Engine start control system having failsafe arrangement

• US 20070261653A1
• Filed: 04/26/2007
• Published: 11/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: Yagyu, Hiroshi
• Granted Patent: US 8,001,944 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 123/179.200
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/045 by limiting or cutting the electrical supply to the propulsion unit
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/246 characterised by the challenge triggering
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/042 by electrical means, e.g. using travel or force sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/12 Brake pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0803 characterised by means for initiating engine start or stop F02N11/0814 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/101 for preventing engine starter actuation or engagement

Abstract

An engine start control system for a vehicle includes a first switch with which a user operates to start the engine, a second switch, a third switch, a brake switch and an engine start control unit for controlling start of the engine. The engine start control unit provides a normal mode that allows to start the engine when the first switch is operated if the brake switch detects operation of the brake pedal and a failsafe mode that allows to start the engine when at least two of the first, second and third switches are operated even if the brake switch does not detect operation of the brake pedal.

Claims

1. An engine start control system for a vehicle that has an engine and a brake pedal comprising:

a first switch with which a user operates to start an engine;

a second switch;

sensing means for detecting operation of the brake pedal; and

an engine start control unit for controlling start of the engine,

wherein the engine start control unit provides a normal mode that allows to start the engine when the first switch is operated if the sensing means detects operation of the brake pedal and a failsafe mode that allows to start the engine when the first and second switch are operated even if the sensing means does not detect operation of the engine.

2. An engine start control system as in claim 1, wherein the second switch is a hazard warning switch.

3. An engine start control switch as in claim 1, further comprising a third switch wherein the engine start control unit allows to start the engine in the failsafe mode only when the second switch and third switch are operated.

4. An engine start control system, as in claim 1, wherein each of the first and the second switches is a push button type momentary switch.

5. An engine start control system as in claim 1, wherein the engine start control unit allows to start the engine in the failsafe mode only when the first and the second switches are operated in a prescribed manner.

6. An engine start control system as in claim 5, wherein the engine start control unit allows to start the engine in the failsafe mode only when the second switch is operated a predetermined time after the first switch is operated.

7. An engine start control system as in claim 1, wherein the second switch is a brake follower switch.

8. An engine start control system as in claim 1, further comprising means for urging failsafe mode.

9. An engine start control system as in claim 8, further comprising a speedometer,

wherein the means for urging is disposed at a speedometer.

11. An engine start control system as in claim 9, wherein:

the second switch is a hazard warning switch; and

the third switch is a brake follower switch of a cruise control system.

10. An engine start control system for a vehicle that has an engine and a brake pedal comprising:

a first switch with which a user operates to start the engine;

a second switch;

a third switch;

sensing means for detecting operation of the brake pedal; and

an engine start control unit for controlling start of the engine,

wherein the engine start control unit provides a normal mode that allows to start the engine when the first switch is operated if the sensing means detects operation of the brake pedal and a failsafe mode that allows to start the engine when at least two of the first, second and third switches are operated even if the sensing means does not detect operation of the brake pedal.