Eco-run control device and method for resetting the same

• US 20080262708A1
• Filed: 04/16/2008
• Published: 10/23/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Ten Limited (DENSO Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Ten Limited (DENSO Corporation)
• Inventors: Yamaguchi, Kazuhi
• Granted Patent: US 7,860,637 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/112
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/042 for stopping the engine
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/2493 Resetting of data to a predefined set of values
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/266 the computer being backed-up or assisted by another circuit, e.g. analogue
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0818 Conditions for starting or stopping the engine or for deactivating the idle-start-stop mode
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/10 Safety devices F02N11/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2250/02 Battery voltage drop at start, e.g. drops causing ECU reset
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2300/30 characterised by the use of digital means
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2300/304 with other systems inside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 11/025 Shortening the ignition when the engine is stopped to prevent damage to the coil F02P3/0556
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

An eco-run control device is mounted on a vehicle and is capable of performing eco-run control to stop an engine when predetermined stop requirements are satisfied and restart the engine when predetermined start requirements are satisfied later. This eco-run control device includes: a monitoring unit that monitors the state of an ignition; a communicating unit that communicates with a plurality of control devices that receive power supplies from a power supply line that is connected to a power source via the ignition; and an initialization controlling unit that initializes the data with respect to the eco-run control stored in a memory, when the monitoring unit determines that the ignition is in an OFF state, and that the communications with two or more of the control devices are interrupted.

Claims

1. An eco-run control device that is mounted on a vehicle and is capable of performing eco-run control to stop an engine when predetermined stop requirements are satisfied and restart the engine when predetermined start requirements are satisfied later,

the eco-run control device comprising:

a monitoring unit that monitors a state of an ignition;

a communicating unit that communicate with a plurality of control devices that receive power supplies from a power supply line that is connected to a power source via the ignition; and

an initialization controlling unit that initializes data with respect to the eco-run control stored in a memory, when the monitoring unit determines that the ignition is in an OFF state, and that the communications with two or more of the control devices are interrupted.

2. The eco-run control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the initialization controlling unit determines whether there is a history of interruptions of communications with two or more of the control devices, when the monitoring unit detects switching of the ignition to an ON state while power is supplied to the eco-run control device after the monitoring unit determines that the ignition is in the OFF state,

the initialization controlling unit performing an initializing operation when there is a history of interruptions.

3. The eco-run control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the initialization controlling unit selects control devices to be used for determining a communication interruption from the plurality of control devices, based on an interval of communications with the communicating unit.

4. The eco-run control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the initialization controlling unit receives a signal for determining an engine stop, and, based on the signal, determines whether the ignition is switched by a driver'"'"'s operation.

5. The eco-run control device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the signal for determining an engine stop includes at least one of a signal indicating a location of a shift lever, a signal indicating a speed of the vehicle, a signal indicating a speed of the engine, a signal indicating that a foot brake is stepped on, a signal indicating that a door is opened or closed.

6. The eco-run control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the initialization controlling unit determines whether the ignition is switched into the OFF state by a driver'"'"'s operation, based on information that is supplied from a navigation device.

7. An eco-run control device that is mounted on a vehicle and is capable of performing eco-run control to stop an engine when predetermined stop requirements are satisfied and restart the engine when predetermined start requirements are satisfied later,

the eco-run control device comprising:

an engine start controlling unit that performs a start control operation on the engine, when receiving an eco-run prohibiting request from another control device mounted on the vehicle; and

an engine start control prohibiting unit that prohibits the engine start controlling unit from performing the start control operation on the engine, when an ignition is in an OFF state and communications with two or more of other control devices are interrupted, the other control device having a power source switched on and off in accordance with the state of the ignition.

8. An eco-run control device that is mounted on a vehicle and is capable of performing eco-run control to stop an engine when predetermined stop requirements are satisfied and restart the engine when predetermined start requirements are satisfied later,

the eco-run control device comprising:

an engine state controlling unit that puts the engine into a started state, when receiving an eco-run prohibiting request from another control device mounted on the vehicle,

the engine state controlling unit putting the engine into an stopped state even when receiving the eco-run prohibiting request, where an ignition is in an OFF state and communications with two or more of other control devices are interrupted, the other control device having a power source switched on and off in accordance with the state of the ignition.

9. A method for resetting an eco-run control device, comprising the steps of:

determining that an ignition is in an OFF state with the use of a monitoring unit;

determining a state of each communication with a plurality of control devices that receive a power supply from a power supply line that is connected to a power source via the ignition; and

initializing data with respect to the eco-run control stored in a memory, when the monitoring unit determines that the communications with two or more of the control devices are interrupted.