RUNNING CONTROL SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE

• US 20150210261A1
• Filed: 09/03/2012
• Published: 07/30/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Mitsuyasu, Masaki
• Granted Patent: US 9,656,655 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/02 including control of driveline clutches
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/04 including control of propulsion units
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/02 Clutches
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2720/10 Longitudinal speed
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/1412 using a predictive controller
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/501 Vehicle speed
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/702 Road conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 29/02 peculiar to engines driving vehicles; peculiar to engines driving variable pitch propellers
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/022 in relation with the clutch status
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0225 in relation with the gear ratio or shift lever position
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/08 for idling F02D41/06, F02D41/16 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/107 and deceleration
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/10412 Transmission line of a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/3027 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/3067 Speed of the engine
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/5085 Coasting
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2500/70408 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 48/02 Control by fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 48/06 Control by electric or electronic means, e.g. of fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/60 Other road transportation technologies with climate change mitigation effect

Abstract

A running control system for vehicles is provided to reduce engagement shocks of a clutch and to raise the torque of drive wheels quickly upon satisfaction of a condition of engagement of the clutch. In a vehicle to which the running control system is applied, power transmission between an engine and the drive wheels is selectively enabled by the clutch. The running control system is configured to raise a speed of the engine from an idling speed if the clutch is expected to be engaged during coasting where the clutch is in disengagement to interrupt a torque transmission between the engine and the drive wheels.

Claims

1. A running control system for a vehicle having an engagement device that is disposed between a prime mover and drive wheels to selectively enable power transmission therebetween,

wherein the running control system is configured to raise a speed of the prime mover from an idling speed, if the engagement device is expected to be brought into engagement during coasting of the vehicle in which the engagement device is in disengagement to interrupt a torque transmission between the prime mover and the drive wheels, and in which none of drive force and braking force are demanded.

2. The running control system for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the speed of the prime mover is raised in accordance with a probability of engagement of the engagement device.

3. The running control system for a vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the probability of engagement of the engagement device is determined based on a current running environment or running condition of the vehicle.

4. The running control system for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the speed of the prime mover is raised during the coasting to a maximum speed thereof to be achieved by bringing the engagement device into engagement during the coasting.

5. The running control system as claimed in claim 4, comprising:

a transmission that is disposed between the engagement device and the drive wheels to alter a speed ratio therebetween; and

wherein the maximum speed of the prime mover is calculated based on a speed of the vehicle and a speed ratio of the transmission.

6. The running control system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the engagement device is brought into engagement when the vehicle is required to be accelerated.

7. The running control system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the engagement device is brought into engagement when the vehicle is required to be decelerated.