System and method for controlling a shift position when a vehicle travels along a steeply sloped road or a sharply curved road

• US 5,598,335 A
• Filed: 04/06/1995
• Issued: 01/28/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Original Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Inventors: You, Jinho
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Gary
• Assistant Examiner(s): LOUIS JACQUES, JACQUES H
• Application Number:
  US08/417,693
• Time in Patent Office: 663 Days
• Field of Search: 364/424.01, 364/424.02, 364/424.03, 364/424.05, 364/426.01, 364/426.02, 364/426.03, 364/424.1, 364/426.04, 180/147, 180/422, 180/248, 280/707, 280/840, 280/169, 280/271, 74/866, 477/97, 477/120, 477/901, 477/902, 477/129, 477/131, 477/125, 477/903, 477/78
• US Class Current: 701/65
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2552/15 Road slope, i.e. the inclination of a road segment in the longitudinal direction
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2059/663 Road slope
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2061/0234 Adapting the ratios to special vehicle conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2061/0237 Selecting ratios for providing engine braking
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2061/0258 Proportional solenoid valve
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/24 dependent on the throttle opening
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/44 dependent on machine speed of the machine, e.g. the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/58 dependent on signals from the steering
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/66 Road conditions, e.g. slope, slippery
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/0213 characterised by the method for generating shift signals
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 477/901 Control signal is slope

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a device and a method for controlling a shift position of a vehicle in response to a road condition when the vehicle is running on a steeply sloped road or a sharply curved road. The device includes a slope/curve sensor, a steering angle sensor, a throttle valve sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, and a shift controller. A solenoid valve controls a hydraulic pressure and the resulting shift position in response to a control signal applied from the shift controller.

Claims

1. A device for controlling a shift position of a vehicle in response to a road condition when the vehicle travels along a steeply sloped road or a sharply curved road comprising:

first means for sensing an angular deviation of the vehicle about both a longitudinal axis thereof and a lateral axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the angular deviation corresponding to any incline of a road, converting the sensed angular deviation into an electric signal, and outputting the signal, said first means including a mass which is soaked in fluid having a drag force, a variable resistance connected with said mass by a wire which is not bent, and a voltage output means for outputting a corresponding voltage according to a value of the variable resistance changed by a movement of said mass;

second means for sensing a steering angle of the vehicle in response to operation of a steering wheel, converting the sensed angle into an electric signal, and outputting the signal;

third means for sensing an opening size of a throttle valve cooperating with an accelerator pedal of the vehicle, converting the sensed opening size into an electric signal, and outputting the signal;

fourth means for sensing a running speed of the vehicle, converting the sensed speed into an electric signal, and outputting the signal;

fifth means responsive to said first means for sensing the angular deviation of the vehicle, said second means for sensing the steering angle of the vehicle, said third means for sensing the opening size of the throttle, and said fourth means for sensing the running speed of the vehicle, for selectively adjusting a current shift position upon detecting a reduction in speed, if the vehicle is angularly deviated and the vehicle runs at over the predetermined speed, and outputting a control signal representative of the selectively adjusted current shift position; and

a solenoid valve for controlling a hydraulic pressure of the vehicle in response to the control signal outputted from said fifth means.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said fifth means determines if the vehicle is angularly deviated about the lateral axis thereof in an uphill or downhill incline by comparing the voltage output from said first means with a predetermined voltage, and determines if the vehicle is angularly deviated about the longitudinal axis thereof in response to a curved road condition by comparing a difference between signals output from said second means and said first means if both angular deviations are over a predetermined angle.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein said mass is a spherical mass.

4. A method for controlling a shift position of a vehicle when the vehicle travels along a steeply sloped road or a sharply curved road comprising the steps of:

initializing all operating circuits and using variables when the vehicle starts, sensing an angular deviation of the vehicle about both a longitudinal axis thereof and a lateral axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the position corresponding to any incline of a road, and sensing a first steering angle in response to operation of a steering wheel;

determining a reduction in vehicle speed by sensing a change of an opening size of a throttle valve per second, and sensing a present vehicle speed;

determining the angular deviation of the vehicle about the longitudinal and the lateral axes of the vehicle, setting a flag respectively corresponding to the angular deviation of the vehicle, and determining if the vehicle speed is over a predetermined speed; and

performing a control routine in response to an angularly deviated condition of the vehicle by interrupting and completing a current routine if the vehicle is angularly deviated and the vehicle speed is over the predetermined speed wherein said control routine according to the angularly deviated condition of the vehicle includes the steps of;

determining a vehicle speed if the vehicle is determined to be upwardly angularly deviated about the lateral axis thereof by reading a predetermined flag, selectively adjusting the present shift position if the present vehicle speed is over a first predetermined speed, and establishing a speed area according to the shift pattern corresponding to the upward angular deviation of the vehicle if the present vehicle speed is under the first predetermined speed;

determining a vehicle speed if the vehicle is determined to be downwardly angularly deviated about the lateral axis thereof by reading the predetermined flag, selectively adjusting the present shift position if the present vehicle speed is over a second predetermined speed, and establishing the speed area according to the shift pattern corresponding to the downward angular deviation of the vehicle if the present vehicle speed is under the second predetermined speed;

sensing a second steering angle, and comparing the difference between the second steering angle and a first steering angle measured from the main routine if the vehicle is determined to be inclined about the longitudinal axis thereof by reading the predetermined flag;

determining the relationship between the predetermined angle and the difference between the first and second steering angles, determining the vehicle to be angularly deviated about the longitudinal axis thereof and sensing the vehicle speed if said difference is over a predetermined angle, and determining the vehicle not to be angularly deviated about the longitudinal axis thereof and resetting a flag for the vehicle angularly deviated about the longitudinal axis thereof if said difference is under the predetermined angle; and

selectively adjusting the present shift position if the vehicle runs at over a first predetermined speed, and resetting the flag for the vehicle angularly deviated about the longitudinal axis thereof and returning to the main routine if the vehicle runs at below a predetermined speed, when the vehicle is determined to be inclined about the longitudinal axis thereof.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein said step for determining the angular deviation of the vehicle includes the steps for determining if the vehicle is angularly deviated about a lateral axis of the vehicle by the value of the voltage output from said step of sensing an angular deviation, and determining the vehicle to be angularly deviated about the longitudinal axis of said vehicle if said first steering angle is over a predetermined angle.

6. A device for controlling a shift position of a vehicle in response to a road condition when the vehicle travels along a steeply sloped road or a sharply curved road comprising:

first means for sensing a turning of the vehicle about both a longitudinal axis thereof and a lateral axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the turning corresponding to any incline of a road, converting the sensed turning into an electric signal, and outputting the signal;

second means for sensing a steering angle of the vehicle in response to the operation of a steering wheel, converting the sensed angle into an electric signal, and outputting the signal;

third means for sensing an opening size of a throttle valve cooperating with an accelerator pedal of the vehicle, converting the sensed opening size into an electric signal, and outputting the signal;

fourth means for sensing a running speed of the vehicle, converting the sensed speed into an electric signal, and outputting the signal;

fifth means, responsive to said first means for sensing the incline of the vehicle, said second means for sensing the steering angle of the vehicle, said third means for sensing the opening size of the throttle, and said fourth means for sensing the running speed of the vehicle, for selectively adjusting a current shift position upon detecting a reduction in speed, if the vehicle is inclined and the vehicle runs at over the predetermined speed, and outputting a control signal representative of the selectively adjusted current shift position; and

a solenoid valve for controlling a hydraulic pressure of the vehicle in response to the control signal outputted from said fifth means,

wherein said first means includes a spherical mass which is soaked in fluid having a drag force;

a variable resistance connected with said mass by a wire which is not bent; and

a voltage output means for outputting a corresponding voltage according to a value of the variable resistance changed by a vibration of said spherical mass.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein said fifth means determines if the vehicle is inclined in an uphill or downhill orientation by comparing the voltage output from said first means with a predetermined voltage, and determines the vehicle to be inclined about the longitudinal axis thereof by comparing a difference between signals output from said second means and said first means if the value of both signals is over a predetermined angle.

8. A method for controlling a shift position of a vehicle when the vehicle travels along a steeply sloped road or a sharply curved road comprising the steps of:

initializing all operating circuits and using variables when the vehicle starts, and sensing an inclined condition of a road and a first steering angle in response to the operation of a steering wheel;

determining a reduction in vehicle speed by sensing a change of an opening size of a throttle valve per second, and sensing a present vehicle speed;

determining an inclined condition of the vehicle about a longitudinal axis of the vehicle and a lateral axis of the vehicle perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, setting a flag respectively corresponding to an incline of the vehicle, and determining if the vehicle speed is over a predetermined speed; and

performing a control routine in response to an inclined condition of the vehicle by interrupting and completing a current routine if the vehicle is inclined and the vehicle speed is over the predetermined speed,

wherein said control routine according to the inclined condition of the vehicle includes the steps of;

determining a vehicle speed if the vehicle is determined to be upwardly inclined about the lateral axis thereof by reading a predetermined flag, selectively adjusting the present shift position if the present vehicle speed is over a first predetermined speed, and establishing a speed area according to the shift pattern corresponding to the upward inclination of the vehicle if the present vehicle speed is under the first predetermined speed;

determining a vehicle speed if the vehicle is determined to be downwardly inclined about the lateral axis thereof by reading the predetermined flag, selectively adjusting the present shift position if the present vehicle speed is over a second predetermined speed, and establishing the speed area according to the shift pattern corresponding to the downward inclination of the vehicle if the present vehicle speed is under the second predetermined speed;

sensing a second steering angle output from the first means, and comparing the difference between the second steering angle and a first steering angle measured from the main routine if the vehicle is determined to be inclined about the longitudinal axis thereof by reading the predetermined flag;

determining the relationship between the predetermined angle and the difference between the first and second steering angles, determining the vehicle to be inclined about the longitudinal axis thereof and sensing the vehicle speed if said difference is over a predetermined angle, and determining the vehicle not to be inclined about the longitudinal axis thereof and resetting a flag for the vehicle inclined about the longitudinal axis if said difference is under the predetermined angle; and

selectively adjusting the present shift position if the vehicle runs at over a first predetermined speed, and resetting the flag for the vehicle inclined about the longitudinal axis thereof and returning to the main routine if the vehicle runs at below a predetermined speed, when the vehicle is determined to be inclined about the longitudinal axis thereof.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein said step for determining the inclined condition of the vehicle includes the steps for determining if the vehicle is inclined about a lateral axis of the vehicle by the value of the voltage output from a first means, and determining the vehicle to be inclined about a longitudinal axis of said vehicle if said first steering angle is over a predetermined angle.