JP2003220851A - Driving-state display system for vehicle carrying automatic transmission - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a driving-state display system for a vehicle carrying an automatic transmission, the display system of a simple configuration capable of effectively encouraging the driver to execute a driving operation that enables enhancement of fuel economy when a transmission mode in pursuit of saving fuel consumption is selected. <P>SOLUTION: When an economy transmission mode is selected for improving fuel efficiency, it is determined whether or not the driving operation by the driver is suitable for the enhancement of fuel economy. If it is determined that a driving operation suitable for the improvement of fuel efficiency is being carried out, control is effected to light an eco-lamp 15. If it is determined that a driving operation suitable for the improvement of fuel economy is not being carried out, the eco-lamp 15 is caused to show the state of being off, thus encouraging the driver through the use of the eco-lamp 15 to perform a driving operation suitable for the improvement of fuel economy. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a driving state display device for an automatic transmission-equipped vehicle that performs shift control by selectively using a plurality of shift modes including at least an economy shift mode for pursuing fuel efficiency.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in an automatic transmission, when a select lever is set to a driving range such as a D (drive) range, vehicle speed and throttle opening are used as parameters.
The shift control is performed based on the preset shift characteristic.
Such an automatic transmission control device has a plurality of shift modes having different preset shift characteristics, and controls the automatic transmission while appropriately changing the shift mode by driver selection or the like, thereby improving fuel efficiency. There are those that change the gear shift characteristics in response to various driver requests such as improvement of acceleration characteristics and the like.

For example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 6-159495, when the power traveling switch is pressed, the automatic transmission is controlled in a shift mode in which acceleration is emphasized, and the economical traveling switch is pressed. In this case, the automatic transmission is controlled in the shift mode that emphasizes fuel economy (economy shift mode), and when both the power drive switch and the economical drive switch are not pressed, the automatic transmission is controlled in the normal shift mode. The technology is disclosed. In a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission of this type, indicator lamps that are on / off controlled corresponding to the operation of a power traveling switch or an economical traveling switch are generally provided on the combination meter. The driver recognizes the current shift mode depending on the lighting state of the lamp.

[0004]

By the way, in the automatic transmission in which the shift control is performed as described above, even if the economy shift mode is selected, the driver may excessively depress the accelerator pedal. If the driving operation is frequently performed, the fuel efficiency is reduced. Therefore, in order to make the fuel efficiency improvement in the shift control in the economy shift mode more effective, it is not enough to make the driver recognize the current shift mode. For example, a so-called fuel consumption meter on a combination meter, etc. It is desirable to separately provide the driver with a notification of the current fuel consumption state and the like to prompt the driver to perform a driving operation for improving fuel efficiency.

However, it may be difficult in terms of layout to newly install a fuel consumption meter or the like in a narrow space such as a combination meter, and addition of a new fuel consumption meter or the like causes a complicated structure and manufacturing cost. It also leads to soaring prices.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and effectively prompts the driver to perform a driving operation for improving fuel economy when a shift mode for pursuing fuel economy is selected with a simple structure. It is an object of the present invention to provide a driving state display device for a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission that is capable of performing the above.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an operating state display device for a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission according to a first aspect of the invention has a plurality of shift characteristics including an economy shift mode for pursuing fuel economy. In a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission that is shift-controlled by selectively using different shift modes, display means for displaying whether or not the economy shift mode is selected, and driving by a driver when the economy shift mode is selected. Display control means for determining whether or not the operation is a driving operation suitable for improving fuel efficiency, and driving-controlling the display means in a different display form according to the determination result.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The drawings relate to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an automatic transmission control system, FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an eco lamp lighting control routine, and FIG.
Is a map for driving operation state determination based on engine speed and intake air amount, and FIG. 4 is a map for driving operation state determination based on vehicle speed and accelerator pedal opening.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 indicates an engine mounted on a vehicle, and an automatic transmission 2 is connected to an output shaft (not shown) of the engine 1. The automatic transmission 2 is configured to have a transmission main body 2a capable of performing four forward gears and one reverse gear, for example. The transmission main body 2a includes a torque converter 2b with a lockup clutch, and an engine 1 The driving force from is input.

A transmission control unit (TCU) 3 for controlling the automatic transmission 2 includes an engine control unit (EC) for controlling fuel injection and ignition timing of the engine 1.
U) 4 is connected for bidirectional communication, and signals such as an accelerator opening degree and an intake air amount of the engine 1 are input from the ECU 4.

The TCU 3 receives various sensor signals such as the input shaft rotation speed (that is, the engine rotation speed) and the output shaft rotation speed (that is, the vehicle speed) from the automatic transmission 2, and also from the gear shift operation unit 5. Is input. In this case, the shift operation unit 5
The selector lever is configured to have a shift slot 7 in which selected positions of a driving range (D, 1st speed, 2nd speed, 3rd speed, R range), a neutral (N) range, and a parking (P) range are arranged. Shift slot 7 selected by 6
A signal indicating the upper range is input to TCU3. Further, the shift operation unit 5 is provided with an eco switch 8 for selecting an economy shift mode (described later), and a signal indicating the on / off state of the eco switch 8 is input to the TCU 3. .

The TCU 3 is a CPU, RAM, R (not shown).
The OM and the like are mainly configured by a microcomputer connected to each other via a bus line, and a ROM of the TCU 3 is provided for performing a shift control of the automatic transmission 2 with a shift characteristic relatively emphasizing acceleration. A normal shift mode and an economy shift mode for performing shift control of the automatic transmission 2 with shift characteristics for pursuing fuel economy are set. Then, in the TCU 3, when the travel range is selected by the select lever 6, one of the shift modes is selectively used to perform the shift control of the automatic transmission 2. Specifically, T
The CU 3 selects the normal speed change mode when the eco switch 8 is off, while selecting the economy speed change mode when the eco switch 8 is on, and based on the selected speed change mode, the vehicle speed and the throttle opening are mainly set as parameters. Shift control of the automatic transmission 2 is performed.

The TCU 3 also has a function as a display control means, and is an eco lamp 1 as a display means for displaying whether or not the economy shift mode is currently selected.
Control 5 In this case, the TCU 3 determines whether or not the driving operation by the driver is a driving operation suitable for improving the fuel efficiency when the economy shift mode is selected, and the ECU 15 is drive-controlled to a different display form according to the determination result. In the present embodiment, when the TCU 3 determines that the driving operation by the driver is a driving operation suitable for improving fuel efficiency, the TCU 3 turns on the eco lamp 15 (continuously lights), and the driving operation by the driver is not suitable for improving fuel efficiency. If it is determined that the eco lamp 15 is turned off, the eco lamp 15 is turned off.

When the normal shift mode is selected, the TCU 3 always turns off the eco lamp 15 regardless of the driving condition.

Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the eco lamp 1
5 is a fuel meter 16, a speedometer 17, A
It is arranged on the combination meter 21 together with the T position indicator 18, the tachometer 19, the water temperature gauge 20, and the like.

Next, the eco lamp 15 to be performed in TCU3
The lighting control of will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

This routine is executed every predetermined time. First, in step S101, it is checked whether or not the eco switch 8 is on.

When it is determined in step S101 that the eco switch 8 is off, the process proceeds to step S102, the eco lamp 15 is turned off, and the flag F1 is set to "1" (F1 ← 1). Then exit the routine. That is, when the eco switch 8 is in the off state, the TCU 3 turns off the eco lamp 15 so that the driver recognizes that the automatic transmission 2 is currently under the shift control in the normal shift mode. Here, the flag F1 is set to "1" when the eco lamp 15 is actually turned on and when the eco lamp 15 is actually turned off when the economy shift mode is selected.
Although the flag is set to 0 ", when the economy shift mode is not selected (that is, when the normal shift mode is selected),
The flag F1 is set to the initial state (F1 = 1).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S101 that the eco switch 8 is on, the process proceeds to step S103. In step S103, the shift range currently selected by the driver is the D range, P
Check whether it is the range, the N range, or the R range.

If it is determined in step S103 that the current shift range is neither the D, P, N, R range, the process proceeds to step S102 to turn off the eco lamp 15 and set the flag F1 to "1". After setting to "" (F1 ← 1), exit the routine. That is, even if the economy shift mode is selected, if the 1st to 3rd speed range is selected by the driver's operation, driving for improving fuel economy cannot be expected, so even in such a case, The eco lamp 15 is turned off, and the flag F1 is set to the initial state (F1 = 1).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S103 that the current shift range is one of the D, P, N, and R ranges, then the process proceeds to step S104, in which the engine speed and the intake air amount are defined. It is checked whether or not the first driving operation state is within the eco area suitable for improving fuel efficiency. Specifically, in step S104, for example, TCU
The first driving operation state is determined with reference to the map stored in 3. The map in this case is, for example, the ECU 4
The basic fuel injection amount is set substantially corresponding to the map for setting the basic fuel injection amount, and the basic fuel injection amount is controlled to the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio or the lean air-fuel ratio as shown in FIG. The eco-region is set substantially corresponding to (that is, the region where the power increase correction due to the high load and the high rotation of the engine 1 is not performed).

Then, in step S104, the first
If it is determined that the driving operation state of No. is within the eco area, the process proceeds to step S111, and the eco-drive determination flag F
Is set to "0" (F ← 0), the process proceeds to step S112, the eco lamp 15 is controlled to be turned off, and the flag F1 is set.
After setting 0 to “0” (F1 ← 0), exit the routine. That is, when the basic fuel injection amount is corrected to increase the power or the like, the fuel consumption is expected to decrease. Therefore, the eco lamp 15 is controlled to be turned off to prompt the driver to perform a driving operation for improving the fuel consumption. Here, the ecological traveling determination flag F
Is set to "1" when it is determined that the current driving operation state is suitable for improving fuel efficiency.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the first driving operation state is within the eco area, the routine proceeds to step S105,
It is checked whether the second driving operation state defined by the vehicle speed and the accelerator pedal opening is within the eco area. Specifically, in step S105, the second driving operation state is determined with reference to, for example, a map for each shift speed stored in the TCU 3. The map in this case is set, for example, substantially corresponding to the map for lockup control stored in the TCU 3, and the ecological region is set substantially corresponding to the region where the lockup clutch is engaged and controlled. (For example, FIG. 4 shows a map at 4th speed).

Then, in step S105, the second
If it is determined that the driving operation state of No. is within the eco area, the process proceeds to step S111, and the eco-drive determination flag F
Is set to "0" (F ← 0), the process proceeds to step S112, the eco lamp 15 is controlled to be turned off, and the flag F1 is set.
After setting 0 to “0” (F1 ← 0), exit the routine. That is, when the lock-up clutch is controlled to be released, the fuel consumption is expected to decrease, so the eco lamp 15 is controlled to be turned off to prompt the driver to perform a driving operation for improving the fuel consumption.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the second driving operation state is within the eco area, the routine proceeds to step S106,
Check whether the current vehicle speed is below the allowable speed. Here, the permissible speed is set to, for example, a speed at which the vehicle is permissible by a legal speed or the like.

When it is determined in step S106 that the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than the allowable speed, the process proceeds to step S111, the ecological traveling determination flag F is set to "0" (F ← 0), and the process proceeds to step S112. Go ahead, eco lamp 1
After controlling the turn-off of 5 and setting the flag F1 to "0" (F1 ← 0), the routine exits. That is, when the vehicle is traveling at a speed higher than the speed allowed by the legal speed, etc., it is assumed that the fuel consumption will decrease.
The eco lamp 15 is controlled to be turned off to prompt the driver to perform a driving operation for improving fuel efficiency.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S106 that the vehicle speed is lower than the allowable speed, the process proceeds to step S107, and the ecological traveling determination flag F is set to "1" (F ← 1), and then step S108. Proceed to.

In step S108, whether or not the eco lamp 15 is currently extinguished is checked based on the state of the flag F1, and it is determined that the flag F1 = 1 and the eco lamp 15 is not extinguished (that is, If it is determined that the eco lamp 15 is currently lit), the process jumps to step S110 to continue the lighting control of the eco lamp 15 and maintain the flag F1 at "1" (F1 ←
After 1), exit the routine.

On the other hand, in step S108, when the flag F1 = 0 and it is determined that the eco lamp 15 is off, the process proceeds to step S109, and the state of the ecological traveling determination flag F = 1 is t seconds (for example, (2 seconds) Check whether it continues for more than 2 seconds.

When it is determined in step S109 that the state of the flag F = 1 continues for t seconds or more, the process proceeds to step S110, and the eco lamp 110 is switched from the extinguishing control to the lighting control and the flag F1 is set.
After setting 1 to “1” (F1 ← 1), exit the routine.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S109 that the state of the flag F = 1 has not continued for t seconds or more, the process proceeds to step S112 to continue the extinguishing control of the eco lamp 15 and set the flag F1 to "0". After maintaining "F1 ← 0", the routine exits. That is, by providing a delay time of t seconds until the eco lamp 15 is switched from the extinction control to the extinction control, the eco lamp 15 is excessively sensitive to the driving operation state, and the eco lamp 15 is turned on and off unnecessarily. Prevent that.

According to such an embodiment, when the economy shift mode, which is the shift mode for improving fuel economy, is selected, it is determined whether or not the driving operation by the driver is a driving operation suitable for improving fuel economy. When it is determined that a driving operation suitable for improving fuel efficiency is performed, the eco lamp 15 is turned on, and when it is determined that a driving operation suitable for improving fuel efficiency is not performed, the eco lamp 15 is displayed off. As a result, the eco lamp 15 can prompt a driving operation for improving fuel efficiency.

That is, when the economy shift mode is selected and it is determined that the driving operation for improving the fuel efficiency is not performed, the eco lamp 15 is controlled to be turned off so that the eco lamp 15 has a function equivalent to that of a so-called fuel consumption meter. Can be given. Therefore, a layout problem caused by newly installing a fuel consumption meter or the like does not occur, and moreover, it is possible to prevent the structure from becoming complicated and the manufacturing cost from rising.

Further, since the determination of the driving operation state performed by the TCU 3 uses the information used for the shift control of the automatic transmission 2, it is necessary to input new information for the determination of the driving operation state into the TCU 3. And the controllability can be improved. Specifically, for example, by determining the driving operation state based on the engine speed and the intake air amount, it is not necessary to newly input information such as the fuel injection amount from the ECU 4, and the above determination is performed by simple control. be able to.

In the above embodiment, an example in which the eco lamp 15 is turned off to prompt the driver to perform a driving operation for improving fuel consumption has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. By blinking the eco lamp 15, the driver may be prompted to perform a driving operation for improving fuel efficiency.

Further, the display means is not limited to the above eco lamp, and for example, an indicator or the like capable of selectively displaying a plurality of types of characters and marks may be used.

[0037]

As described above, according to the present invention, the driver is effectively urged to perform a driving operation for improving fuel efficiency when a shift mode for pursuing fuel efficiency is selected with a simple structure. It's a matter of fact.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an automatic transmission control system.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an eco lamp lighting control routine.

FIG. 3 is a map for determining a driving operation state based on an engine speed and an intake air amount.

FIG. 4 is a map for determining a driving operation state based on a vehicle speed and an accelerator pedal opening.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 ... Automatic transmission 3 ... Transmission control device (display control means) 15… Eco lamp (display means)

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Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission that is shift-controlled by selectively using a plurality of shift modes having different shift characteristics, including an economy shift mode for fuel economy pursuit, wherein the economy shift mode is selected. Whether or not the driving operation by the driver at the time of selecting the economy shift mode is a driving operation suitable for improving fuel efficiency, and the display means is displayed differently depending on the result of the judgment. And a display control means for controlling the driving of the automatic transmission. 2. The display control means determines whether or not the driving operation by the driver is a driving operation suitable for improving fuel consumption, using information used for shift control of the automatic transmission. 1. A driving state display device for a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission according to 1.