JP7484666B2 - Hybrid vehicle control device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a control device for a hybrid vehicle.

Patent document 1 discloses that when automatic shift control is switched to manual shift control while driving in a motor-operated driving mode, the acceleration response required by the driver is satisfied by starting the engine.

JP 2009-143501 A

However, in the reverse driving range, there are no modes such as automatic or manual shifting, so the driver cannot start the engine by switching the shift control.

Generally, when the vehicle is running on the motor and the vehicle speed or required driving force exceeds a certain value, the engine will start, but the timing is contingent and cannot be determined by the driver himself.

In addition, in reverse driving range, the driver is required to make precise movements to adjust the position of the vehicle, and if the engine starts accidentally in this situation, it may be annoying to the driver.

The present invention aims to provide a control device for a hybrid vehicle that can start the engine at the timing intended by the driver, even when the reverse drive range is selected.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a control device for a hybrid vehicle including an engine, a motor, a shift lever that allows a driver to select one of a plurality of shift positions including a forward driving range and a reverse driving range, and an automatic transmission that changes the speed of the rotation of the engine and transmits it to a drive shaft, the control device comprising: an automatic shift control that switches between an EV driving mode in which the vehicle is driven only by the motor as a driving source, and an HEV driving mode in which the vehicle is driven by the engine and the motor as driving sources, and that automatically switches the gear stages of the automatic transmission according to the shift position selected by the shift lever; and a manual shift control that switches the gear stages of the automatic transmission according to an instruction from the driver; and a paddle switch that allows a driver to select between the manual shift control and the automatic shift control . When the paddle switch is operated while the forward driving range is selected by the shift lever and the mode is the EV driving mode, the control unit switches from the automatic shift control to the manual shift control and switches from the EV driving mode to the HEV driving mode, and when the paddle switch is operated while the reverse driving range is selected by the shift lever and the mode is the EV driving mode, the control unit switches from the EV driving mode to the HEV driving mode while maintaining the automatic shift control .

In this way, according to the present invention, even when the reverse driving range is selected, the engine can be started at the timing intended by the driver.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a hybrid vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing a procedure of a driving mode switching process using a paddle switch in the control device for a hybrid vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a time chart showing a change in the driving mode when the paddle switch is operated while the R range is selected by the driving mode switching process using the paddle switch of the control device for a hybrid vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a time chart showing a change in the driving mode when the paddle switch is operated while the D range is selected by the driving mode switching process using the paddle switch of the control device for a hybrid vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The control device for a hybrid vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention is a control device for a hybrid vehicle that includes an engine, a motor, a shift lever that allows the driver to select one of a number of shift positions including a forward driving range and a reverse driving range, and an automatic transmission that changes the speed of the engine rotation and transmits it to the drive shaft. The control device is configured to switch between an EV driving mode in which the vehicle is driven only by the motor and an HEV driving mode in which the vehicle is driven by the engine and the motor, and to switch between an automatic shift control that automatically switches the gear position of the automatic transmission according to the shift position selected by the shift lever and a manual shift control that switches the gear position of the automatic transmission according to an instruction from the driver, and a shift control switching unit that allows the driver to select between the manual shift control and the automatic shift control. The control unit is configured to switch from the EV driving mode to the HEV driving mode when the shift control switching unit is operated while the reverse driving range is selected by the shift lever and the vehicle is in the EV driving mode.

As a result, the control device for a hybrid vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention can start the engine at the timing intended by the driver, even when the reverse drive range is selected.

Below, a hybrid vehicle equipped with a control device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, a hybrid vehicle 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an engine 2 as an internal combustion engine, a transmission 3 as an automatic transmission, a motor 4, an inverter 5, a high-voltage battery 6, an ECM (Engine Control Module) 7 that controls the engine 2, a TCM (Transmission Control Module) 8 as a control unit that controls the transmission 3, and an ICM (Inverter Control Module) 9 that controls the inverter 5.

The engine 2 has multiple cylinders. In this embodiment, the engine 2 is configured to perform a series of four strokes for each cylinder, consisting of an intake stroke, a compression stroke, an expansion stroke, and an exhaust stroke.

An ISG (Integrated Starter Generator) 20 is connected to the engine 2. The ISG 20 is connected to the crankshaft 22 of the engine 2 via a belt 21 or the like. The ISG 20 functions as an electric motor that rotates when supplied with electric power to drive the engine 2, and as a generator that converts the rotational force input from the crankshaft 22 into electric power.

In this embodiment, the ISG 20 functions as an electric motor under the control of the ECM 7 to start the engine 2. The ISG 20 can also assist the running of the hybrid vehicle 1 by functioning as an electric motor.

The transmission 3 changes the speed of the rotation output from the engine 2 and drives the drive wheels 10 via the drive shaft 32. The transmission 3 includes a constant mesh type speed change mechanism (not shown) made of a parallel shaft gear mechanism, and an actuator (not shown).

A clutch 31 consisting of a normally closed type dry clutch is provided between the engine 2 and the transmission 3, and the clutch 31 connects and disconnects the power transmission between the engine 2 and the transmission 3.

The transmission 3 is configured as a so-called AMT (Automated Manual Transmission), and the actuator controlled by the TCM 8 switches the gears in the transmission mechanism and engages and disengages the clutch 31.

A differential mechanism 33 is provided between the transmission 3 and the drive shaft 32. The differential mechanism 33 transmits the power output by the transmission 3 to the drive shaft 32.

The motor 4 is connected to the differential mechanism 33 via a chain 41. The motor 4 functions as an electric motor.

In this way, the hybrid vehicle 1 forms a parallel hybrid system that can use the power of both the engine 2 and the motor 4 to drive the vehicle, and is designed to run using the power output by at least one of the engine 2 and the motor 4.

The motor 4 also functions as a generator, generating electricity when the hybrid vehicle 1 is running. The motor 4 only needs to be connected to any point in the power transmission path from the engine 2 to the drive wheels 10 so that it can transmit power, and does not necessarily have to be connected to the differential mechanism 33.

Under the control of the ICM 9, the inverter 5 converts DC power supplied from a high-voltage battery 6 or the like into three-phase AC power and supplies it to the motor 4.

The inverter 5 converts the three-phase AC power generated by the motor 4 into DC power under the control of the ICM 9. This DC power charges, for example, the high-voltage battery 6.

The high-voltage battery 6 is, for example, a lithium-ion battery. The high-voltage battery 6 supplies power to the inverter 5.

The ECM7, TCM8, and ICM9 are each composed of a computer unit equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memory for storing backup data, etc., input ports, and output ports.

The ROM of these computer units stores various constants, maps, etc., as well as programs that cause the computer units to function as ECM7, TCM8, and ICM9, respectively.

In other words, the CPU executes the programs stored in the ROM using the RAM as a working area, and these computer units function as the ECM7, TCM8, and ICM9 in this embodiment, respectively.

The hybrid vehicle 1 is provided with a CAN communication line 101 for forming an in-vehicle LAN (Local Area Network) that complies with standards such as CAN (Controller Area Network).

The ECM7 is connected to the TCM8 and ICM9 via a CAN communication line 101. The ECM7, TCM8, and ICM9 mutually transmit and receive signals such as control signals via the CAN communication line 101.

Various sensors, such as a paddle switch 83 that acts as a shift control switching unit, are connected to the input port of the ECM 7.

The paddle switch 83 includes, for example, an upshift switch and a downshift switch. In response to the driver's operation, the paddle switch 83 transmits a manual upshift command to the ECM 7 when the upshift switch is operated. The paddle switch 83 transmits a manual downshift command to the ECM 7 when the downshift switch is operated. When the ECM 7 receives a manual upshift command or manual downshift command from the paddle switch 83, it transmits the received command to the TCM 8. The paddle switch 83 is provided, for example, on the steering wheel. The paddle switch 83 may be provided in another location.

Various sensors, such as the shift position sensor 82, are connected to the input port of the TCM8.

The shift position sensor 82 detects the shift position selected by the driver's operation of the shift lever 81. The shift position may be selected from, for example, a forward driving range (D range), a reverse driving range (R range), a parking range (N range), or a parking range (P range).

The TCM 8 executes automatic shift control in a shift mode, which controls the actuator to change the gear stage established by the transmission 3 according to the position of the shift lever 81 detected by the shift position sensor 82.

For example, when the shift lever 81 is in the D range, the TCM 8 determines the gear position based on the vehicle speed, accelerator opening, etc., and controls the actuator to change to that gear position.

When the TCM 8 receives a manual upshift command or manual downshift command from the paddle switch 83 via the ECM 7, it switches the shift mode to manual shift control, which controls the actuator to change the current gear to one step higher or lower.

The TCM 8 is configured to switch the driving mode of the hybrid vehicle 1. In this embodiment, the driving modes are set to an EV driving mode and an HEV driving mode.

The EV driving mode is a driving mode in which the clutch 31 is released and the hybrid vehicle 1 is driven by the power of the motor 4. The HEV driving mode is a driving mode in which the clutch 31 is engaged and the hybrid vehicle 1 is driven by the power of the engine 2, or the engine 2 and the motor 4.

The TCM8 switches between EV driving mode and HEV driving mode based on, for example, the accelerator opening and engine speed.

When the paddle switch 83 is operated while the R range is selected by the shift lever 81 and the driving mode is the EV driving mode, the TCM 8 switches the driving mode from the EV driving mode to the HEV driving mode.

At this time, the TCM 8 maintains the shift mode in automatic shift control even after the paddle switch 83 is operated. This prevents the driver from feeling the inconvenience of switching the shift mode from manual shift control to automatic shift control when the R range is selected by the shift lever 81 and the vehicle is in EV driving mode, the paddle switch 83 is operated to switch the vehicle to HEV driving mode, and then the D range is selected to drive the vehicle.

When the D range is selected by the shift lever 81, automatic gear shift control is being performed, and the driving mode is EV driving mode, if the paddle switch 83 is operated, the TCM 8 switches the gear shift mode from automatic gear shift control to manual gear shift control, and switches the driving mode from EV driving mode to HEV driving mode.

The driving mode switching process using the paddle switch by the control device for the hybrid vehicle according to this embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The driving mode switching process using the paddle switch described below starts when the TCM8 starts operating, and is executed at preset time intervals.

In step S1, the TCM 8 determines whether or not the R range is selected by the shift lever 81. If it is determined that the R range is selected by the shift lever 81, the TCM 8 executes the process of step S2.

If it is determined that the R range is not selected by the shift lever 81, the TCM 8 executes the process of step S5.

In step S2, the TCM8 determines whether the driving mode is the EV driving mode. If it is determined that the driving mode is the EV driving mode, the TCM8 executes the process of step S3.

If it is determined that the driving mode is not the EV driving mode, the TCM8 executes the process of step S1.

In step S3, the TCM8 determines whether the paddle switch 83 has been operated. If it is determined that the paddle switch 83 has been operated, the TCM8 executes the process of step S4.

If it is determined that the paddle switch 83 has not been operated, the TCM 8 executes the process of step S1.

In step S4, the TCM8 switches the driving mode to the HEV driving mode. After executing the process of step S4, the TCM8 ends the driving mode switching process using the paddle switch.

In step S5, the TCM 8 determines whether or not the D range is selected by the shift lever 81. If it is determined that the D range is selected by the shift lever 81, the TCM 8 executes the process of step S6.

If it is determined that the D range is not selected by the shift lever 81, the TCM 8 executes the process of step S1.

In step S6, the TCM8 determines whether the driving mode is the EV driving mode. If it is determined that the driving mode is the EV driving mode, the TCM8 executes the process of step S7.

If it is determined that the driving mode is not the EV driving mode, the TCM8 executes the process of step S1.

In step S7, the TCM 8 determines whether automatic shift control is being executed. If it is determined that automatic shift control is being executed, the TCM 8 executes the process of step S8.

If it is determined that automatic shift control is not being performed, TCM8 executes the process of step S1.

In step S8, the TCM 8 determines whether the paddle switch 83 has been operated. If it is determined that the paddle switch 83 has been operated, the TCM 8 executes the process of step S9.

If it is determined that the paddle switch 83 has not been operated, the TCM 8 executes the process of step S1.

In step S9, the TCM8 switches from automatic shift control to manual shift control. After executing the process of step S9, the TCM8 executes the process of step S10.

In step S10, the TCM8 switches the driving mode to the HEV driving mode. After executing the process of step S10, the TCM8 ends the driving mode switching process using the paddle switch.

The operation of the driving mode switching process using the paddle switch will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4.

Figure 3 shows the case where the paddle switch 83 is operated while the R range is selected by the shift lever 81.

When the shift lever 81 is used to select D range, passing through N range and switching to R range, and the paddle switch 83 is operated to turn on, at time t1 the driving mode is switched to HEV driving mode, the engine 2 is started, and the gear stage of the transmission 3 is switched to reverse (indicated by "R" in the figure). At this time, the automatic gear shift control is maintained as the gear shift mode.

At time t2, the shift lever 81 is operated to pass through N range, and at time t3, it is switched to D range, and the gear shift stage of the transmission 3 is also switched to 1st gear, allowing the vehicle to travel in HEV driving mode with the engine 2 in drive and the gear shift mode remaining in automatic gear shift control.

Figure 4 shows the case where the paddle switch 83 is operated while the D range is selected by the shift lever 81.

When the D range is selected by the shift lever 81 and the vehicle is traveling with automatic gear shift control in EV driving mode, at time t11, the paddle switch 83 is operated to turn on, and the gear shift mode is switched to manual gear shift control.

After that, at time t12, the driving mode is switched to the HEV driving mode, and the engine 2 is started. Then, the gear of the transmission 3 is switched to, for example, the fourth gear selected based on the operation of the paddle switch 83, the vehicle speed, and the accelerator opening.

In this way, in this embodiment, when the R range is selected by the shift lever 81 and the driving mode is the EV driving mode, if the paddle switch 83 is operated, the TCM 8 switches the driving mode from the EV driving mode to the HEV driving mode.

In the R range, control is performed regardless of the gear shift mode, so the gear shift mode does not change even if the paddle switch 83 is operated. However, by switching from the EV driving mode to the HEV driving mode on the condition that the paddle switch 83 is operated, the engine 2 can be started at the timing intended by the driver even in the R range.

An example of a situation in which the driving force of engine 2 is required in EV driving mode in R range is backing into parking on a downhill road.

In addition, when the shift lever 81 is used to switch from D range to R range, the TCM 8 maintains the shift mode in automatic shift control.

This prevents the driver from feeling the inconvenience of switching the shift mode from manual to automatic shift control when the R range is selected by the shift lever 81 and the vehicle is in EV driving mode, the paddle switch 83 is operated to switch the vehicle to HEV driving mode, and then the D range is selected to drive the vehicle.

In addition, when the D range is selected by the shift lever 81, automatic gear shift control is being performed, and the driving mode is EV driving mode, if the paddle switch 83 is operated, the TCM 8 switches the gear shift mode from automatic gear shift control to manual gear shift control, and switches the driving mode from EV driving mode to HEV driving mode.

As a result, when the paddle switch 83 is operated in D range, the engine 2 is started, and when the paddle switch 83 is operated in R range, the engine 2 is started. Therefore, by combining the engine start operation in D range with the start operation in R range, the driver can be made aware of the engine start operation even in R range with the same feeling as in D range, and the engine 2 can be started at the timing intended by the driver even in R range.

In this embodiment, the paddle switch 83 is used as the shift control switching unit, but a device that issues an instruction to switch the shift mode may also be used as the shift control switching unit.

In addition, in a hybrid vehicle equipped with an automatic engine 2 stop function, if the vehicle is not provided with a device for instructing the prohibition of automatic engine 2 stop, the shift control switching unit may be used as a substitute.

In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the TCM 8 performs various determinations and calculations based on various sensor information, but this is not limiting. The hybrid vehicle 1 may also be provided with a communication unit capable of communicating with an external device such as an external server, and various determinations and calculations may be performed by the external device based on the detection information of the various sensors transmitted from the communication unit. The communication unit may receive the determination results and calculation results, and the received determination results and calculation results may be used to perform various controls.

Although an embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed, it is apparent that modifications may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. All such modifications and equivalents are intended to be included in the following claims.

1 Hybrid vehicle 2 Engine 3 Transmission (automatic transmission)
4 Motor 7 ECM
8 TCM (control unit)
32 Drive shaft 81 Shift lever 82 Shift position sensor 83 Paddle switch (gear shift control switching unit)

Claims (1)

A control device for a hybrid vehicle including an engine, a motor, a shift lever that allows a driver to select one of a plurality of shift positions including a forward drive range and a reverse drive range, and an automatic transmission that changes the speed of rotation of the engine and transmits it to a drive shaft,
a control unit that switches between an EV driving mode in which the vehicle is driven only by the motor and an HEV driving mode in which the vehicle is driven by the engine and the motor, and that switches between an automatic shift control that automatically switches the gear stage of the automatic transmission in accordance with a shift position selected by the shift lever, and a manual shift control that switches the gear stage of the automatic transmission in response to an instruction from a driver;
a paddle switch for allowing a driver to select between the manual shift control and the automatic shift control,
when the paddle switch is operated while the forward driving range is selected by the shift lever and the vehicle is in the EV driving mode, the control unit switches from the automatic shift control to the manual shift control and switches from the EV driving mode to the HEV driving mode;
A control device for a hybrid vehicle that switches from the EV driving mode to the HEV driving mode while maintaining the automatic shift control when the paddle switch is operated while the reverse driving range is selected by the shift lever and the vehicle is in the EV driving mode.

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