Automotive control apparatus and method

• US 20040153233A1
• Filed: 02/02/2004
• Published: 08/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Minowa, Toshimichi, Ochi, Tatsuya, Yoshikawa, Tokuji, Kayano, Mitsuo, Kuragaki, Satoru
• Granted Patent: US 7,162,353 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/96
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/032 Devices for presenting test symbols or characters, e.g. test chart projectors A61B3/036 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/066 for testing colour vision
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 31/0008 including means for detecting potential obstacles in vehicle path
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/486 Operating parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/22 initiated by contact of vehicle, e.g. bumper, with an external object, e.g. another vehicle , or by means of contactless obstacle detectors mounted on the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/10 including control of change-speed gearings
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/11 Stepped gearings
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/18 including control of braking systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0022 Gains, weighting coefficients or weighting functions
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/105 Longitudinal acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/10 Accelerator pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/12 Brake pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/0666 Engine torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/105 Output torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2720/106 Longitudinal acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/16 Control of distance between vehicles, e.g. keeping a distance to preceding vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/188 Controlling power parameters of the driveline, e.g. determining the required power
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/1882 characterised by the working point of the engine, e.g. by using engine output chart
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/20 Reducing vibrations in the driveline
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/06 : Road conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/1015 : Engines misfires
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/701 : Information about vehicle position, e.g. from navigation system or GPS signal
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/702 : Road conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2250/18 : Control of the engine output torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2250/21 : during a transition between engine operation modes or states
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0215 : in relation with elements of the transmission
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/023 : in relation with the gear ratio shifting conjoint control for improving gear change B60W30/19
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/12 : for deceleration F02D41/0005, F02D41/107 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1497 : With detection of the mechanical response of the engine
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1498 : measuring engine roughness
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/48 : Inputs being a function of acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/21 : Providing engine brake control
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 : Engine management systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 : Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/84 : Data processing systems or methods, management, administration

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for controlling an automotive vehicle are disclosed, in which a control amount for securing safety of the vehicle and the control amount for achieving a state intended for by the driver of the vehicle are switched in such a manner as to reduce the shock due to the change in the torque generated from the power train, thereby accomplishing both safety and maneuverability at the same time. A first target value is set for controlling at least selected one of the driving torque, the driving force and the acceleration/deceleration rate. A second target value is calculated in accordance with the drive mode intended for by the driver or the driving environment ahead of the vehicle. In the case where a deviation exceeding a predetermined value develops between the first target value and the second target value, the fluctuations of at least one of the driving torque, the driving force and the acceleration/deceleration rate are suppressed.

Claims

1. An automotive control apparatus for setting at least selected one of the driving torque, the driving force and the acceleration/deceleration rate on the output shaft side of the transmission as a target value based on at least the accelerator pedal stroke and controlling at least the engine torque in accordance with said target value, comprising:

a unit for determining a first target value as said target value before change;

a unit for determining a second target value calculated in accordance with selected one of drive modes intended for by a driver and a driving environment ahead of the vehicle of said driver; and

a control unit for suppressing fluctuations of at least selected one of the driving torque, driving force and the acceleration/deceleration rate of said vehicle when a deviation between said first and second target values exceeds a predetermined value.

2. An automotive control apparatus for setting at least selected one of the driving torque, the driving force and the acceleration/deceleration rate on the output shaft side of the transmission as a target value based on at least the accelerator pedal stroke and controlling at least the engine torque in accordance with said target value, comprising:

at least one of means for setting the drive mode intended for by the driver and means for recognizing the driving environment ahead of the vehicle of said driver;

means for changing said target value in accordance with the signal produced from at least selected one of said two means; and

means for suppressing the fluctuations of said driving torque in the case where the deviation between the first target value before change and the second target value calculated by said signal exceeds a predetermined value while changing said target value.

3. An automotive control apparatus according to claim 2,

wherein said target value change means changes said first target value at a predetermined rate for a predetermined period as an initial target value, and when the deviation between said first target value and said second target value decreases to a predetermined level, changes said first target value to said second target value.

4. An automotive control apparatus according to claim 2,

wherein said first target value is at least selected one of the driving torque, the driving force and the acceleration/deceleration rate calculated based on the amount of manipulation of the driver, and

wherein said second target value is at least selected one of the driving torque, the driving force and the acceleration/deceleration rate calculated in accordance with the signal produced from selected one of said mode setting means and said environment recognition means, and said second target value has an upper limit.

5. An automotive control apparatus according to claim 2,

wherein the signal produced from selected one of said drive mode setting means and said environment recognition means represents at least the distance from and the speed relative with a vehicle running immediately ahead.

6. An automotive control apparatus for setting a target value of the driving torque on the output shaft side of the transmission based on at least the accelerator pedal stroke and the actual vehicle deceleration rate and controlling the transmission ratio in accordance with said target value, comprising:

means for controlling the engine brake applied as an inverse driving force from the wheels to the engine of the vehicle;

means for controlling the brake force of the wheels in accordance with said target value or in such a manner as to follow said target value; and

transmission ratio change means for controlling at least the engine torque and the transmission ratio in accordance with said target value, and in the case where said target value represents a deceleration request, controlling said engine torque to the vicinity of a minimum value thereof, said transmission ratio change means further inhibiting the engine brake control by said engine brake control means and changing said transmission ratio in accordance with said target value as long as said brake force is controlled.

7. An automotive control apparatus for setting a target value of the driving torque on the output shaft side of the transmission based on at least the accelerator pedal stroke and the actual vehicle deceleration rate and controlling at least the engine torque and the transmission ratio based on said target value, comprising:

means for judging whether said target value has changed from a deceleration request to an acceleration request, and

means for limiting the margin of change from the current transmission ratio for a predetermined period in the case where said acceleration/deceleration rate change judging means judges that a deceleration request has changed to an acceleration request.

8. An automotive control apparatus for setting a target value of the driving torque on the output shaft side of the transmission based on at least the accelerator pedal stroke and the actual vehicle deceleration rate and controlling at least the engine torque and the transmission ratio based on said target value, comprising:

means for calculating a target value of the rotational speed on the input shaft side of the transmission in accordance with said target value, and

means for setting a limit on the target rotational speed on the input shaft side of said transmission.

9. An automotive control apparatus for setting a target value of the driving torque on the output shaft side of the transmission based on at least the accelerator pedal stroke and the actual vehicle deceleration rate and controlling at least the engine torque and the transmission ratio in accordance with said target value, comprising:

means for calculating a target transmission ratio in accordance with said target value, and

means for setting a limit on the target transmission ratio.

10. An automotive control method for setting at least selected one of the driving torque, the driving force and the acceleration/deceleration rate on the output shaft side of the transmission as a target value based on at least the accelerator pedal stroke and controlling at least the engine torque in accordance with said target value,

wherein the fluctuations of at least selected one of said driving torque, said driving force and said acceleration/deceleration rate are suppressed in the case where a deviation exceeding a predetermined value develops between said target value constituting a first target value before change and a second target value calculated in accordance with selected one of the drive mode intended for by the driver of a vehicle and the driving environment ahead of the vehicle.

11. An automotive control method for setting at least selected one of the driving torque, the driving force and the acceleration/deceleration rate on the output shaft side of the transmission as a target value based on at least the accelerator pedal stroke and controlling at least the engine torque in accordance with said target value,

wherein the fluctuations of said driving torque are suppressed in the case where said target value is changed and a predetermined value is exceeded by the deviation between a first target value before change and a second target value calculated from the signal associated with selected one of the drive mode intended for by the driver of a vehicle and the driving environment ahead of said vehicle.

12. An automotive control method for setting a target value of the driving torque on the output shaft side of the transmission based on at least the accelerator pedal stroke and the actual vehicle deceleration rate and controlling the transmission ratio in accordance with said target value, comprising the steps of:

controlling the engine brake applied as an inverse driving force to the engine from the wheels of the vehicle;

controlling the brake force of the wheels in accordance with said target value or in such a manner as to follow said target value;

controlling at least the engine torque and the transmission ratio in accordance with said target value;

controlling said engine torque to the vicinity of a minimum value thereof in the case where said target value represents a deceleration request,

inhibiting the engine brake control as long as said brake force is controlled, and

changing said transmission ratio in accordance with said target value.

13. An automotive control apparatus for setting at least selected one of the driving torque, the driving force and the acceleration/deceleration rate on the output shaft side of the transmission as a target value based on at least the accelerator pedal stroke and controlling at least the engine torque in accordance with said target value, comprising:

means for calculating the driving torque from the vehicle speed, the engine speed and the turbine speed of the transmission;

means for calculating the actual deceleration rate of said vehicle based on the change in the vehicle speed;

means for calculating the driving load of said vehicle from the vehicle speed, the deceleration rate calculated by said deceleration calculation means and the driving torque calculated by said driving torque calculation means;

means for calculating a target deceleration rate based on at least the deceleration rate calculated by said deceleration rate calculation means and said accelerator pedal stroke; and

means for calculating said target value in accordance with the driving load calculated by said driving load calculation means and the target deceleration rate calculated by said target deceleration calculation means.

14. An automotive control apparatus according to claim 13,

wherein said driving load calculation means includes weight rewrite means for rewriting the magnitude of the driving load calculated.

15. An automotive control method for setting at least selected one of the driving torque, the driving force and the acceleration/deceleration rate on the output shaft side of the transmission as a target value based on at least the accelerator pedal stroke and controlling at least the engine torque in accordance with said target value, comprising the steps of:

calculating the driving torque from the vehicle speed, the engine speed of the vehicle and the rotational speed of the turbine of said transmission;

calculating the actual deceleration of said vehicle based on the change in vehicle speed;

calculating the driving load of said vehicle from the deceleration rate calculated, said vehicle speed and said driving torque;

calculating a target deceleration rate based on at least said deceleration rate and said accelerator pedal stroke; and

calculating said target value in accordance with said driving load and said target deceleration rate.