JP6379915B2 - Vehicle control device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle control apparatus that controls an engine to an idling state.

  As a technique for performing idling determination according to the accelerator pedal opening operated by the driver and controlling the target throttle opening, a technique described in Patent Document 1 is known. According to this publication, when the accelerator pedal opening is depressed from 0 (the target throttle opening is 0), the idling determination threshold for the accelerator pedal opening is lowered, and the target throttle opening is set early. Yes. Thereby, the responsiveness of the driving force is ensured.

JP 2009-58112 A

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, when the accelerator pedal is released (hereinafter referred to as an accelerator ON state) and released (hereinafter referred to as an accelerator OFF state). Not considered. For example, when shifting from the accelerator-on state to the accelerator-off state, the driver does not increase the driving force even before the driver's feet leave the accelerator pedal, that is, even if some throttle opening remains. Not requesting. However, if the idling determination threshold is not reached, the target throttle opening corresponding to the accelerator pedal opening is set and fuel injection is performed, so that unnecessary fuel is consumed, and fuel consumption performance can be sufficiently improved. There was a problem that not.

  The present invention pays attention to the above-described problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle control device capable of improving fuel consumption.

For this purpose, the vehicle control apparatus according to the present invention sets the engine to the idling state when the accelerator pedal opening is less than the idling determination threshold, and responds to the accelerator pedal opening when the accelerator pedal opening is equal to or greater than the idling determination threshold. When setting the target throttle opening of the engine, if the accelerator pedal opening is decreasing, the idling determination threshold value will increase when it is determined that the driver does not intend to request driving force regardless of the vehicle speed. Thus, when it is determined that the driver has a driving force request intention, the idling determination threshold value is changed to be small.

  When it is determined that the driver does not intend to request driving force, the engine can be shifted to the idling state at an early stage by changing the idling determination threshold value to increase the fuel consumption. On the other hand, when it is determined that the driver has an intention to request driving force, by reducing the idling determination threshold, the accelerator pedal opening exceeds the idling determination threshold at an early stage when the accelerator pedal opening starts to increase. The target throttle opening can be set early. Therefore, the driving force according to the driver's acceleration intention can be secured with good response.

1 is an overall system diagram illustrating a vehicle control apparatus according to a first embodiment. 3 is an APO-TVO * characteristic map used in target throttle opening calculation processing according to the first embodiment. 3 is a time chart illustrating an idling determination threshold value changing process according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a vehicle control device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a characteristic diagram illustrating a change speed ΔAPOx characteristic of an idling determination threshold value APOx in an idling determination threshold value changing unit according to the second embodiment. 10 is a time chart illustrating an idling determination threshold value changing process according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a vehicle control device according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a characteristic diagram illustrating a change speed ΔAPOx characteristic of an idling determination threshold value APOx in an idling determination threshold value changing unit according to a third embodiment. 10 is a time chart illustrating an idling determination threshold value changing process according to the third embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a vehicle control device according to a fourth embodiment. 10 is a time chart illustrating an idling determination threshold value changing process according to the fourth embodiment.

[Example 1]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a vehicle control device according to the first embodiment. The vehicle according to the first embodiment includes an engine 1 having a throttle actuator 1a that controls output torque, an automatic transmission 2 that shifts and outputs a driving force output from the engine 1, and a drive that is output from the automatic transmission 2. Drive wheels 3 for transmitting force to the road surface.
The engine controller 10 (hereinafter referred to as ECU 30) controls various engine control actuators including the throttle actuator 1a. The automatic transmission controller 20 (hereinafter referred to as “ATCU20”) calculates a target gear ratio based on various sensor signals and information from other controllers, and performs various gearshift control so that the gear ratio according to the running state is obtained. Control the actuator. The ECU 10 and the ATCU 20 share information with each other via the CAN communication line, and realize an optimal running state for the vehicle.

  The engine controller 10 calculates a target throttle opening TVO * based on an accelerator pedal opening sensor 11 (hereinafter referred to as APO sensor 11) that detects an accelerator pedal opening APO that represents the amount of accelerator pedal operation by the driver. A target throttle opening degree calculation unit 10a that performs an idling determination threshold value change unit 10b that changes an idling determination threshold value APOx according to the accelerator pedal opening degree APO.

  FIG. 2 is an APO-TVO * characteristic map used in the target throttle opening calculation process according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 2, APO1 is the minimum idling determination threshold value, and APO2 is the maximum idling determination threshold value. A point P3 defined by APO3 larger than APO2 and TVO3 corresponding to this APO3 is a fulcrum when changing the idling determination threshold APOx. APO3 is a value at which the kickdown switch is turned on, but is not particularly limited. The kick down switch is a switch that detects the driver's intention to accelerate rapidly. When the kick-down switch is turned on, ATCU20 performs a downshift and secures driving force.

  When the idling determination threshold APOx is changed, the characteristic is changed to the APO-TVO * characteristic that connects the point P3 and the changed idling determination threshold APOx. In other words, the APO-TVO * characteristic in the accelerator pedal opening APO region larger than APO3 does not change even when the idling determination threshold APOx is changed. In the first embodiment, when the APO-TVO * characteristic is changed, the point P3 and APOx are connected with a straight line. do not do. For example, when the idling determination threshold APOx is changed so as to increase, the gradient of the APO-TVO * characteristic increases, and the target throttle opening TVO * decreases even at the same accelerator pedal opening APO. Similarly, when the idling determination threshold value APOx is changed to be small, the gradient of the APO-TVO * characteristic becomes small, and the target throttle opening TVO * becomes large even at the same accelerator pedal opening APO. Therefore, when the accelerator pedal opening APO is smaller than APO3, the fluctuation of the idling determination threshold APOx is accompanied by the fluctuation of the target throttle opening TVO *.

  When the accelerator pedal opening APO is less than the idling determination threshold APOx, the idling switch (hereinafter referred to as idling SW) is turned on, and the target throttle opening TVO * is also set to zero. As a result, the engine 1 achieves an idling state, and the fuel consumption is set to the lowest possible idling amount. When the accelerator pedal opening APO is equal to or greater than the idling determination threshold APOx, the target throttle opening TVO * corresponding to the accelerator pedal opening APO is set based on the relationship shown in the APO-TVO * characteristic map shown in FIG.

The idling determination threshold value changing unit 10b according to the first embodiment changes the idling determination threshold value APOx under the following conditions.
(Condition 1) The initial state when the ignition is ON is APOx = APO1.
(Condition 2) When the accelerator pedal opening APO is depressed and becomes greater than or equal to the change permission threshold APO4 larger than APO2, the change of the idling determination threshold APOx is permitted.
(Condition 3) When the change of the idling determination threshold APOx is permitted, the idling determination threshold APOx is changed so as to increase at a predetermined constant speed.
(Condition 4) When the accelerator pedal opening APO falls below the idling determination threshold APOx, the idling SW is turned ON, and the idling determination threshold APOx is decreased as the accelerator pedal opening APO decreases.
(Condition 5) If the accelerator pedal opening APO increases when the idling determination threshold APOx decreases as the accelerator pedal opening APO decreases, the previous value is maintained as the idling determination threshold APOx.

FIG. 3 is a time chart showing the idling determination threshold value changing process of the first embodiment. In the initial state, the idling determination threshold APOx is set to APO1, and the accelerator pedal opening APO is also 0, so the idling SW is in the ON state.
When the accelerator pedal opening APO becomes equal to or greater than the idling determination threshold APO1 at time t1, the idling SW is turned off.

  At time t2, since the accelerator pedal opening APO is equal to or greater than the change permission threshold APO4, the idling determination threshold APOx is changed from APO1 so as to increase at a predetermined constant speed. At this time, as shown in the APO-TVO * characteristic diagram of FIG. 2, when the idling determination threshold value APOx is changed to increase, the target throttle opening TVO * decreases. However, if the accelerator pedal opening APO is greatly depressed, the vehicle is in a driving state with sufficient driving force, and even if the target throttle opening TVO * is somewhat smaller, the driver's driving force request There is no big difference from the intention. Therefore, the uncomfortable feeling given to the driver can be suppressed. When the idling determination threshold APOx reaches APO2 at time t3, the change to APO2 or higher is prevented, and APO2 is continuously set as the idling determination threshold APOx.

  At time t4, when the accelerator pedal opening APO decreases and falls below the idling determination threshold APO2, the idling SW is turned ON again, and the engine 1 enters the idling state. If the accelerator pedal opening APO is decreasing, it is considered that the driver is shifting to the accelerator OFF state. Therefore, by changing the idling determination threshold APOx to APO2, which is a large value, the engine 1 can be shifted to the idling state at an early stage, and fuel consumption can be improved.

  After time t4, the idling determination threshold value APOx is also decreased as the accelerator pedal opening APO is decreased. As a result, when the accelerator pedal opening APO is decreasing, the driver's intention is changed from the deceleration intention to the acceleration intention, so that the accelerator pedal opening APO has started to increase as shown at time t5. At this time, the accelerator pedal opening APO immediately exceeds the idling determination threshold APOx. Therefore, it is possible to set the target throttle opening TVO * by turning off the idling SW, and it is possible to secure the driving force according to the driver's intention to accelerate with good response.

As described above, the effects listed below are obtained in the first embodiment.
(1) When the accelerator pedal opening APO is less than the idling determination threshold APOx, the engine 1 is in an idling state, and when the accelerator pedal opening APO is equal to or greater than the idling determination threshold APOx, the target of the engine 1 according to the accelerator pedal opening APO A target throttle opening calculation unit 10a (target throttle opening setting means) for setting the throttle opening TVO *;
Changed so that the idling determination threshold APOx increases when it is determined that the driver does not intend to request driving force, and decreases so that the idling determination threshold APOx decreases when it is determined that the driver desires driving force. And an idling determination threshold value changing unit 10b (idling determination threshold value changing means).

Specifically, as shown from time t3 to time t4 in FIG. 3, it can be said that the driver's intention of requesting the driving force is poor in a scene where the accelerator pedal opening APO decreases. In such a situation, by changing the idling determination threshold APOx to APO2, the engine 1 can be shifted to the idling state at an early stage, and fuel consumption can be improved.
On the other hand, as shown from time t5 to t6 in FIG. 3, the accelerator pedal opening APO is decreased, but it is assumed that the driver's intention to decelerate is changed to the acceleration intention on the way. In other words, it is considered a scene where the driver's drive force request intention is likely to occur. In such a scene, the idling determination threshold APOx is set small. Thus, when the accelerator pedal opening APO starts to increase, the accelerator pedal opening APO exceeds the idling determination threshold APOx at an early stage, so that the target throttle opening TVO * can be set early. Therefore, the driving force according to the driver's acceleration intention can be secured with good response.

(2) When the accelerator pedal opening APO decreases and falls below the idling determination threshold APOx, the idling determination threshold changing unit 10b decreases the idling determination threshold APOx as the accelerator pedal opening APO decreases.
Thus, when the accelerator pedal opening APO starts to increase, the accelerator pedal opening APO immediately exceeds the idling determination threshold APOx, so that the target throttle opening TVO * can be set quickly. Therefore, the driving force according to the driver's acceleration intention can be secured with high response.

[Example 2]
Next, Example 2 will be described. Since the basic configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, only different points will be described. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a vehicle control device according to the second embodiment. The second embodiment is different in that an acceleration sensor 12 (hereinafter referred to as a G sensor 12) that detects the longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle is provided.

  FIG. 5 is a characteristic diagram illustrating a change speed ΔAPOx characteristic of the idling determination threshold value APOx in the idling determination threshold value changing unit 10b according to the second embodiment. In the first embodiment, the idling determination threshold value APOx is changed at a predetermined constant speed. On the other hand, the second embodiment is different in that the change direction and the change speed ΔAPOx are set according to the vehicle longitudinal acceleration G detected by the G sensor 12. When the vehicle longitudinal acceleration G becomes larger than a predetermined value G1 on the acceleration side, the change speed ΔAPOx is increased on the ascending side according to the magnitude of the acceleration.

  On the other hand, when the vehicle longitudinal acceleration G is smaller than the predetermined value G2 on the deceleration side (larger as the deceleration), the change speed ΔAPOx is increased to the decreasing side according to the magnitude of the deceleration. The change speed ΔAPOx is a predetermined drive force change speed that will not give the driver a sense of incongruity even if the target throttle opening TVO * is changed and the drive force is changed in accordance with the change of the idling determination threshold APOx. It is set to the following value. Therefore, the idling determination threshold APOx can be changed within a range that does not give the driver a sense of incongruity.

  That is, when the idling determination threshold APOx is changed, the target throttle opening TVO * is also changed accordingly. At this time, if the target throttle opening TVO * is changed in a traveling state where the vehicle longitudinal acceleration G is very small, it is easy for the driver to feel a change in the driving force, which may cause a sense of incongruity. Therefore, the idling determination threshold APOx is changed when the vehicle longitudinal acceleration G is large on the acceleration side or when the deceleration is large. When the vehicle longitudinal acceleration G is large, even if there is a slight change in the driving force, it is difficult for the driver to recognize and there is no sense of incongruity.

The idling determination threshold value changing unit 10b according to the second embodiment changes the idling determination threshold value APOx under the following conditions.
(Condition 1) The initial state when the ignition is ON is APOx = APO1.
(Condition 2) When the accelerator pedal opening APO is depressed and the vehicle longitudinal acceleration G is larger than G1 when the acceleration is on the acceleration side, the idling determination threshold APOx is allowed to change when it is smaller than G2 on the deceleration side To do.
(Condition 3) When the vehicle longitudinal acceleration G is G2 or more and less than G1, changing the idling determination threshold APOx is prohibited.
(Condition 4) When the change of the idling determination threshold APOx is permitted, the idling determination threshold APOx is changed at the change speed ΔAPOx set based on the characteristic diagram shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a time chart showing the idling determination threshold value changing process of the second embodiment. In the first state, the idling determination threshold APOx is set to APO1, and the accelerator pedal opening APO is also 0, so the idling SW is in the ON state.
When the accelerator pedal opening APO becomes equal to or greater than the idling determination threshold APO1 at time t1, the idling SW is turned off. Further, since the vehicle longitudinal acceleration G is greater than G1, the idling determination threshold APOx is changed from APO1 to APO2 at the change speed ΔAPOx (in the upward direction). Thereafter, when the idling determination threshold APOx reaches APO2, APO2 is maintained.

At time t11, although the vehicle longitudinal acceleration G is less than G1, the change speed ΔAPOx is 0, so the idling determination threshold APOx is maintained at APO2.
When the accelerator pedal opening APO falls below the idling determination threshold APO2 at time t2, the idling SW is turned ON again.

Since the vehicle longitudinal acceleration G becomes smaller than G2 at time t3, the idling determination threshold APOx is changed from APO2 to APO1 at the change speed ΔAPOx (decreasing direction). Thus, when the vehicle longitudinal acceleration G is greater than G1, the influence of this acceleration on the driver is dominant, so even if there is a slight change in driving force with the change of the idling determination threshold APOx, , The feeling of strangeness given to the driver can be suppressed.
In addition, when the accelerator pedal opening APO is lowered, the driver's intention is changed from the intention to decelerate to the acceleration intention. The idling determination threshold APOx is exceeded early. Therefore, it is possible to set the target throttle opening TVO * by turning off the idling SW, and it is possible to secure the driving force according to the driver's intention to accelerate with good response.

When the accelerator pedal opening APO exceeds the idling determination threshold APOx at time t4, the idling SW is turned OFF, and the target throttle opening TVO * corresponding to the accelerator pedal opening APO is set.
Since the vehicle longitudinal acceleration G becomes larger than G2 at time t5, the idling determination threshold APOx is maintained.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the following operation and effect are obtained in addition to the operation and effect (1) of the first embodiment.

(3) Condition 3 that suppresses the change in the idling determination threshold APOx when it is determined that the target throttle opening TVO * is changed in accordance with the change in the idling determination threshold APOx, thereby deviating from the driver's intention to request the driving force. , 4 (change suppression means).
Here, a specific description will be given between time t11 and time t3 when the vehicle longitudinal acceleration G falls below G1. The accelerator pedal opening APO decreases and the vehicle longitudinal acceleration G is equal to or greater than G2 and less than G1. Here, it is a scene where the driving state is switched to the coasting state, and it is considered that the driver intends coasting. In this inertial traveling scene, for example, when the idling determination threshold value APOx is decreased in accordance with a decrease in the accelerator pedal opening APO, the target throttle opening TVO * fluctuates and deviates from the driver's intention to coast. In addition, in a state where the vehicle longitudinal acceleration G is small, a slight fluctuation in driving force tends to be uncomfortable. Therefore, in a scene where the absolute value of the vehicle longitudinal acceleration G is small, the uncomfortable feeling given to the driver can be suppressed by suppressing the change of the idling determination threshold APOx.

(4) Condition 4 is a vehicle control device characterized in that the driving force change speed associated with the change of the idling determination threshold value APOx is suppressed to a predetermined value or less.
Therefore, the idling determination threshold APOx can be quickly changed without causing the driver to feel uncomfortable.

Example 3
Next, Example 3 will be described. Since the basic configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, only different points will be described. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the vehicle control device according to the third embodiment. The third embodiment is different in that a radar 13 for detecting the inter-vehicle distance to the preceding vehicle is provided.

  FIG. 8 is a characteristic diagram illustrating a change speed ΔAPOx characteristic of the idling determination threshold value APOx in the idling determination threshold value changing unit 10b according to the third embodiment. In the first embodiment, the idling determination threshold value APOx is changed at a predetermined constant speed. In contrast, the third embodiment is different in that the change speed ΔAPOx is set according to the vehicle distance L detected by the radar 13.

  When the inter-vehicle distance L is smaller than L1, the change speed ΔAPOx is increased on the upward side as the inter-vehicle distance L is shorter. When the accelerator pedal opening APO falls below the idling determination threshold APOx, the idling SW is turned ON, and the idling determination threshold APOx is decreased as the accelerator pedal opening APO decreases. In other words, the idling determination threshold value APOx is decreased by decreasing the accelerator pedal opening APO. When the inter-vehicle distance L is less than L2, which is smaller than L1, the change speed ΔAPOx is not increased any further, and is set to a constant change speed ΔAPOx. Suppress the change and suppress the uncomfortable feeling given to the driver.

The idling determination threshold value changing unit 10b according to the third embodiment changes the idling determination threshold value APOx under the following conditions.
(Condition 1) The initial state when the ignition is ON is APOx = APO1.
(Condition 2) When the inter-vehicle distance L is equal to or less than L1, change of the idling determination threshold APOx is permitted.
(Condition 3) When the change of the idling determination threshold APOx is permitted, the idling determination threshold APOx is changed at the change speed ΔAPOx set based on the characteristic diagram shown in FIG.
(Condition 4) When the accelerator pedal opening APO falls below the idling determination threshold APOx, the idling SW is turned ON, and the idling determination threshold APOx is decreased as the accelerator pedal opening APO decreases.
(Condition 5) When the idling determination threshold APOx decreases as the accelerator pedal opening APO decreases, the accelerator pedal opening APO increases. When the idling determination threshold APOx exceeds the idling determination threshold APOx, then the condition 3 is again followed.

FIG. 9 is a time chart showing the idling determination threshold value changing process of the third embodiment. In the initial state, the idling determination threshold APOx is set to APO1, and the accelerator pedal opening APO is larger than the idling determination threshold APOx, so the idling SW is in the OFF state.
When the inter-vehicle distance L becomes equal to or less than L1 at time t1, the idling determination threshold APOx is permitted to be changed, and is changed from APO1 to APO2 by the change speed ΔAPOx corresponding to the inter-vehicle distance L. When the inter-vehicle distance L becomes shorter, the driver thinks that the driver needs to decelerate. At this time, even if the idling determination threshold APOx is changed toward a large value, and the target throttle opening TVO * is reduced accordingly and the driving force is reduced, the driver does not feel uncomfortable.
When the idling determination threshold APOx reaches APO2 at time t2, APO2 is maintained.

  At time t3, when the accelerator pedal opening APO decreases and falls below the idling determination threshold APO2, the idling SW is turned on and the engine 1 enters an idling state. If the accelerator pedal opening APO is decreasing, it is considered that the driver is shifting to the accelerator OFF state. Therefore, by changing the idling determination threshold APOx to APO2, which is a large value, the engine 1 can be shifted to the idling state at an early stage, and fuel consumption can be improved.

  After time t3, the idling determination threshold value APOx is also decreased as the accelerator pedal opening APO is decreased. As a result, when the accelerator pedal opening APO decreases, the driver's intention is changed from the deceleration intention to the acceleration intention. Immediately exceeds the idling determination threshold APOx. Therefore, it is possible to set the target throttle opening TVO * by turning off the idling SW, and it is possible to secure the driving force according to the driver's intention to accelerate with good response.

  As described above, in the third embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

(5) When the accelerator pedal opening APO is less than the idling determination threshold APOx, the engine 1 is in an idling state, and when the accelerator pedal opening APO is equal to or greater than the idling determination threshold APOx, the target of the engine 1 according to the accelerator pedal opening APO A target throttle opening calculation unit 10a (target throttle opening setting means) for setting the throttle opening TVO *;
Changed so that the idling determination threshold APOx increases when it is determined that the driver does not intend to request driving force, and decreases so that the idling determination threshold APOx decreases when it is determined that the driver desires driving force. And an idling determination threshold value changing unit 10b (idling determination threshold value changing means).

Specifically, as shown from time t1 to time t2 in FIG. 9, it can be said that the driver's intention for requesting driving force is poor in a scene where the inter-vehicle distance L decreases. In such a situation, by changing the idling determination threshold APOx toward APO2, the engine 1 can be shifted to the idling state at an early stage, and fuel consumption can be improved.
On the other hand, as shown from time t3 to time t5 in FIG. 9, although the accelerator pedal opening APO is decreased, it is assumed that the driver's intention to decelerate is changed to the acceleration intention on the way. In other words, it is considered a scene where the driver's drive force request intention is likely to occur. In such a scene, the idling determination threshold APOx is set small. Thus, when the accelerator pedal opening APO starts to increase, the accelerator pedal opening APO exceeds the idling determination threshold APOx at an early stage, so that the target throttle opening TVO * can be set early. Therefore, the driving force according to the driver's acceleration intention can be secured with good response.

(6) When the accelerator pedal opening APO decreases and falls below the idling determination threshold APOx, the idling determination threshold change unit 10b decreases the idling determination threshold APOx as the accelerator pedal opening APO decreases.
Thus, when the accelerator pedal opening APO starts to increase, the accelerator pedal opening APO immediately exceeds the idling determination threshold APOx, so that the target throttle opening TVO * can be set quickly. Therefore, the driving force according to the driver's acceleration intention can be secured with high response.

Example 4
Next, Example 4 will be described. Since the basic configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, only different points will be described. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a vehicle control device according to the fourth embodiment. The fourth embodiment is different in that a vehicle speed sensor 14 for detecting the vehicle speed VSP is provided.

The idling determination threshold value changing unit 10b according to the fourth embodiment changes the idling determination threshold value APOx under the following conditions.
(Condition 1) The initial state when the ignition is ON is APOx = APO1.
(Condition 2) When the accelerator pedal opening APO is depressed, the change permission threshold APO4 is greater than APO2, and the vehicle speed VSP is greater than or equal to a predetermined vehicle speed VSP1, which is considered not to give the driver a sense of incongruity, the idling determination threshold APOx Allow changes to
(Condition 3) When the change of the idling determination threshold APOx is permitted, the idling determination threshold APOx is changed so as to increase at a predetermined constant speed.
(Condition 4) When the accelerator pedal opening APO falls below the idling determination threshold APOx, the idling SW is turned ON, and the idling determination threshold APOx is decreased as the accelerator pedal opening APO decreases.
(Condition 5) If the accelerator pedal opening APO increases when the idling determination threshold APOx decreases as the accelerator pedal opening APO decreases, the previous value is maintained as the idling determination threshold APOx.

FIG. 11 is a time chart illustrating the idling determination threshold value changing process according to the fourth embodiment. In the first state, the idling determination threshold APOx is set to APO1, and the accelerator pedal opening APO is also 0, so the idling SW is in the ON state.
When the accelerator pedal opening APO becomes equal to or greater than the idling determination threshold APO1 at time t1, the idling SW is turned off.
At time t2, although the accelerator pedal opening APO is equal to or greater than the change permission threshold APO4, the change in the idling determination threshold APOx is not yet permitted because the vehicle speed VSP is lower than the predetermined vehicle speed VSP1.

  When the vehicle speed VSP exceeds the predetermined vehicle speed VSP1 at time t3, the idling determination threshold APOx is changed so as to increase from APO1 at a predetermined constant speed. At this time, as shown in the APO-TVO * characteristic diagram of FIG. 2, when the idling determination threshold value APOx is changed to increase, the target throttle opening TVO * decreases. However, if the accelerator pedal opening APO is greatly depressed, the vehicle is traveling with sufficient driving force, and if the vehicle speed VSP is equal to or higher than the predetermined vehicle speed VSP1, the target throttle opening TVO * Even if becomes smaller, it does not deviate greatly from the driver's intention of requesting driving force. Therefore, the uncomfortable feeling given to the driver can be suppressed. Thereafter, when the idling determination threshold APOx reaches APO2, the change to APO2 or higher is prevented, and APO2 is continuously set as the idling determination threshold APOx.

  At time t5, when the accelerator pedal opening APO decreases and falls below the idling determination threshold APO2, the idling SW is turned ON again, and the engine 1 enters the idling state. If the accelerator pedal opening APO is decreasing, it is considered that the driver is shifting to the accelerator OFF state. Therefore, by changing the idling determination threshold APOx to APO2, which is a large value, the engine 1 can be shifted to the idling state at an early stage, and fuel consumption can be improved.

  After time t5, the idling determination threshold value APOx is also decreased as the accelerator pedal opening APO is decreased. As a result, when the accelerator pedal opening APO is decreasing, the driver's intention is changed from the deceleration intention to the acceleration intention, so that the accelerator pedal opening APO has started to increase as shown at time t6. At this time, the accelerator pedal opening APO immediately exceeds the idling determination threshold APOx. Therefore, it is possible to set the target throttle opening TVO * by turning off the idling SW, and it is possible to secure the driving force according to the driver's intention to accelerate with good response.

  As described above, in the fourth embodiment, in addition to the operational effects (1) and (2) of the first embodiment, the following operational effects are obtained.

(7) Condition 2 that suppresses the change in the idling determination threshold APOx when it is determined that the target throttle opening TVO * is changed in accordance with the change in the idling determination threshold APOx, thereby deviating from the driver's intention to request the driving force. (Change suppression means) was provided.
Here, a specific description will be given from time t2 when the accelerator pedal opening APO exceeds APO4 to t3 when the vehicle speed VSP exceeds VSP1. For example, when the idling determination threshold value APOx is increased in accordance with the increase in the accelerator pedal opening APO, the target throttle opening TVO * changes to the decreasing side, and deviates from the driver's intention to accelerate. In particular, in a scene where the vehicle speed VSP is not sufficiently obtained, it is considered that the driver has a strong intention to accelerate. Therefore, until the vehicle speed VSP reaches VSP1, the change in the idling determination threshold value APOx is prohibited, so that a sense of discomfort given to the driver can be avoided. Further, after reaching VSP1, even if the target throttle opening TVO * fluctuates with a decrease by increasing the idling determination threshold APOx, the driver's intention to accelerate is satisfied to some extent. Therefore, the discomfort given to the driver can be suppressed by permitting the change of the idling determination threshold APOx.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated based on each Example, not only the said Example but another structure may be employ | adopted. For example, in the first embodiment, the driver's intention to request the driving force is determined based on the accelerator pedal opening APO. However, the change speed of the accelerator pedal opening APO, the brake pedal stroke amount, the engine torque, the engine speed, or the vehicle The driver's intention to request the driving force may be determined from other information such as a drive mode select switch for setting the travel mode.

  In the third embodiment, the inter-vehicle distance L is detected by the radar 13 and the driver's intention to request the driving force is determined from the inter-vehicle distance L. However, the determination may be made from information indicating other traffic conditions. For example, the determination may be made using other vehicle information obtained from a camera that captures the surroundings of the vehicle, traffic information obtained from a navigation system, and information on traffic lights. For example, when information such as traffic jam is grasped, acceleration is not important, and a subsequent accelerator OFF is predicted. At this time, by increasing and changing the idling determination threshold APOx, it is possible to improve fuel efficiency by performing a quick transition to the idling state while suppressing unnecessary acceleration.

In the second embodiment, the determination of the driver's intention to request the driving force from the vehicle behavior is determined based on the vehicle longitudinal acceleration G. However, as shown in the fourth embodiment, the determination is further made by combining the conditions of the vehicle speed VSP. You may make it do. In addition, each embodiment is appropriately combined, the driver's intention to request driving force is determined based on complex conditions, and the driver feels uncomfortable by controlling the changing speed of the idling determination threshold APOx. It is possible to improve the fuel efficiency.

1 engine
1a Throttle actuator
2 Automatic transmission
3 Drive wheels
10 Engine controller (ECU)
11 Accelerator pedal opening sensor (APO sensor)
12 Acceleration sensor (G sensor)
13 Radar
14 Vehicle speed sensor
20 Automatic transmission controller (ATCU)

Claims (4)

The target throttle opening that sets the engine's target throttle opening according to the accelerator pedal opening when the accelerator pedal opening is less than the idling determination threshold and the engine is in an idling state and when the accelerator pedal opening is equal to or greater than the idling determination threshold. Setting means;
When the accelerator pedal opening is reduced, regardless of the vehicle speed, when it is determined that the driver does not intend to request driving force, the threshold is changed so that the idling determination threshold is increased. An idling determination threshold value changing means for changing the idling determination threshold value to be small when it is determined that there is an intention;
A vehicle control device comprising: The vehicle control device according to claim 1,
When the target throttle opening is changed in accordance with the change of the idling determination threshold value, when it is determined that the driver's driving force request intention is deviated, a change suppression unit is provided to suppress the change of the idling determination threshold value. A control apparatus for a vehicle. The vehicle control device according to claim 2,
The vehicle control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the change suppression unit suppresses a driving force change speed associated with a change in the idling determination threshold value to be a predetermined value or less. The vehicle control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The vehicle idling determination threshold value changing means reduces the idling determination threshold value according to a decrease in the accelerator pedal opening degree when the accelerator pedal opening degree decreases and falls below the idling determination threshold value.

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