JP2015160592A - Vehicular engine speed indicator and engine speed display method for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To alleviate a driver's sense of incongruity coming from a discrepancy between actual engine change sound at the time of gear change by an automatic transmission, and a display change (needle movement) of an engine speed indicator.SOLUTION: A vehicular engine speed indicator includes: an engine; an automatic transmission arranged on a power transmission path between the engine and a wheel; an engine speed detection unit for detecting engine speed; an engine speed display unit for displaying the engine speed; and a control device for controlling the engine speed display unit on the basis of a virtual engine speed which is not dependent on an actual engine speed detected by the engine speed detection unit, and which starts a change related to a gear change at a timing prior to a change start of the actual engine speed related to the gear change of the automatic transmission. In the vehicular engine speed indicator, the control device outputs an audio signal of pseudo engine sound simulating engine sound to an audio device mounted in a vehicle, when starting the change of the virtual speed related to the gear change.

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle engine speed display device and a display method thereof, and more particularly to control of an engine speed display device at the time of shifting of an automatic transmission.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an engine speed display device (tachometer, rev counter) for displaying the engine speed of a vehicle has been provided in a vehicle compartment so that a driver can recognize the engine speed. The engine speed display device controls the engine speed display device in accordance with the actual engine speed signal output from the engine speed sensor.

  Since the engine speed signal reflects minute fluctuations in the engine speed, if this engine speed signal is displayed on the engine speed display device as it is, the display of the engine speed will continue to fluctuate minutely. Therefore, the visibility of the engine speed display device deteriorates.

  Therefore, in order to prevent such a deterioration in visibility, a process for reducing the display responsiveness of the engine speed display device with respect to the speed signal output from the engine speed sensor, a so-called annealing process has been conventionally performed. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  By the way, the driver expects a sharp change in the engine speed at the time of shifting. That is, the speed of the speed change operation is a characteristic of the high-performance automatic transmission, and the driver expects that the speed of the speed change operation is reflected on the display of the engine speed display device.

  Patent Document 2 discloses that an engine speed display device is controlled based on a virtual speed that does not depend on an actual engine speed at the time of a shift command (manual speed change operation or the like).

  According to the technique of Patent Document 2, since the engine speed display device can be controlled based on the virtual speed adapted to the driver's expectation at the time of shifting, it is possible to prevent the driver from feeling uncomfortable. .

JP-A-1-154195 JP 2006-220482 A

  In order to allow the driver to recognize the speed of the speed change, it is conceivable to change the virtual speed at a timing earlier than the change in the actual engine speed (actual engine speed) at the time of the speed change. However, in situations where the engine sound is likely to reach the passenger compartment (for example, the window is open, the audio device is off or the sound is low, the vehicle speed is low, the wind wiper is not operating, etc.) May make the driver feel uncomfortable.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and the problem is that the actual engine change sound and the change in the display of the engine speed display device (the movement of the needle) during the shift of the automatic transmission. The purpose is to provide a technology that alleviates the driver's uncomfortable feeling caused by differences.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention outputs a sound signal of a pseudo engine sound that simulates the sound of an engine to an audio device mounted on a vehicle when a change in virtual rotational speed related to gear shifting starts. It is characterized by.

  Specifically, the present invention is directed to a vehicle engine speed display device and an engine speed display method, and the following solution is taken.

  That is, the first invention relates to an engine, an automatic transmission disposed on a power transmission path between the engine and wheels, an engine speed detecting unit for detecting the engine speed, and the engine speed. The engine speed display unit for displaying the engine speed and the actual engine speed detected by the engine speed detection unit, and earlier than the start of the change in the actual engine speed related to the shift of the automatic transmission The present invention is directed to a vehicle engine speed display device including a control device that controls an engine speed display unit based on a virtual engine speed that starts a change related to a shift at a timing. When the change in the rotational speed starts, a sound signal of a pseudo engine sound that simulates the sound of the engine is output to an audio device mounted on the vehicle.

  According to this, in order to make the driver recognize the speed of the shift, even when the timing for starting the change in the virtual rotational speed related to the shift is earlier than the timing for starting the change in the actual engine rotational speed related to the shift. Since the pseudo engine sound is output for a predetermined period, the driver's uncomfortable feeling caused by the difference between the actual engine change sound at the time of shifting and the display change (needle movement) of the engine speed display device can be alleviated. .

  In a second aspect based on the first aspect, the control device controls the engine speed display unit based on the actual engine speed instead of the virtual speed when the audio device is out of order.

  According to this, when the audio device is out of order and the pseudo engine sound cannot be output, the engine speed display unit is controlled based on the actual engine speed. It is possible to suppress a driver from feeling uncomfortable due to a difference in display (hand movement) of the engine speed display device.

  In the third aspect of the invention, the control device continues to output the audio signal until at least the change in the actual engine speed related to the shift starts.

  According to this, since the period during which the pseudo engine sound is output can be shortened, it is possible to prevent interference with other audio devices and hindering conversation between the driver and other occupants.

  A fourth invention includes an engine, an automatic transmission disposed on a power transmission path between the engine and the wheel, and an engine speed display unit for displaying the engine speed, and an actual engine of the engine The engine speed display unit based on the virtual engine speed that does not depend on the engine speed and starts the change related to the shift at a timing earlier than the start of the change of the actual engine speed related to the shift of the automatic transmission. When a change in virtual rotation speed related to gear shifting starts, a sound signal of a pseudo engine sound that simulates engine sound is output to an audio device mounted on the vehicle. Is.

  According to this, in order to make the driver recognize the speed of the shift, even when the timing for starting the change in the virtual rotational speed related to the shift is earlier than the timing for starting the change in the actual engine rotational speed related to the shift. Since the pseudo engine sound is output for a predetermined period, the driver's uncomfortable feeling caused by the difference between the actual engine change sound at the time of shifting and the display change (needle movement) of the engine speed display device can be alleviated. .

  According to the present invention, it is possible to alleviate the driver's uncomfortable feeling caused by the difference between the actual engine change sound and the change in the display of the engine speed display device (the movement of the needle) when shifting the automatic transmission.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows the engine speed display apparatus of the vehicle which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the engine speed display method of the vehicle which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a timing chart which shows the engine speed display method of the vehicle concerning Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the engine speed display method of the vehicle which concerns on the modification of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the engine speed display method of the vehicle which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a timing chart which shows the engine speed display method of the vehicle concerning Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention, its application, or its use.

(Embodiment 1)
A vehicle engine speed display device and an engine speed display method according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 schematically shows components of a vehicle engine speed display device according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle according to the present embodiment includes, for example, an engine 31, a speed change mechanism (automatic transmission) 32, a lockup clutch 33, a control unit (control device) 10, and an audio device 41. It has. The control unit 10 is connected to various sensors 21 to 25 that output predetermined detection signals to the control unit 10, and is controlled based on input signals from the various sensors 21 to 25. It is connected to a mechanical tachometer (engine speed display unit) 34 that displays the engine speed. In the present embodiment, the tachometer 34 is exemplified by a mechanical tachometer having a mechanical needle, but is not limited thereto. For example, it may be a tachometer that displays (emits light) an analog needle on a liquid crystal screen or the like as a pointer, or is divided into a plurality of segments at a predetermined number of revolutions as a bar graph without using a pointer on the liquid crystal screen or the like. It may be a tachometer that displays (emits light).

  The various sensors include an engine speed sensor (engine speed detector) 21 that detects the speed of the output shaft of the engine 31, a turbine speed sensor 22 that detects an input speed from the engine 31 to the transmission mechanism 32, an accelerator ( An accelerator opening sensor 23 for detecting the opening of the throttle), a vehicle speed sensor 24 for detecting the vehicle speed from an axle (drive shaft), and a range sensor 25 for detecting a shift range in the transmission mechanism 32 are included.

  The control unit 10 includes an engine control unit 11 that controls the output of the engine 31, the AT control unit 12 that controls the operation of the transmission mechanism 32, a tachometer 34, a meter that controls a speed meter, a water temperature meter, and the like (not shown). And a control unit 13.

  Next, a flowchart and timing chart in the vehicle engine speed display method according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a vehicle engine speed display method, and FIG. 3 is a timing chart thereof.

  As shown in FIG. 2, first, when the ignition key switch of the vehicle is turned on, in step S01, the control unit 10 reads each signal from the various sensors 21 to 25 and the like.

  Next, in step S02, it is determined based on a vehicle speed detection signal from the vehicle speed sensor 24 whether or not the vehicle is traveling. In the present embodiment, for example, a case where the vehicle speed detection signal indicates 10 km / h or more is determined as traveling, and a case where the vehicle speed detection signal indicates less than 10 km / h is determined as not traveling. If it is determined that the vehicle is not running, in step S10, the tachometer 34 is controlled during non-shifting based on the actual engine speed signal from the engine speed sensor 21. If it is determined that the vehicle is traveling, the process proceeds to the next step S03.

  Next, in step S03, it is determined whether or not a speed change command is output to the speed change mechanism 32. The presence / absence of a shift command is determined according to an accelerator operation or a manual operation, for example, at least one of output signals from the engine speed sensor 21, the turbine speed sensor 22, the accelerator opening sensor 23, the vehicle speed sensor 24, and the range sensor 25. It can be determined by one signal. If it is determined that the shift command is not output, the process proceeds to step S10, and the tachometer 34 is controlled at the time of non-shift. On the other hand, if it is determined that the shift command is output, the process proceeds to the next step S04.

  Next, in step S04, as shown in FIG. 3, the meter control unit 13 starts control of the tachometer 34 based on a virtual rotational speed that is preset in accordance with each shift and does not depend on the actual engine rotational speed. To do. Immediately after the start of the torque phase of the torque phase and inertia phase, which are the two phases during the speed change in the speed change mechanism 32, the virtual engine speed matches the actual engine speed.

  Next, in step S05, the rotational change of the virtual rotational speed related to the shift is started at a specified timing earlier than the start of the inertia phase (start of the change toward the target rotational speed after the change of the actual engine rotational speed). It is determined whether or not. If it is determined that the change in the virtual rotational speed related to the shift is not started, the process returns to step S05 again. That is, in step S05, as shown in FIG. 3, the process waits from the torque phase after receiving the shift command until the change in the virtual rotational speed related to the shift starts (wait). If it is determined that the change in the virtual rotational speed related to the shift has been started, the process proceeds to the next step S06.

  Next, in step S06, the audio signal of the pseudo engine sound is output to the audio device 41, and the pseudo engine sound is output from the audio device 41. The pseudo engine sound is a sound that simulates the sound of the engine 31.

  Next, in step S07, it is determined whether or not the speed change operation in the speed change mechanism 32 has been completed. If it is determined that the speed change operation has not ended, the process returns to step S07 again. That is, in step S10, as shown in FIG. 3, the process waits until the shift is completed (wait). The end of the speed change operation can be determined by at least one of the output signals from the engine speed sensor 21, the turbine speed sensor 22, the accelerator opening sensor 23, the vehicle speed sensor 24, and the range sensor 25. If it is determined that the shifting operation has been completed, the process proceeds to the next step S08.

  Next, in step S08, the output of the pseudo engine sound signal to the audio device 41 is terminated, and the output of the pseudo engine sound from the audio device 41 is stopped.

  Next, in step S09, based on the actual engine speed signal from the engine speed sensor 21, the tachometer 34 is returned to the non-shift control.

-Effect-
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the change in the virtual rotational speed related to the shift occurs at a timing earlier than the start of the inertia phase in FIG. 3 (the start of the change toward the target speed after the change in the actual engine speed). In the case of starting, the pseudo engine sound is output from the audio device 41 from the start of the change to the end of the shift. As a result, the driver's uncomfortable feeling caused by the difference between the actual change sound of the engine 31 and the change in the display of the engine speed display device 34 (the movement of the needle) during the shift of the automatic transmission 32 can be reduced. . In particular, this effect is noticeable during manual shifting.

  If the audio device 41 is out of order and no pseudo engine sound can be output, tachometer control may be performed based on the actual engine speed in the inertia phase. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a vehicle engine speed display method according to a modification of the present embodiment. In this modification, step S11 is inserted between step S05 and step S06 in FIG. 2 to detect a failure of the audio device 41. That is, in step S11, it is determined whether or not a speaker (not shown) of the audio device 41 is normal. For example, it can be determined whether or not the speaker is normal by detecting the presence or absence of an electrical signal supplied to the speaker. And when a speaker is normal, it progresses to step S06 and outputs a pseudo engine sound. On the other hand, if the speaker is not normal, the process proceeds to step S10, where the tachometer 34 is controlled during non-shifting based on the actual engine speed signal from the engine speed sensor 21.

  In the present embodiment and the modified example, the shift operation (shift operation) with respect to the transmission mechanism 32 of the vehicle has been described as a so-called upshift in which the gear ratio value is shifted from a large gear to a small gear. On the other hand, in the case of so-called downshift in which the gear ratio value is shifted from a gear having a small gear ratio value to a large gear, it can be similarly implemented only by reversing the direction of the graph shown in FIG.

(Embodiment 2)
A vehicle engine speed display device and an engine speed display method according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  The vehicle engine speed display device according to the second embodiment is the same as the display device shown in FIG. The difference from the first embodiment is that in the first embodiment, a pseudo engine sound is output until the shift is completed, and in the second embodiment, the inertia phase starts (toward the target engine speed after the change in the actual engine engine speed). The start of the change of the engine engine sound is finished.

  A flowchart and timing chart in the vehicle engine speed display method according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 5, and 6.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a vehicle engine speed display method, and FIG. 6 is a timing chart thereof.

  As shown in FIG. 5, first, when the ignition key switch of the vehicle is turned on, in step S21, the control unit 10 reads each signal from the various sensors 21 to 25 and the like.

  Next, in step S22, it is determined based on a vehicle speed detection signal from the vehicle speed sensor 24 whether or not the vehicle is traveling. In the present embodiment, for example, a case where the vehicle speed detection signal indicates 10 km / h or more is determined as traveling, and a case where the vehicle speed detection signal indicates less than 10 km / h is determined as not traveling. If it is determined that the vehicle is not running, in step S31, the tachometer 34 is controlled during non-shifting based on the actual engine speed signal from the engine speed sensor 21. If it is determined that the vehicle is traveling, the process proceeds to the next step S23.

  Next, in step S23, it is determined whether or not a shift command is output to the transmission mechanism 32. The presence / absence of a shift command is determined according to an accelerator operation or a manual operation, for example, at least one of output signals from the engine speed sensor 21, the turbine speed sensor 22, the accelerator opening sensor 23, the vehicle speed sensor 24, and the range sensor 25. It can be determined by one signal. Here, when it is determined that the shift command is not output, the process proceeds to step S31, and the tachometer 34 is controlled during non-shift. On the other hand, if it is determined that the shift command is output, the process proceeds to the next step S24.

  Next, in step S24, as shown in FIG. 6, the meter control unit 13 starts control of the tachometer 34 based on a virtual rotational speed that is preset in accordance with each shift and does not depend on the actual engine rotational speed. To do. Immediately after the start of the torque phase of the torque phase and inertia phase, which are the two phases during the speed change in the speed change mechanism 32, the virtual engine speed matches the actual engine speed.

  Next, in step S25, the rotational change of the virtual rotational speed related to the shift is started at a specified timing earlier than the start of the inertia phase (start of the change toward the target rotational speed after the change of the actual engine rotational speed). It is determined whether or not. If it is determined that the change in the virtual rotational speed related to the shift is not started, the process returns to step S25 again. That is, in step S25, as shown in FIG. 6, the process waits from the torque phase after receiving the shift command until the change in the virtual rotational speed related to the shift starts (wait). When it is determined that the change in the virtual rotational speed related to the shift is started, the process proceeds to the next step S26.

  Next, in step S <b> 26, the audio signal of the pseudo engine sound is output to the audio device 41, and the pseudo engine sound is output from the audio device 41. The pseudo engine sound is a sound that simulates the sound of the engine 31.

  Next, in step S27, it is determined whether the inertia phase of the torque phase and the inertia phase, which are the two phases during the shift in the transmission mechanism 32, has been started. If it is determined that the inertia phase has not started, the process returns to step S27 again. That is, in step S27, as shown in FIG. 6, the process waits until the inertia phase starts from the torque phase after receiving the shift command (wait). The determination that the inertia phase has started can be made, for example, based on whether or not the engine speed detection signal from the engine speed sensor 21 has started to change toward the target speed after shifting. If it is determined that the inertia phase has started, the process proceeds to the next step S28. Note that as a modification, the start of the inertia phase may be determined by setting a timer that waits for the predetermined time instead of waiting for the predetermined time by the loop.

  Next, in step S28, the output of the pseudo engine sound to the audio device 41 is terminated, and the output of the pseudo engine sound from the audio device 41 is stopped.

  Next, in step S29, it is determined whether or not the speed change operation in the speed change mechanism 32 has been completed. If it is determined that the speed change operation has not ended, the process returns to step S29 again. That is, in step S29, as shown in FIG. 6, the process waits until the shift is completed (wait). The end of the speed change operation can be determined by at least one of the output signals from the engine speed sensor 21, the turbine speed sensor 22, the accelerator opening sensor 23, the vehicle speed sensor 24, and the range sensor 25. If it is determined that the speed change operation has ended, the process proceeds to the next step S30.

  Next, in step S30, based on the actual engine speed signal from the engine speed sensor 21, the tachometer 34 is returned to the non-shift control.

-Effect-
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the change in the virtual rotational speed related to the shift occurs at a timing earlier than the start of the inertia phase in FIG. 6 (the start of the change toward the target speed after the change in the actual engine speed). In the case of starting, the pseudo engine sound is output from the audio device 41 from the start of the change to the start of the inertia phase (start of change toward the target speed after the change of the actual engine speed). As a result, the driver's uncomfortable feeling caused by the difference between the actual change sound of the engine 31 and the change in the display of the engine speed display device 34 (the movement of the needle) during the shift of the automatic transmission 32 can be reduced. . In particular, this effect is noticeable during manual shifting.

  If the audio device 41 is out of order and no pseudo engine sound can be output, tachometer control may be performed based on the actual engine speed in the inertia phase. Specifically, a step of detecting a failure of the audio device 41 similar to step S11 of FIG. 4 may be inserted between step S25 and step S26 of FIG.

  In the present embodiment and the modified example, the shift operation (shift operation) with respect to the transmission mechanism 32 of the vehicle has been described as a so-called upshift in which the gear ratio value is shifted from a large gear to a small gear. On the contrary, in the case of a so-called downshift in which the gear ratio value is shifted from a gear having a small gear ratio value to a large gear, it can be similarly implemented only by reversing the direction of the graph shown in FIG.

  As described above, the vehicle engine speed display device and the display method thereof according to the present invention are the actual engine change sound and the change in the display of the engine speed display device (the movement of the needle) during the shift of the automatic transmission. This can be applied to uses that require a driver to feel uncomfortable due to the difference.

10 Control unit (control device)
11 Engine control unit 12 AT control unit 13 Meter control unit 21 Engine speed sensor (engine speed detector)
22 Turbine speed sensor 23 Accelerator opening sensor 24 Vehicle speed sensor 25 Range sensor 31 Engine 32 Transmission mechanism (automatic transmission)
33 Lock-up clutch (connection / disconnection element)
34 Tachometer (Engine speed display)
41 Audio equipment

Claims (4)

Engine,
An automatic transmission disposed on a power transmission path between the engine and wheels;
An engine speed detector for detecting the engine speed;
An engine speed display for displaying the engine speed;
The speed change is not dependent on the actual engine speed detected by the engine speed detector, and the change related to the shift is performed at a timing earlier than the start of the change in the actual engine speed related to the shift of the automatic transmission. A control device for controlling the engine speed display unit based on the virtual speed of the engine to be started;
An engine speed display device for a vehicle equipped with
The controller is
When the change in the virtual rotational speed related to the shift starts, a sound signal of a pseudo engine sound simulating the sound of the engine is output to an audio device mounted on the vehicle.
An engine speed display device for a vehicle. The controller is
When the audio device is out of order, the engine speed display unit is controlled based on the actual engine speed instead of the virtual speed.
The vehicle engine speed display device according to claim 1. The controller is
Continue outputting the audio signal at least until the change in the actual engine speed related to the shift starts.
The vehicle engine speed display device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that Engine,
An automatic transmission disposed on a power transmission path between the engine and wheels;
An engine speed display for displaying the engine speed;
The engine that does not depend on the actual engine speed of the engine and starts the change related to the shift at a timing earlier than the start of the change of the actual engine speed related to the shift of the automatic transmission An engine speed display method for a vehicle that controls the engine speed display unit based on the virtual speed of the vehicle,
When the change in the virtual rotational speed related to the shift starts, a sound signal of a pseudo engine sound simulating the sound of the engine is output to an audio device mounted on the vehicle.
A method for displaying the engine speed of a vehicle.

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