Drive train control for a motor vehicle

• US 6,188,945 B1
• Filed: 09/12/1997
• Issued: 02/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Strasser, Roman, Probst, Gregor, Graf, Friedrich
• Primary Examiner(s): Zanelli, Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US08/937,253
• Time in Patent Office: 1,250 Days
• Field of Search: 701/51, 701/58, 701/60, 701/61, 701/54, 701/53, 701/48, 701/57, 180/65.2, 477/20, 477/107, 477/109, 477/110
• US Class Current: 701/58
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 31/0058 responsive to externally generated signalling
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/486 Operating parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2220/02 Driver type; Driving style; Driver adaptive features
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2260/08 Coordination of integrated systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/175 Brake regulation specially adapted to prevent excessive wheel spin during vehicle acceleration, e.g. for traction control safety devices for propulsion unit control responsive to, or preventing, skidding of wheels B60K28/16
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0057 Frequency analysis, spectral techniques or transforms
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2530/00 Input parameters relating to vehicle conditions or values, not covered by groups B60W2510/00 or B60W2520/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/30 Driving style
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/50 of positioning data, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System] data
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/105 Output torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/188 Controlling power parameters of the driveline, e.g. determining the required power
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/09 Driving style or behaviour
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2061/0081 Fuzzy logic
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/18 dependent on the position of the accelerator pedal
• 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 59/54 dependent on signals from the brakes, e.g. parking brakes

Abstract

An integrated drive train control system for a motor vehicle interprets the position of the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal as a wheel torque desired by the driver. A calculating device receives signals representing the positions of the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal. Central control parameters for the drive sources and for the decelerating units of the drive train are generated on the basis of the position signals. A classification device evaluates the sensor signals from the drive train and classifies operating parameters of the motor vehicle.

Claims

1. A drive train control system for a motor vehicle having an engine, a transmission, wheels, an accelerator pedal, and a brake pedal, the drive train control system comprising:

a calculating device connected to receive position signals representing a position of the accelerator pedal and a position of the brake pedal, said calculating device interpreting the position of the accelerator pedal as one of a wheel torque and a transmission output torque desired by a driver of the motor vehicle independent of transmission and engine-specific parameters and calculating therefrom setpoint values for the engine and the transmission of the motor vehicle;

a classification device connected to receive sensor signals from the drive train, said classification device being programmed to evaluate the sensor signals and to classify operating parameters of the motor vehicle; and

said calculating device combining the position signals and the classified operating parameters and generating therefrom central control parameters for drive sources and decelerating units of the drive train of the motor vehicle.

2. The drive train control system according to claim 1, wherein said calculating device is programmed to adjust a transmission ratio in the transmission.

3. The drive train control system according to claim 1, wherein said calculating device is programmed to adjust an engine torque.

4. The drive train control system according to claim 1, wherein said calculating device is programmed to define a type of drive source of the motor vehicle.

5. The drive train control system according to claim 1, wherein the engine is a hybrid drive, and said calculating device is programmed to define and adjust individual operating points of the hybrid drive.

6. The drive train control system according to claim 5, wherein said calculating device is programmed to adjust an engine torque as a function of the transmission ratio of the hybrid drive.

7. The drive train control system according to claim 1, which further comprises:

a selection circuit connected to receive output signals of said classification circuit, said selection circuit selecting a driving strategy based on the output signals of said classification circuit; and

decentralized control units connected to receive output signals of said calculating device and of said selection circuit, said decentralized control units generating control signals for the engine, the transmission and a brake system of the motor vehicle.

8. The drive train control according to claim 7, wherein a data exchange among said control units is effected in a torque-based manner.