DE102007025502A1 - Operating and driving control device for a motor vehicle and method thereto - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an operating and driving control device (1) for a motor vehicle with a first actuating element (20) for specifying the acceleration, a second actuating element (21) for specifying the deceleration and an electronic control unit (6) for controlling at least the transmission ( 5), the motor (3) and the clutch (4) operatively connected to the first and second actuators (20, 21), the gear (5), the motor (3) and the clutch (4) being such can be controlled by the electronic control unit (6) that the vehicle speed is maintained when changing from operating to non-actuation of the actuating elements (20, 21). According to the invention, the transmission (5), the engine (3) and the clutch (4) can also be controlled as a function of information from the surroundings of the motor vehicle. The present invention further relates to a method for controlling the travel in a motor vehicle.

Description

The The present invention relates to a control and cruise control device for a motor vehicle with a first actuating element to specify the acceleration, a second actuator to specify the delay and at least one electronic Control unit for controlling at least the transmission, the engine and the clutch, wherein the control unit with the first and second Actuator is in operative connection, wherein the transmission, the engine and the clutch in such a way by the electronic control unit that are controllable by the actuators specified speed is maintained.

From the prior art, various control and drive control devices for motor vehicles are known. So describes in particular the EP 0 299 959 B1 a Fahrzeugbedien- and -regeleinrichtung, in which instead of a gas or brake pedal, an acceleration or deceleration pedal is used. Accelerator pedal and deceleration pedal are in operative connection with at least one electronic control unit, by means of which the clutch, the transmission and the engine is controlled. By the well-known Fahrzeugbedien- and -regeleinrichtung the driver is largely relieved of the operation of the motor vehicle. Also, a particularly fuel-efficient control can be achieved, which is hardly achieved in a regulation by the driver alone.

outgoing from the aforementioned prior art is the present invention the task is based, a control and cruise control device for to create a motor vehicle, which further improved operation or cruise control of the motor vehicle allows. The present The invention is further based on the object, an improved method to indicate the travel control of a motor vehicle.

The Solution of this problem is carried out according to the in claim 1 or 12 given characteristics. Advantageous embodiments The invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

The inventive control and cruise control device for a motor vehicle has a first actuating element for specifying the acceleration of the motor vehicle and a second Actuator for specifying the delay on. The control and cruise control device according to the invention also includes at least one electronic control unit Control at least the transmission, the engine and the clutch of the motor vehicle, with the first and second actuating element is in active connection. The gearbox, the engine and the clutch can be so by the electronic control unit be controlled that when changing from pressing to not operating the speed of the two actuators is maintained. It is also possible to use a cruise control function here speak.

to Maintaining such a speed once given or driving condition but depending on the characteristics of the track and the course of the road, z. As on gradients, the components of the powertrain suitable to be influenced.

According to the invention therefore the gear, the engine and the clutch depending controllable by information from the environment of the motor vehicle. For this can, for example, route and traffic information count, so information that is not from the motor vehicle be delivered by yourself.

The Invention has the advantage that by integrating the information from the environment of the motor vehicle, a predictive control or Regulation is possible. So is based on route information For example, foreseeable, with which slope or bend of the route expected in the next time, so that clutch, Gearbox, engine can already be controlled accordingly before, to the desired driving dynamics z. B. with minimal fuel consumption and to maintain minimal brake wear.

To are in a preferred embodiment, the brakes of the vehicle influenced by the control unit.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention Operating and driving control device for a motor vehicle at least one device for collecting information provided the environment of the motor vehicle.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention Operating and driving control device for a motor vehicle is the device for collecting information from the environment of the Motor vehicle a GPS receiver. Here too can be anyway for a navigation system existing GPS receiver be used.

According to one another preferred embodiment of the invention Operating and driving control device for a motor vehicle are the information from the environment of the motor vehicle route information, preferably line gradients and / or gradients.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention Operating and driving control device for a motor vehicle is the device for gathering information from the environment of the motor vehicle, a sensor device for detecting the distance and the speed of preceding vehicles.

According to one another preferred embodiment of the invention Operating and driving control device for a motor vehicle is the sensor device as a sensor device of an adaptive Vehicle speed control formed. Such adaptive cruise control will be Also referred to as ACC and include a system for automatic Speed and distance control.

According to one Another preferred embodiment of the invention Operating and driving control device for a motor vehicle come into question traffic telematics, route and traffic information traffic guidance devices that transmit radio signals to the vehicle.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention Operating and driving control device for a motor vehicle the electronic control unit acts in such a way with the transmission put together that the gearbox automatically into a neutral position is switched when maintaining the speed of the motor vehicle shall be. For example, the transmission can be switched to a neutral position be to maintain a constant speed when the motor vehicle just drove a slope that does not increase the speed leads. This is a particularly fuel-efficient Operation possible.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention Operating and driving control device for a motor vehicle the electronic control unit acts with the clutch Together, the clutch is automatically disconnected to a reduction to effect the speed. So the clutch z. Belly be disconnected to maintain a constant speed, even when the motor vehicle is traveling on a slope. As a result, in turn, a fuel-efficient operation is achieved.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention Operating and driving control device for a motor vehicle the electronic control unit interacts with the engine in such a way that the engine is in neutral with separate clutch or transmission Automatically turns off to reduce the speed to effect or to allow a constant trip. As in the two embodiments mentioned above also saved fuel here. In this embodiment However, it must be ensured that, on the one hand, a safe restart option and on the other hand motor-dependent devices, such as As a power steering, even without the engine on work without complications.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the Control and cruise control device according to the invention for a motor vehicle, the gearbox is automatically restored switched from the neutral position to a shift position, the clutch automatically reconnected and / or the motor automatically switched on again. This takes place independently of any action the driver, whereby this is further relieved.

Around to further increase the ease of use, is the actuator for the specification of the acceleration and / or the actuating element for setting the delay in another preferred embodiment of the invention and cruise control device for a motor vehicle as a rocking pedal or joystick trained.

The inventive method for cruise control a motor vehicle comprises the method steps provide an operating and driving control device of the invention Type and control of the gearbox, the engine and / or the clutch depending on the acceleration specification, the deceleration specification, the predetermined constant vehicle speed and also of Information from the environment of the motor vehicle. In terms of the advantages to the above description of the invention Operating and driving control device for a motor vehicle directed.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention Method for driving control in a motor vehicle is detecting provided by information from the environment of the motor vehicle.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention Method for driving control in a motor vehicle includes the Capturing information from the environment of the motor vehicle Acquire route information and traffic information.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention Method for driving control in a motor vehicle is the other Process step of targeted modification or maintenance the speed by automatically switching the transmission in a neutral position provided.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention Method for driving control in a motor vehicle is the other Process step of targeted modification or maintenance the speed provided by automatic disconnection of the clutch.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention Method for driving control in a motor vehicle is the other Process step of targeted modification or maintenance the speed provided by automatically switching off the engine.

The Shifting the transmission to neutral, releasing the clutch and turning off the engine can be done in any combination respectively.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention Method for driving control in a motor vehicle is the other Process step of the automatic shifting of the transmission of the neutral position back to a switching position and / or automatic reconnection of the clutch and / or automatic Restarting the engine provided.

The Invention will be described below with reference to an exemplary embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings in more detail explained. Show it:

1 a schematic representation of an embodiment of the invention control and cruise control device for a motor vehicle and

2 a flowchart for explaining an embodiment of the method according to the invention for the cruise control of a motor vehicle.

1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of the operating and cruise control device according to the invention 1 for a motor vehicle. From the motor vehicle is also the drive train 2 shown. The powertrain 2 includes a motor 3 , one with the crankshaft of the engine 3 connected coupling 4 and an automatic transmission 5 , The transmission input shaft of the automatic transmission 5 is in turn with the clutch 4 connected. From the automatic transmission 5 Can the torque that was originally from the engine 3 was generated, continue to be transmitted to the wheels of the motor vehicle.

The operating and driving control device 1 of the motor vehicle has an electronic control unit 6 on. The electronic control unit 6 is via a control line 7 with the engine 3 , a control line 8th with the clutch 4 and a control line 9 with the automatic transmission 5 connected. So can the engine 3 , the coupling 4 and the automatic transmission 5 via the respective control lines 7 . 8th . 9 influenced or by the electronic control unit 6 to be controlled. The electronic control unit 6 is further provided with a plurality of sensor devices 10 . 11 . 12 . 13 connected, wherein the sensor device 10 via a measuring line 14 the engine speed, the sensor device 11 via a measuring line 15 the clutch output or transmission input speed, the sensor device 12 via a measuring line 16 Information regarding the gear position of the automatic transmission 5 and the sensor device 13 via a measuring line 17 the transmission output speed to the electronic control unit 6 transmitted.

It is also a driving range selecting unit 22 provided by a line 25 connected to the electronic control unit. So can about the Fahrbereichswähleinheit 22 the driving range can be set by the driver, the electronic control unit 6 over the control lines 8th and 9 a corresponding control of clutch 4 and automatic transmission 5 performs. A display device 18 is over a line 19 with the control unit 6 connected and displays the selected driving range.

The operating and driving control device 1 further comprises a first actuating element 20 and a second actuator 21 , which are each designed as a so-called joystick or joystick. The mentioned actuators 20 . 21 However, can also be advantageously designed as Wipppedale. The first actuator 20 serves to specify the acceleration of the motor vehicle and is via a line 23 with the electronic control unit 6 connected so that the acceleration selected by the driver to the electronic control unit 6 can be transmitted. The second actuator 21 serves the specification of the delay of the motor vehicle and is via a line 24 with the electronic control unit 6 connected, so that the delay selected by the driver to the electronic control unit 6 can be transmitted. The operation of the electronic control unit 6 operatively connected actuators 20 and 21 basically corresponds to the functioning of the in the EP 0 299 959 B1 described acceleration or deceleration pedals, so that reference should be made in this regard to this document.

Instead of z. B. lines 23 . 24 . 25 It is also possible to use optical or wireless connections, including conventional or optical or wireless bus systems, between the components. In the further this is not emphasized any more.

There are also provided two means for detecting information from the environment of the motor vehicle, which in the example shown is a GPS receiver 26 and a sensor device 27 is. The GPS receiver 26 is able to determine the position data of the motor vehicle and, as a result, further information, such as the direction of travel, the future route, the future route inclination, etc. This information can be the GPS receiver 26 over a line 28 to the electronic control unit 6 pass on. In the sensor device 28 it is the sensor device of an adaptive cruise control, which is also referred to as ACC. The sensor device 27 is able to determine the distance to preceding vehicles and their speed. The corresponding data can be sent via a line 29 to the electronic control unit 6 be passed on, which then z. B. causes a delay of the drive train.

Hereinafter, the operation and that of the operating and cruise control device 1 underlying method and other features of the control and cruise control device 1 with reference to the 1 and 2 explained in more detail.

In a first method step S1, the driver gives the acceleration via the first actuating element 20 and the delay over the second actuator 21 in front. If the driver wants to drive at a constant speed, no operation is necessary. After that, the driver is largely dependent on the control and regulation of the drive train 2 relieved. The motor vehicle is accelerated to the desired constant speed, wherein the acceleration of the acceleration default by the first actuator 20 equivalent. The appropriate clutching, shifting and accelerating is provided by the electronic control unit 6 over the control lines 7 . 8th . 9 carried out. Parallel to this method step S1 as well as to all subsequent method steps, the information from the environment of the motor vehicle, namely the route and traffic information, by the GPS receiver 26 , the sensor device 27 and other possible facilities.

Now capture the GPS receiver 26 in conjunction with terrain information also coming from outside the vehicle, for example, that a line gradient is imminent, or detects the sensor device 27 in that a slow vehicle precedes, the speed of the motor vehicle must be correspondingly reduced in order to maintain the predetermined constant speed in the first case and to prevent a collision with the preceding vehicle in the second case. On the basis of this event recorded in S2, the speed of the motor vehicle can be reduced in different ways. Thus, in a method step S3, the automatic transmission 5 from the electronic control unit 6 over the control line 9 be switched to a neutral position, which prevents further transmission of torque to the wheels of the motor vehicle. Also, for example, in a method step S4, the clutch 4 from the electronic control unit 6 over the control line 8th be disconnected, so that no more torque from the engine 3 on the automatic transmission 5 can be transferred. Alternatively or accompanying this could also be the engine 3 in a method step S5 of the electronic control unit 6 over the control line 7 be switched off.

If the distance difference has been overcome or the vehicle driving slowly ahead is no longer in the way, then in a method step S6 the automatic transmission becomes 5 automatically switched from the neutral position to a shift position or the clutch 4 automatically reconnected or the engine 3 automatically switched back on again before the previously passed cruise control by the electronic control unit 6 attacks. All this is done without the driver's intervention, which is largely decoupled from the cruise control, resulting in increased ride comfort and fuel economy. The latter is due to the fact that the control by the driver can not be performed as accurately and adapted to the particular circumstances, as is possible by the electronic control unit.

1

operator and cruise control device

2

powertrain

3

engine

4

clutch

5

automatic transmission

6

electronic control unit

7

control line

8th

control line

9

control line

10

sensor device

11

sensor device

12

sensor device

13

sensor device

14

Measurement line

15

Measurement line

16

Measurement line

17

Measurement line

18

display

19

management

20

first actuator

21

second actuator

22

Fahrbereichswähleinheit

23

management

24

management

25

management

26

GPS receiver

27

sensor device (ACC)

28

management

29

management

S1

first step

S2

second step

S3

third step

S4

fourth step

S5

fifth step

S6

sixth step

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - EP 0299959 B1 [0002, 0035]

Claims (20)

Control and cruise control device ( 1 ) for a motor vehicle with a first actuating element ( 20 ) for specifying the acceleration, a second actuating element ( 21 ) for specifying the delay and at least one electronic control unit ( 6 ) for controlling at least the transmission ( 5 ), of the motor ( 3 ) and the clutch ( 4 ) associated with the first and second actuators ( 20 . 21 ) is in operative connection, wherein the transmission ( 5 ), the motor ( 3 ) and the coupling ( 4 ) by the electronic control unit ( 6 ) are controllable that when changing from operating to non-actuation of the actuators ( 20 . 21 ) existing vehicle speed is maintained, characterized in that the transmission ( 5 ), the motor ( 3 ) and the coupling ( 4 ) are further controllable in dependence on information of the environment of the motor vehicle. Control and ride control device for a motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one device ( 26 . 27 ) is provided for detecting information of the environment of the motor vehicle. Control and ride control device for a motor vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that the device for detecting information from the environment of the motor vehicle, a GPS receiver ( 26 ). Operating and driving control device for a motor vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that the information from the environment of the motor vehicle route information, preferably Line gradients and / or gradients are. Operating and driving control device for a motor vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that the device for detecting information from the environment of the motor vehicle, a sensor device ( 27 ) is for detecting the distance and the speed of preceding motor vehicles. Operating and driving control device for a motor vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that the sensor device ( 27 ) is designed as a sensor device of an adaptive cruise control. Operating and driving control device for a motor vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that the means for Acquisition of information from the environment a receiving device for sending traffic guidance facilities. Operating and driving control device for a motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronic control unit ( 6 ) so with the transmission ( 5 ) cooperates that the transmission ( 5 ) is automatically switchable to a neutral position to effect a targeted change or maintain the speed. Operating and driving control device for a motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronic control unit ( 6 ) in such a way with the coupling ( 4 ) cooperates, that the coupling ( 4 ) is automatically separable to effect a targeted change or maintain the speed. Operating and driving control device for a motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronic control unit ( 6 ) so with the engine ( 3 ) cooperates, that the engine ( 3 ) is automatically switched off to effect a targeted change or retention of the speed. Operating and driving control device for a motor vehicle according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the transmission ( 5 ) automatically switchable back into a shift position, the clutch ( 4 ) automatically reconnectable and / or the engine ( 3 ) is automatically switched back on. Operating and driving control device for a motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first actuating element ( 20 ) for specifying the acceleration and / or the second actuating element ( 21 ) is designed to specify the delay as Wipppedal or joystick. Operating and driving control device for a motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the brakes of the vehicle by the electronic control unit ( 6 ) are controllable such that the existing vehicle speed is maintained. Method for driving control in a motor vehicle with the process steps Provide a control and Cruise control device according to one of the preceding claims and Controlling the transmission, the engine and / or the clutch depending on the acceleration specification, the deceleration specification, the predetermined constant vehicle speed and also of Information from the environment of the motor vehicle. Method for regulating the travel in a motor vehicle according to claim 14, characterized by the further method step acquiring information from the environment of the motor vehicle. Method for driving control in a motor vehicle according to claim 15, characterized in that the detection of Information from the environment of the motor vehicle capturing Includes route information and traffic information. Method for driving control in a motor vehicle according to one of claims 14 to 16, characterized by the further process step targeted change or Maintaining speed by automatically switching the Transmission in a neutral position. Method for driving control in a motor vehicle according to one of claims 14 to 16, characterized by the further process step targeted change or Maintaining speed by automatically disconnecting the clutch. Method for driving control in a motor vehicle according to one of claims 14 to 18, characterized by the further process step targeted change or Maintaining speed by automatically switching off of the motor. Method for driving control in a motor vehicle according to one of claims 17 to 19, characterized by the further process steps automatic switching of the Transmission from the neutral position back to a switching position and or automatic reconnection of the clutch and / or automatic Restart the engine.