Automotive control apparatus and method

• US 6,792,344 B2
• Filed: 03/30/2001
• Issued: 09/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Minowa, Toshimichi, Ochi, Tatsuya, Yoshikawa, Tokuji, Kayano, Mitsuo, Kuragaki, Satoru
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tan Q.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tran, Dalena
• Application Number:
  US09/820,533
• Publication Number:
  US 20010014845A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,264 Days
• Field of Search: 701/84, 701/96, 701/87, 701/91, 701/53, 701/54, 701/61, 701/208, 701/70, 701/65, 180/171
• US Class Current: 701/96
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/032 Devices for presenting test symbols or characters, e.g. test chart projectors A61B3/036 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/066 for testing colour vision
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 31/0008 including means for detecting potential obstacles in vehicle path
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/486 Operating parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/22 initiated by contact of vehicle, e.g. bumper, with an external object, e.g. another vehicle , or by means of contactless obstacle detectors mounted on the vehicle
• 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 10/11 Stepped gearings
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/18 including control of braking systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0022 Gains, weighting coefficients or weighting functions
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/105 Longitudinal acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/10 Accelerator pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/12 Brake pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/0666 Engine torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/105 Output torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2720/106 Longitudinal acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/16 Control of distance between vehicles, e.g. keeping a distance to preceding vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/188 Controlling power parameters of the driveline, e.g. determining the required power
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/1882 characterised by the working point of the engine, e.g. by using engine output chart
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/20 Reducing vibrations in the driveline
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/06 : Road conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/1015 : Engines misfires
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/701 : Information about vehicle position, e.g. from navigation system or GPS signal
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/702 : Road conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2250/18 : Control of the engine output torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2250/21 : during a transition between engine operation modes or states
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0215 : in relation with elements of the transmission
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/023 : in relation with the gear ratio shifting conjoint control for improving gear change B60W30/19
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/12 : for deceleration F02D41/0005, F02D41/107 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1497 : With detection of the mechanical response of the engine
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1498 : measuring engine roughness
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/48 : Inputs being a function of acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/21 : Providing engine brake control
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 : Engine management systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 : Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/84 : Data processing systems or methods, management, administration

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for controlling an automotive vehicle are disclosed, in which a control amount for securing safety of the vehicle and the control amount for achieving a state intended for by the driver of the vehicle are switched in such a manner as to reduce the shock due to the change in the torque generated from the power train, thereby accomplishing both safety and maneuverability at the same time. A first target value is set for controlling at least selected one of the driving torque, the driving force and the acceleration/deceleration rate. A second target value is calculated in accordance with the drive mode intended for by the driver or the driving environment ahead of the vehicle. In the case where a deviation exceeding a predetermined value develops between the first target value and the second target value, the fluctuations of at least one of the driving torque, the driving force and the acceleration/deceleration rate are suppressed.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a vehicle having a first running mode wherein a driving shaft torque of the vehicle is controlled according to a first target value determined from an accelerator pedal position and a second running mode wherein the driving shaft torque of the vehicle is controlled according to a second target value determined from at least one of a target vehicle speed and a headway distance of said vehicle, comprising:

when said first running mode is changed to said second running mode, determining a changing-over time period from said first running mode to said second running mode based on a difference between said first target value calculated in said first running mode and said second target value calculated in said second running mode; and

setting a third target value which varies from said first target value to said second target value in said changing-over time period.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising controlling a driving force according to said third target value until a difference between the second and third target values becomes a predetermined value.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said vehicle further has a third running mode wherein a, driving force is controlled according to said third target value until a difference between the second and third target values becomes a predetermined value.

4. A method according to claim 1, further comprising controlling a driving force according to said third target value until a difference between the second and third target values becomes a predetermined value.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein said vehicle further has a third running mode wherein a, driving force is controlled according to said third target value until a difference between the second and third target values becomes a predetermined value.

6. A method of controlling a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the driving shaft torque of the first running mode is controlled to gradually approach said driving shaft torque of the second running mode by controlling an air/fuel ratio of an engine of said vehicle.

7. A method of controlling a vehicle having a first running mode wherein an engine torque of the vehicle is controlled according to a first target value determined from an accelerator pedal position and a second running mode wherein the engine torque is controlled according to a second target value determined from at least one of a target vehicle speed and a headway distance of said vehicle, comprising:

when said first running mode is changed to said second running mode, determining a changing-over time period from said first running mode to said second running mode based on a difference between said first target value calculated in said first running mode and said second target value calculated in said second running mode; and

setting a third target value which varies from said first target value to said second target value in said changing-over time period.

8. A method of controlling a vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the target value is controlled to gradually approach said second target value by controlling an air/fuel ratio of the engine of said vehicle.

9. A method according to claim 7, further comprising controlling a driving force according to said third target value until a difference between the second and third target values becomes a predetermined value.

10. A method according to claim 7, wherein said vehicle further has a third running mode wherein a driving force is controlled according to said third target value until a difference between the second and third target values becomes a predetermined value.

11. A method according to claim 7, further comprising controlling a driving force according to said third target value until a difference between the second and third target values becomes a predetermined value.

12. A method according to claim 7, wherein said vehicle further has a third running mode wherein the driving force is controlled according to said third target value until a difference between the second and third target values becomes a predetermined value.

13. A control apparatus for a vehicle having a first running mode wherein a driving shaft torque of the vehicle is controlled according to a driving shaft torque of the vehicle from an accelerator pedal position and a second running mode wherein the driving shaft torque of the vehicle is controlled according to the second target value determined from at least one of a target vehicle speed and a headway distance of said vehicle, comprising:

when said first running mode is changed to said second running mode, determining a changing-over time period from said first running mode to said second running mode based on a difference between said first target value calculated in said first running mode and said second target value calculated in said second running mode; and

setting a third target value which varies from said first target value to said second target value in said changing-over time period.

14. A control apparatus for a vehicle according to claim 13, wherein the driving shaft torque is controlled to gradually approach the driving shaft torque of said second running mode by controlling an air/fuel ratio of an engine of said vehicle.

15. A control apparatus for a vehicle having a first running mode wherein an engine torque of the vehicle is controlled according to a first target value determined from an accelerator pedal position and a second running mode wherein the engine torque is controlled according to a second target value determined from at least one at least one of a target vehicle speed and a headway distance of said vehicle, comprising:

when said first running mode is changed to said second running mode, determining a changing-over time period from said first running mode to said second running mode based on a difference between said first target value calculated in said first running mode and said second target value calculated in said second running mode; and

setting a third target value which varies from said first target value to said second target value in said changing-over time period.

16. A control apparatus for a vehicle according to claim 15, wherein the target value is controlled to gradually approach said second target value by controlling an air/fuel ratio of an engine of said vehicle.