JP2002187452A - Speed control device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a speed control device that can set the present vehicle speed as its highest speed and control vehicle speed not to exceed such a set value as well as maintain a plurality of set values. SOLUTION: According to an operational input made by a driver, a vehicle's present speed v is set as the maximum speed Vmax. The vehicle is controlled in a way that the maximum speed is not exceeded. The device not only controls a car not to exceed the fastest speed set in this way but also holds a plurality of set values in a memory area. In addition, in accordance with an operation of a resume switch, the device makes it possible to make use of the fastest speed ever set and held.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is used for controlling the speed of an automobile. The present invention relates to an improvement in an apparatus for automatically controlling fuel (or electric current) supplied to an engine of an automobile in accordance with a current vehicle speed v. The present invention relates to an improvement of a maximum speed limiting device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A maximum speed Vmax is set in a memory thereof by using a program control circuit mounted on an automobile, and the current vehicle speed v is fetched. There is known a vehicle speed limiting device that automatically limits fuel supply so as not to exceed a set maximum speed Vmax. This is a device designed to protect the engine and other machinery mounted on the vehicle, rather than for traffic safety, and to prevent the vehicle from running at speeds exceeding the maximum speed allowed by the design of the vehicle. It is. Therefore, the maximum speed Vmax is fixedly set when the vehicle is shipped from the factory, and the user of the vehicle does not arbitrarily change the setting of the maximum speed Vmax.

[0003] On the other hand, an auto cruise device is widely known. This is a device provided for use on a highway for a long time, for example, provided with an operation switch that can be operated by the driver while driving, and when the operation switch is operated, the current vehicle speed v Is set as the cruising speed Vc,
This is a device for automatically controlling the vehicle speed v as a target value so that the current vehicle speed v always becomes the cruising speed Vc. When the driver operates this operation switch when it is determined that the vehicle has entered a state where a steady speed can be maintained in the driving lane while traveling on the highway, the vehicle speed v will continue to cruise even if the accelerator pedal is released thereafter. Control is performed to maintain the speed Vc, and the automatic control state is automatically released by a driving operation such as stepping on a brake pedal.

[0004] The present applicant has disclosed invention relates to vehicle speed control device that combines the maximum speed limiting device and the auto-cruise device (JP-A 11-189068, JP-hereinafter referred to as "prior application publication"). This prior publication disclosed a device in which the vehicle is the value of the traveling speed during traveling can be set as the maximum speed of the maximum speed controller. For example, the vehicle speed while traveling a highway 80
If the driver operates the set switch at km / h, the vehicle speed will not exceed 80 km / h no matter how much the accelerator pedal is depressed thereafter. However, due to the driving operation to reduce the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal, 80
It is possible to run at a speed of less than km / h. Therefore, in this device, the vehicle speed is automatically maintained at 80 km / h by setting the maximum speed value to 80 km / h and driving with the accelerator pedal kept deep, and the inter-vehicle distance to the preceding vehicle is reduced. When the vehicle becomes smaller, the accelerator pedal can be adjusted to drive at a speed of 80 km / h or less.

[0005] This device has the effect of preventing drowsy driving by keeping stepping on the accelerator pedal, rather than releasing the foot from the accelerator pedal, and furthermore, as a device capable of reducing fatigue due to prolonged driving. Has been well received by The above-mentioned prior application also describes that it is possible to use both the maximum speed limiting device of the set speed variable type and the automatic cruise device that maintains the running speed constant.

[0006]

[0007] The devices disclosed in the above prior application publication is one that can be set only one as the maximum speed setting. For example, it is assumed that when the vehicle speed reaches 80 km / h while traveling on a highway, the vehicle is traveling with this value set as the maximum speed setting value. Even if this vehicle descends from a highway to an ordinary road, if the speed control device is to be used, the set switch is operated when the vehicle speed reaches 60 km / h to set the maximum speed setting value again. I have to do it again. Then, when the vehicle travels with the maximum speed set to 60 km / h, the vehicle speed does not exceed 60 km / h when the accelerator pedal is depressed again, so that the set value of the maximum speed is released once ( Alternatively, it is necessary to depress the accelerator pedal to accelerate the vehicle speed to 80 km / h, and then operate the set switch again. This is a complicated operation, and the operation is often performed with the setting of the maximum speed released or with the set value of the maximum speed set to a large value such as 100 km / h.

To reset the value of the maximum speed from the current set value to a higher value or a lower value, an up / down switch is provided so that the driver can change the set value of the maximum speed up and down by operation. Although it is conceivable to configure
This is not a desirable setting method from the viewpoint of traffic safety, since the numerical value is set while watching the display during the driving operation during traveling. Also, since the actual running value is not set as the set value, it cannot be used like an auto cruiser.

[0008] Incidentally, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-294215, an apparatus for controlling so as not to exceed the maximum speed,
There is disclosed an apparatus in which the value of the maximum speed is fixedly set in advance for a plurality of values, and the driver selects and sets one of the values by an operation switch. However, in the conventional device disclosed in this publication, the driver selects the set value of the maximum speed from the values already set, and cannot change and set arbitrarily according to the actual running of the vehicle.

The present invention has been made in such a background, and allows a driver to arbitrarily set a maximum speed value in accordance with a traveling state, and to set a plurality of values of the maximum speed once set. It is an object of the present invention to provide a device that can hold the value of. An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic speed control device that reduces driver fatigue when driving for a long time. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a device capable of driving without exceeding a safe speed recognized by a driver. An object of the present invention is to provide a device capable of performing economical driving by reducing fluctuations in vehicle speed.

[0010]

According to the present invention, the set value of the maximum speed can be safely set according to the operation of the driver in accordance with the actual running of the vehicle, and the set value once set is retained. , So that a new maximum speed can be set.

That is, the present invention provides a maximum speed (Vmax)
(1) that stores the current vehicle speed (v) and automatic control means (11) that controls the vehicle speed so that the current vehicle speed does not exceed the maximum speed set in the memory (v ≦ Vmax).
A set switch (5) that can be operated by the driver; and means (1) for setting the current vehicle speed (v) in the memory as a value of the maximum speed (Vmax) by operating the set switch.
0), the memory (1) stores the plurality of n maximum speed values (Vmax1, Vmax2,
.. Vmaxn) can be stored.
And Li ethidium switch driver can operate (6), and means for selecting one of the maximum speed value of the plurality of n in accordance with the operation of the re indium switch (6) as a set value of the speed control (10) It is characterized by the following.

The numerals or symbols in the parentheses are reference numerals in the drawings of the embodiment device described later. This is added so that the contents of the invention can be easily understood, and is not intended to limit the invention of the present application to the examples.
The same applies to the following description.

According to this configuration, a plurality of n maximum speed values can be safely set in the driving operation, and the recently set values can be held in a plurality of n memory areas. it can. According to this device, the maximum speed of the highway (for example, 8
0km / h), the maximum speed of general roads (eg 60km / h)
h), the maximum speed of a city road (eg, 35 km / h), and the like can be used. In addition to this usage, it is not always the legal maximum speed, but rather a value that is slightly lower (or higher) than the legal maximum speed according to each road condition, or is often good at delivering goods Speed limit at the premises (ex: 15km
/ H), the speed control device can be used in a use area that cannot be obtained with the above-described conventional example device.

The present invention provides a cancel switch (7) which can be operated by a driver, means for stopping the use of the speed control device by operating the cancel switch (7), the iridium switch (6) and the cancel switch. A configuration may be provided that includes a release unit that clears the contents of the memory (1) by the combination operation of (7). This configuration makes it easier to use the speed control device of the present invention in the driving operation.

The apparatus of the present invention includes an auto cruiser which is conventionally used if necessary (a device which maintains the vehicle speed at that time even if the foot is released from the accelerator pedal when set to the use state during traveling). They can be used together.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an embodiment of the present invention.

The apparatus according to the present invention uses a vehicle speed sensor 13, a rotational speed sensor 14, an accelerator sensor 15 and a brake sensor 16 to determine the vehicle speed, the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine 23, the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal 24, the brake The amount of depression of the pedal 25 is taken into the control circuit 10 via the interface circuit 20, and the control circuit 1
0 transmits a control signal to the electronic governor 26, is configured to control the fuel supply to the internal combustion engine 23 from the fuel injection pump 27. This control circuit 10 has a maximum speed Vm
a for storing the current vehicle speed v and the current vehicle speed v
Not exceed the maximum speed Vmax (v ≦ Vmax)
Automatic control means 11 for controlling the vehicle speed v.

[0018] Here, as a feature of the present invention, the n region capable of storing a plurality of n different values of maximum velocity Vmax is provided in the memory 1. In this embodiment a n = 3. A set switch 5 and a iridium switch 6 that can be operated by the driver during driving
The indicator 4 is disposed at a position where the driver can see the driver's seat. The present vehicle speed v can be set as a maximum speed Vmax in one area of the memory 1 by a combination operation of the set switch 5 and the iridium switch 6.

FIG. 2 shows an alarm device 3 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
And a display 4, set switch 5 is a diagram showing an arrangement example of such re ethidium switch 6 and the cancel switch 7,. Further, in the apparatus of this embodiment, a cancel switch 7 which can be operated by a driver is provided. When the cancel switch is operated shortly and the hand is released, the operation of the speed limiting device is stopped, and the cancel switch is extended. When the operation is performed (1 second or more in this example), the contents stored in the area of the memory 1 currently in use are erased.

In this example, the set switch 5, the iridium switch 6, and the cancel switch 7 are arranged on the steering wheel 28 which is easy for the driver to operate while driving. The alarm device 3 is a device that accelerates on a downhill or the like during traveling using the vehicle speed limiting device and generates an audible alarm when the vehicle speed v exceeds a set maximum speed. The display 4 is arranged on the instrument panel alongside the speedometer.

As shown in the lower left position of FIG. 1, the display 4 has three display windows 4a, 4b,
4c is provided, and the value of the currently set maximum speed is displayed in each display window by lightning and numeral. A colored indicator lamp is provided above each display window, and a currently selected area of the three memory areas is lit and displayed.
The example of FIG. 1 indicates that 35 km / h, 60 km / h, and 80 km / h are respectively set as the maximum speeds in the three memory areas.

Next, a description will be given of the speed control operation in the apparatus according to the present invention thus constituted. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a main part of the flow of the speed control operation in the embodiment of the present invention.

When the vehicle starts driving, the automatic control means 1
Reference numeral 1 fetches the current vehicle speed v from the vehicle speed sensor 13 and compares it with the maximum speed Vmax of the vehicle set at the time of shipment. As a result of this comparison, if the current vehicle speed v exceeds the maximum vehicle speed Vmax, the alarm means sends an alarm signal to the alarm device 3 arranged in the driver's seat to generate an alarm. At the same time, the automatic control means 11 controls the electronic governor 26 so that the fuel injection pump 2
7 to adjust the fuel injection amount to the internal combustion engine 23 to maintain the current vehicle speed at or below the maximum vehicle speed Vmax.

If the set switch 5 of the device according to the present invention is operated by the driver while such vehicle speed control is being performed, the state of the iridium switch 6 is captured. When the operation of the set switch 5 is for a short time (eg, 1 second or less), the maximum speed Vmax of the memory area designated by the iridium switch 6 is fetched as a simple set command, and the current vehicle speed v is reduced to the value or less. Control is performed as follows. The maximum speed Vmax of the designated memory area is a value displayed on the display window of the display 4 where the colored indicator light is on. When the operation of the set switch 5 is for a long time (eg, more than 1 second), the current vehicle speed v is set to the maximum speed Vmax of the memory area, and the maximum speed Vmax of the memory area is rewritten. The maximum speed control based on Vmax is executed.

When the cancel switch 7 is operated, if the operation time of the cancel switch 7 is short, the maximum speed control by the apparatus of the present invention is stopped, and the initial state, that is, the maximum speed set when the vehicle is shipped, is set. The control based on the set value of is executed. When the operation time of the cancel switch 7 is long, the current vehicle speed v is used as an instruction to rewrite the maximum speed set value of the currently specified memory area.
Is rewritten as the set value of the maximum speed Vmax of the memory area, and the vehicle speed control based on the maximum speed Vmax is executed.

[0026] To describe the operation time for each operation switch, instruction by whether the operation time of the set switch 5 is short (to less than 1 second) or longer (and more than 1 second) is as follows. When the set switch is operated for a short time, it is a simple ON / OFF command. And execute the control. If the set switch 5 is operated shortly while the control device is operating, the control device stops operating. When the set switch is operated for a long time, the value of the maximum speed of the specified memory area is rewritten, and the current vehicle speed v is set as the maximum speed Vmax in the memory area so that the current vehicle speed v does not exceed the maximum speed Vmax. To control.

When the operation time of the iridium switch 6 is short (less than 1 second), the iridium switch 6
There switches the memory region by one step each time it is operated. That is, the lighting position of the colored indicator lamp above each display window of the display 4 moves one by one, and the value of the maximum speed selected and set is changed. When the operation time of the iridium switch 6 is long (more than one second), the set value of the maximum speed is slightly increased as the current vehicle speed v increases, and
Is fixed to the value of the current vehicle speed v at the time when is turned off. When the operation of the re-set value Vmax which is slightly by indium switch 6 once the device is stopped, automatically returns to the setting value Vmax that was set before not be stored.

When the operation time of the cancel switch 7 is short (less than 1 second), an instruction is issued to stop the operation of the maximum speed limiting device. That is, the control based on the maximum speed value set by the user for the device is stopped, and the control is performed so that the current vehicle speed does not exceed the mechanical maximum speed limit value set at the time of factory shipment. If the operation time of the cancel switch 7 is long (more than one second), the instruction is to erase the maximum speed of the memory area currently used.

This device can be used with a well-known auto cruiser. The auto cruiser is a device that, when set to a use state by a switch operation during traveling, controls so that the vehicle speed at that time is maintained even when the accelerator pedal is released. This control can be shifted to the auto cruiser control as described in the lowermost row of FIG. The use of the automatic cruiser together with the automatic cruiser is described in detail in the above-mentioned prior application, and can be carried out in the same manner as the description.

[0030]

As described above, according to the present invention, the driver can arbitrarily set the value of the maximum speed according to the traveling state, and can set the value of the maximum speed once set for a plurality of values. Can be held. When entering or exiting an expressway or a regular road, the previously set and retained maximum speed value can be used as the set value, so perform the setting operation again or cancel the previous setting. This eliminates the need for an operation such as performing a setting operation, and is convenient and safe as an operation performed by the driver during traveling. The device of the present invention reduces driver fatigue when driving for a long time. Also the apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to perform the operation by setting the maximum speed so as not to exceed a safe speed the driver has recognized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an arrangement of a driver's seat in the embodiment of the present invention.

[Figure 3] principal part flowchart showing the flow rate control operation in the present invention embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Memory 3 Alarm device 4 Display 5 Set switch 6 Rhidium switch 7 Cancel switch 10 Control circuit 11 Automatic control means 13 Vehicle speed sensor 14 Rotation speed sensor 15 Accelerator sensor 16 Brake sensor 17 Actuator 18 Accelerator cable 20 Interface circuit 23 Internal combustion Engine 24 Accelerator pedal 25 Brake pedal 26 Electronic governor 27 Fuel injection pump 28 Steering wheel

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A memory for storing a maximum speed, an automatic control means for taking in the current vehicle speed and controlling the vehicle speed so that the current vehicle speed does not exceed the maximum speed set in the memory, and a set switch operable by a driver. Means for setting the current vehicle speed as a maximum speed value in the memory by operating the set switch, wherein the memory includes an area for storing a plurality of maximum speed values, and is operated by the driver. A speed control device, comprising: a possible iridium switch; and means for selecting one of the plurality of maximum speed values as a speed control set value according to operation of the iridium switch. 2. A cancel switch which can be operated by a driver, means for stopping use of the speed control device by operating the cancel switch, and cancellation for clearing the contents of the memory by operating the iridium switch and the cancel switch in combination. And means.
The speed control device as described.