VEHICLE CONTROLLER AND METHOD

• US 20160194002A1
• Filed: 07/24/2014
• Published: 07/07/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited (TATA Motors Limited)
• Original Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited (TATA Motors Limited)
• Inventors: KELLY, James
• Granted Patent: US 10,106,159 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2310/244 changing target speed or setting a new target speed, e.g. changing algorithms
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2310/248 resuming speed control, e.g. returning to old target speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/08 including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/18 including control of braking systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/184 with wheel brakes
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0096 Control during transition between modes
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/0644 Engine speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/182 Brake pressure, e.g. of fluid or between pad and disc
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2720/10 Longitudinal speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2720/103 Speed profile
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/143 Speed control B60W30/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/146 Speed limiting
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/14 Means for informing the driver, warning the driver or prompting a driver intervention

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of communicating to a user information in respect of a change in activation state of a vehicle speed control system from an inactive state to an active state, the method being implemented by means of a controller, the active state being a state in which the speed control system is operable to control vehicle speed in accordance with a target speed at least in part by causing application of positive powertrain drive torque, the inactive state being a state in which the speed control system does not cause application of positive powertrain drive torque, comprising: causing a transient increase in a speed of a motor of the powertrain prior to the speed control system controlling vehicle speed in accordance with a target speed in the active state.

Claims

1. A method of communicating to a user information in respect of a change in activation state of a vehicle speed control system from an inactive state to an active state, the method being implemented by means of a controller, the active state being a state in which the speed control system controls vehicle speed in accordance with a target speed at least in part by causing application of positive powertrain drive torque as required, the inactive state being a state in which the speed control system is not operable to cause application of positive powertrain drive torque, the method comprising:

causing a transient increase in a speed of a motor or engine of the powertrain prior to the speed control system controlling vehicle speed in accordance with a target speed in the active state.

2. A method according to claim 1 further comprising substantially preventing an increase in net driving force on the vehicle as a consequence of the transient increase in motor speed.

3. A method according to claim 2 whereby substantially preventing an increase in net driving force on the vehicle as a consequence of the transient increase in motor speed comprises causing a transient increase in brake force applied by a braking system to one or more wheels.

4. A method according to claim 1 comprising causing a transient increase in brake force to induce deceleration of the vehicle, subsequently causing the transient increase in the speed of a motor of the powertrain prior to controlling vehicle speed in accordance with the target speed in the active state.

5. A method according to claim 1 comprising causing a transient increase in a speed of a motor of the powertrain, subsequently causing a transient increase in brake force to induce deceleration of the vehicle, prior to controlling vehicle speed in accordance with a target speed in the active state.

6. A method according to claim 1 further comprising causing a transient decrease in motor speed.

7. A method according to claim 1 further comprising causing a transient change in motor speed when the speed control system changes from the active state to an inactive state.

8. A method according to claim 1 comprising causing a transient increase in the speed of a motor of the vehicle upon a change in activation state of an off-highway speed control system from an inactive state to an active state.

9. A method according to claim 8 comprising causing a transient increase in a speed of a motor of the vehicle upon a change in activation state of the off-highway speed control system from an inactive state to the active state but not a change in activation state of a cruise control system.

10. A method according to claim 1 comprising causing by means of the vehicle speed control system a vehicle to operate in accordance with a target speed value by controlling an amount of brake torque applied by a braking system and an amount of drive torque applied by a powertrain to one or more wheels of the vehicle.

11. A method according to claim 1 comprising causing the transient increase in speed of a motor only when the vehicle is travelling at a speed below an upper threshold speed.

12. A method according to claim 1 comprising causing the transient increase in speed of a motor only when the vehicle is travelling at a speed above a lower threshold speed.

13. A vehicle controller configured to implement the method of claim 1.

19. A vehicle comprising a controller according to claim 13.

14. A vehicle controller operable to communicate to a user of a vehicle information in respect of a change in activation state of a speed control system from an inactive state to an active state, the active state being a state in which the speed control system controls vehicle speed in accordance with a target speed at least in part by causing application of positive powertrain drive torque as required, the inactive state being a state in which the speed control system is unable to cause application of positive powertrain drive torque, the controller being operable to communicate the change by causing a transient increase in a speed of a motor of the powertrain prior to the speed control system controlling vehicle speed in accordance with a target speed in the active state.

15. A controller according to claim 14 arranged to control the vehicle substantially to prevent an increase in net driving force on the vehicle as a consequence of the transient increase in motor speed.

16. A controller according to claim 14 operable to cause a transient increase in a speed of a motor of the vehicle upon a change in activation state of a vehicle speed control system, wherein when the speed control system is active the speed control system causes the vehicle to operate in accordance with a target speed value by controlling an amount of brake torque applied by a braking system and an amount of drive torque applied by a powertrain to one or more wheels of the vehicle.

17. A controller according to claim 14 wherein the speed control system is operable to assume first and second respective inactive states, wherein in the first inactive state the speed control system does not control vehicle speed and in the second inactive state the speed control system controls vehicle speed in accordance with a target speed by application of brake force and not by application of positive powertrain drive torque.

18. A vehicle controller according to claim 16 wherein the controller is comprised by the speed control system.

20. (canceled)