JP2016070241A - Control device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a control device for a vehicle capable of suppressing frequent repeating of automatic stop and restart of an engine after IDS, and further preventing the engine from being continuously driven regardless of stop of the vehicle.SOLUTION: When an automatic stop condition is established, an engine is automatically stopped. After this IDS, in a matter of principle, a re-automatic stop (re-IDS) of the engine by an idling stop function is prohibited until a vehicle speed is increased to a prescribed re-IDS permission vehicle speed or more. But when stop of a preceding vehicle within a prescribed distance ahead of the vehicle is determined, the prohibition of the re-IDS is released. Thus the engine is automatically re-stopped when the automatic stop condition is established, and the stop of the preceding vehicle within the prescribed distance ahead of the vehicle is determined, after the re-start of the automatically stopped engine.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a control device applied to a vehicle equipped with an idling stop function.

  In recent years, so-called idling stop functions (idle stop functions) are widely installed in vehicles using an engine as a drive source in order to improve fuel consumption and reduce exhaust gas emissions.

  In the idling stop function, for example, when the brake pedal is depressed and the vehicle speed becomes 0 km / h, the engine is automatically stopped (idling stop). After the engine is automatically stopped, the engine is automatically restarted when the foot is released from the brake pedal. Thereby, since the engine is stopped while the vehicle is stopped, the fuel consumption can be improved and the exhaust gas emission amount can be reduced.

JP 2004-245099 A

  For example, after the vehicle (own vehicle) stops in a line waiting for a signal, the driver may move the vehicle forward and stop according to the movement of the vehicle ahead (the preceding vehicle). In other words, after the host vehicle and the preceding vehicle stop before the intersection, if the preceding vehicle stops slightly ahead and stops, the brake pedal depresses the driver's foot to reduce the distance between the host vehicle and the preceding vehicle. Is released. In response to this, the engine is restarted and the vehicle starts to move due to a creep phenomenon (creeping). When the distance between the host vehicle and the preceding vehicle becomes appropriate, the brake pedal is depressed again by the driver, and the host vehicle stops again.

  When such forward and stop operations are repeated, the engine is restarted every time the foot is released from the brake pedal, and every time the vehicle stops due to depression of the brake pedal, the engine is automatically stopped. The frequency of stopping and restarting is increased, which may be annoying to the driver.

  Therefore, after the engine is automatically stopped by the idling stop function, it is conceivable that the re-automatic stopping of the engine by the idling stop function is prohibited until the vehicle speed increases to a certain speed (for example, a speed not reached by the creep phenomenon). Thereby, even if the vehicle advances and stops in the waiting train for signals, the automatic stop and restart of the engine can be prevented from being repeated frequently.

  However, the forward and stop of the vehicle in the waiting queue for the signal is rarely repeated many times, and in most cases, once the forward and stop are made after the stop at the traffic signal, until the signal turns blue Often keeps stopping. In this case, if the engine is not automatically stopped again, the engine continues to be driven for a relatively long period of time while waiting for a signal, and the effects of improving fuel consumption and reducing exhaust gas emissions cannot be sufficiently obtained.

  An object of the present invention is to suppress frequent repetition of automatic stop and restart of an engine after the engine is automatically stopped, and to prevent the engine from being continuously driven even when the vehicle is stopped. It is possible to provide a vehicle control device.

  In order to achieve the above object, a vehicle control apparatus according to the present invention is a control apparatus applied to a vehicle using an engine as a drive source, and automatically activates the engine in response to establishment of a predetermined automatic stop condition. An automatic stop means for stopping, an automatic stop means for restarting the engine in response to establishment of a predetermined restart condition after an automatic stop of the engine by the automatic stop means, and a predetermined speed after the automatic stop of the engine by the automatic stop means In response to the establishment of the re-automatic stop prohibiting condition, the prohibiting means for prohibiting the engine restarted by the restarting means from being automatically stopped again by the automatic stopping means, and within a predetermined distance ahead of the host vehicle In the situation in which the presence or absence of a preceding vehicle in the vehicle and whether or not the preceding vehicle is stopped and the re-automatic stop of the engine are prohibited by the prohibiting unit, If stop the car before run in Hanarenai is determined, and a prohibition canceling means for canceling the prohibition of the re-automatic stop of the engine by the inhibiting means.

  According to this configuration, when a predetermined automatic stop condition is satisfied, the engine is automatically stopped (idling stop). If a predetermined restart condition is satisfied after the engine is automatically stopped, the engine is restarted. In addition, after the engine is automatically stopped, the restarted engine is prohibited from being automatically stopped again in response to the establishment of a predetermined re-automatic stop prohibition condition. Therefore, the automatic engine stop and restart are not repeated after the engine is automatically stopped.

  In a situation where re-automatic stop of the engine is prohibited, it is determined whether there is a preceding vehicle within a predetermined distance ahead of the host vehicle and whether the preceding vehicle is stopped. When it is determined that the preceding vehicle has stopped within a predetermined distance ahead of the host vehicle, the prohibition of re-automatic stop of the engine is cancelled. Thus, after the automatically stopped engine is restarted, when the automatic stop condition is satisfied and it is determined that the preceding vehicle stops within a predetermined distance ahead of the host vehicle, the engine is automatically stopped again. . For this reason, if the vehicle continues to stop behind the previous vehicle that is stopped, the engine is stopped while the vehicle continues to stop. The effect of reducing the amount is obtained.

  Therefore, it is possible to suppress the automatic stop and restart of the engine from being repeated after the automatic stop of the engine, and it is possible to suppress the engine from being continuously driven even when the vehicle is stopped. As a result, it is possible to suppress the troublesomeness caused by frequent repeated engine stop and restart of the engine, while increasing the effects of improving fuel consumption and reducing exhaust gas emissions by stopping the engine. Can be achieved.

  It may be added that the vehicle speed of the host vehicle is equal to or less than a predetermined prohibition release vehicle speed (for example, 0 km / h) as a condition for canceling prohibition of re-automatic engine stop.

  That is, the prohibition canceling means determines that the stop of the preceding vehicle within a predetermined distance is determined by the determination means and the vehicle speed is equal to or lower than the predetermined prohibition canceling vehicle speed in a situation where the engine is prohibited from being automatically re-stopped by the prohibiting means. In some cases, the prohibition of re-automatic stopping of the engine by the prohibiting means may be canceled.

  Thereby, when the stop of the preceding vehicle is determined immediately before the restart of the engine that has been automatically stopped or immediately after the restart, it is possible to prevent the engine restart and the subsequent automatic stop from occurring in succession. As a result, it is possible to prevent the driver or the like from feeling uncomfortable due to repeated engine restart and automatic stop.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the fuel consumption and reduce the exhaust gas emission by stopping the engine while suppressing the troublesomeness caused by frequent repeated automatic engine stop and restart to the driver. The effect can be increased.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of a vehicle to which a vehicle control device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of IDS start processing. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of IDS return processing. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of IDS prohibition cancellation processing. It is a graph which shows an example of the time change of the vehicle speed of a vehicle (own vehicle), the vehicle speed of a preceding vehicle, and engine speed. It is a graph which shows the other example of the time change of the vehicle speed of a vehicle (own vehicle), the vehicle speed of a preceding vehicle, and an engine speed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of a vehicle 1 to which a vehicle control device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

  The vehicle 1 is an automobile that uses the engine 2 as a drive source. The vehicle 1 is equipped with an idling stop (idle stop) function. The idling stop function is a function for automatically stopping the engine 2 (idling stop) in a situation where the output of the engine 2 is unnecessary.

  The vehicle 1 is provided with a brake actuator 3. When the brake pedal disposed in the passenger compartment is depressed with the driver's foot, the hydraulic pressure corresponding to the depression force is transmitted from the brake master cylinder to the brake actuator 3. The hydraulic pressure is distributed from the brake actuator 3 to the wheel cylinders of the brakes provided on the wheels by the function of the brake actuator 3, and the braking force is applied to the wheels from the brakes by the hydraulic pressure.

  The vehicle 1 includes a plurality of ECUs (electronic control units). Each ECU is configured to include a CPU and a memory, for example, and can perform bidirectional communication using a CAN (Controller Area Network) communication protocol. The plurality of ECUs include an engine ECU 11, an attitude control ECU 12, a PCS (Pre Crash Safety) ECU 13 and an idling stop ECU 14.

  The engine 2 is connected to the engine ECU 11 as a control target. The engine 2 is accompanied by a starter for starting the engine 2, a throttle valve for adjusting the amount of intake air into the combustion chamber of the engine 2, an ignition plug for generating electric discharge in the combustion chamber, and the like. The engine ECU 11 is connected to an accelerator sensor 21 for detecting an operation amount of an accelerator pedal disposed in the vehicle interior. The engine ECU 11 controls the start, stop, and output of the engine 2 based on the detection signal input from the accelerator sensor 21 and various information input from other ECUs.

  The brake actuator 3 is connected to the attitude control ECU 12 as a control target. The attitude control ECU 12 is connected to a vehicle speed sensor 22 for detecting the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1 and a brake sensor 23 for detecting an operation amount of the brake pedal. The attitude control ECU 12 keeps the braking and attitude of the vehicle 1 stable based on the detection signals input from the vehicle speed sensor 22 and the brake sensor 23 and various information input from other ECUs (for example, during turning) In order to prevent skidding), the brake actuator 3 is controlled to control the braking force applied to the wheel from each brake.

  The PCSECU 13 is connected with a preceding vehicle detection sensor 24 for detecting the presence or absence of a preceding vehicle within a predetermined distance ahead of the vehicle 1 (own vehicle) and the relative speed between the preceding vehicle and the vehicle 1. ing. The PCSECU 13 detects the relative speed between the preceding vehicle and the vehicle 1 based on the detection signal input from the preceding vehicle detection sensor 24. Then, based on the relative speed between the preceding vehicle and the vehicle 1, the presence or absence of a collision possibility of the vehicle 1 is determined, and collision prevention control is performed. For example, when the PCSECU 13 determines that the vehicle 1 may collide with the preceding vehicle, the PCSECU 13 transmits an automatic brake request to the attitude control ECU 12. In response to this automatic brake request, the brake actuator 3 is controlled by the attitude control ECU 12, and braking force is applied to the wheels from each brake.

  For example, a laser radar, a millimeter wave radar, an ultrasonic sensor, or a camera can be used as the preceding vehicle detection sensor 24. In this embodiment, as an example, a laser radar is employed for the preceding vehicle detection sensor 24.

  The idling stop ECU 14 performs an IDS start process, an IDS return process, and an IDS prohibition release process, which will be described later, using various information input from other ECUs.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of IDS start processing.

  The IDS start process is repeatedly executed at a constant cycle by the idling stop ECU 14 while the vehicle 1 is traveling forward.

  In the IDS start process, the idling stop ECU 14 first determines whether or not a predetermined automatic stop condition is satisfied (step S11). The automatic stop condition is, for example, a condition that the brake pedal is depressed and the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1 is a predetermined automatic stop vehicle speed V (for example, 10 km / h) or less.

  Specifically, the attitude control ECU 12 detects (detects) the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1 based on the detection signal of the vehicle speed sensor 22 and transmits information on the vehicle speed to the idling stop ECU 14. The idling stop ECU 14 determines whether or not the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1 is equal to or lower than the automatic stop vehicle speed V based on the vehicle speed information transmitted from the attitude control ECU 12.

  Further, the attitude control ECU 12 detects (detects) the operation amount of the brake pedal based on the detection signal of the brake sensor 23 and transmits, for example, information on the operation amount of the brake pedal to the idling stop ECU 14. In this case, the idling stop ECU 14 determines that the brake pedal is depressed if the amount of operation of the brake pedal is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount based on the information transmitted from the attitude control ECU 12, and the amount of operation of the brake pedal is If it is less than the predetermined amount, it is determined that the brake pedal is not depressed, that is, the driver's foot is released from the brake pedal.

  The attitude control ECU 12 detects the amount of operation of the brake pedal based on the detection signal of the brake sensor 23, and in a state where the amount of operation is a predetermined amount or more, a stop lamp (brake) When the lamp) is lit, information on whether or not the stop lamp is lit may be transmitted to the idling stop ECU 14. In this case, the idling stop ECU 14 determines that the brake pedal is depressed if the stop lamp is lit based on the information transmitted from the attitude control ECU 12, and if the stop lamp is not lit, It may be determined that the pedal is not depressed, that is, the driver's foot is released from the brake pedal.

  If the automatic stop condition is not satisfied (NO in step S11), the engine stop command is not output from the idling stop ECU 14 to the engine ECU 11, and the IDS start process is terminated. Since the engine stop command is not output from the idling stop ECU 14 to the engine ECU 11, the engine 2 is not automatically stopped in this case.

  If the automatic stop condition is satisfied (YES in step S11), the idling stop ECU 14 then determines whether or not automatic stop (IDS: idling stop) of the engine 2 by the idle stop function is permitted. (Step S12). For example, in the configuration in which the IDS prohibition flag is provided in the memory of the idling stop ECU 14, if the IDS prohibition flag is reset (off) to “0”, it is determined that IDS is permitted, and the IDS prohibition flag is set to “ If “1” is set (ON), it is determined that IDS is not permitted.

  If IDS is permitted (YES in step S12), that is, if IDS is not prohibited, an engine stop command is output from the idling stop ECU 14 to the engine ECU 11. In response to the output of the engine stop command from the idling stop ECU 14 to the engine ECU 11, the engine 2 is automatically stopped by the engine ECU 11 (step S13).

  After the engine stop command is output, IDS is prohibited by the idling stop ECU 14 (step S14), and the IDS start process is terminated. For example, in a configuration in which the IDS prohibition flag is provided in the memory of the idling stop ECU 14, the idling stop ECU 14 sets “1” to the IDS prohibition flag, and the IDS start process is ended.

  If IDS is not permitted (NO in step S12), that is, if IDS is prohibited, the engine stop command is not output from the idling stop ECU 14 to the engine ECU 11 even if the automatic stop condition is satisfied. The start process is terminated. Since the engine stop command is not output from the idling stop ECU 14 to the engine ECU 11, the engine 2 is not automatically stopped in this case.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of IDS return processing.

  The IDS return process is repeatedly executed at a constant cycle by the idling stop ECU 14 during IDS (automatic stop of the engine 2 by the idling stop function).

  In the IDS return process, the idling stop ECU 14 repeatedly determines whether or not a predetermined restart condition is satisfied (step S21). The restart condition is, for example, a condition that the driver's foot is released from the brake pedal. The determination as to whether or not the foot is released from the brake pedal is as described above.

  When the foot is released from the brake pedal and the restart condition is satisfied (YES in step S21), an engine start command is output from the idling stop ECU 14 to the engine ECU 11. In response to the output of the engine start command, the engine ECU 11 restarts the engine 2 (step S22), and IDS ends (returns from IDS).

  If the restart condition is not satisfied (NO in step S21), the engine start command is not output from the idling stop ECU 14 to the engine ECU 11, and the IDS return process is terminated. Since the engine start command is not output from the idling stop ECU 14 to the engine ECU 11, in this case, the engine 2 is not restarted and IDS continues.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of IDS prohibition release processing.

  In the IDS prohibition release process, while IDS (automatic stop of the engine 2 by the idling stop function) is prohibited by the idling stop ECU 14 in the IDS start process, for example, an IDS prohibition flag is provided in the memory of the idling stop ECU 14. In the configuration, while the IDS prohibition flag is set to “1”, the idling stop ECU 14 repeatedly executes it at a constant cycle.

  In the IDS prohibition release process, the idling stop ECU 14 repeatedly determines whether or not a predetermined prohibition release condition is satisfied (step S31). The prohibition release condition is, for example, a condition that the vehicle speed has become equal to or higher than a predetermined re-IDS permission vehicle speed by removing the foot from the brake pedal. The re-IDS permission vehicle speed may be the same as the automatic stop vehicle speed V used for the automatic stop condition or may be different from the automatic stop vehicle speed V. However, the re-IDS permission vehicle speed may not be reached only by the creep phenomenon. preferable. In this embodiment, as an example, the re-IDS permission vehicle speed is set to the same vehicle speed as the automatic stop vehicle speed V.

  When the prohibition cancellation condition is satisfied (YES in step S31), the IDS prohibition is canceled by the idling stop ECU 14 (step S32), and the IDS prohibition cancellation process is ended. For example, in the configuration in which the IDS prohibition flag is provided in the memory of the idling stop ECU 14, the idling stop ECU 14 resets the IDS prohibition flag to “0”, and the IDS start process is terminated.

  When the prohibition cancellation condition is not satisfied (NO in step S31), a predetermined distance ahead of the vehicle 1 based on the detection signal of the preceding vehicle detection sensor 24 input by the idling stop ECU 14 via the PCSECU 13. The presence or absence of a preceding vehicle and the relative speed between the preceding vehicle and the vehicle 1 are detected (detected). The predetermined distance is set, for example, within a range of 0 to 3 m in consideration of an inter-vehicle distance that is normally secured between the vehicle 1 and a preceding vehicle that stops in front of the vehicle 1. When the PCSECU 13 detects the presence or absence of a preceding vehicle within a predetermined distance ahead of the vehicle 1 and the relative speed between the preceding vehicle and the vehicle 1, the detection result is input from the PCSECU 13 to the idling stop ECU 14. May be.

  Thereafter, the idling stop ECU 14 determines whether or not a preceding vehicle is present within a predetermined distance ahead of the vehicle 1 (step S33).

  If there is a preceding vehicle within the predetermined distance (YES in step S33), the idling stop ECU 14 then determines the preceding vehicle based on the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1 and the relative speed between the preceding vehicle and the vehicle 1. It is determined whether or not the vehicle is stopped (step S34).

  When a preceding vehicle is present within a predetermined distance and the preceding vehicle is stopped, that is, when the preceding vehicle is stopped within a predetermined distance from the vehicle 1 (in step S34). (YES), the prohibition of IDS is canceled (step S32), and the IDS prohibition canceling process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when there is no preceding vehicle within a predetermined distance in front of the vehicle 1 (NO in step S33), or when the preceding vehicle has not stopped within a predetermined distance in front of the vehicle 1 (step S34). In the configuration in which the IDS prohibition flag is provided in the memory of the idling stop ECU 14, for example, the IDS prohibiting flag is not reset to “0” by the idling stop ECU 14 (IDS). The IDS prohibition release process is terminated while the prohibition flag is still set to “1”.

  FIG. 5 is a graph showing an example of a temporal change in the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1 (own vehicle), the vehicle speed of the preceding vehicle, and the engine speed.

  For example, it is assumed that the vehicle 1 stops in a line waiting for a signal.

  In order to stop the vehicle 1, the brake pedal is depressed with the driver's foot, the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1 drops below the automatic stop vehicle speed V, and the automatic stop condition is satisfied (time T1), the engine 2 is automatically stopped. Is done. After this IDS, in principle, re-automatic stop (re-IDS) of the engine 2 by the idling stop function is prohibited until the vehicle speed increases to a predetermined re-IDS permission vehicle speed (= automatic stop vehicle speed V). Therefore, even if the vehicle 2 is repeatedly advanced and stopped at a speed lower than the re-IDS permission vehicle speed after the automatic stop of the engine 2, the automatic stop and restart of the engine 2 are not repeated.

  For example, after the vehicle 1 and the preceding vehicle in front of the vehicle 1 stop before the intersection, when the preceding vehicle moves forward a little (time T2), in order to reduce the distance between the vehicle 1 and the preceding vehicle, The driver's foot is released. In response to this, the engine 2 is restarted (time T3), and the vehicle 1 starts to move due to the creep phenomenon.

  In a situation where re-IDS is prohibited, the presence / absence of a preceding vehicle within a predetermined distance from the vehicle 1 and the forward / stop of the preceding vehicle are determined. When it is determined that the preceding vehicle stops within a predetermined distance ahead of the vehicle 1, the prohibition of re-IDS is lifted. Thus, after the automatically stopped engine 2 is restarted, when the automatic stop condition is satisfied and it is determined that the preceding vehicle stops within a predetermined distance ahead of the vehicle 1, the engine 2 is automatically stopped again. (Time T4). For this reason, when the vehicle 1 continues to stop behind the preceding vehicle that is stopped, the engine 2 is stopped while the vehicle 1 continues to stop. The effect of reducing the emission amount can be obtained.

  Therefore, after the engine 2 is automatically stopped, when the vehicle 1 is repeatedly advanced and stopped at a low vehicle speed (less than the re-IDS permission vehicle speed), the automatic stop and restart of the engine 2 can be suppressed, and Although the vehicle 1 is stopped, the engine 2 can be prevented from continuing to be driven. As a result, it is possible to suppress the troublesomeness caused by the frequent repetition of the automatic stop and restart of the engine 2 to the driver and the like, and the effect of improving the fuel consumption and reducing the exhaust gas emission by stopping the engine 2 Can be increased.

  As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, this invention can also be implemented with another form.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, when IDS (re-IDS) is prohibited, if it is determined that the preceding vehicle stops within a predetermined distance ahead of the vehicle 1, the prohibition of IDS is canceled and automatic An example is given in which the engine 2 is automatically stopped again if the stop condition is satisfied.

  For example, the fact that the vehicle 1 is stopped may be added to the condition for canceling the prohibition of IDS. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, when IDS is prohibited, it is determined that the preceding vehicle has stopped within a predetermined distance ahead of the vehicle 1, and the IDS is prohibited when the vehicle 1 stops. Is released and the engine 2 is automatically stopped again (time T5).

  Thereby, it is possible to prevent the restart of the engine 2 and the subsequent automatic stop from occurring continuously when it is determined that the preceding vehicle has stopped before or immediately after the automatically stopped engine 2 is restarted. . As a result, it is possible to prevent the driver or the like from feeling uncomfortable due to repeated restarts and automatic stops of the engine 2.

  It is determined that the vehicle 1 is stopped when the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1 is equal to or less than a predetermined prohibition release vehicle speed (for example, 5 km / h), not only when the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1 is 0 km / h. May be.

  In addition, based on the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1 and the relative speed between the preceding vehicle and the vehicle 1, it is determined whether or not the preceding vehicle is stopped. For example, a camera is connected to the preceding vehicle detection sensor 24. In the configuration in which is adopted, it may be determined whether or not the preceding vehicle is stopped based on whether or not the stop lamp of the preceding vehicle is lit. That is, when the stop lamp of the preceding vehicle is lit for a predetermined time or more, it may be determined that the preceding vehicle is stopped.

  As an example of the automatic stop condition, the condition that the brake pedal is depressed and the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1 is equal to or lower than the predetermined automatic stop vehicle speed V is taken up. However, the automatic stop condition is not necessarily limited to the exemplified condition. For example, a hydraulic pressure sensor that detects the hydraulic pressure generated by the brake master cylinder mounted on the vehicle is provided, and instead of the condition that the brake pedal is depressed, the hydraulic pressure detected by the hydraulic pressure sensor is equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure. The condition may be adopted. Further, other conditions than the exemplified conditions, for example, the condition that the charge amount of the battery mounted on the vehicle 1 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, and the steering angle (rotation angle from the neutral position) of the steering wheel is equal to or smaller than the predetermined angle. A condition such as “may be” may be added.

  In addition, various design changes can be made to the above-described configuration within the scope of the matters described in the claims.

1 vehicle 2 engine 14 idling stop ECU (control device, automatic stop means, restart means, prohibition means, determination means, prohibition release means)

Claims (1)

A control device applied to a vehicle having an engine as a drive source,
Automatic stop means for automatically stopping the engine in response to establishment of a predetermined automatic stop condition;
A restart means for restarting the engine in response to establishment of a predetermined restart condition after the engine is automatically stopped by the automatic stop means;
After the engine is automatically stopped by the automatic stop unit, the engine restarted by the restart unit is re-automatically stopped by the automatic stop unit in response to establishment of a predetermined re-automatic stop prohibition condition. Prohibiting means to prohibit,
Determination means for determining the presence or absence of a preceding vehicle within a predetermined distance ahead of the host vehicle and whether or not the preceding vehicle is stopped;
In the situation where the re-automatic stop of the engine is prohibited by the prohibiting means, and the determination means determines that the preceding vehicle has stopped within the predetermined distance, the re-automatic stop of the engine by the prohibiting means is performed. A vehicle control device including prohibition release means for canceling the prohibition.

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