JP2012162193A - Gas pedal stepping force control device, and control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent flapping of a gas pedal in gas pedal stepping force control including a reaction device for imparting reaction to gas pedal operation of a driver.SOLUTION: When stepping the gas pedal to a non-eco mode from an eco mode, when stepping speed is slow, the reaction in proportion to a stroke quantity is added in the first place in the threshold value vicinity being a boundary between both operation modes. Since this reaction slowly rises, the flapping can be prevented. When exceeding a threshold value by further stepping, the reaction by an integral of a difference between a stepping quantity of the gas pedal and the threshold value is added. Since the reaction suddenly increases thereby, the threshold value can be accurately informed to the driver. While, when the gas pedal quickly moves, since both reaction of a stroke reference and reaction by an integral element suddenly rise, the threshold value can be clearly confirmed.

Description

  The present invention relates to an accelerator pedal device, and more particularly, to an accelerator pedal device including a reaction force addition control mechanism that generates a reaction force (that is, a pushing back force) that opposes the pedal force of the accelerator pedal as required.

  As an accelerator pedal device applied to an electronically controlled throttle system in an engine mounted on an automobile or the like, an accelerator pedal is integrally provided, and a pedal arm that is swingably supported with respect to a housing is swingable. There is known one that includes a support shaft that is freely supported, a return spring that returns the pedal arm to a rest position, and a position sensor that detects the angular position of the pedal arm.

  In general, the engine operating range includes a first operating range (for example, homogeneous combustion) on the high rotation / high load side, and a second operating region (for example, stratified combustion) on the low rotation / low load side with better fuel efficiency than the first operating range. There is. Generally, the second driving region is an “eco mode” with good fuel efficiency, and the first driving region is a “non-eco mode”. The boundary between the first driving region and the second driving region is determined by the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal (accelerator opening) corresponding to the vehicle speed.

  When the engine operating region is switched from the second driving region to the first driving region in order to improve the fuel efficiency of the vehicle, the accelerator pedal depression reaction force (stepping force) is suddenly changed at the stage of switching to the first driving region. There is disclosed an accelerator pedal device which is increased to (Patent Document 1). The increase in the pedal effort is canceled when returning from the boundary operation region to the second operation region.

  However, there is a problem in a configuration in which a reaction force is simply added when the boundary between the second operation region and the first operation region is exceeded, and the reaction force is canceled when the boundary falls below the boundary.

  For example, consider the case of transition from the second operating region on the low rotation / low load side to the first operating region on the high rotation / high load side. When the accelerator pedal is depressed from the second operation area and accelerated, the first operation area is entered. At this time, a stepping reaction force is generated and the accelerator pedal is pushed back. Then, although it returns to a 2nd driving | running area | region, a stepping reaction force will also lose | disappear simultaneously with returning to a 2nd driving | running area | region. When the stepping reaction force disappears, the driver depresses the accelerator pedal again. Then, the first operation region is entered again, the stepping reaction force is generated again, and the accelerator pedal is pushed back. Since the driver repeats this unconsciously, the fluttering state continues. As a result, the vehicle speed also increases and decreases, which gives the passenger an unpleasant feeling.

  Therefore, in Patent Document 2, the position where the reaction force disappears is not the time when the second operating region is entered from the first operating region, but rather than the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal (accelerator opening) at the boundary between both operating regions. Hysteresis that is shifted until a small depression amount (accelerator opening) is provided.

JP 2003-120339 A JP 2010-52721 A

  In the case of the method of providing hysteresis of Patent Document 2, if the hysteresis width is increased, the above-described fluttering can be effectively prevented. However, if the hysteresis width is increased, the driving time in the non-eco mode becomes longer, and the fuel efficiency is deteriorated. Therefore, we want to make the hysteresis width as small as possible. However, if the hysteresis width is reduced, the following fluttering problem will occur.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the relationship between the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal and the reaction force when this hysteresis is added. Here, the hysteresis width is a numerical value that can be arbitrarily set by design. Here, the hysteresis width is provided to have the same size on both sides of the threshold value.

  FIG. 8A is a diagram showing the timing for adding and removing the reaction force to the accelerator pedal. The vertical axis is the reaction force, and the horizontal axis is the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal. The reaction force rises when the amount of depression exceeds the threshold value that is the boundary between the second operation area (eco-mode) and the first operation area (non-eco-mode) and exceeds half the hysteresis width (hysteresis upper limit). I have to. Conversely, the reaction force disappears when the stepping amount decreases, exceeds the threshold value that is the boundary between the first operating region and the second operating region, and further disappears when the stepping amount exceeds half of the hysteresis (lower limit of hysteresis). Like to do. By providing hysteresis in this way, a fluttering state can be prevented.

  FIG. 8B shows a case where hysteresis is provided and the accelerator pedal is returned from the depressed state. The upper diagram is the “depression amount”-“time” diagram, and the lower diagram is the “reaction force”-“time” diagram. When the accelerator pedal is depressed, it is in the first driving region (non-eco mode), so that the reaction force is in a working state. When the stepping amount decreases from this state and reaches a stepping amount less than half of the hysteresis width from the threshold (lower limit of hysteresis), the reaction force is extinguished. Then, since the resistance force applied to the accelerator pedal is lost, the driver depresses the accelerator pedal. When the amount of depression increases and exceeds half the hysteresis width (upper limit of hysteresis) from the threshold, a reaction force is generated. Then, since the accelerator pedal is returned to the opposite side to the stepping direction by the reaction force, the stepping amount decreases. Furthermore, when the amount of depression reaches the lower limit of the hysteresis from the threshold value, the reaction force disappears. The driver depresses the accelerator pedal because the resistance applied to the accelerator pedal has disappeared. Then, the stepping amount increases. When the upper limit of the hysteresis is exceeded from the threshold value, the reaction force is applied again, and the stepping amount is forcibly decreased. When the stepping amount again falls below the threshold value and reaches the stepping amount that falls from the threshold value to the lower limit of the hysteresis, the reaction force disappears, and the stepping amount is further depressed. Thus, near the threshold value, the reaction force is repeatedly turned on and off, causing the accelerator pedal to flutter.

  FIG. 8C shows a case where hysteresis is provided and the accelerator pedal is depressed. When the accelerator pedal is depressed and a certain depression amount corresponding to the vehicle speed is reached, a threshold value that is a boundary between the second operation region (eco mode) and the first operation region (non-eco mode) is reached. When the upper limit of hysteresis is reached from the threshold, a reaction force is applied to the accelerator pedal. Then, since the accelerator pedal is returned to the opposite side to the stepping direction, the stepping amount decreases. The reaction force disappears when the stepping amount falls below the threshold value and reaches the lower limit of the hysteresis from the threshold value. Then, since the driver originally tried to accelerate, the reaction force disappeared, so the driver depresses the accelerator pedal again. When the stepping amount exceeds the upper limit of hysteresis from the threshold, a reaction force is applied again, and the stepping amount is forcibly reduced. When the stepping amount again falls below the threshold value and reaches the stepping amount that falls from the threshold value to the lower limit of the hysteresis, the reaction force disappears, and the stepping amount is further depressed. Even in such a case, the fluttering state is repeated against the will of the driver.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an accelerator pedal depression force control device and a control method provided with an active control mechanism capable of eliminating flapping of an accelerator pedal.

  In order to achieve the above object, an accelerator pedal depression force control device according to the present invention includes a reaction force device that applies a reaction force to a driver's accelerator pedal operation, and an accelerator opening degree detection that detects the opening degree of the accelerator pedal. Means, threshold information acquisition means for acquiring threshold information for changing the driving region based on the traveling vehicle state, and reaction force setting means for setting a reaction force based on the accelerator pedal opening and the threshold information. In the accelerator pedal depression force control device, the reaction force setting means includes first reaction force calculation means or second reaction force calculation means, and the first reaction force calculation means includes an inclined region on both sides of the threshold value. And the first reaction force calculation means is proportional to the amount of depression from the lower limit and reaches a predetermined size when the amount of depression reaches the upper limit of the inclination region. Play a reaction force The second reaction force calculation means calculates a reaction force by time-integrating a difference between the accelerator pedal depression amount and the threshold value, and the reaction force setting means is configured to calculate the first reaction force calculation. Or the reaction force calculated by the second reaction force calculation means is output.

  The reaction force setting means includes both the first reaction force calculation means and the second reaction force calculation means, and the reaction force calculated by the first reaction force calculation means and the second reaction force calculation means. In the reaction force setting means, the reaction force release opening for releasing the reaction force of the accelerator pedal is a reaction force output opening for outputting the reaction force of the accelerator pedal. The opening may be smaller than the degree.

  In order to achieve the above object, an accelerator pedal depression force control method according to the present invention includes a first operation region on the high rotation / high load side as an engine operation region, and a low rotation / low load side on which the fuel consumption efficiency is better than the first operation region. There is a second operation region, and in the accelerator pedal depression force control method for applying a reaction force to the accelerator pedal before and after the transition from the second operation region to the first operation region, the second operation region and the first operation region The amount of depression of the accelerator pedal that is the boundary between the threshold value and the slope region is set on both sides of the threshold value, and when the driver's accelerator pedal operation reaches the lower limit value of the slope region, the stepping amount and the lower limit of the slope region Is calculated by time-integrating the difference between the reaction force that becomes a predetermined magnitude when the upper limit of the inclined region is reached, the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal, and the threshold value. At least one of the reaction force of the force is characterized by imparting to the accelerator pedal.

  The time integration of the difference between the reaction force that is proportional to the difference between the stepping amount and the lower limit of the tilt region and that reaches a predetermined magnitude when the upper limit of the tilt region is reached, and the stepping amount of the accelerator pedal and the threshold value The reaction force calculated by combining the reaction force with the reaction force is applied to the accelerator pedal, and the reaction force release opening for releasing the reaction force of the accelerator pedal is the reaction force release degree of the accelerator pedal. The opening may be smaller than the reaction force output opening that outputs force.

  According to the present invention, when the accelerator pedal is depressed, when the depression speed is slow, when the lower limit of the inclined region is reached, first, a reaction force proportional to the depression amount of the accelerator pedal from the lower limit is applied. Since this reaction force rises relatively slowly according to the amount of depression, flapping when the accelerator pedal is depressed can be prevented. Alternatively, when the accelerator pedal is further depressed and the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal exceeds a threshold value that becomes a boundary between the first operation region and the second operation region, the difference between the accelerator pedal depression amount and the threshold value is integrated over time, Add reaction force by integration. The rate of increase of the reaction force by integration is faster than the rate of increase of the reaction force (stroke-based reaction force) corresponding to the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal, so the reaction force will rise rapidly, indicating that the threshold has been exceeded. The driver can be notified accurately. The driver weakens the pedaling force due to the rapid increase in the reaction force, but this also reduces the reaction force. However, since the reaction force decrease rate is slow, the driver will not step on again, and flapping can be prevented even when the accelerator pedal is returned.

  When the reaction force proportional to the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal from the lower limit of the slope area and the difference between the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal and the threshold value are integrated over time, and both of these reaction forces are added, the threshold value is exceeded. This can inform the driver more accurately.

  On the other hand, when the accelerator pedal moves quickly, both the reaction force proportional to the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal and the reaction force due to the integral element suddenly rise, so that an excessive depression of the driver can be prevented at an early stage.

  In this way, by combining an integral element that integrates the difference between the stroke-based reaction force, the depression amount, and the threshold value, the threshold value can be reduced without causing the accelerator pedal to flutter between the foot pressing force and the reaction force. The driver can recognize the points accurately.

  Furthermore, by adding an integral element to the reaction force, the time required for the reaction force to reach its maximum value after the accelerator pedal depression amount (stroke amount) exceeds the threshold value when the accelerator pedal moves slowly and quickly. The difference can be reduced, and the driver can always recognize the threshold value with the same feeling.

  Therefore, the feeling is good even when the operation of the pedal is fast, and fluttering can be prevented when the pedal is slow, and the driver can recognize the threshold value with high accuracy.

It is a perspective view of the accelerator pedal device of the present invention. It is a side view of the accelerator pedal device of the present invention. It is a block diagram of the control apparatus of the accelerator pedal apparatus of this invention. It is a diagram explaining the example of the 1st reaction force calculation process of calculating about the reaction force corresponding to the depression amount of the accelerator pedal performed by the 1st reaction force calculation means. It is a figure explaining the example of the 2nd reaction force calculation process which calculates the integral element by the depression amount of an accelerator pedal with a 2nd reaction force calculation means. It is a diagram which shows the example which combined FIG.4 (c) and FIG.5 (c), and shows the case where stepping speed (or return speed) is quick. It is a diagram which shows the example which combined FIG.4 (c) and FIG.5 (c), and shows the case where stepping speed (or return speed) is slow. It is a figure explaining the state where the depression amount of an accelerator pedal flutters in the example of a prior art, when hysteresis is added.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an accelerator pedal device of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side view. As shown in these drawings, the accelerator pedal device of the present invention has a housing 10 fixed to a vehicle body such as an automobile, an accelerator pedal 22, and can swing around a predetermined swing axis L1 defined by the housing 10. The pedal arm 20 supported by the pedal, an accelerator opening detecting means (APS) 30 for detecting the depression amount (rotation angle) of the pedal arm 20, and a force (reaction force) for pushing the pedal arm 20 back toward the rest position under a predetermined condition Are provided with a reaction force device 40 for generating the reaction force, a control unit 50 for performing drive control of the reaction force device 40, and the like. The housing 10 pivotally supports the pedal arm 20 inside. In addition, in the housing 10, in addition to the mechanism for applying the reaction force described above, a return spring that applies a biasing force to return the pedal arm 20 to the rest position is also provided.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the control device of the accelerator pedal device of the present invention, (a) is a system block diagram, and (b) shows a control block. The accelerator pedal device is operated by the control unit 50 controlling the reaction force device 40.

  The control unit 50 is provided with a microcomputer (hereinafter abbreviated as “microcomputer”) 60. The microcomputer 60 includes a power circuit 52, an interface circuit 53 that receives threshold information from the host ECU 57, a drive circuit 54 that drives the torque motor 41 of the reaction force device 40, and current detection that measures the current flowing through the torque motor 41. A circuit 55, an MPS input circuit 56 for inputting information of a motor position sensor (MPS) 42 for detecting the rotational position of the torque motor 41, and an APS for inputting information of an accelerator opening detecting means (APS) 30 An input circuit 57 is connected.

  The microcomputer 60 includes a CPU, a memory and the like, and processes input information according to an installed program. The microcomputer 60 includes an information acquisition unit 61 that acquires threshold information from the host ECU 57 based on the vehicle state during travel, and a reaction force setting unit 62 that sets a reaction force based on the degree of opening of the accelerator pedal 22 and the threshold information. The motor drive current setting means 65 for calculating the amount of current for generating the reaction force set by the reaction force setting means 62, the current information calculated by the motor drive current setting means 65, and the energization of the torque motor 41 There is a drive current control means 66 for controlling the amount of current based on the current value. Further, the reaction force setting means 62 includes a first reaction force calculation means 63 and a second reaction force calculation means 64. The first reaction force calculation means 63 calculates a reaction force proportional to the depression amount of the accelerator pedal 22, and the second reaction force calculation means 64 integrates the difference between the depression amount of the accelerator pedal 22 and the threshold value. The reaction force corresponding to the value is calculated. These reaction force calculation means will be described later.

  The reaction force device 40 includes a torque motor 41 and an MPS 42 that detects the rotational position of the torque motor 41. The reaction force device 40 drives the torque motor 41 in response to an instruction from the reaction force setting means 62 in the microcomputer 60. Add reaction force. The rotation angle of the torque motor 41 is detected by the MPS 42 and transmitted to the motor drive current setting means 65 and the reaction force setting means 62 in the microcomputer 60 via the MPS input circuit 56.

  The amount of depression of the accelerator pedal 22 represents the accelerator position, and the position of the accelerator position changes depending on the depression force applied to the accelerator pedal 22 and the reaction force from the torque motor 41. Therefore, the APS 30 constantly monitors the accelerator opening by detecting the depression amount of the accelerator pedal 22. Information on the accelerator opening is input to the host ECU 57 and simultaneously input from the APS input circuit 57 to the reaction force setting means 62 in the microcomputer 60.

  Further, the host ECU 57 receives information such as an engine speed sensor (not shown) that detects the engine speed Ne and a vehicle speed sensor (not shown) that detects the vehicle speed VSP, and the accelerator opening, and based on these information, the threshold information is It outputs to the microcomputer 60 which controls a pedal.

  As the accelerator pedal 22 is depressed, the accelerator opening increases, and as the accelerator opening increases, the fuel injection amount (and hence fuel consumption) increases, and the vehicle is accelerated.

  When the accelerator pedal 22 is depressed and the vehicle speed increases, the vehicle shifts from the second driving region (eco mode) to the first driving region (non-eco mode). Here, the boundary between the second driving region and the first driving region is referred to as a threshold value. This threshold value is set in advance in the ECU 57 by inputting the vehicle speed and the accelerator opening degree of the accelerator pedal 22 detected by the APS 30 to the host ECU 57. It can be detected from a calculation formula or a diagram. The threshold value is determined in combination with factors such as vehicle speed and engine load. Then, threshold information is output from the host ECU 57 via the interface circuit 53, and the threshold information acquisition unit 61 receives the threshold information.

  Then, the reaction force setting means 62 built in the microcomputer 60 calculates the reaction force based on the threshold value information and the accelerator opening information before and after the threshold value that is the boundary between the second operation region and the first operation region. The torque is input from the current setting means 65 to the motor drive current control means 66 and gives an instruction to the drive circuit 54 to drive the torque motor 41 of the reaction device 40. At this time, the motor drive current setting means 65 calculates the magnitude of the current supplied to the torque motor 41 in order to generate the designated reaction force, and the motor drive current control means 66 calculates the current of the calculated magnitude. Flow from the drive circuit 54 to the torque motor 41. The torque motor 41 applies a motor reaction force corresponding to the magnitude of the current to the accelerator pedal 22 to notify the driver. The current flowing through the torque motor 41 is confirmed by the current detection circuit 55.

  In the present invention, the motor reaction force generated from the torque motor 41 is changed to an integral value obtained by integrating the reaction force proportional to the depression amount of the accelerator pedal 22 (stroke-based reaction force) and the difference between the depression amount and the threshold over time. It is determined by adding the reaction force based on it. The stroke-based reaction force is calculated by the first reaction force calculation means 63, and the reaction force obtained by integrating the difference between the stepping amount and the threshold with time is calculated by the second reaction force calculation means 64. The reaction force setting means 62 combines the reaction forces calculated by the first reaction force calculation means 63 and the second reaction force calculation means 64 to determine the reaction force.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the first reaction force calculation step. In this step, the first reaction force calculation means 63 calculates the reaction force based on the stroke. The vertical axis is the reaction force, and the horizontal axis is the amount of depression. The threshold value described below is a boundary between a certain driving state and another driving state. For example, the accelerator opening at the boundary between the second driving region (eco mode) and the first driving region (non-eco mode) described above is used. Degrees. In this case, the threshold accelerator opening is determined according to the vehicle speed or the like.

Case 1: ON / OFF control without hysteresis (in case of Fig. 4 (a))
FIG. 4A shows a case where a step-like reaction force is generated and there is no hysteresis. When the depression amount of the accelerator pedal 22 increases and reaches a threshold value, a step-like reaction force (TKmax) is added. When the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal 22 decreases and reaches a threshold value, the reaction force (TKmax) is eliminated in a step shape.
Here, Tk (s): Stroke-based reaction force s: Stroke (depression amount of the accelerator pedal 22)
TKmax: reaction force limit value (upper limit)
SP: As a threshold value, [Tk (s) component] (stroke-based reaction force) is as follows.
When s ≦ SP, Tk (s) = 0
When s> SP, Tk (s) = TKmax

Case 2: ON / OFF control with hysteresis (in case of Fig. 4 (b))
FIG. 4B shows a case where a step-like reaction force (TKmax) is generated and hysteresis is provided. When the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal 22 increases and reaches half of the threshold value + hysteresis width, a step-like reaction force is output. Then, when the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal 22 decreases and reaches half of the threshold-hysteresis width, the reaction force is extinguished in steps. The threshold value is set to be the center of the hysteresis width. Generally, when hysteresis is provided, the reaction force release opening for releasing the reaction force of the accelerator pedal is smaller than the reaction force output opening for outputting the reaction force of the accelerator pedal.

Here, the value of the reaction force Tk (s) based on the stroke is
H: Hysteresis width,
When depressing the accelerator pedal, when s ≦ SP−H / 2, Tk (s) = 0
When SP−H / 2 <s ≦ SP + H / 2, Tk (s) = 0
When s> SP + H / 2, Tk (s) = TKmax
When returning the accelerator pedal When s≤SP-H / 2, Tk (s) = 0
When SP−H / 2 <s ≦ SP + H / 2, Tk (s) = TKmax
When s> SP + H / 2, Tk (s) = TKmax

  In this case, hysteresis is provided only on one of the threshold values, and when the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal 22 increases and reaches the threshold value, a step-like reaction force is applied, and the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal 22 decreases and the threshold value − When half of the hysteresis width is reached, the reaction force may be eliminated in steps.

Case 3: In the case of control with a slope near the threshold and no hysteresis (in the case of FIG. 4C)
FIG. 4C shows a case where a reaction force proportional to the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal is generated. In this case, inclined areas are set on both sides of the threshold value. When the stepping amount reaches the lower limit of the inclined region, a reaction force is generated in which the inclination increases linearly along KD in proportion to the stepping amount from the lower limit of the inclined region. When the upper limit of the inclined region is reached, a predetermined reaction force (TKmax) is obtained.
KD: If the slope coefficient is
In the inclined area,
Tk (s) = (s−SP) × KD + TKmax / 2, and this value is
0 ≦ Tk (s) ≦ TKmax.
Outside the slope region, when s <SP-H / 2, Tk (s) = 0
When s <SP + H / 2 Tk (s) = TKmax
It becomes.

Case 4: In case of control with inclination and hysteresis (in the case of Fig. 4 (d))
FIG. 4D shows a case where a reaction force inclined with respect to the depression amount is generated and a hysteresis is provided. One half of the hysteresis width is taken on both sides of the threshold value, and a diagonal line with a slope KD is drawn from the height of 1 / 2TKmax. At the time of stepping on, when reaching the lower end of the diagonal line of the inclination KD drawn to the threshold value + ½ of the hysteresis width, a reaction force in which the inclination increases linearly with KD is generated. When the predetermined reaction force (TKmax) is reached, the ascent is stopped. At the time of return, when the amount of depression reaches the upper end of the oblique line with the inclination KD drawn to ½ of the threshold-hysteresis width, the reaction force is controlled so that the inclination decreases linearly with the KD. The line in which the reaction force rises and the line in which the reaction force rises are parallel, and the distance between them is the hysteresis width. Also in this case, the reaction force release opening for releasing the reaction force of the accelerator pedal is smaller than the reaction force output opening for outputting the reaction force of the accelerator pedal.

In the slope area when stepping on, Tk (s) = (s− (SP + H / 2)) KD + TKmax / 2, and this value is
0 ≦ Tk (s) ≦ TKmax.
In the return tilt region, Tk (s) = (s− (SP−H / 2)) KD + TKmax / 2
0 ≦ Tk (s) ≦ TKmax
The first reaction force calculation means 63 calculates the stroke-based reaction force by any one of the calculation methods selected by design from the above four methods.

  Next, the second reaction force calculation step will be described. In this step, the second reaction force calculation means 64 calculates a reaction force [Ti (s, t) component] considering the integral element.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of calculating an integral element for time-integrating the difference between the depression amount of the accelerator pedal 22 and the threshold value. In the drawings, in each of (a) to (d), each left diagram represents an integrated value Ke (s) to be integrated, and each right diagram represents time integration of the integrated value Ke (s). It shows the transition of the integration element [Ti (s, t) component] with respect to time.

  Case 1: In the case of control in which the value integrated by SP (threshold) is switched by ± (in the case of FIG. 5A)

FIG. 5 (a) shows a case where the integrand value is changed stepwise and no hysteresis is provided. The amount of depression increases and changes in a step shape with a threshold value. The reaction force Ti (s, t) is
When s <SP, Ti (s, t) = ∫Ke (s) dt = ∫ (−KEmax) dt
When s ≧ SP, Ti (s, t) = ∫Ke (s) dt = ∫ (KEmax) dt
0 <Ti (s, t) <KFmax.
Here, Ke (s): integrable value KFmax: upper limit value of the integral element, and here, since the integrand value is changed in a stepped manner, Ke (s) = ± KEmax.

  Case 2: The integral multiplier is 0 by the hysteresis width on both sides of the SP (threshold value), and when it is switched to a ± value beyond that (in the case of FIG. 5B).

FIG. 5B shows a case where the integrand value is changed stepwise and hysteresis is provided. Until the depression amount of the accelerator pedal 22 reaches 1/2 of the threshold value-hysteresis width, the integrand value is -KEmax. While the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal 22 is increased and within the hysteresis width H, the integrated value is set to zero. When the depression amount of the accelerator pedal 22 further increases and reaches half of the threshold value + hysteresis width, a step-like integrated value KEmax is added. When the amount of depression decreases and reaches half of the threshold value + hysteresis width, the integrated value is set to zero. Further, when the threshold value-half of the hysteresis width is reached, the integrand value is set to -KEmax.
The value of the integral element Ti (s, t) is
When s <SP−H / 2, Ti (s, t) = ∫Ke (s) dt = ∫ (−KEmax) dt
When SP−H / 2 ≦ s <SP + H / 2, Ti (s, t) = ∫Ke (s) dt = ∫ (0) dt
When SP + H / 2 ≦ s, Ti (s, t) = ∫Ke (s) dt = ∫ (KEmax) dt
0 <Ti (s, t) <KFmax
Thus, since the integrand value is changed stepwise, Ke (s) = ± KEmax.

  Case 3: When the integrand value is generated with a slope around ± with respect to SP (threshold) (in the case of FIG. 5C).

FIG. 5C shows a case where an integrated value inclined with respect to the depression amount is added. In this case, inclined areas are set on both sides of the threshold value. The area above the threshold is the area where the integrand value increases, and the area below the threshold is the area where the integrand value decreases. During this time, the integrand value changes from -KEmax to KEmax, and changes in a straight line with a gradient.
The value of the integral element Ti (s, t) is
When s <SP, Ti (s, t) = ∫ (Ke (s) × (SP−s)) dt = ∫ (−KEmax × (SP−s)) dt
When SP ≦ s, Ti (s, t) = ∫ (Ke (s) × (s−SP)) dt = ∫ (KEmax × (s−SP)) dt
0 <Ti (s, t) <KFmax

Case 4: The integrand value is 0 by the hysteresis width on both sides of the SP (threshold value), and before and after that, the integrand value is generated with a slope of ± (in the case of FIG. 5D).

FIG. 5D shows a case where an integrated value inclined with respect to the depression amount is added, and a region where the integrated value is 0 on both sides of the threshold value is provided. When the amount of depression is in the inclined region, the integrated value rises linearly toward the right on both sides of the central zero region.
The value of the integral element Ti (s, t) is
When s <SP−H / 2, Ti (s, t) = ∫ (Ke (s) × (SP− (s−H / 2)) dt = ∫ (−KEmax × (SP− (s−H / 2))) dt
When SP−H / 2 ≦ s <SP + H / 2, Ti (s, t) = ∫ (0) dt
When SP + H / 2 ≦ s, Ti (s, t) = ∫ (Ke (s) × ((s−H / 2) −SP)) dt = ∫ (KEmax × ((s−H / 2) −SP) )) Dt
0 <Ti (s, t) <KFmax
The hysteresis width H here indicates a region where the integrand value near the center is zero.

  In the present invention, the reaction force (Tk (s)) based on any one of the strokes (a) to (d) in FIG. 4 and the reaction force of any integral element (a) to (d) in FIG. A reaction force (T (s, t)) that combines any two of (Ti (s, t)) is added. Therefore, 16 combinations are possible. The combined reaction force T (s, t) is obtained by the following equation.

T (s, t) = KA * Tk (s) + KB * Ti (s, t)
here,
KA: Stroke-based reaction force coefficient KB: Integral element reaction force coefficient Tmax: Maximum reaction force Here, Tmax = TKmax + KFmax.
These reaction force coefficients are arbitrarily determined by design.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example in which FIG. 4C and FIG. 5C are combined, and shows a case where the stepping speed (or return speed) is high. This calculation is performed by the reaction force setting means 62.

  FIG. 6A shows a change in the stroke of the accelerator pedal 22. The vertical axis is the amount of pedal stroke, and the horizontal axis is time. The left hypotenuse of the triangle in the figure indicates when the pedal is depressed, and the right hypotenuse indicates the return. An inclined region is provided before and after the threshold value.

  FIG. 6B is a diagram showing the stroke-based reaction force Tk (s). The vertical axis is reaction force, and the horizontal axis is time. When the depression amount of the accelerator pedal 22 reaches the lower limit of the slope region, a reaction force proportional to the depression amount from the lower limit of the slope region is generated and gradually increases and the slope rises along the KD straight line. The upper limit of the reaction force is reached at the upper limit. When the accelerator pedal 22 is returned, when the amount of depression returns to the upper limit of the tilt region, the reaction force starts to decrease, and Tk = (s) 0 at the lower limit of the tilt region.

FIG. 6C is a diagram showing the reaction force Ti (s, t) of the integral element obtained by time-integrating the difference between the stepping amount and the threshold value. From the lower limit of the slope region to the threshold value, as described with reference to FIG. 5C, when the stepping amount increases, in the region where s is between the lower limit of the slope region and the threshold value,
Ti (s, t) = ∫ (Ke (s) × (SP−s)) dt = ∫ (−KEmax × (SP−s)) dt
However, since this value becomes negative, it is treated as Ti (s, t) = 0. Therefore, the integral component is considered in the portion where the value of s exceeds the threshold value. This part is a parabola.

When returning from the depressed state, since the integrable value is positive from the upper limit of the inclined region to the threshold value, the reaction force is added and does not fall below the upper limit value. Here, since the integral element Ti (s, t) is 0 <Ti (s, t) <KFmax, it is constant at the upper limit value KFmax, and there is no change in this range.
When the value of s is from the threshold value to the lower limit of the slope region, the integrand value is negative, so the reaction force decreases in a parabolic manner. Then, Ti (s, t) = 0 at a position slightly beyond the lower limit of the inclined region.

FIG. 6D is a diagram obtained by combining FIGS. 6B and 6C.
When depressing the accelerator pedal 22,
While s is between the lower limit value and the threshold value of the inclined region, the value of T (s, t) is only the linear component of the stroke-based reaction force Tk (s). That is,
T (s, t) = KA × Tk (s)
When s exceeds the threshold value, the sum of the reaction force Tk (s) component based on the stroke and the reaction force Ti (s, t) component of the integral element is obtained. That is,
T (s, t) = KA * Tk (s) + KB * Ti (s, t)
It becomes. The value of T (s, t) increases, but reaches a peak at the set upper limit value Tmax and stops increasing. In the example shown in the figure, the upper limit value Tmax is reached when the upper limit of the inclined region is slightly passed, but the time until the upper limit value Tmax is reached after exceeding the threshold is t1.

When the accelerator pedal 22 is returned from the depressed state, the reaction force Ti (s, t) component of the integral element does not change when s is between the upper limit value of the slope region and the threshold value. s) The component is subtracted. Therefore, it decreases along a straight line.
T (s, t) = Tmax−KA × Tk (s)
When s exceeds the threshold value, the integrand value becomes negative, so the reaction force T (s, t) starts to decrease by the amount of the reaction force of the integral element. The reaction force T (s, t) descends while drawing a parabola, and eventually T (s, t) = 0. In the illustrated embodiment, T (s, t) = 0 at a position slightly exceeding the lower limit value of the inclined region.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example in which FIG. 4C and FIG. 5C are combined, and shows a case where the stepping speed (or return speed) is slow.

  FIG. 7A shows a change in the stroke of the accelerator pedal 22. The vertical axis is the amount of pedal stroke, and the horizontal axis is time. The fold line on the left oblique side from the center of the figure indicates the time of depression, and the fold line on the right oblique side indicates the time of return. An inclined region is provided before and after the threshold value.

  FIG. 7B is a diagram showing the stroke-based reaction force Tk (s). The vertical axis is reaction force, and the horizontal axis is time. When the amount of depression reaches the lower limit of the inclined area, a reaction force proportional to the amount of depression from the lower limit of the inclined area is generated, and the inclination gradually increases along the KD straight line. To reach. When the accelerator pedal 22 returns, when the amount of depression returns to the upper limit of the tilt region, the reaction force starts to decrease, and Tk (s) = 0 at the lower limit of the tilt region.

FIG. 7C is a diagram showing the reaction force Ti (s, t) of the integral element. From the lower limit of the inclined region to the threshold, as described in FIG.
In the region where s is between the lower limit of the inclined region and the threshold when the amount of depression increases, the reaction force Ti (s, t) of the integral element is
Ti (s, t) = ∫ (Ke (s) × (SP−s)) dt = ∫ (−KEmax × (SP−s)) dt
However, since this value is negative, the integral element reaction force Ti (s, t) = 0 is treated. Therefore, the integral component is considered in the portion where the value of s exceeds the threshold value. In this part, it becomes a parabola, and the increase stops at the upper limit KFmax.

When returning from the depressed state Since the integrable value is positive when the value of s is from the upper limit of the inclined region to the threshold value, the reaction force Ti (s, t) of the integral element does not fall below the upper limit value. Even if the reaction force Ti (s, t) component of the integral element is added, the integral element Ti (s, t) is constant at the upper limit value KFmax because 0 <Ti (s, t) <KFmax, and changes within this range. There is no.

  Since the integrand value is negative from the threshold value to the lower limit of the inclined region, the reaction force of the integral element decreases along a parabola and becomes Ti (s, t) = 0. In the illustrated embodiment, Ti (s, t) = 0 slightly before the lower limit of the inclined region.

FIG. 7D is a diagram obtained by combining FIGS. 7B and 7C.
When depressing the accelerator pedal 22,
While s is between the lower limit value and the threshold value of the inclined region, the value of T (s, t) is only the linear component of the stroke-based reaction force Tk (s). That is,
T (s, t) = KA × Tk (s)
When s exceeds the threshold value, the sum of the reaction force Tk (s) component based on the stroke and the reaction force Ti (s, t) component of the integral element is obtained. That is,
T (s, t) = KA * Tk (s) + KB * Ti (s, t)
It becomes. The value of T (s, t) increases, but stops increasing at the set upper limit value Tmax, and then becomes a constant value. In the example shown in the figure, the upper limit value Tmax is reached when the upper limit of the inclined region is slightly exceeded, but the time until the upper limit value Tmax is reached after exceeding the threshold is t2.

When Accelerator Pedal 22 is Returned from the Depressed State While s is between the upper limit value and the threshold value of the tilted region, the upper limit value Tmax-stroke-based reaction force Tk (s) component, which decreases linearly.
T (s, t) = Tmax−KA × Tk (s)
When s exceeds the threshold value, the integrand value becomes negative, so that the reaction element Ti (s, t) starts to decrease. The reaction force T (s, t) descends while drawing a parabola, but since the reaction force of the integral element disappears before T (s, t) = 0, the stroke-based reaction force Tk (s) is the last. It becomes only the component, and in the example of the figure, the lower limit value of the inclined region is zero.

  In the control unit 50, the stroke amount and threshold value of the accelerator pedal 22 can be obtained from the information of the vehicle speed sensor and the APS 30, and the calculation is performed according to a program installed in the microcomputer 60 in advance, so that the reaction force based on the stroke is obtained. By calculating Tk (s) and the reaction force Ti (s, t) of the integral element, calculating the reaction force T (s, t) and issuing an instruction to the reaction force device 40, the reaction force required for the accelerator pedal can be obtained. Can be added. Note that the stroke amount of the accelerator pedal 22 can also be indirectly detected from the MPS 42.

  6 and 7, the reaction force Tk (s) based on the stroke and the reaction force Ti (s, t) of the integral element are obtained, and the reaction force obtained by combining both reaction forces is added. Then, it is not limited to this aspect. For example, as shown in FIG. 4C, when the stepping amount reaches the lower limit of the inclined region, the reaction force is proportional to the stepping amount from the lower limit and becomes a predetermined magnitude when the upper limit of the inclined region is reached. And only this reaction force may be added.

  Alternatively, the reaction force may be calculated by time-integrating the difference between the accelerator pedal depression amount and the threshold value, and only this reaction force may be added. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5C, it is desirable to add an integrated value that is inclined with respect to the depression amount.

  As described in FIGS. 6 and 7, in the present invention, by adding an integral element to the reaction force, the motor reaction force is maximized after the stroke amount exceeds the threshold value when the accelerator pedal moves slowly and fast. The difference between the time until the value (t1 in FIG. 6D and t2 in FIG. 7D) can be reduced, and the driver can always recognize the threshold value with the same feeling.

  In particular, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7C and 7D, when the accelerator pedal 22 is depressed, the reaction force of the integral element exceeds a threshold value (with an opening larger than the threshold value). When the value is added and the accelerator pedal 22 is returned, the value is added after exceeding the threshold value (with an opening smaller than the threshold value), so the reaction force increases or decreases greatly after the threshold value is exceeded, and the threshold value is clearly recognized. And fluttering can be prevented.

  In other words, when the reaction force T (s, t), which is a combination of both reaction forces, is added, the stroke-based reaction force Tk determined at first by the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal 22. Only (s) is added, and then a reaction force Ti (s, t) calculated by time-integrating the difference between the depression amount of the accelerator pedal 22 and the threshold value is added. On the other hand, when the reaction force is released, only the reaction force for the reaction force Tk (s) determined by the depression amount of the accelerator pedal 22 is gradually released first, and then the depression amount of the accelerator pedal 22 is determined. The reaction force for the reaction force Ti (s, t) calculated by time-integrating the difference from the threshold value is canceled. Therefore, even if the depression amount of the accelerator pedal 22 is a slight difference from the threshold value, it becomes a large reaction force with time, and as a result, the driver can accurately recognize the threshold value.

  The combination of the reaction force Tk (s) based on the stroke and the reaction force Ti (s, t) of the integral element is desirably determined by the feeling felt by the driver at the reaction force switching point.

  It is also possible to change the control parameter depending on the speed when passing through the switching point.

  A particular problem is to prevent flapping (hunting) by controlling the stepping force of the human foot and the motor reaction force near the threshold. It tends to flutter especially when the speed is low. On the other hand, when the speed is high, a clear reaction near the threshold is required. In order to satisfy the above, it is necessary to adjust the combination of the above formulas and each parameter. Of course, the control method and parameters may be changed depending on the traveling speed of the vehicle, the road surface condition, and the like.

  In this control, the first driving region and the second driving region are exemplified as the eco mode and the non-eco mode. However, the control is not limited to the reaction force control in the eco mode and the non-eco mode. If there is a situation in which reaction force is generated in the accelerator pedal at the boundary of the operation area such as control, it can be used.

20 pedal arm 22 accelerator pedal 30 accelerator opening detection means 40 reaction force device 41 torque motor 50 control unit 54 drive circuit 60 microcomputer 61 reaction force command information acquisition means 62 reaction force setting means 63 first reaction force calculation means 64 second Reaction force calculation means

Claims (6)

A reaction force device for applying a reaction force to the driver's accelerator pedal operation;
An accelerator opening detecting means for detecting the opening of the accelerator pedal;
Accelerator pedal depression force provided with threshold information acquisition means for acquiring threshold information for changing the driving region based on a running vehicle state, and reaction force setting means for setting a reaction force based on the accelerator pedal opening and the threshold information In the control device,
The reaction force setting means includes first reaction force calculation means or second reaction force calculation means,
The first reaction force calculating means sets an inclination area on both sides of the threshold value, and when the stepping amount reaches a lower limit of the inclination area, the first reaction force calculating means sets the stepping amount from the lower limit. , And calculate the reaction force that becomes a predetermined magnitude when the upper limit of the inclined area is reached,
The second reaction force calculation means calculates a reaction force by time-integrating a difference between the depression amount of the accelerator pedal and the threshold value,
The accelerator pedal depression force control device, wherein the reaction force setting means outputs the reaction force calculated by the first reaction force calculation means or the second reaction force calculation means.   The reaction force setting means includes both the first reaction force calculation means and the second reaction force calculation means, and the reaction force calculated by the first reaction force calculation means and the second reaction force calculation means. The accelerator pedal depression force control device according to claim 1, wherein the reaction force is output by synthesizing forces. In the reaction force setting means,
The reaction force release opening for releasing the reaction force of the accelerator pedal is an opening smaller than a reaction force output opening for outputting the reaction force of the accelerator pedal. Accelerator pedal force control device. The engine operating range includes a first operating range on the high rotation / high load side and a second operating range on the low rotation / low load side with better fuel efficiency than the first operating range. In the accelerator pedal depression force control method for applying a reaction force to the accelerator pedal before and after transition to the region,
The amount of depression of the accelerator pedal that becomes the boundary between the second driving region and the first driving region is set as a threshold value, slope regions are set on both sides of the threshold value, and the driver's accelerator pedal operation is set to the lower limit value of the slope region. When reaching, the difference between the amount of depression and the lower limit of the slope region is proportional to the difference between the reaction force that becomes a predetermined magnitude when the upper limit of the slope region is reached, and the difference between the depression amount of the accelerator pedal and the threshold value. An accelerator pedal depression force control method, wherein a reaction force of at least one of reaction forces calculated by integration is applied to the accelerator pedal.   The time integration of the difference between the reaction force that is proportional to the difference between the stepping amount and the lower limit of the tilt region and that reaches a predetermined magnitude when the upper limit of the tilt region is reached, and the stepping amount of the accelerator pedal and the threshold value 5. The accelerator pedal depression force control method according to claim 4, wherein a reaction force obtained by combining both reaction forces calculated with the reaction force is applied to the accelerator pedal. 6.   The reaction force release opening for releasing the reaction force of the accelerator pedal is an opening smaller than a reaction force output opening for outputting the reaction force of the accelerator pedal. Accelerator pedal force control method.

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