JPS61238522A - Constant-speed driving device for automobile - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve responsiveness in car speed resetting, by constituting a device so as to operate a shift-down device at the time of the car speed resetting after releasing a constant-speed driving state, in case of the above- cationed device available for a car fitted with an automatic transmission. CONSTITUTION:After releasing a constant-speed driving state, a resume switch is pressed, operating a car speed resetting device B1, and engine throttle opening or the like is controlled by an actuator B3. With this control, a car speed is reset to that before being released. At this time, a controlling device B2 makes a shift-down device B4, making a speed gear step of an automatic transmission shift down, whereby car speed resetting takes place in good responsiveness. With this constitution, the extent of responsiveness in the car speed resetting is improvable.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a constant speed driving device for an automobile that maintains the vehicle speed at a desired set value and drives the vehicle at a constant speed. The present invention relates to a constant speed traveling device for an automobile having an automatic transmission that changes gears.

(Prior Art) In recent years, constant speed traveling devices that automatically maintain the vehicle speed of an automobile at a desired speed set by a driver have been put into practical use. This constant speed traveling device sets the vehicle speed as a target value for constant speed traveling by a set operation by the driver when the vehicle speed reaches a desired vehicle speed, and thereafter compares this set vehicle speed with the actual vehicle speed. Therefore, when a difference occurs between the two, the throttle valve of the engine is controlled in accordance with the difference, thereby causing the actual vehicle speed to match the set vehicle speed.

The constant speed traveling device is operated by the driver while the vehicle is running, and there are four types of operations: vehicle speed setting operation, acceleration operation, deceleration operation, and vehicle speed return operation. The vehicle speed setting operation is an operation to maintain the current speed of the vehicle as it is by pressing the set switch, and the acceleration operation is to gradually increase the set vehicle speed by pressing and holding the acceleration switch (accelerator switch). When you release your hand from the acceleration switch, the vehicle will maintain constant speed driving at the current speed.The set switch and acceleration switch are the same switch, and pressing this switch once will cause the vehicle to travel at a constant speed. In many cases, the set vehicle speed for constant speed driving will be increased if you press and hold the deceleration switch (coast switch) repeatedly. During this time, the set vehicle speed is gradually reduced.The vehicle speed return operation is performed when constant speed driving is canceled in response to brake or clutch operation, and then the vehicle speed is returned to the previous vehicle speed by pressing the vehicle speed return switch (resume switch). This is an operation to restore the vehicle speed and drive the vehicle at a constant speed.

This vehicle speed return operation memorizes the vehicle speed at that time when constant speed driving is canceled, and when the vehicle speed return switch is pressed, the vehicle speed is automatically returned to the memorized vehicle speed.
Normally, this vehicle speed return switch does not need to be pressed and held down like an acceleration switch or deceleration switch, and once it is turned on,
Ruda () is Jζ.

However, when the vehicle speed return switch is pressed while driving on an uphill road, for example, it may not be possible to accelerate sufficiently due to uphill resistance and it takes time to return to vehicle speed, or the constant speed driving may be canceled while driving on a downhill road. After that, when the vehicle speed return switch is pressed, the vehicle speed exceeds the set vehicle speed and cannot be sufficiently decelerated due to the drop-off road, so it takes time to restore the vehicle speed. These are problems that occur when the acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle obtained by opening and closing the throttle valve is insufficient, as the vehicle speed is restored by controlling the opening and closing of the throttle valve. , for example, a vehicle speed return switch (resume switch) as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 58-127220.
If sufficient acceleration cannot be obtained after operation, the gear of the transmission is shifted down and the output horn torque is increased to obtain sufficient acceleration. As disclosed, when a vehicle speed return switch is operated and there is a large difference between the actual vehicle speed and the set vehicle speed (vehicle speed when constant speed driving is canceled), a system is disclosed in which the vehicle speed can be quickly restored by downshifting. There is.

However, once the vehicle speed return switch is turned ON, the vehicle speed is automatically returned to the set speed. From the viewpoint of the feeling of the vehicle speed return operation, it is preferable that the vehicle speed return operation is made to feel responsive.

(Objective of the Invention) In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a system for quickly and responsively performing the vehicle speed return operation when pressing the resume switch to return the vehicle speed to the vehicle speed before the release after constant speed driving has been released. It is an object of the present invention to provide a constant speed traveling device that allows the vehicle to move at a constant speed.

(Structure of the invention) The configuration of the present invention will be explained based on FIG.

In the constant speed traveling device of the present invention, after the constant speed traveling state is canceled by the operation of the brake or the like, the resume switch is pressed and the vehicle speed return means B1 is activated, and the actuator B3 for controlling the fuel supply to the engine is activated. When the engine throttle opening etc. are controlled by the control means B2 and the vehicle speed is returned to the vehicle speed before release, the control means B2 operates the downshift means B4 to downshift the gear stage of the automatic transmission and improve responsiveness. The present invention is characterized in that it is possible to perform a good vehicle speed recovery.

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

As shown in FIG. 1, the constant speed traveling device has a controller 5 connected via a main switch 4 to a power supply circuit 3 led from a power source 1 via an ignition switch 2. Signals from the accelerator switch 6, coast switch 7, and resume switch 8 as setting means and signals from the vehicle speed sensor 9 are input, and signals are output from the controller 5 to the solenoids 11a, 12a, and 13a of the actuator 10. It has become so.

The accelerator switch 6, the coast switch 7, and the resume switch 8 are connected between the controller 5 and the ground. Among these switches, the accelerator switch 6 also functions as a set switch, and is connected to the vehicle speed sensor 9. The vehicle speed indicated by the signal is, for example, 40 ~
A vehicle speed setting function that sets the vehicle speed at that time as the set vehicle speed for constant speed driving by turning on the vehicle when the desired vehicle speed is reached when the vehicle speed is within the range of 1001 m/h, and by maintaining the ON state. During this time, the set vehicle speed is increased, and when the vehicle is turned off, it has an acceleration function that causes the vehicle to travel at a constant speed at this increased vehicle speed. Further, the course 1 switch 7 is used when decelerating the vehicle while traveling at a constant speed, and when it is turned on, the set vehicle speed decreases. Further, when the constant speed driving control is canceled due to a reason other than the OFF operation of 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, 8 and the signal from the vehicle speed sensor 9, the controller 5h) causes the actuator 10 to
The vehicle speed is controlled by solenoids 11a, 12a, and 13a,
A signal is output to accelerate, decelerate, or return.

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

Also, an output line 30 from the control circuit [l-55] is connected to the base of a transistor 32. This transistor 32
The collector side of is connected to the shift down solenoid 34, and the emitter side is grounded.

Since the shift down solenoid 34 is connected to the power supply 1, when an ON signal is output from the controller 5 to the output line 30, the transistor 32 is activated and the shift down solenoid 34 is energized. The shift down solenoid 34 operates a hydraulic control valve of the automatic transmission, and when the shift down solenoid 34 is energized, the gear position is shifted down by one gear, for example from 4th gear to 3rd gear. Note that since the hydraulic control valve is a well-known one, a description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the structure of the actuator 10 will be explained. As shown in FIG. 2, the actuator 10 is a negative pressure diaphragm type actuator, and the inside of the casing 16 is made airtight from the outside by a rubber diaphragm 17. The diaphragm 17 is connected to the atmospheric chamber 20 side by means of a spring 21 disposed within the negative pressure chamber 18. - A solenoid valve 11 for introducing negative pressure that controls the introduction of negative pressure into the negative pressure chamber 18 on the end face of the casing 16; Second atmosphere introduction solenoid valve 12.13 (Second atmosphere introduction solenoid valve 1
3 (not shown).

A control 22 connected to the diaphragm 17
is slidably held by a bearing part 23 pushed into the casing 16 and protrudes to the outside through the atmospheric chamber 20, and is also provided in the intake passage of the engine via a wire 24. connected to the throttle valve 25,
When the diaphragm 17 moves toward the negative pressure chamber 18 side, the throttle valve 25 is operated in the opening direction.

Further, the negative pressure introduction solenoid valve 11 opens a passage 11b, which has one end connected to a negative pressure introduction pipe 26 led from a negative pressure source and whose narrow end communicates with the negative pressure chamber 18, with a valve body 11C. The valve body 11c is pressed and biased by a spring 11d to shut off the passage 11b, and also opens the passage 11b against the spring 11d when the solenoid 11a is energized. will be moved to Similarly, the first atmosphere introduction solenoid valve 12 (the same applies to the second atmosphere introduction solenoid valve 13) has one end opened to the atmosphere and the other end connected to the passage 12b communicating with the negative pressure chamber 18. The valve body 12C is configured to open and shut off the passage 1 by a spring 12d.
2b is tensilely biased to open,
When the solenoid 12a is energized, the passage 12b is blocked against the spring 12d. and,
When the solenoids 11a, 12a, and 13a of these solenoid valves 11, 12, and 13 are energized and controlled by signals from the rollers 1 to 5 shown in FIG. (The opening degree of the throttle valve 25 is controlled by controlling the negative pressure and displacing the diaphragm 17 in accordance with this negative pressure.)

Next, the specific operation of the above-mentioned actuator will be explained.

For example, the vehicle speed during normal driving is /IO ~ 1100K
/h, when the accelerator switch 6 connected to the control unit 5 of the constant speed running device is turned on, a signal from the vehicle speed sensor 9 is displayed and the vehicle speed is set as the vehicle speed or the set vehicle speed. [l-ra 5], and thereafter, the controller 5 sends the actuator 10 to the actuator 10 so as to match the actual vehicle speed with the set vehicle speed while comparing this set vehicle speed and the actual vehicle speed indicated by the signal from the vehicle speed sensor 9. A signal is output.

In other words, when the actual vehicle speed becomes lower than the set vehicle speed, the negative pressure introducing solenoid valve 1133 J is pulled from the controller 1-roller 5 to the actuator 10.
An energization signal is output to the second solenoids 11a and 12a, the negative pressure introduction solenoid valve 11 is closed, and the first atmosphere introduction solenoid valve 12 is closed. Therefore, negative pressure is introduced into the negative pressure chamber 18 of the actuator 10 and the diaphragm 17
is displaced in the A direction, and along with this, the rod 2
2 and the wire 24, the throttle valve 25 is operated in the opening direction to increase the amount of fuel supplied to the engine. 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 11a and 12a are not energized, so that the negative pressure filling solenoid valve 11 is closed and the first solenoid valve 11 is closed.
The atmospheric air introduction solenoid valve 12 opens, and therefore the negative pressure chamber 1
The negative pressure within 8 is reduced. Therefore, the diaphragm 17 is displaced in the opposite direction, the throttle valve 25 is operated in the closing direction, and the amount of fuel supplied to the engine is reduced, thereby reducing the actual vehicle speed to match the set vehicle speed. In addition, during such constant speed running control, the solenoid 13a of the second atmosphere introduction solenoid valve 13 is constantly energized, and the valve 13 is maintained in a closed state. In addition, a clutch switch 1 serves as a means for canceling constant speed driving control.
4 or the Breagi switch 15 is turned on, the energization to the solenoids 11a, 12a, and 13a is all stopped, the negative pressure introduction solenoid valve 11 is closed, and the first and second solenoid valves are closed. When the second atmosphere introduction solenoid valve 12.13 opens and the inside of the negative pressure chamber 18 is released to the atmosphere, the operation of the reactuator 10 is completely stopped, and the engine start valve 25 is opened. It is activated by operating the accelerator pedal.

When accelerating or decelerating the set vehicle speed, the actuator 10 also opens and closes the throttle valve 25 by opening and closing the solenoid valve 11 for introducing negative pressure, but at this time, the controller controls controls such as downshifting at the same time. 5, the entire control by the constant speed traveling device of the present invention will be explained below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In this operation, first, in step S1, it is determined whether or not the accelerator switch 6 is ON. If it is ON, the process proceeds to step S2, where the actuator 10 is operated to open the throttle valve 25 and accelerate the whirlpool. Then, after the actuator 10 starts operating, a time period of .DELTA.1 second elapses. ? In other words, it is determined in step S3 whether 611 seconds have elapsed or not, and until the elapse of 611 seconds, only the acceleration in step S2 is performed. "1'"
After that, shift down one gear from, for example, 4th gear to 3rd gear. Note that when shift 1 to down flag F=1, shift]-down has already been performed, so further shift]-down is not performed.

As described above, when the accelerator switch 6 is turned on to accelerate, the start of operation of the actuator 10 is delayed by a predetermined time ΔT+, and the downshift is performed to prevent shock 1 during acceleration. There is.

Next, let us consider when the accelerator switch 6 is turned off or when it is turned off from the beginning.

At this time, the process advances from step S1 to step S7, and it is determined whether or not the accelerator switch 6 has just been turned off. 1 degree immediately after the accelerator switch 6 is turned off, that is, the accelerator switch is pressed to accelerate and the desired speed is reached, so the hand is moved from the accelerator switch to N11. This is OF
When set to F, the accelerating operation of the actuator is stopped, but the control in steps 88 to S12 is performed at this point. Here, the vehicle speed immediately after the accelerator switch 6 is turned OFF is stored as the set vehicle speed, the shift 1~down flag F is reset to zero, and the accelerator switch 6 is turned OFF.
Wait 2 seconds after the shift to F, cancel the downshift and return to the original gear, then shift the actuator 1
0 to perform constant speed driving control at the set vehicle speed.

When it is determined in step S7 that the accelerator switch 6 is not immediately after being turned off, that is, when the accelerator switch 6 has been off from the beginning, or when a certain period of time has elapsed and the operations in steps 88 to S12 have been completed,
Proceeding to step S13, it is determined whether the coast switch 7 is turned on. When the coast switch 7 is ON, the process proceeds to step 814, where the actuator 10 is operated to reduce the throttle valve opening and deceleration. Next, in step 815, after Δ3 seconds have passed after the actuator 10 starts operating, the process proceeds to step 816.
-818 are performed. Just like that, the downshift flag F=
1, the downshift flag F is set to L (111) and the downshift is performed. The coast switch 7 is shifted to prevent deceleration shock.On the other hand, when the coast switch 7 is OFF, the process advances to step S19 and it is determined whether or not the coast switch 7 has just been turned OFF.For this reason, the coast switch 7 is Since it was turned on and the speed was decelerated to the desired speed, immediately after turning it off, the process proceeds from step S19 to 820 and steps 820 to S
24 operations. That is, the vehicle speed at the time when the coast switch 7 is turned off is stored as the set vehicle speed, and the downshift flag F is reset to zero after 4 seconds have passed after the coast switch 7 is turned off, and the downshift is performed. At this time, this is canceled to return to the original gear position, and the actuator 10 performs constant speed running control at the set vehicle speed C described above. In this case,] - the time when the switch was turned off Jζ delay 1! Since the downshift is canceled at ', it is possible to prevent shock from occurring at this time. However, if the driving range at the time of deceleration is within the driving range of the downshifted gear, there is no need to return to the original gear even if the downshift is canceled.

If it is not immediately after the coast switch 7 is turned off, the process advances to step S25 and it is determined whether the resume switch 8 is turned on. When the resume switch 8 is turned on, the process proceeds to step 827, where it is determined whether the actual vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor 9 is greater than the stored value of the set vehicle speed before constant speed driving control is canceled. In other words, the resume switch 8 is used to return the vehicle to constant speed driving at the preset vehicle speed before the brake operation, etc., after the constant speed driving control is canceled due to a brake operation or the like while driving at a constant speed. Therefore, the set vehicle speed and the like before this brake operation etc. are memorized and this stored value is compared with the actual vehicle speed. If the actual vehicle speed is greater than the stored value, the process proceeds to step S28, where the actuator 10 is activated to decelerate the vehicle. Next, in accordance with steps 829 to 832, the resume switch 8 is turned on, waits for 5 seconds to elapse, and, except when the shift down flag F=1, sets the shift down flag F to '1' and performs a downshift. Even during deceleration at this time, the timing of the deceleration by the actuator 10 and the deceleration caused by the downshift are shifted to prevent deceleration shock.

On the other hand, when the actual vehicle speed is smaller than the stored value, the process proceeds to step 833, where the actuator 10 is activated and accelerated. Next, in accordance with steps 834 to S37, wait for 6 seconds after the resume switch 8 is turned on, and unless a downshift has already been performed (if the flag is 1),
[Set to -1 to perform downshift. In other words, even in the case of acceleration here, the resume switch 8 is turned ON.
The system starts shifting down from the moment the engine is set to 1, thereby preventing shock from occurring when accelerating.

In step 825, the resume switch 8 is set to O'1.
: If it is determined that 114 is, the process proceeds to step 826 to determine whether the actual vehicle speed is equal to the stored value as the constant vehicle speed. If not, the process proceeds to step 327 and the steps shown in steps 828 to 837 are performed. control. This is because the resume switch 8 is a type of switch where an ON signal is instantaneously input, rather than a type of switch that can be repeatedly turned ON.Once the ON signal is input, the actual vehicle speed will be the stored value The vehicle speed is accelerated or decelerated until the vehicle returns to normal state.This memory value refers to a vehicle speed that has a constant width that is maintained when constant speed driving control is performed.

As described above, when the resume switch 8 is turned on, the throttle valve is controlled to open and close and a downshift is performed, thereby quickly returning the vehicle speed and improving the responsiveness of the resume function.

If the actual vehicle speed is equal to the stored value, steps $38 to 8
According to No. 41, after waiting Δ7 seconds after the vehicle speed is restored, the downshift flag F is reset to zero, and if downshifting has been performed, it is canceled and constant speed driving control is performed by the actuator 10.

Through the above flow, constant speed driving control including acceleration, deceleration, and vehicle speed recovery operations is performed, but in this control, the activation and release of downshifts during acceleration and deceleration are all performed from activation and deactivation of the actuator 10. carried out after a predetermined time delay.

This is designed to prevent shocks at the start and end of acceleration/deceleration.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the fuel supply amount control to the engine by the throttle valve was explained, but in the case of fuel injection, the fuel injection OA amount may be controlled by m+? You may also do so.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained above, according to the present invention, when the resume switch is turned on after the constant speed driving state is canceled to return the vehicle speed to the vehicle speed before the cancellation, the engine throttle valve is activated by the actuator. Since the opening/closing control is performed and the downshift is performed, the vehicle speed can be restored quickly and with good responsiveness, and the feeling of the vehicle speed restoration operation can be improved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a circuit diagram of a constant speed traveling device according to the present invention, Fig. 2 is a sectional view of an actuator in the device, Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the device, and Fig. 4 is a constant speed driving device by the device. It is a flowchart which shows the content of travel control. 5...Controller 6...Accelerator switch 7...] - Stop switch 8...Resume switch

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] An automobile having a constant speed driving device that controls the amount of fuel supplied to the engine based on a set vehicle speed signal inputted from the outside and maintains the vehicle speed approximately at the set vehicle speed, comprising: a downshift means for downshifting the gear position of the vehicle; an actuator for controlling the amount of fuel supplied to the engine; and after the constant speed running state is canceled, the actuator is actuated by an ON operation to release the vehicle speed. A constant speed traveling device for a motor vehicle, comprising: a vehicle speed return means for returning to a previously set vehicle speed; and a control means for operating the downshift means in response to an ON operation signal from the vehicle speed return means.