JPH1178599A - Constant-speed travel device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a busy shift frequently repeating a shift between an overdrive(OD) shift step and the third-speed step of an automatic transmission during a constant-speed travel. SOLUTION: When a vehicle reaches an uphill from a flat road during a constant-speed travel, the throttle opening is increased, and a transmission control means 9 shifts down the shift step from an OD shift step to the third- speed step and generates and feeds a shift signal to a constant-speed travel control means 10. The constant-speed travel control means 10 has a transmission limiting function for feeding an OD cut request signal to the transmission control means 9 and prohibiting the transmission control means 9 from shifting the shift step, and the constant-speed travel at the third speed is continued. When the vehicle again reaches the flat road or a downhill and the throttle opening is closed to a shift-up recovery opening set value ci or above, the OD cut request signal is released, and the transmission control means 9 shifts up the shift step from the third-speed step to the OD shift step.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a constant speed traveling device for a vehicle having an automatic transmission.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional constant-speed traveling device includes a transmission control means for shifting and controlling a gear position of an automatic transmission, and a constant-speed traveling control for controlling a throttle opening so that a vehicle speed of a vehicle becomes a set vehicle speed. The so-called busy shift occurs due to each control operation with the means.

[0003] The busy shift is the following phenomenon. When the vehicle reaches an uphill from a flat road while traveling at a constant speed at an overdrive (abbreviated as OD) speed, the vehicle speed first decreases, and therefore the constant speed traveling control means greatly changes the throttle opening to maintain a constant speed at the set vehicle speed. Try to maintain high speed. It is assumed that the automatic transmission has each shift speed from a first speed having a large reduction ratio to a fourth speed which is an overdrive shift speed having a small reduction ratio. As the throttle opening increases, the transmission control means shifts down from the overdrive speed to the third speed according to the vehicle speed pattern corresponding to the throttle opening. As a result, the driving force of the wheels increases, and the vehicle speed increases. Therefore, the constant speed traveling control means changes so that the throttle opening becomes small, and tries to maintain the constant speed traveling at the set vehicle speed. With such a small change in the throttle opening, the transmission control means shifts up from the third speed to the overdrive speed. As a result, the driving force decreases, and the vehicle speed decreases again. By repeating such an operation, the vehicle speed fluctuates periodically.

In the prior art for preventing the busy shift, the return from the third speed to the overdrive speed is started when the actual vehicle speed falls within a certain range with respect to the set vehicle speed stored in the memory. After a predetermined time has elapsed. The problem with this prior art is that when the uphill is relatively long, and therefore the vehicle is traveling on the uphill even after the time has elapsed, the vehicle returns from the third speed to the overdrive speed, thereby causing a busy shift. It will happen. That is, this prior art also has a problem that a busy shift occurs when traveling on a long uphill.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a phenomenon in which a shift speed, such as a busy shift by an automatic transmission on an uphill, is frequently and undesirably frequently changed to repeatedly shift down and up. It is an object of the present invention to provide a constant-speed traveling device that does not have such a configuration.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to (a) an automatic transmission for transmitting power of an internal combustion engine to wheels by switching a plurality of gears, and (b) a transmission control means, comprising: The shift speed of the automatic transmission is shifted according to the vehicle speed pattern corresponding to the degree, and when the shift down from the overdrive shift speed to the shift speed with a larger reduction ratio is performed, a shift signal indicating the downshift is derived, and the overdrive speed is derived. Transmission control means for shifting up to the overdrive speed in response to the upshift return signal without performing the upshift return to the overdrive speed in response to the cut request signal; and (c) throttle opening The throttle valve is driven in response to a throttle opening control signal having a duty indicating the throttle opening so as to attain the throttle opening indicated by the throttle opening control signal. (D1) providing a throttle opening control signal to the throttle driving means so that the vehicle speed of the vehicle becomes the set vehicle speed, and (d2) responding to the speed change signal. Then, an overdrive cut request signal is derived and given to the transmission control means. Further, (d3) a throttle opening output means for obtaining a throttle opening, and (d4) a predetermined throttle opening when traveling at a constant speed on a flat road. Setting means for setting a shift-up return opening setting value ci substantially equal to the degree,
(D5) When the throttle opening obtained by the throttle opening output means is operated in the closing direction by the shift-up return opening setting value ci or more, the overdrive cut request signal is released, and the shift-up return signal is output. And a constant-speed traveling control means which is generated and provided to the transmission control means.

According to the present invention, at the overdrive speed, a throttle opening control signal whose duty is controlled so that the vehicle speed becomes equal to the set vehicle speed stored in the memory, for example, is generated. It is assumed that the vehicle is traveling at a constant speed on a flat road. Next, when the vehicle approaches an uphill, the throttle drive means changes to increase the throttle opening in accordance with the throttle opening control signal so that the set vehicle speed is maintained. As a result, the shift stage of the automatic transmission shifts down from the overdrive shift stage to a shift stage having a larger reduction ratio according to the vehicle speed pattern corresponding to the throttle opening.

It is assumed that the automatic transmission has a total of four shift speeds from a first speed having a large reduction ratio to a fourth speed which is an overdrive shift stage having a small reduction ratio. A shift speed with a larger reduction ratio than the overdrive shift speed is
For example, the third speed. By shifting down to the third speed, the driving force of the wheels increases, the vehicle speed increases, and the vehicle can run at a constant speed at the set vehicle speed.

The transmission control means derives a shift signal when downshifting from the overdrive speed to the third speed, and provides it to the constant speed traveling control means. Thereby, the constant speed traveling control means derives the overdrive cut request signal and gives it to the transmission control means. The transmission control means receives the overdrive cut request signal, and does not perform the upshift return from the third speed to the overdrive speed according to the speed pattern. Thus, on an uphill, the throttle opening is controlled by the constant speed traveling control means so that the vehicle speed becomes the set vehicle speed at the third speed.

The setting means of the constant-speed running control means sets a value of the throttle opening which is equal to or slightly smaller than a predetermined throttle opening at the time of constant-speed running on a flat road, to an upshift return value which is an absolute value. It is set as the use opening set value ci. In the constant speed traveling control means, the throttle opening output means may be configured to (a) actually detect the throttle opening by, for example, a potentiometer, or (b) control the opening of the throttle valve. The configuration may be such that the duty of the throttle opening control signal is integrated and calculated to obtain an estimated value of the throttle opening.

When the throttle opening obtained from the throttle opening output means thus obtained is operated in the closing direction at the shift-up return opening set value ci set by the setting means, ie, the throttle opening is not more than ci. , The overdrive cut request signal is released to generate a shift-up return signal, which is provided to the transmission control means. As a result, the transmission control means shifts up from the third speed to the overdrive speed and returns.

While climbing a long uphill, the third
During the constant speed running at high speed, the throttle opening does not operate in the closing direction when it is equal to or more than the shift-up return opening set value ci, that is, the throttle opening is a large value exceeding the ci, and therefore the overdrive cut is performed. The request signal is not released. As a result, there is no risk of shifting up from the third speed to the overdrive speed, and a busy shift is prevented.

Further, according to the present invention, in a configuration having a transmission limiting function for preventing the transmission control means from performing a shift-up return by a speed pattern in response to an overdrive cut request signal from the constant speed traveling control means. The present invention can be carried out without modifying the transmission control means, which is advantageous.

Further, in the present invention, the setting means for the shift-up return opening set value ci includes a set vehicle speed output means for outputting a signal representing the set vehicle speed, and a throttle opening ci which increases as the set vehicle speed increases. In response to the output of the set throttle opening degree setting means and the output of the set vehicle speed output means, the throttle opening degree set by the throttle opening degree setting means corresponding to the set vehicle speed Vi is set to the shift-up return opening setting value ci. And means for performing the operation.

According to the present invention, the setting means for setting the shift-up return opening setting value ci includes a throttle opening degree setting means. With this, as the set vehicle speed Vi increases, the shift-up return opening setting value ci increases. The throttle opening ci used as the value is set large. On a flat road,
When the vehicle is traveling at a constant speed at the set vehicle speed, the stable opening degree of the throttle valve becomes larger as the traveling vehicle speed, that is, the set vehicle speed is larger, which is described later with reference to FIG. is there. Therefore, the shift-up return opening set value ci is set to a value substantially equal to the stable opening of the throttle valve when the vehicle is traveling at a constant speed on a flat road, that is, the same value as the stable opening of the throttle valve corresponding to the set vehicle speed or The opening is set slightly smaller than that. In this manner, when the throttle opening decreases and reaches a value close to the stable opening corresponding to the set vehicle speed in the constant speed traveling on the flat road, the vehicle can return to the overdrive speed.

In the present invention, when the throttle opening setting means sets the opening setting value ci for shift-up return of the throttle opening to a set vehicle speed Vi and constants a and b, ci = a · Vi + b. It is characterized by being calculated by:

According to the present invention, the throttle opening ci which is the opening set value for shift-up return can be obtained by performing an arithmetic processing from a linear function using the set vehicle speed Vi as a variable. The stable opening of the throttle valve when the vehicle is traveling at a constant speed on a flat road, that is, the set value for upshift return differs for each vehicle type, and differs for each individual vehicle even if the vehicle type is the same. Therefore the constant b which is the y-intercept
Is determined for each type of vehicle on which the present invention is implemented, and is further determined for each individual vehicle. As a result, it is possible to return to the overdrive gear stage that obtains an optimum riding comfort by avoiding a busy shift. Instead of constant b, constant b
, For example, (−a · V3 + b3) in Equation 3 described below with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12.

Further, according to the present invention, the throttle opening output means responds to the throttle opening control signal to estimate the throttle opening by integrating the throttle opening control signal. A continuation determining means for determining whether or not the continuation has been performed for a predetermined time ΔT or more;
When the above is continued, an overdrive cut request signal is derived, and from the time when the overdrive cut request signal is generated from the constant speed traveling control means, the estimation operation of the throttle opening by the throttle opening output means is started. Features.

According to the present invention, the constant speed traveling control means includes:
A shift signal indicating a downshift from the overdrive speed to the third speed is received from the transmission control means, and whether the shift signal has continued for a predetermined time ΔT (for example, 1 sec) or more is determined by the continuation determining means. judge. When the speed change signal continues for the predetermined time ΔT, the constant speed traveling control means derives an overdrive cut request signal. The transmission control means also has, for example, means for detecting the depression amount of an accelerator pedal operated by the driver, that is, the throttle opening, and in response to the throttle opening corresponding to the detected depression amount, the throttle control The shift stage is shifted in a vehicle speed pattern corresponding to the opening.

Therefore, by providing the above-mentioned time ΔT, the driver immediately depresses the accelerator pedal for a very short time during traveling at a constant speed, that is, less than the time ΔT, and then immediately depresses the accelerator pedal. Although the transmission control means derives a very short shift signal when the pedal is released from the pedal, the constant-speed cruise control means is prevented from deriving the overdrive cut request signal. Therefore, the overdrive cut request signal is generated only when the shift signal from the transmission control means has continued for the predetermined time ΔT or more. Therefore, when the transmission control means shifts down from the overdrive speed to, for example, the third speed to derive a shift signal,
There is a time ΔT between the time when the constant speed traveling control means derives the overdrive cut request signal in response to the shift signal.

In a configuration in which the estimated value of the throttle opening is calculated by integrating or integrating a throttle opening control signal having a duty corresponding to the throttle opening, the throttle opening is improved in order to improve the accuracy of the estimated value. When the operation of estimating the opening is started, the estimated value is initialized and an initial value is set. In the present invention, in consideration of the fact that the time difference ΔT is provided between the time point at which the shift signal is generated and the time point at which the overdrive cut request signal is generated as described above, the overdrive after the time ΔT elapses, not the time point at which the shift signal is generated. When the cut request signal is generated, the operation of estimating the throttle opening is started. Therefore, when the overdrive cut request signal is generated, the estimated value of the throttle opening is initialized, for example, corrected to the fully open state as described below with reference to claim 5, or other predetermined value, for example, FIG. The value is corrected to a value of c11, c12, or the like of 10. Thus, the estimated value of the throttle opening can be matched with the actual throttle opening with high accuracy.

If it is assumed that the start of the operation for estimating the throttle opening is started when a shift signal is generated, that is, when the constant speed traveling control means receives the shift signal, thereafter, an overdrive cut request signal is generated. If it is highly probable that the throttle opening has been changed due to constant speed traveling and increased further in the time ΔT before the start, the estimating operation is started at the time when the shift signal is generated. An error may occur in the setting. Therefore, according to the present invention, when an overdrive cut request signal is generated after a lapse of time ΔT from the time when the shift signal is generated when the operation of shifting down from the overdrive gear to the third speed is performed, the estimation operation is started, Initialize the estimated value of the throttle opening. Therefore, the accuracy of the estimated value can be increased.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the throttle opening output means includes means for correcting the estimated throttle opening to a fully open state when the overdrive cut request signal is generated. I do.

According to the present invention, the initial value of the estimated value of the throttle opening is set to a value corresponding to the fully opened state, for example, zero as in step k4 in FIG. During constant-speed running in which the overdrive speed is shifted down to the third speed, the throttle opening is generally almost fully open regardless of the set vehicle speed. In view of this, the present invention corrects the estimated value by initializing the estimated value to an initial value corresponding to the fully open state when an overdrive cut request signal is generated. This improves the accuracy of the estimate.

In each of the first through fifth aspects of the present invention, the throttle opening obtained by the throttle opening output means is compared with an opening set value for shift-up return ci which is an absolute value, thereby providing an overdrive cut. It has a configuration to cancel the request signal. In contrast, claims 6 to described below.
In the configuration of No. 9, the throttle opening obtained by the throttle opening output means is compared with the throttle opening immediately after the downshift stored in the memory, and the difference is compared with the shift set return difference set value which is a relative value. A configuration is provided in which the overdrive cut request signal is released when the operation is performed in the closing direction by Δci or more. In this respect, unlike the above-described first to fifth aspects, the other configurations are the same.

The present invention also provides: (a) an automatic transmission for transmitting power of an internal combustion engine to wheels by switching a plurality of gears;
(B) a transmission control means, which shifts the speed of the automatic transmission according to a vehicle speed pattern corresponding to the throttle opening and shifts down from an overdrive speed to a speed with a larger reduction ratio. In response to the overdrive cut request signal, the shift-up signal to indicate the downshift is derived, the upshift to the overdrive gear is not performed, and the upshift to the overdrive gear is performed in response to the upshift return signal. Transmission control means for
(C) throttle driving means for driving a throttle valve in response to a throttle opening control signal having a duty indicating the throttle opening so that the throttle opening indicated by the throttle opening control signal is obtained; (D1) providing a throttle opening control signal to the throttle driving means so that the vehicle speed of the vehicle becomes the set vehicle speed; and (d2) deriving an overdrive cut request signal in response to the shift signal. (D3) throttle opening output means for obtaining the throttle opening, and (d4) throttle opening immediately after the downshift from the overdrive speed in response to the shift signal. A memory for storing the throttle opening determined by the degree output means, and (d5) a throttle opening and a flat road stored in the memory. And a setting means for setting a substantially equal upshift returning difference setting value Δci to the difference between the throttle opening predetermined during constant speed running, (d6)
When the throttle opening obtained by the throttle opening output means is operated in the closing direction from the throttle opening stored in the memory by the shift-up return difference set value Δci or more, the overdrive cut request signal is released, and And a constant-speed traveling control means for generating a shift-up return signal and providing the signal to the transmission control means.

According to the present invention, the setting means of the constant-speed cruise control means uses, for example, the fully-open state stored in the memory immediately after the shift down from the overdrive speed stored in the memory to the third speed occurs. The value of the difference between the throttle opening and the throttle opening at the time of constant speed running on a flat road is equal to or slightly smaller than the difference between the throttle opening and the throttle opening return difference setting as a relative value. The value is set as Δci. The throttle opening obtained by the throttle opening output means stored in the memory is a value immediately after the downshift from the overdrive gear stage occurs. In other words, (a) the constant speed traveling control means It may be the throttle opening from the throttle opening output means at the same time as receiving the shift signal from the control means, or preferably,
(B) As will be described later with reference to claim 9, an estimated value of the throttle opening at the time of derivation of the overdrive cut request signal after a predetermined time ΔT has elapsed, or the throttle opening at the time of derivation of the overdrive cut request signal. The opening degree actually detected by the degree sensor may be used.

When the vehicle approaches an uphill while traveling at a constant speed on a flat road, the overdrive speed is changed from the overdrive speed to the third speed in a manner similar to the operation described in connection with the above-described first to fifth aspects. The shift down is performed and a shift signal is generated. The throttle opening obtained by the throttle opening output means immediately after the shift signal is generated is stored in the memory.

In the setting means of the constant-speed running control means, during the third-speed constant-speed running, the throttle opening obtained by the throttle opening output means is used as a shift-up return difference set value Δ
When operating in the closing direction for more than ci, that is, when the throttle opening is smaller than the above-mentioned Δci by more than Δci from the throttle opening stored in the memory, the overdrive cut request signal is released and a shift-up return signal is generated,
This is given to the transmission control means. As a result, the transmission control means shifts up from the third speed to the overdrive speed and returns.

While climbing a long uphill, the third
During constant speed running at high speed, the throttle opening does not operate in the closing direction when the shift-up return difference set value Δci or more, that is, the throttle opening changes from the throttle opening stored in the memory in the closing direction. This is a large value within the range of less than Δci, and therefore the overdrive cut request signal is not canceled. As a result, there is no risk of shifting up from the third speed to the overdrive speed, and a busy shift is prevented. Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the above-described invention.

Further, in the present invention, the setting means for the shift-up return difference set value Δci includes a set vehicle speed output means for outputting a signal indicating the set vehicle speed, and a difference Δci between the throttle opening degrees as the set vehicle speed increases. In response to the output of the throttle opening difference setting means to be set small and the output of the setting vehicle speed output means, the difference of the throttle opening degree set by the throttle opening difference setting means corresponding to the setting vehicle speed Vi is calculated as the shift-up return difference. Means for setting the set value Δci.

According to the present invention, when the vehicle travels on a flat road at a constant speed at the set vehicle speed, the stable opening of the throttle valve increases as the set vehicle speed increases. The throttle opening at the time point when the gearshift signal is generated by shifting down from the overdrive speed to the third speed is full open or almost full open, and the full throttle opening is stored in the memory as described above. . Therefore, the throttle opening difference setting means sets the throttle opening difference Δci (for example, Δc1, Δc2 in FIG. 10) smaller as the set vehicle speed increases, that is, as the setting vehicle speed increases, the throttle opening during downshifting increases. The difference Δci is set to be small so as to be large. In this way, when the throttle opening becomes small and reaches a value close to the stable opening corresponding to the set vehicle speed in the constant speed running on the flat road, it is possible to return to the overdrive speed.

Further, according to the present invention, when the throttle opening difference setting means sets the throttle opening shift-up returning difference setting value Δci to a set vehicle speed Vi and constants a1 and b1, Δci = a1 · Vi + b1. It is characterized by being calculated by:

According to the present invention, the shift-up return difference set value Δci can be obtained by performing an arithmetic processing from a linear function using the set vehicle speed Vi as a variable. constant b which is the y-intercept
1 is determined for each vehicle type in which the present invention is implemented, and is further determined for each individual vehicle.

According to the present invention, the throttle opening output means responds to the throttle opening control signal and integrates the throttle opening control signal to estimate the throttle opening. A continuation determining means for determining whether or not the continuation has been performed for a predetermined time ΔT or more;
When the above is continued, an overdrive cut request signal is derived, and the estimated value of the throttle opening at the time when the overdrive cut request signal is generated is stored in a memory.

According to the present invention, when the downshift from the overdrive gear position to the third speed from the transmission control means has continued for a predetermined time ΔT or more, the constant speed travel control means sets the overdrive cut. In addition to deriving the request signal, the estimated value of the throttle opening at this time is
Store in memory. Therefore, by providing the above-mentioned time ΔT, even if the transmission control means derives a very short shift signal by, for example, the driver depressing the accelerator pedal for a very short time, the constant-speed cruise control means can be overdriven. Derivation of the cut request signal is prevented, and the maximum throttle opening at the time of constant speed traveling is stored in the memory, so that the throttle opening at the time of return from upshifting can be accurately determined.

In the ninth aspect of the present invention, the estimated value of the throttle opening is set to a predetermined value at the time when the overdrive cut request signal is generated, for example, an initial value which is a maximum value corresponding to a fully opened state of the throttle opening. The value may be initialized and corrected.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the transmission control means does not have a structure for forcibly shifting up to the overdrive speed in response to the shift-up return signal, and the constant-speed running control means May not have a configuration for generating an upshift return signal, and when the overdrive cut request signal is released from the constant speed traveling control unit, the transmission control unit responds to the throttle opening. The configuration may be such that the shift speed is shifted according to the vehicle speed pattern.

The set vehicle speed output means may be a memory for storing the set vehicle speed, or may be a variable resistor for outputting a voltage corresponding to the set vehicle speed, or may have another configuration. . The throttle opening setting means may be a memory for storing the set vehicle speed and the throttle opening corresponding to the set vehicle speed, for example, in the form of a table. May be used to calculate the throttle opening corresponding to the set vehicle speed.

According to the first, second, sixth, and seventh aspects, the throttle opening output means may actually detect the opening of the throttle valve directly to obtain the throttle opening. The configuration may be such that the throttle opening is estimated by arithmetic processing such as integration of the duty of the throttle opening control signal or the like and arithmetic processing is performed.

According to the fourth, fifth, and ninth aspects, the throttle opening output means estimates the throttle opening as described above and performs the arithmetic processing.

In another embodiment of the present invention according to the first to ninth aspects of the present invention, (a) the overdrive speed and the third
The invention may be practiced with respect to (b) a shift between an overdrive speed and a second speed, etc., as well as (c) an overdrive speed and Instead of the shift between the gears having a large reduction ratio, the shift between a certain gear, for example, the third speed, and another gear having a larger reduction ratio, for example, the second gear, The invention may be implemented. Instead of the overdrive speed, the highest speed with the smallest reduction ratio among the plurality of speeds of the automatic transmission may be used.

[0043]

FIG. 1 is an overall block diagram of a constant speed traveling control device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. A throttle valve 3 is provided in an intake path 2 of the internal combustion engine 1. The power of the internal combustion engine is transmitted to the wheels by the automatic transmission 4. The automatic transmission 4 has a total of four shift speeds from the first speed having the largest reduction ratio to the overdrive speed which is the fourth speed of the highest speed having the smallest reduction ratio.
The overdrive speed is sometimes abbreviated as OD. The throttle valve 3 is depressed by the driver's foot pedal 5 to increase its opening, and its throttle opening is controlled by a throttle driving means 6 which is an actuator having a motor whose duty is controlled. The actual opening of the throttle valve 3 is detected by a throttle opening output means 7 which is an opening sensor. The rotation speed Ne of the output shaft of the internal combustion engine 1 is detected by the rotation speed detection means 8.

Transmission control means 9 is provided to shift and control the speed of the transmission 4. Further, a constant speed traveling control means 10 is provided for controlling the opening degree of the throttle valve 3 by the throttle driving means 6 for the constant speed traveling.

The transmission control means 9 is realized by a processing circuit such as a microcomputer, and responds to each output of the throttle opening output means 7 and the rotation speed detection means 8.
The operation shown in FIG. 2 is achieved during the constant speed traveling shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and is shown to the constant speed traveling control means 10 via the line 11 as shown in FIGS. 3 (3) and 4 (3). A gearshift signal is given, and the line 1
2, the overdrive cut request signal and the shift-up return signal shown in FIGS. 3 (4) and 4 (4) are received. The operation of the transmission control means 9 shown in FIG. 2 is repeatedly performed at every predetermined arithmetic control cycle, and the same applies to FIGS. 6 and 7 showing the operation of the constant-speed traveling control means 10 described later. is there.

The process proceeds from step d1 to step d2 in FIG. 2, and receives the output from the throttle opening output means 7 and receives the throttle opening c. In step d3, the rotation speed Ne of the internal combustion engine 1 detected by the rotation speed detection means 8 is received. In step d4, as shown in FIG. 5, the shift speed of the transmission 4 is shifted according to the vehicle speed pattern corresponding to the throttle opening c. Transmission control means 9
In, the vehicle speed can be obtained by calculation from the rotation speed Ne and the current gear position. The vehicle speed pattern shown in FIG.
, For example, in a table format. Thus, the gear position of the transmission 4 is switched so that the gear position determined in step d5 is achieved.

FIG. 3A shows a flat road 1 on which a vehicle travels.
4, 15 and 16, an uphill 17 and a downhill 18 are shown. The constant-speed traveling control means 10 controls the opening of the throttle valve 3 by the throttle driving means 6 so that the road shown in FIG. 3A travels at the predetermined vehicle speed Vi. This is shown in FIG. Flat road 14
While traveling at a constant speed, the vehicle goes uphill 17 at time t1.
Thereafter, the throttle opening increases. At time t2 when the throttle opening c detected by the throttle opening output means 7 corresponding to the set vehicle speed Vi exceeds the opening cj determined by the speed pattern in FIG. 5, the transmission control means 9
In step d5, the speed is shifted down from the overdrive speed to the third speed having a greater reduction ratio. When this downshift is determined in step d6,
In the next step d7, the signal derived on line 11 is H
L from level to L level, which represents the downshift
A level shift signal is derived.

The constant-speed running control means 10 receives the shift signal at L level at time t2 via the line 11, and at time t3 when a predetermined time ΔT has elapsed from the reception time t2, FIG. , An overdrive cut request signal at H level is derived as described later with reference to FIG. The time ΔT is, for example, 1
sec. The transmission control means 9 responds to the H level overdrive cut request signal,
During the period in which the level overdrive cut request signal is given, the upshifting return to the overdrive speed by the speed pattern of FIG. 5 is not performed. Accordingly, for example, the vehicle travels on the uphill 17 at the set vehicle speed Vi from the constant speed traveling to reach the flat road 15 and the throttle opening changes to the value cj or less at the time t4 in FIG. Is changed from the L level shift signal to the H level, the transmission control means 9 keeps the transmission 4 in the third speed.

In step d8, the vehicle is approaching the downhill 18 and the throttle opening c detected by the throttle opening output means 7 has been operated in the closing direction by the shift-up return opening set value ci or more. When it is determined, that is, when the throttle opening is closed below the shift-up return opening set value ci (c ≦ ci),
At time t5, the constant-speed traveling control means 10 determines this at step f8 in FIG. 7 described later, cancels the H-level overdrive cut request signal on the line 12, and shifts up from H level to L level. A return signal and a subsequent L-level shift-up permission signal are derived.

In step d8, the transmission control means 9
Is determined to have received the upshift return signal at time t5, in the next step d9, (a) line 11
If the signal is at the H level as shown in FIG. 3 (3), it is kept at the H level as it is, and as shown in FIG. 4 (3) described later, the line 11 is at the L level before the time t15. A certain shift signal is derived. In this state, the H level overdrive cut request signal is released to the transmission control means 9 via the line 12 at time t15 as shown in FIG. Is given to the constant speed traveling control means 10,
The transmission control means 9 generates a signal that changes from the L level to the H level on the line 11 in step d9. Thus, the transmission control means 9 stops the L-level shift signal in response to the overdrive cut request signal.

As a result, at step d10, at time t
At 5 and t15, the transmission control means 9 switches the transmission 4 to shift up from the third speed to the overdrive speed in response to the upshift return signal.

In another embodiment of the present invention, at time t5,
After t15, the transmission control means 9 shifts the shift speed in accordance with the speed pattern shown in FIG. 5 in response to the overdrive cut request signal being released and the L-level shift-up permission signal from the line 12 being transmitted. You may comprise.

FIGS. 4 (1) to 4 (4) correspond to FIGS.
4 (1) to FIG. 3 (4) correspond to the drawings for explaining the respective operations, and FIG. 4 (1) shows the flat roads 14, 15a, 15b, 16 on which the vehicle is traveling and the uphill. 17, 19
And a downhill 18. FIG. 4 (2) shows the throttle valve 3
The opening detected by the throttle opening output means 7 is shown. The operations at and around times t11, t12, and t13 are the same as those at times t1, t12 described with reference to FIG.
The operations are the same as in the operations 2 and t3. In the operation of FIG.
After time t12, the transmission control means 9 switches to line 11
, The shift signal at the L level is still derived. In this state, at time t15, the constant speed traveling control means 10 releases the H level overdrive cut request signal shown in FIG. 4 (4) and derives a shift up return signal having a falling waveform to the L level. After time t15, an L-level shift-up permission signal is derived. The transmission control means 9 responds to the upshift return signal at time t15 from the line 12 to force upshifting from the third speed to the overdrive speed, or in another embodiment shown in FIG. Time t according to the shift pattern
After 15 the gear is shifted up to the overdrive speed.

FIG. 6 is a simplified flowchart showing the constant speed traveling operation of the constant speed traveling control means 10. The constant speed traveling control means 10 is realized by a processing circuit such as a microcomputer, for example. The process proceeds from step e1 to step e2, in which a pulse having a cycle corresponding to the vehicle speed from the vehicle speed sensor 21 is read, and the current vehicle speed Vn is calculated and obtained. In step e3, the set vehicle speed Vi is determined. The set vehicle speed Vi is obtained by reading from the memory 23 by operating a set switch included in the input means 22 operated by the driver or by operating a resume switch. When the set switch is operated in a state where the constant speed traveling control is not performed, the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor 21 is stored in the memory 23, stored as a target set vehicle speed Vi, and the constant speed traveling control is performed. You. When the resume switch is operated in a state where the set vehicle speed Vi is stored in the memory 23 and the constant speed traveling control is not performed, the set vehicle speed Vi stored in the memory 23 is read, and the constant speed is stored. Traveling is controlled.

In step e4, a throttle opening control signal having a duty representing the throttle opening is supplied from lines 24 and 25 so that the vehicle speed Vn becomes the set vehicle speed Vi for driving the throttle valve 3 for the constant speed running control. Is derived as shown in FIG. From the line 24, a duty signal of positive polarity is derived in the direction of opening the throttle valve 3, and the duty is set to be large in order to increase the opening degree. A signal of negative polarity for reducing the throttle opening is derived to the line 25, and the throttle opening decreases as the duty increases. As the duty of the positive or negative signal on the lines 24 and 25 increases, the rate of time change of the throttle opening increases. FIG. 14 (2) shows the constant speed traveling control means 10
Represents the integrated estimated value of the throttle valve 3 by the throttle driving means 6 obtained by integrating the throttle opening control signals derived from the lines 24 and 25. Line 2
By integrating the 4, 25 positive and negative throttle opening control signals, an estimate of the throttle opening can be obtained.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the transmission limiting function associated with the transmission control means 9 of the constant speed traveling control means 10. Moving from step f1 to step f2, the constant-speed traveling control means 10 determines whether the signal on the line 11 has been switched from H level to L level and the shift signal shown in FIGS. 3 (3) and 4 (3) has been received. It is determined whether or not. When the shift signal is provided from the transmission control means 9, the process proceeds to the next step f3, and it is determined whether or not the shift signal has continued for a predetermined time ΔT or more. If it is determined that the speed change signal has continued for the time ΔT or more, in step f4, FIGS.
As shown in (4), an overdrive cut request signal at H level is generated after time t3 and t13.

At step f5, it is determined whether or not the overdrive cut request signal has been generated. If so, at step f6, the set vehicle speed Vi stored in the memory 23 is read and obtained. further,
The shift-up return opening setting value ci corresponding to the set vehicle speed Vi is read from the memory 24 and obtained.

FIG. 8 is a graph for explaining the constant speed traveling operation by the constant speed traveling control means 10. The load on the internal combustion engine increases when traveling uphill at a constant speed compared to when traveling at a constant speed on a flat road.Thus, as the gradient of the traveling uphill increases, the throttle drive means 6 increases the throttle opening.

FIG. 9 is a graph showing the stable opening of the throttle valve 3 when the vehicle runs at a constant speed on a flat road at the set vehicle speed Vi. As the set vehicle speed Vi increases, the throttle opening increases. The memory 23 stores a signal indicating the set vehicle speed Vi, and constitutes a set vehicle speed output unit.

The other memory 24 stores the stable opening of the throttle valve 3 during traveling at a constant speed on a flat road corresponding to the set vehicle speed Vi shown in FIG. 9 as a shift-up return opening setting value ci. The set value ci of the throttle opening is set to be larger as the set vehicle speed Vi becomes larger, and stored in a table format according to, for example, a linear function. This memory 24 constitutes a throttle opening setting means. In step f7 of FIG. 7 described above, the stored contents of the memory 24 are read, and the throttle opening ci corresponding to the set vehicle speed Vi shown in FIG. 9 is obtained as the shift-up return opening setting value. In another embodiment of the present invention, the shift-up return opening set value ci may be set to a value slightly smaller than the stable opening during constant-speed running on a flat road corresponding to the set vehicle speed Vi. Alternatively, it may be set to a slightly larger value.

In step f8, when the throttle opening c detected by the throttle opening output means 7 is equal to or less than the shift-up return opening set value ci, that is, when c ≦ ci (1). In other words, when the detected throttle opening degree c is equal to or more than the opening degree setting value ci and the operation is performed in the closing direction, the process proceeds to the next step f9.

In step f9, the line 12
At time t5 in (4) and time t15 in FIG. 4D, the overdrive cut request signal at H level is
The signal is released as the L level, and at that time t5 and t15, a shift-up return signal that falls is generated and given to the transmission control means 9. By canceling the overdrive cut request signal and generating the upshift return signal in step f9 in FIG. 7, the transmission control means 9 performs step d in FIG.
From 8 to d10, the upshift from the third speed to the overdrive speed is returned.

In the above embodiment, the memory 24
As described with reference to FIG. 9, the opening set value ci, which is the stable opening of the throttle valve 3 during the constant speed traveling control on the flat road, corresponding to the set vehicle speed Vi is stored and read out at step f7 in FIG. FIGS. 11 to 13
In another embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.
Then, the set vehicle speed Vi is used as a variable, constants a and b are set, and the opening set value ci for shift-up return can be calculated and obtained based on the linear function shown in Expression 2. ci = a · Vi + b (2)

Equation 2 above is as shown in FIG. 9, which is also indicated by line 27 in FIG. The stable throttle opening at the time of constant speed running on a flat road corresponding to the set vehicle speeds V1 and V2 is indicated by reference numerals c1 and c.
2, respectively. When the OD cut is performed by shifting down from the overdrive speed to the third speed by the operation of the transmission control means 9, the throttle opening degree c is
It is considerably larger than the stable opening degrees c1 and c2, and is in a fully opened state or a substantially fully opened state.
1, c12 and is on line 28 of the linear function. Throttle opening c11, c1 at the time of this OD cut
There is almost no difference between the two, and they are almost equal. Therefore, as shown by the line 27, by changing the set value ci of the throttle opening for returning to the OD in accordance with the set vehicle speed Vi, the third value to the optimal overdrive speed is obtained.
Upshifting from high speed can be restored.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the shift-up return opening set value ci corresponding to the set vehicle speed Vi shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 described above. This line 29 is the same as the straight line in FIG. 9 and the line 27 in FIG. 10, the inclination is a and the y-intercept is b. Line 29 is Vi-
When passing through the coordinates (V3, b3) in the ci coordinate system, the line 29 is expressed by Expression 3. ci = a (Vi−V3) + b3 (3) where b = −a · V3 + b3.

The constant b differs depending on the type of the vehicle, and even for the same type of vehicle, it differs individually for each vehicle. The stable throttle opening degree ci = b3 expressed by the equation 3 when the constant speed traveling control is performed on a flat road when the set vehicle speed Vi = V3 in FIG. 11 is obtained for each individual vehicle A, B, and C. As shown by the values b11, b12, and b13 up to the maximum value cm of the opening, respectively, they are different. Therefore, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the constant b, which is the y-intercept of Equation 2, is calculated for each vehicle A,
Differently and selectively set for each of B and C. As a result, it is possible to perform a shift-up return to a more optimal overdrive speed without a large change in vehicle speed for each vehicle even if the vehicle is different.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the up-shift-return opening set value ci based on the aforementioned equation 2 by the constant-speed running control means 10.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an operation when a shift-up return to an overdrive speed is performed. The process proceeds from step g1 to step g2, in which the set vehicle speed Vi is read from the memory 23 and obtained during the constant-speed running. In step g3, constants a and b for Equation 2 stored in the memory 24 are obtained. In step g4, the shift-up return opening set value ci is calculated and obtained based on equation (2). In step g5, the throttle opening c detected by the throttle opening output means 7 is calculated by the equation (2).
Shift-up opening set value ci calculated based on
Less than or equal to the detected throttle opening c
Is determined to be operating in the closing direction by the opening degree set value ci or more in the same manner as in the above-described equation 1. When Expression 1 is satisfied, in step g6, the upshift from the third speed to the overdrive speed is performed.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 13 described above,
Although the arithmetic control is performed in response to the opening of the throttle valve 3 actually detected by the throttle opening output means 7 in the constant-speed running control means 10, in another embodiment of the present invention, the constant speed In the traveling control means 10, the line 2
A configuration may be adopted in which the throttle opening is estimated and obtained by integrating the throttle opening control signals derived to 4, 25. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the constant-speed traveling control means 10 which calculates the estimated value of the throttle opening by integrating the throttle opening control signal and calculating the estimated value. Lines 24 and 25 have a duty from the constant speed traveling control means 10 indicating a throttle opening degree which is positive in the opening direction of the throttle valve 3 and negative in the closing direction.
The throttle opening control signal shown in 4 (1) is derived. The constant-speed traveling control means 10 shown in FIG. 1 is provided with an integration calculation processing circuit 31 which is a throttle opening output means. This integration operation processing means 31 performs an integration operation that increases with time in a positive period of each cycle of the throttle opening control signal shown in FIG. 14A, and increases with time in a negative period. A decreasing integration operation is performed, and a signal representing the throttle opening shown in FIG. 14 (2) representing the integration result is derived. The output of the integration processing circuit 31 obtained in this manner is used in the constant speed traveling control means 10 instead of the output of the throttle opening output means 7 for detecting the throttle opening described above.

FIG. 15 shows an embodiment of the present invention in which the integrated arithmetic processing circuit 31 in the constant speed traveling control means 10 used in step e4 of FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of performing As shown in FIG. 15 (1), the opening degree of the throttle valve 3 is, for example, ascended 17 from the flat road 14 as shown in FIG. 3 (1) and FIG. 4 (1).
As a result, as shown in FIG. 15 (2), the transmission signal at the L level is derived from the transmission control means 9 to the line 11 at time t22. In response to the shift signal, the constant-speed traveling control means 10 derives the H level overdrive cut request signal to the line 12 at the time t23 after the elapse of the predetermined time ΔT determined by the timer as described above. The integration operation processing circuit 31
Time t23 when the overdrive cut request signal is generated
Then, the operation of estimating the throttle opening by integrating the throttle opening control signals of the lines 24 and 25 is started as shown in FIG. FIG. 15D shows the estimated value of the throttle opening.

Thus, the time t2 by the transmission control means 9
The estimation operation of the throttle valve at the time ΔT is started by starting the estimation operation from the time point t23 when the overdrive cut request signal is generated in the constant speed traveling control means 10 instead of performing the operation of estimating the throttle opening from the time point when the shift signal 2 is generated. Regardless of the change in the opening, the estimated value can be obtained with high accuracy without causing a deviation in the estimated value of the throttle opening.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the constant speed traveling control means 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. The process proceeds from step h1 to step h2, and if it is determined that the overdrive cut request signal has been generated at the time t23 in FIG. 15C, the process proceeds to the next step h3.
In step h3, when the overdrive cut request signal is generated, the integration operation processing circuit 31 starts the operation of integrating the throttle opening control signal to start the operation of estimating the throttle opening.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 14 to 16, as described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18, the operation of estimating the throttle opening is started at time t in FIG. 15 (3).
At 23, the estimated value of the throttle opening is corrected to the fully open state and initialized as shown in FIG. As in FIGS. 3 (2), 4 (2) and 15 (1), FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the opening of the throttle valve 3. Time t23
At the time of OD cut, that is, at the time of downshifting from the overdrive speed to the third speed, the throttle opening is considerably larger than the stable throttle opening at the time of constant speed running on a flat road. It is a value in the state of almost fully open. As shown in FIG. 17 (2), an overdrive cut request signal which becomes H level at time t23 is derived from the constant speed traveling control means 10 to the line 12.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the integration arithmetic processing circuit 31 corrects the throttle opening estimated and obtained at time t23 to a fully open state as shown in FIG. 17 (3).
As a result, it is possible to prevent variations in estimated values, and to obtain highly accurate estimated values.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of initializing the estimated value c of the throttle opening shown in FIG. The process proceeds from step k1 to step k2, in which the operation of estimating the throttle opening c by the integration operation processing circuit 31 is performed. At step k3, it is determined whether or not the estimated throttle opening c is positive (c> 0). If it is positive, at step k4, the estimated value c is reduced to zero corresponding to the fully open state. Initialize and correct. As a result, after time t23, an integration operation for estimating the throttle opening from zero, which is the value indicating the initialized fully opened throttle opening, is performed.

In each of the embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 18, the overdrive cut request signal is canceled based on the shift-up return opening set value ci which is an absolute value, and the shift-up operation is performed. Although it is configured to generate a return signal, in another embodiment of the present invention described below with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20, in accordance with a shift-up return difference set value Δci which is a relative value. Release the overdrive cut request signal. FIG. 19 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the constant speed traveling control means 10.
FIG. 19 corresponds to FIG. 7 described above, and steps m1 to m10 correspond to steps d1 to d10 in FIG. 7, respectively. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the memory 24 provided in the constant-speed traveling control means 10 stores the shift-up return difference set value Δci corresponding to the set vehicle speed Vi.
Is set and stored.

As shown by the reference numerals Δc1 and Δc2 in FIG. 10 described above, the constant speed traveling control means 10 at each set vehicle speed V1 and V2 responds to the speed change signal in response to the speed change signal. Almost maximum throttle opening c at the time of deriving the drive cut request signal
11, c12 and the stable opening degrees c1, c2 of the throttle valve traveling at a constant speed on a flat road. Δc1 = c11−c1 (4) Δc2 = c12−c2 (5) Therefore, these Δci, The shift-up return difference set value Δci, which generally indicates Δc2, is set smaller as the set vehicle speed Vi increases, as shown in FIG. 20, and is represented by, for example, a linear function. As shown in FIG. 20, in the memory 24, a shift-up return difference set value Δci corresponding to the set vehicle speed Vi is stored in, for example, a table format. The shift-up return difference set value Δ in step m7 in FIG.
After obtaining ci, in step m8, an overdrive cut request signal is generated immediately after the downshift from the overdrive speed, that is, at the times t3 and t13 in FIGS. 3 (4) and 4 (4) described above. At this time, the throttle opening c detected and obtained by the throttle opening output means 7 is stored in the memory 32. The throttle opening degrees stored in the memory 32 are the reference numerals c11 and c12 in FIG. 10 described above, and are generally indicated by cp, and may be corrected to the maximum value cm as described above.

In step m8, the current throttle opening c detected by the throttle opening output means 7
It is determined from the throttle opening degree cp stored in the memory 32 whether or not the operation has been performed in the closing direction for the shift-up return difference setting value Δci or more. That is, it is determined whether Expression 6 holds. Δc = cp−c (6) Δc ≧ Δci (7)

When it is determined in step m8 that the formula 7 is satisfied, the flow proceeds to the next step m9, in which the overdrive cut request signal is released and a shift-up return signal is generated. Other configurations are the same as those of the above-described embodiments.

In another embodiment of the present invention, FIG.
At the time when the shift signal is generated at times t2 and t12 shown in FIG. 4 (3), the throttle opening c detected by the throttle opening output means 7 is stored in the memory 32.
It may be configured to store p.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, the throttle opening is estimated and obtained by performing an arithmetic process such as integration of a throttle opening control signal having a duty derived on lines 24 and 25. This may be performed, and this is the same as in each of the above-described embodiments. When calculating and calculating the estimated value of the throttle opening, the throttle opening obtained by estimation at the time when the overdrive cut request signal is generated is calculated in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment.
You may make it correct | amend to a full open state.

In the above-described embodiment, the difference setting value Δ for shift-up return of the throttle opening corresponding to the set vehicle speed Vi
Although ci is read out from the content stored in the memory 24 and obtained, in another embodiment of the present invention, it may be obtained in accordance with the linear function equation 7 shown in FIG. Here, a1 and b1 are constants. Δci = a1 · Vi + b1 (8) Other configurations are the same as those in the above-described embodiments.

[0082]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the shift down is set to the shift up return opening set value ci which is an absolute value.
As described above, when the throttle opening is operated in the closing direction, the gear is shifted up to the overdrive gear position and returned, so that the gear speed is undesirably frequently increased when climbing a long uphill by traveling at a constant speed. There is no change, a busy shift is prevented, and the vehicle can run at a constant speed at a stable speed.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the constant speed traveling control means has a transmission limiting function for preventing the transmission control means from performing a shift-up return based on the shift pattern by the overdrive cut request signal. In the configuration, there is also an effect that the present invention can be implemented without modifying existing transmission control means.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the shift-up return opening set value ci for shifting up to and returning to the overdrive speed is changed according to the actual vehicle speed at which the vehicle is traveling. The return to the overdrive speed can be performed with a throttle opening that is equal to or slightly smaller than the stable opening of the throttle valve during constant speed traveling.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the shift-up return opening set value ci is set to 1 using the set vehicle speed Vi as a variable.
This value is calculated and determined by the following function, whereby it is not necessary to store a value corresponding to the set vehicle speed Vi for the shift-up return opening setting value ci in a memory or the like, and the configuration can be simplified, and As described above, it is possible to return to the overdrive speed at any vehicle speed at a position close to the stable opening during traveling at the overdrive speed of the traveling vehicle speed. Further, by selecting the constant b, it is possible to reduce the variation in the vehicle speed when returning to the overdrive speed for each individual vehicle.

According to the present invention, the overdrive cut request signal is derived when the speed change signal has continued for a predetermined time ΔT or more. For example, when the driver depresses the accelerator pedal for a very short time, It is possible to prevent the upshift to the overdrive speed from being cut off under unnecessary conditions.

Further, according to the present invention, the operation of estimating the throttle opening is started not at the time of the generation of the shift signal but at the time of the generation of the overdrive cut request signal after a lapse of time ΔT. By setting the estimated value to a predetermined initial value at the start time, the accuracy of the estimated value can be increased.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the throttle opening is corrected to the fully open state so that the estimated value of the throttle opening becomes a value equal to the actual opening of the throttle valve, thereby shifting to the overdrive speed. Up return can be performed with high accuracy.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the throttle opening at the time of downshifting from the overdrive speed, that is, at the time of receiving a shift signal, or at the time when a time ΔT has elapsed from that time, is stored in a memory. From the throttle opening stored in the memory, a difference setting for a shift-up return, which is a relative value equal to the difference between the stable opening at the time of constant speed running on a flat road and the throttle opening slightly smaller than the same. When the operation is performed in the closing direction by the value Δci or more, by returning to the overdrive speed, the busy shift can be prevented in the same manner as described above, and the vehicle can stably travel at a constant speed in the overdrive speed. The vehicle can travel in a state in which the return to the overdrive speed is cut until the throttle opening is attained.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the shift-up return difference set value Δci is changed in accordance with the set vehicle speed Vi, and therefore, the stable opening at the time of constant speed running at the overdrive speed of the running vehicle speed is achieved. Near the degree, it is possible to return to the overdrive speed from any vehicle speed.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the shift-up return difference set value Δci is set to 1 using the set vehicle speed Vi as a variable.
This value is calculated and determined by the following function, whereby it is not necessary to store the value corresponding to the set vehicle speed Vi for the shift-up return difference set value Δci in a memory or the like, and the configuration can be simplified. As described above, the vehicle can return to the overdrive speed from any vehicle speed at a position close to the stable opening during traveling at the overdrive speed of the traveling vehicle speed. Further, by selecting the constant b, it is possible to reduce the variation in the vehicle speed when returning to the overdrive speed for each individual vehicle.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, when the shift signal continues for a predetermined time ΔT or more, the overdrive cut request signal is derived. For example, when the driver depresses the accelerator pedal for a very short time, It is possible to prevent the upshift to the overdrive speed from being cut off under unnecessary conditions.

Further, according to the present invention, the operation of estimating the throttle opening is started not at the time of the generation of the shift signal but at the time of the generation of the overdrive cut request signal after a lapse of time ΔT. By setting the estimated value to a predetermined initial value at the start time, the accuracy of the estimated value can be increased. That is, according to the present invention, the estimated value of the throttle opening stored in the memory is a value at the time when the overdrive cut request signal is generated. Is stored in the memory as described above, and is compared with the difference set value Δci in the closing direction, whereby accurate upshifting to the overdrive speed can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall block diagram of a constant-speed traveling control device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the transmission control means 9;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a shift signal, an overdrive cut request signal, a shift-up return signal, and a shift-up permission signal are generated while the vehicle is traveling at a constant speed.

FIG. 4 is a shift signal during a constant speed running different from FIG. 3;
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining states of an overdrive cut request signal, a shift-up return signal, and a shift-up permission signal.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an operation in which the transmission control means 9 shifts the gear position of the automatic transmission 4 according to a vehicle speed pattern corresponding to the throttle opening.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a simplified cruise control operation of the cruise control means 10;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a transmission limiting function related to the transmission control means 9 of the constant speed traveling control means 10;

FIG. 8 is a graph for explaining the operation of the constant speed traveling control means 10;

FIG. 9 is a graph showing a stable opening degree of the throttle valve 3 during constant speed running on a flat road corresponding to a set vehicle speed Vi.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the throttle opening during overdrive cut during traveling at a constant speed, that is, when downshifting from the overdrive speed to the third speed and when traveling at a set vehicle speed Vi on a flat road. FIG.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an upshift return opening set value ci corresponding to the set vehicle speed Vi shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 described above.

FIG. 12 shows constants b11, b12, and b13 for each of the vehicles A, B, and C when the shift-up return opening setting value ci is determined based on a linear function using the set vehicle speed Vi as a variable.
FIG.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining an operation when the up-shift return opening set value ci is obtained based on a linear function by the constant speed traveling control means 10 and the up-shift return to the overdrive speed is performed. is there.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining an operation of integrating and estimating the throttle opening by the constant speed traveling control means 10.

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining an operation of initializing an estimated value of the throttle opening in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining a start of a throttle opening degree estimation operation by the constant speed traveling control means 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 14 and 15;

FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining an operation of correcting and initializing an estimated value of the throttle opening to a maximum value.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of initializing the estimated value of the throttle opening shown in FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the constant speed traveling control means 10.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a relationship between a set vehicle speed Vi stored in a memory 32 of the constant speed traveling control means 10 and a difference setting value Δci for shift-up return of a throttle opening.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Internal combustion engine 2 Intake path 3 Throttle valve 4 Automatic transmission 5 Foot pedal 6 Throttle drive means 7 Throttle opening output means 8 Rotation speed detection means 9 Transmission control means 10 Constant speed drive control means 13, 23, 26, 32 Memory 21 vehicle speed sensor 22 input means 31 integration calculation processing means

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An automatic transmission for transmitting power of an internal combustion engine to wheels by switching between a plurality of shift speeds, and (b) a transmission control means, wherein the automatic transmission is controlled by a vehicle speed pattern corresponding to a throttle opening. When the shift speed of the transmission is shifted, and when downshifting from the overdrive speed to a speed ratio having a higher reduction ratio, a shift signal indicating downshift is derived, and in response to the overdrive cut request signal, Transmission control means for shifting up to the overdrive speed in response to the upshift return signal without performing the upshift return to the overdrive speed, and (c) a throttle opening having a duty representing the throttle opening Throttle driving means for driving a throttle valve in response to the control signal so that the throttle opening indicated by the throttle opening control signal is obtained; (D) constant speed traveling control means, (d1) providing a throttle opening control signal to the throttle drive means so that the vehicle speed of the vehicle becomes a set vehicle speed; (d2) responding to the shift signal, and performing overdrive cut (D3) throttle opening output means for obtaining a throttle opening; and (d4) a shift substantially equal to a predetermined throttle opening when traveling at a constant speed on a flat road. Opening set value c for up return
(d5) an overdrive cut request when the throttle opening obtained by the throttle opening output means is operated in the closing direction by a shift-up return opening setting value ci or more. And a constant-speed traveling control means for canceling the signal and generating an upshift return signal and providing the signal to the transmission control means. 2. The opening set value ci for upshift return.
Setting means for outputting a signal indicating the set vehicle speed, throttle opening setting means for setting the throttle opening ci to be larger as the setting vehicle speed increases, and responding to the output of the setting vehicle speed output means. The throttle opening set by the throttle opening setting means corresponding to the set vehicle speed Vi is set to the shift-up return opening set value ci.
The constant-speed traveling device according to claim 1, further comprising: 3. When the throttle opening setting value ci for shift-up return of the throttle opening is set to a set vehicle speed Vi and constants a and b, the throttle opening setting means calculates by ci = a · Vi + b. 3. The constant-speed traveling device according to claim 2, wherein the constant-speed traveling device obtains the value. 4. The throttle opening output means is responsive to the throttle opening control signal and integrates the throttle opening control signal to estimate the throttle opening. A continuation determining means for determining whether or not the continuation is longer than ΔT, and when an output of the continuation determining means causes the shift signal to continue for the predetermined time ΔT or more, derives an overdrive cut request signal, The constant-speed running according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the operation of estimating the throttle opening by the throttle opening output means is started from the time when an overdrive cut request signal is generated from the vehicle. apparatus. 5. The throttle opening output means includes a means for correcting the estimated throttle opening to a fully open state when an overdrive cut request signal is generated. 4. The constant-speed traveling device according to 4. 6. An automatic transmission for transmitting power of an internal combustion engine to wheels by switching a plurality of gears, and (b) transmission control means, wherein the automatic transmission is controlled by a vehicle speed pattern corresponding to a throttle opening. When the shift speed of the transmission is shifted, and when downshifting from the overdrive speed to a speed ratio having a higher reduction ratio, a shift signal indicating downshift is derived, and in response to the overdrive cut request signal, Transmission control means for shifting up to the overdrive speed in response to the upshift return signal without performing the upshift return to the overdrive speed, and (c) a throttle opening having a duty representing the throttle opening Throttle driving means for driving a throttle valve in response to the control signal so that the throttle opening indicated by the throttle opening control signal is obtained; (D) constant speed traveling control means, (d1) providing a throttle opening control signal to the throttle drive means so that the vehicle speed of the vehicle becomes a set vehicle speed; (d2) responding to the shift signal, and performing overdrive cut (D3) throttle opening output means for obtaining the throttle opening; and (d4) downshifting from the overdrive gear in response to the shift signal. (D5) a memory for storing the throttle opening obtained by the throttle opening output means immediately after, and (d5) a difference between the throttle opening stored in the memory and a predetermined throttle opening during constant speed running on a flat road. Setting means for setting the same shift-up return difference setting value Δci, and (d6) the throttle determined by the throttle opening output means. When the throttle opening is in the closing direction from the throttle opening stored in the memory to the shift-up return difference set value Δci or more, the overdrive cut request signal is released, and the shift-up return signal is generated to generate a shift. Constant-speed traveling control means provided to the machine control means. 7. The shift-up return difference set value Δci.
The setting means includes a set vehicle speed output means for outputting a signal indicating the set vehicle speed, and a difference Δ in throttle opening as the set vehicle speed increases.
a throttle opening difference setting means for setting the ci to be small; and a shift-up return in response to an output of the setting vehicle speed output means, wherein the difference between the throttle opening degrees set by the throttle opening difference setting means corresponding to the setting vehicle speed Vi is returned to the upshift. 7. A constant-speed traveling apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising means for setting a difference value for use Δci. 8. The throttle opening difference setting means calculates the difference Δci for a shift-up return of the throttle opening from a set vehicle speed Vi and constants a1 and b1 according to Δci = a1 · Vi + b1. 8. The constant-speed traveling device according to claim 7, wherein the constant speed traveling device obtains the value. 9. The throttle opening output means is responsive to a throttle opening control signal, and integrates the throttle opening control signal to estimate the throttle opening. A continuation determining means for determining whether or not the continuation has continued for at least ΔT. When the shift signal has continued for the predetermined time ΔT or more based on the output of the continuation determining means, an overdrive cut request signal is derived, and The constant-speed traveling device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the estimated value of the throttle opening at the time when the drive cut request signal is generated is stored.