JP5056185B2 - Vehicle shift guide device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a shift guide device that performs guidance for prompting a shift operation toward an optimum gear position in a vehicle in which a gear position of a transmission is manually selected.

Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle driving state evaluation system that prompts a driver to shift up toward an optimal gear position with good fuel efficiency, and displays an illustration or a message on a display unit as means for prompting an upshift, It is described that a sound and a warning sound are emitted.
JP 2004-060548 A

  By the way, in a system that displays on the display unit to prompt an upshift, the driver may stare at the display unit as a result of trying to perform the upshift at an optimal timing, and there is a possibility that confirmation of the front of the vehicle, etc. will be neglected. is there.

  In addition, when the driver is prompted to upshift by voice or warning sound, it can be heard by passengers other than the driver, which is troublesome for other passengers. There was a problem that hindered conversation.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and it is possible to prompt the driver to perform a shift operation without making the driver's forward confirmation or the like unfamiliar and making the occupant feel uncomfortable. An object is to provide a shift guide device.

For this reason, in the present invention, when the optimum gear position and the actual gear position are different, guidance for prompting a shift operation toward the optimum gear position is given to the driver when the upshift request is made. When the downshift is requested, it is done by giving vibration that displaces the accelerator pedal .

According to the above invention, when the optimum gear position is different from the actual gear position and a shift operation (upshift or downshift) by the driver is required , a vibration stimulus is applied to the sole of the driver, thereby shifting. The driver is made aware that the operation is requested.

  Therefore, since the driver can perceive the optimal timing of the shift operation without moving his / her line of sight, it is possible to prevent the forward confirmation etc. from being obscured, and the shift operation only for the driver who actually performs the shift operation. Since the guidance prompting the user is perceived, other passengers do not feel bothered, and the audio and conversation are not hindered.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a system diagram of a vehicle in which an engine with a manual transmission is mounted in the embodiment.

  The output of the engine (internal combustion engine) 1 mounted on the vehicle is transmitted to drive wheels (not shown) via the clutch 2 and the manual transmission 3.

  The clutch 2 is released / engaged by a driver's clutch pedal operation, and the manual transmission 3 is selected in a gear position (1st to 5th speed, reverse) by the operation of the shift lever 4 by the driver.

  An electronic control throttle device 6 is provided in the intake passage 5 of the engine 1.

  An engine control unit (ECU) 7 incorporating a microcomputer controls the electronic control throttle device 6 to control the intake air amount of the engine 1 and the fuel supply device (not shown) to The fuel supply amount is controlled so as to obtain a desired air-fuel ratio with respect to the air amount.

  Signals from various sensors are input to the engine control unit 7.

  The accelerator pedal sensor 11 outputs a signal corresponding to the accelerator pedal depression amount (stroke amount) APO.

  The crank angle sensor 12 outputs a signal synchronized with the rotation of the crankshaft 8 of the engine 1, and can detect the engine speed NE from this signal.

  The vehicle speed sensor 13 outputs a signal synchronized with the rotation of the output shaft of the transmission 3, and can detect the vehicle speed VSP from this signal.

  The shift position sensor 14 outputs a signal corresponding to the position of the shift lever 4 and can detect the actual gear position (gear stage). Therefore, the shift position sensor 14 corresponds to detection means for detecting the actual gear position.

  In addition, the vehicle according to the present embodiment is provided with a shift guide controller 21 and a vibration device 22 in order to prompt the driver to perform a shift operation to an optimal gear position.

  The shift guide controller 21 receives an accelerator opening signal APO, an engine rotation speed signal NE, a vehicle speed signal VSP, and a shift position signal from the engine control unit 7 and determines whether or not the gear position is appropriate based on these signals. To do.

  Then, if the gear position at that time is not the optimum gear position, the vibration device 22 is actuated in order to prompt the driver to perform a shift operation (shift guide means).

  The vibration device 22 is a device for applying a vibration stimulus to the driver who is driving, and allows the driver to recognize in advance that the shift operation to the optimum shift position is guided by the vibration stimulus.

  Therefore, a driver who feels a vibration stimulus understands that this is a request for up or down shift, and by actually performing an up or down shift operation, for example, selecting a gear position with excellent fuel efficiency can You can do it even if you are not a person.

  The vibration device 22 is operated by the driver during driving to give a vibration stimulus to the driver, is in contact with the driver's body in the driving posture, and is further carried by the driver during driving. Etc.

  There are accelerator pedals, handles, shift levers, etc. that the driver operates while driving, and there are driver's seat, driver's seat belt, etc. that touch the driver's body in the driving posture As a thing carried by the driver, there is a remote control key of the vehicle.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of a vibration device 22 that vibrates the accelerator pedal.

  In FIG. 2, an accelerator pedal 52 is provided on a rotating shaft 53, swings about the rotating shaft 53 as a fulcrum, and has a return spring 54 fixed at one end to the vehicle body 51 and fixed at the other end to the rotating shaft 53. A reaction force is given.

  The accelerator pedal sensor 11 for detecting the accelerator pedal stroke APS is provided near the other end of the rotating shaft 53 while one end of the rotating shaft 53 is rotatably supported on the vehicle body 51 via a bearing 55.

  Further, in order to make the pedaling force of the accelerator pedal 52 variable, friction members 57 a and 57 b that apply a frictional force to the rotation of the rotating shaft 53 are provided.

  The friction member 57a is mechanically coupled to the other end of the rotary shaft 53, and the friction member 57b is disposed to face the friction member 57a, and the shaft is fixed to the fixed shaft 58 by a spline or the like. The direction is movable and the rotation is restricted, and the fixed shaft 58 is supported by the vehicle body 51 and mechanically coupled to the vehicle body 51 side.

  Further, an actuator (for example, an electromagnetic solenoid) 59 is provided on the vehicle body 51, and the friction member 57a and the friction member 57b are changed by changing the axial movement amount (operation amount) of the friction member 57b by the operation of the actuator 59. Therefore, the pedal force of the accelerator pedal 52 can be controlled.

  Here, since the pedaling force can be made variable by controlling the actuator 59, the increase / decrease of the frictional force is transmitted in a short time, so that the vibration is transmitted to the driver's feet as a driver. A vibration stimulus can be applied to the soles of the accelerator pedal 52 that are depressed.

  FIG. 3 shows another example of the vibration device 22 that vibrates the accelerator pedal.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3, a pair of solenoids 61 a and 61 b facing the swinging direction of the pedal arm 52 a with the pedal arm 52 a sandwiched between the pedal arm 52 a and the accelerator pedal 52 are provided.

  The solenoids 61a and 61b cause the plunger to jump out by energizing the coil, and the plunger that protrudes collides with the pedal arm 52a.

  As a result, when the coil of the solenoid 61a is energized, a vibration is generated that returns with a slight displacement in the stepping direction of the accelerator pedal 52. Vibration is generated, and vibration stimulation can be applied to the sole of the driver who is stepping on the accelerator pedal 52.

  Further, when vibrating a handle, a shift lever, a driver's seat, a driver's seat belt, a vehicle remote control key, etc., a vibrating body is incorporated in these, and a wired or wireless instruction from the shift guide controller 21 is provided. Therefore, the vibrating body is vibrated.

  The steering wheel and shift lever are the parts that the driver operates by hand during driving. By vibrating the built-in vibrating body, the driver's hand can be given vibration stimulation. The seat and the driver's seat belt are the parts that come into contact with the driver's upper body and buttocks while driving. By vibrating the built-in vibrating body, the driver's upper body and buttocks can be vibrated. Can do.

  Further, in a vehicle in which a remote control key system is adopted, that is, a vehicle in which engine start permission or door unlocking / locking is performed based on an ID signal transmitted from a portable remote control, the driver uses the remote control key. If the vibrator is built in this remote control key and the vibrator is vibrated by a wireless instruction from the shift guide controller 21, for example, it can be put in the pocket of the driver's clothes. The driver can be given a vibration stimulus by vibrating the remote control key.

  Next, details of the guidance that prompts the shift operation toward the optimum gear position, which is performed by the shift guide controller 21 controlling the vibration device 22, will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S101, the vehicle speed VSP, accelerator opening APO, engine speed NE, gear position, etc. are read.

  In the next step S102, the optimum gear position is calculated from the information indicating the driving state of the vehicle read in step S101 (calculation means).

  Specifically, first, the engine shaft torque is obtained from the accelerator opening APO (throttle opening) and the engine rotational speed NE at that time, and further the fuel consumption rate [g / g is calculated from the engine shaft torque and the engine rotational speed NE. (kW · h)].

  On the other hand, the engine speed NE after the shift when assuming upshift or downshift is predicted as a constant vehicle speed VSP, and the fuel consumption rate at each gear position when upshift or downshift [g / (kW · h)].

  Then, the fuel efficiency [g / (kW · h)] at each gear position is relatively compared, and the gear position indicating the smallest fuel efficiency [g / (kW · h)] is determined as the optimum gear position.

  However, the calculation method of the optimum gear position is not limited to the above method, and all known calculation methods of the optimum gear position can be adopted.

  When the optimum gear position is calculated in step S102, in step S103, it is determined whether or not the actual gear position at that time coincides with the optimum gear position.

  The actual gear position can be determined from the position of the shift lever 4 detected by the shift position sensor 14 and can also be determined from the gear ratio calculated from the engine speed NE and the vehicle speed VSP.

  If the actual gear position and the optimum gear position match, there is no need for the driver to perform an upshift operation or a downshift operation, and therefore there is no need to guide the shift operation. Terminate.

  On the other hand, if the actual gear position is different from the optimum gear position, an upshift operation or a downshift operation is performed in order to cause the driver to perform an upshift operation or a downshift operation to shift to the optimum gear position. As described later, guidance for prompting a shift operation toward the optimum gear position is performed by giving a vibration stimulus to the driver.

  If the actual gear position and the optimum gear position are different, the process proceeds to step S104, and it is determined whether or not the optimum gear position is on the higher speed side (upshift side) with respect to the current gear position.

  If the optimum gear position is on the higher speed side (upshift side) with respect to the current gear position, the process proceeds to step S105 to determine whether or not the difference between the current gear position and the optimum gear position is one step. .

  If the difference between the current gear position and the optimum gear position is one step, the gear shifts to the optimum gear position by upshifting by one step. Guidance for urging is performed by applying a vibration stimulus to the driver by operating the vibration device 22.

  On the other hand, if the difference between the current gear position and the optimum gear position is not one stage, it is necessary to perform an upshift from the current gear position to a gear position on the high speed side (upshift side) of two or more stages. Then, the process proceeds to step S107, and guidance for urging upshifts of two or more stages is performed by applying vibration stimulation to the driver by operating the vibration device 22.

  For example, if the current gear position is 3rd speed and the optimal gear position is 4th speed, it is determined in step S105 that the difference between the current gear position and the optimal gear position is one step, and the process proceeds to step S106. For example, if the current gear position is 3rd speed and the optimal gear position is 5th speed, it is determined in step S105 that the difference between the current gear position and the optimal gear position is not one step, and the process proceeds to step S107. Will go on.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S104 that the optimum gear position is not on the higher speed side (upshift side) with respect to the current gear position, the driver is downshifted to obtain the optimum gear position. It is determined that it needs to be performed, and the process proceeds to step S108.

  In step S108, it is determined whether or not the difference between the current gear position and the optimum gear position is one step. If the difference between the current gear position and the optimum gear position is one step, the gear is downshifted by one step. As a result, the gear position is shifted to the optimum gear position, so that the process proceeds to step S109, and guidance for prompting a one-step downshift is performed by applying a vibration stimulus to the driver by operating the vibration device 22. .

  On the other hand, if the difference between the current gear position and the optimum gear position is not one stage, it is necessary to downshift from the current gear position to a gear position on the low speed side (downshift side) of two or more stages. From step S110, guidance for urging two or more steps of downshifting is performed by applying vibration stimulation to the driver by operating the vibration device 22.

  For example, if the current gear position is 4th speed and the optimum gear position is 3rd speed, it is determined in step S108 that the difference between the current gear position and the optimum gear position is one step, and the process proceeds to step S109. For example, if the current gear position is 5th and the optimum gear position is 3rd, it is determined in step S105 that the difference between the current gear position and the optimum gear position is not one step, and the process proceeds to step S110. Will go on.

  Here, details of guidance for prompting an up- or down-shift in steps S106 and 107 and steps S109 and 110 will be described with reference to FIG.

  Here, it is assumed that guidance for urging upshift and downshift is performed using the vibration device 22 that vibrates the accelerator pedal 52 shown in FIG. 2 or FIG.

  In the example shown in FIG. 5, whether the shift is only one stage or two or more stages is discriminated by the number of times of vibration per one time, specifically, 0.1 sec at 10 sec intervals. When the vibration is applied once, it is a time when a shift of one stage is requested, and when a vibration of 0.1 sec is applied twice at an interval of 10 seconds, it is recognized that a shift request of two stages or more is requested.

  In the example shown in FIG. 5, the vibration interval when the vibration of 0.1 sec is applied twice is set to 0.5 sec.

  In the pattern (1), the distinction between the upshift and the downshift is vibration that is displaced in the depression direction (opening direction) of the accelerator pedal 52, or vibration that is displaced in the return direction (closing direction) of the accelerator pedal 52. Depending on what it is.

  Specifically, when the acceleration pedal 52 is a vibration displaced in the stepping-in direction (opening direction) from the fixed position at that time, it is determined that a downshift request is made, and conversely, the accelerator pedal 52 is fixed at that time. When the vibration is displaced in the return direction (closed direction) from the position, it is determined that the request is an upshift.

  In other words, the driver knows that the current gear position is not the optimum gear position and there is a request to perform a shift operation by sensing the vibration stimulus from the accelerator pedal 52, and the accelerator pedal 52 further depresses the depression direction ( It is determined whether to downshift or upshift, depending on whether the vibration is displaced in the opening direction), or conversely, whether the accelerator pedal 52 is displaced in the returning direction (closing direction). Whether the number of vibrations per hit is one or two is determined as to whether the shift is one step or two steps.

  The vibration in which the accelerator pedal 52 is displaced in the depression direction (opening direction) (vibration that feels the accelerator pedal being pulled) can be realized by momentarily weakening the depression force of the accelerator pedal 52 in the device shown in FIG. The apparatus shown in FIG. 3 can be realized by energizing the coil of the solenoid 61a.

  Further, the vibration that the accelerator pedal 52 displaces in the return direction (closing direction) (vibration that makes the accelerator pedal feel back) is generated by momentarily increasing the pedal force of the accelerator pedal 52 in the device shown in FIG. This can be realized by energizing the coil of the solenoid 61b in the apparatus shown in FIG.

  It is difficult for the driver to distinguish whether the acceleration pedal 52 is a vibration displaced in the depression direction (opening direction) or, conversely, whether the acceleration pedal 52 is a vibration displaced in the return direction (closing direction). In this case, as shown in the pattern (2), when a downshift is requested, regardless of the number of stages to be shifted, a vibration pattern in which vibration of 0.1 sec is applied twice and the vibration interval is shorter in the upshift time ( For example, it can be set to 0.2 sec), and an upshift request and a downshift request can be distinguished by a difference in vibration interval.

  The vibration pattern shown in FIG. 5 is not limited to the case where the accelerator pedal 52 is vibrated. The vibration device 22 vibrates a handle, a shift lever, a seat, a seat belt, a remote control key, etc. other than the accelerator pedal 52. It is also applicable to the case where

  However, since it is generally estimated that it is difficult to distinguish the direction of vibration with a handle, shift lever, seat, seat belt, remote control key, etc., it is preferable to vibrate with pattern (2).

  Also, in the example shown in FIG. 5, it is possible to distinguish whether it is one stage up or two stages or more up, but without giving information on the number of stages to the driver, an upshift request and a downshift request Can be distinguished by the vibration pattern. In this case, an upshift request and a downshift request can be made depending on the difference in vibration direction, difference in vibration interval, difference in the number of vibrations, etc. Can be distinguished from each other.

  Furthermore, the distinction between the upshift request and the downshift request is not made at all, and the current gear position is different from the optimum gear position without any distinction between the shift of one stage and the shift of two or more stages. Guidance can be provided by giving a vibration stimulus to the driver, and further, for example, only an upshift request can be guided by the vibration stimulus.

  Further, in the example shown in FIG. 5, the vibration stimulus is given to the driver at regular intervals, but the vibration stimulus is continuously given, and the frequency and intensity thereof are used to distinguish between the upshift request and the downshift request, and / Or can distinguish between a one-stage shift and a two-stage shift or more, and further distinguish between an upshift request and a downshift request by the intensity of a vibration stimulus given at regular intervals, and / or Alternatively, it is possible to determine whether the shift is one stage or two or more stages.

  In addition, when a vibrating body is built in a driver's seat or seat belt and the vibrating body is vibrated when a shift is requested, the vibration depends on which of a plurality of vibrating bodies built in a plurality of locations is vibrated. It is possible to switch a driver's site to which a stimulus is applied, to distinguish between an upshift request and a downshift request, and / or to distinguish between a one-stage shift or a two-stage shift or more.

  For example, two vibrating bodies are built in the left-right direction of the seat, and when the right side vibrates, it can be distinguished when an upshift is requested, and when the left side vibrates, it can be distinguished that a downshift is requested. If it is this sheet | seat, the place etc. which give a vibration stimulus can be changed using the massage function.

  Further, a plurality of the accelerator pedal 52, the steering wheel, the shift lever, the seat, the seat belt, and the remote control key are set to be able to vibrate, and depending on which is vibrated, the upshift request and the downshift request are distinguished, and / or Alternatively, it can be distinguished whether the shift is one stage or two or more stages.

  However, if a complex combination is used to distinguish between an upshift request and a downshift request and / or whether the shift is a one-stage shift or a two-stage shift or more, the driver's familiarity is required. Therefore, it is preferable to make it possible to distinguish shift requests with the simplest possible pattern.

  If the shift guidance to the optimal gear position is performed by giving vibration stimulation to the driver as in the above-described embodiment, the optimal gear position can be obtained without obstructing the driver's forward confirmation. You can drive in.

  For example, when the shift guide to the optimal gear position is displayed, and the driver tries to perform a shift operation faithfully with respect to the guide of the optimal gear position, the driver stares at the display of the shift guide. However, if it is a vibration stimulus, it is possible to recognize that it is in a shift request state without restricting the driver's line of sight, and other cases such as when performing shift guidance with sound. Passengers will not feel annoyed, nor will they interfere with audio and conversation.

  However, it does not exclude that the shift guidance by sound or display is performed simultaneously with the shift guidance by applying the vibration stimulus, and the shift guidance by sound and / or display can be performed together with the vibration stimulus.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 1, the vibration guide 22 is controlled by a shift guide controller 21, and a speaker 25 (auxiliary shift guide means) for generating a warning sound of the shift guide or the like, or a shift guide figure (such as an arrow). ), Characters, etc., are controlled by the shift guide controller 21.

  Further, when the speaker 25 and the display device 26 are provided in addition to the vibration device 22, the driver can arbitrarily select one to be used for shift guidance from sound / display in addition to the vibration stimulus. In addition, it is possible to allow the driver to select execution / stop of the shift guidance itself.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 1, a selection switch 27 (auxiliary shift guide selection means) for selecting execution / stop of the shift guide itself and selecting a medium used for the shift guide is provided. When the execution / stop is selected and shift guidance is performed, it is possible to arbitrarily select whether to select only the vibration stimulus or use sound and / or display together with the vibration stimulus.

  Furthermore, the vibration / sound / display pattern and the vibration / sound intensity can be arbitrarily selected by the driver by the selection switch 27 (vibration selection means).

  Although the above embodiment shows the case of the manual transmission, the shift guide can be performed by vibration stimulation in the manual mode in the automatic transmission with the manual mode.

  In addition, as a medium for giving a vibration stimulus to the driver, in addition to equipment such as an accelerator pedal 52, a steering wheel, a shift lever, a seat, a seat belt, a remote control key, etc. that are provided in the vehicle, a dedicated shift guide is also available. The vibration member may be provided so that the driver can wear or carry it while driving.

  Furthermore, when the driver does not perform the shift operation corresponding to the shift guidance and the state where the actual gear position and the optimum gear position are different from each other for a predetermined time or longer, the vibration stimulation pattern is changed from the middle or a warning is given. Sound can be generated.

  In addition, the optimum gear position is not limited to the gear position with the smallest fuel consumption rate. For example, the gear position on the higher speed side among the gear positions that can ensure a predetermined or more marginal torque is set as the optimum gear position. Etc. are included.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the shift guide apparatus of the vehicle in embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the apparatus which vibrates by changing the depression force of an accelerator pedal in embodiment. The figure which shows the apparatus which vibrates by giving an impact to the arm of an accelerator pedal in embodiment. The flowchart which shows the shift guidance control in embodiment. The figure which shows the vibration pattern in the shift guidance in embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Engine, 2 ... Clutch, 3 ... Manual transmission, 4 ... Shift lever, 11 ... Accelerator pedal sensor, 12 ... Crank angle sensor, 13 ... Vehicle speed sensor, 14 ... Shift position sensor, 21 ... Shift guide controller, 22 ... Vibrating device, 25 ... speaker, 26 ... display device, 27 ... selection switch, 52 ... accelerator pedal, 57a, 57b ... friction member, 59 ... actuator, 61a, 61b ... solenoid

Claims (5)

In vehicles where the gear position of the transmission is manually selected,
Calculating means for calculating the optimum gear position based on the driving state of the vehicle;
Detection means for detecting the actual gear position;
Shift guidance means for performing a guidance for prompting a shift operation toward the optimum gear position by giving a vibration stimulus to the driver when the optimum gear position and the actual gear position are different;
Comprising
The shift guide device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the shift guide means applies a vibration that displaces the accelerator pedal in a return direction when an upshift is requested, and a vibration that displaces the accelerator pedal in a depression direction when a downshift is requested . 2. The vehicle shift according to claim 1, wherein the shift guide means changes the number of vibrations applied to the accelerator pedal in accordance with a shift step number for making the actual gear position coincide with the optimum gear position. Guide device. The vehicle shift according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising auxiliary shift guide means for performing guidance for prompting a shift operation toward the optimum gear position by sound and / or display together with the shift guide means. Guide device. Auxiliary shift guide selection means for arbitrarily selecting at least one used for the guidance from the operation / non-operation of the auxiliary shift guide means and / or sound / display,
The auxiliary shift guide means operates according to the selection by the auxiliary shift guide selection means, and / or performs guidance for prompting the shift operation toward the optimum gear position by the selected sound and / or display. 4. The vehicle shift guide device according to claim 3, wherein Vibration selection means for arbitrarily selecting the intensity and / or vibration pattern of vibration in the shift guide means;
The shift guide means, any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for vibrating stimulation to the driver in accordance with the strength and / or vibration pattern of vibration is selected by the vibrating selection means The vehicle shift guide apparatus described.

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