JPS61220936A - Constant-speed traveling apparatus for car - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To secure the traveling at the high-speed shift position and improve fuel consumption by releasing the constant-speed traveling, in other words by prohibiting or suppressing the shift-down operation of a shift-down means by a control means when it is judged that operation state is in economy mode. CONSTITUTION:An actuator B which maintains a constant car speed by controlling the quantity of the fuel supplied into an engine A by adjusting the opening degree of the throttle valve, etc. of a carburetor is provided, and a shift-down means D which shifts-down the speed change stage of an automatic transmission C according to the conditions such as engine load in constant-speed traveling state is provided. An economy-mode detecting means E for detecting that the economy mode in which fuel consumption is taken preference is selected among a plurality of speed change characteristics of the automatic transmission C is provided. When it is judged by the detecting means that the automatic transmission C is in economy mode, a control means F controls the operation of the shift-down means D so as to be prohibited or suppressed.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention is directed to automobiles, particularly automatic cars (AT cars).
This article relates to a constant speed traveling device that is optimal for.

(Prior art) When the vehicle reaches a desired speed while driving, the vehicle speed is memorized by turning on a set switch, and from then on, the engine throttle valve is automatically controlled to maintain this vehicle speed. Constant-speed traveling devices have been put into practical use.

A constant-speed traveling device has also been proposed in which constant-speed traveling is canceled by turning on an acceleration switch, and restarting constant-speed traveling by turning on an acceleration switch (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
7-195837).

By the way, the constant speed driving device used in AT cars has
Some devices are equipped with a power mode setting switch and an economy mode setting switch.

The former is intended to extend the shift in the upshift direction to the limit during acceleration to provide a good acceleration feeling.

On the other hand, the latter is intended to reduce fuel consumption by speeding up the gear shift in the shift direction 77 during acceleration.

In such a constant speed driving device of an AT car, if the driver decelerates by stepping on the brake etc. while driving at a constant speed in efficiency mode, the constant speed driving is immediately canceled and the vehicle is downshifted (e.g. from 4th gear to 3rd gear). 6. (Objective of the Invention) The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems.
When the driving state is in economy mode, canceling constant speed driving is prohibited or suppressed even if deceleration is caused by the brakes, etc., and the shift position is set to a fuel-efficient shift position (for example, 4
The purpose is to allow the vehicle to travel as fast as possible.

(Structure of the Invention) Therefore, the present invention has the following features, as shown in FIG.
An actuator (B) that controls the amount of fuel supplied to the engine (A) to maintain a constant vehicle speed, and an automatic gear shift fi (C) that controls the amount of fuel supplied to the engine (A) to maintain a constant vehicle speed, and an automatic gear shift fi (C) that changes the speed in constant speed driving according to conditions such as engine load.
Shift down means (D) for downshifting the gear position of
, an economy mode detection means (E) for detecting that the economy mode that prioritizes fuel efficiency is selected among the plurality of shift characteristics of the automatic shift fi (C), and a signal from the economy mode detection means (E). Automatic shift W1 by signal
(C) control means (F) for prohibiting or suppressing the operation of the downshift means (D) when it is determined that the shift down means (D) is in the economy mode.

(Effects of the Invention) According to the present invention, when the economy mode detection means determines that the driving state is in the economy mode, the control means cancels constant speed running, shifts the down means (shift) down, etc. Since the operation is prohibited or suppressed, the vehicle will not be downshifted immediately when decelerating, and driving can continue at the high speed shift position.
Fuel efficiency is improved.

(Embodiments) Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in Fig. 2, the constant speed running device of an AT vehicle is
The control device 5 is connected via a main switch 4 to a power supply circuit 3 led from the ignition switch 2 via the ignition switch 2, and the control device 5 is equipped with a set switch 6 and a coast switch 7 as vehicle speed setting means. A signal from the resume switch 8 and a signal from the vehicle speed sensor 9 are inputted, and a signal is outputted from the control device 5 to the solenoids 11a, 12a=13a of the seven cutout units 10(B). .

The set switch 6 is turned on when the desired vehicle speed is reached, for example, when the signal from the vehicle speed sensor 9 indicates a single speed or within the range of 40 to 10'Oka+/11. The vehicle speed is set as the set vehicle speed for constant speed driving.

Further, the coast switch 7 is used when decelerating while traveling at a constant speed, and the vehicle speed decreases while it is turned on.

Further, when the constant speed driving control is canceled due to a reason other than turning off the main switch 4, the resume switch 8 is turned on to return the vehicle to the set vehicle speed before the cancellation.

Then, based on the operation of these switches 6, 7, and 8 and the signal from the vehicle speed sensor 9, the solenoid 11a of the actuator 10(B) is activated by the control device 5.

A signal is output to maintain the vehicle speed at 12 m and 13 a, and to decelerate or restore the vehicle speed.

Furthermore, in this constant speed traveling device, a clutch switch 14 and a brake switch 15 are arranged in parallel between the power supply circuit 3 and the control device 5 as constant speed traveling canceling means for canceling the constant speed traveling control. These switches 14 and 15 are turned on when the clutch is disengaged and when the brake is applied, respectively, to input a release signal to the control device 5.

On the other hand, the control device 5 includes a power mode setting switch 30.
A signal from the economy mode setting switch 31 is input, and a downshift device 32 (D
) A signal is output to a switching transistor 34 that excites and deenergizes a solenoid 33 of a solenoid valve.

The power mode setting switch 30 is used to extend the shift in the upshift direction to the limit during acceleration to obtain a good acceleration feeling.

Furthermore, the economy mode setting switch 31 is used to reduce fuel consumption by speeding up the shift in the upshift direction during acceleration.

Further, when the control device 5 outputs a signal according to conditions such as engine load in a constant speed driving state, the downshift device 32 (D>
is turned on, the solenoid 33 is energized, and the solenoid pulp is activated to downshift the gear position of the automatic transmission R35 (C).

The control device 5 includes a plurality of shift characteristics (power mode, economy mode) of the automatic shift fi35 (C),
The economy mode detection means (E) detects that the economy mode that prioritizes fuel efficiency is selected (economy mode setting switch 31 is turned on) and the signal from the economy mode detection means (E) automatically shifts gears! Control means (F) is provided for inhibiting or suppressing (delaying) turning on of the switching transistor 34 of the downshift device 32 (D) when it is determined that the shift down device 35 (C) is in the economy mode r.

As shown in FIG. 3, the actuator 10 (B) is, for example, a negative pressure diaphragm type seven-stage evaporator when controlling the opening of the throttle valve as one method of controlling the amount of fuel supplied to the engine. The interior of the casing 16 is defined by a rubber diaphragm 17 into a negative pressure chamber 18 that is airtight to the outside and an atmospheric chamber 20 that is communicated with the outside through a through hole 19.
7 is biased toward the atmospheric chamber 2041N by a spring 21 disposed in the negative pressure chamber 18, and the casing 1
A solenoid valve 11 for negative pressure introduction that controls the introduction of negative pressure into the negative pressure chamber 18 and first and second solenoid valves 12 and 13 for introducing atmospheric air (for the solenoid valve 13 for introducing second atmospheric air) are installed on the end face of 6. (not shown).

A rod 22 connected to the diaphragm 17
is slidably held in a pongee receiving part 23 provided in the casing 16, and is projected to the outside through the atmospheric chamber 20, and is provided in the intake passage of the engine via a wire 24. connected to the throttle valve 25(A);
When the diaphragm 17 moves in the G direction (towards the negative pressure chamber 18), the throttle valve 25 (A) is operated in the opening direction.

The negative pressure introducing solenoid valve 11 has one end connected to a negative pressure introducing pipe 26 led from a negative pressure source, and the other end communicating with the inside of the negative pressure chamber 18. The valve body 11c opens a passage 11b. The valve body 11c is pressed and biased by a spring lid to shut off the passage 11b, and is also configured to open the passage 11b against the spring 11d when the solenoid lla is energized. will be moved.

Similarly, from the first atmosphere introduction solenoid valve 12 (the same applies to the second atmosphere introduction solenoid valve 13), a passage 12 is opened to the atmosphere at one end and communicated with the negative pressure chamber 18 at the other end.
b is opened and closed by the valve body 12c, and the valve body 12c
is tensilely biased by a spring 12d to open the passage 12b, and also blocks the passage 12b against the spring 12d when the solenoid 12a is energized.

Then, the solenoid 1 law 12a, 13g in these solenoid valves 11, 12, 13 is energized by the signal from the control device 5 shown in FIG. The opening degree of the throttle valve 25 (A) is controlled by controlling the negative pressure within the throttle valve 18 and displacing the diaphragm 17 in accordance with this negative pressure.

Next, the specific operation of the above embodiment will be explained.

During normal driving, the speed is, for example, 40 to 1100 km/h.
h, when the set switch 6 connected to the control device 5 of the constant speed traveling device is turned on, the current vehicle speed indicated by the signal from the vehicle speed sensor 9 is set in the control device 5 as the set vehicle speed. At the same time, from then on, while comparing this set vehicle speed and the actual vehicle speed indicated by the signal from the vehicle speed sensor 9, the control device 5 sends a signal to the actuator 10(B) so as to match the actual vehicle speed with the set vehicle speed. is output.

In other words, when the actual vehicle speed becomes lower than the set vehicle speed, the control device 5
An energization signal is output to the negative pressure introduction solenoid valve 11 and the solenoids lla and 12a of the first atmosphere introduction solenoid valve 12 in the seventh outlet 10 (B), the negative pressure introduction solenoid valve 11 opens, and the first atmosphere introduction solenoid valve 12 opens. The introduction solenoid valve 12 is closed.

Therefore, negative pressure is introduced into the negative pressure chamber 18 of the 7-stage evaporator 10 (B), and the diaphragm 17 is displaced in the G direction. Operated in the opening direction.

As a result, the actual vehicle speed increases and becomes equal to the set vehicle speed.

On the other hand, when the actual vehicle speed is higher than the set vehicle speed, the solenoids lla and 12a are not energized, so that the negative pressure introduction solenoid valve 11 is closed and the first atmosphere introduction solenoid valve 12 is opened. The negative pressure within the pressure chamber 18 is reduced.

Therefore, the diaphragm 17 is displaced in the anti-G direction, and the throttle valve 25(A) is operated in the closing direction.

As a result, the actual vehicle speed is reduced to match the set vehicle speed.

In addition, during such constant speed running control, the solenoid 13m of the atmospheric air introduction solenoid valve 12 is always energized and kept in a closed state.

Furthermore, when the clutch switch 14 or the brake switch 15 as a means for canceling the constant speed running control is turned on, the energization to each of the solenoids 11m, 12a=13a is all stopped, and the negative pressure introduction valve/id valve 11 is turned on. is closed, and the first.
By opening the second atmosphere introduction solenoid valve 12.13 and opening the inside of the negative pressure chamber 18 to the atmosphere, the operation of the actuator 10 is completely stopped, and the engine throttle valve 25 (A) is opened to the atmosphere. It will be activated by repetition.

While driving at a constant speed as described above, the effect of turning on the brake switch 15 or stepping on the brake etc. to decelerate while driving at a constant speed in economy mode will be explained with reference to chart 70 in Fig. 4. explain.

In step S1, the economy mode detection means (E) and control means (F) of the control device 5 are reset.

In step S2, the downshift flag is set to “θ” (
F=O).

In step S3, it is determined whether the engine load is large. If it is determined No (small), the process moves to step S4.

In step S4, it is determined whether the shift down flag is "1" or not. If it is determined YES, the shift down flag is set to "0" in step S5, and the downshift is canceled in step S6. If the determination is No, steps SS and S6 are passed.

On the other hand, if it is determined YES (large) in step S3, the process moves to step S7.

In step S7, the economy mode detection means (E
) determines whether the mode is economy mode or not, and if it is determined No, it is determined in step S8 whether the shift down flag is "1" or not, and if it is determined No, the shift down flag is set in step S9. 1” and step 8
Shift down (4th gear → 3rd gear) at 10, step S
If YES in step S9. Pass SIO.

If YES is determined in step S7, step S8,
Pass 89,810. That is, if it is determined in step S2 that the engine load is large (YES) and that the economy mode is determined in step S7 (YES), the control means (
Since downshifting is prohibited by F), the vehicle can be driven in the high-speed shift position (4th gear), resulting in better fuel efficiency.

In addition to prohibiting downshifting, a configuration may also be adopted in which downshifting is delayed.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a circuit configuration diagram of a constant speed traveling device, FIG. 3 is a sectional view of an actuator, and FIG. 4 is a 70-chart showing the operation during constant speed traveling. 5...Control device (E: economy mode detection means, F
: control means), 10... actuator (B), 25... throttle valve (A: engine), 32...
...Shift down device (D: shift down means) 35.
...Automatic transmission (C).

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) An actuator that controls the amount of fuel supplied to the engine to keep the vehicle speed constant; and a downshift means that downshifts the gear position of the automatic transmission depending on conditions such as engine load while driving at a constant speed. , an economy mode detection means for detecting that an economy mode giving priority to fuel efficiency is selected among the plurality of shift characteristics of the automatic transmission; and a signal from the economy mode detection means to detect that the automatic transmission is in the economy mode. A constant speed traveling device for a motor vehicle, comprising: control means for prohibiting or suppressing operation of the downshift means when determined.