JP5196161B2 - Inertial force traveling method and inertial force traveling device of vehicle - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an inertial force traveling method and an inertial force traveling device of a vehicle, and more particularly, to detect that an accelerator pedal is not depressed during at least one of cruise traveling and high-speed traveling of the vehicle, and to perform automatic shifting. The shift position of the machine is stably switched from either the D range or OD range to the neutral range, then switched to the super drive range (SD range) by depressing the accelerator pedal, and moved to the neutral range by releasing the accelerator pedal. The inertial force of the vehicle that travels while the neutral range and the SD range are alternately repeated by switching and returning the shift position of the automatic transmission to the original range of either the D range or OD range by depressing the brake pedal. The present invention relates to a traveling method and an inertial force traveling device.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of a vehicle inertial force traveling apparatus according to a conventional embodiment.
8 and 9 are flowcharts for explaining the operation.
As shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9, when the shift position of the automatic transmission 38 is in the D range during at least one of the cruise traveling and the high speed traveling of the vehicle, the automatic shifting is performed by releasing the accelerator pedal. When the shift position of the automatic transmission 38 is in the neutral range and when the shift position of the automatic transmission 38 is in the neutral range, the automatic transmission 38 is operated by at least one of the depression operation of the accelerator pedal 33 and the depression operation of the brake pedal 35. And a D range return step for switching to the D range, and the vehicle travels while alternately repeating the neutral range and the D range.

  In the vehicle inertial force traveling device 31 that realizes the traveling method, an accelerator pedal is provided between the vehicle shift lever 32 and the A / T control cable 39 that transmits the operation of the vehicle shift lever 32 to the automatic transmission 38. The actuator 37 is controlled by releasing the actuator 33 to push / pull the A / T control cable 39, and the operation of the actuator 37 is converted into either the push / pull movement of the A / T control cable 39. The transmission shaft 40 is transmitted to the transmission shaft 40, and the transmission shaft 40 is rotated by one of the transmitted push and pull operations, and the transmission gear (not shown) in the automatic transmission 38 is switched from the D range to the neutral range.

  Further, by providing an actuator 37 for switching the transmission gear in the automatic transmission 38 in both directions between the D range and the neutral range between the shift lever 32 of the vehicle and the A / T control cable 39, the existing A / T By using the T control cable 39, inertial force traveling can be performed with a simple structure.

  In this way, by traveling while alternately repeating the neutral range and the D range, energy saving traveling can be performed as much as the engine brake does not operate, and energy saving traveling is performed by utilizing the inertial force held in the vehicle body. In addition, when deceleration is required during traveling, the brake pedal 35 is depressed, whereby the engine brake is added to the braking force of the brake and a safer deceleration force can be obtained (see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-119618

  However, while driving at least one of cruise driving and high-speed driving of the vehicle, the vehicle is driven by alternately repeating either the D range or the OD range and the neutral range to eliminate the engine brake as much as possible and to further save energy. Therefore, there has been a demand for a safe and stable inertial drive traveling device capable of realizing the above, reducing fuel consumption, and realizing a traveling state suitable for various drivers.

  The present invention was devised to solve the above problems, and the gear ratio is smaller than the gear ratios of the neutral range, the D range, and the OD range during at least one of cruise traveling and high speed traveling of the vehicle. It is an object of the present invention to provide an inertial force traveling method and an inertial force traveling device for a vehicle that can perform further energy-saving traveling while alternately repeating this range (SD range).

In the inertial force traveling method for a vehicle according to the first aspect of the present invention, during traveling at least one of cruise traveling with a vehicle speed of 15 km / h or higher and high-speed traveling with a vehicle speed of 60 km / h or higher, When the shift position of the automatic transmission is either one of the D range and the OD range, in the inertial force traveling method for a vehicle that switches the shift position of the automatic transmission to the neutral range by an accelerator pedal release operation, When the shift position is in the neutral range, the shift position of the automatic transmission is switched from the neutral range to the SD range as a super drive range smaller than the gear ratio of the D range and OD range by depressing the accelerator pedal. When the range switching step and the shift position of the automatic transmission are in the SD range A step of switching to the neutral range by shifting the shift position of the automatic transmission to a neutral range by a release operation of an accelerator pedal, and a brake when the shift position of the automatic transmission is one of the neutral range and the SD range. A D range OD range return step of switching the automatic transmission to either the original range of the D range or the OD range by depressing a pedal;
The vehicle travels while alternately repeating the neutral range and the SD range.

  An inertial force traveling device according to a second aspect of the present invention is a vehicle inertial force traveling device applied to the vehicle inertial force traveling method according to the first aspect, and is at least one of cruise traveling and high-speed traveling of the vehicle. When the shift position of the automatic transmission is either the D range or the OD range during traveling, the inertial force traveling device for a vehicle that switches the shift position of the automatic transmission to the neutral range by releasing the accelerator pedal. The automatic transmission has an SD range as a super drive range having a gear ratio smaller than the gear ratio of the D range and the OD range, and is driven by inertial force of a vehicle that runs while alternately repeating the neutral range and the SD range. The SD range is characterized in that the gear ratio of the automatic transmission is 0.7 to 0.3.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an inertial force traveling apparatus for a vehicle according to the second aspect, wherein a shift lever provided in the vehicle and an A / T for transmitting the operation of the shift lever to the automatic transmission. An actuator provided between the control cable and controlled by a control device to push / pull the A / T control cable, and the operation of the actuator is one of the push / pull actions of the A / T control cable It is converted into one and transmitted to a transmission shaft provided in the automatic transmission, and the transmission shaft in the automatic transmission is switched by rotating the transmission shaft by one of the transmitted push and pull operations. The automatic transmission of any one of the D range and the OD range, the neutral range, and the SD range Wherein the switching between shift positions.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the inertial force traveling device for a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein during the traveling in the SD range, the time during which the brake pedal equipped in the vehicle is continuously depressed is 0 to 0. The automatic transmission maintains the SD range for 1.5 seconds.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the engine brake does not operate and is held in the vehicle body itself by repeatedly driving the neutral range and the D range alternately and further switching between the neutral range and the SD range. Use the inertia force to save energy.
Further, when deceleration is required during traveling, the engine brake is added to the brake deceleration force by stepping on the brake pedal, and a safer deceleration force can be obtained.
That is, during actual travel, there are air resistance, road surface friction resistance, and climbing resistance, and the vehicle gradually decelerates when traveling in the neutral range. For this reason, it has a super drive (SD) range with a very small gear ratio that cannot be used in normal driving. By driving the SD range and neutral range alternately, the inertial force is maintained with very little engine brake operation. Traveling can be continued.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there are air resistance, road surface friction resistance, uphill resistance, and the like during actual traveling, and the vehicle gradually decelerates when traveling in the neutral range. For this reason, it has an SD range with a very small gear ratio that cannot be used in normal driving, and it continues to drive inertially with very little engine brake operation by driving the SD range and neutral range alternately. be able to. By setting the extremely small gear ratio to 0.7 to 0.3, further energy saving traveling can be performed by the amount of engine brake being extremely small.
Further, when deceleration is required during traveling, the engine brake is added to the brake deceleration force by stepping on the brake pedal, and a safer deceleration force can be obtained.
In this way, while making energy-saving travel by utilizing the inertial force held in the vehicle body, ensuring stable travel at low speed operation, grasping the travel state of the vehicle, it is possible to realize a travel state suitable for various drivers, Energy-saving operation was realized by eliminating engine brakes as much as possible while ensuring safe driving during cruise and high-speed driving.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the actuator for switching the transmission gear in the automatic transmission between one of the D range and the OD range, the neutral range, and the SD range is used as the shift lever of the vehicle and the A / T control. By providing between the cable and the existing A / T control cable, the inertial force traveling can be performed with a simple structure.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the brake pedal is depressed during traveling in the SD range, the time during which the brake pedal is depressed is set to 0 to 1.5 seconds. However, without returning to the D range or OD range, the neutral range is maintained depending on the release of the SD range or the accelerator pedal. By doing this, you want to maintain continuous inertial driving so that you may not have to put up with the brakes while you think you may need them, and for the sake of safety, operate the brakes without hesitation. To be able to. In other words, even if the pumping brake for which the stepping time is kept within 1.5 seconds is applied, stable inertial running can be continued with confidence, so that the brake operation can be easily performed. However, when the duration of the brake operation exceeds 1.5 seconds, the SD range is canceled and the original range of either the D range or the OD range is restored.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS An inertial force traveling device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a vehicle inertial force traveling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1A is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the inertial force traveling device, FIG. 1B is a detailed view of part A shown in FIG. 1A, and shows the inertial force traveling device and the shift according to the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the relationship between a lever and an A / T control cable.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b), the vehicle inertial force traveling device 1 includes a shift range 2 shift position D range signal, an accelerator pedal 3 release signal, a speedometer 4 speed signal, a brake pedal. 5, a control device 6 that outputs a signal instructing the inertial force traveling in response to a stepping signal of 5, a link A and a link B that transmit the operation of the shift lever 2, and an actuator 7 connected to the link A and the link B, The rotation operation from the actuator 7 is converted into a push / pull operation through the gear A, gear B, link B, and link A, and the push / pull operation is transmitted to the automatic transmission 8. A control cable 9 is provided.

The shift range of the automatic transmission 8 is transmitted to the shift lever 2 in the vehicle by the A / T control cable 9, the link portion B, and the link portion A, and to which shift range the shift lever 2 is currently switched. Is visible.
An electromagnetic clutch is interposed between the gears A and B and the actuator 7, and when the inertial force traveling is not performed, the motor is disconnected and the input and output are disconnected, Can operate the shift lever 2 without any sense of incongruity.

The automatic transmission 8 is provided with a transmission shaft 10, and the transmission shaft 10 projects outward from the inside of the automatic transmission 8. An arm 11 is provided on the side surface of the end 10 a of the transmission shaft 10.
One end of the A / T control cable 9 is locked to the tip 11 a of the arm 11, and the other end is connected to the link B.
The accelerator pedal 3 is provided with an accelerator pedal detection switch 3a, and the brake pedal 5 is provided with a brake pedal detection switch 5a.
A sensor A including a sensor cam A and a photosensor is provided at the end of the shaft B rotated by the actuator 7. This detection system is provided for fail-safe purposes, is set to match the timing of the shift position of the shift lever 2, and double-checks the shift position.

The actuator 7 is an electric type, and is driven by an electric motor, a magnet switch, or a rotary solenoid. Moreover, a geared motor, a stepping motor, a pulse motor, etc. are applied to the electric motor.
The actuator 7 may be an electric type, a hydraulic type, a pneumatic type, or the like as long as it generates an operation such as a turning operation or a reciprocating operation.

  Further, the automatic transmission 8 includes shift ranges “P”, “R”, “N”, “L”, “2”, “D”, and “OD”, which are usually installed in vehicles that are generally commercially available. In addition, an “SD” range is provided. In the SD range, the gear ratio of the automatic transmission 8 is 0.7 to 0.3. The gear ratio of this SD range is smaller than the gear ratio 0.8 of the normal OD range (overdrive range), and is a driving force that slightly energizes the traveling vehicle, so that the stopped vehicle starts to move. The driving force cannot be demonstrated.

Next, operation of the vehicle inertial force traveling apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.
2 to 4 are diagrams for explaining the shift to the SD range, FIGS. 2 and 3 are block diagrams for explaining the control device, and FIGS. 4 and 5 are flowcharts for explaining the operation.
6 and 7 are diagrams for explaining the return operation to the D range or OD range by the brake operation, FIG. 6 is a block diagram for explaining the control device, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation. .

  Hereinafter, referring to FIGS. 2 to 7, a step of switching the automatic transmission 8 from the D range to the neutral range and a step of switching to the SD range for switching the automatic transmission 8 from the neutral range to the SD range. The automatic transmission 8 will be described step by step from the neutral range or the SD range to the D range.

First, in the step of switching from the D range to the neutral range (N range), the N range shift is executed by outputting an N range shift signal “1”.
As shown in FIG. 2, during traveling in the D range, the control device 6 detects the D range signal “1” of the shift position of the shift lever 2, the release signal “1” of the accelerator pedal 3, and the speed signal of the vehicle speed meter 4. In response to “1”, the release signal “1” of the brake pedal 5 and the signals from the delay circuit A and the delay circuit B, a signal “1” instructing inertial force traveling is output. These signals have a digital value “1”, and the inverted signal has a digital value “0”. If these digital values “1” are not established, the inertial force travel signal (“1”, switching from the D range to the neutral range) is not output. Note that the digital values “1” and “0” of the logic circuit may be set in reverse on and off.
The delay circuit A has a default value of 0 seconds, but in detail includes a time of several milliseconds and can be set to 0 to 10 seconds. The delay circuit B has a default value of 1.5 seconds, but can be set to 0 to 1.5 seconds. The setting range is most preferable for the driving situation, but is not limited to these values, and the setting range may be changed.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3, in the step of switching from the neutral range (N range) to the SD range, the automatic transmission 8 is switched to the SD range. This is executed by outputting the signal “1”. If the accelerator pedal depression signal “0” is output when the inertial force traveling signal outputs the N range “1”, the accelerator pedal depression signal “0” is As a result, the signal level is inverted to become the signal “1”, the SD range shift signal “1” is output, and the automatic transmission 8 is switched from the neutral range (N range) to the SD range. Note that the logic circuit is not limited to this as long as it has a similar function.

  In addition, the vehicle's inertial force traveling device maintains the SD range when the automatic transmission 8 keeps stepping on the brake pedal 5 mounted on the vehicle for 0 to 1.5 seconds while traveling in the SD range. To do.

  As a result, when the brake pedal 5 is depressed while traveling in the SD range, the automatic transmission 8 is set to the D range or OD range for a pumping brake or the like for 0 to 1.5 seconds. Without returning, the neutral range is maintained as soon as the SD range or the accelerator pedal 3 is released. In this way, in order to maintain continuous inertial force driving, do not endure the brake operation while thinking that it may be necessary, and for safety, do not hesitate to brake To be able to. In other words, even if the pumping brake for which the stepping time is kept within 1.5 seconds is applied, stable inertial running can be continued with confidence, so that the brake operation can be easily performed. However, when the brake operation time exceeds 1.5 seconds, the SD range is canceled and the original range of either the D range or the OD range is restored.

With reference to the above block circuit, the operation will be described in detail with reference to a flowchart.
As shown in FIG. 4, in the vehicle inertial force traveling method, during traveling at least one of cruise traveling with a vehicle speed of 15 km / h or higher and high-speed traveling with a vehicle speed of 60 km / h or higher ( In the case of Yes in step S1), when the shift position of the automatic transmission 8 is either the D range or the OD range (in the case of Yes in step S2), the release operation of the accelerator pedal 3 and the brake pedal 5 is performed (step S3). In the case of Yes and in the case of Yes in Step S4), the neutral range shifting actuator 7 is driven (Step S5), the wire of the A / T control cable 9 is slid (Step S6), and the automatic transmission 8 The transmission shaft 10 rotates (step S7), and the shift position of the automatic transmission 8 is switched to the neutral range. Step S8).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 5, when the shift position of the automatic transmission 8 is traveling with the inertial force in the neutral range (Yes in step S11), the accelerator pedal 3 is depressed (in the case of Yes in step S12). The SD range transition actuator 7 is driven (step S13), whereby the wire of the A / T control cable 9 is slid (step S14), and the transmission shaft 10 of the automatic transmission 8 is rotated (step S15). ) The shift position of the automatic transmission 8 is switched from the neutral range to the SD range as a super drive range smaller than the gear ratio of the D range and the OD range (step S16: SD range switching step).

In this way, the neutral range and the D range are alternately repeated, and the SD range with an extremely small gear ratio that cannot be used in normal driving is provided. By traveling while alternately repeating the SD range and the neutral range, The engine brake operation is extremely small and the inertial running can be continued. In addition, by setting this extremely small gear ratio to 0.7 to 0.3, it is possible to perform energy-saving traveling by the amount of engine brake that is extremely small, and it is possible to perform energy-saving traveling by utilizing the inertial force held in the vehicle body. it can.
That is, during actual travel, there are air resistance, road surface friction resistance, and climbing resistance, and the vehicle gradually decelerates when traveling in the neutral range. For this reason, it has an SD range with a very small gear ratio that cannot be used in normal driving. By driving this SD range and neutral range alternately, it is possible to continue inertial driving with very little engine brake operation. it can.
Further, when deceleration is required during traveling (refer to the following description), by depressing the brake pedal, the engine brake is added to the deceleration force of the brake, and a safer deceleration force can be obtained.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, when the shift position of the automatic transmission 8 is in the SD range, or when the shift position of the automatic transmission 8 is switched to the neutral range by the release operation of the accelerator pedal 3, When the shift position of the automatic transmission 8 is either the neutral range or the SD range, the automatic transmission 8 switches to the original range of either the D range or the OD range by depressing the brake pedal 5. Thus, inertial force traveling is canceled.

  In the process of returning the automatic transmission 8 to the neutral range (N range) or the original range of either the D range or the OD range from the SD range, the inertial force travel signal outputs the N range “1”. When the brake pedal depression signal “0” is output, the brake pedal depression signal “0” is output as shown in the area of symbol H in FIG. Switch to the original range of either one of Note that the logic circuit is not limited to this as long as it has a similar function.

With reference to the above block circuit, the operation will be described in detail with reference to a flowchart.
As shown in FIG. 7, in the inertial force traveling method of the vehicle, during inertial force traveling (in the case of Yes in step S21), the depressing operation of the brake pedal 5 (in the case of Yes in step S22) causes the D range or OD range. The transition actuator 7 is driven (step S23), the wire of the A / T control cable 9 is slid (step S24), the transmission shaft 10 of the automatic transmission 8 rotates (step S25), and the automatic transmission. The shift position of 8 is switched to the original range of either the D range or the OD range (step S26).
As described above, when it is necessary to decelerate during traveling, the automatic transmission 8 switches to the original range of either the D range or the OD range by depressing the brake pedal. The engine brake is added to the engine and safer deceleration can be obtained.

  The cruise traveling means that the speed is 15 km / h or more, and the high speed traveling is that the speed is 60 km / h or more, and the inertial force traveling apparatus 1 is controlled. Specifically, the creep phenomenon region of the AT vehicle is less than 8 km / h, the velocity region where the inertial force traveling device does not operate is less than 15 km / h including less than 8 km / h, the cruise traveling is 15 km / h or more and less than 60 km / h, 60 km / H or more is described as high-speed traveling. Note that, depending on road conditions and traveling conditions, 20 km / h or less may be set as a speed region where the inertial force traveling device does not operate.

However, in Japan road conditions, if the speed range of 30 km / h or less is set as the speed range where the inertial force traveling device 1 does not operate, the transition to the neutral range and the return to the D range frequently occur repeatedly. It was found that the inertial force traveling device 1 can travel most comfortably when set to 15 km / h or more. When it is set to 15 km / h or more, there is no shift switching shock, and it is possible to travel extremely smoothly and comfortably, and a 35% improvement in fuel consumption can be seen, and energy-saving traveling can be demonstrated.
In addition, by controlling in this way, it does not shift to inertial driving even if it makes a mistake on a curved steep downhill or on a right or left turn at an intersection, etc., conversely, it is straight and gentle. Such a downhill, flat road, highway, and the like can be grasped so that safe and stable inertial force traveling can be performed.
Moreover, in the case of low speed traveling at a speed of less than 15 km / h, such as by changing the direction at an intersection or the like, the neutral range is restored to the D range to ensure stable traveling.

  The preferred embodiments have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the actuator 7 is not limited to a geared motor, and may be a magnet switch, a rotary actuator directly connected to a transmission shaft, a pulse motor, a stepping motor, a rotary solenoid, a pneumatic cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, or the like. In addition, the A / T control cable 9 may be provided with a control cable.

It is a lineblock diagram showing an outline of an inertial force traveling device for vehicles concerning an embodiment of the present invention. (A) is the schematic explaining the structure of an inertial force traveling apparatus, (b) shows the detail of the A section shown to (a), the inertial force traveling apparatus, shift lever, and A / T control which concern on this invention It is a block diagram which shows the relationship with a cable. It is a figure for demonstrating the transfer to N range, and is a block diagram explaining a control apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating transfer to SD range, and is a block diagram explaining a control apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating transfer to N range, and is a flowchart explaining operation | movement. It is drawing for demonstrating transfer to SD range, and is a flowchart explaining operation | movement. It is drawing for demonstrating the return to D range and OD range by brake operation, and is a block diagram explaining a control apparatus. It is drawing for demonstrating return to D range and OD range by brake operation, and is a flowchart explaining operation | movement. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the inertial force traveling apparatus of the vehicle which concerns on the conventional form. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the inertial force traveling apparatus of the vehicle which concerns on the conventional form. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the inertial force traveling apparatus of the vehicle which concerns on the conventional form.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle inertia force traveling apparatus 2 Shift lever 3 Accelerator pedal 4 Speedometer 5 Brake pedal 6 Control apparatus 7 Actuator 8 Automatic transmission (A / T)
9 A / T control cable 10 Shift shaft 11 Arm

Claims (4)

The shift position of the automatic transmission is either the D range or the OD range during at least one of cruise driving with a vehicle speed of 15 km / h or higher and high speed driving with a vehicle speed of 60 km / h or higher. In one case, in the inertial force traveling method of a vehicle that switches the shift position of the automatic transmission to a neutral range by releasing the accelerator pedal,
When the shift position of the automatic transmission is in the neutral range, the shift position of the automatic transmission is set as a super drive range smaller than the gear ratio of the D range and OD range from the neutral range by depressing the accelerator pedal. SD range switching process for switching to the SD range;
When the shift position of the automatic transmission is in the SD range, a step of switching to the neutral range by switching the shift position of the automatic transmission to the neutral range by releasing the accelerator pedal;
When the shift position of the automatic transmission is either the neutral range or the SD range, the automatic transmission is switched to the original range of either the D range or the OD range by depressing the brake pedal. OD range return process,
An inertial force traveling method for a vehicle, wherein the vehicle travels while alternately repeating the neutral range and the SD range. A vehicle inertial force traveling device applied to the vehicle inertial force traveling method according to claim 1, wherein the shift position of the automatic transmission is D during at least one of cruise traveling and high speed traveling of the vehicle. In the case of either one of the range and the OD range, in the inertial force traveling device for a vehicle that switches the shift position of the automatic transmission to the neutral range by releasing the accelerator pedal, the automatic transmission includes the gears of the D range and the OD range. An inertial force traveling device for a vehicle that has an SD range as a super drive range having a gear ratio smaller than a ratio and travels while alternately repeating the neutral range and the SD range,
In the SD range, the gear ratio of the automatic transmission is 0.7 to 0.3. Provided between a shift lever provided in the vehicle and an A / T control cable for transmitting the operation of the shift lever to the automatic transmission, and controlled by a control device to push the A / T control cable Equipped with an actuator to pull,
The operation of this actuator is converted into either one of the pushing / pulling operations of the A / T control cable and transmitted to the transmission shaft provided in the automatic transmission, and either of the transmitted pushing / pulling operations is transmitted. The transmission shaft is rotated by one to switch the transmission gear in the automatic transmission, and the automatic transmission shifts either the D range or the OD range, the neutral range, and the SD range. The inertial force traveling apparatus for a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the position is switched.   The automatic transmission maintains the SD range for a period of 0 to 1.5 seconds during which the brake pedal equipped in the vehicle is continuously depressed during traveling in the SD range. 2. An inertial force traveling device for a vehicle according to 2.