JP4650435B2 - Fuel-saving driving recommendation device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel-saving driving recommendation device suitable for application to vehicles such as passenger cars, trucks, and buses.

  Recent vehicles may be equipped with a cruise control system having a function of maintaining a set speed without depressing the accelerator pedal for the purpose of improving user convenience and reducing driving load. . In such a cruise control system, the throttle opening is controlled based on the set speed set by the user in order to maintain the set speed while feedback controlling the speed of the vehicle. Here, the set vehicle speed is not limited to that input from the touch panel, and the set vehicle speed may be set by the user operating the switch when the vehicle speed to be set is reached.

  In combination with such a cruise control system, in order to recommend fuel-saving driving by the user, a fuel saving area of throttle opening or accelerator opening is set, and the accelerator opening or throttle opening falls within this fuel saving area. There is a case where an eco-indicator as described in Patent Document 1 is provided to notify the user of the deviation when deviating. In this eco-indicator, control is performed so as not to notify the user when traveling uphill.

Here, in such a cruise control system, when the vehicle is traveling at a constant speed by cruise control, for example, when climbing or overtaking is necessary, and the user depresses the accelerator pedal, from the accelerator opening degree When the converted throttle opening and the throttle opening by cruise control are compared, and the throttle opening by the user depressing the accelerator pedal is larger, so-called override is performed to give priority to the throttle opening.
JP 2006-76415 A

  In such an eco-indicator, when it is necessary to depress the accelerator pedal during climbing, the throttle opening converted by the accelerator opening does not reach the throttle opening by cruise control depending on the depression amount of the accelerator pedal. Thus, it is possible to avoid the possibility that the user is notified of the departure from the fuel saving area and the user feels uncomfortable.

  However, in the situation where the above-described overriding is performed, the deviation from the fuel-saving driving is notified to the user at the time of the uphill driving due to the difference between the determination of the uphill driving and the timing of the cruise control, and the user feels uncomfortable. The problem still arises. In addition, even if the user depresses the accelerator pedal due to factors other than climbing, such as overtaking, increased occupant weight, increased load capacity, headwind, etc., the override is not performed depending on the amount of depression. Even if the vehicle does not accelerate against the will of the user, the user is notified of the deviation from the fuel-saving driving, and the user still feels uncomfortable.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a fuel-saving driving recommendation device that can prevent a user from feeling uncomfortable.

In order to solve the above problem, the fuel-saving driving recommendation device according to the present invention is:
Detection means for detecting the accelerator opening;
Notifying means for notifying the user of the deviation when the accelerator opening detected by the detecting means or the converted throttle opening converted from the accelerator opening deviates from the fuel saving region;
Control means for controlling the throttle opening so as to maintain the vehicle speed at a set speed ;
With a valve control means for selecting the larger one of the converted throttle opening and the throttle opening as a command value ,
In the case where the control means is controlling the throttle opening, when said detecting means detects the accelerator opening of the positive value, the conversion throttle opening converted from the accelerator opening, the control means is smaller than the throttle opening degree control is characterized in that the notification unit does not perform the notification.
That is, when the converted throttle opening is smaller than the throttle opening, the notification means does not perform the notification regardless of whether or not the converted throttle opening deviates from the fuel saving region. It is characterized by that.

  The fuel saving region is a region that is determined according to the vehicle speed and the throttle opening or the accelerator opening, based on the vehicle characteristics of the engine, the transmission, etc. and the running resistance of the vehicle.

  Here, the accelerator opening is, for example, the rotation angle of the rotation axis of the accelerator pedal, which is a value proportional to the depression amount of the accelerator pedal of the user, and is a parameter indicating the strength of the acceleration intention of the user.

  The throttle opening is an opening of a throttle valve that is provided in an intake device constituting the engine and controls the output of the engine by controlling the amount of air supplied to the engine cylinder.

In addition, normally, in the characteristic curve showing the relationship between the accelerator opening and the throttle opening, the throttle opening is smaller than the accelerator opening, particularly in a region where the accelerator opening is small, when the accelerator pedal is depressed. The inclination is set small from the viewpoint of preventing sudden vehicle jump out. The converted throttle opening is converted from the accelerator opening using this characteristic curve.

The case where the detection means detects a positive accelerator opening degree indicates a case where the user depresses the accelerator pedal with an intention to accelerate. Further, when the converted throttle opening converted from the accelerator opening is smaller than the throttle opening controlled by the control means, the converted throttle opening converted from the accelerator opening caused by the depression of the accelerator pedal by the user. The degree is smaller than the throttle opening degree controlled by the control means. That is, so-called override is not performed in which the converted throttle opening converted from the accelerator opening by depression of the accelerator pedal is prioritized over the throttle opening controlled by the control means.

  Here, the control means typically represents a cruise control ECU that controls cruise control, and the notification means and the detection means typically represent an engine ECU that controls the engine.

The notification means for notifying the deviation of the accelerator opening detected by the detection means from the fuel saving region or the converted throttle opening converted from the accelerator opening is typically It can be configured by using a lamp that is lit and extinguished when it deviates.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the fuel-saving driving | operation recommendation apparatus which can prevent that a user feels uncomfortable can be provided.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of an eco-indicator according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic map diagram used for control of an embodiment of the eco-indicator according to the present invention, and FIG. It is a schematic map used for control of one Embodiment of the eco-indicator concerning.

  The eco-indicator 1 includes an accelerator pedal sensor 2, an engine ECU 3 (Electronic Control Unit), a throttle valve actuator 4, a vehicle speed sensor 5, a cruise control ECU 6 (Electronic Control Unit), a touch panel 7, and a lamp 8. Configured. The engine ECU 3 is connected to the cruise control ECU 6 according to a communication standard such as CAN (Controller Area Network). The eco-indicator 1 constitutes a fuel-saving driving recommendation device.

  The accelerator pedal sensor 2 is a rotation angle sensor provided on a rotation shaft of an accelerator pedal (not shown), and detects the angle of the rotation shaft, that is, the depression amount of the accelerator pedal, and outputs the detection result to the engine ECU 3.

  The engine ECU 3 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and a data bus connecting them, and the CPU performs predetermined processing described below in accordance with a program stored in the ROM. Further, the engine ECU 3 includes a notification means 3a for notifying the user of a departure from the low fuel consumption area by turning off the lamp 8, a detection means 3b for detecting the accelerator opening degree Ac by the accelerator pedal sensor 2, and a throttle valve actuator 4. Valve control means 3c for controlling.

  The throttle valve actuator 4 is provided in an intake device that constitutes an engine (not shown), and controls the amount of air supplied to the engine cylinder to drive the throttle valve that controls the engine output, thereby controlling the throttle opening. In addition, the engine output is controlled.

  The vehicle speed sensor 5 is provided on the wheel of the vehicle, detects the vehicle speed from the rotational speed of the vehicle speed, and outputs the detected vehicle speed to the cruise control ECU 6.

  The cruise control ECU 6 is also composed of, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and a data bus connecting them, and the CPU performs predetermined processing described below in accordance with a program stored in the ROM. It constitutes a control means for controlling.

  The touch panel 7 is an input device for inputting a set speed desired by the user to the cruise control ECU 6, and is provided in the vicinity of the driver's seat in the vehicle compartment.

  The lamp 8 is a green lamp provided on a front panel on which, for example, a vehicle speedometer or tachometer is installed. When the throttle opening Ta corresponding to the accelerator opening Ac detected by the accelerator pedal 2 deviates from the fuel saving region S as shown in FIG. Except when the throttle opening is smaller than Tc, the lamp is extinguished based on a command from the notification means 3a of the engine ECU 3. In addition, the lamp 8 is turned on based on a command from the notification means 3a of the ECU 3 when the throttle opening degree Ta is within the fuel saving region S.

  The detection means 3b of the engine ECU 3 detects the accelerator opening Ac by the accelerator pedal sensor 2 by the accelerator pedal sensor 2, and the notification means 3a of the engine ECU 3 is stored in the engine ECU 3 as shown in FIG. The corresponding throttle opening Ta is converted based on the characteristic curve of the accelerator opening Ac and the throttle opening Ta.

  Thereafter, the notification means 3a of the engine ECU 3 determines the throttle opening degree Ta based on the characteristics of the engine, the transmission, etc. and the running resistance of the vehicle, as shown in FIG. When the throttle opening degree Ta deviates from this fuel saving region S as compared with S, the lamp 8 is extinguished by the user unless the throttle opening degree Ta is smaller than the throttle opening degree Tc as will be described later. This deviation is notified by lighting.

  The cruise control ECU 6 compares the set speed Vs input by the user with the touch panel 7 and the vehicle speed V detected by the vehicle speed sensor 5. If the vehicle speed V is smaller than the set speed Vs, the cruise control ECU 6 sets the large throttle opening Tc to the engine. A command value is output to the ECU 3. The cruise control ECU 6 outputs a small throttle opening Tc as a command value to the engine ECU 3 when the vehicle speed V is higher than the set speed Vs.

  The valve control means 3c of the engine ECU 3 is converted from the accelerator opening degree Ac detected by the accelerator pedal sensor 2 by the detecting means 3b of the engine ECU 3 based on the characteristic curve of the accelerator opening degree Ac and the throttle opening degree Ta shown in FIG. The throttle opening degree Ta and the throttle opening degree Tc input as a command value from the cruise control ECU 6 are compared, and the larger one of the throttle opening degree Ta and the throttle opening degree Tc is selected. The throttle valve actuator 4 is controlled so that the larger throttle opening is obtained.

  That is, when the throttle opening degree Tc is larger than the throttle opening degree Ta, the valve control means 3c of the ECU 3 uses the throttle opening degree Tc as a command value to control the throttle valve actuator 4 based on a command from the cruise control ECU 6. To do. Similarly, when the throttle opening degree Ta is equal to or greater than the throttle opening degree Tc, the valve control means 3c of the engine ECU 3 controls the throttle valve actuator 4 using the throttle opening degree Ta as a command value, and so-called override is executed.

  Further, the notification means 3a of the engine ECU 3 performs the blinking lamp control of the lamp 8 as follows based on the magnitude relationship between the throttle opening degree Ta and the throttle opening degree Tc. That is, when the throttle opening degree Ta is smaller than the throttle opening degree Tc, the lamp 8 is always turned on, and even if the throttle opening degree Ta deviates from the fuel saving region S described above, the deviation is not notified to the user.

  Further, the notification means 3a of the engine ECU 3 is used when the throttle opening degree Ta is equal to or larger than the throttle opening degree Tc and the throttle opening degree Ta deviates from the fuel saving region S shown in FIG. The lamp 8 is extinguished, the deviation is notified to the user, and the lamp 8 is turned on if the throttle opening degree Ta is within the fuel saving region S described above.

  Hereinafter, the control content of the eco-indicator 1 of the present embodiment will be described using a flowchart. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the engine ECU 3 and the cruise control ECU 6 of the eco-indicator 1 according to the present invention.

  When the user inputs the set speed Vs by operating the touch panel 7 in S1, the cruise control ECU 6 detects the set speed Vs. In S2, the cruise control ECU 6 detects the vehicle speed V by the vehicle speed sensor 5.

  Subsequently, in S3, the cruise control ECU 6 outputs the throttle opening Tc as a command value to the engine ECU 3 so that the set speed Vs and the vehicle speed V are equal, and the valve control means 3c of the engine ECU 3 is based on the command value. Thus, the throttle valve actuator 4 is feedback-controlled.

  Subsequently, in S4, the detection means 3b of the engine ECU 3 detects the accelerator opening degree Ac inputted by the accelerator pedal sensor 2 when the user manually depresses the accelerator pedal.

  Further, in S5, the detection means 3b of the engine ECU 3 determines whether or not the accelerator opening degree Ac is a positive value. If the accelerator opening degree Ac is a positive value, it is assumed that the user has depressed the accelerator pedal manually, and the process proceeds to S6. If it is not positive, the control is terminated assuming that the user has not depressed the accelerator pedal manually.

  In addition, in S6, the detection means 3b of the engine ECU 3 converts the corresponding throttle opening Ta from the accelerator opening Ac using the map shown in FIG.

  Subsequently, in S7, the notification means 3a of the engine ECU 3 determines whether the throttle opening degree Ta is equal to the throttle opening degree Tc detected as a command value from the cruise control ECU 6 in S3. That is, if the throttle opening degree Ta is equal to or larger than the throttle opening degree Tc, the process proceeds to S8, and if the throttle opening degree Ta is smaller than the throttle opening degree Tc, the process proceeds to S12.

In S8, the valve control means 3c of the engine ECU 3 controls the throttle valve actuator 4 using the throttle opening degree Ta as a command value, performs the override, and proceeds to S9.

  In S9, the notification means 3a of the engine ECU 3 determines whether or not the throttle opening degree Ta has deviated from the fuel saving region S shown in FIG. 3, and proceeds to S10 if deviating, and in S10 the lamp 8 And the user is notified of this deviation.

  Further, in S9, when the notification means 3a of the engine ECU 3 determines that the throttle opening degree Ta does not deviate from the fuel saving region S shown in FIG. 3, the process proceeds to S11 and the lamp 8 is turned on.

If it is determined in S7 that the throttle opening degree Ta is smaller than the throttle opening degree Tc, the process proceeds to S12, but in S12, the valve control means 3c of the engine ECU 3 continues to S3 and the set speed Vs becomes the vehicle speed V. The throttle valve actuator 4 is feedback-controlled using the throttle opening Tc from the cruise control ECU 6 as a command value so that

  Thereafter, in S13, the notification means 3a of the engine ECU 3 lights the lamp 8 regardless of whether the throttle opening degree Ta deviates from the fuel saving region S shown in FIG. Even if the fuel consumption area S is deviated, the deviation is not notified to the user.

  According to the present embodiment described above, the following operational effects can be obtained. That is, in the map shown in FIG. 3, when the throttle opening degree Ta is located above the fuel saving region S and below the throttle opening degree Tc, in the prior art, the throttle opening degree Ta Since it deviates from the fuel saving region S, it is possible to prevent the lamp 8 from being extinguished and notification of deviation to the user.

  In other words, in a situation where the throttle opening Tc by the cruise control ECU 6 is judged to be insufficient in acceleration, the throttle opening Ta is manually reduced at the stage where the user intentionally depresses the accelerator pedal and intends to override it. It is possible to prevent the user from feeling uncomfortable because the lamp 8 is extinguished because the vehicle deviates from the fuel saving region S when the throttle opening Tc is not reached above the fuel consumption region S.

  As a result, in the above-described override, which has been a problem in the prior art, the deviation from the fuel-saving driving is notified to the user during the uphill traveling due to the difference in the timing of the uphill traveling determination and the cruise control, and the user is notified. The problem of uncomfortable feeling can be solved.

  In addition, even if the user depresses the accelerator pedal due to factors other than climbing, such as overtaking, increased occupant weight, increased load capacity, headwind, etc., the throttle opening Ta depending on the amount of depression will be cruise controlled. Even if the ECU 6 is smaller than the throttle opening Tc by the ECU 6 and is not overridden and does not accelerate against the user's will, the deviation from the fuel saving area S is notified to the user by the lamp 8 being extinguished. The problem of uncomfortable feeling can also be avoided.

During cruise control by the cruise control ECU 6, after the user depresses a brake pedal (not shown) or operates a cancel switch, the cruise control ECU 6 returns the cruise control by a resume switch (not shown). even if, when the throttle opening degree T a prior return cruise control if a departure from the fuel-saving area S, also the lamp 8 is lit flashing, so that the user feels uncomfortable.

  However, in the prior art, even if the user depresses the accelerator pedal, the extinction of the lamp 8 is not eliminated, and the user feels uncomfortable. In this embodiment, however, the user can Since the lamp 8 is not extinguished by depressing the pedal, the user can take more actions after feeling the first sense of incongruity. This depressing of the accelerator pedal prevents the lamp 8 from extinguishing, Can avoid the second feeling of strangeness.

  Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions are made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. be able to.

  In the above-described embodiment, the lamp 8 is extinguished to notify the user that the throttle opening degree Ta has deviated from the fuel saving region S, because this information recommends fuel saving driving. This is intended to limit notification to the user by switching from lighting to extinction.

  For this reason, when the throttle opening degree Ta is within the fuel saving area S, the lamp 8 is turned off, and when the throttle opening degree Ta deviates from the fuel saving area S, the lamp 8 is turned on. Is possible. In addition, the means for notifying the user that the throttle opening degree Ta has deviated from the fuel saving area S is not limited to that using the blinking lamp of the lamp 8, but can be substituted by voice guidance or text display. It is also possible.

  Further, in this embodiment, only the engine ECU 3 is controlled by the cruise control ECU 6 and only the acceleration of the engine is controlled. However, as a more developed form, the inter-vehicle distance for detecting the inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle Of course, it may be configured to output a command to the brake ECU and the transmission ECU in order to include a detection sensor and also perform brake control and shift control.

  In addition, the characteristic between the accelerator opening degree Ac and the throttle opening degree Ta shown in FIG. 2 in this embodiment is an exemplification, and other forms can be used as a matter of course. Further, the fuel saving region S determined by the vehicle speed V and the throttle opening degree Ta or Tc shown in FIG. 3 is also illustrative, and it is of course possible to use other forms.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, is the throttle opening degree Ta deviating from the fuel saving region S when the throttle opening degree Ta is smaller than the throttle opening degree Tc by the cruise control ECU 6? It is not determined whether or not, but after making this determination, the lamp 8 is turned on regardless of whether the throttle opening degree Ta deviates from the fuel-saving region S, and the user is directed to the fuel-saving region. A configuration may be adopted in which a deviation from the throttle opening degree Ta from S is not notified.

It is a mimetic diagram showing one embodiment of a fuel-saving driving recommendation device concerning the present invention. It is a schematic map figure used for control of one embodiment of the eco indicator concerning the present invention. It is a schematic map figure used for control of one embodiment of the eco indicator concerning the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of one Embodiment of the fuel-saving driving | operation recommendation apparatus which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Fuel-saving driving recommendation device 2 Accelerator pedal sensor 3 Engine ECU
3a Notification means 3b Detection means 3c Valve control means 4 Throttle valve actuator 5 Vehicle speed sensor 6 Cruise control ECU
7 Touch panel 8 Lamp

Claims (2)

Detection means for detecting the accelerator opening, and when the accelerator opening detected by the detection means or the converted throttle opening converted from the accelerator opening deviates from the fuel saving region, the deviation is notified to the user. A control means for controlling the throttle opening so as to maintain the vehicle speed at the set speed, and a valve control means for selecting the larger one of the converted throttle opening and the throttle opening as a command value. with, in the case where the control means is controlling the throttle opening, when said detecting means detects the accelerator opening of the positive value, the conversion throttle opening converted from the accelerator opening, the when control of the control means is smaller than the throttle opening, fuel-saving driving is recommended, wherein said notification means does not perform the notification Location. When the converted throttle opening is smaller than the throttle opening, the notification means does not perform the notification regardless of whether or not the converted throttle opening deviates from the fuel saving region. The fuel-saving driving recommendation device according to claim 1, wherein the device is a fuel-saving driving recommendation device.

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