JP6070389B2 - Vehicle shift control device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention switches between an automatic shift mode that automatically shifts according to the driving condition of the vehicle and a manual shift mode within an automatic shift range that shifts manually by the driver when the shift range is selected as the automatic shift range. The present invention relates to a shift control apparatus for a vehicle having a possible automatic transmission, and particularly to control at the time of returning from a manual shift mode within an automatic shift range to an automatic shift mode.

Conventionally, an automatic transmission for vehicles having various ranges such as a parking range (P range), a reverse range (R range), a neutral range (N range), a drive range (D range), a second range (2 ranges), etc. well known. In this type of vehicle automatic transmission, a driver can select a desired shift range by manually operating a range selection lever provided on the side of the driver seat.

Here, the drive range (D range) and the second range (2 range) are automatic shift ranges, and are configured as ranges that automatically shift a plurality of shiftable gears, and the driver automatically shifts with a range selection lever. When the range is selected, for example, an up / down shift (shift control) is automatically performed based on a shift map set in advance in relation to the driving state of the vehicle such as the accelerator opening and the vehicle speed. . A mode in which a shift control set in advance according to the driving state of the vehicle is an automatic shift mode.

Recently, with the aim of improving the merchantability of vehicles, automatic transmissions for vehicles equipped with a manual range (M range) that enables manual shifting by the driver in addition to the above automatic shifting range have been installed. . In manual shifting in this manual range, first, when the driver selects the manual range with the range selection lever, the shifting mode of the plurality of shifting gear stages controlled in shifting in the automatic shifting range is changed from the automatic shifting mode to the manual shifting mode. When the driver manually operates a manual shift operation means such as a paddle-shaped manual shift switch provided in the steering unit or a swing type manual shift switch attached to the range selection lever, Shifting is performed.

More specifically, these manual shift switches are composed of both an upshift switch and a downshift switch, and an up / downshift shift (shift control) corresponding to the operation of the driver's both switches is performed. To be done. According to the automatic transmission equipped with this manual range, the vehicle specification can be operated like a manual transmission that can make a gear change faithful to the driver's intention to change the gear, regardless of the automatic transmission, despite the automatic transmission. In recent years, sales have increased rapidly in the market.

Furthermore, the automatic transmission as described above has evolved, and as disclosed in Patent Document 1, even if the driver is selecting the automatic transmission range, the manual transmission operation by the driver such as the manual range is temporarily performed. Technology with a manual shift mode within the automatic shift range that enables it is adopted. According to this technology, even when traveling in the automatic shift range, when you want to perform a manual shift suddenly or once (for example, when accelerating on a highway, etc., or when decelerating an engine brake on a downhill road, etc.) It can be said that this is an automatic transmission with higher operability because the manual shift can be performed immediately without operating the range selection lever to the range.

Thus, the transition from the automatic shift mode to the automatic shift range manual shift mode in the automatic shift range of the automatic transmission, that is, the start of the automatic shift range manual shift mode is performed by the driver, In order to prevent complication of driver operation, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is used in common with the above-described shift switch used for manual shift in the manual range, and the shift is performed within the automatic shift range. This is done when the switch is manually operated.

On the other hand, in Patent Document 1, a timer is used to return from the automatic shift range manual shift mode to the automatic shift mode, that is, to end the automatic shift range manual shift mode.

JP-A-11-257485 JP 2002-349687

However, when returning from the automatic shift range manual shift mode to the automatic shift mode with a timer as in Patent Document 1, the automatic shift range in- manual shift mode is terminated against the driver's intention. Then, since the driver needs to operate the range selection lever again, there is a problem that the operability is deteriorated. That is, regardless of the driver's intention to end the manual shift mode within the automatic shift range, the return to the automatic shift mode is performed uniformly when a preset timer elapses.

As a countermeasure to this problem, Patent Document 2 proposes a technique for ending the manual shift mode in the automatic shift range and returning to the automatic shift mode when the upshift switch as the manual shift operating means is operated again. doing.

Therefore, according to the technique of Patent Document 2, the automatic shift range manual shift mode is terminated by operating the upshift switch to end the automatic shift range manual shift mode against the driver's intention. Although it is possible to eliminate the return to the automatic transmission mode, the following new problem occurs.

That is, since the manual shift switch is originally used for manual shift operation in the manual range, the manual shift mode in the automatic shift range can be terminated in accordance with the intention of a skilled driver. Depending on an unfamiliar driver, there is a possibility that the “operation for ending the manual shift mode in the automatic shift range” in Patent Document 2 is misunderstood as “manual shift operation in the manual range”. In other words, when the upshift switch is operated in the manual shift mode within the automatic shift range, the manual shift mode within the automatic shift range is not terminated, but the upshift is performed in the manual shift mode similar to the manual range, The driver may be misunderstood.

As a result, “the manual shift mode in the automatic shift range ends and returns to the automatic shift mode despite the operation of the upshift switch”, the manual shift mode in the automatic shift range is maintained. This is a problem for drivers who misunderstand.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and is a vehicle shift control device for returning to an automatic shift mode by operating an upshift switch in an automatic shift range manual shift mode. It is an object of the present invention to prevent the driver who misunderstood “the operation to end the manual shift mode” as “manual shift operation in the manual range” from being uncomfortable.

As a result of the inventors' diligent efforts and various verifications with respect to the above-mentioned problems, it has been found that the above-mentioned driver's uncomfortable feeling is concentrated during high-load operation of the engine. In other words, manual shift operation in the manual range is frequently used during sports driving, that is, during high-load operation of the engine, such as when accelerating, so the driver wants to perform manual shift operation instead of automatic shift during high-load operation of the engine. The will is very strong. For this reason, it has been found that in the manual shift mode within the automatic shift range, when the manual shift mode within the automatic shift range ends during the engine high load operation, it is very likely to feel strange. From the above, the present invention solves the above-mentioned problem by limiting the return to the automatic transmission mode when the engine is operated at a high load.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an automatic transmission mode control means for controlling the automatic transmission in a preset automatic transmission mode based on the respective values of the accelerator opening and the power transmission shaft rotation speed, and a driver Automatic shift range selection means for selecting an automatic shift range from a plurality of shift ranges, automatic shift range selection state detection means for detecting a selection state by the automatic shift range selection means, and detection signals of the automatic shift range selection state detection means The automatic shift range selection state determination means for determining whether or not the automatic shift range selection state is in accordance with the automatic shift range selection state determination means, and when the automatic shift range selection state determination means determines that the automatic shift range is selected, Shift with upshift line and downshift line respectively set according to accelerator opening related value and power transmission shaft speed related value Automatic shift mode control execution means for executing an automatic shift mode for performing automatic shift control based on the control, and when the automatic shift range is selected, the automatic shift mode Separately, manual shift mode control means within the automatic shift range that controls the shift of the automatic transmission in the manual shift mode within the automatic shift range that is faithful to the manual shift operation of the driver, and manual that is manually operated by the driver for the manual shift operation. In response to detection signals from the shift operation means, the manual shift operation state detection means for detecting the manual shift operation state by the manual shift operation means, and the manual shift operation state detection means, the automatic shift range is automatically detected. When a manual shift operation is performed during the shift mode, the automatic shift range manual shift mode is switched to the automatic shift range manual shift mode. And de transition control means, in response to the detection signal from the manual speed change operating state detecting means, when there is an upshift manual shift operation during the automatic shift range in the manual shift mode, the automatic transmission to return to the automatic shift mode Mode return control means, high load determination means for determining whether or not the engine is in a high load state, and when the high load determination means determines that the engine is in a high load state, the upshift manual shift A vehicle speed change control device comprising: a return restriction unit for restricting the return to the automatic speed change mode by the automatic speed change mode return control according to the operation detection signal .

According to the first aspect of the invention, even when an upshift manual shift operation is performed during the manual shift mode within the automatic shift range, in response to the detection signal of the upshift manual shift operation when the engine is in a high load state . Return to automatic transmission mode is restricted.

As a result, the driver who misunderstood “the operation to end the manual shift mode in the automatic shift range” as “the manual shift operation in the manual range” is likely to feel uncomfortable. Since it is possible to limit the completion and return to the automatic transmission mode, it is possible to prevent the driver from feeling the uncomfortable feeling caused by the driver's misunderstanding.

A second invention relating to the present application is the vehicle shift control device according to the first aspect, wherein the shift control device is configured separately from the manual shift operation unit, and the automatic shift range is set to the automatic shift mode by the return limiting unit. Further, the present invention is characterized by further comprising return restriction function stop means for stopping the return restriction function.

According to the second aspect of the invention, for example, when the driver confirms the instruction manual or gets used to driving, the “operation to end the manual shift mode in the automatic shift range” is misunderstood as “manual shift operation in the manual range”. When there is no longer any function, the function of limiting the return to the automatic shift mode by the return limiting means can be arbitrarily stopped by the driver. As a result, it is possible to prevent the skilled driver from being unnecessarily restricted from returning to the automatic transmission mode, and thus can quickly return to the automatic transmission mode with excellent fuel efficiency.

A third invention according to the present application is the vehicle shift control device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the high load determination means is configured such that the engine is in a high load state when an accelerator opening is equal to or greater than a predetermined opening. It is determined that it is.

According to the third invention, whether or not the engine is in a high load state is determined based on whether or not the accelerator opening is equal to or greater than a predetermined opening, so that a simple method is used without using a complicated determination method. can do.

According to the present invention, in the vehicle shift control device for returning to the automatic shift mode by operating the upshift switch in the automatic shift range manual shift mode, the “operation to end the automatic shift range manual shift mode” is set to “manual It is possible to prevent the driver who is misunderstood as “manual shift operation in the range” from being uncomfortable.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the transmission control apparatus of the vehicle which concerns on this embodiment. It is a subroutine which shows an example of the control processing which concerns on this embodiment. It is a main flowchart which shows an example of the control processing which concerns on this embodiment. It is a time chart showing the scene where the return restriction | limiting which concerns on this embodiment is implemented. It is a time chart showing the scene where the return restriction concerning this embodiment is not implemented.

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

First, each constituent means will be described in order from the overall system of this embodiment with reference to FIG. The vehicle according to this embodiment includes an engine, a torque converter, and an automatic transmission 1, and engine power is input to the automatic transmission via the torque converter. The driving force output from the automatic transmission 1 is transmitted to the driving wheels of the vehicle through a power transmission shaft such as a differential device and a drive shaft, thereby running the vehicle.

The automatic transmission 1 is a planetary gear type stepped transmission with 6 forward speeds and 1 reverse speed, and has a plurality of hydraulic frictional engagement elements inside the control unit 2. Shift control is performed by controlling the hydraulic supply / discharge to each frictional engagement element. The control unit 2 corresponds to a “vehicle shift control device” described in the claims.

Further, the vehicle according to this embodiment includes an accelerator opening sensor 3, a vehicle speed sensor 4, an automatic shift range selection means 5, an automatic shift range selection state detection means 6, a manual shift operation means 7, and a manual shift operation state detection means. Has 8.

The accelerator opening sensor 3 is a sensor that detects the accelerator depression amount (opening) of the driver, and the detected accelerator opening is a signal (accelerator opening) to the automatic transmission mode control means 11 and the high load determination means 17. Signal).

The vehicle speed sensor is a sensor that detects the vehicle speed, and the detected vehicle speed outputs a signal (vehicle speed signal) to the automatic transmission mode control means 11.

The automatic shift range state detection means 6 is a range sensor (inhibitor switch) that detects the range selection state of the automatic shift range selection means 5 (shift lever that is manually operated by the driver), and the detected range selection state information is automatically shifted. A signal (range signal) is output to the range selection state determination means 12 .

In this embodiment, the P range (parking range: parking range) selected when the vehicle is parked, the R range (reverse range: reverse range) selected during reverse travel, and the power transmission between the engine and the drive wheels are cut off. N range (neutral range: neutral range) selected at the time, D range (drive range: D range) selected during automatic transmission by the automatic transmission 1, and M range (manual) selected during manual transmission by the driver Range: manual shift range).

The manual shift operation state detection means 8 detects the operation state of the manual shift operation means 7 (upshift switch / downshift switch provided on a steering wheel (not shown)), and the detected manual shift operation state is detected. Outputs a signal (manual shift operation signal) to the automatic shift range manual shift mode transition means 14, the automatic shift range manual shift mode control means 15 and the automatic shift mode return control means 16. The manual shift signal includes an upshift manual shift operation signal and a downshift manual shift operation signal. This upshift switch corresponds to the “upshift switch” described above.

The control unit 2 further includes an automatic shift mode control means 11, an automatic shift range control execution means 13 , an automatic shift range selection state determination means 12 , an automatic shift range manual shift mode transition means 14, and an automatic shift range manual shift mode control. Means 15, automatic shift mode return control means 16, high load determination means 17, and return restriction means 18.

The automatic transmission mode control means 11 stores the shift map set based on the accelerator opening related value (accelerator opening in this embodiment) and the power transmission shaft rotation speed related value (vehicle speed in this embodiment) in internal data. The automatic transmission 1 is automatically controlled in accordance with the accelerator opening signal received from the accelerator opening sensor 3 and the vehicle speed signal received from the vehicle speed sensor 4. The automatic transmission control by the automatic transmission mode control means 11 is an automatic transmission mode.

When the range signal received from the automatic shift range selection state detection means 6 is an automatic shift range (drive range), the automatic shift range selection state determination means 12 sends a signal (automatic shift range signal) to the automatic shift range control execution means 13 Is output.

The automatic shift range control executing means 13 executes the automatic shift mode by the automatic shift mode control means when receiving the automatic shift range signal from the automatic shift range selection state determining means, and at the same time within the automatic shift range manual shift mode transition means A signal (automatic shift mode signal) indicating that the automatic shift mode is being executed is output to 14.

The automatic shift range manual shift mode transition means 14 receives the manual shift operation signal (upshift manual shift signal from the manual shift operation state detection means 8 when receiving the automatic shift range signal from the automatic shift range control execution means 13. When a downshift manual shift signal is received, a transition signal for shifting from the automatic shift mode to the manual shift mode within the automatic shift range described later is output to the automatic transmission 1.

Upon receiving the shift signal, the automatic transmission 1 executes the shift to the automatic shift range manual shift mode, and at the same time, the automatic shift range manual shift mode control means 15 and the automatic shift mode return control means 16 to the automatic shift range manual shift mode. A signal indicating the shift to the shift mode (automatic shift range manual shift mode shift signal) is output.

When the automatic shift range manual shift mode control means 15 receives the automatic shift range manual shift mode transition signal from the automatic shift range manual shift mode shift means 14, the manual shift operation signal from the manual shift operation state detection means 8 is received. The automatic transmission 1 is manually controlled based on the above.

In addition, when receiving an upshift manual shift operation signal, the automatic shift range manual shift mode control means 15 outputs to the automatic transmission 1 an upshift signal for upshifting the shift stage by one. On the other hand, when a downshift manual shift operation signal is received, a downshift signal for shifting the shift stage down by one stage is output to the automatic transmission 1.

The automatic transmission 1 upshifts the shift stage by one step when receiving an upshift signal from the manual shift mode control means 15 within the automatic shift range, and downshifts the shift stage by one step when receiving a downshift signal.

The manual shift mode within the automatic shift range is a mode that is completely independent of the automatic shift mode, and is a mode in which shift control is performed on the automatic transmission 1 in response to a manual shift operation of the driver temporarily.

The manual shift mode within the automatic shift range has basically the same function as the manual shift performed when the automatic shift range selection means 5 (shift lever) selects the manual range (M range). The shift control of the automatic transmission 1 is performed faithfully to the manual shift operation of the driver.

In addition, the manual shift mode within the automatic shift range is a mode in which the manual shift is suddenly or suddenly performed while driving in the automatic shift range (drive range) (for example, when an acceleration such as a highway merge is accelerated, an engine brake such as a downhill road) The operation of the automatic shift range selection means 5 (shift lever) from the automatic shift range to the manual range can be omitted during deceleration, etc., which can contribute to the provision of an automatic transmission with higher operability. .

The automatic shift mode return control means 16 performs an upshift manual shift operation from the manual shift operation state detection means 8 when receiving the automatic shift range manual shift mode shift signal from the automatic shift range manual shift mode shift signal 14. When the signal is received, a signal (return signal) for returning from the manual shift mode in the automatic shift range to the automatic shift mode is output to the return limiting means 18.

Based on the signal received from the accelerator opening sensor 3, the high load determination means 17 determines whether the accelerator is depressed more than a predetermined opening. When it is determined that the accelerator is depressed more than a predetermined opening, a signal (high load signal) is output to the return limiting means 18.

When the return restriction means 18 receives a return signal from the automatic shift mode return control means 16 and receives a high load signal from the high load determination means 17, the return signal is input to the automatic transmission 1. On the other hand, when a high load signal is not received, a return signal is input to the automatic transmission 1. The automatic transmission 1 that has received the return signal executes a return from the manual shift mode within the automatic shift range to the automatic shift mode.

Next, control processing performed by the control unit 2 will be described. FIG. 2 shows an output from the manual shift operation state detection means 8 to the control unit 2 (automatic shift range manual shift mode transition means 14, automatic shift range manual shift mode control means 15 and automatic shift mode return control means 16). The manual shift operation signal processing is shown.

Prior to the description of the subroutine of FIG. 2, a flag indicating the processing state of the manual shift operation signal (upshift manual shift operation signal / downshift manual shift operation signal) in the control unit 2 will be described.

The flag “1” indicates that there is an unprocessed upshift manual shift operation signal in the control unit 2, and the flag “2” indicates that there is an unprocessed downshift manual shift operation signal in the controller unit 2. Show. When the upshift manual shift signal is input to the controller unit 2, the flag is set to “1”, and when the downshift manual shift operation signal is input, the flag is set to “2”.

The flag “0” indicates that there is no unprocessed manual shift operation signal in the control unit 2, and the manual shift operation signal received from the manual shift operation state detection means 8 is processed in the controller unit 2. Thereafter, when it is output to the automatic transmission 1 as a predetermined control signal, the flag is reset to “0”.

Next, a subroutine regarding flag setting will be described with reference to FIG. This subroutine starts when there is no unprocessed manual shift operation signal in the control unit 2 (when the flag is “0”).

After the manual shift operation signal is read in step S1, the process proceeds to step S2. This step S1 corresponds to “manual shift operation state detection means” described in the claims. Step S2 is a step of determining whether or not an upshift switch operation has been performed (whether or not an upshift manual shift operation signal has been input). If yes, the process proceeds to step S3 and the flag is set to “2”. After setting, it becomes the end. That is, when the upshift transmission operation signal is processed in the control unit 2 (when the flag is “0”), this subroutine is started again.

On the other hand, if the determination in step S2 is No, the process proceeds to step S4 to determine whether or not a downshift switch operation has been performed (whether or not a downshift manual shift operation signal has been input). If this determination is Yes, the process proceeds to step S5, the flag is set to “2”, and then the process ends. On the other hand, if the determination in step S4 is No, the process returns (this subroutine is started again from the start).

Next, a description will be given using the flowchart of FIG. After reading various signals in step S11, the process proceeds to step S12. In step S12, it is determined whether or not the shift lever has selected the automatic shift range (D range). If this determination is Yes (automatic shift range), the process proceeds to step S13. If NO, control other than the automatic shift range is performed, and the process returns. A description of the control other than the automatic shift range is omitted.

In step S13, it is determined whether or not the automatic transmission mode is being executed. If this determination is Yes, the process proceeds to step S14, and if this determination is No, the process proceeds to step S14.

In step S14, it is determined whether or not there is an unprocessed manual shift operation signal (whether or not the flag is “0”. If this determination is Yes), the process proceeds to step S15 and is based on the shift map described above. Automatic shift control is performed (automatic shift mode).

On the other hand, if the determination in step S14 is No, that is, if the flag is "1" or "2", it is determined that the condition for shifting from the automatic shift mode to the automatic shift range manual shift mode is satisfied, Transition control to the manual shift mode within the automatic shift range in S16 and step S17 is performed.

Step S16 is a step of performing shift control according to the read manual shift operation signal. Flag upshift in the case of "1", the flag is performed downshift in the case of "2", the process proceeds to step S17. Then, after resetting the flag to “0” in step S17, the process proceeds to step S18 (transition to the manual shift mode within the automatic shift range).

Step S18 is a step performed when the determination of step S13 is No (manual shift mode in automatic shift range) or after step S17, and whether or not there is an unprocessed manual shift operation signal (flag is “0”). In addition, it is determined whether or not there is an upshift manual shift operation signal (flag “1”).

If the determination in step S18 is Yes, it is determined that the condition for returning to the automatic transmission mode (D mode) is satisfied, and the process proceeds to step S19. If the determination is No, the process proceeds to step S22.

Step S19 is a step of determining again whether or not there is an unprocessed manual shift operation signal (flag is “0”). If this determination is Yes, the process returns.

On the other hand, in the case of No, the process proceeds to step S20, downshifts, and proceeds to step S21. In the next step S21, the flag is reset to “0” and the process returns.

Step S22, which proceeds when the determination in step S18 is No, determines whether or not the accelerator opening is greater than or equal to a predetermined opening. The predetermined opening is set to about 60%, for example, and it is determined whether or not the engine is in a high load state.

When the determination in step S22 is Yes, the return to the automatic transmission mode is restricted and the flag is maintained at “1”. In this embodiment, the return to the automatic shift mode is not performed, and the manual shift mode within the automatic shift range is maintained.

Next, when the determination in step S22 is No (the engine is not in a high load state / the engine has changed from a high load state to a medium load to a light load state), the return restriction to the automatic transmission mode (D mode) is restricted. It is determined that the release condition is satisfied, and step S24 and step S25 are performed.

In step S24, an upshift is performed, and the process proceeds to step S25. In the next step S25, the flag is reset to “0”, and the process proceeds to step S15 and then returns.

The correspondence between FIG. 4 and the claims will be described. Step S12 is "automatic shift range selection state determination means", step S15 is "automatic shift mode control means" and "automatic shift range control execution means", and steps S16 and S17 are "automatic shift range manual shift mode transition control means". Steps S18, 19, 20, 21 are “automatic shift range manual shift mode control means”, step S22 is “high load determination means”, step S23 is “return limiting means”, and steps S24, 25 are “automatic”. This corresponds to “shift mode return limiting means”.

Next, the process of FIG. 4 will be described using the time charts of FIGS. 5 and 6. 5 and 6 show A. shift mode (automatic shift mode, manual shift mode within automatic shift range), B. shift stage, C.I. Upshift switch (upshift manual shift operation signal), D.E. Downshift switch (downshift manual shift operation signal), E.E. It shows the transition of the accelerator opening. In the A. shift mode, the automatic shift mode is referred to as “D mode” and the manual shift mode within the automatic shift range is referred to as “DM mode”.

The time chart of FIG. 5 represents a scene where the return control from the manual shift mode within the automatic shift range (DM mode) to the automatic shift mode (D mode) is limited.

If the upshift switch is turned on at time T1 while driving in the second speed in the automatic shift mode (D mode) (when the upshift manual shift operation signal is input to the control unit 2), the automatic shift mode (D Mode) to automatic shift range manual shift mode (DM mode) and upshift to 3rd speed is performed.

Next, the accelerator opening is further stepped on even after the accelerator opening is in a high engine load state where the accelerator opening is equal to or greater than the predetermined opening at time T2.

At time T3, even if the upshift switch is turned on again (when an upshift manual shift operation signal is input to the control unit 2), it does not return to the automatic shift mode (D mode) (return restriction is limited). Upshift to speed.

The accelerator opening starts to decrease slightly before the time T4, and the engine with the accelerator opening less than the predetermined opening becomes a non-high load state at the time T4. At time T4 when the engine is in a non-high load state, the restriction on returning to the automatic transmission mode (D mode) is released (returning to the automatic transmission mode).

When returning to the automatic shift mode (D mode), automatic shift control is performed based on the shift map, so the downshift to the second speed is made, but the driver wants to continue the manual shift mode (DM mode) within the automatic shift range. Because it is not, there is no sense of incongruity.

The time chart of FIG. 5 represents a scene in which the return control from the manual shift mode within the automatic shift range (DM mode) to the automatic shift mode (D mode) is not limited.

If the upshift switch is turned on at time T11 (when an upshift manual shift operation signal is input to the control unit 2) during traveling at the second speed in the automatic shift mode (D mode), the automatic shift mode (D Mode) to automatic shift range manual shift mode (DM mode) and upshift to 3rd speed is performed.

At time T12, since the upshift switch is turned on (when an upshift manual shift operation signal is input to the control unit 2), the upshift to the fourth speed is performed. Since the accelerator opening is less than the predetermined opening (the engine is in a non-high load state), the return to the automatic transmission mode (D mode) is not limited (at time T13, the automatic transmission mode (D mode) ).

When returning to the automatic shift mode (D mode), the automatic shift control is performed based on the shift map, so the downshift to the second speed is performed. However, as in the case of the downshift at T4 in FIG. Since it is not desired to continue the manual shift mode (DM mode) within the shift range, there is no sense of incongruity.

From the above, in this embodiment, an engine that is likely to feel uncomfortable for a driver who misunderstands that "the operation to end the manual shift mode in the automatic shift range" is "the manual shift operation in the manual range" is in a high load state. In some cases, since the return to the automatic transmission mode is limited, it is possible to prevent the driver from feeling the uncomfortable feeling caused by the driver's misunderstanding.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when the accelerator opening is equal to or larger than the predetermined opening, it is determined that the engine is in a high load state, so that a simple method is used without using a complicated determination method. be able to.

In the present embodiment, when the engine is in a high load state, the return to the automatic transmission mode is limited. However, the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment. For example, a switch for stopping the function of limiting the return to the automatic transmission mode may be provided in the vehicle interior so that the driver can arbitrarily operate it. This switch corresponds to “return limit function stop means” described in the claims.

According to this example, for example, when the driver confirms the instruction manual or gets used to driving, the “operation to end the manual shift mode in the automatic shift range” is no longer misunderstood as “manual shift operation in the manual range”. In this case, the function of restricting the return to the automatic transmission mode by the return restricting means can be stopped. As a result, it is possible to prevent the return to the automatic transmission mode from being restricted unnecessarily, and therefore it is possible to quickly return to the automatic transmission mode with excellent fuel efficiency.

In this embodiment, the upshift is performed when the upshift is turned on in the manual shift mode within the automatic shift range (when the upshift manual shift operation signal is input to the control unit). Also good.

In this embodiment, the determination of the high load state of the engine is performed based on the accelerator opening, but the determination is made based on values such as the intake air amount of the engine, the in-cylinder temperature, the exhaust gas temperature, the cooling water temperature, and the intake air temperature. Also good.

In this embodiment, the planetary gear type stepped transmission has been described. However, an automatic transmission such as a continuously variable transmission or DCT may be used, and a torque converter may not be provided.

In this embodiment, the drive range (D range) is described as the automatic shift range. However, the present invention may be applied to the second range (2 range) set at a lower speed than the D range. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the manual shift operation in the upshift direction has been described as an example, but the present invention may be applied to a manual shift operation in the downshift direction.

The present invention relates to a vehicle shift control device, and more particularly to a vehicle shift control device for returning to an automatic shift mode by operating an upshift switch in an automatic shift range manual shift mode. This is useful for preventing the driver who misunderstood “the operation to end the mode” as “manual shift operation in the manual range” from being uncomfortable.

1 Automatic transmission

2 Control unit

3 Accelerator position sensor

4 Vehicle speed sensor

5 Automatic shift range selection means (shift lever)

6 Automatic shift range selection state detection means (range sensor)

7 Manual shifting operation means (upshift switch / downshift switch)

8 Manual shifting operation state detection means

11 Automatic transmission mode control means

12 Automatic shift range selection state determination means

13 Automatic shift range control execution means

14 Automatic shift range manual shift mode transition means

15 Manual shift mode control means in automatic shift range

16 Automatic shift mode return control means

17 High load judgment means

18 Return limit means

Claims (3)

Automatic shift mode control means for controlling the shift of the automatic transmission in a preset automatic shift mode based on the related values of the accelerator opening and the power transmission shaft rotational speed;
Automatic shift range selection means for the driver to select an automatic shift range from a plurality of shift ranges;
Automatic shift range selection state detection means for detecting a selection state by the automatic shift range selection means;
Automatic shift range selection state determination means for determining whether or not the automatic shift range selection state is in accordance with a detection signal of the automatic shift range selection state detection means;
When it is determined that the automatic shift range is selected by the automatic shift range selection state determining means, the upshift line and the downshift line are set according to the accelerator opening related value and the power transmission shaft rotation speed related value. Automatic shift mode control execution means for executing an automatic shift mode for performing automatic shift control based on each set shift map;
When the automatic transmission range is selected, the automatic transmission is separated from the automatic transmission mode based on the information on the manual transmission operation of the driver, and the automatic transmission is shifted in the manual transmission mode within the automatic transmission range that is faithful to the manual transmission operation of the driver. Automatic shift range manual shift mode control means for controlling,
Manual shifting operation means manually operated by a driver for the manual shifting operation;
Manual shifting operation state detecting means for detecting a manual shifting operation state by the manual shifting operation means;
In response to a detection signal from the manual shift operation state detection means, when a manual shift operation is performed during the automatic shift mode of the automatic shift range, the shift to the automatic shift range manual shift mode is switched to the automatic shift range manual shift mode. Control means;
Automatic shift mode return control means for returning to the automatic shift mode when an upshift manual shift operation is performed during the manual shift mode within the automatic shift range in response to a detection signal of the manual shift operation state detecting means;
High load determination means for determining whether or not the engine is in a high load state;
When the high load determination means determines that the engine is in a high load state, a return for limiting the return to the automatic shift mode by the automatic shift mode return control means according to the detection signal of the upshift manual shift operation. And a speed change control device for a vehicle. A return limiting function stopping means configured to be separate from the manual shifting operating means and for allowing the driver to arbitrarily stop the return limiting function of the automatic shift range to the automatic shift mode by the return limiting means; The vehicle shift control device according to claim 1, wherein:   The vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the high load determination means determines that the engine is in a high load state when an accelerator opening is equal to or greater than a predetermined opening. Shift control device.