Method and system for controlling a vehicle cruise control

• US 8,498,795 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2009
• Issued: 07/30/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB (Volvo AB)
• Original Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB (Volvo AB)
• Inventors: Eriksson, Anders, Bjernetun, Johan
• Primary Examiner(s): Marc, McDieunel
• Application Number:
  US13/517,303
• Publication Number:
  US 20120271524A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,317 Days
• Field of Search: 701/52, 701/53, 701/54, 701/64, 701/93, 701/95, 701/101, 701/115, 701/301, 701/409, 701/445, 477/79, 477/107, 477/108, 477/110, 477/111, 477/115, 477/118, 477/121, 477/124, 477/134, 477/168, 477/181, 123/41.3, 123/325, 123/350, 123/478, 123/236, 180/51, 180/55, 180/170, 180/179, 429/143, 429/147
• US Class Current: 701/93
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/08 including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/11 Stepped gearings
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/10 Longitudinal speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2552/15 Road slope, i.e. the inclination of a road segment in the longitudinal direction
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/50 of positioning data, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System] data
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/1005 Transmission ratio engaged
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/143 Speed control B60W30/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/0097 Predicting future conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2059/663 Road slope
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2061/0216 Calculation or estimation of post shift values for different gear ratios, e.g. by using engine performance tables
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/0213 characterised by the method for generating shift signals

Abstract

A method and cruise control system for controlling a vehicle cruise control includes driving the vehicle with the cruise control active and set to maintain a vehicle set target speed, and registering a current vehicle condition, which includes at least a current vehicle position, a currently engaged gear ratio, available gear ratios, current vehicle speed, available maximum propulsion torque and road topography of coming travelling road comprising a next coming uphill slope. Based on the current vehicle condition a downshift is predicted at a coming vehicle position in the coming uphill slope due to vehicle speed decrease and at least one activity is selected which results in that the downshift can be postponed or avoided. The cruise control is controlled according to the selected activity in order to postpone or avoid, for example a downshift from a direct gear and thereby saves fuel.

Claims

1. Method for controlling a vehicle cruise control comprising the steps of:

driving the vehicle with the cruise control active and set to maintain a vehicle set target speed (Vcc set target speed);

registering current vehicle condition, which comprises at least a current vehicle position (A), a currently engaged gear ratio, available gear ratios, current vehicle speed, available maximum propulsion torque and road topography of coming travelling road comprising a next coming uphill slope;

based on the current vehicle condition predicting a downshift at a coming vehicle position (C) in the coming uphill slope due to vehicle speed decrease and selecting at least one activity which results in that the downshift can be postponed or avoided;

controlling the cruise control according to the selected activity, and where the activity comprises;

temporary lowering a downshift limit of the currently engaged gear with a predetermined possible amount to a lowered downshift speed limit (Vlow downshift speed);

predicting if the downshift will be postponed enough or avoided;

if predicting that the downshift will not be postponed enough or not avoided then performing the temporary lowering of the downshift limit, and additionally based on the current vehicle condition, calculating by a processor a lowest vehicle speed (vhill) for a first vehicle position (B) where the vehicle will start to retard in the uphill slope and which results in that the downshift can be enough postponed or avoided;

based on the current vehicle condition controlling the cruise control in order to during vehicle driving towards the first vehicle position (B) increase vehicle speed to the lowest vehicle speed when the vehicle eventually has reached the first vehicle position (B).

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, where the temporary lowering of a downshift limit of the currently engaged gear is active during driving the uphill slope.

3. The method as in claim 1, where the increase of a vehicle speed to the lowest vehicle speed (vhill) is only allowed if the difference between the vehicle set target speed (Vcc set target speed) and the lowest vehicle speed (Vhill) is below a predetermined value.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, where the predicted down shift is a down shift from a direct gear.

5. Method for controlling a vehicle cruise control comprising the steps of:

driving the vehicle with the cruise control active and set to maintain a vehicle set target speed (Vcc set target speed);

registering current vehicle condition, which comprises at least a current vehicle position (A), a currently engaged gear ratio, available gear ratios, current vehicle speed, available maximum propulsion torque and road topography of coming travelling road comprising, a next coming uphill slope;

based on the current vehicle condition predicting a downshift at a coming vehicle position (C) in the coming uphill slope due to vehicle speed decrease and selecting at least one activity which results in that the downshift can be postponed or avoided;

controlling the cruise control according to the selected activity,

and where the activity comprising the steps of;

based on the current vehicle condition calculating by a processor a lowest vehicle speed for a first vehicle position (B) where the vehicle will start to retard in the increase vehicle speed to the lowest vehicle speed when the vehicle eventually has reached the first vehicle position (B).

6. The method as in claim 5, where the increase of a vehicle speed to the lowest vehicle speed (vhill) is only allowed if the difference between the vehicle set target speed (Vcc set target speed) and the lowest vehicle speed (Vhill) is below a predetermined value.

7. The method as claimed in claim 5, where the predicted down shift is a down shift from a direct gear.

8. A cruise control system comprising a control unit arranged for maintaining a vehicle set target speed (Vcc set target speed), driver input interface, vehicle position identifying device, road topography identifying device, wherein the control unit is programmed to perform a method for controlling a vehicle cruise control comprising:

driving the vehicle with the cruise control active and set to maintain a vehicle set target speed (Vcc set target speed);

registering current vehicle condition, which comprises at least a current vehicle position (A), a currently engaged gear ratio, available near ratios, current vehicle speed, available maximum propulsion torque and road topography of coming travelling road comprising a next coming uphill slope;

based on the current vehicle condition predicting a downshift at a coming vehicle position (C) in the coming uphill slope due to vehicle speed decrease and selecting at least one activity which results in that the downshift can be postponed or avoided;

controlling the cruise control according to the selected activity,

and where the activity comprises;

temporary lowering a downshift limit of the currently engaged gear with a predetermined possible amount to a lowered downshift speed limit (Vlow downshift speed);

predicting if the downshift will be postponed enough or avoided;

if predicting, that the downshift will not be postponed enough or not avoided then performing the temporary lowering of the downshift limit and additionally based on the current vehicle condition, calculating by a processor a lowest vehicle speed (vhill)for a first vehicle position (B) where the vehicle will start to retard in the uphill slope and which results in that the downshift can be enough postponed or avoided;

based on the current vehicle condition controlling the cruise control in order to during vehicle driving towards the first vehicle position (B) increase vehicle speed to the lowest vehicle speed when the vehicle eventually has reached the first vehicle position (B).

9. A computer programmed to perform a method for controlling a vehicle cruise control comprising:

driving the vehicle with the cruise control active and set to maintain a vehicle set target speed (Vcc set target speed);

registering current vehicle condition, which comprises at least a current vehicle position (A), a currently engaged gear ratio, available gear ratios, current vehicle speed, available maximum propulsion torque and road topography of coming travelling road comprising a next coming uphill slope;

based on the current vehicle condition predicting a downshift at a coming vehicle position (C) in the coming uphill slope due to vehicle speed decrease and selecting at least one activity which results in that the downshift can be postponed or avoided;

controlling the cruise control according to the selected activity,

and where the activity comprises;

temporary lowering a downshift limit of the currently engaged gear with a predetermined possible amount to a lowered downshift speed limit (Vlow downshift speed);

predicting if the downshift will be postponed enough or avoided;

if predicting that the downshift will not be postponed enough or not avoided then performing the temporary lowering of the downshift limit, and additionally based on the current vehicle condition calculating by a processor a lowest vehicle speed (vhill) for a first vehicle position (B) where the vehicle will start to retard in the uphill slope and which results in that the downshift can be enough postponed or avoided;

based on the current vehicle condition controlling the cruise control in order to during vehicle driving towards the first vehicle position (B) increase vehicle speed to the lowest vehicle speed when the vehicle eventually has reached the first vehicle position (B).

10. A computer program product comprising, a computer program stored on a non-volatile computer readable medium for performing a method for controlling a vehicle cruise control comprising:

driving the vehicle with the cruise control active and set to maintain a vehicle set target speed (Vcc set target speed);

registering current vehicle condition, which comprises at least a current vehicle position (A), a currently engaged gear ratio, available gear ratios, current vehicle speed, available maximum propulsion torque and road topography of coming travelling road comprising a next coming uphill slope;

based on the current vehicle condition predicting a downshift at a coming vehicle position (C) in the coming uphill slope due to vehicle speed decrease and selecting least one activity which results in that the downshift can be postponed or avoided;

controlling the cruise control according to the selected activity,

and where the activity comprises;

temporary lowering a downshift limit of the currently engaged gear with a predetermined possible amount to a lowered downshift speed limit (Vlow downshift speed);

predicting if the downshift will be postponed enough or avoided;

if predicting that the downshift will not be postponed enough or not avoided then performing the temporary lowering of the downshift limit, and additionally based on the current vehicle condition, calculating by a processor a lowest vehicle speed (vhill) for a first vehicle position (B) where the vehicle will start to retard in the uphill slope and which results in that the downshift can be enough postponed or avoided;

based on the current vehicle condition controlling the cruise control in order to during vehicle driving towards the first vehicle position (B) increase vehicle speed to the lowest vehicle speed when the vehicle eventually has reached the first vehicle position (B).

11. A non-volatile storage medium for use in a computing environment, the storage medium comprising a computer readable program code to perform a method for controlling a vehicle cruise control comprising:

driving the vehicle with the cruise control active and set to maintain a vehicle set target speed (Vcc set target speed);

registering current vehicle condition, which comprises at least a current vehicle position (A), a currently engaged gear ratio, available gear ratios, current vehicle speed, available maximum propulsion torque and road topography of coming travelling road comprising a next coming uphill slope;

based on the current vehicle condition predicting a downshift at a coming vehicle position (C) in the coming uphill slope due to vehicle speed decrease and selecting at least one activity which results in that the downshift can be postponed or avoided;

controlling the cruise control according to the selected activity,

and where the activity comprises;

temporary lowering a downshift limit of the currently engaged gear with a predetermined possible amount to a lowered downshift speed limit (Vlow downshift speed);

predicting if the downshift will be postponed enough or avoided;

if predicting that the downshift will not be postponed enough or not avoided then performing the temporary lowering of the downshift limit, and additionally based on the current vehicle condition, calculating by a processor a lowest vehicle speed (vhill) for a first vehicle position (B) where the vehicle will start to retard in the uphill slope and which results in that the downshift can be enough postponed or avoided;

based on the current vehicle condition controlling the cruise control in order to during vehicle driving towards the first vehicle position (B) increase vehicle speed to the lowest vehicle speed when the vehicle eventually has reached the first vehicle position (B).

12. A cruise control system comprising a control unit arranged for maintaining a vehicle set target speed (Vcc set target speed), driver input interface, vehicle position identifying device, read topography identifying device, wherein the control unit is programmed to perform a method for controlling a vehicle cruise control comprising the steps of:

driving the vehicle with the cruise control active and set to maintain a vehicle set target speed (Vcc set target speed);

registering current vehicle condition, which comprises at least a current vehicle position (A), a currently engaged gear ratio, available gear ratios, current vehicle speed, available maximum propulsion torque and road topography of coming travelling road comprising a next coming uphill slope;

based on the current vehicle condition predicting a downshift at a coming vehicle position (C) in the coming uphill slope due to vehicle speed decrease and selecting at least one activity which results in that the downshift can he postponed or avoided;

controlling the cruise control according to the selected activity,

and where the activity comprising the steps of;

based on the current vehicle condition calculating by a processor a lowest vehicle speed for a first vehicle position (B) where the vehicle will start to retard in the increase vehicle speed to the lowest vehicle speed when the vehicle eventually has reached the first vehicle position (B).

13. A computer programmed to perform a method for controlling a vehicle cruise control comprising the steps of:

driving the vehicle with the cruise control active and set to maintain a vehicle set target speed (Vcc set target speed);

registering current vehicle condition, which comprises at least a current vehicle position (A), a currently engaged gear ratio, available gear ratios, current vehicle speed, available maximum propulsion torque and road topography of coming travelling road comprising a next coming uphill slope;

based on the current vehicle condition predicting a downshift at a coming vehicle position (C) in the coming uphill slope due to vehicle speed decrease and selecting at least one activity which results in that the downshift can be postponed or avoided;

controlling the cruise control according to the selected activity,

and where the activity comprising the steps of;

based on the current vehicle condition calculating by a processor a lowest vehicle speed for a first vehicle position (B) where the vehicle will start to retard in the increase vehicle speed to the lowest vehicle speed when the vehicle eventually has reached the first vehicle position (B).

14. A computer program product comprising a computer program stored on a non-volatile computer readable medium for performing a method for controlling a vehicle cruise control comprising the steps of:

driving the vehicle with the cruise control active and set to maintain a vehicle set target speed (Vcc set target speed);

registering current vehicle condition, which comprises at least a current vehicle position (A), a currently engaged gear ratio, available gear ratios, current vehicle speed, available maximum propulsion torque and road topography of coming travelling road comprising a next coming uphill slope;

based on the current vehicle condition predicting a downshift at a coming vehicle position (C) in the coming uphill slope due to vehicle speed decrease and selecting at least one activity which results in that the downshift can be postponed or avoided;

controlling the cruise control according to the selected activity,

and where the activity comprising the steps of;

based on the current vehicle condition calculating by a processor a lowest vehicle speed for a first vehicle position (B) where the vehicle will start to retard in the increase vehicle speed to the lowest vehicle speed when the vehicle eventually has reached the first vehicle position (B).

15. A non-volatile storage medium for use in a computing environment, the storage medium comprising a computer readable program code to perform a method for controlling a vehicle cruise control comprising the steps of:

driving the vehicle with the cruise control active and set to maintain a vehicle set target speed (Vcc set target speed);

registering current vehicle condition, which comprises at least a current vehicle position (A), a currently engaged gear ratio, available gear ratios, current vehicle speed, available maximum propulsion torque and road topography of coming travelling road comprising a next coming uphill slope;

based on the current vehicle condition predicting a downshift at a coming vehicle position (C) in the coming uphill slope due to vehicle speed decrease and selecting at least one activity which results in that the downshift can be postponed or avoided;

controlling the cruise control according to the selected activity,

and where the activity comprising the steps of;

based on the current vehicle condition calculating by a processor a lowest vehicle speed for a first vehicle position (B) where the vehicle will start to retard in the increase vehicle speed to the lowest vehicle speed when the vehicle eventually has reached the first vehicle position (B).