JPS59160055A - Vehicle-speed controlling apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate vehicle-speed setting operation, by providing a plurality of vehicle-speed memories, selecting one of the memories according to the state of switches, and storing the vehicle speed in said one memory when a set switch is operated. CONSTITUTION:In a vehicle-speed controlling apparatus for setting the vehicle speed at a predetermined speed by controlling a control solenoid SL1 and a release solenoid SL2 of a throttle driving means by an electronic control unit 10 including a micro-computer CPU, there are provided a vehicle-speed detecting switch SW2, a clutch switch SW3, a stop switch SW4, a set swich SW5 and a resume switch SW6. In such an arrnangement, the value of the vehicle speed at the time is stored in the vehicle-speed memory associated with the set switch SW5. Further, the throttle driving means is controlled by reading out the content of the vehicle-speed memory associated with the resume switch SW6 in response to operation of the switch SW6.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a vehicle speed control device that stores the speed of a vehicle and automatically maintains the vehicle at a memorized speed, and particularly relates to a vehicle speed control device that stores a plurality of memorized vehicle speeds.

Generally, this type of device detects the current vehicle speed as a number of pulses, and obtains an analog voltage proportional to the number of pulses as a vehicle speed signal. When the driver reaches a desired vehicle speed, he operates a constant speed travel set switch to set (store) the vehicle speed signal at that time in the memory circuit. The speed control device refers to the set vehicle speed signal as a reference voltage for one of the comparator circuits, and adjusts the opening degree of the throttle valve in a direction such that the difference becomes zero based on the difference between it and the current vehicle speed.

This type of constant speed vehicle traveling device is known from Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 53-127991 filed by the same applicant and other publications.

By the way, in this type of conventional device, only one type of vehicle speed can be stored. Therefore, for example, if you want to change the vehicle speed from a state where 60 km/h is stored in the vehicle speed memory and the vehicle is being driven at that speed by vehicle speed control to 40 km/h, the vehicle speed control is canceled and the vehicle speed is changed to 40 km/h. When the speedometer shows 40km/h, press the set switch again to memorize the vehicle speed and resume vehicle speed control.

However, this type of vehicle speed changing operation is quite troublesome. Vehicles can travel up to 40km depending on the road conditions.
The upper limit of the vehicle speed is set to 60 km/h, 60 km/h, 80 km/h, etc., and the vehicle normally travels at this speed limit, so if the control speed changes, the vehicle speed must be changed.

However, if you change the vehicle speed and store a new vehicle speed, the previously stored vehicle speed data will be erased.
In order to return to the original actual speed, another unusual vehicle speed change operation must be performed.

The first object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle speed control device that can easily change the set vehicle speed even when road conditions change frequently.
The second objective is to reduce the number of switches operated by the driver.

In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, a plurality of vehicle speed memories are provided, and one of the vehicle speed memories is selected depending on the state in which a switch is pressed, for example, the number of times the switch is pressed. The vehicle speed is stored in the vehicle speed memory, and in the case of a resume switch, the vehicle speed is controlled according to the data read from the vehicle speed memory.

According to this, at least two switches, one set switch and one resume switch, are required, which saves space on the operation panel and is easy to operate. Since multiple vehicle speeds can be memorized, for example, you can set the vehicle speed to 40'km in advance.
/h, 60 Km/h, 80 Km/h, etc., the vehicle speed can be easily changed according to changes in road conditions by operating only the resume switch.

When setting the vehicle speed, it is cumbersome to operate a switch with your hand while operating the accelerator, brake, etc. with your foot.

Therefore, in one preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the cent switch and the resume switch reach a predetermined state, the vehicle speed is increased or decreased while that state is maintained. According to this, the driver can easily change the vehicle speed and store the vehicle speed simply by operating his/her hands without using his or her feet.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to five drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an electric circuit of a vehicle speed control device according to an embodiment.

This will be explained with reference to FIG. In this example, the electronic control unit IO is mainly composed of a single-chip microcomputer CPU. CP'[J reset port R
A runaway detection circuit 20 is connected to ESET, and external interrupt input ports IRQ, input ports hK2. 3. K.O.
and Kl have an interface circuit IF', respectively.
l, IF2゜IF3. Via IF4 and IF5, vehicle speed detection reed switch SW2. clutch switch SW
3. Stop switch SW4. A set switch SW5 and a resume switch SW6 are connected.

A permanent magnet connected to a speedometer cable (not shown) is arranged near the vehicle speed detection reed switch SW2, and when the vehicle moves and the permanent magnet rotates, the contacts of SW2 open and close accordingly. When the SW2 contact changes from idle to open, the output level of the interface circuit IFI becomes low level L, and the microcomputer CPU
An interrupt request is made.

The clutch switch SW3 opens and closes in conjunction with the vehicle's clutch pedal, and the clutch switch SW4 opens and closes in conjunction with the vehicle's brake pedal. Stop switch SW
A stop lamp is connected to 4, and the stop lamp lights up when SW4 is turned on (closed).

Set switch SW5 and resume switch SW6
is a push button switch, which is placed on the instrument panel at a position that is easy for the driver to operate.

Microcomputer CPU output port O.

are connected to the runaway detection circuit 20, and output ports 02 and 03 are connected to drivers DVI and DV2, respectively. A control solenoid SL for controlling a negative pressure actuator, which will be described later, is connected to the output of the driver DVI, and a release solenoid SL2 is connected to the output of the driver DV2.

A voltage from the vehicle battery is applied to the control solenoid SL11, the release solenoid SL2, and the constant voltage power supply circuit 30 that generates the constant voltage Vcc via the ignition key switch SW1. The circuit 40 is for energizing the release solenoid SL2 separately from the operation of the CPU when the brake is applied.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the negative pressure actuator 100 controlled by the electric circuit shown in FIG. 1. This will be explained with reference to FIG. The housing 101 consists of two parts LO1a and 101b. The diaphragm 102 has two parts 101
It is held between the flange portions a and 101b. A space surrounded by the diaphragm 102 and the housing 101a is a negative pressure chamber, and a space surrounded by the diaphragm 102 and the housing 101b is a negative pressure chamber.
The space surrounded by is in communication with the atmosphere. A compression coil spring 103 is inserted between the housing 101a and the diaphragm 102, and pushes the diaphragm 102 back to the position of the imaginary line when the pressure in the negative pressure chamber is close to atmospheric pressure. A protrusion 104 fixed near the center of the diaphragm 102 is connected to a link of a throttle valve 105. The housing 101a is provided with a negative pressure intake port 107 communicating with the intake manifold 106 and atmospheric intake ports 108 and 109.

110 is a negative pressure control valve, and 111 is a negative pressure release valve, both of which are fixed to the housing 101a. The movable piece 112 of the negative pressure control valve 110 is tiltable about P as a fulcrum, and has one end connected to a tension coil spring 113, and the other end facing the control solenoid SLI. Both ends of the movable piece 112 function as valve bodies, and they open the negative pressure intake port 107, close the atmospheric intake port 108 (as shown in the figure), or open the negative pressure intake port in response to energization and de-energization of the solenoid SL. The inlet 107 is closed and the air intake port 108 is opened.

Similarly to the negative pressure release valve 110, the negative pressure release valve 111 has a movable piece 114, a tension coil spring 115, and a solenoid SL2, but the movable piece 114 closes (the illustrated state) or opens the atmospheric intake port 109. Note that 116 is an accelerator pedal, and 117 is a tension coil spring.

Figures 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d and 3e
The figure schematically shows the operation of the microcomputer CPU shown in FIG. The operation of the CPU will be explained step by step with reference to each figure. Note that when the vehicle is moving, the reed switch SW2 is constantly turned on and off, and each time SW2 is turned off, the microcomputer CPU executes the external interrupt process shown in FIG. 3d.

First, when the power is turned on, initial settings are performed. That is, the output port is set to the initial level and the contents of the memory are cleared.

Inverts the level of output port Oo. That is, if this boat Oo is set to a high level H, that level is set to a low level L, and if it is set to a low level L, it is set to a high level H. This process is always executed once within a predetermined period of time if the CPU is operating normally.

As a result, a substantially constant periodic pulse signal is applied to the runaway detection circuit 20 from the CPU. When the pulse signal is applied, the runaway detection circuit 20 sets the output level of the comparator CP to H, turns on the transistor Q1, and turns on the RES of the CPU.
The ET end is set to high level H.

However, the 10,000-CPU went out of control and the output was 1-0.

When the pulse is no longer generated, the output level of the comparator CP is inverted to L, the transistor Q1 is turned off, and a low level L is applied to the RESET terminals of the CPU. CPU
When RESET becomes L, the same operation as when the power is turned on is performed, so the runaway stops.

If the operation is proceeding normally, the CPU is on the input port K.
O, Kl, 2. It reads level 3, etc., determines the operation of the switches as follows, and performs processing according to the determined switch.

If there is no change in the input (unless the timer, flag, etc. is set), step 52-33-
After passing through 84-S42-843 and executing the multiple storage routine of FIG. 3c, the processing loop returns to step S2 again. In this case, the contents of the vehicle speed memory, target value register, flag, etc. do not change.

Clutch switch S, W3 or stop switch SW4
is on or the vehicle speed is below a specified value (for example, 39km/h)
h or less), the level of the output port is set in a direction that does not energize the solenoid, and the contents of the target value register RO are cleared in order to cancel constant speed control. Also clear all flags. As a result, if the constant speed driving mode is set, it is canceled. Further, the release solenoid SL is activated for a predetermined time so that the negative pressure actuator 100 quickly operates in the direction of closing the throttle valve.
2 is energized. The process then proceeds to steps 542-843, passes through the multiple storage routine, and returns to step S2.

When the set switch SW5 is turned on, the process proceeds to steps 59-817-818-819 for the first time, and sets the cellar 1 to on-flag 5ET-ON to II III II, and sets the control solenoid control duty to 5%.

When the control solenoid control duty is 5%, the proportion of time that the negative pressure control valve 110 communicates the inside of the negative pressure actuator 100 with the atmosphere increases, so the negative pressure actuator 110 moves in the direction of closing the throttle valve, and the vehicle speed decreases with time. do. Actual control solenoid drive is performed in step S4 according to the set duty.
Do it in 3. In the state where the cellar 1 switch SW5 is pressed, the process proceeds to steps S61-862-881..., exits the multiple storage routine, and goes to steps S2-83...59-8.
Proceed to 17-361.

When the set switch SW5 is turned off, step 59-
810-8l 1-312-813-81.4,
The set-on flag 5ET-ON is cleared (0) and the set-off flag 5ET-OFF is set to 1. Next, the process advances to step S61, and the set-off flag SET-O is set.
FF is 1, so 867-568-869-870-88
1, etc., increments the contents of the counter (pointer) RA that specifies the vehicle speed memory (but does not exceed 3), clears and starts the 1-second timer for setting. When this process is finished, the setoff flag 5E
T-OFF is cleared to II OIH. That is,
S67, S68. Steps S69 and S70 are executed only at the first processing timing when the set switch SW5 is turned off. From the next time onwards, the process will proceed to steps 561-362-863...

If the set switch SW5 is not turned on even after one second has passed since it was turned off, a time-over is detected in step S63, and the process proceeds to 564-865-866. As a result, the contents of the target value register RO are stored in the vehicle speed memory indicated by the contents of the counter RA, and after executing a throttle initialization routine to be described later, the operation mode is set to constant speed control mode.

Since the target value register RO stores the vehicle speed at the moment when step S14 is executed, that is, the set switch SW5 is turned off, the vehicle speed at that time is stored in a predetermined memory. For example, if the set switch SW5 is turned on and off twice before the set switch SW5 is finally turned off (off for 1 second), the processing steps 867-868-869-870 are executed twice during that time.
Since the process is executed twice, the content of the counter RA is 2, and the content of the target value register RO is stored in 2 of the vehicle speed memory. In this embodiment, since there are three vehicle speed memories, step S67 is provided to prevent the value of RA from exceeding three.

Therefore, even if the set switch SW5 is turned on and off three or more times in succession, the vehicle speed memory 3 is selected.

When the constant speed control mode is entered, steps 540-841-3
42, and each time this process is executed, the target value register R is
The control solenoid control duty is reset so that the contents of O, that is, the memory notation, and the current vehicle speed are equal. If you keep the set switch SW5 pressed,
Since the control duty is set to 5% in step S19, the vehicle speed gradually decreases.

When the resume switch SW6 is turned on, the first time is S3.
Proceed to 1-341-845-546-347-843,
rr resume-on flag RESUME-ON 1
'', clear and start the 0.9 second timer for resume. Then, S61...581-882
-82 and the subsequent processing loop are executed. If the resume switch SW6 remains pressed (on) for 0.9 seconds, a time-over is detected in step 347, and the
Proceeding to step 48, the control solenoid control duty is set to 90%. When the control solenoid control duty is 90%, the proportion of time that the negative pressure control valve 110 communicates the inside of the negative pressure actuator 100 with the negative pressure source (intake manifold) increases, so the negative pressure actuator 110 changes over time to the throttle valve. The vehicle moves in the direction of opening and the vehicle speed increases.

When the resume switch SW6 is turned off, first steps 531-332-833-834-835-836.
...and the resume-on flag RESUME-O
Clear N to n Osr and resume off flag RE
Set SUME-OFF to '1''. If the ON time of resume switch SW6 is long and the 0.9 second timer has timed out, 536-337-8, 38-
339, the current vehicle speed is stored in the target value register RO in the same way as when turning on/off the set switch SW5, and R
The contents of the target value register are stored in the vehicle speed memory indicated by the contents of O. In addition, the resume off flag RE is set so that the normal resume operation is not performed in the multiple storage routine.
Clear SUME-OFF to IT OH.

If the resume switch SW6 turns off before the 0.9 second timer expires, the resume off flag RE
SUME-〇FF Since F' is n 1 rr, 58
1-887-388-389-390, increments the contents of the counter RA, clears and starts the 1-second timer for resume, and sets the resume off flag R.
Clear ESUME-OFF to NOIH. S81
-587-888-889-890 processing steps are:
Resume off flag REStJME-OFF is n i
It is executed once for n, that is, each time the resume switch is turned from on to off. Therefore, the counter RA stores the number of times the resume switch SW6 has been turned from on to off.

381-382-3'83-384-885-8 Since the 1 second timer for resume times out when 1 second passes after the resume switch SW6 is turned off,
86, the contents of the vehicle speed memory 3 are stored in the target value register RO when the vehicle speed memory specified by the contents of the counter RA, for example, the three-turn zoom switch SW6 is turned on/off. Then, a throttle initialization routine 886 is executed to set the constant speed control mode. When the constant speed control mode is entered, steps 540-341-342-
Step 843, the control solenoid control duty is updated so that the current vehicle speed approaches the contents of the target value register.

The throttle initialization routine will now be described with reference to FIG. 3e. Roughly speaking, this process consists of changing the position during the negative pressure activation period)
Anticipatory control (open loop control) is performed in order to drive up to That is, the control solenoid control duty is set to a high value (90%), the time for which this state is continued is calculated in advance according to the contents of the target value register RO, and this is entered into the timer.
90% duty control continues until the timer times out. When the time is over, set the constant speed control flag to set the constant speed mode.

External interrupt processing will be explained with reference to FIG. 3d. This process is to determine the on/off cycle of the vehicle speed detection reed switch SW2. Each time this process is executed, that is, each time SW2 is turned off, the count value of the internal timer is read, the timer is cleared, and the timer is set to 1. Furthermore, if the count value of the timer is greater than or equal to a predetermined value (that is, the vehicle speed is less than or equal to a predetermined value), a low speed flag is set. When the low speed flag is set, the process advances from step S8 to S15 of the main routine, and the constant speed control mode is canceled in the same way as when the clutch pedal or brake pedal is operated.

Note that the above-mentioned embodiment is one aspect of the present invention, and the present invention can be practiced even if the configuration and operation of the apparatus are partially changed, for example, as described below.

a) The throttle drive means is not limited to a negative pressure actuator, but may also be replaced by a motor such as a stamping motor.

b) The selection of the vehicle speed memory is not limited to the number of times the switch is activated, but may be determined based on the activation time or a combination of multiple types of times.

C) The electronic control device does not necessarily need to use a microcomputer, but can be constructed from general logic circuits or analog circuits. For example, when configured with analog circuits,
The vehicle speed detection pulse may be passed through an F/V conversion circuit to be converted into a voltage, and the vehicle speed memory may be a sampling and holding circuit using a capacitor, an analog gate circuit, or the like.

d) The vehicle speed detection means may be of any type as long as it can provide a frequency output or an analog output according to the vehicle speed.

e) As for the switch, for example, the Sera 1 switch and the resume switch are housed in one case and integrated, and when the top is pressed, the set switch is turned on (resume switch off), and when the bottom is pressed, the resume switch is turned on. (set switch off).

f) The number of vehicle speed memories can be set arbitrarily as long as the memory capacity allows.

As described above, according to the present invention, since a plurality of vehicle speeds can be stored, the vehicle speed can be changed with a simple switch operation, and there is no need to perform a vehicle speed memorization operation each time the vehicle speed is changed, making driving easier.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electric circuit configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. Part 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a negative pressure actuator controlled by the electric circuit of FIG. 1. Figures 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d and 3e
FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the general operation of the microcomputer CPU shown in FIG. 10: Electronic control device (electronic control means) 20: Runaway detection circuit 30: Stabilized power supply circuit 100:
Negative pressure actuator (throttle drive means) 101: Housing 102: Diaphragm 103: Compression coil spring 104: Protrusion 105: Throttle valve 106: Intake manifold 107: Negative pressure intake 108.109: Atmospheric intake 110: Negative pressure control valve 111 ': Negative pressure release valve 112
．． 114: Movable piece 116: Accelerator pedal 117: Tension coil spring SWl: Ignition key switch SW2: Reed switch (vehicle speed detection means) SW3: Clutch switch SW4 Nistop switch SW5: Sera 1-switch (first switch means) SW
6: Resume switch (second switch means) SLl
: Control solenoid SL2: Release solenoid CPU: Microcomputer, TFl, IF2. IF3. IF/l, IF5: Interface circuit DVI, DV2: Driver CP: Comparator Patent applicant Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. η3d 3e 3e procedural amendment (voluntary) Title of the invention Vehicle speed control device 3, relationship to the amended case Patent applicant address 2-1 Asahicho, Kariya City, Aichi Prefecture Name (001) Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. Representative Nakai
Konto 4, agent address: 103 Telephone: 03-864-6052
Address: 2-27-6-5, Higashi-Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Subject of amendment 6, Contents of amendment (P) The following page and line of the specification are (erroneous):
(Correct) 0 3 3 3 3 3 4 67 7- Figures 3a and 3b of the column drawings are corrected as shown in the attached sheet. 7. Attached documents

Claims (9)

[Claims] (1) A throttle drive means connected to a throttle valve; a first switch means; a second switch means; a vehicle speed detection means; and a plurality of vehicle speed memories. In response to the operation of the first switch means, a value corresponding to the output signal of the vehicle speed detection means is stored in a vehicle speed memory corresponding to the operation state of the first switch means, and in response to the operation of the second switch means. Then, the contents of the vehicle speed memory corresponding to the operating state of the second non-switching means are read out, and the throttle driving means is energized according to the contents. A vehicle speed control device comprising: electronic control means; (2) The vehicle speed control device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic control means selects the first switch means and the vehicle speed memory accordingly. (3) When the first switch means operates, the electronic control means stores a value corresponding to the output signal of the vehicle speed detection means in a vehicle speed memory corresponding to the operating state of the switch, and also stores a vehicle speed corresponding to the stored value. The vehicle speed control device according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle speed control device energizes the throttle drive means in accordance with the above. (4) The electronic control means biases the throttle drive means in a direction to reduce the opening degree of the throttle valve when the first switch means is in a predetermined state. Vehicle speed control device. (5) When the second switch means maintains a predetermined state for a predetermined time or more, the electronic control means biases the throttle drive means in a direction to increase the opening degree of the throttle valve while the second switch means maintains the predetermined state for a predetermined time or more. , Claim No. (1)
Vehicle speed control device described in Section 1. (6) When the second switch means maintains a predetermined state for a predetermined period of time or more, the electronic control means is configured to:
According to claim (1), when the throttle drive means is energized and the state of the second switch means changes, the vehicle speed at that time is stored in a vehicle speed memory, and the vehicle speed is controlled at that vehicle speed. vehicle speed control device. (7) Claims (1) and (2) above, wherein the throttle drive means is a negative pressure actuator including a negative pressure control valve and a negative pressure control solenoid. The vehicle speed control device according to item (3), item (4), item (5), or item (6). (8) The negative pressure actuator includes a negative pressure release valve and a negative pressure release solenoid that controls the negative pressure release valve. A vehicle speed control device according to claim (7). (9) The electronic control means releases negative pressure when the vehicle brakes. Energize the noid. Claim No. (8)
Vehicle speed control device described in Section 1.