JP5251888B2 - Slope start assist device and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a slope start assisting device that assists the start of a vehicle on a slope.

  In recent years, the number of vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions has increased, but on steep slopes, there can occur a situation in which the vehicle moves backward between the time when the brake pedal is depressed and the time when the accelerator pedal is depressed. When such a situation occurs, there is a risk of contact with the following vehicle. Or, if the driver is panicked, the accelerator pedal may be depressed more than necessary.

  As an apparatus for solving such a problem, an apparatus for assisting vehicle start on a slope has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this device, the start of the vehicle is assisted by maintaining the brake braking pressure. This device is applied to a vehicle equipped with a manual transmission that requires a clutch operation by the driver.

JP 2008-239034 A

  However, the configuration described in Patent Document 1 requires a separate electromagnetic valve for maintaining the brake braking pressure. In addition, a separate control circuit for controlling the solenoid valve is required. As a result, there is a concern that the device configuration becomes complicated.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to realize a slope start assisting device for assisting slope start with a relatively simple configuration.

In order to achieve the above-described object, the slope start assisting device according to claim 1 assists the start of the vehicle after stopping on the slope.
In the present invention, the slope stop judging means detects the slope and judges that the vehicle is stopped on the slope. Moreover, the brake operation acquisition means acquires the operation amount of the brake pedal. Furthermore, the accelerator operation acquisition means acquires the operation amount of the accelerator pedal. The control means controls the shift-by-wire actuator to switch the shift range.

  Particularly in the present invention, when the stop of the vehicle on the hill is determined by the hill stop determination means, the amount of operation of the brake pedal acquired by the brake operation acquisition means falls below a predetermined brake threshold, and the accelerator operation is performed. When the operation amount of the accelerator pedal acquired by the acquiring means is below a predetermined accelerator threshold value, a parking range switching process is executed by the control means, and the movement of the vehicle is mechanically restricted. The shift range is switched to.

  That is, for example, it is determined that the vehicle is in a situation where the vehicle moves backward against the driver's intention, and the vehicle is switched to the parking range. By using the parking range in this way, it is possible to realize a slope start assisting device that assists the start of a slope with a relatively simple configuration as compared with a configuration that maintains the brake braking pressure.

  Incidentally, the vehicle is provided with a parking brake in addition to the foot brake. When the parking brake is not released, that is, when the parking brake is used, there is a high possibility that the vehicle is stopped or parked for a relatively long time.

  Therefore, as shown in claim 2, it may be configured to include a parking brake determining means for determining whether or not the parking brake is released. In this case, the control means executes the parking range switching process when it is determined by the parking brake determination means that the parking brake is released. In this way, it is possible to more appropriately determine that the vehicle is in a situation where the vehicle moves backward against the driver's intention.

  In addition, although the point which avoids the reverse of the vehicle which is not intended by parking range switching processing was described, as further shown in Claim 3, after performing parking range switching processing, the accelerator pedal acquired by an accelerator operation acquisition means When the operation amount becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined accelerator threshold value, range return processing for returning the shift range from the parking range to the original range may be executed. Here, the accelerator threshold is exemplified as an operation amount of the accelerator pedal at which the throttle valve starts to open. That is, since the accelerator pedal also has “play”, this “play” is set as the accelerator threshold. In this case, the engine is idling while it is below the accelerator threshold, and the throttle valve opens when the accelerator threshold is exceeded. If the engine speed increases due to the opening of the throttle valve, the possibility of avoiding the backward movement of the vehicle on the slope increases.

  From the viewpoint of simplifying the control process, as shown in claim 4, the brake operation acquisition means may acquire information on whether or not the brake pedal is depressed instead of the operation amount of the brake pedal. Good. In this case, the control means determines that the brake pedal is not depressed and the accelerator operation is acquired based on the information acquired by the brake operation acquisition means when the stop of the vehicle on the slope is determined by the slope stop determination means. When the accelerator pedal operation amount acquired by the means is below a predetermined accelerator threshold value, the parking range switching process is executed.

  By the way, when going up a slope with a back gear on a downhill, if the amount of operation of a brake pedal becomes small, a situation may occur in which the vehicle moves forward. Therefore, the above configuration includes a case where the vehicle approaches a downhill. However, considering that it is rare that the back gear goes up the slope, the slope stop judging means may judge the stop of the vehicle on the uphill as shown in claim 5. In this way, the control process becomes relatively simple.

  Further, when a fluid coupling such as a torque converter is used for the clutch mechanism, the vehicle moves forward even in an idling state due to a creep phenomenon. Therefore, when the slope is not tight, the vehicle does not reverse even if the brake pedal is not depressed. Therefore, as shown in claim 6, the slope stop judging means may judge the stop of the vehicle on the slope with a certain slope or more. In this way, useless range switching is eliminated and appropriate control is possible.

  On a steep slope, the vehicle may move forward only when the amount of operation of the accelerator pedal becomes relatively large. On the other hand, on a slope where the slope is not tight, there are cases where the vehicle is sufficient to move forward even when the amount of operation of the accelerator pedal is small. The same applies to the operation amount of the brake pedal. Therefore, as shown in claim 7, the control means may set at least one of the accelerator threshold value and the brake threshold value based on the gradient detected by the slope stop determination means. In this way, an appropriate threshold value is set according to the gradient, which contributes to a smooth start of the vehicle.

  Although the above has been described as an invention of a slope start assist device, it can also be realized as a program invention as shown in claim 8. That is, it is a program that causes a computer to function as each means included in the slope start assisting device. Even when such a program is executed by a computer system, the same effect as the above-mentioned slope start assisting device can be obtained.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of a slope start assistance apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows a start assistance process.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The slope start assist device of the present embodiment is realized as a shift-by-wire system including an automatic transmission.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a slope start assist device 1 includes a shift-by-wire ECU (hereinafter referred to as “ECU”) 10, an accelerator device 20, a brake device 30, a parking brake switch 40, a vehicle speed sensor 50, a transmission, and the like. 60 and a shift-by-wire actuator 70.

  The ECU 10 controls the entire slope start assist device 1. The ECU 10 is configured as a so-called microcomputer system, and includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an I / O, a bus line, and the like. A gradient sensor 11 is provided inside the ECU 10.

  The gradient sensor 11 is exemplified by a hall sensor, a differential sensor, or a differential magnetoresistive sensor. The gradient sensor 11 outputs a voltage signal proportional to the difference in magnetic field strength as a function of the circumferential angle. The inclination of the vehicle is detected by the gradient sensor 11, and it is determined whether or not the vehicle is approaching a slope.

  The accelerator device 20 includes a main body portion attached to the vehicle and an accelerator pedal pivotally supported by the main body portion, and the accelerator opening is detected by a rotation angle sensor included in the main body portion. The rotation angle sensor outputs a linear voltage signal according to the rotation position. In this embodiment, this voltage signal is input to the ECU 10.

  The brake device 30 includes a brake pedal, a brake master cylinder that converts a pedaling force acting on the brake pedal into hydraulic pressure, a brake main body that differentials with hydraulic pressure, and the like. In this embodiment, an on signal is input to the ECU 10 when the brake pedal is depressed, and an off signal is input to the ECU 10 when the brake pedal is not depressed.

  The parking brake switch 40 is disposed at a lever portion of the parking brake system. The parking brake body may be shared with the brake body of the brake device 30 or may be dedicated. In this embodiment, an on signal is input to the ECU 10 when the parking brake is operated, and an off signal is input to the ECU 10 when the parking brake is not operated, that is, when the parking brake is released.

  The vehicle speed sensor 50 detects the speed of the vehicle, and is attached to, for example, the outer periphery of the drive shaft. In this embodiment, a pulse signal indicating the vehicle speed is input from the vehicle speed sensor 50 to the ECU 10.

  The transmission 60 constitutes a so-called automatic transmission. Specifically, the shift range is switched by hydraulic control. In the present embodiment, shift range information is input from the transmission 60 to the ECU 10.

  The shift-by-wire actuator 70 is an actuator for switching the shift range of the transmission 60. The shift-by-wire actuator 70 operates the speed change mechanism of the transmission 60 according to an instruction from the ECU 10.

  Next, the starting assistance process, which is a characteristic process of this embodiment, will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. The starting assistance process is repeatedly executed when it is determined based on the gradient sensor 11 that the vehicle is approaching an uphill with a certain gradient or more.

  In the first step (hereinafter, “step” is omitted, simply indicated by symbol S) 100, it is determined whether or not the vehicle speed is “0”. This process determines whether or not the vehicle is stopped. If it is determined that the vehicle speed is “0” (S100: YES), the process proceeds to S110. On the other hand, when it is determined that the vehicle speed is not “0” (S100: NO), that is, when the vehicle is running, the subsequent processing is not executed and the start assist processing is terminated. In addition, while the vehicle is approaching an uphill with a certain slope or more, the start assist process is repeatedly executed. This also applies to the following.

  In S110, it is determined whether or not the parking brake is released. When the parking brake is activated, there is a high possibility that the vehicle is parked (stopped), and at this time, there is no need for starting assistance. As described above, since the ON signal is input while the parking brake is being used, an affirmative determination is made when the OFF signal is input. If it is determined that the parking brake is released (S110: YES), the process proceeds to S120. On the other hand, when it is determined that the parking brake is not released (S110: NO), that is, when the parking brake is operating, the subsequent processing is not executed and the start assist processing is terminated.

  In S120, it is determined whether or not the brake pedal is depressed. The start assistance is necessary after the brake pedal is stopped being depressed until the accelerator pedal is depressed. As described above, an on signal is input when the brake pedal is depressed, and therefore an affirmative determination is made when an off signal is input. If it is determined that the brake pedal is depressed (S120: YES), the subsequent processing is not executed and the start assist processing is terminated. On the other hand, when the brake pedal is not depressed (S120: NO), the process proceeds to S130.

  In S130, it is determined whether or not the accelerator opening is below a threshold value K. Here, the threshold value K is set as an accelerator opening degree at which the throttle valve starts to open. Therefore, when the accelerator opening is lower than the threshold value K, the engine is in an idling state. When the accelerator opening degree <K (S130: YES), that is, when the brake pedal is not depressed (S120: NO) and the accelerator opening degree <K, the routine proceeds to S140. On the other hand, when the accelerator opening is equal to or greater than K (S130: NO), the subsequent process is not executed and the slope start assist process is terminated.

  In S140, the current range is stored. For example, the “D” range is stored. In the subsequent S150, the range is switched to the “P” range. In the “P” range, the vehicle is mechanically stopped by engaging the parking pole with the parking gear.

  In next S160, it is determined whether or not the accelerator opening is equal to or greater than a threshold value K. If the accelerator opening is equal to or greater than K (S160: YES), the process proceeds to S170. On the other hand, when the accelerator opening is smaller than K (S160: NO), the determination process of S160 is repeated.

  In S170, the shift range is returned to the range stored in S140. As a result, the shift range returns from the “P” range to, for example, the “D” range.

  As described above in detail, in the present embodiment, when the ECU 10 determines that the vehicle is approaching an uphill with a certain gradient or more based on the gradient sensor 11, the start assist process is repeatedly executed. In the starting assistance process, it is determined whether or not the vehicle speed is “0” (S100 in FIG. 2). Thus far, it is determined that the vehicle has stopped on the uphill. When the brake pedal is not depressed and the accelerator opening is below the threshold value K (S120: NO, S130: YES), the ECU 10 sets the shift range to the parking range (“P”) via the shift-by-wire actuator 70. Range). Since the parking range is used in this way, it is possible to realize a slope start assisting device that assists the start of a slope with a relatively simple configuration as compared with the configuration that maintains the brake braking pressure.

  In this embodiment, a signal from the parking brake switch 40 is input to the ECU 10, and when the parking brake is released (S110: YES in FIG. 2), switching to the parking range is performed. Performed (S150). This makes it possible to more appropriately determine that the vehicle is in a situation where the vehicle moves backward against the driver's intention.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the accelerator opening is equal to or greater than the threshold value K (S160: YES), the ECU 10 returns the shift range to the original range via the shift-by-wire actuator 70 (S170). As described above, the accelerator opening threshold K is the accelerator opening at which the throttle valve starts to open. In this case, the engine is idling while it is below the threshold value K, and when the threshold value K is exceeded, the throttle valve is opened. If the engine speed increases due to the opening of the throttle valve, there is a high possibility that the vehicle can be prevented from retreating on a slope, and a smooth start of the vehicle is realized.

  In this embodiment, it is determined whether or not the brake pedal is depressed (S120 in FIG. 2). Thereby, compared with the case where control is performed using the operation amount of the brake pedal, the start assist processing is simplified.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the start assist process is executed when the vehicle approaches an uphill with a certain slope or more. Since it is rare to go uphill with a back gear, starting assistance processing becomes relatively simple if it is determined that an uphill has been reached. In this embodiment, since the transmission 60 constitutes an automatic transmission, the vehicle moves forward even in an idling state due to a creep phenomenon. Therefore, when the slope is not tight, the vehicle does not reverse even if the brake pedal is not depressed. Thus, as described above, by determining that the uphill is equal to or greater than a certain gradient, useless range switching is eliminated, and appropriate control is possible.

  The slope start assisting device 1 of the present embodiment constitutes the “slope start assisting device” in the claims, the ECU 10 and the gradient sensor 11, and the vehicle speed sensor 50 constitute the “slope stop determining means”, and the ECU 10 and the brake device. 30 constitutes “brake operation acquisition means”, ECU 10 and accelerator device 20 constitute “acceleration operation acquisition means”, shift-by-wire actuator 70 constitutes “shift-by-wire actuator”, and ECU 10 constitutes “control means” The ECU 10 and the parking brake switch 40 constitute “parking brake determination means”.

  Further, the processing of S100 to S130 and S160 in FIG. 2 corresponds to the processing as the function of the “control means”, the processing of S150 corresponds to the “parking range switching processing”, and the processing of S140 and S170 is “range return”. It corresponds to “Process”.

As mentioned above, this invention is not limited to the said form at all, In the range which does not deviate from the meaning of invention, it can implement with a various form.
(A) In the above embodiment, it is determined whether or not the brake pedal is depressed. On the other hand, the operation amount of the brake pedal may be acquired, and the case where the operation amount of the brake pedal is lower than the threshold value may be determined in S120. For example, although the brake pedal is depressed, the vehicle may move backward against the driver's intention if the depression becomes sweet at a steep slope.

  (B) In the above embodiment, the threshold value K of the accelerator opening is set to a constant value. On the other hand, the threshold value K of the accelerator opening may be set according to the gradient. Specifically, a correspondence relationship between the gradient and the threshold value K is prepared, and the threshold value K is set based on the correspondence relationship. In this way, an appropriate threshold value is set according to the gradient, which contributes to a smooth start of the vehicle. The same applies to the case where the operation amount of the brake pedal is determined in S120 as shown in (a) above.

(C) In the above embodiment, it is determined that the vehicle has reached an uphill with a constant slope. However, it may be determined whether the vehicle is going up a downhill with a constant slope using back gear.
(2) In the above embodiment, it is determined that the parking brake is released (S110 in FIG. 2), but the same processing may be performed without determining that the parking brake is released.

1: Slope start assist device 10: Shift-by-wire ECU
11: Gradient sensor 20: Accelerator device 30: Brake device 40: Parking brake switch 50: Vehicle speed sensor 60: Transmission 70: Shift-by-wire actuator

Claims (8)

A slope start assist device that assists the start of the vehicle after stopping on a slope,
A slope stop judging means for detecting a slope and judging that the vehicle is stopped on a slope;
Brake operation acquisition means for acquiring the operation amount of the brake pedal;
An accelerator operation acquisition means for acquiring an operation amount of an accelerator pedal;
Control means capable of controlling the shift-by-wire actuator and switching the shift range, and
When the vehicle stop on the hill is determined by the hill stop determination unit, the control unit has a brake pedal operation amount acquired by the brake operation acquisition unit below a predetermined brake threshold, and the accelerator When the operation amount of the accelerator pedal acquired by the operation acquisition means is below a predetermined accelerator threshold value, a parking range switching process for switching the shift range to a parking range where the movement of the vehicle is mechanically restricted is executed. A slope start assist device characterized by this. In the slope start assistance device according to claim 1,
A parking brake judging means for judging whether or not the parking brake is released;
The slope starting assistance device, wherein the control means executes the parking range switching process when the parking brake judging means judges that the parking brake is released. In the slope start assistance device according to claim 1 or 2,
The control means, after executing the parking range switching process, shifts the shift range from the parking range to the original range when the operation amount of the accelerator pedal acquired by the accelerator operation acquisition means is equal to or greater than a predetermined accelerator threshold. A slope start assist device characterized by executing range return processing for returning. In the slope starting assistance apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-3,
The brake operation acquisition means acquires information on whether or not the brake pedal is depressed, instead of the operation amount of the brake pedal,
When the vehicle stop on the hill is determined by the hill stop determination unit, the control unit has not depressed the brake pedal based on the information acquired by the brake operation acquisition unit, and the accelerator operation The slope start assisting device, wherein the parking range switching process is executed when an operation amount of the accelerator pedal acquired by the acquiring means is below a predetermined accelerator threshold. In the slope starting assistance apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-4,
The slope start assisting device, wherein the slope stop judging means judges stop of a vehicle on an uphill. In the slope start assistance device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The slope start assisting device, wherein the slope stop judging means judges stop of a vehicle on a slope with a certain slope or more. In the slope starting assistance apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-6,
The control means sets at least one of the accelerator threshold value and the brake threshold value based on the gradient detected by the slope stop determination means.   The program which makes a computer function as each means with which the slope start assistance apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-7 is provided.

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