SE533667C2 - Procedure and apparatus for shifting in a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for improving the drivability of a motor vehicle (100; 110) during a gear change procedure, whereby there is a neutral gear step of a gearbox (240) of a transmission of the vehicle. The method comprises the step of detecting when a state of a clutch (235) of the vehicle (100; 110) changes from a first state to a second state. The method comprises also the steps of taking control of an engine (230) of the vehicle (100; 110) from a driver on the basis of said detection, where appropriate, in order to automatically control the gear change procedure in such a way that any desired gear step of the gearbox is engaged, and thereafter returning control of the engine (230) of the vehicle (100; 110) to a driver. The invention relates also to a computer programme product comprising programme code (P) for a computer (200; 210) for implementing a method according to the invention. The invention relates also to a device and a motor vehicle equipped with the device.

Description

5367 B67 a conventional system where a completely mechanical gear lever is present, on the other hand, the driver can by means of the gear lever feel when a new gear has been engaged, with which the driver can then release the clutch pedal. However, as stated above, these conventional systems are not suitable for all types of vehicles. In addition, these conventional systems are not as user-friendly as an electro-pneumatic system.

It is now also known to have an electronic control system of the vehicle take over the control of an engine of the vehicle when a gear of the transmission of the vehicle is placed in a neutral step during a shifting process to then coordinate a gear operation with the engine of the vehicle. In this way, the driver can be allowed to release the clutch pedal during shifting, and in this case it is not necessary to provide the driver with a receipt that he is allowed to release the clutch pedal. A disadvantage of this procedure is that the driver may experience that he does not have complete control over the process and that he cannot balance the clutch and throttle application himself after the shift has been performed.

WO 2008/026993 describes a method for changing gears in a "gear-by-wire" system in a vehicle comprising a clutch, gearbox, and means for controlling the clutch, for manually controlling the coupling and disengagement of the clutch, and gear selector means which allows a manual indication of a desired gear.

However, there is a need to provide a method and apparatus for improving the drivability of existing motor vehicles so that the disadvantages mentioned above can be overcome. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a new and advantageous method for improving the drivability of a motor vehicle.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method, a device and a computer program for improving the driveability of a motor vehicle.

A further object of the invention is to provide a method and computer program for providing a user-friendly method for improving the driveability of a motor vehicle.

These objects are achieved with a method for improving the drivability of a motor vehicle, said method comprising the steps of claim 1.

Advantageously, it is possible that incorrect handling of the gear unit is avoided. With the innovative method, the driver is prevented from slipping the clutch of the vehicle before a new gear step of the gearbox has been engaged.

A first condition of the clutch may involve that the clutch of a transmission of the vehicle is completely open, and that a power failure of the transmission of the vehicle is present.

A second condition of the coupling may involve that the coupling is not completely open.

An arbitrary gear step can be a preselected gear step.

The method may further comprise the step of indicating to a driver that a gear step other than the neutral gear step of the gearbox is engaged, whereby a driver of the vehicle may be shown the control of the engine and the gearbox of the vehicle. By using display means to provide a receipt to the driver that a gear stage other than the neutral gear stage of the gearbox is engaged, it is possible to avoid using an expensive gear lever with a receipt function. The method according to one aspect of the invention can thus provide a cost-effective solution to the problem of improving the driveability of a motor vehicle.

The procedure is easy to implement in existing motor vehicles. Software for automatically deactivating and activating actuators during a shifting procedure, such as e.g. accelerator pedal and clutch pedal, on the basis of action performed by the driver, can according to the invention be installed in a control unit of the vehicle during manufacture thereof. A buyer of the vehicle can thus be given the opportunity to choose the function of the procedure as an option. Alternatively, software including program code for performing the innovative method of improving the drivability of a motor vehicle may be installed in a control unit of the vehicle when upgrading at a service station. In this case, the software can be loaded into a memory in the control unit. Implementation of the innovative procedure is thus cost-effective according to several aspects, especially since no additional knobs, buttons or electronic need to be installed in Today presentation means can be used to provide a receipt function according to one aspect of the invention. Required hardware, such as e.g. a control unit of the vehicle, is today already pre-arranged in the vehicle.

The invention thus provides a cost-effective solution to the problem of improving the drivability of a motor vehicle. components the vehicle. already useful Software that includes program code to improve driveability according to the invention can be easily updated or replaced. Furthermore, different parts of the software that include program code to improve the driveability of the motor vehicle can be replaced independently of each other. configuration is advantageous from a maintenance perspective.

This modular object is also achieved with a device for improving the drivability of a motor vehicle, said device comprising the features of claim 6. Advantageous embodiments are set out in the dependent claims 7-9.

With the innovative device, a driver can be allowed to have full control of the engine and gearbox of the vehicle, provided that the driver releases the clutch pedal after a new gear step has entered. When the driver begins to release the clutch pedal, a change from a first condition open position) to a second state (not completely open position) of the coupling is detected. A receipt that a new gear step has been entered can be provided by means of presentation means.

In the event that the driver of the vehicle during a shifting process releases the clutch prematurely, ie before a new shifting step has taken place, a control unit of the vehicle is arranged to take control of the shifting procedure and ensure that the shifting is carried out without damaging a gearbox of the vehicle.

The control unit is also arranged to hand over the control of the engine and gearbox to the driver in a predetermined manner after correctly performing a pre-selected gear step. Preferably, the control is handed over to the driver in a controlled manner with a ramping of a prevailing engine torque to an engine torque requested by the driver.

These objects are also achieved with a motor vehicle comprising the features of claim 10. The motor vehicle may be a truck, bus or passenger car.

These objects are also achieved with a computer program for improving the driveability of a motor vehicle, said computer program comprising program code stored on a computer readable medium for causing an electronic control unit or another computer connected to the electronic control unit to perform the steps according to what as set out in claims 1-5. These objects are also achieved with a computer program product comprising a program code stored on a computer readable medium for performing the method steps of claims 1-5.

Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following details, as well as through the practice of the invention. While the invention is described below, it should be apparent that the invention is not limited to the specific details described.

Those skilled in the art having access to the teachings herein will recognize additional applications, modifications, and incorporations in other fields, which are within the scope of the invention. SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a more complete understanding of the present invention and further objects and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following detailed description which is to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings where like reference numerals refer to like parts in the various figures, and in which: 1 schematically illustrates a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 schematically illustrates a subsystem of the vehicle shown in Figure 1, according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 schematically illustrates a diagram in which it appears how different parameters of the motor vehicle depend on time, according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 4a schematically illustrates a fate diagram of a method for improving the drivability of a motor vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention; 10 15 20 25 30 533 65? Figure 4b schematically illustrates a fate diagram of a method for improving the drivability of a motor vehicle in further detail, according to an embodiment of the invention; and Figure 5 schematically illustrates a computer, according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Referring to Figure 1, a side view of a vehicle 100 is shown. The exemplary vehicle 100 consists of a tractor 110 and a trailer 112.

The vehicle can be a heavy vehicle, such as a truck or a bus. The vehicle can alternatively be a car. Vehicle 100 is a motor vehicle with automated transmission.

Here, the term "link" refers to a communication link which may be a physical line, such as an optoelectronic communication line, or a non-physical line, such as a wireless connection, for example a radio or microwave link.

Referring to Figure 2, a subsystem 299 of the vehicle 100 is shown.

The subsystem 299 is arranged in the tractor 110. The subsystem 299 has an engine 230. The engine 230 may be an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine can be a six-cylinder engine. The internal combustion engine may alternatively have four, five, or eight cylinders. The internal combustion engine can be a diesel engine.

The internal combustion engine may alternatively be a petrol, gas or ethanol engine.

The motor 230 has an output shaft 231 which is connected to a clutch 235.

The coupling can e.g. be of a conventional disc type, such as a soap tray coupling. The clutch 235 is also connected to a shaft 236. The shaft 236 is an input shaft of a gearbox 240. The gearbox 240 has an output shaft 243 which is arranged to transmit power from the engine to a number of vehicle wheels 245 in a known manner. The clutch 235 is arranged to be able to break the power transmission in the driveline consisting of the shaft 231, the clutch 235, the shaft 236, the gearbox 240 and the shaft 243. According to one embodiment, a control unit 200 is arranged to control both the clutch 235 and the gearbox 240. The control unit 200 is arranged for communication with the coupling 235 via a link 237.

The control unit 200 is arranged for communication with the gearbox 240 via a link 239.

The second control unit 210 is arranged for communication with the control unit 200 via a link 215. The second control unit 210 may be detachably connected to the control unit 200. The second control unit 210 may be a control unit external to the vehicle 100. The second control unit 210 may be arranged to perform the innovative method steps according to the invention. The second controller 210 can be used to upload software to the controller 200, in particular software to perform the innovative process. The second control unit 210 may alternatively be arranged for communication with the control unit 200 via an internal network in the vehicle. The second control unit 210 may be arranged to perform substantially similar functions as the first control unit, e.g. to control the engine 230, clutch 235 and gearbox 240.

According to this embodiment, the control unit 200 is also arranged to control the motor 230 via a link 233.

The control unit 200 is via a link 251 signal connected, or otherwise connected, to the first operating means 250. The operating means 250 are a throttle control, such as e.g. an accelerator pedal for manual actuation of a driver of the motor vehicle 100. The control unit 200 is arranged to control e.g. motor 230 depending on manual actuation of the actuators 250.

The control unit 200 is signal-connected, or otherwise connected, via a link 261, to other actuators 260. The actuators 260 are a switching control, such as e.g. a clutch pedal for manually actuating a driver of the motor vehicle 100. The control unit 200 is arranged to control the clutch 235 in dependence on the manual actuation of the actuators 260.

Of course, separate control units for the engine and the gearbox can be arranged. However, these should in that case be interconnected in order to be able to communicate relevant information between them.

According to one embodiment, the control unit 200 is arranged to control the gearbox 240 via a link 239. For this purpose, the control unit 200 is signal-connected to operating means (not shown) for changing gear stages in the gearbox.

The control unit 200 is signal-connected, or otherwise connected, via a link 271, to other display means 270. The display means 270 may be some type of visual display means, such as e.g. a display screen. According to one embodiment, the display means 270 may be an LED. The display means 270 may be some type of sound generating display means comprising a loudspeaker for generating audio signals, such as e.g. beeps.

The display means 270 are arranged to present in an exchange procedure an acknowledgment that a new exchange step has been entered. The acknowledgment is an indication that the driver can release the clutch pedal 260 to slide the clutch 235 together. The acknowledgment can be provided in any manner. According to one embodiment, the acknowledgment is that information consisting of one or fl your alphanumeric characters is displayed on the display screen. According to one embodiment, the acknowledgment is that information consisting of one or fl your symbols is displayed on the display screens. According to one embodiment, the acknowledgment is that a light beam of any color is emitted from the LED. For example. a color "green" may indicate that a new shift step has been applied and that the driver can then release the clutch pedal in a risk-free manner. According to one example, the acknowledgment is that an arbitrary audio signal is generated and provided by the loudspeaker. The display means 270 may also be constituted by an audiovisual unit which is arranged to be in an arbitrary manner, such as e.g. with combined lights and sound signals, provide an acknowledgment that a new gear step has been added to the transmission of the vehicle, so that a driver becomes aware that the clutch pedal can be released in a risk-free manner.

The display means 270 can be set manually by a driver of the vehicle.

This means that a certain type of desired feedback can be set by the driver of the vehicle. A tailored acknowledgment that a new gear step has been added to the transmission of the vehicle can thus be achieved.

The control unit 200 is signal-connected, or otherwise connected, via a link 281, to a control 280 for selecting gear stages of the gearbox 240.

The control 280 can be a gear lever.

Figure 3 schematically illustrates a diagram in which it is shown how different parameters of the motor vehicle depend on time, according to an embodiment of the invention. The diagram shows a solid graph f which represents a speed of the engine of the vehicle. The diagram also shows a solid graph e representing a position of the clutch 235 of the vehicle. A position of the clutch is associated with a position of the clutch pedal of the vehicle.

Before a time T31, a certain speed of the engine is provided. Before time T31, the clutch is engaged and the driveline of the vehicle transmits a torque generated by the engine.

Below, two different events will be described.

In a first event, the clutch of the driveline is fully opened at time T31. Then a selected gear step is applied at a time T42. After the new gear step has been engaged, the driver can actuate the clutch pedal and the accelerator pedal so that the clutch begins to slip together at a time T43. At a time T34, the coupling is completely interconnected. The driver has completely depressed the clutch pedal for a period of time T31-T43 and the clutch of the vehicle is thus completely open. This first event is represented by the two solid lines e and f.

In the second event, the clutch of the driveline is fully opened at time T31. Then the driver releases the clutch pedal at a time T41, ie before a new gear has been engaged, and the gearbox has a neutral gear engaged. According to the invention, this is detected and a control unit of the vehicle takes over the control of the gearing process at this time. If the clutch pedal is raised too early and the control unit takes over control of the shifting process, an example is detected that the driver releases before the clutch has been closed. Preferably, the control unit takes over the control of the shifting process when the driver has released the clutch pedal to a predetermined position relative to the fully depressed position of the clutch pedal. Preferably, the predetermined position of the clutch pedal and the fully depressed position of the clutch pedal are close to each other. According to this first event, the driver retains control of the clutch pedal and the accelerator pedal.

According to the second event, the control unit is arranged to take over the control of the shifting procedure as above and put in the new shifting step. When the new gear step is engaged at a time T44, the control of the accelerator pedal can be handed over to the driver again. With regard to the vehicle parameters speed of the engine and position of the clutch, the second event is represented by the dashed graphs f * and e * respectively. According to this second event, the driver does not retain control of the engine and gearbox when it is detected that the driver intends to release the clutch pedal during a shifting process, when a neutral step of the gearbox is engaged, before a selected gear step has been engaged in the gearbox. The control of the accelerator pedal can be handed over to the driver after the new gear stage has been engaged automatically. The handover takes place in a controlled manner.

Figure 4a schematically illustrates a flow chart of a method for improving the drivability of a motor vehicle during a shifting process, where a neutral gear stage of a gearbox of a transmission of the vehicle is present, comprising the step of detecting when a first state of a clutch of the vehicle changes from the first state to a second state.

The method step s401 also comprises the steps of, on the basis of said detection, where applicable, depriving a driver of the vehicle of control of an engine and the gearbox of the vehicle, in order to automatically control the shifting process in such a way that an arbitrary gear step of the gearbox is engaged, and then give a driver control of the engine and gearbox of the vehicle. After step s401, the process is terminated.

Figure 4b schematically illustrates in further detail a flow chart of a method for improving the drivability of a motor vehicle during a shifting process where a neutral gear stage of a gearbox of a transmission of the vehicle is present, according to an embodiment of the invention.

The method includes a first method step s410. Step s410 includes the step of detecting whether a new gear step of the gearbox of the vehicle has been selected. Step s410 includes the step of detecting whether a neutral gear stage of the gearbox has been engaged. Step s410 includes the step of detecting whether a clutch pedal of the vehicle is fully depressed.

If a new gear step of the gearbox of the vehicle has been selected, and a neutral gear step of the gearbox has been engaged, and a clutch pedal of the vehicle is fully depressed, a subsequent procedure step s420 is performed. In method step s420, it is determined whether a driver acts on the clutch pedal in such a way that the clutch can be assumed to be about to be coupled and thereby effect a power transmission of the driveline of the vehicle. If the driver acts on the clutch pedal of the vehicle in such a manner, a subsequent procedure step s430 is performed. If the driver does not actuate the clutch pedal of the vehicle in such a manner, it is expected that the new gear step will be engaged and the procedure completed. According to one embodiment, a signal is sent containing information that a new gear has been engaged. This signal can be used to indicate to the driver that a new gear has been engaged |. In process step s430, an automatic takeover of the control of the engine and gearbox is performed from the driver to the control unit 200. The driver of the vehicle can thus no longer influence the shifting process by using e.g. the clutch pedal and the accelerator pedal. However, the driver can still select a new target gear using the gear lever. After the process step s430, the subsequent process step s440 is performed. In method step s440, a control of a van / number of the motor is performed to reach a certain engagement speed for the clutch. When the switch-on speed of the motor has been reached, the new gear stage is engaged. After the procedure step s440, a subsequent procedure step s450 is performed.

In the process step s450, an automatic transfer of control of the engine and gearbox from the control unit 200 to the driver is performed. The driver of the vehicle can thus again have control of the engine and gearbox to propel the vehicle as desired. After the process step s450, a subsequent process step s460 is performed.

In the step step s460 a signal is sent containing information that a new gear step has been engaged. This signal can be used to indicate to the driver that a new gear step has been engaged. The step step s460 is arbitrary.

According to one example, no receipt is sent to the driver. However, it is understood that the driver must wait a sufficiently long period of time before he e.g. again want to select a new gear step of the gearbox. Then the procedure ends. Referring to Figure 5, there is shown a diagram of an embodiment of a device 500. The controllers 200 and 210 described with reference to Figure 2 may in one embodiment include the device 500. The device 500 includes a non- capable memory 520, a data processing unit 510, and a read / write memory 550. The non-efficient memory 520 has a first memory portion 530 in which a computer program, such as an operating system, is stored to control the operation of the device 200. Further, the device 500 includes a bus controller, a serial communication port, IIO means, an A / D converter, a time and date input and transfer unit, an event counter and an interrupt controller (not shown). The non-usable memory 520 also has a second memory portion 540.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer program P comprising routines for improving the driveability of a motor vehicle during a shifting process where a neutral gear step of a gearbox of a transmission of the vehicle is present. The program P includes routines for, during a shifting procedure, where applicable, depriving a driver of the vehicle of control of the actuators 251 and 261, and automatically controlling the shifting process in such a way that an arbitrary gear step of the gearbox is engaged, restoring a driver control of the actuators 251 and 261 in accordance with the innovative procedure.

The program P may be stored in an executable manner or in a compressed manner in a memory 560 and / or in a read / write memory 550. and thereafter. When it is described that the data processing unit 510 performs a certain function, it should be understood that the data processing unit 510 performs a certain part of the program which is stored in the memory 560, or a certain part of the program which is stored in the read / write memory 550.

The data processing device 510 can communicate with a data port 599 via a data bus 515. The non-usable memory 520 is intended for communication with the data processing unit 510 via a data bus 512. The separate memory 560 is intended to communicate with the data processing unit 510 via a data bus 511. The read / write memory 550 is arranged to communicate with the data processing unit 510 via a data bus 514. To the data port 599, e.g. links 233, 237, 239, 251, 261, 271 and 215 are connected (see Figure 2).

When data is received on the data port 599, it is temporarily stored in the second memory part 540. Once the received input data has been temporarily stored, the data processing unit 510 is ready to perform code execution in a manner described above.

Parts of the methods described herein may be performed by the device 500 by means of the data processing unit 510 running the program stored in the memory 560 or the read / write memory 550. When the device 500 runs the program, the methods described herein are executed.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention has been provided for the purpose of illustrating and describing. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the variations described. Obviously, many modifications and variations will occur to those skilled in the art. The embodiments were selected and described to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and with the various modifications appropriate to the intended use.

Claims (13)

10 15 20 25 30 533 667 16 PATENT REQUIREMENTS A method for improving the drivability of a motor vehicle (100; 110) during a shifting process, wherein a neutral gear stage of a gearbox (240) of a transmission of the vehicle is present, comprising the step of: - then detecting a state of a clutch (235 ) of the vehicle (100; 110) is changed from a first state to a second state, characterized by the steps of: - on the basis of said detection, where applicable, depriving a driver of the vehicle of control of an engine (230) and the gearbox ( 240) of the vehicle (100; 110), to automatically control the shifting process in such a way that a selected arbitrary gear step of the gearbox is engaged, and - then a driver reproduces the control of the engine (230) and the gearbox (240) of the vehicle (100). ; 110). The method of claim 1, wherein the first state of the clutch (235) comprises that the clutch (235) of the transmission of the vehicle (100; 110) is completely open, and that there is a power failure of the transmission of the vehicle therewith. The method of claim 2, wherein the second condition of the clutch (235) comprises that the clutch is not completely open. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the selected arbitrary gear stage is a preselected gear stage. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising the step of: ~ indicating that a gear stage other than the neutral gear stage of the gearbox (240) is engaged, wherein a driver of the vehicle can be shown the control of the engine (230) and the gearbox (240) in the vehicle (100; 110). 10 15 20 25 30 533 B57 17 An apparatus for improving the drivability of a motor vehicle (100; 110) during a shifting process wherein a neutral gear stage of a gearbox (240) of a transmission of the vehicle (100; 110) is present, the apparatus comprising: - means for detecting when a state of the clutch (235) of the vehicle changes from a first state to a second state; characterized by - means for, on the basis of said detection, where applicable, depriving a driver of the vehicle of control of an engine (230) and the gearbox (240) of the vehicle (100; 110), for automatically controlling the shifting process on a such that an arbitrary gear step of the gearbox (240) is engaged; and - means for reproducing to a driver the control of the engine (230) and gearbox (240) of the vehicle (100; 110) after the selected arbitrary gear step has been engaged. The device of claim 6, wherein the first state of the clutch comprises that the clutch (235) of a transmission of the vehicle (100; 110) is completely open, and that a power failure of the transmission of the vehicle is present therewith. The device of claim 7, wherein the second state of the state of the clutch (235) comprises that the clutch (235) is not fully open. Device according to any one of claims 6-8, further comprising: - means for indicating that a gear stage other than the neutral gear stage of the gearbox is engaged, wherein a driver of the vehicle can be shown the control of the engine (230) and the gearbox (240) in the vehicle (100; 110). Motor vehicle (100; 110) comprising a device according to any one of claims 6-9. A motor vehicle (100; 110) according to claim 10, wherein the motor vehicle is something of a truck, bus or passenger car. 10 533 667 18 Computer program (P) for improving the drivability of a motor vehicle, said computer program (P) comprising program code stored on a computer readable medium for causing an electronic control unit (200) or another computer (210) connected to the electronic control unit (200) for performing the steps of any of claims 1-5. A computer program product comprising a program code stored on a computer readable medium for performing the method steps according to any one of claims 1-5, when said computer program is run on an electronic control unit (200) or another computer (210) connected to the electronic the control unit (200).