JP2019209791A - vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a structure capable of suppressing a shift during a clutch cutoff while suppressing discomfort caused to a driver in a vehicle allowing cutoff of the clutch during an inertia travel.SOLUTION: While a driver keeps pressing a switch 24 during an inertia travel, a power transmission path is allowed to be cut off. Here, the switch 24 is disposed in a steering wheel 30, with the switch disposed on a side where a shift lever 15 is arranged, in a direction of vehicular width relative to a line L that goes through a center C of the steering wheel 30 and is parallel to a vehicular front-rear direction, and therefore it is difficult to operate the shift lever 15 while the power transmission path is cut off by the driver pressing on the switch 24. This makes it possible to suppress shifting while the power transmission path is cut off. It is further possible to suppress the possibility of causing discomfort to the driver caused by the driver operating the shift lever 15 while the power transmission path is cutoff.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle including a manual transmission that is shifted by a driver's manual operation.

  In a vehicle equipped with a manual transmission that is shifted by manual operation of a shift lever by a driver, coasting control is performed in which a power transmission path between the engine and driving wheels is blocked by disconnecting a clutch during coasting traveling. Things have been proposed. This is the vehicle described in Patent Document 1. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 describes that a shifting operation is prohibited during the coasting control.

JP2012-13185A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-118236

  By the way, in the vehicle of Patent Document 1, the shift lever is locked during coasting control in order to suppress shifting during execution of the coasting control. At this time, since the driver can operate the locked shift lever, if the driver tries to operate the shift lever during coasting control, the driver may feel uncomfortable because the shift lever does not move. There is.

  The present invention has been made against the background of the above circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to suppress discomfort given to the driver in a vehicle capable of disengaging the clutch while coasting, while disengaging the clutch. An object of the present invention is to provide a structure capable of suppressing a shift.

  The gist of the first invention is that (a) a manual transmission that is shifted by a driver's manual operation of a shift lever, and a power transmission path between the engine and driving wheels during coasting are permitted. And (b) the switch is allowed to block the power transmission path while the driver keeps pushing the switch, and (c) the switch The switch is provided on the steering wheel, and is provided on the side where the shift lever is arranged in the vehicle width direction with respect to a straight line passing through the center of the steering wheel and parallel to the vehicle front-rear direction. And

  According to the vehicle of the first invention, the power transmission path is allowed to be cut off while the driver keeps pressing the switch during coasting. Here, the switch is provided on the steering wheel and on the side where the shift lever is arranged in the vehicle width direction with respect to a straight line passing through the center of the steering wheel and parallel to the vehicle front-rear direction. Therefore, it is difficult to operate the shift lever while the power transmission path is interrupted by the driver pushing the switch. As a result, it is possible to suppress a shift during the interruption of the power transmission path. In this connection, the driver can operate the shift lever while the power transmission path is interrupted, thereby suppressing the driver from feeling uncomfortable.

It is a figure explaining the schematic structure of the vehicle to which the present invention was applied. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a control operation that is a main part of a control operation of the electronic control device of FIG. 1 and that controls execution of coasting travel during vehicle travel.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the drawings are appropriately simplified or modified, and the dimensional ratios, shapes, and the like of the respective parts are not necessarily drawn accurately.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a vehicle 10 to which the present invention is applied. The vehicle 10 includes an engine 12, a manual transmission 14, and a clutch 16 provided in a power transmission path between the engine 12 and the manual transmission 14. The clutch 16 is a connection / disconnection device that connects / disconnects between the engine 12 and the manual transmission 14.

  The engine 12 is a driving force source that generates driving force for traveling the vehicle. For example, the engine 12 is an internal combustion engine such as a gasoline engine or a diesel engine that generates driving force by combustion of fuel injected into a cylinder.

  The manual transmission 14 is provided in a power transmission path between the engine 12 and the drive wheels 20, and is constituted by, for example, a well-known parallel two-shaft transmission. The manual transmission 14 is shifted to an arbitrary gear stage by manual operation of a shift lever 15 provided in the driver's seat.

  The clutch 16 is connected in a state where the clutch pedal 18 is not depressed, and the engine 12 and the manual transmission 14 are connected so that power can be transmitted. At this time, power is transmitted from the engine 12 to the drive wheels 20 via the clutch 16 and the manual transmission 14. On the other hand, when the clutch pedal 18 is depressed, the clutch 16 is switched to the disconnected state. At this time, the power transmission path between the engine 12 and the manual transmission 14 is interrupted.

  Further, the clutch 16 can be automatically connected / disconnected by driving the actuator 22 without the operation of the clutch pedal 18. When a command signal for disengaging the clutch 16 is output from the electronic control unit 50 (described later) to the actuator 22, the actuator 22 is driven, and the clutch 16 is moved via a mechanism provided between the actuator 22 and the clutch 16. Be blocked. In addition, when a command signal for connecting the clutch 16 is output from the electronic control unit 50 to the actuator 22 in a state where the clutch 16 is disconnected by the actuator 22, the actuator 22 is driven and the clutch 16 is connected.

  The travel in which the clutch 16 is disconnected by the actuator 22 (hereinafter, coasting travel) is performed during coasting travel in which the vehicle travels by inertia. When switched to coasting during coasting, the clutch 16 is disengaged and the power transmission path between the engine 12 and the drive wheels 20 is interrupted, so there is no running resistance such as dragging of the engine 12. , The coasting distance can be increased. As a result, fuel consumption is reduced and fuel consumption is improved.

  The coasting is a manual operation in which it is determined that a predetermined coasting driving condition that enables coasting (substantially coasting is possible) is satisfied, and the driver permits the coasting. This is performed when the coasting switch 24 (hereinafter referred to as the switch 24) is depressed. The switch 24 is a manual push button switch, and includes a contact switch or a pressure sensor. While the switch 24 is pushed by the driver, that is, while the push of the switch 24 by the driver is maintained, a signal permitting coasting is output to the electronic control unit 50. As a result, in a state where the predetermined coasting traveling condition is established, the coasting traveling is permitted and the clutch 16 is disengaged while the switch 24 is depressed by the driver. On the other hand, when the depression of the switch 24 is released during the coasting running (that is, the switch 24 is released from the hand), the permission of the coasting running is released and the clutch 16 is connected. Thus, the switch 24 functions as a switch of the present invention that permits the power transmission path between the engine 12 and the drive wheels 20 to be cut off while the driver keeps pressing the switch 24 during traveling. To do.

  In this way, since the start and end of the coasting run are determined based on the operation of the switch 24 by the driver, the start and end of the coasting run are left to the driver's judgment, and the course as the driver intends. Running. For example, even when the coasting driving condition is satisfied, when the driver desires to generate engine brake, the switch 24 is not pushed in, so the clutch 16 is not disconnected. Therefore, the engine brake desired by the driver can be obtained. Further, since the operation is switched to the coasting by the manual operation of the switch 24, the stress (load) applied to the driver is reduced compared to the coasting by the depression of the clutch pedal 18.

  The switch 24 is provided on the steering wheel 30 provided in the driver's seat. The right side of FIG. 1 schematically shows the arrangement positions of various pedals (clutch pedal 18, accelerator pedal 26, brake pedal 28), steering wheel 30, and shift lever 15 in the driver's seat. In FIG. 1, the upper side of the drawing corresponds to the front of the vehicle, and the left-right direction of the drawing corresponds to the vehicle width direction. As shown in FIG. 1, the switch 24 is provided on the steering wheel 30 and passes through the center C of the steering wheel 30 with respect to a straight line L parallel to the vehicle front-rear direction (traveling direction) in the vehicle width direction. It is provided on the side where the shift lever 15 is disposed. The switch 24 is provided at a position where the switch can be operated in a state where the driver holds the steering wheel 30 during driving. Accordingly, it is difficult to operate the shift lever 15 while the driver keeps pressing the switch 24.

  The vehicle 10 includes an electronic control device 50 that controls driving of the actuator 22. The electronic control unit 50 includes, for example, a so-called microcomputer having a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, an input / output interface, and the like. The CPU uses a temporary storage function of the RAM and follows a program stored in the ROM in advance. The actuator 22 is controlled by performing signal processing. The electronic control device 50 may be provided integrally with an electronic control device that controls the engine 12 or the like, or may be provided separately for controlling the actuator 22.

  The electronic control unit 50 includes a signal representing the engine rotational speed Ne detected by the engine rotational speed sensor 52, a signal representing the output shaft rotational speed Nout corresponding to the vehicle speed V detected by the vehicle speed sensor 54, and an accelerator opening sensor 56. A signal indicating the accelerator opening degree θacc corresponding to the operation amount (depression amount) of the accelerator pedal 26 detected by, a signal indicating the stroke amount Bs of the brake pedal 28 detected by the brake pedal stroke sensor 58, and a clutch throttle sensor 60 Represents a signal representing the stroke amount Cs of the clutch pedal 18 detected by the shift sensor 62, a signal representing the shift operation position Psh of the shift lever 15 detected by the shift sensor 62, and the presence or absence Son of the coasting travel permission detected by the switch 24. A signal is input. The electronic control device 50 outputs a command signal Sc for connecting / disconnecting the clutch 16 to / from the actuator 22.

  In the electronic control unit 50, the coasting condition determination unit 70 for determining whether a condition capable of executing the coasting traveling during traveling (that is, a condition capable of coasting) is satisfied, and the driver is permitted to perform the coasting traveling. A coasting permission determination unit 72 that determines whether the clutch 16 is engaged, and an automatic clutch control unit 74 that controls connection / disconnection of the clutch 16 by the actuator 22.

  The coasting condition determination unit 70 can execute coasting travel in which various parameters such as the vehicle speed V, the current gear position of the manual transmission 14, and the operation amounts of various pedals are set for the various parameters. If it is within the range, it is determined that a condition capable of executing the coasting is satisfied. For example, when the vehicle speed V is equal to or higher than a preset lower limit threshold value, it is determined that a condition capable of executing coasting traveling related to the vehicle speed V is satisfied. The lower limit threshold of the vehicle speed V is set in a range where the engine speed Ne is higher than the rotational speed at which the engine stall may occur when the clutch 16 is engaged. The lower limit threshold is set for each gear stage. In addition, when the accelerator opening degree θacc, which is the operation amount of the accelerator pedal 26, is equal to or less than a predetermined value near zero or near zero, it is determined that a condition for executing the coasting travel related to the accelerator pedal 26 is satisfied. When all the conditions under which the coasting traveling can be performed for each of these various parameters are satisfied, the coasting condition determination unit 70 determines that the conditions for enabling the coasting traveling (conditions for starting) are satisfied.

  In addition, the coasting condition determination unit 70 turns on or blinks the indicator lamp 78 of the instrument panel 76 (display system) provided in the driver's seat when a condition capable of executing the coasting is satisfied. The driver can be informed that coasting can be performed, and the driver can be prompted to switch to coasting.

  Also, the coasting condition determination unit 70 does not satisfy the conditions for executing the coasting run if any one of the conditions for executing the coasting run for each parameter is not satisfied during the coasting run. Judge that it is. In other words, it is determined that the coasting end condition is satisfied.

  The coasting permission determination unit 72 permits the driver to perform the coasting driving based on whether the switch 24 is in the depressed state when it is determined that the condition capable of executing the coasting driving is satisfied. It is determined whether it is done. The coasting permission determination unit 72 determines that the coasting travel is permitted while the push of the switch 24 (switch ON) is maintained. The coasting permission determination unit 72 is not permitted to perform coasting when the finger is released from the switch 24 during coasting and the driver releases the push of the switch 24 (switch OFF). Is determined.

  The automatic clutch control unit 74 outputs a command signal that causes the actuator 22 to disconnect the clutch 16 when the conditions under which the coasting traveling can be executed are satisfied and the coasting traveling is permitted. As a result, while the driver pushes the switch 24, the clutch 16 is disengaged and the coasting travel is executed. Here, as described above, since the switch 24 is provided on the side where the shift lever 24 is disposed with respect to the straight line L passing through the center C of the steering wheel 30, the side on which the driver operates the shift lever 15. The switch 24 is pushed by the hand. Therefore, during coasting traveling in which the driver keeps pressing the switch 24, the operation of the shift lever 15 becomes difficult, so that the shift operation of the shift lever 15 by the driver is prevented. Therefore, for example, the manual transmission 14 is not switched to neutral during coasting, so that safety is improved.

  When the driver releases the push of the switch 24 during the coasting travel, the automatic clutch control unit 74 determines the end of the coasting travel and drives the actuator 22 to connect the clutch 16. Further, the automatic clutch control unit 74 terminates the coasting travel when it is determined that the conditions under which the coasting travel can be performed are no longer satisfied even when the switch 24 is depressed by the driver. And the actuator 22 is driven to connect the clutch 16. Thus, for example, when the clutch pedal 18 is depressed during coasting and a driver's acceleration request is generated, the clutch 16 is connected regardless of the release of the push of the switch 24, thereby promptly accelerating. Is possible. Further, during coasting, the engine 12 is prevented from being stalled when the vehicle speed V falls below the appropriate vehicle speed of the selected gear stage and the clutch 16 is connected.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining a control operation that is a main part of the control operation of the electronic control unit 50 and that controls the execution of the coasting traveling while the vehicle is traveling. This flowchart is repeatedly executed while the vehicle is traveling.

  First, in step S1 (hereinafter, step is omitted) corresponding to the control function of the coasting condition determination unit 70, it is determined whether a condition capable of executing coasting (startable) is satisfied. If S1 is negative, this routine is terminated. When S1 is affirmed, it is determined in S2 corresponding to the control function of the coasting permission determination unit 72 whether the driver has pushed the switch 24 (switch ON). If S2 is negative, the routine is terminated.

  When S2 is affirmed, in S3 corresponding to the control function of the automatic clutch control unit 74, the clutch 16 is disengaged by driving the actuator 22 (coasting travel start). Next, in S4 corresponding to the control function of the coasting permission determination unit 72, it is determined whether the pressing of the switch 24 is released (switch OFF). If S4 is negative, it is determined in S5 corresponding to the control function of the coasting condition determination unit 70 whether the condition for executing the coasting is no longer satisfied, that is, whether the condition for terminating the coasting is satisfied. The When S5 is denied, it returns to S4 and the step of S4 is repeatedly performed. When S4 is affirmed and when S5 is affirmed, it is determined that the coasting is to be ended, and the clutch 16 is connected by driving the actuator 22 in S6 corresponding to the control function of the automatic clutch control unit 74. Is done.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the power transmission path is allowed to be cut off while the driver keeps pushing the switch 24 during coasting. Here, the switch 24 is provided on the steering wheel 30 and on the side where the shift lever 15 is arranged in the vehicle width direction with respect to a straight line L passing through the center C of the steering wheel 30 and parallel to the front-rear direction of the vehicle. Therefore, it is difficult to operate the shift lever 15 while the power transmission path is blocked by the driver pressing the switch 24. As a result, it is possible to suppress a shift during the interruption of the power transmission path. Further, when the driver operates the shift lever 15 while the power transmission path is cut off, it is possible to suppress a possibility that the driver feels uncomfortable.

  The above description is only an embodiment, and the present invention can be implemented in variously modified and improved forms based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

10: Vehicle 12: Engine 14: Manual transmission 15: Shift lever 20: Drive wheel 24: Switch 30: Steering wheel L: Straight line

Claims (1)

A vehicle including a manual transmission that is shifted by a manual operation of a shift lever by a driver, and a switch that allows a power transmission path between the engine and driving wheels to be cut off during traveling,
The switch is one that allows the power transmission path to be cut off while the driver keeps pushing the switch.
The switch is provided on the steering wheel and on the side where the shift lever is arranged in the vehicle width direction with respect to a straight line passing through the center of the steering wheel and parallel to the front-rear direction of the vehicle. Characteristic vehicle.

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