Automotive control apparatus and method

• US 7,162,353 B2
• Filed: 02/02/2004
• Issued: 01/09/2007
• 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): Tran; Dalena
• Application Number:
  US10/768,085
• Publication Number:
  US 20040153233A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,072 Days
• Field of Search: 701/96, 701/84, 701/87, 701/91, 701/53, 701/54, 701/61, 701/65, 701/70, 701/208, 701/103, 701/110, 701/64, 701/58, 123/339.23, 123/406.64, 123/480, 477/115, 477/109, 477/110, 477/54
• 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 second running mode is changed to said first running mode, changing the target value of the driving shaft torque instantaneously from the second target value to the first target value, and

when said first running mode is changed to said second running mode, changing the target value of the driving shaft torque smoothly from the first target value to the second target value.

2. A method according to claim 1, when said first running mode is changed to said second running mode, said method further comprising the step of setting a third target value which gradually varies from said first target value to said second target value for transition from said first running mode to said second running mode.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein a time constant of 200 milliseconds or less is set for transition from said second running mode to said first running mode.

4. 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 second running mode is changed to said first running mode, changing the target value of the engine torque instantaneously from the second target value to the first target value, and

when said first running mode is changed to said second running mode, changing the target value of the engine torque smoothly from the first target value to the second target value.

5. A method according to claim 4, when said first running mode is changed to said second running mode, said method further comprising the step of setting a third target value which gradually varies from said first target value to said second target value for transition from said first running mode to said second running mode.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein a time constant of 200 milliseconds or less is set for transition from said second running mode to said first running mode.

7. A control apparatus for 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, wherein the control apparatus is configured such that,

when said second running mode is changed to said first running mode, the target value of the driving shaft torque is changed instantaneously from the second target value to the first target value, and

when said first running mode is changed to said second running mode, the target value of the driving shaft torque is changed smoothly from the first target value to the second target value.

8. A control apparatus according to claim 7, when said first running mode is changed to said second running mode, a third target value which gradually varies from said first target value to said second target value is set for transition from said first running mode to said second running mode.

9. A control apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a time constant of 200 milliseconds or less is set for transition from said second running mode to said first running mode.

10. 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 of a target vehicle speed and a headway distance of said vehicle, wherein the control apparatus is configured such that,

when said second running mode is changed to said first running mode, the target value of the engine torque is changed instantaneously from the second target value to the first target value, and

when said first running mode is changed to said second running mode, the target value of the engine torque is changed smoothly from the first target value to the second target value.

11. A control apparatus according to claim 10, when said first running mode is changed to said second running mode, a third target value which gradually varies from said first target value to said second target value is set for transition from said first running mode to said second running mode.

12. A control apparatus according to claim 11, wherein a time constant of 200 milliseconds or less is set for transition from said second running mode to said first running mode.