JPH11189068A - Speed control device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically control not to exceed a safety speed and to reduce the fatigue of a driver in a long time driving by setting the present vehicle speed as the maximum value by a first operation which by the driver, and controlling the vehicle speed so as not to exceed the maximum speed by a first automatic control means. SOLUTION: A first memory 1 to store the maximum speed and a first automatic control means 11 to control the vehicle speed so that the present vehicle speed does not exceed the maximum speed are provided in a program control circuit 10. A driver operates a first operation switch 21 to set the present vehicle speed in a first memory 1 as the maximum one. A releasing means to clear the content in the first memory 1 and an alarm device 3, etc., for the case where the maximum speed is exceeded, are provided. When the driver operates the first operation switch 21, the first automatic control means 11 sets the present vehicle speed in the first memory 1 as the maximum value, regulates the fuel injection so that the present vehicle speed does not exceed the maximum one, and keeps the present vehicle speed so as not to exceed the maximum value.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention is applied to automobiles. The present invention relates to an improvement in an apparatus for automatically controlling fuel (or electric current) supplied to an engine of an automobile in accordance with a current vehicle speed v.
The present invention relates to an improvement of a maximum speed limiter device. The present invention relates to combined control of a maximum speed limiter device and an auto cruise device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A memory for storing a maximum speed Vmax,
2. Description of the Related Art There is known a vehicle speed limiting device that takes in a current vehicle speed v and automatically limits fuel supply so that the current vehicle speed v does not exceed a maximum speed Vmax no matter how much a driver depresses an accelerator pedal. This is not because of traffic safety, but rather to protect the engines and other machinery on the vehicle,
This device is provided to prevent the vehicle from traveling at a speed exceeding the maximum speed allowed by design. Therefore, the maximum speed Vmax is fixedly set when the vehicle is shipped from the factory, and the user of the vehicle cannot arbitrarily change the setting of the maximum speed Vmax.

[0003] On the other hand, an auto cruise device is widely known. This is a device provided for use on a highway for a long time, for example, provided with an operation switch that can be operated by the driver while driving, and when the operation switch is operated, the current vehicle speed v Is set as the cruising speed Vc,
This is a device for automatically controlling the vehicle speed v as a target value so as to reach the cruising speed Vc. When the driver operates this operation switch when it is determined that the vehicle has entered a state where a steady speed can be maintained in the driving lane while traveling on the highway,
Thereafter, even if the foot is released from the accelerator pedal, the vehicle speed v is controlled so as to maintain the cruising speed Vc, and the automatic control state is automatically released by an operation such as depressing a brake pedal.

In such an automatic cruise system, when the vehicle speed v exceeds the cruising speed Vc, for example, when the vehicle is going downhill, the so-called engine brake state for cutting off the fuel supply to the internal combustion engine is automatically set. In some electric vehicles, regenerative braking is performed to automatically control the state of electric braking.

[0005]

There are many drivers who do not use the above-mentioned auto cruise equipment even if it is equipped. This is because, when the vehicle is driven by the auto cruise device, the driving operation becomes slow and the driver easily falls asleep.
In addition, driving with the auto cruise device depends on the fact that the driver does not have the feeling of performing the driving operation, and the driving operation itself is not enjoyable.

However, driving while observing the speedometer makes it difficult to grasp the surrounding conditions, and increases fatigue. Also, by not paying attention to the speedometer,
In some cases, you may inadvertently exceed the legal speed or the safe speed.

The present invention has been made in view of such a background, and an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic speed control device that reduces driver fatigue when driving for a long time. An object of the present invention is to provide a device capable of operating without exceeding a safe speed. An object of the present invention is to provide a device capable of performing economical driving by reducing fluctuations in vehicle speed. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic speed control device that can use an automatic cruise device even for a driver who prefers a conventional auto cruise device.

[0008]

The present invention is characterized in that the control upper limit value of the maximum speed can be changed according to the driver's intention, and the cruise speed control (auto cruiser) can be used together. And

That is, according to the present invention, a first memory for storing the maximum speed Vmax, and a first memory for taking in the current vehicle speed v and controlling the vehicle speed v so that the current vehicle speed v does not exceed the maximum speed Vmax (v ≦ Vmax). A first operation switch which can be operated by the driver during driving, and means for setting the current vehicle speed v as the maximum speed Vmax in the memory by the first operation switch. It is characterized by having.

A lock type switch comprising a release means for clearing the contents of the memory by a driving operation, wherein the first operation switch is set once when it is operated once and is released when further operated in the set state. (Including mechanical and electrical), and the release means includes this lock-type switch, and the current vehicle speed v is set to the set maximum speed V.
It is desirable to provide an alarm means for generating an alarm in the driver's seat when the vehicle speed exceeds max (due to a downhill).

Further, a second memory for storing the cruising speed Vc, a second operation switch which can be operated by the driver during driving, and a cruising speed for the current vehicle speed v in a state where the maximum speed Vmax is set in the memory. It is preferable to include a means for setting the speed Vc in the second memory and a second automatic control means for controlling the vehicle speed v with the cruising speed Vc as a target value (v ≒ Vc).

The first automatic control means takes in the current vehicle speed v from the vehicle speed detection means and compares it with the maximum speed Vmax of the vehicle set and stored in the first memory at the time of shipment.
Control is performed so that the current vehicle speed v does not exceed the maximum speed Vmax. When the driver operates the first operation switch during traveling under the normal speed control, the first automatic control means sets the current vehicle speed v in the first memory as the maximum speed Vmax, and newly sets the current speed vmax. Is controlled so that the current vehicle speed v does not exceed the maximum speed Vmax.

When the operation of the first operation switch is performed again, the first automatic control means firstly clears the maximum vehicle speed Vmax set by the operation of the first switch from the first memory. Is changed to the current vehicle speed v. It is also possible to cancel the maximum speed control and perform a normal speed control based on the maximum vehicle speed Vmax set at the time of shipment.

By using a lock-type switch that is mechanically or electrically locked as the first operation switch, the maximum speed Vmax can be set and released by a simple operation of pressing only.

When the current vehicle speed v exceeds the maximum speed Vmax set by operating the first operation switch while traveling downhill or the like, the alarm means sends an alarm signal to an alarm device in the driver's seat to generate an alarm. Occurs and calls attention.

When the driver operates the second operation switch in a state where the maximum speed Vmax is set in the first memory, the second automatic control means sets the current vehicle speed v as the cruising speed Vc, and The current vehicle speed v is set to the target value Vc using the set cruising speed Vc as a target value.
Control to maintain.

As the second operation switch, a lock-type switch is used similarly to the first operation switch, so that the cruising speed Vc is set when first operated, and the setting state is released when further operated. Can be.

When the second operation switch is further operated and the cruising speed Vc is released, the control shifts to the normal speed control, and the first automatic control means determines that the current vehicle speed v is the maximum speed stored in the first memory. Control is performed so as not to exceed Vmax.

As described above, the maximum speed Vmax and the cruising speed Vc can be arbitrarily set and released by the driver's will by a simple switch operation, so that the driver does not need to be aware of exceeding the safe speed. The operation can be performed, and accordingly, the driver's fatigue can be reduced. In addition, since fluctuations in vehicle speed during traveling can be reduced over a long period of time, economical driving can be performed. Further, in the case of a vehicle equipped with an auto cruise device, the device can be used together .

The maximum speed control limiting device according to the present invention can be operated so that the vehicle speed does not exceed the set maximum speed Vmax even when the auto cruiser is not set.

[0021]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0022]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an embodiment of the present invention.

The embodiment of the present invention includes a vehicle speed sensor 13, a rotational speed sensor 14, an accelerator sensor 15, and a brake sensor.
The vehicle speed, the rotation speed of the internal combustion engine 23, the depression amount of the accelerator pedal 24, and the depression amount of the brake pedal 25 are taken in from the sensor 16 through the interface circuit 20, and a control signal is sent to the electronic governor 26 to send the control signal to the electronic governor 26. A program control circuit 10 for controlling fuel supply to the internal combustion engine 23 is provided.
0, a first memory 1 for storing the maximum speed Vmax,
A first automatic control means 11 is provided for taking in the current vehicle speed v and controlling the vehicle speed v so that the current vehicle speed v does not exceed the maximum speed Vmax (v ≦ Vmax).

Further, as a feature of the present invention, a first operation switch 21 which can be operated by the driver during driving is provided,
A means for setting the current vehicle speed v as the maximum speed Vmax in the first memory 1 by the first operation switch 21, a release means for clearing the contents of the first memory 1 by a driving operation, and a current vehicle speed v are set. Alarm means for generating an alarm in the alarm device 3 in the driver's seat when the vehicle speed exceeds the maximum speed Vmax (eg, on a downhill).

Further, a second memory 2 for storing the cruising speed Vc, a second operation switch 22 which can be operated by the driver during driving, and a state where the maximum speed Vmax is set in the first memory 1 There are provided means for setting the current vehicle speed v as the cruising speed Vc in the second memory 2 and second automatic control means 12 for controlling the vehicle speed v with the cruising speed Vc as a target value (v （Vc).

The first operation switch 21 and the second operation switch 22 are lock-type switches (including mechanical and electrical) which are set once when operated once, and which are released when further operated in the set state. ) Is used,
The release means includes this lock type switch.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an arrangement example of the first operation switch and the second operation switch in the embodiment of the present invention. In this example, it is arranged on a steering wheel 28 which is easy for the driver to operate.

Although the present embodiment has been described by taking as an example a configuration in which fuel injection is controlled by the electronic governor 26, the present invention can be similarly applied to an internal combustion engine using a mechanical governor 29 as shown in FIG. it can. In this case, the first automatic control means 11 and the second automatic control means 12 control the actuator 17, which operates the mechanical governor 29 via the accelerator cable 18, The amount of fuel supplied to the engine 23 is adjusted.

Next, the speed control operation in the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of the speed control operation in the embodiment of the present invention.

The first automatic control means 11 includes a vehicle speed sensor 1
3, the current vehicle speed v is fetched and compared with the maximum speed Vmax of the vehicle stored in the first memory 1. This maximum speed is set and stored in advance when the vehicle is shipped.
As a result of this comparison, if the current vehicle speed v exceeds the maximum vehicle speed Vmax, the alarm means sends an alarm signal to the alarm device 3 arranged in the driver's seat to generate an alarm. The alarm is generated by turning on an alarm lamp and / or sounding an alarm buzzer.

At the same time, the first automatic control means 11 controls the electronic governor 26 (or controls the actuator 17 when the mechanical governor 29 is mounted), and from the fuel injection pump 27 to the internal combustion engine 23. To maintain the current vehicle speed at or below the maximum vehicle speed Vmax.

When the first operation switch 21 is operated by the driver while such vehicle speed control is being performed, the first automatic control means 11 sets the current vehicle speed v to the maximum speed Vmax. In one memory 1, the fuel injection amount is controlled in the same manner as described above so that the current vehicle speed v does not exceed the maximum speed Vmax.

When the driver operates the first operation switch 21 again, the first automatic control means 11 clears the maximum vehicle speed stored and set in the first memory 1 by operating the first operation switch 21. Then, normal vehicle running is performed by vehicle speed control based on a preset maximum vehicle speed Vmax.

When the driver operates the second operation switch 22 to perform cruising, the second automatic control means 12 sets the maximum speed Vmax in the first memory 1 while the second automatic control means 12 operates. Is set in the second memory 2 as the cruising speed Vc when the operation switch 22 is operated.
The cruising speed control is performed with the current vehicle speed v set to the cruising speed Vc as a target value.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the traveling speed control operation in the embodiment of the present invention. In this cruising speed control, the second automatic control means 12 takes in the current vehicle speed v from the vehicle speed sensor 13 and compares it with the cruising speed Vc stored in the second memory 2. When the current vehicle speed v exceeds the set cruising speed Vc, the fuel supply to the internal combustion engine 23 is reduced, and when the current vehicle speed v falls below the cruising speed Vc, the fuel supply to the internal combustion engine 23 is increased. Control is performed so that the vehicle speed v is substantially equal to the cruising speed Vc.

If the driver operates the second operation switch 22 during the cruising speed control, the second automatic control means 12 clears the cruising speed Vc stored in the second memory. And release the cruising speed control. When the cruising speed control is canceled, the process shifts to the normal speed control performed by the first automatic control means 11.

[0037]

As described above, according to the present invention, when driving for a long time, the vehicle is automatically controlled so as not to exceed the safe speed to reduce driver fatigue and to change the vehicle speed. And economical operation can be performed.
Further, in the case of a vehicle equipped with an auto-cruise device, the auto-cruise device can be used together according to the driver's will.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an arrangement example of a first operation switch and a second operation switch in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part in the case of fuel injection control by a mechanical governor according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of a speed control operation in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of a traveling speed control operation in the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st memory 2 2nd memory 3 Alarm device 10 Program control circuit 11 1st automatic control means 12 2nd automatic control means 13 Vehicle speed sensor 14 Rotation speed sensor 15 Accelerator sensor 16 Brake sensor 17 Actuator 18 Accelerator Cable 20 Interface circuit 21 First operation switch 22 Second operation switch 23 Internal combustion engine 24 Accelerator pedal 25 Brake pedal 26 Electronic governor 27 Fuel injection pump 28 Steering wheel 29 Mechanical governor

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A first memory for storing a maximum speed Vmax, and a first automatic control means for controlling the vehicle speed v so as to take in the current vehicle speed v so that the current vehicle speed v does not exceed the maximum speed Vmax (v ≦ Vmax). A speed control device comprising: a first operation switch operable by a driver during driving; and a means for setting the current vehicle speed v as the maximum speed Vmax in the memory by the first operation switch. Speed control device characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. The speed control device according to claim 1, further comprising a release unit that clears the contents of the memory by a driving operation. 3. The first operation switch is a lock-type switch (including mechanical and electrical) which is set to a set state when operated once and is released when further operated in the set state; 3. The speed control device according to claim 2, wherein said releasing means includes said lock type switch. 4. A maximum speed Vmax at which the current vehicle speed v is set.
3. The speed control device according to claim 2, further comprising an alarm unit that generates an alarm in a driver's seat when the speed exceeds the threshold. 5. A second memory for storing the cruising speed Vc, a second operation switch that can be operated by the driver during driving, and cruising the current vehicle speed v when the maximum speed Vmax is set in the memory. 3. The speed control apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: means for setting the speed Vc in the second memory; and second automatic control means for controlling the vehicle speed v with the cruising speed Vc as a target value (v ≒ Vc). .