JPH08192657A - Constant speed running control device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To smoothly shift from the override condition in which an accelerator is operated in constant speed running to constant running control, in a constant speed running control device. CONSTITUTION: When a driver operates an accelerator pedal 12 during constant speed running in which an ECU 10 controls an actuator 14 for controlling constant speed running by setting a main switch 18 to be on so as to adjust the opening of a throttle valve 16, the ECU 10 sets the target opening of the actuator 14 to be any one of the full closed position, an opening opened by a minute quantity from the full closed position, an opening closed by a minute quantity from the actual throttle valve opening, and on opening directly before the override condition. Hereby, even if the override condition is released, the actuator can be smoothly shifted to constant running control without taking any undecided value.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle constant speed traveling control device, and more particularly to control of a so-called override state in which a driver operates an accelerator during constant speed traveling control.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a vehicle driver sets a target vehicle speed, and if there is a difference between the actual vehicle speed and the target vehicle speed, the throttle valve opening is increased or decreased so as to reach the target vehicle speed. A constant speed traveling control device for a vehicle, which includes an actuator that operates, has been developed.

For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-44377 discloses a vehicle equipped with an actuator for automatically controlling the opening of a throttle valve in addition to the accelerator pedal. That is, the actuator has a DC servo motor, and the control unit controls the rotation of the DC motor based on the vehicle speed signal, the set signal, and the cancel signal to adjust the opening of the throttle valve. When both the actuator and the accelerator pedal are operating, the opening of the throttle valve is determined by the one having the larger opening. Therefore, if the driver operates the accelerator while operating the actuator and desires a higher speed,
The opening of the throttle valve is determined by the depression amount of the accelerator pedal (override state).

[0004]

However, even in the overriding state, the actuator itself continues its operation, and the vehicle speed is reduced by the amount accelerated by the accelerator operation, that is, the throttle valve is closed. To be done. Therefore, the target opening of the actuator is controlled to the fully closed position when the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal by the driver is sufficiently large (actual vehicle speed is sufficiently large), but it is not always controlled to the fully closed position depending on the amount of depression. It is not always true, but it is in an uncertain position. Therefore, when the driver stops the accelerator operation and returns to the normal constant speed traveling control, the target opening degree of the actuator at the time when the accelerator operation is stopped is not constant and is not intended by the driver when shifting to the constant speed traveling. There is a possibility that the driver's driving feeling may not always be met, such as unnecessary engine braking being applied, or conversely, the driver's intended deceleration cannot be obtained.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to provide a constant speed running control device for a vehicle, which can smoothly shift from an overriding state to a constant speed running state.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a vehicle constant speed traveling control device according to a first aspect of the present invention sets a throttle valve opening to maintain a vehicle speed at a target vehicle speed and perform constant speed traveling. In a vehicle constant speed traveling control device including a driving means for controlling, a detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of an accelerator operation, and a driving means for detecting the accelerator operation by the detecting means during the constant speed traveling control by the driving means. And a control means for changing the target opening degree of the means to a predetermined opening degree.

In order to achieve the above object, the vehicle constant speed traveling control device according to claim 2 is the vehicle constant speed traveling control device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined opening is the throttle valve. It is a fully closed opening degree of

In order to achieve the above object, the vehicle constant speed traveling control device according to claim 3 is the vehicle constant speed traveling control device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined opening is the throttle valve. It is characterized in that the opening is a small amount opened from the fully closed position.

In order to achieve the above object, the vehicle constant speed traveling control device according to claim 4 is the vehicle constant speed traveling control device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined opening is the accelerator operation. It is characterized in that the opening is a small amount closed from the opening of the throttle valve determined by.

In order to achieve the above object, the vehicle constant speed traveling control device according to claim 5 is the vehicle constant speed traveling control device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined opening is the accelerator operation. It is characterized in that the opening is just before the start of.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, the vehicle constant speed traveling control device according to a sixth aspect is the vehicle constant speed traveling control device according to the third aspect, wherein the minute amount is further changed according to the vehicle speed. It is characterized by having an adjusting means for increasing / decreasing adjustment.

[0012]

In the vehicle constant speed traveling control device according to the first aspect,
When the accelerator is operated during constant speed traveling control and the vehicle shifts to the overriding state, the control means controls the opening of the drive means so as to set the actual vehicle speed (determined by the accelerator operation) to the target opening as in the conventional case. Instead, the target opening of the drive means (actuator) is controlled to a predetermined opening.

As a result, the target opening of the drive means does not have an indefiniteness as in the conventional case but has a certain definite value even when the constant speed traveling control is restored from the overriding state. It will be possible to return smoothly.

In the vehicle constant speed traveling control device according to the second aspect, the predetermined opening is set to the fully closed opening of the throttle valve. As a result, immediately after the override state is released, deceleration by engine braking is started, and the original vehicle speed can be quickly restored.

In the vehicle constant speed traveling control device according to the third aspect, the predetermined opening is set to an opening opened by a minute amount Δθ1 from the fully closed position of the throttle valve. As a result, slower deceleration can be obtained and smoother return to constant speed travel can be achieved as compared with the case where the fully closed opening is set.

In the vehicle constant speed traveling control device according to the fourth aspect, the predetermined opening is set to an opening which is closed by a small amount Δθ2 from the throttle valve opening in the overdrive state. As a result, even if the overriding state is released, there is almost no deceleration due to engine braking, and it is possible to smoothly return to constant speed running at the vehicle speed when the accelerator operation was stopped.

In the vehicle constant speed traveling control device according to the fifth aspect, the predetermined opening is fixed to the opening just before the shift to the override state. As a result, after the override is released, it is possible to quickly return to the constant speed running at the original vehicle speed.

In the vehicle constant speed traveling control device according to the sixth aspect, the minute amount Δθ1 is changed according to the vehicle speed. Specifically, the value of the minute amount is increased as the vehicle speed increases.
As a result, even when the accelerator operation is stopped in the high speed range, it is possible to prevent deceleration due to unnecessary engine braking and achieve a smooth return. Incidentally, in the prior art, since the driving means continues the constant speed traveling control even in the overriding state, the opening degree of the driving means is controlled in the direction of closing as the vehicle speed increases, but in the case of the present invention, the opposite control is performed. Will be done.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of this embodiment. Accelerator pedal 1 that controls opening and closing of throttle valve 16
2 and an actuator 14 are provided, and an electronic control unit EC is provided as control means for controlling the operation of the actuator.
U10 is provided. The actuator 14 has a DC servo motor and a magnet clutch as in the conventional case, and controls the opening and closing of the throttle valve by turning on the magnet clutch and rotationally driving the DC motor. In addition,
The actuator 14 and the throttle valve 16 are mechanically connected with a cable via a magnetic clutch, and the accelerator pedal 12 and the throttle valve 16 are also mechanically connected with a cable. Determines the actual opening / closing degree of the throttle valve 16.

The ECU 10 comprises a buffer memory, a microcomputer, and a motor drive circuit, and inputs signals from the main switch 18, the brake switch 20, the vehicle speed sensor 22, and the throttle valve opening sensor 24 into the actuator 14. Controls the operation of the DC motor and magnet clutch of. When the driver operates the accelerator pedal 12, the accelerator pedal switch 1
The operation is detected by 1, and a detection signal is supplied to the ECU 10. Based on this operation signal, the ECU 10 determines whether or not the accelerator operation has been performed during constant speed traveling, that is, whether or not the constant speed traveling control has transitioned to the override control, and also determines whether or not the override state has been released. .

Here, the normal constant speed traveling control is performed as follows. That is, the driver turns the main switch 18
When a constant vehicle speed control (hereinafter referred to as cruise control (C / C)) is turned on to set the target vehicle speed, the microcomputer in the ECU 10 detects the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor 22 and the target vehicle speed. The comparison is performed, and a control signal is output to the motor drive circuit so that the difference is within a predetermined range. The motor drive circuit supplies a current to the DC motor of the actuator 14 to rotate the DC motor of the actuator 14 based on the control signal, thereby rotating and controlling the opening / closing of the throttle valve. When the driver operates the brake pedal, a brake ON signal is input from the brake switch 20, and the ECU 10 turns off the magnet clutch to disconnect the connection with the throttle valve and release the C / C traveling.

On the other hand, when the driver operates the accelerator pedal 12 during the C / C control, the process shifts to the process shown in FIG. That is, when the driver depresses the accelerator pedal 12 during the C / C control, the ECU 10 determines that the C / C control has shifted to the overriding state (S101), and the opening degree of the actuator 14 is set to 0 °, that is, the fully closed open state. Every time (S102). The magnet clutch remains ON. In the override state, the throttle valve 16
The opening degree of is determined by the accelerator pedal 12, and the opening degree set by the actuator 14 does not influence. However, when the driver stops operating the accelerator pedal 12 and returns to the normal C / C control from the overriding state, the magnet clutch is turned on and the throttle valve 16 is opened without changing the set opening degree of the actuator 14. Therefore, the drivability may decrease depending on the opening degree of the actuator 14. Therefore, ECU
No. 10 sets the actuator opening degree in the overriding state to the fully closed opening degree, so that the throttle valve 16 is controlled toward the fully closing opening degree even when the normal C / C control is shifted from the overriding state (S103). Therefore, deceleration by engine braking is started from the time when the operation of the accelerator pedal is stopped, the vehicle speed immediately before shifting to the overriding state can be quickly achieved, and the drivability similar to that during normal traveling can be obtained.

Second Embodiment In the above-described first embodiment, the opening degree of the actuator 14 is set to the fully closed opening degree in the overriding state, but it is desired for some drivers to return to the vehicle speed immediately before shifting to the overriding state. In some cases, the C / C control may be desired at the vehicle speed at the time when the operation of the accelerator pedal is stopped. In some cases, a smoother deceleration is desired instead of the normal deceleration by engine braking.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the configuration is the same as that of FIG. 1, but as shown in the processing flow chart of FIG.
CU10 is the actuator 1 in the overriding state
The opening of No. 4 is not set to the fully closed opening, but is set to the (fully closed position + Δθ1) position (S202). However, Δθ1
Is a minute amount. As a result, slower deceleration is performed as compared with the first embodiment, and a smoother return to C / C control is possible.

Third Embodiment FIG. 4 shows a processing flowchart of this embodiment. The purpose of this embodiment is to realize a smoother return to C / C control as compared with the second embodiment. Therefore, as shown in S302 of FIG.
Reference numeral 10 controls the actuator opening in the overriding state to (actual throttle opening−Δθ2). However, Δθ2
Is a minute amount, and the actual throttle opening is detected by a signal from the sensor 24.

As a result, the C / C control can be resumed at a vehicle speed substantially equal to the vehicle speed at the time when the operation of the accelerator pedal 12 is stopped, and the driver can perform the C immediately after the accelerator pedal operation is stopped.
Even when it is desired to shift to the / C control, unnecessary deceleration can be prevented and the intended travel can be realized.

Fourth Embodiment In the second embodiment, the actuator opening in the overriding state is set to (fully closed opening + Δθ1).
When θ1 is set to a fixed value, the override state is maintained especially in the high speed range, and when the C / C control returns from the high speed range,
A large deceleration may occur and the smooth deceleration intended by the driver may not be obtained. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the ECU 10 controls the actuator opening Δθ.
1 is not a fixed value but is changed so as to have a positive correlation with the vehicle speed. Specifically, the vehicle speed and the value of Δθ1 may be stored as a map in a memory in the ECU 10, and Δθ1 corresponding to the detected vehicle speed may be read to control the actuator opening. In this case, the memory in the ECU 10 functions as the adjusting means of the present invention. of course,
As the adjusting means, it is possible to use not a memory having such a map but an arithmetic device for performing the functional operation shown in FIG.

As described above, by changing Δθ1 according to the vehicle speed, the C / C control can be smoothly restored from the overriding state even in the high speed range.

Fifth Embodiment In the first embodiment, the actuator opening degree in the overriding state is set to the fully closed opening degree, and the vehicle speed is immediately returned to the speed immediately before shifting to the overriding state. A process for promptly returning to the C / C control at the vehicle speed immediately before the override will be described.

FIG. 6 shows a processing flowchart of this embodiment. During C / C control, the ECU 10 maintains the actuator opening at the target opening in order to set it to the target vehicle speed. However, even after shifting from this state to the override state, the ECU 10 still sets the actuator opening. The opening degree at that time is fixed and controlled (S402). As a result, even when the C / C is restored from the overriding state, the throttle opening is immediately set to the opening immediately before the overriding, and the C / C control immediately before the overriding is executed.

Although the respective embodiments have been described above,
The ECU 10 is preprogrammed to selectively execute these processes, or the main switch 18 is further provided with a mode setting function for setting a resume mode, and any one of the first to fifth embodiments is added. It is also possible to configure the processing so that the driver can arbitrarily set it.

[0033]

As described above, according to the vehicle constant speed traveling control device of the first aspect, the driving means such as the actuator is operated even in the override state in which the accelerator is operated during the constant speed traveling control. Since the target opening of is fixed, it is possible to smoothly return from the overriding state to the constant speed running state.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a processing flowchart of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a processing flowchart of a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a processing flowchart of a third embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between vehicle speed and opening according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a processing flowchart of a fifth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ECU, 12 accelerator pedal, 14 actuator, 16 throttle valve, 18 main switch, 20 brake switch, 22 vehicle speed sensor, 24
Throttle opening sensor.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A vehicle constant speed traveling control device comprising a drive means for controlling the opening of a throttle valve to maintain a vehicle speed at a target vehicle speed and to travel at a constant speed, and detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of an accelerator operation. A vehicle constant control means for changing a target opening degree of the driving means to a predetermined opening degree when the detecting means detects an accelerator operation during the constant speed traveling control by the driving means. Speed control device. 2. The vehicle constant speed traveling control device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined opening is a fully closed opening of the throttle valve. 3. The vehicle constant speed traveling control device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined opening is an opening slightly opened from a fully closed position of the throttle valve. Travel control device. 4. The vehicle constant speed traveling control device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined opening degree is an opening degree which is a small amount closed from the opening degree of the throttle valve determined by the accelerator operation. A constant speed traveling control device for a vehicle. 5. The vehicle constant speed traveling control device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined opening is an opening immediately before the accelerator operation is started. . 6. The vehicle constant speed traveling control device according to claim 3, further comprising adjusting means for increasing / decreasing the minute amount according to the vehicle speed.