Abstract:
A method for controlling a vehicle equipped with a manual transmission and engine includes automatically engaging a brake, locking the transmission in neutral and starting the engine, in response to a signal whose origin is remote from the vehicle representing a desired engine start; and automatically engaging a brake and locking the transmission in neutral in response to a second signal indicating that the driver has exited the vehicle while the engine is running.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to an engine ignition-transmission shift interlock for manual transmission equipped vehicles. 
     Engine remote starting, wherein a vehicle operator may start the engine prior to entering the vehicle, is available for pre-conditioning the vehicle&#39;s passenger compartment and other uses only in automatic transmission equipped vehicles. 
     Due to a combination of a brake transmission shifter interlock (BTSI) and ignition shutdown controls, today&#39;s automatic transmission equipped vehicles are sufficiently secure from unauthorized powered movement during a remote started or secure idle ignition state. 
     State-of-the-art manual transmissions by comparison have only ignition inhibit/shutdown controls using clutch pedal and/or neutral detection switch inputs available, which cannot completely prevent a powered vehicle movement prior to engine shutdown if an unauthorized drive away is attempted. For this reason, current standard industry practice is not to offer any type of remote start or secure idle functionality on manual transmission equipped vehicles—at the expense of lost customer value and associated vehicle revenue. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     A method for controlling a vehicle equipped with a manual transmission and engine includes automatically engaging a brake, locking the transmission in neutral and starting the engine, in response to a signal whose origin is remote from the vehicle representing a desired engine start; and automatically engaging a brake and locking the transmission in neutral in response to a second signal indicating that the driver has exited the vehicle while the engine is running. 
     The method provides additional protection against unauthorized drive-away attempts of a running manual transmission equipped vehicle, thereby expanding the availability of remote start and secure idle features to manual transmission equipped vehicles. 
     The scope of applicability of the preferred embodiment will become apparent from the following detailed description, claims and drawings. It should be understood, that the description and specific examples, although indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only. Various changes and modifications to the described embodiments and examples will become apparent to those skilled in the art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the following description, taken with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a longitudinal cross section of a manual transmission; 
         FIG. 2  is flow diagram illustrating the logic for a remote start control; and 
         FIG. 3  is flow diagram illustrating the logic for a secure idle control. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The manual transmission  10  illustrated in  FIG. 1  includes an input shaft  12  releaseably connected through a clutch (not shown) to an engine shaft (not shown); output shaft  14 ; layshaft  16 ; a 5-6 synchronizer  18  for alternately driveably connecting fifth and sixth speed pinions to output shaft  14 ; a 3-4 synchronizer  20  for alternately driveably connecting third and fourth speed gears to layshaft  16 ; a 2-1 synchronizer  22  for alternately driveably connecting second and first speed pinions to output shaft  14 ; a R synchronizer  24  for driveably connecting a reverse gear to output shaft  14 ; and shift rods  26  supporting shift forks, which move the synchronizers axially in response to movement of a shift selector for producing the selected forward gear 1-6, reverse gear and neutral, in which the transmission  10  produces no drive connection between input shaft  12  and output shaft  14 . 
     The manual transmission  10  includes a solenoid-actuated, spring-returned shift locking mechanism  28  that locks the transmission shift rod axially and/or rotationally in neutral, a switch/sensor in mechanism  28  for monitoring the engagement of the shift lock, and the vehicle includes a park brake with engagement feedback. Powered vehicle movement can be controlled sufficiently to allow the addition of remote start and secure idle to such manual transmission equipped vehicles. 
     The control strategy is executed under control of an electronic system which includes an electronic controller that includes a microprocessor and electronic memory for storing control algorithms and a communications bus interconnecting the microprocessor and memory. The controller communicates with the solenoid and sensor of the shift locking mechanism  28 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the logic flow for initiating remote-start control  50  (i) for a passive entry passive start (PEPS) vehicle, i.e., a vehicle that electronically recognizes the presence of an authorized driver by non-contact detection (for example radio frequency (RF) communication) of a PEPS key fob in his/her possession for purposes of door lock/unlock and engine start control, or for (ii) a vehicle that requires a bladed key to be inserted into a ignition lock in order to start the engine. 
     The initial conditions for attempting remote-start control  50  for a vehicle equipped with a manual transmission  10  include the engine being OFF, the vehicle being stationary, and the doors being locked. 
     At step  52  a request for a remote engine start is produced via a transponder, key fob, or another device remote from the vehicle, such as a cell phone. 
     At step  54  a test is performed to determine whether the vehicle is equipped with an electric park brake. If the result of test  54  is logically positive, at step  56  the electric park brake is actuated, i.e., the brake is applied. 
     If the result of test  54  is logically negative or after executing step  56 , at step  58  a test is performed to determine whether the electric (or manual) park brake is applied. 
     If the result of test  58  is negative, at step  60  the attempt to initiate remote start control is terminated. 
     If the result of test  58  is positive, at step  62  the neutral lock solenoid  28  is actuated, thereby holding transmission  10  in neutral and its sensor producing a signal indicating that the transmission is fully locked in neutral. 
     At step  64  a test is performed to determine whether a signal indicating that the transmission is fully locked in neutral has been received by the control module controlling the remote start sequence. This control module may be, for example, a body control module that is connected to the remote radio frequency (RF) receiver. 
     If the result of test  64  is negative, control advances to step  60 . 
     If the result of test  64  is positive, at step  66  a non-motive remote start is produced, i.e., the engine is started, but the vehicle cannot be moved because transmission  10  remains locked in neutral. Initiation of remote start control terminates at step  68 . The vehicle state can become motive when the PEPS key fob enters the vehicle or the bladed key is placed in the engine ignition lock. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates the logic flow for initiating secure-idle control  70  applicable to a PEPS vehicle, i.e., a vehicle that the operator can exit while running and move away from while carrying the vehicle&#39;s key fob. 
     The initial conditions for attempting secure-idle control  70  for a vehicle equipped with a manual transmission  10  include the engine being ON and the vehicle state being motive, i.e., able to drive away. 
     At step  72  the vehicle state is in motive mode. 
     At step  73  a test is performed to determine whether a change in the vehicle&#39;s operating mode is required, such as may result from a signal  74  electronically indicating the absence of the PEPS key fob in the vehicle or an occupant seat sensor or switch indicating that the vehicle operator is in the process of exiting, or has exited, the running vehicle. If the result of test  73  is negative, at step  75  the system continues to monitor for a required change in the vehicle&#39;s operating mode, in which case control returns to step  73 . 
     At step  76  a test is performed to determine whether the vehicle is equipped with an electric park brake. If the result of test  76  is positive, at step  78  the electric park brake is actuated, i.e., the park brake is applied. 
     If the result of test  76  is negative or following step  78 , at step  80  a test is made to determine whether the electric (or manual) park brake is applied. If the result of test  80  is negative, at step  82  the control system turns the engine OFF and the secure idle control is not initiated. 
     If the result of test  80  is positive, at step  84  the neutral lock solenoid  28  is actuated, thereby holding transmission  10  in neutral and producing a signal indicating that the transmission is fully locked in neutral. 
     At step  86  a test is performed to determine whether a signal  87  indicating that the transmission is fully locked in neutral has been produced. 
     If the result of test  86  is negative, control advances to step  82 . 
     If the result of test  86  is positive, at step  88  the required change in operating mode is performed, i.e., initiate secure idle control (the vehicle is placed in the non-motive state by maintaining transmission  10  in neutral), whereupon initiation of secure idle control terminates at step  90 . 
     Readying such an equipped vehicle for remote start or secure idle usage simply involves shifting transmission  10  to neutral and activating a park brake prior to leaving the vehicle. If the engine ignition is ON and the vehicle is stationary when the driver&#39;s door is opened, the transmission shift interlock  28  is activated to allow secure-idle functionality. In the absence of positive transmission lock state feedback or park brake activation, secure-idle would not be activated and corresponding warning messages/alarms and/or ignition shutdown would result. Exit from secure-idle mode would deactivate the transmission shift interlock solenoid  28  and return the vehicle to normal operation. 
     If the engine ignition is OFF when the driver&#39;s door is opened, the transmission shift interlock  28  would not be activated until needed. If a remote start event is later requested, the same sequence of park brake and transmission shift interlock activation and feedbacks would be the pre-requisite for remote start ignition activation. Using this electromechanical set-up and control logic minimizes required electrical load and maximizes unlock reliability of the locking device. 
     For electric park brake equipped vehicles, automatic park brake activation that is integrated into these secure-idle and/or remote-start activation sequences may eliminate feature activation faults in situations when the driver fails to manually activate the park brake. 
     In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the preferred embodiment has been described. However, it should be noted that the alternate embodiments can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described.