JP6264390B2 - Manual transmission control device for automatic transmission - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention belongs to a technical field related to a manual shift control device for an automatic transmission.

  Conventionally, as shown in, for example, Patent Document 1, as an automatic transmission mounted on a vehicle, an automatic transmission mode that automatically switches a gear position according to the traveling state of the vehicle, and a driver of the vehicle A device having a manual shift mode in which a gear position is manually switched by operation is known. In the automatic transmission of Patent Document 1, an M range position for manual shift mode selection is set as an operation position of the shift lever in addition to the D range position for automatic shift mode selection, and the shift lever is at the M range position. Sometimes, when the vehicle driver performs a predetermined shift-up operation on the shift lever (in Patent Document 1, an operation for shifting to the rear side of the vehicle) once, the shift stage set immediately before the shift-up operation is started. It is possible to shift up by one step. When a predetermined shift-down operation (in Patent Document 1, an operation for shifting to the front side of the vehicle) is performed once on the shift lever, 1 shift from the gear position set immediately before the operation is performed. The stage can be shifted down.

  Further, in Patent Document 1, a steering wheel is provided with a shift-up operation member that can perform a shift-up operation and a shift-down operation member that can perform a shift-down operation. As a result, the automatic shift mode is temporarily switched to the manual shift mode while the shift lever is in the D range position, and the shift speed can be switched manually.

JP 2009-185833 A

  As described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, when the gear position of the automatic transmission is manually switched by a shift lever or a manual shift operation member provided on the steering wheel, an operation of a shift up operation or a shift down operation by a driver is performed. When the electric switch provided at the completion position is turned on, the controller detects that the shift lever has been shifted up or down, and the detection of the shift stage with respect to the automatic transmission is made by this detection. A shift-up or shift-down command is output, thereby starting a shift-up operation or a shift-down operation in the transmission mechanism in the automatic transmission.

  Here, from the viewpoint of improving the shift response in the manual transmission mode of the automatic transmission as much as possible, the shift-up operation in the transmission mechanism when the driver completes the shift-up operation or the shift-down operation as described above. It is conceivable to adopt a configuration in which a shift-up operation or a shift-down operation in the transmission mechanism is started in the middle of a shift-up operation or a shift-down operation, instead of the configuration in which the shift-down operation is started.

  However, in this case, there is a possibility of shifting gears against the driver's intention, and it is not possible to simply adopt a configuration in which a shift-up operation or a shift-down operation is started in the shifting mechanism in the middle of the operation. .

  The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and an object of the present invention is to enable a gear shifting that matches the driver's intention to be performed at an early stage in the middle of the gear shifting operation. An object of the present invention is to provide a manual shift control device for an automatic transmission capable of improving the shift response in the manual shift mode as much as possible.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a manual shift control device for an automatic transmission mounted on a vehicle is used as a target to perform a predetermined shift-up operation or a predetermined shift from an operation initial position to an operation completion position by the vehicle driver. A manual shift operation member for shifting up or down the shift stage of the automatic transmission from the shift stage set immediately before the operation, and the manual shift operation member by the driver An operation speed detecting means for detecting an operation speed in the middle of the shift-up operation and the shift-down operation, and an operation speed in the middle of the shift-up operation of the manual shift operation member detected by the operation speed detection means. Is greater than or equal to a predetermined shift-up determination value, a shift-up in the transmission mechanism of the automatic transmission is performed. Manual shift control means for starting an operation and starting a shift-down operation in the transmission mechanism when an operation speed of the manual shift operation member during the shift-down operation is equal to or higher than a predetermined shift-down determination value. The manual shift control means includes the shift-up determination according to the number of revolutions of an engine connected to the automatic transmission and / or an operation state of the driver for running the vehicle. And a determination value changing means for changing at least one of the value and the shift-down determination value.

  With the above configuration, when the operation speed during the shift-up operation of the manual shift operation member becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined shift-up determination value, the shift-up operation in the shift mechanism of the automatic transmission is started and the shift is performed. When the operation speed in the middle of the down operation becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined shift down determination value, the shift down operation in the transmission mechanism is started, so the manual operation is performed at an early stage during the shift operation. In addition, the driver does not intend to shift gears, and the manual shift operation member is slightly operated unconsciously or consciously. In addition, the intention of the driver regarding gear shifting can be accurately detected based on the engine speed and / or the driver's operation state (accelerator operation state, brake operation state, steering operation state, etc.) for running the vehicle. It is possible to shift up and / or shift according to the intention of the driver by changing at least one of the shift up determination value and the shift down determination value according to the engine speed and / or the operation state. It is possible to facilitate downshifting. Therefore, it becomes possible to perform gear shifting that matches the driver's intention at an early stage, and it is possible to improve the shift response in the manual transmission mode of the automatic transmission as much as possible.

  In one embodiment of the manual transmission control device for the automatic transmission, the determination value changing means is configured such that when the engine speed is in a high engine speed range near an allowable upper limit engine speed, the high engine speed is determined. The shift-up determination value is configured to be smaller than when the rotational speed region is lower than the region.

  That is, when the engine speed is in a high speed region near the allowable upper limit speed including the allowable upper limit speed of the engine, even if the operation speed is low at a stage where the amount of shift-up operation by the driver is small. It is considered that the driver is likely to be trying to shift up so that the engine speed does not exceed the allowable upper limit speed. Therefore, when the engine speed is in the high speed range, the shift stage is shifted up by making the shift-up determination value smaller than when the engine speed is in a lower speed range than the high speed range. This makes it possible to facilitate gear shifting that matches the driver's intention.

  In another embodiment of the manual transmission control device of the automatic transmission, the determination value changing means is a low rotation speed region in which the engine speed is around the allowable lower limit speed including the allowable lower limit speed of the engine. The shift-down determination value is set to be smaller when the engine is in a lower speed range than in the lower speed range.

  That is, when the engine speed is in a low speed region near the allowable lower limit speed including the allowable lower limit speed of the engine, even if the operation speed is low at a stage where the amount of shift down operation by the driver is small. Therefore, it is considered that the driver is likely to make a downshift operation so that the engine speed does not fall below the allowable lower limit speed. Therefore, when the engine speed is in the low speed range, the shift stage is shifted down by reducing the shift down determination value compared to when the engine speed is higher than the low speed range. This makes it possible to facilitate gear shifting that matches the driver's intention.

  In still another embodiment of the manual transmission control device for the automatic transmission, the determination value changing means determines whether the driver desires sporty travel of the vehicle from the operation state of the driver, When it is determined that sporty travel is desired, the shift-up determination value and the shift-down determination value are made smaller than when it is determined that sporty travel is not desired.

  That is, when the driver desires sporty running, the driver is considered to desire to be able to shift quickly with a small amount of operation of the manual shift operation member. Therefore, when the driver wants sporty driving, it is easier to shift up and down the gear position by making the shift-up determination value and the shift-down determination value smaller than when sporty driving is not desired. This makes it possible to perform gear shifting that matches the driver's intention at an early stage.

  As described above, according to the manual transmission control device for an automatic transmission of the present invention, when the operation speed in the middle of the upshift operation of the manual transmission operation member becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined shiftup determination value, the automatic transmission The shift-up operation in the transmission mechanism is started, and when the operation speed in the middle of the shift-down operation of the manual transmission operation member exceeds a predetermined shift-down determination value, the shift-down operation in the transmission mechanism is started. Furthermore, by changing at least one of the shift-up determination value and the shift-down determination value according to the engine speed and / or the operation state of the driver for driving the vehicle. Automatic gear shifting can be performed at an early stage, during the gear shifting operation, according to the driver's intention. It is possible to improve the manual shift mode of the shift response as far as possible.

1 is a schematic view of a front portion of a vehicle equipped with a manual shift control device for an automatic transmission according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows a shift lever and a guide member. It is a figure which shows the range position provided on the operation path | route where a shift lever is operated. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3 when the shift lever is at the M range position (M range operation region). It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control system which controls the gear stage of an automatic transmission. It is a flowchart which shows the control (manual transmission control) at the time of manual transmission mode by a control unit. It is a front view which shows a steering wheel. It is a VIII direction arrow figure of FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a front portion of a vehicle 1 (here, an automobile) equipped with a manual transmission control device for an automatic transmission 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention. A power unit 4 composed of an engine 2 and an automatic transmission 3 is mounted in the engine room at the front of the vehicle 1. The output shaft (crank shaft) of the engine 2 is connected to the input shaft of the automatic transmission 3. Further, a driver seat 7 and a passenger seat 8 are provided side by side in the vehicle width direction at the front part of the passenger compartment located on the vehicle rear side of the engine room.

  An instrument panel (not shown) is provided on the vehicle front side of the driver seat 7 and the passenger seat 8 (the vehicle front side end of the passenger compartment) so as to extend in the vehicle width direction, and the driver seat 7 in the instrument panel is provided. A steering column (not shown) for rotatably supporting the steering shaft 11 is provided on the front side of the vehicle. A steering wheel 12 that is operated by a driver of the vehicle 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as a driver) is provided at an end portion of the steering shaft on the rear side of the vehicle. Further, a meter unit 14 is disposed on the upper side of the steering column in the instrument panel.

  Between the driver's seat 7 and the passenger seat 8, a shift lever 21 for switching the shift range of the automatic transmission 3 is provided. A shift knob 21a that is held by a driver is provided at the upper end of the shift lever 21 (see FIG. 2).

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the shift lever 21 is operated along a substantially L-shaped operation path defined by the guide hole 22a of the guide member 22, and on the operation path. , P range position, R range position, N range position, D range position and M range position are provided. The P range position, the R range position, the N range position, and the D range position are arranged in this order from the front side of the vehicle in this order. The M range position is located on the side of the driver's seat 7 with respect to the D range position. By the operation of the shift lever 21 in the vehicle width direction, the D range position and the M range position (neutral position described later) It can be switched to.

  When the shift lever 21 is in the D range position, the gear position of the automatic transmission 3 is set to an automatic gear shift mode that automatically switches according to the traveling state of the vehicle 1. On the other hand, when the shift lever 21 is in the M range position, the manual transmission mode in which the gear position of the automatic transmission 3 is switched by a manual operation of the driver is set.

  In the manual shift mode, unless the driver operates the shift lever 21, basically, the gear position at the time of the last shift by the driver's operation at the M range position (switched from the D range position to the M range position). Immediately after that, the gear position at the time of switching is maintained. However, when it becomes difficult to maintain this gear position, the gear position may be automatically shifted up or down by a control unit 31 described later.

  The M range position has an M range operation region 22b that is long in the vehicle front-rear direction, and the driver can operate the shift lever 21 from the neutral position at the center of the M range operation region 22b to the front or rear side of the vehicle. It has become. When the shift lever 21 is at a position deviating from the neutral position in the M range operation region 22b, the shift lever 21 is biased to return to the neutral position by a biasing means (not shown). When the driver is not operated at the M range position (M range operation region 22b), the position is always at the neutral position.

  In the present embodiment, the driver operates the shift lever 21 from the neutral position to the rear side of the vehicle, so that the shift stage of the automatic transmission 3 is changed from the shift stage (current shift stage) set immediately before the operation. It is possible to shift up, and when the driver operates the shift lever 21 from the neutral position to the front side of the vehicle, the shift speed of the automatic transmission 3 is changed to the shift speed (current shift speed) set immediately before the operation. It is possible to shift down from the stage. That is, the shift lever 21 corresponds to a manual speed change operation member, and the operation from the neutral position to the shift up operation completion position (described later) in the M range operation region 22b of the shift lever 21 is a predetermined shift. The operation to the front side of the vehicle from the neutral position to the shift-down operation completion position described later corresponds to a predetermined shift-down operation. The neutral position is not only the initial operation position for the upshift operation (hereinafter referred to as the initial position for the upshift operation), but also the initial operation position for the downshift operation (hereinafter referred to as the initial position for the downshift operation).

  FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3 when the shift lever 21 is in the M range position (M range operation region 22b). The shift lever 21 is swingably supported by a fixing member (not shown) via a substantially spherical pivot portion 21b, and is configured to be operable along the operation path by the swing. In the M range operation region 22b, the vehicle can be operated from the neutral position to the vehicle front side or the rear side.

  A front stopper member 23 and a rear stopper member 24 that respectively define a front end and a rear end of the M range operation region 22b are provided on the front side and the rear side of the M range operation region 22b in the guide member 22, respectively. The driver's upshifting operation is completed when the shift lever 21 contacts the rear stopper member 24, and the downshifting operation is completed when the shift lever 21 contacts the front stopper member 23. That is, the position at which the shift lever 21 abuts on the rear stopper member 24 is the operation completion position of the shift up operation (hereinafter referred to as the shift up operation completion position), and the position at which the shift lever 21 abuts on the front stopper member 23. The operation completion position of the shift down operation completion position (hereinafter referred to as the shift down operation completion position).

  In the present embodiment, a position sensor 27 that detects the position of the shift lever 21 in the operation direction of the shift-up operation and the shift-down operation in the M range operation region 22b is provided. The position sensor 27 detects the position of the shift lever 21 by using an output voltage at a resistance corresponding to the position of the shift lever 21 using, for example, a variable resistor. The position sensor 27 is not limited to such a variable resistance type, and various types such as an optical type and a capacitance type can be used. The position sensor 27 can detect that the shift lever 21 has performed the shift-up operation or the shift-down operation, and the shift lever 21 has the neutral position, the shift-up operation completed position, or the shift-down operation completed. It can be detected that it is located at a position (position where it abuts against the rear stopper member 24 or the front stopper member 23). Further, the position sensor 27 can detect the position of the shift lever 21 in the operation direction during the shift-up operation and the shift-down operation, and the shift-up operation and the shift-down operation can be detected from the change in the position. It is also possible to detect the operation speed during the operation. Thus, the position sensor 27 constitutes an operation speed detection unit that detects an operation speed in the middle of the shift-up operation and the shift-down operation.

  The meter unit 14 is provided with a vehicle speedometer, an engine tachometer, and the like, and a display unit that displays a range position where the shift lever 21 is located. This display unit displays the current gear position of the automatic transmission 1 when the shift lever 21 is in the M range position, and this display allows the driver to confirm the current gear position. it can.

  Next, the configuration of a control system that controls the gear position of the automatic transmission 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The vehicle 1 is provided with a control unit 31 that controls the gear position of the automatic transmission 3. The control unit 31 is a controller based on a well-known microcomputer, and includes a central processing unit (CPU) that executes a program, a memory that is composed of, for example, RAM and ROM, and stores a program and data, And an input / output (I / O) bus for inputting and outputting signals.

  The control unit 31 includes a signal from the vehicle speed sensor 32 that detects the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1, a signal from the accelerator opening sensor 33 that detects the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal (accelerator opening), and the amount of depression of the brake pedal. A signal from the brake sensor 34 to detect, a signal from the engine speed sensor 35 to detect the speed of the engine 2, a signal from the range position sensor 36 to detect the range position of the shift lever 21, and the position sensor 27 The signal from is input.

  The control unit 31 outputs a shift command to the automatic transmission 3 and outputs a display command to the meter unit 14 (the display unit) based on the input signal.

  That is, when the shift lever 21 is in the D range position (in the automatic transmission mode), the control unit 31 determines the gear position of the automatic transmission 3 based on the signal from the vehicle speed sensor 32 and the signal from the accelerator opening sensor 33. And a shift command corresponding to the set shift speed is output to the automatic transmission 3. In the automatic transmission 3 that has received this shift command, at least one of the plurality of frictional engagement elements (clutch and brake) in the transmission mechanism of the automatic transmission 3 is hydraulically driven, and eventually the plurality of frictional engagement elements. However, it will be in the fastening state or non-fastening state corresponding to the set gear position.

  Further, when the shift lever 21 is in the M range position (in the manual shift mode), the control unit 31 determines the gear position of the automatic transmission 3 based on the signal from the accelerator opening sensor 33 and the signal from the brake sensor 34. And a signal from the engine speed sensor 35 and a signal from the position sensor 27, and a shift command corresponding to the set shift speed is output to the automatic transmission 3, and the set shift speed is set. A corresponding display command is output to the meter unit 14 (the display unit).

  Specifically, when the shift lever 21 is in the M range position, the control unit 31 operates in the middle of the shift-up operation and the shift-down operation of the shift lever 21 by a driver according to a signal from the position sensor 27. Detect speed. The control unit 31 performs automatic shifting when the operation speed during the operation from the initial shift-up operation position of the shift lever 21 to the shift-up operation completion position becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined shift-up determination value. A gear shift command for setting the gear position of the machine 3 to a gear position shifted up one stage from the gear position set immediately before the upshifting operation and causing the automatic transmission 3 to change to the set gear position. Is output (that is, the upshifting operation in the transmission mechanism of the automatic transmission 3 is started). Further, the control unit 31 performs automatic shifting when the operation speed during the operation from the initial position of the shift down operation of the shift lever 21 to the position where the shift down operation is completed becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined shift down determination value. A gear shift command for setting the gear position of the machine 3 to a gear position shifted down by one gear from the gear position set immediately before the downshift operation and causing the automatic transmission 3 to change to the set gear position. Is output (that is, the shift-down operation of the transmission mechanism of the automatic transmission 3 is started).

  In other words, when the driver intends to shift, the operation speed gradually increases as the shift lever 21 moves from the neutral position to the midway position as it moves toward the rear or front of the vehicle. After that, the operation speed is maintained or further increased, while the operation speed is slow to the extent that the driver does not intend to shift and the shift lever 21 is slightly operated unconsciously or consciously. It remains. Accordingly, if the shift-up determination value and the shift-down determination value are set in advance to an operation speed (hereinafter referred to as a basic value) that is generated by an operation when the driver intends to change gear, By the control in the manual shift mode, the shift by the manual operation can be performed at an early stage during the shift operation. In this way, the control unit 31 constitutes manual shift control means.

  In the control unit 31, the shift lever 21 reaches the shift-up operation completion position by a signal from the position sensor 27 in a state where the operation speed of the shift lever 21 during the shift-up operation is smaller than the shift-up determination value. Even when this is detected, the shift stage of the automatic transmission 3 is set to a shift stage that is shifted up by one stage from the shift stage set immediately before the shift-up operation. Then, a shift command for changing to the set gear position is output. Further, the control unit 31 is configured such that the shift lever 21 is moved to a position where the shift down operation is completed in response to a signal from the position sensor 27 in a state where the operation speed of the shift lever 21 during the shift down operation is smaller than the shift down determination value. When it is detected that the automatic transmission 3 has been reached, the automatic transmission 3 is set to a shift stage shifted down by one stage from the shift stage set immediately before the downshift operation. In response to this, a shift command for changing to the set gear position is output.

  In the control unit 31, at least one of the upshift determination value and the downshift determination value is set as the basic value according to the rotational speed of the engine 2 and / or the operation state of the driver for driving the vehicle 1. A judgment value changing unit 31a (judgment value changing means) is provided. A signal from the accelerator opening sensor 33, a signal 34 from the brake sensor, and a signal from the engine speed sensor 35 are input to the determination value changing unit 31a.

  In the present embodiment, the determination value changing unit 31a is configured such that the rotational speed of the engine 2 is a high rotational speed region in the vicinity of the allowable upper limit rotational speed including the allowable upper limit rotational speed of the engine 2 (the rotational speed higher than the allowable upper limit rotational speed). The shift-up determination value is made smaller than when the rotational speed region is lower than the high rotational speed region. That is, when the rotational speed of the engine 2 is in the high rotational speed range, that is, even if the rotational speed of the engine 2 slightly exceeds or does not exceed the allowable upper limit rotational speed, the shift speed is shifted by one step. If the engine 2 is in a speed range where the engine speed exceeds the allowable upper limit, the driver can rotate the engine 2 even if the operation speed is low when the amount of shift-up operation by the driver is small. It is highly probable that an upshifting operation is attempted so that the number does not exceed the allowable upper limit rotational speed. Therefore, the determination value changing unit 31a makes the shift-up determination value smaller when the engine 2 is in the high engine speed region than when the engine 2 is in a lower engine speed region. This makes it easy to shift up the gear position so that gear shifting that matches the driver's intention can be performed at an early stage. Here, the shift-up determination value when the rotational speed of the engine 2 is in the rotational speed region lower than the high rotational speed region is the basic value, and when the rotational speed of the engine 2 is in the high rotational speed region. The shift-up determination value is made smaller than the basic value.

  The determination value changing unit 31a reduces the shift-up determination value when the rotation speed of the engine 2 is in the high rotation speed region as compared to when the rotation speed is lower than the high rotation speed region. In addition to this, the shift down determination value may be increased (larger than the basic value).

  Further, the determination value changing unit 31a has a low rotation speed region in which the rotation speed of the engine 2 is around the allowable lower limit rotation speed including the allowable lower limit rotation speed of the engine 2 (including a rotation speed lower than the allowable upper limit rotation speed). When the engine speed is in the range, the shift-down determination value is made smaller than when the engine is in a higher rotational speed region than in the low rotational speed region. That is, when the speed of the engine 2 is in the low speed range, that is, even if the speed of the engine 2 is slightly below or below the allowable lower limit speed, the shift speed is shifted by one step. If the engine 2 is in a speed range where the engine speed is lower than the allowable lower limit engine speed, the driver can reduce the engine 2 speed even if the operation speed is low when the operation amount of the downshift operation is small. It is considered that there is a high possibility that the gear position is being shifted down so as not to fall below the allowable lower limit rotational speed. Therefore, the determination value changing unit 31a makes the shift-down determination value smaller when the engine speed of the engine 2 is in the low engine speed range than when the engine 2 is in a higher engine speed region than the low engine speed region. As a result, the gear position can be easily shifted down so that a gear shift suitable for the driver's intention can be performed at an early stage. Here, the shift-down determination value when the rotation speed of the engine 2 is higher than the low rotation speed range is the basic value, and the rotation speed of the engine 2 is the allowable lower limit rotation speed, or The shift-down determination value when in the low rotation speed region is made smaller than the basic value.

  Note that the determination value changing unit 31a reduces the shift-down determination value when the engine 2 is in the low engine speed range as compared to when the engine 2 is in a higher engine speed range than the low engine speed region. In addition to this, the shift-up determination value may be increased (larger than the basic value).

  Furthermore, the determination value changing unit 31a determines whether or not the driver desires sporty traveling of the vehicle 1 based on the operation state of the driver for causing the vehicle 1 to travel, and determines that the driver desires sporty traveling. Sometimes, the shift-up determination value and the shift-down determination value are made smaller than when it is determined that sporty travel is not desired. Here, the shift-up determination value and the shift-down determination value when it is determined that the driver does not want sporty driving are the basic values, and the shift-up determination value when it is determined that sporty driving is desired. The shift down determination value is made smaller than the basic value.

  In the present embodiment, the driver's operation states for running the vehicle 1 are an accelerator operation state and a brake operation state. For example, the determination value changing unit 31a has a number of times that the change rate of the accelerator opening becomes faster than the first predetermined value within a predetermined time immediately before the current time and / or immediately before the current time. The number of times that the brake pedal depression speed is faster than the second predetermined value (basically different from the first predetermined value) within the predetermined time is equal to the second predetermined number (the first predetermined number). If it is above, it is determined that the driver wants the sporty driving of the vehicle 1, while the change rate of the accelerator opening is the first predetermined value within the predetermined time immediately before the current time. The number of times that the brake pedal depression speed is faster than the second predetermined value within the predetermined time immediately before the current time is less than the second predetermined value. Determines that the time is less than a constant number, driver does not want the sporty running of the vehicle 1.

  The driver's operation state for causing the vehicle 1 to travel may be only one of the accelerator operation state and the brake operation state, and instead of at least one of the accelerator operation state and the brake operation state, or In addition to at least one, it is good also as a steering operation state. In order to detect the steering operation state, a steering angle sensor that detects the steering angle of the steering wheel 12, a lateral G sensor that detects the lateral acceleration of the vehicle 1, a yaw rate sensor that detects the yaw rate of the vehicle 1, and the like alone or in combination Can be used. Similarly to the determination of the accelerator operation state and the brake operation state, the driver may, for example, have the number of times that the change speed of the steering angle is faster than the third predetermined speed within the predetermined time immediately before the current time is equal to or greater than the third predetermined number It can be determined that the vehicle 1 wants to run sporty.

  Further, in order to detect the accelerator operation state and the brake operation state, instead of or in addition to the accelerator opening sensor and the brake sensor, a front-rear G sensor for detecting the longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle 1 or a brake for detecting the brake pressure. A pressure detection sensor or the like can be used.

  When the driver wants to run sporty, it is considered that the driver wants to be able to change speed quickly with a small amount of operation of the shift lever 21. On the other hand, the operation speed is not increased at the stage where the operation amount of the shift lever 21 is small. Therefore, the determination value changing unit 31a reduces the shift-up determination value and the shift-down determination value when it is determined that the driver desires sporty travel, compared to when it is determined that sporty travel is not desired. As a result, the shift stage can be easily shifted up and down, and a gear shift suitable for the driver's intention can be performed at an early stage.

  When the determination value changing unit 31a determines that sporty travel is desired, only one of the upshift determination value and the downshift determination value is smaller than when determined that sporty travel is not desired. (For example, from the viewpoint of acceleration, only the shift-down determination value is reduced).

  Further, the determination value changing unit 31a may change at least one of the upshift determination value and the downshift determination value according to only one of the rotational speed of the engine 2 and the operation state of the driver. Good.

  Here, control (manual shift control) in the manual shift mode by the control unit 31 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  In the first step S1, signals from various sensors are read, and in the next step S2, the judgment value changing unit 31a is set to the rotational speed of the engine 2 and the operation states (accelerator operation state and brake operation state) of the driver. In response, at least one of the upshift determination value and the downshift determination value is changed as described above.

  In the next step S3, it is determined based on a signal from the position sensor 27 whether or not there is a shift-up operation or a shift-down operation of the shift lever 21 by the driver. If the determination in step S3 is NO, the process returns as it is, while if the determination in step S3 is YES, the process proceeds to step S4.

  In step S4, the operation speed during the shift-up operation of the shift lever 21 has become equal to or higher than the shift-up determination value, or the operation speed during the shift-down operation of the shift lever 21 is It is determined whether or not the shift down determination value is reached.

  When the determination in step S4 is YES, the process proceeds to step S6. On the other hand, when the determination in step S4 is NO, the process proceeds to step S5, and whether the shift-up operation or the shift-down operation by the driver is completed (shift Whether the lever 21 has reached the shift-up operation completion position or the shift-down operation completion position) is determined.

  If the determination in step S5 is NO, the process returns as it is. If the determination in step S5 is YES, the process proceeds to step S6.

  In step S6, the shift stage of the automatic transmission 3 is changed to a shift stage shifted up or down by one stage from the shift stage (current shift stage) set immediately before the upshift operation or downshift operation. A gear change command to be set and changed to the set gear position is output to the automatic transmission 3, and a display command corresponding to the set gear speed is output to the meter unit 14 (the display unit). Output, then return.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the operation speed in the middle of the shift-up operation of the shift lever 21 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined shift-up determination value, the shift-up operation in the transmission mechanism of the automatic transmission 3 is started, When the operation speed during the shift-down operation of the shift lever 21 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined shift-down determination value, the shift-down operation in the transmission mechanism is started, and further, the rotation speed of the engine 2 or the driver's Since at least one of the shift-up determination value and the shift-down determination value is changed according to the operation state for causing the vehicle 1 to travel, a gear shift that matches the driver's intention is referred to as a gear shift operation. As long as it can be performed at an early stage and the shift response of the automatic transmission 3 in the manual shift mode is possible It is possible to improve.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and can be substituted without departing from the spirit of the claims.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the operation speed in the middle of the shift up operation and the shift down operation of the shift lever 21 by the driver is detected. However, when the manual shift operation member is provided on the steering wheel 12. Detects the operation speed in the middle of the shift-up operation and the shift-down operation of the manual shift operation member, and the control unit 31 detects that the operation speed of the shift-up operation is equal to or higher than a predetermined shift-up determination value. In addition, when the shift-up operation in the transmission mechanism of the automatic transmission 3 is started, and the operation speed in the middle of the shift-down operation exceeds a predetermined shift-down determination value, the shift-down operation in the transmission mechanism is performed. It is also possible to start the operation. Then, at least one of the upshift determination value and the downshift determination value is changed according to the rotational speed of the engine 2 or the operation state of the driver for driving the vehicle 1.

  Note that the manual speed change operation member of the steering wheel 12 enables manual switching of the gear position of the automatic transmission 3 instead of the shift lever 21 when the shift lever is in the M range position. In addition, when the shift lever is in the D range position, it is possible to manually switch the gear position. When the shift lever is in the D range position, the manual shift operation member is operated. Thus, the automatic transmission mode is temporarily switched to the manual transmission mode, and when a predetermined time elapses after the operation of the manual transmission operation member is stopped, the automatic transmission mode is switched.

  Here, an example of the manual shift operation member provided on the steering wheel 12 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The steering wheel 12 is connected to a paddle portion 12a that is located in the center of the steering wheel 12 and is fixedly coupled to the steering shaft 11, a wheel portion 12b that is gripped by a driver, a paddle portion 12a, and a wheel portion 12b. It is composed of multiple spokes. In this example, the plurality of spokes are a left spoke 12c extending from the paddle portion 12a to the left side of the vehicle, a right spoke 12d extending to the right side of the vehicle, as viewed from the front of the steering wheel 12 when the vehicle 1 is in a straight traveling state, and The lower spoke 12e extends downward. Manual shift operation members 18 and 19 are respectively provided on the front surface of the left spoke 12c and the right spoke 12d. These manual speed change operation members 18 and 19 have operation portions 18a and 19a located in the vicinity of fingers other than the thumbs of the left and right hands of the driver holding the wheel portion 12b, respectively. Each operation part 18a, 19a is extended in the up-down direction so that it can operate with all the fingers other than the thumb of the driver's hand. The operation portions 18a and 19a are supported by the support portions 18b and 19b on the left spoke 12c and the right spoke 12d, respectively, so as to be swingable in the vehicle front-rear direction, and the driver applies fingers other than the thumb to the operation portions 18a and 19a. By pressing against the rear side of the vehicle (see the arrow in FIG. 8) in a state where it is in contact with the front surface of the vehicle (predetermined upshift operation or predetermined downshift operation), the upshift operation or downshift operation is performed. It is possible. In this example, the manual shift operation member 18 on the left side of the vehicle is an operation member for downshift operation, and the manual shift operation member 19 on the right side of the vehicle is an operation member for shift up operation. The swing range of each operation unit 18a, 19a is limited, and each operation unit 18a, 19a moves between the operation initial position and the operation completion position, and moves from the operation initial position to the operation completion position by the above-described pressing. Will do. Each operation part 18a, 19a is urged so as to return to the operation initial position, and is always located at the operation initial position when not operated. Further, the left spoke 12c and the right spoke 12d are provided with position sensors 28 and 29 similar to the position sensor 27 for detecting the operation direction positions (swing positions) of the operation portions 18a and 19a, respectively. The position sensor 28 detects the position in the operation direction of the downshift operation of the operation unit 18a (including the initial position of the downshift operation and the completion position of the downshift operation) and the operation speed during the downshift operation of the operation unit 18a. In addition, the position sensor 29 can be operated by the position sensor 29 in the operation direction position of the operation unit 19a (including the initial position of the upshift operation and the completion position of the upshift operation) or during the operation of the upshift operation of the operation unit 19a. The operation speed can be detected. Therefore, like the position sensor 27, the position sensors 28 and 29 constitute an operation speed detecting means.

  The above-described embodiments are merely examples, and the scope of the present invention should not be interpreted in a limited manner. The scope of the present invention is defined by the scope of the claims, and all modifications and changes belonging to the equivalent scope of the claims are within the scope of the present invention.

  The present invention provides a manual shift control for an automatic transmission that includes an automatic shift mode that automatically switches the shift speed according to the running state of the vehicle and a manual shift mode that switches the shift speed manually by operation of the driver of the vehicle. Useful for equipment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle 2 Engine 3 Automatic transmission 18 Manual transmission operation member provided in steering wheel 19 Manual transmission operation member provided in steering wheel 21 Shift lever (manual transmission operation member)
27 Position sensor (operation speed detection means)
28 Position sensor (operation speed detection means)
29 Position sensor (operation speed detection means)
31 Control unit (manual shift control means)
31a Determination value changing unit (determination value changing means)

Claims (4)

A manual shift control device for an automatic transmission mounted on a vehicle,
A predetermined shift up operation or a predetermined shift down operation is performed from the initial operation position to the operation completion position by the driver of the vehicle, and the shift stage of the automatic transmission is shifted up from the shift stage set immediately before the operation. Or a manual shifting operation member for shifting down;
An operation speed detecting means for detecting an operation speed in the middle of the shift-up operation and the shift-down operation of the manual shift operation member by the driver;
When the operation speed detected during the shift-up operation of the manual shift operation member detected by the operation speed detection means is equal to or higher than a predetermined shift-up determination value, the shift-up operation by the transmission mechanism of the automatic transmission is performed. Manual shift control means for starting a shift-down operation in the transmission mechanism when an operation speed in the middle of the shift-down operation of the manual shift operation member becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined shift-down determination value. With
The manual shift control means includes the shift-up determination value and the shift according to the number of revolutions of an engine connected to the automatic transmission and / or an operation state of the driver for driving the vehicle. A manual shift control device for an automatic transmission, further comprising determination value changing means for changing at least one of the down determination values. The manual transmission control device for an automatic transmission according to claim 1,
When the engine speed is in a high speed region near the allowable upper limit rotational speed including the allowable upper limit speed of the engine, the determination value changing means is set to a lower speed region than the high rotational speed region. A manual shift control device for an automatic transmission, characterized in that the shift-up determination value is made smaller than at certain times. The manual transmission control device for an automatic transmission according to claim 1 or 2,
When the engine speed is in a low engine speed range near the allowable lower limit engine speed including the engine allowable lower limit engine speed, the determination value changing means is set to a higher engine speed region than the low engine speed region. A manual shift control device for an automatic transmission, characterized in that the shift down determination value is made smaller than a certain time. In the manual transmission control device for an automatic transmission according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The determination value changing means determines whether the driver desires sporty driving from the operation state of the driver and determines that the driver desires sporty driving, and does not desire sporty driving. A manual shift control device for an automatic transmission, wherein the shift-up determination value and the shift-down determination value are made smaller than when the determination is made.

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