JP3555422B2 - Vehicle running mode control device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a traveling mode control device for a vehicle, and more particularly, to a traveling mode control device for a vehicle that can provide optimal drivability according to a traveling region.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, vehicles have been required to have driving characteristics such as riding comfort, steering stability, economy, and the like in accordance with a traveling region.
For this reason, in a conventional vehicle, a plurality of driving control modes corresponding to the drivability are prepared for devices such as a transmission and an electronically controlled suspension, and these driving control modes are switched by operating a switch to change the driving region to a driving area. It was designed to obtain appropriate drivability.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when the driving control mode is configured to be switched by a switch operation, optimal control for the driving area cannot be performed unless the driver actively performs the switch operation.
For this reason, there is a problem that some drivers cannot switch the traveling control mode optimum for the traveling area, and can only travel in an inappropriate mode or in a normal mode.
[0004]
The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle traveling mode control device that can switch to a traveling control mode according to a traveling region of a vehicle.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention according to claim 1, a current position detecting means for detecting a current position of a vehicle, a map information storing means for storing at least position information of an intersection on a road, and the map information storing means An intersection density calculation unit that reads an intersection around the current position detected by the current position detection unit from the above, calculates an intersection density based on the number of the read intersections, and calculates the calculated intersection density and a predetermined reference value. In comparison, the traveling area determining means for determining whether the area where the vehicle is traveling is an urban area or a suburban area, and if the determination result of the traveling area determining means is an urban area, the engine speed is changed. And set the transmission to be transmitted to the wheels to a low speed mode in which the transmission is shifted up late and shifted down slowly. Tio down early upshift, the gist that includes a traveling mode control means for setting the economy mode, the to late downshift.
[0006]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a current position detecting means for detecting a current position of a vehicle, and a map information storing means for storing at least position information of an intersection on a road and elevation value information on a road. When read intersection near the current position detected by said present position detecting means from the map information storage means, and crossing density calculating means for calculating an intersection density based on the number of intersections thus read out, from said map information storage means A road gradient calculating unit that reads an altitude value around the current position detected by the current position detecting unit and calculates a road gradient based on the read altitude value, and compares the calculated intersection density with a predetermined reference value. as well as, by comparing with a predetermined reference value road gradient the calculated, area in which the vehicle is traveling urban, suburban, at any mountain roads And determining travel region judging means Luke, the judgment result of the travel region judging means, in the case of urban shift up late transmissions for transmitting to the wheels by shifting the rotational speed of the engine, late Set to low speed mode to shift down, set the transmission to economy mode to shift up early and shift down to slow down when in suburban area, slow down to transmission when mountain road upshift, a traveling mode control means for setting the power mode to early downshift, and summarized in that with a to.
[0007]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, at least the position information of the intersection on the road is stored, the intersection around the current position is read, and the intersection density is calculated based on the number of the read intersections. Next, the travel density of the vehicle is determined by comparing the calculated intersection density with a predetermined reference value, and based on the determination result, the rotation speed of the engine is shifted so as to be in a mode corresponding to the travel location. By setting the shift mode of the transmission to be transmitted to the wheels, the shift characteristics of the transmission according to the traveling area of the vehicle can be obtained. As a result, it is possible to contribute to the optimum driving performance according to the traveling area and the improvement of the fuel efficiency.
[0008]
According to the present invention, at least the position information of the intersection on the road and the elevation value information on the road are stored, the intersection around the current position is read, and based on the number of the read intersections. To calculate the intersection density. Next, an altitude value around the current position is read, and a road gradient is calculated based on the read altitude value. Next, the calculated intersection density is compared with a predetermined reference value, and the calculated road gradient is compared with the predetermined reference value to determine the travel area of the vehicle. By setting the transmission shift mode in which the rotation speed of the engine is shifted and transmitted to the wheels so as to be a mode corresponding to the region, it is possible to obtain the shift characteristics of the transmission according to the traveling region of the vehicle. As a result, it is possible to contribute to the optimum driving performance according to the traveling area and the improvement of the fuel efficiency.
[0009]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a navigation device 1 applicable to a vehicle driving mode control device according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0010]
In FIG. 1, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver 5 measures a current position represented by latitude and longitude and an azimuth based on a radio wave from a GPS satellite received via an antenna 3. The current position data measured by the GPS receiver 5 is provided to the system control unit 7.
The system control unit 7 has a timer for measuring a time interval, and controls the entire apparatus according to a predetermined control program stored in the ROM unit 9. The ROM unit 9 stores an execution program corresponding to the navigation function, control data, and the like.
[0011]
The vehicle speed sensor 11 detects the traveling speed of the vehicle by generating a pulse signal corresponding to the rotation speed of the transmission by a rotary encoder provided in the transmission. The azimuth angle sensor 13 detects an azimuth angle by incorporating a geomagnetic sensor or a gyroscope.
The CD-ROM drive device 15 has a drive mechanism for driving the CD-ROM, and uses the latitude / longitude stored in the CD-ROM or a format similar thereto (hereinafter, referred to as map coordinates) to set the intersection position and elevation value. It is a device that drives and reads out map data including a. The map data stored in the CD-ROM drive 15 is sent to the system controller 7 using a transmission method such as serial communication or parallel communication.
[0012]
The display control unit 17 exchanges image data between the system control unit 7 and the VRAM unit 19, draws image data, stores the image data in the VRAM unit 19, and stores the image data stored in the VRAM unit 19. The data is read out at the display rate and displayed on the display unit 21. A VRAM (Video Random Access Memory) unit 19 expands and stores map data and guidance data that can be displayed on the display unit 21. The display unit 21 has a liquid crystal display panel or the like, and displays the display data created by the display control unit 17.
[0013]
The screen touch panel unit 23 is a touch panel arranged on the screen of the display unit 21 and is a device for inputting position data when there is a contact in association with a position on the screen. In addition, by displaying operation guide information on the display unit 21 and touching a desired part on the screen touch panel unit 23, for example, departure place data and destination data necessary for route search are input.
The travel control device 25 sets the transmission 27 and the electronic control suspension 29 to a mode corresponding to the travel area determined by the system control unit 7. The transmission 27 is an automatic transmission that changes the speed according to the rotation of the engine and transmits the speed to the wheels. The electronic control suspension 29 is a suspension device that prevents vibrations and impacts received from the road surface via wheels from being directly transmitted to the frame.
[0014]
Here, the basic operation of the navigation device 1 will be described.
The system control unit 7 reads the menu screen data for setting the destination from the ROM unit 9 in advance, stores the menu screen data in the VRAM unit 19 via the display control unit 17, and reads the menu screen data from the VRAM unit 19 via the display control unit 17. It is assumed that the menu screen data is read at the display rate and displayed on the display unit 21. The display unit 21 includes a menu screen as a destination setting switch for setting a destination, a route search switch for starting a route search, and a mode for automatically searching for a route again when the vehicle deviates from the route. , A touch switch image such as a re-search mode switch to be set is displayed.
[0015]
Here, the following description is based on the assumption that the search mode switch on the pop-up menu has been operated by the operator.
First, when the operator touches the destination setting switch displayed on the screen with the fingertip from the screen touch panel section 23, the position data is input to the system control section 7 via the screen touch panel section 23. The system control unit 7 determines that the position data is within the range of the destination setting switch, reads out the destination setting operation screen data for setting the destination from the ROM unit 9, and sets the display control unit 17. The destination setting operation screen data is read out at a display rate from the VRAM unit 19 via the display control unit 17 and displayed on the display unit 21 via the display control unit 17. As described above, the destination data is input to the system control unit 7 while sequentially operating the pop-up menu. Note that the selection method using the pop-up menu is not directly related to the present invention, and thus the description thereof is omitted.
[0016]
Next, the current position data detected by the GPS receiver 5 is taken into the system control unit 7. Next, the destination data designated by the operator via the screen touch panel unit 23 and the current position data detected by the GPS receiver 5 are stored in the CD-ROM based on the well-known Dijkstra method or the like. A search is made for a node or a road link to create route data for a recommended traveling route.
[0017]
Here, the system control unit 7 expands and stores the route data in the VRAM unit 19 via the display control unit 17. Next, map data corresponding to a wide-area map in which all the routes to the created destination can be displayed is read from the CD-ROM via the CD-ROM drive device 15 and is read to the VRAM unit 19 via the display control unit 17. Expand wide area map data. Next, the system control unit 7 superimposes the route data on the map data stored in the VRAM unit 19 via the display control unit 17, reads out the route data at the display rate, and displays the recommended route on the display unit 23. Thus, the display unit 23 displays a wide area map from the current position to the destination.
[0018]
The vehicle is driven while referring to the recommended route displayed in this manner.
Next, the operation of the navigation device 1 applicable to the driving mode control device of the vehicle will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram (a) showing a road gradient θ, a diagram (b) showing an intersection density in a suburban area, and a diagram (c) showing an intersection density in an urban area. FIG. 4 is a table showing transmission and electronic control suspension setting conditions corresponding to each mode.
[0019]
First, the system control section 7 repeatedly executes the control program at predetermined intervals (for example, 10 ms) according to the following control program stored in the ROM section 9.
First, in step S10, the current position data detected by the GPS receiver 5 is taken into the system control unit 7.
Next, in step S20, the system control unit 7 determines, among the map data corresponding to the narrow area map around the current position, a road elevation H1 of a contour line crossing on the recommended route, a next road elevation H2, and the like. The position data (X1, Y1) and (X2, Y2) are read from the CD-ROM via the CD-ROM drive 15. Next, as shown in FIG. 3A, the road gradient θ is calculated.
[0020]
θ = arctan (ΔH / ΔL)
ΔH = H2-H1
ΔL = {(X2-X1) ² + (Y2-Y1) ² } ^1/2
Next, in step S30, it is determined whether or not the road gradient θ is equal to or greater than the reference value θth to determine whether or not the road is a mountain road. If the current road is a mountain road, the process proceeds to step S80, while if the current road is not a mountain road, the process proceeds to step S40.
[0021]
Next, in step S40, since the current road is not a mountain road, the number of intersections within a predetermined radius r centered on the current position is obtained from the map data corresponding to the narrow area map around the current position to obtain the intersection. Calculate the density. In this case, the predetermined radius r is determined as, for example, 100 m.
Next, in step S50, the travel area of the vehicle is determined by comparing the intersection density with a predetermined reference value 50. As shown in FIG. 3B, when the vehicle is traveling in an area where the intersection density is lower than 50, that is, in a suburban area, the process proceeds to step S70. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3C, when the vehicle is traveling in an area having an intersection density of 50 or more, that is, in an urban area, the process proceeds to step S60.
[0022]
Here, in step S60, since the vehicle is traveling in an urban area, the traveling control mode is determined as the low speed mode. On the other hand, in step S70, since the vehicle is traveling in a suburban area, the traveling control mode is determined as the economy mode. In step S80, since the vehicle is traveling on a mountainous road, the traveling control mode is determined as the power mode.
Next, in step S90, the system control unit 7 sets the travel control mode determined in steps S60 to S80 in the travel control device 25, and ends the processing.
[0023]
As a result, when the low-speed mode is set in the travel control device 25, the vehicle is traveling in an urban area, and therefore, as shown in FIG. Set the engine brake weaker. In addition, the shock absorber provided in the electronic control suspension 29 is set to be soft, so that the driving performance that emphasizes riding comfort can be secured.
[0024]
Further, when the economy mode is set in the travel control device 25, the vehicle is traveling in a suburban area, and therefore, as shown in FIG. Set to lockup. In addition, the shock absorber provided on the electronic control suspension 29 is set to be firm, and the caster angle is widened to control in the direction of emphasizing stability, so that drivability with emphasis on stability can be secured.
[0025]
Further, when the power mode is set in the traveling control device 25, the vehicle is traveling on a mountainous road, and therefore, as shown in FIG. Set the brakes stronger. In addition, the shock absorber provided on the electronic control suspension 29 is set firmly, and the caster angle is narrowed to control in the direction in which the turning property is emphasized, so that the driving performance in which the turning property is emphasized can be secured.
[0026]
In this way, at least the position information of the intersection on the road is stored, the intersection around the current position is read, and the intersection density is calculated based on the number of the read intersections. Next, the travel density of the vehicle is determined by comparing the calculated intersection density with a predetermined reference value, and based on the determination result, the travel control mode is switched to a travel control mode corresponding to the travel location. Can be switched to the travel control mode according to As a result, it is possible to contribute to the optimum driving performance according to the traveling area and the improvement of the fuel efficiency.
[0027]
Further, at least the position information of the intersection on the road and the elevation value information on the road are stored, the intersection around the current position is read, and the intersection density is calculated based on the number of the read intersections. Next, an altitude value around the current position is read, and a road gradient is calculated based on the read altitude value. Next, the calculated intersection density is compared with a predetermined reference value, and the calculated road gradient is compared with the predetermined reference value to determine the travel area of the vehicle. By switching to the travel control mode according to the area, it is possible to switch to the travel control mode according to the travel area of the vehicle. As a result, it is possible to contribute to the optimum driving performance according to the traveling area and the improvement of the fuel efficiency.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a navigation device 1 applicable to a vehicle driving mode control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of the navigation device 1 applicable to the traveling mode control device of the vehicle.
3A is a conceptual diagram illustrating a road gradient θ, FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating an intersection density in a suburban area, and FIG. 3C is a diagram illustrating an intersection density in an urban area.
FIG. 4 is a table showing transmission and electronic control suspension setting conditions corresponding to each mode.
[Explanation of symbols]
5 GPS receiver 7 System control unit 15 CD-ROM drive device 25 Travel control device 27 Transmission 29 Electronic control suspension

Claims (2)

Current position detecting means for detecting the current position of the vehicle,
A map information storage means for storing position information of the intersection on at least the road,
Intersection density calculation means for reading an intersection around the current position detected by the current position detection means from the map information storage means, and calculating an intersection density based on the number of read intersections;
A comparison between the calculated intersection density and a predetermined reference value, and a traveling area determination unit that determines whether the area where the vehicle is traveling is an urban area or a suburban area ,
If the result of the determination by the traveling area determination means is an urban area, the transmission for shifting the rotation speed of the engine and transmitting the wheels to the wheels is set to a low speed mode in which the gear is shifted up late and the gear is shifted down slowly. traveling mode control device for a vehicle, characterized in that it comprises, a traveling mode control means for setting the economy mode to the transmission early upshift, the late shift down when a land. Current position detecting means for detecting the current position of the vehicle,
A map information storage means for storing altitude value information on the position information and the road intersection on at least the road,
Intersection density calculation means for reading an intersection around the current position detected by the current position detection means from the map information storage means, and calculating an intersection density based on the number of read intersections;
Road gradient calculating means for reading an altitude value around the current position detected by the current position detecting means from the map information storing means, and calculating a road gradient based on the read altitude value;
While comparing the calculated intersection density with a predetermined reference value, comparing the calculated road gradient with a predetermined reference value, the area where the vehicle is traveling is located in an urban area, a suburban area, or a mountain road. Traveling area determining means for determining which one is
If the result of the determination by the traveling area determination means is an urban area, the transmission for shifting the rotation speed of the engine and transmitting the wheels to the wheels is set to a low speed mode in which the gear is shifted up late and the gear is shifted down slowly. The power is set to an economy mode in which the transmission is shifted up early and the shift down is delayed when the vehicle is on the ground, and the transmission is shifted up and the gear is shifted down early when the road is a mountainous road. traveling mode control device for a vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a traveling mode control means for setting a mode, a.

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