JP3519561B2 - Travel control device for vehicles - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle running control device for controlling a vehicle control device, an automatic transmission, and the like to control the running of the vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a conventional vehicle running control device disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 8-5345. In FIG. 9, reference numeral 81 is a constant speed traveling release switch, which is a device to which the driver inputs the control of the set vehicle speed in the constant speed control state. Reference numeral 82 denotes an engine load sensor, which detects the engine output from a physical quantity relating to the engine output such as an intake negative pressure of the engine, an intake air amount, or a fuel supply amount supplied to the engine.
Output as PW. Reference numeral 83 denotes an idle switch, which detects a state in which the accelerator pedal is not depressed and outputs an idle signal SID. Reference numeral 85 denotes a control unit having a function as a signal output means,
a, ROM 85b, input port 85c, output port 85
d, a RAM 85e. CPU85a is a ROM
The program stored in 85b is executed, and the input port 8
5c is accessed and the above signals are fetched to execute the traveling control process based on these signals. When the execution condition meets a predetermined condition, the operation signal SCT is output to the operation means 86 via the output port 85d. The operating means 86 is a known fuel injection amount control device, and outputs the final fuel injection amount Ti according to the operating condition of the engine. The final fuel injection amount Ti is applied to the injector 87 or the like, and the injector 87 or the like injects fuel based on the final fuel injection amount.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the vicinity of an automatic transmission.
As shown in FIG. 10, the automatic transmission 91 is provided with an electromagnetic switching valve 92 that operates when an operation signal SCT is input. Figure 1
1 is a main part hydraulic system diagram centering on a manual valve. In FIG. 11, reference numeral 1002 denotes a manual valve incorporated in a control valve ASSY (not shown) in the automatic transmission. The manual valve 1002 reciprocates in the direction of the arrow indicated by F in the figure in response to a shift operation of a shift lever (not shown) provided in the driver's seat. A line from an oil pump (not shown) is supplied to the manual valve 1002 via an electromagnetic switching valve 1001.
The line pressure is selected for the circuits A to D in accordance with the reciprocating movement of the manual valve 1002, and is distributed and supplied. These circuits A to D may be used individually or in plurals for each select P, R, N,
A necessary hydraulic circuit is formed in D, 2, 1 and a line pressure is supplied to a large number of friction elements (not shown) to achieve a predetermined shift speed. Further, the electromagnetic switching valve 1001 has a function as an operating means, and a single electromagnet spring offset type of two positions of 2 ports a and b is used. The electromagnetic switching valve 1001 normally supplies the line pressure to the manual valve 1002 with the illustrated position being the normal position, but when the operation signal SCT is input, the electromagnet operates to close the ports a and b. Therefore, the operation signal SCT
Is input, the line pressure to the manual valve 1002 is shut off, and at least the circuit A related to the travel range
The line pressure supply to D is prohibited and the friction element (not shown) is disengaged. As a result, all the friction elements are released to be in the neutral state, and the driving force is not transmitted to the driving system. For this reason, even if the accelerator pedal is not depressed, if the engine output does not decrease due to a malfunction of the accelerator device or constant-speed traveling device, the drive torque transmitted to the drive system can be operated in the decreasing direction. By operating pedals or the like, the vehicle can be stopped quickly and easily.

[0004]

The conventional vehicular travel control device has the following advantages when the accelerator pedal is not depressed:
And when the output of the engine is not in the predetermined low output state,
The automatic transmission is controlled in the range corresponding to D to N so that the driving force transmitted to the driving system is operated in the decreasing direction. The control of the automatic transmission in this case is limited to the time of traveling, and the stop state of the own vehicle is not taken into consideration. That is, since there is no means for determining whether the host vehicle is in the running state or the stopped state, there is a problem that it cannot be determined whether the host vehicle is in the running state or the stopped state. In addition, since there is no own vehicle stop detection means for detecting that the own vehicle is in the stopped state, it is not possible to determine whether the own vehicle is in the stopped state for an extremely short time or in the continuous stopped state. was there. Furthermore, since there is no means for determining what kind of road shape the own vehicle is placed on, it is possible to positively use the information regarding the stopped state of the own vehicle for the traveling control device such as the automatic transmission control means. There were problems such as not being. Therefore, in the conventional vehicle travel control device, it is difficult to reduce the battery load and other loads of the host vehicle when stopped, and it is difficult to improve fuel efficiency.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and enables the automatic transmission to be controlled through the automatic transmission control means even when the vehicle is stopped, so that To reduce the load on the battery and the driver,
Another object of the present invention is to obtain a vehicle travel control device capable of improving fuel efficiency.

[0006]

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicular travel control device, an inter-vehicle distance detecting means 23 for detecting an inter-vehicle distance between an own vehicle and a front vehicle, and a vehicle speed detecting means for detecting a vehicle speed of the own vehicle. 21a, automatic transmission control means 26 for controlling the transmission, and braking device control means 27 for controlling the braking device.
And the relative speed obtained from the vehicle speed of the own vehicle detected by the vehicle speed detecting means 21a and the inter-vehicle distance detected by the inter-vehicle distance detecting means 23, it is detected that the preceding vehicle is in a stopped state or the relative speed is detected. Own vehicle stop detecting means 24 for detecting that the own vehicle and the preceding vehicle do not start due to following running when the own vehicle and the preceding vehicle are in a stopped state, and accelerator pedal fully closed detecting means for detecting that the driver has not depressed the accelerator pedal. 22, communication means 25 for transmitting information on the driver's intention to start detected by the vehicle stop detection means 24 and the accelerator pedal fully closed detection means 22 to the automatic transmission control means 26, and the communication means 25. When the vehicle stop detection means 24 detects that the host vehicle is in a stopped state, and the accelerator pedal fully closed detection means 22 drives the vehicle. If There has been detected that no depressing the accelerator pedal, the automatic transmission control unit 26
And a central control unit 20 for controlling the automatic transmission to a range corresponding to a neutral state or a parking state via the.

A vehicle travel control device according to a second aspect of the present invention is
An inter-vehicle distance detecting means 43 for detecting an inter-vehicle distance between the host vehicle and a front vehicle, and a vehicle speed detecting means 41a for detecting a vehicle speed of the own vehicle.
An automatic transmission control means 47 for controlling the transmission, a braking device control means 48 for controlling the braking device, the vehicle speed of the own vehicle detected by the vehicle speed detection means 41a, and the vehicle distance detection means 43. The own vehicle that detects that the own vehicle and the preceding vehicle are in the stopped state from the relative speed obtained from the inter-vehicle distance or that the preceding vehicle does not start due to the follow-up running from the above relative speed The stop detection means 45, the own vehicle stop determination means 45 for determining whether or not the own vehicle is in the stopped state for a predetermined time based on the detection result of the own vehicle stop detection means 45, and the driver depresses the accelerator pedal. It is determined and detected by the accelerator pedal fully closed detection means 42 for detecting that the vehicle is not open, the own vehicle stop determination means 45, and the accelerator pedal fully closed detection means 42. Communication means 4 for transmitting the information about the start intention of the driver to the automatic transmission control unit 47
6, when thus the vehicle in the vehicle stop determining means 45 is determined to be stopped, and when the driver by the accelerator pedal full-closing detecting unit 42 is detected that it is not depressing the accelerator pedal, A central control device 40 for controlling the automatic transmission to a range corresponding to a neutral state or a parking state via the automatic transmission control means 47 is provided.

A vehicle travel control device according to a third aspect of the present invention is
An inter-vehicle distance detecting means 63 for detecting an inter-vehicle distance between the host vehicle and a preceding vehicle, and a vehicle speed detecting means 61a for detecting a vehicle speed of the own vehicle.
An automatic transmission control means 68 for controlling the transmission, a braking equipment control means 69 for controlling the braking equipment, the vehicle speed of the own vehicle detected by the vehicle speed detection means 61a, and the inter-vehicle distance detection means 63. detected from the relative speed obtained from the inter-vehicle distance that the own vehicle and the preceding vehicle is in a stopped state or
Other than the vehicle stop detecting means 64 for detecting that the front vehicle from the relative speed is the vehicle in a stopped state without the start by follow-up running, the predetermined time from the detection result of the vehicle stop detection means 64, vehicle Own vehicle stop determining means 65 for determining whether or not the vehicle continues to stop, accelerator pedal fully closed detecting means 62 for detecting that the driver has not depressed the accelerator pedal, and the own vehicle stop determining means 65. And the accelerator pedal fully closed detection means 62
Information on the determined and detected driver's willingness to start is provided to the automatic transmission control means 68 and the braking device control means 6.
9, the road inclination situation such as a cant or a bank of the road on which the own vehicle is placed is detected from the communication means 67 for transmitting to 9, and the road speed of the own vehicle, the road information of the current position obtained from the map information, and the like. a road condition determining means 66 determines whether the brake is required at the time of vehicle stop, when thus the vehicle in the vehicle stop determining means 65 is determined to be stopped, and the accelerator pedal full-closing detecting unit 62 When it is detected by the driver that the accelerator pedal is not depressed, the automatic transmission control means 6
The central control unit 60 that controls the automatic transmission to a range corresponding to the neutral state or the parking state via 8 and controls the braking device via the braking device control unit 69 based on the determination result of the road condition determination unit 70. It is characterized by having.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiment 1. Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described. Will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall main configuration of a vehicle travel control device according to the first, second, and third embodiments. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes various sensors for detecting the traveling state of the host vehicle, such as a vehicle speed sensor for detecting the speed of each wheel of the host vehicle, a throttle position sensor for detecting the opening of a throttle valve, and a depression of an accelerator pedal. An accelerator position sensor that detects the amount, each G sensor that detects G (dynamic acceleration) in the front / rear direction or the lateral direction of the vehicle, a hydraulic sensor that detects the pressure of various hydraulic units, and a steering angle sensor that detects the steering angle. Including etc. 102 indicates the distance between the own vehicle and the vehicle in front by ultrasonic waves,
It is an inter-vehicle distance detecting means for measuring from the electric wave, the laser beam, the light, information obtained from other systems, the own vehicle speed and the like. Reference numeral 105 denotes an automatic transmission control means, which is an automatic transmission 1
06, a hydraulic unit, a control controller, various accumulators, etc. are included. Reference numeral 107 denotes a braking device control means, which includes a braking device 108, a hydraulic unit, a controller, various vibrators, and the like. Reference numeral 103 denotes a road condition determination means that detects a road inclination condition and determines whether or not a brake is required when the vehicle is stopped. Reference numeral 104 denotes a central control device for controlling traveling based on information from the inter-vehicle distance detecting means 102, the automatic shift control means 105, or the like, or for following a vehicle ahead. The central control unit 104 includes CPUs 104a, R
OM104b, RAM104c, input port 104d,
And an output port 104e. Note that FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which each means of the vehicle travel control device is mounted on the vehicle 100.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the vehicle travel control device according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 20 denotes an accelerator pedal fully closed detection means 22, a host vehicle stop detection means 24,
Central control for performing traveling control based on each information from the inter-vehicle distance detecting means 23, the automatic transmission control means 26 , the braking device control means 27, etc., or for controlling the follow-up traveling of the own vehicle to the preceding vehicle. It is a device. Reference numeral 21 denotes various sensors for detecting the traveling condition of the own vehicle, such as a wheel speed sensor for detecting the speed of each wheel, a vehicle speed sensor for detecting the speed of the own vehicle from a drive train transmission system for driving wheels, and a throttle valve. Throttle position sensor that detects the opening degree of the vehicle, accelerator position sensor that detects the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal, each G sensor that detects G in the front / rear direction or the lateral direction of the host vehicle, hydraulic pressure sensor that detects the pressure of various hydraulic units, A steer angle sensor for detecting the steering angle is included. Reference numeral 21a indicates a vehicle speed detecting means (the vehicle speed sensor) included in the various sensors 21. Reference numeral 22 denotes an accelerator pedal fully closed detection unit that detects the accelerator pedal fully closed from sensor information relating to the accelerator pedal among the various sensors 21. That is, the accelerator pedal fully closed detection means 22 detects that the driver has not stepped on the accelerator pedal. Reference numeral 23 indicates the vehicle speed, the relative speed between the vehicle and the vehicle in front, and the distance between the vehicle and the vehicle in front of the vehicle from the inter-vehicle distance from ultrasonic waves, radio waves, laser beams, light, or information obtained from other systems. It is an inter-vehicle distance detecting means. 24 that said host vehicle and <br/> preceding vehicle from the relative speed of the preceding vehicle obtained from the vehicle speed and the inter-vehicle distance detecting means 23 of the vehicle is stopped, or the preceding vehicle from said relative speed is stopped Is a vehicle stop detection means for detecting that the vehicle does not start due to following travel. 25
Is a communication means for transmitting the information detected by the own vehicle stop detection means 24 and the accelerator pedal fully closed detection means 22 to the central controller 20. 26 is a central control unit 2
It is an automatic transmission control means for controlling the automatic transmission based on the information of 0. Reference numeral 27 is a braking device control means for controlling various braking devices.

Next, an outline of the operation of the vehicle travel control device shown in FIG. 2 will be described. First, when the engine is started,
Electric power is supplied from an alternator for a vehicle (not shown), each control device starts operating, and executes main routine processing contents (not shown). Since a pulse train signal having a frequency proportional to the traveling speed is input from a wheel speed sensor (not shown) when the vehicle is traveling, it is performed separately from the main routine. That is, in the wheel speed sensor processing, every time a pulse train signal (not shown) is input, the microcomputer provided in the central controller 20 (see FIG. 1).
Then, the CPU 104a or the like) performs an interrupt process, the period T of the pulse train signal is obtained by a timer (not shown), and then the process is shifted to the main routine.

Next, an example of this operation will be specifically described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the main routine process, after first initializing the microcomputer (not shown),
In step S301, the current own vehicle speed is calculated from the latest pulse period obtained from the interruption processing by the own vehicle stop detection means 24. In the following step S302,
When it is detected that the front vehicle is stopped from the relative speed between the own vehicle and the front vehicle, or in the traveling control mode in which the own vehicle follows the front vehicle and the front vehicle is stopped from the relative speed. If it is detected that there is no start due to the follow-up running, it is determined whether the host vehicle is running / stopped from the host vehicle speed described above, and if it is determined that the host vehicle is stopped, it is determined that the host vehicle is running. If so, step S3
Go to 08. In step S303, inter-vehicle distance detecting means 2
The relative speed between the host vehicle and the front vehicle obtained from No. 3 is determined, and the (relative speed between the host vehicle and the front vehicle) = 0 km / h
If the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S304, and if it is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S308. In step S304, the accelerator pedal fully-closed detection means 22 detects that the accelerator pedal is fully closed and the driver has no intention of starting from the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal and the engine speed.
In step S305, in order to determine the driver's willingness to start, the full-closed determination of the accelerator pedal depression amount is performed, and if satisfied, proceeds to step S306, and if not satisfied, proceeds to step S308. Step S306
If the central controller 20 determines that the driver has no intention to start and the host vehicle is in the stopped state based on the result of the determination to start the driver, the automatic transmission is set to the range corresponding to the neutral or parking state. The instruction information for controlling is communicated to the vehicle travel control means such as the automatic transmission control means 26. In step S307, the determination result of the vehicle travel control means is communicated to the automatic transmission and the like. These operations are executed in step S308 every predetermined cycle time, and after the predetermined time has elapsed, step S3
Returning to 01, the series of operations described above is repeated.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, by adding the own vehicle stop detecting means 24 and the accelerator pedal fully closed detecting means 22, it becomes possible to detect that the own vehicle is in a stopped state, Further, by adding a communication means 25 for communicating with the central control unit 20, the automatic transmission control means 2
It becomes possible to control 6 to shift to a range corresponding to the neutral or parking state. Therefore, even when the vehicle is stopped, the automatic transmission can be controlled via the automatic transmission control means 26, whereby the battery load, the driver load and other loads can be reduced, and the fuel consumption can be improved.

Embodiment 2. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a vehicle travel control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 40 denotes each of accelerator pedal fully closed detection means 42, own vehicle stop detection means 44, own vehicle stop determination means 45, inter-vehicle distance detection means 43, automatic transmission control means 47, braking device control means 48 and the like. It is a central control device for controlling traveling based on information or for controlling the following traveling of the host vehicle with respect to the vehicle in front. Reference numeral 41 denotes various sensors for detecting the traveling state of the own vehicle, and a wheel speed sensor for detecting the speed of each wheel,
A vehicle speed sensor that detects the speed of the host vehicle from the drive system transmission of the drive wheels, a throttle position sensor that detects the opening of the throttle valve, an accelerator position sensor that detects the amount of accelerator pedal depression,
Alternatively, each G sensor for detecting G in the lateral direction, a hydraulic sensor for detecting pressure of various hydraulic units, a steer angle sensor for detecting a steering angle, and the like are included. 41a is a vehicle speed detecting means included in the various sensors 41 (the vehicle speed sensor)
Indicates. Reference numeral 42 denotes an accelerator pedal fully closed detecting means for detecting the accelerator pedal fully closed from information of sensors related to the accelerator pedal among the various sensors 41. That is, the accelerator pedal fully closed detection means 22 detects that the driver has not stepped on the accelerator pedal. Reference numeral 43 denotes the vehicle speed, the relative speed between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle, and the distance between the vehicle and the vehicle ahead of the vehicle from the inter-vehicle distance from ultrasonic waves, radio waves, laser beams, light, or information obtained from other systems. It is an inter-vehicle distance detecting means. Reference numeral 44 indicates that the own vehicle and the front vehicle are in the stopped state based on the speed of the own vehicle and the relative speed with respect to the front vehicle obtained by the inter-vehicle distance detection means 43, or the own vehicle is in the stopped state based on the relative speed. This is a vehicle stop detection means for detecting that the vehicle is not started by following. Reference numeral 45 denotes own vehicle stop determination means for determining whether the own vehicle is in a stopped state for a predetermined time based on the information of the own vehicle stop detection means 44. Reference numeral 46 denotes a communication means for transmitting the information detected by the own vehicle stop detection means 44, the own vehicle stop determination means 45 and the accelerator pedal fully closed detection means 42 to the central control device 40. Four
Reference numeral 7 denotes an automatic transmission control means for controlling the automatic transmission based on the information of the central control device 40. Reference numeral 48 is a braking device control means for controlling various braking devices.

Next, an outline of the operation of the vehicle travel control device shown in FIG. 4 will be described. First, when the engine is started,
Electric power is supplied from an alternator for a vehicle (not shown), each control device starts operating, and executes main routine processing contents (not shown). Since a pulse train signal having a frequency proportional to the traveling speed is input from a wheel speed sensor (not shown) when the vehicle is traveling, it is performed separately from the main routine. That is, in the wheel speed sensor process, every time a pulse train signal (not shown) is input, the microcomputer provided in the central controller 40 (see FIG. 1).
Then, the CPU 104a or the like) performs an interrupt process, the period T of the pulse train signal is obtained by a timer (not shown), and then the process is shifted to the main routine.

Next, an example of this operation will be specifically described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the main routine process, after first initializing the microcomputer (not shown),
In step S501, the current vehicle speed is calculated from the latest pulse cycle obtained from the interrupt processing by the vehicle stop detection means 44. In the following step S502,
When the front vehicle is stopped at the relative speed between the host vehicle and the front vehicle, or when the host vehicle is in a traveling control mode in which the host vehicle approaches the front vehicle and the front vehicle is stopped at the relative speed. If the vehicle is not started, it is determined whether the host vehicle is running / stopped from the host vehicle speed described above. If the host vehicle is determined to be stopped, the process proceeds to step S503, and if it is determined to be running, the process proceeds to step S510. Step S50
In 3, the relative speed between the host vehicle and the preceding vehicle obtained by the inter-vehicle distance detecting means 43 is determined, and if the condition (Relative speed between the subject vehicle and the preceding vehicle) = 0 Km / h is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S504. If not established, the process proceeds to step S510. In subsequent step S504, it is detected that the own vehicle is in a stopped state for a predetermined time after the information of the inter-vehicle distance detecting means 43 is obtained, and the stop determination of the own vehicle is performed. In step S505, if the condition for stopping the own vehicle is satisfied from the determination result obtained by the own vehicle stop determining means 45, the process proceeds to step S506, and if not, step S5.
Go to 10. In step S506, it is detected from the depression amount of the accelerator pedal and the engine speed that the accelerator pedal is fully closed and the driver has no intention to start. In step S507, in order to determine the driver's willingness to start, the full-closed determination of the accelerator pedal depression amount is performed. If satisfied, the process proceeds to step S508, and if not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S510. In step S508, the central control unit 40 determines that the driver has no intention to start and the own vehicle is in a stopped state based on the determination result of the driver's intention to start.
When the determination is made, the instruction information for controlling the automatic transmission to the range corresponding to the neutral state or the parking state is communicated to the vehicle travel control means such as the automatic transmission control means 47. In step S509, the determination result of the vehicle travel control means is communicated to the automatic transmission and the like. These operations are executed at a predetermined cycle time in step S510, and after a predetermined time elapses, a step S501 is performed.
Then, the series of operations described above is repeated.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, the own vehicle stop judging means 4
By providing 5, it is possible to detect whether the host vehicle is in a stopped state for an extremely short time or in a stopped state for a very short time, and it is possible to more accurately determine whether the host vehicle is stopped. Therefore, the determination of the stopped state can be performed more accurately than in the first embodiment, and the automatic transmission can be controlled through the automatic transmission control means 47 even when the vehicle is stopped, whereby the battery load, the driver load, and the like. The load on the vehicle can be reduced and the fuel consumption can be improved.

Embodiment 3. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a vehicle travel control device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6, 60 is an accelerator pedal fully closed detection means 62, own vehicle stop detection means 64, own vehicle stop determination means 65, headway distance detection means 63, automatic transmission control means 68, braking device control means 69, road condition determination. It is a central control device for controlling the traveling based on each information from the means 70 or the like, or for controlling the following traveling of the own vehicle with respect to the preceding vehicle. Reference numeral 61 denotes various sensors for detecting the traveling condition of the own vehicle, such as a wheel speed sensor for detecting the speed of each wheel, a vehicle speed sensor for detecting the speed of the own vehicle from a drive train transmission device for driving wheels, and a throttle valve. Throttle position sensor that detects the opening degree of the vehicle, accelerator position sensor that detects the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal, each G sensor that detects G in the front / rear and / or lateral directions of the host vehicle, hydraulic sensor that detects the pressure of various hydraulic units, A steer angle sensor for detecting the steering angle is included. Reference numeral 61a indicates a vehicle speed detecting means (the vehicle speed sensor) included in the various sensors 61. Reference numeral 62 denotes an accelerator pedal fully closed detection unit that detects the accelerator pedal fully closed from information of sensors related to the accelerator pedal among various sensors 61. That is, the accelerator pedal fully-closed detection means 62 detects that the driver has not stepped on the accelerator pedal. Reference numeral 63 is an ultrasonic wave indicating the own vehicle speed and the relative speed between the own vehicle and the preceding vehicle, and further the distance between the own vehicle and the preceding vehicle of the own vehicle,
It is an inter-vehicle distance detecting means for detecting the inter-vehicle distance from radio waves, laser beams, light, or information obtained from other systems. Reference numeral 64 denotes the vehicle speed and inter-vehicle distance detecting means 63.
Based on the relative speed with the preceding vehicle, the own vehicle and the preceding vehicle are in a stopped state, or the relative vehicle speed detects that the preceding vehicle is in a stopped state and the own vehicle does not start due to follow-up running. It is a detection means. Reference numeral 65 denotes a host vehicle stop determination unit that determines whether or not the host vehicle is in a stopped state for a predetermined time based on the information from the host vehicle stop detection unit 64. 67 is a communication means for transmitting the information detected by the own vehicle stop detection means 64, the own vehicle stop determination means 65 and the accelerator pedal fully closed detection means 62 to the central control device 60. Reference numeral 68 denotes an automatic transmission control means for controlling the automatic transmission based on the information from the central control device 60. 69 is a braking device control means for controlling the braking device based on the information of the central control device 60.

Next, an outline of the operation of the vehicle travel control device shown in FIG. 6 will be described. First, when the engine is started,
Electric power is supplied from an alternator for a vehicle (not shown), each control device starts operating, and executes main routine processing contents (not shown). Since a pulse train signal having a frequency proportional to the traveling speed is input from a wheel speed sensor (not shown) when the vehicle is traveling, it is performed separately from the main routine. That is, in the wheel speed sensor process, every time a pulse train signal (not shown) is input, the microcomputer provided in the central controller 40 (see FIG. 1).
Then, the CPU 104a or the like) performs an interrupt process, the period T of the pulse train signal is obtained by a timer (not shown), and then the process is shifted to the main routine.

Next, an example of this operation will be specifically described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the main routine process, after first initializing the microcomputer (not shown),
In step S701, the current vehicle speed is calculated from the latest pulse period obtained from the interrupt processing by the vehicle stop detection means 64. In the following step S702,
If it is detected from the relative speed between the host vehicle and the preceding vehicle that the preceding vehicle is stopped, or if the host vehicle becomes the preceding vehicle.
In the traveling control mode in which the vehicle follows, and when it is detected that the preceding vehicle has stopped from the relative speed and there is no start due to the following traveling, it is determined whether the vehicle is traveling / stopped from the vehicle speed described above. If it is determined that the host vehicle is stopped, the process proceeds to step S703, and if it is determined that the vehicle is running, step S7.
Proceed to 14. In step S703, the inter-vehicle distance detecting means 6
The relative speed between the host vehicle and the front vehicle obtained from No. 3 is determined, and the (relative speed between the host vehicle and the front vehicle) = 0 km / h
If the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S704, and if it is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S714. Continued Step S704
Then, after the information of the above-mentioned vehicle distance detection means is obtained,
It is determined that the own vehicle is stopped for a predetermined time, and the stop determination of the own vehicle is performed. In step S705, if the condition for stopping the own vehicle is satisfied from the determination result obtained by the own vehicle stop determining means, the process proceeds to step S706, and if not, the process proceeds to step S714. In step S706, the accelerator pedal full-closed detection means 62 detects that the accelerator pedal is fully closed and the driver has no intention of starting from the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal and the engine speed.
In step S707, in order to determine the driver's willingness to start, the full-closed determination of the accelerator pedal depression amount is performed. If satisfied, the process proceeds to step S708, and if not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S714. Step S708
Then, the road condition judging means 66 detects a road inclination condition such as a cant or a bank of the road on which the own vehicle is located from the vehicle speed / inclination of the own vehicle or road information of the current position obtained from the map information and the Determines if braking is required when the vehicle is stopped. In step S709, it is determined from the above road condition determination result whether or not the road condition where the host vehicle is placed is in the middle of a slope with a cant or a bank, and if the determination condition is satisfied, the determination result in step S710 is not satisfied. If so, the process proceeds to step S712. In step S710, if it is determined from the above determination result that the driver has no intention to start, the host vehicle is in the stopped state, and the host vehicle cannot maintain the stopped state sufficiently without using the braking device, the automatic transmission is neutralized. Alternatively, instruction information for controlling the range corresponding to the parking state is provided to the automatic transmission control means 68, and a braking device control for controlling a mechanical or hydraulic braking device so as to maintain the own vehicle in a sufficiently stopped state. Information is communicated to the vehicle travel control means such as the means 69. In step S711, the determination result of the vehicle travel control means is communicated to the automatic transmission and the like. If it is determined in step S712 that the driver has no intention to start, the own vehicle is in the stopped state, and the own vehicle can maintain the sufficiently stopped state without using the braking device, the automatic transmission is determined in step S712. Instruction information for controlling the range corresponding to the neutral or parking state is communicated to the vehicle drive control means such as the automatic transmission control means 68. In step S713, the determination result of the vehicle travel control means is communicated to the automatic transmission and the like. These operations are executed in step S714 every predetermined cycle time, and after the predetermined time has elapsed, step S701 is performed.
Then, the series of operations described above is repeated.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the second embodiment, the road condition determining means 66
By providing the above, the same effects as those of the first and second embodiments can be obtained, and the braking device can be controlled so that the vehicle can be surely stopped even on a slope with a cant or a bank, and a reliable automatic stop of the own vehicle can be achieved. The state can be retained.

[0023]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to detect that the host vehicle is in the stopped state by providing the host vehicle stop detecting means and the accelerator pedal fully closed detecting means. It is possible to control to shift to the range corresponding to the neutral state or the parking state. Therefore, it is possible to control the automatic transmission, which can reduce the battery load, the driver load, and other loads, and can improve fuel consumption.

According to the second invention, in addition to the configuration of the first invention, by providing the vehicle stop determining means is the continuous stop condition or the vehicle is very short standstill It is possible to detect whether the vehicle is stopped or not, and it is possible to more accurately determine whether the vehicle is stopped.
Therefore, the stop state can be determined more accurately than in the first aspect of the invention, and the automatic transmission can be controlled through the automatic transmission control means even when the vehicle is stopped, whereby the battery load, the driver load, Other loads can be reduced, and fuel efficiency can be improved.

According to the third aspect of the invention, in addition to the configuration of the second aspect of the invention, by providing the road condition determining means, the same effects as those of the first and second aspects of the invention can be obtained, and a cant or a bank can be attached. It is possible to control the braking device so that the vehicle can be stopped reliably even on a slope, and it is possible to maintain the automatic stop state of the own vehicle with certainty, and the safety is improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall main configuration of a vehicle travel control device according to first, second, and third embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a vehicle travel control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a vehicle travel control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a vehicle travel control device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which each means of the first, second, and third embodiments is mounted on a vehicle.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an overall main configuration of a conventional vehicle travel control device.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram around an automatic transmission.

FIG. 11 is a main part hydraulic system diagram centering on a manual valve.

[Explanation of symbols]

20, 40, 60, 104 Central control unit 21, 4
1, 61, 101 Various sensors, 21a, 41a, 61
a vehicle speed detecting means, 22, 42, 62 accelerator pedal fully closed detecting means, 23, 43, 63, 102 inter-vehicle distance detecting means, 24, 44, 64 own vehicle stop detecting means, 2
5, 46, 67 communication means, 26, 47, 68, 105
Automatic transmission control means, 27, 48, 69, 107 Braking device control means, 45, 65 Own vehicle stop determination means, 6
6,103 road condition judging means, 106 automatic transmission,
108 Braking device.

Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI F16H 59:60 F16H 59:60 59:66 59:66 63:40 63:40 (56) References JP-A-60-40849 (JP, A) ) JP-A-2-46355 (JP, A) JP-A-6-313473 (JP, A) JP-A-61-146646 (JP, A) JP-A-62-148429 (JP, A) JP-A-7- 52680 (JP, A) JP-A-7-108853 (JP, A) Actually developed 60-28950 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) F16H 59/00-61 / 12 F16H 61/16-61/24 F16H 63/40-63/48 B60K 28/10 B60K 31/00-37/06 B60T 7/12-8/00 B60T 8/32-8/96 F02D 29/00 -29/06 F02D 45/00

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. An inter-vehicle distance detecting means for detecting an inter-vehicle distance between an own vehicle and a preceding vehicle, a vehicle speed detecting means for detecting a vehicle speed of the own vehicle, an automatic transmission control means for controlling a transmission, and a braking device. braking device control unit and the own vehicle and <br/> preceding vehicle from the relative speed obtained from the detected inter-vehicle distance by the vehicle speed and the inter-vehicle distance detecting means of the vehicle detected by the vehicle speed detecting means is stopped to Own vehicle stop detection means for detecting that the vehicle is not starting by following the vehicle while the preceding vehicle is stopped from the relative speed or the relative speed,
The accelerator pedal fully closed detection means for detecting that the driver has not stepped on the accelerator pedal, and the automatic shift based on the information about the driver's intention to start detected by the own vehicle stop detection means and the accelerator pedal fully closed detection means. and communication means for transmitting to the machine control means, if the thus subject vehicle to the vehicle stop detection means is detected to be stopped, and the driver by the accelerator pedal full-closing detecting means depresses the accelerator pedal When it is detected that the vehicle is not present, a central control device for controlling the automatic transmission to a range corresponding to a neutral state or a parking state through the automatic transmission control means, and a vehicle traveling control device. 2. An inter-vehicle distance detecting means for detecting an inter-vehicle distance between a host vehicle and a preceding vehicle, a vehicle speed detecting means for detecting a vehicle speed of the own vehicle, an automatic transmission control means for controlling a transmission, and a braking device. braking device control unit and the own vehicle and <br/> preceding vehicle from the relative speed obtained from the detected inter-vehicle distance by the vehicle speed and the inter-vehicle distance detecting means of the vehicle detected by the vehicle speed detecting means is stopped to Own vehicle stop detection means for detecting that the vehicle is not starting by following the vehicle while the preceding vehicle is stopped from the relative speed or the relative speed,
From the detection result of the own vehicle stop detection means, own vehicle stop determination means for determining whether the own vehicle is in a stopped state for a predetermined time, and an accelerator pedal for detecting that the driver has not stepped on the accelerator pedal. A full-closed detection means, a communication means for transmitting to the automatic transmission control means information regarding the driver's intention to start, which is determined and detected by the vehicle stop determination means and the accelerator pedal full-closed detection means, If therefore the vehicle in the vehicle stop determining means is determined to be stopped, and when the driver by the accelerator pedal full-closing detecting means is detected to be not depressing the accelerator pedal, the automatic transmission control unit And a central control unit for controlling the automatic transmission to a range corresponding to a neutral state or a parking state via That vehicle control system. 3. An inter-vehicle distance detecting means for detecting an inter-vehicle distance between the own vehicle and a preceding vehicle, a vehicle speed detecting means for detecting a vehicle speed of the own vehicle, an automatic transmission control means for controlling a transmission, and a braking device. braking device control unit and the own vehicle and <br/> preceding vehicle from the relative speed obtained from the detected inter-vehicle distance by the vehicle speed and the inter-vehicle distance detecting means of the vehicle detected by the vehicle speed detecting means is stopped to Or a predetermined time from the detection result of the own vehicle stop detection means for detecting that the own vehicle does not start due to follow-up running when the preceding vehicle is in a stopped state from the detection of the relative speed or the relative speed, Own vehicle stop judging means for judging whether or not the own vehicle continues to stop, accelerator pedal fully closed detecting means for detecting that the driver has not stepped on the accelerator pedal, and the own vehicle stop judgment And communication means for transmitting information about the start intention determination and the detected driver by the step and the accelerator pedal full-closing detecting means in the automatic transmission control means and the brake device control unit, the vehicle speed, the gradient Alternatively, a road condition determining means for detecting whether or not a brake is required when the own vehicle is stopped by detecting a road inclination situation such as a cant or a bank of a road on which the own vehicle is placed from road information etc. of the current position obtained from the map information. If, when thus the vehicle in the vehicle stop determining means is determined to be stopped, and when the driver by the accelerator pedal full-closing detecting means is detected to be not depressing the accelerator pedal, the automatic transmission The automatic transmission is controlled to the range corresponding to the neutral state or the parking state through the machine control means, and The vehicle running control apparatus characterized by comprising a central control device from the determination result of the status determination unit controls the braking device via the braking device control means.