation for the first starting operation and the button operation for the second starting operation are not limited to the above examples as long as they are different button operations. However, since the vehicle 20 is assumed to generally travel outside the geo-fencing zone and travel inside the geo-fencing zone only in certain cases, it is preferable that the first starting operation to be performed more frequently is a simpler (easier) operation than the second starting operation as in the above examples.

In this manner, by preparing a plurality of engine starting operations using the switching button 25 corresponding to the inside and outside of the geo-fencing zone, the engine is not started although the driver performs an erroneous starting operation inside the geo-fencing zone.

In the case of the starting operation using the driver's utterance voice, the first starting operation can be set to the utterance of an utterance sentence (a first utterance sentence) such as “start the engine normally” or the like, and the second starting operation can be set to the utterance of an utterance sentence (a second utterance sentence) such as “start the engine inside the zone” or the like. Note that, the utterance sentence for the first starting operation and the utterance sentence for the second starting operation are not limited to the above examples as long as they are different utterance sentences.

In this manner, by preparing a plurality of engine starting operations using the driver's utterance voice corresponding to the inside and outside of the geo-fencing zone, the engine is not started although the driver performs an erroneous starting operation inside the geo-fencing zone.

In the case of the starting operation using the display unit 262 of the in-vehicle device 26, in a certain situation (for example, when the driver tries to start the engine inside the geo-fencing zone), options as to whether to start the engine (see FIG. 5) is displayed on the display unit 262 to determine whether to start the engine based on the driver's selection by finger or voice.

In this manner, by performing the engine starting operation using the display unit 262 of the in-vehicle device 26, the engine is not started although the driver performs an erroneous starting operation inside the geo-fencing zone.

The starting operation switching unit 212 switches the starting operation according to whether the vehicle 20 is inside or outside the geo-fencing zone. While the vehicle 20 is traveling outside the geo-fencing zone, the starting operation switching unit 212 switches the starting operation to the first starting operation. On the other hand, while the vehicle 20 is traveling inside the geo-fencing zone, the starting operation switching unit 212 switches the starting operation to the second starting operation different from the first starting operation.

The timing at which the starting operation switching unit 212 switches the starting operation is preferably, for example, the timing at which the vehicle 20 moves from the inside to the outside (or from the outside to the inside) of the geo-fencing zone. That is, the starting operation switching unit 212 switches the starting operation from the first starting operation to the second starting operation when the vehicle 20 moves from the outside of the geo-fencing zone to the inside of the geo-fencing zone. In addition, the starting operation switching unit 212 switches the starting operation from the second starting operation to the first starting operation when the vehicle 20 moves from the inside of the geo-fencing zone to the outside of the geo-fencing zone. Accordingly, when the vehicle 20 enters the inside of the geo-fencing zone (or the outside of the geo-fencing zone), it is possible to automatically switch the engine starting operation.

The communication unit 22 is implemented by, for example, a data communication module (DCM) or the like and wirelessly communicates with the server device 10 through the network NW. The storage unit 23 stores, for example, the vehicle position information detected by the positioning unit 24, information on the first starting operation and the second starting operation, the fence determination information acquired from the fence determination unit 111 of the server device 10 and the like as needed.

The positioning unit 24 receives radio waves from a global positioning system (GPS) satellite and detects the vehicle position information. Then, the positioning unit 24 outputs the detected vehicle position information to the server device 10. The detection method of the vehicle position information is not limited to the method using a GPS satellite, and a method combining, for example, light detection and ranging or laser imaging detection and ranging (LiDAR) and a three-dimensional digital map may be used.

The switching button 25 is a button for switching the traveling mode of the vehicle 20. The switching button 25 is provided, for example, on the dashboard or the like of the vehicle interior of the vehicle 20. When the switching button 25 is pressed by the driver during the EV traveling, the engine is started to switch to the HV traveling.

Note that, the switching button 25 may be a button that only switches from the EV traveling to the HV traveling or may be a button that alternately switches between the EV traveling and the HV traveling. If the switching button 25 can alternately switch between the EV traveling and the HV traveling, the engine stops to switch to the EV traveling when the driver presses the switching button 25 during the HV traveling. In addition, when the HV traveling is switched to the EV traveling, the switching may be performed by the same method as the above method (pressing once, long-pressing for a predetermined time, pressing successively a predetermined number of times or the like) or by a different method from the above method.

The in-vehicle device 26 is, for example, a car navigation system provided on a dashboard or the like in the vehicle interior of the vehicle 20. The in-vehicle device 26 includes a display control unit 261, a display unit 262, a microphone 263, and a speaker 264.

The display control unit 261 controls the display content on the display unit 262. The information to be displayed by the display control unit 261 on the display unit 262 is, for example, information notifying the driver that the vehicle 20 has moved from the outside of the geo-fencing zone to the inside of the geo-fencing zone, information notifying the driver that the vehicle 20 has moved from the inside of the geo-fencing zone to the outside of the geo-fencing zone, information notifying the driver that the engine starting operation has switched from the first starting operation to the second starting operation, information notifying the driver that the engine starting operation has switched from the second starting operation to the first starting operation, a warning screen when the driver performs an erroneous starting operation inside the geo-fencing zone (see FIGS. 3 and 5 described later) or the like.

The display unit 262 is implemented by, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic EL display (OLED) or the like and displays predetermined information to the driver. The display unit 262 may be implemented by a touch panel display capable of accepting operations by a driver's finger, a pen, or the like.

The microphone 263 is for collecting the voice uttered by the driver. The speaker 264 is for outputting predetermined information by voice to the driver. Note that, the display unit 262 and the speaker 264 function as a “notification unit” in the present disclosure.

The display unit 262 or the speaker 264 may notify the driver, by text or voice, that the engine starting operation has switched from the first starting operation to the second starting operation when the vehicle 20 moves from the outside of the geo-fencing zone to the inside of the geo-fencing zone. Accordingly, it is possible for the driver to recognize that the engine starting operation has switched when the vehicle 20 moves from the outside of the geo-fencing zone to the inside of the geo-fencing zone.

In addition, the display unit 262 or the speaker 264 may notify the driver, by text or voice, that the vehicle 20 is traveling inside the geo-fencing zone (see FIGS. 3 and 5 described later) when, for example, the first starting operation is mistakenly performed by the driver while the vehicle 20 is performing the EV traveling inside the geo-fencing zone. Accordingly, it is possible for the driver to recognize that the vehicle 20 is traveling inside the geo-fencing zone when the driver mistakenly performs the first starting operation without recognizing that the vehicle 20 is inside the geo-fencing zone.

Engine starting method, First example A first example of a processing procedure of an engine starting method performed by the engine starter according to the present embodiment is described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

First, the starting operation switching unit 212 of the vehicle 20 determines whether the vehicle 20 has entered the inside of the geo-fencing zone from the outside of the geo-fencing zone (step S1). In step S1, the starting operation switching unit 212 determines, based on the fence determination information acquired from the fence determination unit 111 of the server device 10, whether the vehicle 20 has entered the inside of the geo-fencing zone.

When determining that the vehicle 20 has not entered the inside of the geo-fencing zone (No in step S1), the starting operation switching unit 212 terminates the processing. On the other hand, when determining that the vehicle 20 has entered the inside of the geo-fencing zone (Yes in step S1), the starting operation switching unit 212 determines whether the vehicle 20 is performing the EV traveling (step S2).

When determining that the vehicle 20 is not performing the EV traveling (No in step S2), the starting operation switching unit 212 terminates the processing. On the other hand, when determining that the vehicle 20 is performing the EV traveling (Yes in step S2), the starting operation switching unit 212 changes the engine starting operation from the first starting operation (for example, pressing the switching button 25 once) to the second starting operation (for example, long-pressing the switching button 25 for a predetermined time or pressing the switching button 25 successively a predetermined number of times) (step S3).

Then, the engine starting unit 211 determines whether the driver has performed the engine starting operation (step S4). When determining that the driver has not performed the engine starting operation (No in step S4), the engine starting unit 211 terminates the processing. On the other hand, when determining that the driver has performed the engine starting operation (Yes in step S4), the engine starting unit 211 determines whether the driver has performed the engine starting operation by the second starting operation (step S5).

When determining that the driver has performed the engine starting operation by the second starting operation (Yes in step S5), the engine starting unit 211 starts the engine (step S6) and terminates the processing. On the other hand, when determining that the driver has not performed the engine starting operation by the second starting operation, that is, when determining that the driver has performed the engine starting operation by the first starting operation (No in step S5), the display control unit 261 of the in-vehicle device 26 displays a warning screen on the display unit 262 (step S7).

The warning screen displayed on the display unit 262 in step S7 includes, for example, the information indicating that the vehicle 20 is currently traveling inside the geo-fencing zone and information prompting the driver to perform the second starting operation (for example, long-pressing the switching button 25) in order to start the engine as illustrated in FIG. 3. In step S7, the driver may be notified of similar content by voice through the speaker 264 at the same time when the warning screen is displayed on the display unit 262.

Then, the engine starting unit 211 determines whether the driver has performed the engine starting operation by the second starting operation (step S8). When determining that the driver has not performed the engine starting operation by the second starting operation, that is, when determining that the driver has performed the engine starting operation by the first starting operation (No in step S8), the engine starting unit 211 returns to step S7. On the other hand, when determining that the driver has performed the engine starting operation by the second starting operation (Yes in step S8), the engine starting unit 211 proceeds to step S6.

Engine starting method, Second example

The second example of a processing procedure of an engine starting method performed by the engine starter according to the present embodiment is described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. In the following, an example of causing the driver to perform the starting operation through the display unit 262 of the in-vehicle device 26 when the driver performs the engine starting operation by an erroneous method inside the geo-fencing zone is described.

First, the starting operation switching unit 212 of the vehicle 20 determines whether the vehicle 20 has entered the inside of the geo-fencing zone from the outside of the geo-fencing zone (step S11). In step S11, the starting operation switching unit 212 determines, based on the fence determination information acquired from the fence determination unit 111 of the server device 10, whether the vehicle 20 has entered the inside of the geo-fencing zone.

When determining that the vehicle 20 has not entered the inside of the geo-fencing zone (No in step S11), the starting operation switching unit 212 terminates the processing. On the other hand, when determining that the vehicle 20 has entered the inside of the geo-fencing zone (Yes in step S11), the starting operation switching unit 212 determines whether the vehicle 20 is performing the EV traveling (step S12).

When determining that the vehicle 20 is not performing the EV traveling (No in step S12), the starting operation switching unit 212 terminates the processing. On the other hand, when determining that the vehicle 20 is performing the EV traveling (Yes in step S12), the starting operation switching unit 212 changes the engine starting operation from the first starting operation (for example, pressing the switching button 25 once) to the second starting operation (for example, long-pressing the switching button 25 for a predetermined time or pressing the switching button 25 successively a predetermined number of times) (step S13).

Then, the engine starting unit 211 determines whether the driver has performed the engine starting operation (step S14). When determining that the driver has not performed the engine starting operation (No in step S14), the engine starting unit 211 terminates the processing. On the other hand, when determining that the driver has performed the engine starting operation (Yes in step S14), the engine starting unit 211 determines whether the driver has performed the engine starting operation by the second starting operation (step S15).

When determining that the driver has performed the engine starting operation by the second starting operation (Yes in step S15), the engine starting unit 211 starts the engine (step S16) and terminates the processing. On the other hand, when determining that the driver has not performed the engine starting operation by the second starting operation, that is, when determining that the driver has performed the engine starting operation by the first starting operation (No in step S15), the display control unit 261 of the in-vehicle device 26 displays a warning screen on the display unit 262 and proposes the appropriate engine starting operation (step S17).

The warning screen displayed on the display unit 262 in step S17 includes the information indicating that the vehicle 20 is currently traveling inside the geo-fencing zone, information proposing the start of the engine, and the options for the propose (Yes/No) as illustrated in, for example, FIG. 5. In step S7, the driver may be notified of similar content by voice through the speaker 264 at the same time when the warning screen is displayed on the display unit 262.

Then, the engine starting unit 211 determines whether the driver has performed the engine starting operation (step S18). In step S18, a positive determination is performed when the driver selects the option of “Yes” on the warning screen (see FIG. 5), and a negative determination is performed when the driver selects the option of “No” on the warning screen.

When determining that the driver has performed the engine starting operation in step S18 (Yes in step S18), the engine starting unit 211 proceeds to step S16. On the other hand, when determining that the driver has not performed the engine starting operation (No in step S18), the engine starting unit 211 terminates the processing.

According to the engine starter according to the embodiment described above, the two types of operations of the first starting operation outside the geo-fencing zone and the second starting operation inside the geo-fencing zone are prepared as the starting operation to switch from the EV traveling to the HV traveling. Accordingly, the engine is not started although the driver mistakenly performs the first starting operation without recognizing that the vehicle 20 is inside the geo-fencing zone, and it is possible to reduce the possibility that the driver is accidentally penalized.

Note that further effects and modifications may be easily acquired by a person skilled in the art. Therefore, a wider embodiment of the present disclosure should not be limited to the specific details and typical examples as described above. That is, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope spirit of the overall present disclosure defined in the attached claims and the equivalents thereof.

For example, in the engine starter according to the embodiment, the fence determination unit 111 of the server device 10 determines whether the vehicle 20 has entered the inside of the geo-fencing zone, but the vehicle 20 may determine whether its own vehicle has entered the inside of the geo-fencing zone. That is, the control unit 21 of the vehicle 20 may function as a fence determination unit.

In addition, in the engine starter according to the embodiment, a warning screen is displayed on the display unit 262 of the in-vehicle device 26 (see FIGS. 3 and 5) when the driver performs an erroneous starting operation, but the warning screen may be displayed on, instead of the display unit 262, a terminal (for example, a smartphone, a mobile phone, a tablet terminal, a wearable computer or the like) possessed by the driver. To use the driver's terminal, the terminal and the vehicle 20 are connected by a communication function such as Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy (BLE) or the like to associate the two when, for example, the driver gets on the vehicle 20.

According to the present disclosure, although a driver mistakenly performs a first starting operation without recognizing that its vehicle is in an inside area of an emission gas regulation area, the engine is not started, and it is possible to reduce the possibility that the driver is accidentally penalized.

According to an embodiment, as the starting operation to switch from the EV traveling to the HV traveling, by preparing two types of operations of the first starting operation in the outside area of the emission gas regulation area and the second starting operation in the inside area of the emission gas regulation area, the engine is not started although the driver mistakenly performs the first starting operation without recognizing that the vehicle is in the inside area of the emission gas regulation area.

According to an embodiment, it is possible to automatically switch the engine starting operation when the vehicle enters the inside area of the emission gas regulation area.

According to an embodiment, it is possible for the driver to recognize that the engine starting operation has been switched when the vehicle moves from the outside area to the inside area of the emission gas regulation area.

According to an embodiment, it is possible for the driver to recognize that the vehicle is traveling in the inside area of the emission gas regulation area when the driver mistakenly performs the first starting operation without recognizing that the vehicle is in the inside area of the emission gas regulation area.

According to an embodiment, by preparing a plurality of engine starting operations using the switching button corresponding to the outside area and the inside area of the emission gas regulation area, the engine is not started although the driver performs an erroneous starting operation.

According to an embodiment, by preparing a plurality of engine starting operations using the driver's utterance voice corresponding to the outside area and the inside area of the emission gas regulation area, the engine is not started although the driver performs an erroneous starting operation.

Although the disclosure has been described with respect to specific embodiments for a complete and clear disclosure, the appended claims are not to be thus limited but are to be construed as embodying all modifications and alternative constructions that may occur to one skilled in the art that fairly fall within the basic teaching herein set forth.

ENGINE STARTER

Information

Publication Number

Date Filed

Date Published

Inventors

Original Assignees

CPC

International Classifications

Abstract

Description

Claims

Priority Claims (1)