Vehicle control

• US RE46,828 E1
• Filed: 09/27/2016
• Issued: 05/08/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited (TATA Motors Limited)
• Original Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited (TATA Motors Limited)
• Inventors: Spillane, Anthony Francis, Burdock, William, Clare, David Andrew, Jones, Derek Leslie, Kellett, John Anthony, Prins, Jan Pieter, Parsons, Keith Gary Reginald, Darnell, Paul Malcolm
• Primary Examiner(s): Tarae, Michelle
• Application Number:
  US15/277,516
• Time in Patent Office: 588 Days
• Field of Search: 701 36
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 23/0808 for varying torque distribution between driven axles, e.g. by transfer clutch
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 37/06 of controls, e.g. controls knobs
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/00 Purposes of road vehicle drive control systems not related to the control of a particular sub-unit, e.g. of systems using conjoint control of vehicle sub-units

Abstract

A vehicle control system has a plurality of subsystem controllers including an engine management system 28, a transmission controller 30, a steering controller 48, a brakes controller 62 and a suspension controller 82. These subsystem controllers are each operable in a plurality of subsystem modes, and are all connected to a vehicle mode controller 98 which controls the modes of operation of each of the subsystem controllers so as to provide a number of driving modes for the vehicle. Each of the modes corresponds to a particular driving condition or set of driving conditions, and in each mode each of the functions is set to the function in mode most appropriate to those conditions.

Claims

1. A vehicle control system having a driver input for selecting a driving surface, the vehicle control system arranged to control a plurality of vehicle subsystems each of which is operable in a plurality of subsystem configuration modes, wherein the vehicle control system is operable in a plurality of driving modes in each of which it is arranged to select the subsystem configuration modes in a manner suitable for a respective driving surface.

2. A vehicle control system according to claim 1, wherein the driving modes comprise a plurality of different driving modes suitable for different conditions of the vehicle.

3. A vehicle control system according to claim 1 wherein the driving modes include an off-road mode in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on rough terrain and an on-road mode in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on-road.

4. A vehicle control system according to claim 1 wherein the driving modes include at least one low friction mode in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on low friction surfaces and a high friction mode in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on high friction surfaces.

5. A vehicle control system according to claim 4 wherein the low friction mode is arranged to be suitable for driving on grass, gravel and snow.

6. A vehicle control system according to claim 1 wherein the driving modes are selectable by a driver of the vehicle.

7. A vehicle control system according to claim 6 wherein the driving modes are selectable by means of two inputs, one of which is a terrain selection input arranged to influence the configuration mode selected on the basis of the terrain selected, and the other which is a mode of use input arranged to influence the configuration mode selected on the basis of a selected mode of use of the vehicle.

8. A vehicle control system according to claim 6 wherein the mode of use input is arranged to allow selection between a plurality of driving styles.

9. A vehicle control system according to claim 8 wherein the driving style includes a sport style.

10. A vehicle control system according to claim 1 further comprising sensing means arranged to sense at least one parameter wherein the control system is arranged to select said driving modes on the basis of said parameter.

11. A vehicle control system according to claim 10 wherein the parameter varies with the manner in which the vehicle is being used.

12. A vehicle control system according to any one of claims 1-11 in which the vehicle control system is further included in a motor vehicle.

13. A vehicle control system according to claim 1 further comprising a driver input for selecting a mode of use.

14. A method of controlling a plurality of subsystems within a motor vehicle in a manner suitable for a respective driving surface, the subsystems each being operable in a plurality of subsystem configuration modes, the method comprising the steps of:

connecting a vehicle mode controller to the vehicle subsystems, the vehicle mode controller having a plurality of driving modes and a driver input for selecting a driving surface;

storing a set of control commands from the plurality of driving modes in a memory of the vehicle mode controller in response to the driver input of a driving surface;

transmitting the set of stored control commands to each of the plurality of vehicle subsystems; and

selecting of a set of subsystem control parameters by each of the plurality of vehicle subsystems so as to provide the appropriate operation of each of the vehicle subsystems.

15. The method claimed in claim 14, wherein at least one of the driving modes is a rock crawl mode.

17. A computer program product comprising a medium on which or in which, when executed in a computer system, will perform the method as in any one of claims 14-16.

48. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the driving modes include at least two off-road modes in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on respective off-road driving surfaces, and an on-road mode in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on-road.

49. A method as claimed in claim 48, wherein said plurality of vehicle subsystems comprises one or more of an engine management system, a transmission system, a steering system, a brake system and a suspension system.

50. A method as claimed in claim 48, wherein one of the off-road modes is a sand mode in which the subsystems are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on sand.

51. A method as claimed in claim 48, wherein one of the vehicle subsystems is a brake subsystem and wherein one of the off-road modes is a plough surface mode in which the subsystem control parameters are selected such that a relatively high degree of wheel slip under braking is allowed relative to the on-road mode and/or a second off-road mode.

52. A method as claimed in claim 48, wherein a first off-road mode is a low friction mode in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on low friction surfaces, wherein the first off-road mode is arranged to be suitable for driving on grass, gravel and/or snow.

53. A method as claimed in claim 52, wherein a second off-road mode is a low friction mode in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on low friction surfaces, wherein the second off-road mode is arranged to be suitable for driving on mud.

54. A method as claimed in claim 48, wherein one of the off-road modes is a rock crawl mode in which the subsystems are controlled in a manner suitable for driving over rocks.

55. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein one of the subsystems comprises a powertrain system which includes a throttle pedal, the subsystem configuration modes providing different levels of responsiveness of the powertrain system to movement of the throttle pedal;

and wherein, in a first off-road mode, a throttle pedal characteristic is arranged such that torque increases relatively rapidly at low degrees of pedal displacement and increases relatively slowly at higher degrees of pedal displacement and wherein, in a second off-road mode, a throttle pedal characteristic is arranged such that torque increases relatively slowly at low degrees of pedal displacement and increases relatively rapidly at higher degrees of pedal displacement.

16. A method of controlling a plurality of subsystems within a motor vehicle in a manner suitable for a respective driving surface, the subsystems each being operable in a plurality of subsystem configuration modes, the method comprising the steps of:

connecting a vehicle mode controller to the vehicle subsystems, the vehicle mode controller having a plurality of driving modes, a driver input for selecting a driving surface, and a plurality of subsystem sensor information;

storing a set of control commands from the plurality of driving modes in a memory of the vehicle mode controller in response to the plurality of subsystem sensor information and the driver input of the driving surface;

transmitting the set of stored control commands to each of the plurality of vehicle subsystems; and

selecting of a set of subsystem control parameters by each of the plurality of vehicle subsystems so as to provide the appropriate operation of each of the vehicle subsystems.

18. A vehicle control system having a driver input for selecting a surface terrain, the vehicle control system arranged to control a plurality of vehicle subsystems each of which is operable in a plurality of subsystem configuration modes, wherein the vehicle control system is operable in a plurality of driving modes in each of which it is arranged to select the subsystem configuration modes in a manner suitable for a respective surface terrain.

19. A vehicle control system according to claim 18, wherein one of the plurality of vehicle subsystems is a suspension subsystem.

20. A vehicle control system according to claim 19, wherein the plurality of vehicle subsystems further comprise a steering subsystem, a brake subsystem, an engine management subsystem, and a transmission subsystem.

21. A vehicle control system having a driver input device for selecting a driving surface, the vehicle control system arranged to control a plurality of vehicle subsystems each of which is operable in a plurality of subsystem configuration modes, wherein the vehicle control system is operable in a plurality of driving modes in each of which it is arranged to select the subsystem configuration modes in a manner suitable for a respective driving surface, and further wherein the plurality of driving modes includes at least two off-road modes in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on respective off-road driving surfaces, and an on-road mode in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on-road, and still further wherein one of the off-road modes is a sand mode in which the vehicle subsystems are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on sand.

22. A vehicle control system as claimed in claim 21, wherein one of the subsystems comprises a powertrain system which includes a throttle pedal, the subsystem configuration modes providing different levels of responsiveness of the powertrain system to movement of the throttle pedal;

and

wherein, in the sand mode, responsiveness to movement of the throttle pedal is lower at relatively low vehicle speeds than it is at higher vehicle speeds.

23. A vehicle control system as claimed in claim 21, wherein at least one of the subsystems is arranged, in the sand mode, to allow lower levels of wheel spin when the vehicle is travelling at lower speeds than when the vehicle is travelling at higher speeds.

24. A vehicle control system as claimed in claim 21, wherein one of the vehicle subsystems is a brake subsystem and wherein, in the sand mode, the brake subsystem is arranged to allow a relatively high degree of wheel slip under braking relative to the on-road mode and/or a second off-road mode.

47. A vehicle comprising a system as claimed in any one of claims 21, 22 to 24, 25 to 36, 37 to 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 56 to 60, and 61.

25. A vehicle control system having a driver input device for selecting a driving surface, the vehicle control system arranged to control a plurality of vehicle subsystems each of which is operable in a plurality of subsystem configuration modes, wherein the vehicle control system is operable in a plurality of driving modes in each of which it is arranged to select the subsystem configuration modes in a manner suitable for a respective driving surface, and further wherein the plurality of driving modes includes at least two off-road modes in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on respective off-road driving surfaces, and an on-road mode in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on-road, and still further wherein a first off-road mode is a low friction mode in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on low friction surfaces and the first off-road mode is arranged to be suitable for driving on gravel.

27. A vehicle control system as claimed in claim 25 or claim 26, wherein a second off-road mode is a low friction mode in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on low friction surfaces, wherein the second off-road mode is arranged to be suitable for driving on mud.

28. A vehicle control system as claimed in claim 27, wherein a third off-road mode is a sand mode in which the subsystems are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on sand.

29. A vehicle control system as claimed in claim 28, wherein a fourth off-road mode is a rock crawl mode in which the subsystems are controlled in a manner suitable for driving over rocks.

26. A vehicle control system having a driver input device for selecting a driving surface, the vehicle control system arranged to control a plurality of vehicle subsystems each of which is operable in a plurality of subsystem configuration modes, wherein the vehicle control system is operable in a plurality of driving modes in each of which it is arranged to select the subsystem configuration modes in a manner suitable for a respective driving surface, and further wherein the plurality of driving modes includes at least two off-road modes in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on respective off-road driving surfaces, and an on-road mode in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on-road, and still further wherein a first off-road mode is a low friction mode in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on low friction surfaces and the first off-road mode is arranged to be suitable for driving on snow and grass.

30. A vehicle control system having a driver input device for selecting a driving surface, the vehicle control system arranged to control a plurality of vehicle subsystems each of which is operable in a plurality of subsystem configuration modes, wherein the vehicle control system is operable in a plurality of driving modes in each of which it is arranged to select the subsystem configuration modes in a manner suitable for a respective driving surface, and further wherein the plurality of driving modes includes at least two off-road modes in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on respective off-road driving surfaces, and an on-road mode in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on-road, and still further, wherein the driver input device comprises a selector for selecting the plurality of driving modes in the order of the on-road driving mode, a first off-road mode and a second off-road mode.

31. A vehicle control system as claimed in claim 30, wherein the first off-road mode is arranged to be suitable for driving on grass and/or gravel and/or snow, and the second off-road mode is one of a mud mode, a sand mode and/or a rock crawl mode.

32. A vehicle control system as claimed in claim 30 or claim 31, wherein the selector is operable to permit selection of the plurality of driving modes in the reverse order.

33. A vehicle control system as claimed in claim 30, wherein the subsystem configuration modes are arranged such that the vehicle adopts a higher ride height in dependence on selection of the second off-road mode than for the first off-road mode.

34. A vehicle control system as claimed in claim 33, wherein the subsystem configuration modes are arranged such that the vehicle adopts a higher ride height in dependence on selection of the first off-road mode than for the on-road mode.

35. A vehicle control system as claimed in claim 30, wherein one of the subsystems comprises a differential system operable to provide a plurality of levels of differential lock, wherein the subsystem configuration modes are arranged such that the level of differential lock is higher in dependence on the selection of the second off-road mode than for the first off-road mode.

36. A vehicle control system as claimed in claim 35, wherein the subsystem configuration modes are arranged such that the level of differential lock is higher in dependence on the selection of the first off-road mode than for the on-road mode.

37. A vehicle control system having a driver input device for selecting a driving surface, the vehicle control system arranged to control a plurality of vehicle subsystems each of which is operable in a plurality of subsystem configuration modes, wherein the vehicle control system is operable in a plurality of driving modes in each of which it is arranged to select the subsystem configuration modes in a manner suitable for a respective driving surface, and further wherein the plurality of driving modes includes at least two off-road modes in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on respective off-road driving surfaces, and an on-road mode in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on-road, and still further, wherein one of the subsystems comprises a powertrain system which includes a throttle pedal, the subsystem configuration modes providing different levels of responsiveness of the powertrain system to movement of the throttle pedal.

38. A vehicle control system as claimed in claim 37, wherein, in a first off-road mode, a throttle pedal characteristic is arranged such that torque increases relatively rapidly at low degrees of pedal displacement and increases relatively slowly at higher degrees of pedal displacement and wherein, in a second off-road mode, a throttle pedal characteristic is arranged such that torque increases relatively slowly at low degrees of pedal displacement and increases relatively rapidly at higher degrees of pedal displacement.

39. A vehicle control system as claimed in claim 37, wherein in at least one of the off-road modes the powertrain system is arranged to provide lower levels of drive torque, for a given throttle pedal position, at least at low levels of throttle pedal depression, than in the on-road mode.

40. A vehicle control system as claimed in claim 37, wherein the powertrain system is arranged to provide relatively low levels of drive torque for a given throttle pedal position at low vehicle speeds and to provide relatively high levels of drive torque for a given throttle pedal position at higher vehicle speeds.

41. A vehicle control system having a driver input device for selecting a driving surface, the vehicle control system arranged to control a plurality of vehicle subsystems each of which is operable in a plurality of subsystem configuration modes, wherein the vehicle control system is operable in a plurality of driving modes in each of which it is arranged to select the subsystem configuration modes in a manner suitable for a respective driving surface, and further wherein the plurality of driving modes includes at least two off-road modes in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on respective off-road driving surfaces, and an on-road mode in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on-road, and still further wherein one of the subsystems is a suspension subsystem and, in a second off-road mode, the suspension system is arranged to provide a higher ride height than in a first off-road mode.

42. A vehicle control system as claimed in claim 41, wherein, in the first off-road mode, the suspension system is arranged to provide a higher ride height than in the on-road mode.

43. A vehicle control system having a driver input device for selecting a driving surface, the vehicle control system arranged to control a plurality of vehicle subsystems each of which is operable in a plurality of subsystem configuration modes, wherein the vehicle control system is operable in a plurality of driving modes in each of which it is arranged to select the subsystem configuration modes in a manner suitable for a respective driving surface, and further wherein the plurality of driving modes includes at least two off-road modes in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on respective off-road driving surfaces, and an on-road mode in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on-road, and still further wherein one of the subsystems comprises a brake system which can provide an anti-lock function to control wheel slip, and said plurality of subsystem configuration modes allow different levels of said wheel slip.

44. A vehicle control system having a driver input device for selecting a driving surface, the vehicle control system arranged to control a plurality of vehicle subsystems each of which is operable in a plurality of subsystem configuration modes, wherein the vehicle control system is operable in a plurality of driving modes in each of which it is arranged to select the subsystem configuration modes in a manner suitable for a respective driving surface, and further wherein the plurality of driving modes includes at least two off-road modes in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on respective off-road driving surfaces, and an on-road mode in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on-road, and still further wherein one of the subsystems comprises a traction control system which is arranged to control wheel spin, and said plurality of subsystem configuration modes allow different levels of said wheel spin, and the traction control system is arranged to allow less wheel spin in at least one of the off-road modes than in the on-road mode.

45. A vehicle control system having a driver input device for selecting a driving surface, the vehicle control system arranged to control a plurality of vehicle subsystems each of which is operable in a plurality of subsystem configuration modes, wherein the vehicle control system is operable in a plurality of driving modes in each of which it is arranged to select the subsystem configuration modes in a manner suitable for a respective driving surface, and further wherein the plurality of driving modes includes at least two off-road modes in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on respective off-road driving surfaces, and an on-road mode in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on-road, and still further wherein one of the subsystems comprises a transmission system operable in a plurality of transmission ratios and arranged to monitor at least one parameter of the vehicle and to select the transmission ratios in response, and wherein the subsystem modes include a plurality of transmission configuration modes in which the transmission ratios are selected differently in response to said at least one parameter.

46. A vehicle control system having a driver input device for selecting a driving surface, the vehicle control system arranged to control a plurality of vehicle subsystems each of which is operable in a plurality of subsystem configuration modes, wherein the vehicle control system is operable in a plurality of driving modes in each of which it is arranged to select the subsystem configuration modes in a manner suitable for a respective driving surface, and further wherein the plurality of driving modes includes at least two off-road modes in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on respective off-road driving surfaces, and an on-road mode in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on-road, and still further wherein one of the subsystems is a speed control system arranged to control the speed of the vehicle when descending a hill, and wherein the speed control system is arranged to be switched on in at least one of the off-road modes and switched off in the on-road mode.

56. A vehicle control system having a driver input device for selecting a driving surface, the vehicle control system arranged to control a plurality of vehicle subsystems each of which is operable in a plurality of subsystem configuration modes, wherein the vehicle control system is operable in a plurality of driving modes in each of which it is arranged to select the subsystem configuration modes in a manner suitable for a respective driving surface, wherein the vehicle control system is operable to store a set of control commands for the plurality of driving modes in a memory, and wherein the system is operable to transmit at least one of the stored control commands to the plurality of vehicle subsystems in response to a selection of a driving surface via the driver input device.

57. A vehicle control system according to claim 56 wherein the system includes a plurality of subsystem sensors.

58. A vehicle control system according to claim 57 wherein the system is operable to transmit at least one of the stored control commands to the plurality of vehicle subsystems in response to both a selection of a driving surface via the driver input device and sensor information from the plurality of subsystem sensors.

59. A vehicle control system having a driver input device for selecting a driving surface, the vehicle control system arranged to control a plurality of vehicle subsystems each of which is operable in a plurality of subsystem configuration modes, wherein the vehicle control system is operable in a plurality of driving modes in each of which it is arranged to select the subsystem configuration modes in a manner suitable for a respective driving surface, wherein the system comprises a plurality of subsystem sensors and wherein the system is operable in an automatic selection mode in which one of the plurality of driving modes is selected automatically in dependence on subsystem sensor information.

60. A vehicle control system according to claim 59, wherein the plurality of subsystem sensors comprise one or more of a wheel speed sensor, a ride height sensor and a steering angle sensor.

61. A vehicle control system having a driver input device for selecting a driving surface, the vehicle control system arranged to control a plurality of vehicle subsystems each of which is operable in a plurality of subsystem configuration modes, wherein the vehicle control system is operable in a plurality of driving modes in each of which it is arranged to select the subsystem configuration modes in a manner suitable for a respective driving surface, wherein the system comprises a plurality of subsystem sensors and wherein the system is operable to determine an appropriate driving mode from the plurality of driving modes for the current driving conditions and to output advice to the driver relating to the determined driving mode.