Method for driver-behavior-adaptive control of a variably adjustable motor vehicle accessory

• US 6,216,068 B1
• Filed: 11/03/1998
• Issued: 04/10/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 21ST CENTURY GARAGE LLC
• Original Assignee: Daimler-Benz AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Kuhn, Klaus-Peter, Heidinger, Andreas, Strenkert, Jochen, Gimmler, Helmut
• Primary Examiner(s): Zanelli, Michael J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gibson, Eric M
• Application Number:
  US09/185,482
• Time in Patent Office: 889 Days
• Field of Search: 701/36, 701/37, 701/41, 701/44, 701/51, 701/55, 701/56, 701/57, 701/58, 701/59, 701/77, 701/98, 706/905
• US Class Current: 701/36
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2220/02 Driver type; Driving style; Driver adaptive features
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/04 including control of propulsion units
• 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 2540/30 Driving style
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2552/15 Road slope, i.e. the inclination of a road segment in the longitudinal direction
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18 Propelling the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/1819 Propulsion control with control means using analogue circuits, relays or mechanical links
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/09 Driving style or behaviour
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2059/003 Detecting or using driving style of a driver, e.g. for adapting shift schedules
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2059/663 Road slope
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/20 Kickdown
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/0213 characterised by the method for generating shift signals

Abstract

A method for driver-behavior-adaptive control of a variably adjustable motor vehicle accessory. One or more parameters indicative of driver behavior are sensed and a pertinent driver behavior is ascertained therefrom. Accessory adjustment is performed variably as a function of the driver behavior that was ascertained. The driver behavior is ascertained in terms of a long-term driving manner component, and a short-term dynamic demand component and/or a steady-speed request component. Accessory adjustment is performed, if a short-term dynamic demand exists, in accordance with an adjustment characteristic having a dynamic level corresponding at least to that dynamic demand. When a constant-speed request exists, accessory adjustment is performed in accordance with a relevant low-dynamic adjustment characteristic. Otherwise, accessory adjustment is performed in accordance with an adjustment characteristic determined by the long-term driving manner component.

Claims

1. A method for driver-behavior-adaptive control of a variably adjustable motor vehicle accessory, the method comprising:

sensing at least one parameter indicative of a driver behavior so as to ascertain a driver behavior index in terms of a long-term driving manner behavior component and in terms of a short-term dynamic demand component; and

adjusting the vehicle accessory variably as a function of the ascertained driver behavior index so that when a short-term dynamic demand exists the adjusting is performed in accordance with a short-term dynamic demand adjustment characteristic having a dynamic change level, the dynamic change level being a function of the short-term dynamic demand, and when the short-term dynamic demand does not exist the adjusting is performed in accordance with a long-term driving manner adjustment characteristic determined as a function of the long-term driving manner behavior component, wherein

when a short-term dynamic demand exists the driver behavior index is set to a short-term dynamic value, the short-term dynamic value being the greater of a first value corresponding to the short-term dynamic demand and a second value representing the long-term driving manner behavior component.

2. A method for driver-behavior-adaptive control of a variably adjustable motor vehicle accessory, the method comprising:

sensing at least one parameter indicative of a driver behavior so as to ascertain the driver behavior in terms of a long-term driving manner behavior component and in terms of a constant-speed request component;

adjusting the vehicle accessory variably as a function of the ascertained driver behavior so that when a constant-speed request exists the adjusting is performed in accordance with a low-dynamic adjustment characteristic having a lower dynamic change level than a dynamic change level of short-term dynamic change demands, and when the constant-speed request does not exist the adjusting is performed in accordance with a long-term driving manner adjustment characteristic determined as a function of the long-term driving manner behavior component.

3. A method for driver-behavior-adaptive control of a variably adjustable motor vehicle accessory, the method comprising:

sensing at least one parameter indicative of a driver behavior so as to ascertain the driver behavior in terms of a long-term driving manner behavior component, in terms of a short-term dynamic change demand component and in terms of a constant-speed request component; and

adjusting the vehicle accessory variably as a function of the ascertained driver behavior;

when a short-term dynamic demand exists the adjusting being performed in accordance with a short-term dynamic demand adjustment characteristic having a dynamic change level, the dynamic change level being a function of the short-term dynamic demand;

when a constant-speed request exists the adjusting being performed in accordance with a low-dynamic adjustment characteristic having a lower dynamic change level than a dynamic change level of short-term driving dynamic change demands;

when a short-term dynamic demand and a constant-speed request do not exist the adjusting being performed in accordance with a long-term driving manner adjustment characteristic determined by the long-term driving manner behavior component.

4. The method as defined in claim 3 further comprising:

ascertaining the driver behavior in a form of a continuously updated driver behavior index having a value range extending between a first interval end value and a second interval end value, the first interval end value representing a low-dynamic driver behavior having a lower dynamic change level than the dynamic change level of short-term dynamic change demands, the second interval end value representing a highly dynamic driver behavior; and

selecting a current accessory adjustment characteristic as a function of the driver behavior index;

wherein

when a short-tern dynamic demand exists the driver behavior index is set to a short-term dynamic value being the greater of a first value corresponding to the dynamic level demanded and a second value representing the long-term driving manner behavior component;

when a constant-speed request exists the driver behavior index is set to a third value substantially equal to the first interval end value; and

when a short-term dynamic demand and a constant-speed request do not exist the driver index is set to the second value.