SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPROVING STEERING FEELING IN NEUTRAL GEAR POSITION OF VEHICLE

• US 20140163823A1
• Filed: 03/12/2013
• Published: 06/12/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Original Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Inventors: Kim, Jin Han
• Granted Patent: US 8,935,051 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/43
• 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 10/20 including control of steering systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/30 including control of auxiliary equipment, e.g. air-conditioning compressors or oil pumps
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2030/1809 Without torque flow between driveshaft and engine, e.g. with clutch disengaged or transmission in neutral
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/10 Longitudinal speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/10 Accelerator pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/12 Brake pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 5/30 Safety devices, e.g. alternate emergency power supply or transmission means to ensure steering upon failure of the primary steering means
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a system and method for improving a steering feeling of a driver while preventing a heavy feeling of a steering wheel or a kickback phenomenon during an eco-roll operation for improving a fuel ratio of the vehicle. The method includes determining, by a controller, an eco-roll operation condition in which a brake is disengaged, an accelerator pedal is disengaged, and a speed of the vehicle is a reference speed or higher. Furthermore, when the eco-roll operation condition is determined, the controller coverts a gear state of a transmission into a neutral gear state. The controller also controls an engine RPM to an idle RPM to start the eco-roll mode and an operation of an emergency steering system to assist steering power according to a steering input due to a driver manipulation of a steering wheel while the traveling in a neutral gear state of an eco-roll mode.

Claims

1. A method for improving a steering feeling while traveling in a neutral gear state of an eco-roll mode, the method comprising:

determining, by one or more controllers, an eco-roll operation condition in which a brake is disengaged, an accelerator pedal is disengaged, and a speed of the vehicle is a reference speed or higher;

in response to determining the eco-roll operation condition, converting, by the one or controllers, a gear state of a transmission into a neutral gear state;

controlling, by the one or more controllers, an engine revolution per minute (RPM) to an idle RPM to start the eco-roll operation mode; and

controlling, by the one or more controllers, an operation of an emergency steering system to assist steering power according to a steering input due to a driver manipulation of a steering wheel while the vehicle travels in a neutral gear state of an eco-roll mode.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the eco-roll operation condition may be satisfied when a gradient of a road is within a predetermined range and the vehicle is decelerated.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining, by the one or more controllers, the eco-roll operation mode when the driver manipulates the operation switch.

4. A system for improving a steering feeling while traveling in a neutral state of an eco-roll mode, the system comprising:

an operation switch; and

one or more controllers configured to;

determine an eco-roll operation condition in which a brake is disengaged, an accelerator pedal is disengaged, and a speed of the vehicle is a reference speed or higher;

convert a gear state of a transmission into a neutral gear state, in response to determining the eco-roll operation condition;

control an engine revolution per minute (RPM) to an idle RPM to start the eco-roll operation mode; and

control an operation of an emergency steering system to assist steering power according to a steering input due to a driver manipulation of a steering wheel while the vehicle travels in a neutral gear state of an eco-roll mode.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the eco-roll operation condition may be satisfied when a gradient of a road is within a predetermined range and the vehicle is decelerated.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the one or more controllers may be further configured to determine the eco-roll operation mode when the driver manipulates the operation switch.

7. A non-transitory computer readable medium containing program instructions executed by a processor or controller, the computer readable medium comprising:

program instructions that determine an eco-roll operation condition in which a brake is disengaged, an accelerator pedal is disengaged, and a speed of the vehicle is a reference speed or higher;

program instructions that convert a gear state of a transmission into a neutral gear state, in response to determining the eco-roll operation condition;

program instructions that control an engine revolution per minute (RPM) to an idle RPM to start the eco-roll operation mode; and

program instructions that control an operation of an emergency steering system to assist steering power according to a steering input due to a driver manipulation of a steering wheel while the vehicle travels in a neutral gear state of an eco-roll mode.

8. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 7, wherein the eco-roll operation condition may be satisfied when a gradient of a road is within a predetermined range and the vehicle is decelerated.

9. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 7, further comprising:

program instructions that determine the eco-roll operation mode when the driver manipulates the operation switch.