Vehicle control device

Abstract

The present invention addresses the problem of providing a control device for a vehicle that improves the performance of a track pattern. The vehicle control device is provided with: a determination unit that determines whether or not the traveling mode of a vehicle equipped with an engine as a traveling power source is switched to a racing track mode; and a switching unit that, when the determination unit has made a positive determination, switches a target idle rotation speed, which is a target value for the rotation speed of the engine in an idle operation state, to a higher rotation speed than when the determination unit has made a negative determination.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device for a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] There is a vehicle capable of switching a driving mode to a circuit mode (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Prior art literature Patent Literature

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-199382 Summary of the Invention Problems to be solved by the invention

[0004] It is expected that when the driving mode is switched to the track mode, different performances will be exhibited between the other modes and the track mode.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle control device with improved performance in track mode. Means for solving problems

[0006] The above object is achieved by a vehicle control device comprising: a determination unit for determining whether a driving mode of a vehicle equipped with an engine as a driving power source has been switched to a track mode; and a switching unit for switching a target idle speed, which is a target value of the engine speed in an idling state, to a higher speed when the determination unit makes an affirmative determination, than when the determination unit makes a negative determination.

[0007] It is also possible that when the automatic transmission of the vehicle is in either the D zone or the R zone, the switching unit switches the target idle speed to a speed lower than when the automatic transmission is in either the N zone or the P zone, and when the automatic transmission is in the R zone, the switching unit switches the target idle speed to a speed lower than when the automatic transmission is in the D zone.

[0008] The controller may further include a gradual change processing unit configured to control the engine so as to gradually change the engine speed toward the target idle speed after the switching by the switching unit. Effects of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, a vehicle control device with improved performance in track mode can be provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the vehicle. Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating performance control. Figure 3 This is a time chart illustrating the transition of the engine speed due to performance control. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] [Schematic structure of the vehicle] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the schematic structure of vehicle 1. Vehicle 1 includes an engine (ENG) 10, a torque converter (T / C) 12, and a stepped automatic transmission (A / T) 14. Engine 10 is a gasoline engine, but may also be a diesel engine. The crankshaft 11 of engine 10 is connected to the torque converter 12. The turbine shaft 13 of the torque converter 12 is connected to the input side of the automatic transmission 14, transmitting the driving force of the engine 10 to the automatic transmission 14. The output shaft 15 of the automatic transmission 14 is connected to a differential gear 16 serving as a final reducer. The differential gear 16 is connected to left and right axles 17. The driving force transmitted to the output shaft 15 is transmitted to drive wheels 18 via the axle 17.

[0012] The automatic transmission 14 is a stepped transmission that includes multiple hydraulic friction elements and a planetary gear mechanism. The multiple friction elements are selectively engaged in the automatic transmission 14 to shift the vehicle into one of the following positions: P (Park), R (Reverse), N (Neutral), and D (Drive).

[0013] The ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 20 is an electronic control unit that performs control processing related to the vehicle 1. The ECU 20 is a computer that includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), and ROM (Read Only Memory). The ECU 20 is an example of a vehicle control device. Specifically, it functionally implements the determination unit, switching unit, and gradual change processing unit described below.

[0014] The ECU 20 is connected to a crank angle sensor 21, a gear position sensor 22, an air flow meter 23, an accelerator position sensor 24, a mode switch 25, and a vehicle speed sensor 26, and receives the output values of these sensors. The crank angle sensor 21 detects the rotational speed of the engine 10. The gear position sensor 22 detects whether the shift lever is in the P zone, R zone, N zone, or D zone. The air flow meter 23 detects the amount of air intake into the engine 10. The accelerator position sensor 24 detects the accelerator pedal position, i.e., the accelerator position. The mode switch 25 switches between driving modes (described later). The vehicle speed sensor 26 detects the driving speed of the vehicle 1.

[0015] The ECU 20 calculates the requested torque and target speed for the engine 10 based on the engine speed, intake air volume, and accelerator position detected by the aforementioned sensors. The ECU 20 controls the fuel injection amount, intake air volume, and ignition timing in the engine 10 in accordance with the requested torque and target speed. For example, when the engine 10 is idling, the ECU 20 controls the fuel injection amount, intake air volume, and ignition timing so that the engine 10 speed reaches the target idle speed.

[0016] The ECU 20 can switch the driving mode between normal mode, sport mode, economy mode, and track mode. The driver can operate the mode switch 25 to switch the driving mode between normal mode, sport mode, or economy mode. For example, the driver can switch the driving mode to track mode by operating a mobile device such as a smartphone while the vehicle 1 is at a racetrack. After the driving mode is switched to track mode, the control map of the vehicle 1 is switched to a control map that prioritizes driving performance, corresponding to track mode. This improves the driving performance of the vehicle 1 compared to driving modes other than track mode. Of course, switching to track mode can also be performed using the mode switch 25 as described above.

[0017] [Performance Control] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating the performance control. This control is continuously repeated while the ignition is on. The ECU 20 determines whether the driving mode has been switched to the track mode (step S1). Step S1 is an example of the processing performed by the determination unit.

[0018] If the answer is NO in step S1, the ECU 20 sets the target idle speed to speed A1 (step S2). Speed A1 is a value lower than any of speeds A2 to A4 described later.

[0019] If the answer is yes in step S1, the ECU 20 determines whether the automatic transmission 14 is in either the N zone or the P zone (step S3). If the answer is yes in step S3, the ECU 20 switches the target idle speed to speed A4 (step S4). Speed A4 is a value higher than any of speeds A1 to A3. Therefore, when the driving mode is switched to track mode, the driver can perceive that the idle speed of the engine 10 has increased and easily recognize the difference between other driving modes and track mode. In this way, the performance of track mode is improved. Step S4 is an example of the processing performed by the switching unit.

[0020] If the answer is "No" in step S3, the ECU 20 determines whether the automatic transmission 14 is in the D range (step S5). If the answer is "Yes" in step S5, the ECU 20 switches the target idle speed to speed A3 (step S6). Speed A3 is lower than speed A4 and higher than both speeds A1 and A2. This prevents the vehicle speed from increasing excessively during creep driving. Furthermore, since speed A3 is higher than speed A1, the performance of Track mode is also improved in this case. Step S6 is an example of the processing performed by the switching unit.

[0021] If the answer is "No" in step S5, the automatic transmission 14 is deemed to be in the R range, and the ECU 20 switches the target idle speed to speed A2 (step S7). Speed A2 is lower than both speeds A3 and A4 and higher than speed A1. This prevents the vehicle speed from increasing excessively during creep driving during reverse. Furthermore, since speed A2 is higher than speed A1, the performance of Track mode is also improved in this case. Step S7 is an example of the processing performed by the switching unit.

[0022] Next, the ECU 20 determines whether the target idle speed has been switched due to a change in gear or a switch in driving mode (step S8). If the answer is no in step S8, this control is terminated. If the answer is yes in step S8, the ECU 20 performs a gradual change process (step S9). The gradual change process is a process that gradually changes the engine speed toward the target idle speed after switching. Specifically, the ECU 20 gradually changes the fuel injection amount and the intake air amount toward the fuel injection amount and the intake air amount corresponding to the target idle speed after switching. As a result, the engine speed gradually changes toward the target idle speed after switching. Step S9 is an example of a process performed by the gradual change process unit.

[0023] Figure 3This is a timing chart illustrating the transition of engine speed due to performance control. When the driving mode is switched to Track mode with the automatic transmission 14 in the D range, the target idle speed is switched from speed A1 to speed A3 (time t1). The engine speed gradually increases from speed A1 toward speed A3 through the aforementioned gradual change process. After the automatic transmission 14 switches from the D range to the N range, the target idle speed is switched from speed A3 to speed A4 (time t2). Furthermore, the engine speed gradually increases toward speed A4 through the gradual change process.

[0024] After the automatic transmission 14 switches from the N range to the R range, the target idle speed switches from speed A4 to speed A2 (time t3). Furthermore, the engine speed gradually decreases toward speed A2 through a gradual change process. After the automatic transmission 14 switches from the R range to the P range, the target idle speed switches from speed A2 to speed A3 (time t4). Furthermore, the engine speed gradually increases toward speed A3 through a gradual change process. After the driving mode is switched to a mode other than Track mode, the target idle speed switches from speed A3 to speed A1 (time t5). Furthermore, the engine speed gradually decreases toward speed A1 through a gradual change process.

[0025] By the gradual change process as described above, for example, when the target idle speed is switched to a lower value, the engine speed can be prevented from rapidly decreasing and stalling the engine 10. In addition, when the target idle speed is switched to a higher value, the engine speed can be prevented from rapidly increasing and causing discomfort to the driver.

[0026] While the above embodiment illustrates a vehicle 1 equipped with an automatic transmission 14, the vehicle is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the vehicle may also be equipped with a manual transmission. In this case, the target idle speed may be higher in Track mode than in other modes, regardless of the manual transmission range. In the above embodiment, the target idle speed is set to the same when the automatic transmission 14 is in the D range and the P range, but this is not limiting. For example, the target idle speed may be higher when the automatic transmission 14 is in the D range than when it is in the P range.

[0027] In the above embodiment, the vehicle 1 including the engine 10 as a driving power source is described as an example, but the vehicle is not limited thereto. For example, the vehicle may be a hybrid vehicle including an engine and a motor as driving power sources.

[0028] While the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention as described in the claims. Description of the label

[0029] 1 vehicle 10 engines 20ECU (vehicle control device, determination unit, switching unit, gradual change processing unit).

Claims

1. A vehicle control device comprising: a determination unit that determines whether a driving mode of a vehicle equipped with an engine as a driving power source is switched to a track mode; and The switching unit switches a target idle speed, which is a target value of the engine speed in an idling state, to a higher speed than when the determining unit makes a negative determination, when the determining unit makes an affirmative determination.

2. The vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein: When the automatic transmission of the vehicle is in either the D range or the R range, the switching unit switches the target idle speed to a speed lower than when the automatic transmission is in either the N range or the P range. When the automatic transmission is in the R range, the switching unit switches the target idle speed to a speed lower than when the automatic transmission is in the D range.

3. The vehicle control device according to claim 2, wherein: A gradual change processing unit is provided for controlling the engine to gradually change the engine speed toward the target idle speed after the switching by the switching unit when the target idle speed is switched.

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