JP2008247151A - Power control device and power control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power control device and a power control method that enables a driver to sense breaking power caused by the brake pedaling, that is, for enabling the driver to sense that the operation of the brake is effective, even when the driver performs the brake pedaling during traveling at a constant speed, while applying breaking power to a vehicle under constant speed traveling control. <P>SOLUTION: A power control device acquires operation information, acquires operation information, a brake power value and a constant speed power value if the acquired operation information shows "in operation", maintains constant speed traveling control, and when the acquired operation information is "in operated" and the acquired constant power value is a negative value, maintains constant speed traveling control, if the acquired brake power value is not smaller than the constant speed power value, and releases the constant speed traveling control, if the acquired brake power value is smaller than the constant speed power value. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a power control device and a power control method for controlling power applied to a vehicle.

  For example, Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2 may be cited as techniques relating to constant speed traveling control of a vehicle (controlling power applied to the vehicle so that the vehicle travels at a constant speed).

  Patent Document 1 discloses a technique relating to a hybrid vehicle that sets a vehicle driving force so that linearity is high with respect to a vehicle drive command value during constant speed traveling, and a control method therefor. According to this, it is possible to quickly stabilize the target vehicle speed even on a downhill by generating negative power (braking force).

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-133867 discloses a vehicle that controls the power for traveling so that the vehicle speed detected when the accelerator is off from the accelerator-on state is set to the target vehicle speed, and the vehicle is driven at the set target vehicle speed, and a control method therefor. Is disclosed. According to this, it is possible to perform constant speed traveling more easily and quickly and perform constant speed traveling according to the driving state.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-20820 JP 2006-281899 A

  However, in the techniques disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, when the driver steps on the brake while driving the vehicle at a constant speed while applying a braking force to the vehicle by the constant speed running control, the vehicle runs at a constant speed. Since the control is released and the braking force applied to the vehicle is temporarily reduced (see FIG. 4 showing an example of the prior art), it is difficult for the driver to temporarily feel the braking force due to the depression of the brake. If it is not effective, there is a problem that the driver is temporarily easy to feel.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and is a case where a driver steps on a brake while driving the vehicle at a constant speed while applying a braking force to the vehicle by constant speed traveling control. Another object of the present invention is to provide a power control device and a power control method that allow the driver to feel the braking force due to depression of the brake, that is, the driver can feel that the brake is working.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the power control device according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a constant-speed traveling control unit that controls power to be applied to the vehicle so that the vehicle travels at a constant speed. An operation information acquisition means for acquiring operation information regarding whether or not the vehicle is operating, an operation information acquisition means for acquiring operation information regarding whether or not the brake pedal of the vehicle is being operated, and a constant speed traveling control means. A power control device comprising: constant speed power acquisition means for acquiring constant speed power that is the power to be given to the vehicle due to control; and power control means for controlling the power to be given to the vehicle. The control means is that the operation information acquired by the operation information acquisition means is operating, the constant speed power acquired by the constant speed power acquisition means is negative, and the operation information acquisition is performed. If is that the operation information acquired by the means is operated, the power to be supplied to the vehicle and controlling below the constant-speed power.

  A power control apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the power control apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the brake power acquisition means acquires the brake power that is the power to be given to the vehicle due to the operation of the brake pedal. The power control means further includes the constant speed traveling control means that operates the power to be given to the vehicle when the brake power acquired by the brake power acquisition means is equal to or higher than the constant speed power. To control to the constant speed power.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the power control apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the power control means includes at least the brake until the brake power becomes less than the constant speed power. The power acquisition means is repeatedly executed, and the power given to the vehicle is controlled to be maintained at the constant speed power by the constant speed traveling control means that is operating.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the power control apparatus according to the second or third aspect, wherein the power control means further includes the brake power acquired by the brake power acquisition means. When the power is less than the constant speed power, the constant speed traveling control means that is operating is stopped, and the power applied to the vehicle is controlled to be equal to or less than the brake power.

  Further, the present invention relates to a power control method, and the power control method according to claim 5 according to the present invention operates a constant speed traveling control means for controlling the power applied to the vehicle so that the vehicle travels at a constant speed. An operation information acquisition step for acquiring operation information regarding whether or not the vehicle is operating, an operation information acquisition step for acquiring operation information regarding whether or not the brake pedal of the vehicle is being operated, and control by the constant speed traveling control means A constant speed power acquisition step of acquiring constant speed power that is the power to be given to the vehicle, and a power control step of controlling the power to be given to the vehicle, wherein the power control step Is that the operation information acquired in the operation information acquisition step is operating, and the constant speed power acquired in the constant speed power acquisition step If negative and is and the operation information acquired by the operation information acquisition step is that being operated, the power to be supplied to the vehicle and controlling below the constant-speed power.

  A power control method according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the power control method according to the fifth aspect, wherein the brake power that acquires the brake power that is the power to be given to the vehicle due to the operation of the brake pedal is acquired. The power control step further includes an acquisition step, and the power control step further operates the constant speed running when the brake power acquired in the brake power acquisition step is greater than or equal to the constant speed power. Control is made to the constant speed power by the control means.

  The power control method according to claim 7 of the present invention is the power control method according to claim 6, wherein the power control step includes at least the brake until the brake power becomes less than the constant speed power. The power acquisition step is repeatedly executed, and the power to be given to the vehicle is controlled to be maintained at the constant speed power by the constant speed traveling control means that is operating.

  The power control method according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the power control method according to the sixth or seventh aspect, wherein the power control step further includes the brake power acquired in the brake power acquisition step. When the power is less than the constant speed power, the constant speed traveling control means that is operating is stopped, and the power applied to the vehicle is controlled to be equal to or less than the brake power.

  According to the power control device and the power control method of the present invention, the acquired operation information is operating, the acquired constant speed power is negative, and the acquired operation information is being operated. In this case, since the power applied to the vehicle is controlled to be equal to or less than the constant speed power, when the driver steps on the brake while driving the vehicle at a constant speed while applying the braking force to the vehicle by the constant speed traveling control, Even if it exists, there exists an effect that a driver can feel the braking force resulting from the depression of the brake, that is, the driver can feel that the brake is effective. In the power control means of the present invention, “control” means, for example, direct control by the power control means or indirectly control by other power control means (for example, constant speed traveling control means). Including things.

  Further, according to the power control device and the power control method according to the present invention, when the obtained brake power is equal to or higher than the constant speed power, the power to be given to the vehicle is controlled by the constant speed traveling control means that is operating. Since the power is controlled, there is an effect that the constant speed traveling control being executed can be maintained according to the braking force resulting from the depression of the brake. Further, according to the power control device and the power control method according to the present invention, since the constant speed traveling control being executed is maintained even when the driver steps on the brake, the resource can be effectively used.

  Further, according to the power control device and the power control method according to the present invention, at least the brake power is repeatedly acquired until the brake power becomes less than the constant speed power, and the power to be given to the vehicle is operated. Since the high-speed running control means controls to maintain the constant speed power, the driver feels the braking force due to the depression of the brake while the driver keeps stepping on the brake, that is, if the brake is effective, the driver There is an effect that you can feel it.

  Further, according to the power control device and the power control method of the present invention, when the brake power is less than the constant speed power, the operating constant speed traveling control means is stopped and the power given to the vehicle is less than the brake power. Therefore, it is possible to cancel the running constant speed running control according to the braking force resulting from the depression of the brake.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a power control device and a power control method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited by this Embodiment.

[1. Outline of the embodiment]
First, an outline of the power control apparatus and the power control method according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a power control device and a power control method according to the present embodiment.

  When the vehicle travels on a downward slope while constant speed traveling control is being executed, negative power (braking force) is normally generated due to the constant speed traveling control, and this is the vehicle. It is reflected in. If the brake is further depressed in this situation, the constant speed traveling control is normally canceled and the normal control is restored, and the braking force resulting from the brake operation is reflected in the vehicle.

  However, at this time, a phenomenon may occur in which the vehicle cannot temporarily maintain a constant speed because the braking force resulting from the brake operation is greater than the braking force resulting from the constant speed traveling control (see FIG. 4). Due to this phenomenon, the driver may feel that “the brake does not work”. Note that in a situation where the accelerator is not stepped on while driving under normal control, a slight braking force equivalent to the engine brake is reflected in the vehicle, and even if the brake is stepped on in this situation, the braking operation is not controlled. Since the power is smaller than this slight braking force, the above phenomenon does not occur.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, when the brake is stepped on while the braking force is generated on the vehicle during the constant speed traveling control, the brake operation is performed. Until the braking force due to constant speed traveling control falls below the braking force due to constant speed traveling control, the constant speed traveling control is maintained without being released, and the braking force due to braking operation falls below the braking force due to constant speed traveling control. To cancel the constant speed running control and return to normal control.

[2. Configuration of the embodiment]
Next, the configuration of an ECU (electronic control unit) 10 including the power control apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the ECU 10, and conceptually shows only the portion related to the present invention.

  The ECU 10 is roughly divided into a control unit 12 such as a CPU that controls the ECU, and a storage unit 14 that stores various databases, tables, files, programs, and the like. It is connected so that it can communicate via. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that ECU 10 is attached to the hybrid vehicle.

  The ECU 10 includes an input / output interface and a communication interface (not shown), a constant speed traveling operation switch 20, a vehicle speed sensor 22, a brake pedal position sensor 24 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a brake sensor 24), an engine 30, a motor 32, and the like. Connected through. The constant speed travel operation switch 20 is a switch that can be operated by the driver, and is used to instruct the constant speed travel control unit 12a described later to execute or cancel the constant speed travel control. The vehicle speed sensor 22 detects the vehicle speed. The brake sensor 24 detects that the brake pedal is depressed, the depression amount, and the depression speed. The engine 30 is an internal combustion engine capable of generating power for driving the vehicle (a driving force that is positive power and a braking force that is negative power). The motor 32 is an electric motor capable of generating power (driving force, braking force) for running the vehicle.

  The storage unit 14 is a storage unit, and for example, a memory device such as a RAM / ROM, a fixed disk device such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, an optical disk, or the like can be used. The storage unit 10b stores a computer program for giving various instructions to the CPU in cooperation with an OS (Operating System).

  The control unit 12 has an internal memory for storing a control program such as an OS (Operating System), a program defining various processing procedures, and necessary data, and performs various information processing based on these programs. Execute. As shown in the figure, the control unit 12 is roughly divided into a constant speed traveling control unit 12a, an operation information acquisition unit 12b, an operation information acquisition unit 12c, a brake power control unit 12d, a brake power value acquisition unit 12e, and a constant speed power value acquisition unit. 12f and a power control unit 12g.

  The constant speed traveling control unit 12a controls the power given to the vehicle so that the vehicle travels at a constant speed. Specifically, the constant speed traveling control unit 12a calculates a constant speed power value (a value of constant speed power (power given to the vehicle due to constant speed traveling control)) based on the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor 20. However, every time it is calculated, the power given to the vehicle is controlled to the constant speed power. That is, the constant speed traveling control unit 12a performs constant speed traveling control.

  The operation information acquisition unit 12b corresponds to the operation information acquisition means in the present invention, and the operation information regarding whether or not the constant speed traveling control unit 12a is operating (constant speed traveling control is being executed). Obtained from the constant speed traveling control unit 12a.

  The operation information acquisition unit 12c corresponds to the operation information acquisition means in the present invention, and acquires operation information regarding whether or not the brake pedal of the vehicle is being operated (depressed) from the brake sensor 24. .

  Each time the brake power control unit 12d calculates while calculating the brake power value (the value of the brake power (power given to the vehicle due to the brake operation)) based on the stepping amount and the stepping speed detected by the brake sensor 24. The power given to the vehicle is controlled to the brake power.

  The brake power value acquisition unit 12e corresponds to the brake power acquisition means in the present invention, and acquires the brake power value from the brake power control unit 12d.

  The constant speed power value acquisition unit 12f corresponds to a constant speed power acquisition unit in the present invention, and acquires a constant speed power value from the constant speed traveling control unit 12a.

  The power control unit 12g corresponds to power control means in the present invention, and comprehensively controls the power given to the vehicle. Specifically, the power control unit 12g indicates that the operation information acquired by the operation information acquisition unit 12b is “operating” and the constant speed power value acquired by the constant speed power value acquisition unit 12f is negative. If the operation information acquired by the operation information acquisition unit 12c is “operated”, the power applied to the vehicle is comprehensively controlled below the constant speed power.

  Specifically, the power control unit 12g indicates that the operation information is “operating”, the constant speed power value is negative, and the operation information is “operated”. Further, when the brake power value acquired by the brake power value acquisition unit 12d is equal to or higher than the constant speed power value, the power applied to the vehicle is controlled to the constant speed power by the operating constant speed travel control unit 12a. May be. Specifically, the power control unit 12g has a case where the operation information is “operating”, the constant speed power value is negative, and the operation information is “operated”. Further, at least the brake power value acquisition unit 12e is repeatedly executed until the brake power value becomes less than the constant speed power value, and the constant speed power control unit 12a that operates the constant speed power is applied to the vehicle. Control may be performed so as to maintain the above.

  Specifically, the power control unit 12g has a case where the operation information is “operating”, the constant speed power value is negative, and the operation information is “operated”. Further, when the brake power value acquired by the brake power value acquisition unit 12e is less than the constant speed power value, the constant speed traveling control unit 12a that is operating is stopped, and the power applied to the vehicle is equal to or less than the brake power. The overall control may be performed. That is, the power control unit 12g may stop the operating constant speed traveling control unit 12a and return to normal control.

[3. Processing of this embodiment]
Next, an example of a power control process executed by the ECU 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a power control process executed by the ECU 10.

  First, the power control unit 12g operates the operation information acquisition unit 12b at a predetermined time, and the operation information acquisition unit 12b acquires the operation information at that time (step SA-1).

  Next, when the operation information acquired in step SA-1 is “in operation”, that is, the constant speed traveling control is “in execution” (step SA-2: Yes), the power control unit 12g operates the operation information acquisition unit. 12c, the brake power value acquisition unit 12e and the constant speed power value acquisition unit 12f are operated, the operation information acquisition unit 12c acquires the operation information at that time, and the brake power value acquisition unit 12e acquires the brake power at that time The value is acquired, and the constant speed power value acquisition unit 12f acquires the constant speed power value at that time (step SA-3).

  Next, when the operation information acquired in Step SA-3 is “There is an operation” and the constant speed power value acquired in Step SA-3 is a negative value, the power control unit 12g (Step SA−). 4: Yes), if the brake power value acquired in step SA-3 is not less than the constant speed power value acquired in step SA-3 (step SA-5: No), the running constant speed traveling control is canceled. The constant speed power resulting from the control by the constant speed traveling control unit 12a is continuously applied to the vehicle (step SA-6), and the process returns to step SA-3.

  On the other hand, when the operation information acquired in Step SA-3 is “There is an operation” and the constant speed power value acquired in Step SA-3 is a negative value, the power control unit 12g (Step SA-4). : Yes), if the brake power value acquired in step SA-3 is less than the constant speed power value acquired in step SA-3 (step SA-5: Yes), the operating constant speed travel control unit 12a is in operation. Is stopped to release the constant speed traveling control, and braking power resulting from the normal control is started to be applied to the vehicle (step SA-7).

[4. Summary of this embodiment and other embodiments]
As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, the operation information is acquired, and when the acquired operation information is “in operation”, the operation information, the brake power value, and the constant speed power value are obtained. When the acquired operation information is “operated” and the acquired constant speed power value is a negative value, the acquired brake power value is more than the constant speed power value. If the brake power value is less than the constant speed power value, the constant speed travel control is canceled. As a result, the driver feels the braking force due to the depression of the brake even when the driver steps on the brake while the vehicle is traveling at a constant speed while applying the braking force to the vehicle by the constant speed traveling control. That is, the driver can feel that the brakes are working. Further, the power to be applied to the vehicle can be changed by maintaining or canceling the constant speed traveling control being executed according to the braking force resulting from the depression of the brake. Further, since the constant speed running control being executed is maintained even when the driver steps on the brake, resources can be used effectively.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the constant speed traveling control is maintained until the brake power value becomes less than the constant speed power value (as long as the brake power value is equal to or greater than the constant speed power value). As a result, while the driver continues to step on the brake, the driver can feel the braking force resulting from the depression of the brake, that is, the driver can feel that the brake is working.

  In addition to the present embodiment, the power control device and the power control method according to the present invention may be implemented in various different forms within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims. is there. For example, among the processes described in this embodiment, all or part of the processes described as being performed automatically can be performed manually, or all of the processes described as being performed manually are performed. Alternatively, a part can be automatically performed by a known method. In addition to indirectly controlling the power given to the vehicle with the constant speed traveling control unit 12a, the power control unit 12g directly controls the power given to the vehicle with the power control unit 12g, The power applied to the vehicle may be indirectly controlled by power control means other than the constant speed traveling control unit 12a. Further, the processing procedures, specific names, and various information shown in this specification and the drawings can be arbitrarily changed unless otherwise specified. For example, regarding the ECU 10, each illustrated component is functionally conceptual and does not necessarily need to be physically configured as illustrated. Further, the specific form of distribution / integration of the ECU 10 is not limited to the illustrated one, and all or part of the ECU 10 is configured to be functionally or physically distributed / integrated in an arbitrary unit according to various loads. May be.

  As described above, the power control device and the power control method according to the present invention can be suitably implemented particularly in the automobile manufacturing industry and are extremely useful.

It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the power control apparatus and power control method concerning this Embodiment. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an ECU 10. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the motive power control process performed by ECU10. It is a figure which shows an example of a prior art.

Explanation of symbols

10 ECU (Electronic Control Unit)
12 Control unit
12a Constant speed running controller
12b Operation information acquisition unit
12c Operation information acquisition unit
12d Brake power control unit
12e Brake power value acquisition unit
12f constant speed power value acquisition unit
12g Power control unit 14 Storage unit 20 Constant speed traveling operation switch 22 Vehicle speed sensor 24 Brake pedal position sensor 30 Engine 32 Motor

Claims (8)

Whether or not a constant speed traveling control means for controlling power applied to the vehicle to operate at a constant speed is activated, and whether or not a brake pedal of the vehicle is operated. Operation information acquisition means for acquiring operation information relating to the above, constant speed power acquisition means for acquiring constant speed power that is the power to be given to the vehicle under the control of the constant speed traveling control means, and the power given to the vehicle A power control device comprising power control means for controlling power,
The power control means includes
The operation information acquired by the operation information acquisition means is that the operation information acquired by the operation information acquisition means is operating and the constant speed power acquired by the constant speed power acquisition means is negative and acquired by the operation information acquisition means. If is being manipulated,
A power control device that controls the power applied to the vehicle to be equal to or less than the constant speed power. Brake power acquisition means for acquiring brake power as the power to be given to the vehicle due to operation of the brake pedal;
The power control means is further configured such that when the brake power acquired by the brake power acquisition means is greater than or equal to the constant speed power, the power applied to the vehicle is controlled by the constant speed traveling control means that is operating. It controls to motive power. The power control apparatus of Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. The power control means causes the brake power acquisition means to repeatedly execute at least the brake power acquisition means until the brake power becomes less than the constant speed power, and the constant speed traveling control means that is operating the power to be given to the vehicle. The power control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein control is performed so as to maintain constant power. The power control means further stops the constant speed traveling control means that is operating when the brake power acquired by the brake power acquisition means is less than the constant speed power, and supplies the power to the vehicle. The power control apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the power is controlled to be equal to or less than the brake power. An operation information acquisition step for acquiring operation information related to whether or not a constant speed traveling control means for controlling power applied to the vehicle to operate the vehicle at a constant speed and whether or not a brake pedal of the vehicle is operated An operation information acquisition step of acquiring operation information relating to the above, a constant speed power acquisition step of acquiring constant speed power that is the power to be given to the vehicle under the control of the constant speed traveling control means, A power control method for controlling power, comprising:
The power control step includes
The operation information acquired in the operation information acquisition step is that the operation information acquired in the operation information acquisition step is operating and the constant speed power acquired in the constant speed power acquisition step is negative. If is being manipulated,
The power control method, wherein the power given to the vehicle is controlled to be equal to or less than the constant speed power. A brake power acquisition step of acquiring brake power that is the power to be given to the vehicle due to operation of the brake pedal;
In the power control step, when the brake power acquired in the brake power acquisition step is equal to or greater than the constant speed power, the power to be given to the vehicle is further controlled by the constant speed traveling control means that is operating. It controls to motive power. The power control method of Claim 5 characterized by the above-mentioned. In the power control step, at least the brake power acquisition step is repeatedly executed until the brake power becomes less than the constant speed power, and the power to be given to the vehicle is The power control method according to claim 6, wherein control is performed so as to maintain constant power. In the power control step, when the brake power acquired in the brake power acquisition step is less than the constant speed power, the constant speed traveling control means that is operating is stopped and the power applied to the vehicle is reduced. The power control method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein control is performed below the brake power.

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