METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING A TRANSMISSION OF A VEHICLE

Abstract

A method for controlling a transmission (250), the method comprising: Determining, by means of a control device (240), whether the control device (240) receives (100) an accelerator pedal off signal corresponding to a foot lift (LFU) switching request signal from an accelerator pedal sensor (220), Determining, by means of the control device (240), whether an output signal value of a brake pedal sensor (230) which detects a position value of a brake pedal is less than a brake reference value when the accelerator pedal off signal is received (105), Determining, by means of the control device (240), whether a gear shift progression rate of the transmission (250) which performs the LFU shift in response to the LFU shift request signal is less than a progression rate reference value when the output signal value of the brake pedal sensor (230) is equal to or greater than the brake reference value (110), and Controlling the transmission (250), by means of the control device (240), to maintain the LFU shift when the gear shift progression rate of the transmission (250) is less than the progression rate reference value (115).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE / INVENTION (a) Field of the disclosure / invention

[0001] The present disclosure / invention relates to a vehicle. In particular, the present disclosure / invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling a transmission of a vehicle. (b) Description of the technology purchased

[0002] Generally, in an automatic transmission used in a vehicle, a shift control device controls a plurality of solenoid valves to control hydraulic pressure depending on a traveling speed of the vehicle, an opening rate of a throttle valve, and many other conditions, so that a shift gear of a target gear stage is operated to automatically perform shifting.

[0003] In other words, when a driver of a vehicle operates a shift lever to change a range (ie, shift a gear), as a port of a manual valve changes, hydraulic pressure supplied from an oil pump is selectively operated (e.g., changed, adjusted) by various operating elements of a shift gear mechanism according to a load control (e.g., pulse width modulation control) of the solenoid valve to perform shifting.

[0004] In the automatic transmission operated in this manner, when shifting to the target gear, the shift is performed through the interaction (e.g., cooperation) of a friction element being released from an operating state and the friction element being switched from the released state to the operating state. The shifting behavior (e.g., the shifting performance) of the automatic transmission is strongly influenced by the timing of the engagement and disengagement of these friction elements. Accordingly, various methods for controlling a transmission have been developed to enable flexible shifting of the automatic transmission.

[0005] As one of these methods for controlling a transmission in an automatic transmission vehicle, when a driver lifts their foot off an acceleration pedal (e.g., gas pedal) to decelerate while driving a vehicle, a lift foot up (LFU) shift is performed to prevent vibrations (e.g., shocks) to a vehicle body due to a fluctuation in vehicle speed caused by a sharp reduction in engine speed while shifting from the drive gear stage to a higher gear stage. A method for controlling a transmission is known from DE 698 30 030 T2. BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE DISCLOSURE / INVENTION

[0006] The present disclosure / invention was made in an effort to provide a method and apparatus for controlling a transmission of a vehicle capable of preventing a foot pull-up (LFU) shift when braking occurs during the LFU shift (or LFU upshift) of a vehicle.

[0007] An embodiment of the present disclosure / invention provides a method for controlling a transmission of a vehicle, the method comprising: determining, by means of a control device, whether the control device receives an accelerator pedal off signal corresponding to a lift foot up (LFU) shift request signal / request signal (e.g., a signal that requests or causes a shift of an automatic transmission when a foot is lifted off an accelerator pedal) from an accelerator pedal sensor, determining, by means of the control device, whether an output signal value of a brake pedal sensor (e.g.,a value output by a brake pedal sensor in the form of a signal) that detects a position value of a brake pedal is less than a brake reference value when the accelerator pedal off signal is received, determining, by the control device, whether a gear shift progression rate (e.g., a gear shift progress value) of the transmission that performs the LFU shifting in response to the LFU shift request signal is less than a progression rate reference value (e.g., a reference value for a gear shift progress value) when the output signal value of the brake pedal sensor is equal to or greater than the brake reference value, and controlling, by the control device, the transmission to hold (e.g., stop) the LFU shifting when the gear shift progression rate of the transmission is less than the progression rate reference value.

[0008] The method may further comprise: controlling, by the control device, the transmission to perform the LFU shift when the gear shift progression rate of the transmission is equal to or greater than the progression rate reference value.

[0009] The method may further comprise: determining, by the control device, whether a state of the transmission is a state in which the LFU shift is held when the output signal value of the brake pedal sensor is less than the brake reference value, wherein, if the state of the transmission is not the state in which the LFU shift is held, the control device may control the transmission to perform the LFU shift.

[0010] The method may further comprise determining whether an LFU shift hold time exceeds a time reference value, that is, a certain time elapsed after the output signal of the brake pedal sensor is converted into a signal indicating an off state of the brake pedal when the state of the transmission is the state in which the LFU shift is held, wherein, when the LFU shift hold time is equal to or less than the time reference value, the control device may control the transmission to maintain the state in which the LFU shift is held.

[0011] When the LFU shift hold time exceeds the time reference value, the controller may control the transmission to perform the LFU shift.

[0012] The LFU shifting may include a shifting operation in which a gear stage of the transmission is shifted from a second gear to a third gear.

[0013] Another embodiment of the present disclosure / invention provides an apparatus for controlling a transmission of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising: an accelerator pedal sensor that outputs an accelerator pedal off signal corresponding to a foot-up function (LFU) shift request signal; and a controller that determines whether the accelerator pedal off signal is received from the accelerator pedal sensor, wherein the controller is operable to determine whether an output signal value of a brake pedal sensor that detects a position value of a brake pedal is less than a brake reference value when the accelerator pedal off signal is received.The controller may determine whether a gear shift progression rate of the transmission performing the LFU shift in response to the LFU shift request signal is less than a progression rate reference value when an output signal value of the brake pedal sensor is equal to or greater than the brake reference value. The controller may control the transmission to maintain the LFU shift if the gear shift progression rate of the transmission is less than the progression rate reference value.

[0014] The control device may control the transmission to perform the LFU shifting when the gear shift progression rate of the transmission is equal to or greater than the progression rate reference value.

[0015] The controller may determine whether a state of the transmission is a state in which LFU shifting is held when the output signal value of the brake pedal sensor is less than the brake reference value. If the state of the transmission is not a state in which LFU shifting is held, the controller may control the transmission to perform LFU shifting.

[0016] The controller may determine whether the LFU shift hold time exceeds a time reference value, which is a certain time elapsed after the output signal of the brake pedal sensor is converted into a signal indicating a brake pedal off state when the state of the transmission is the state in which LFU shift is held. If the LFU shift hold time is equal to or less than the time reference value, the controller may control the transmission to maintain the state in which LFU shift is held.

[0017] When the LFU shift hold time exceeds the time reference value, the controller may control the transmission to perform the LFU shift.

[0018] The LFU shifting may include a shifting operation in which a gear stage of the transmission is shifted from a second gear to a third gear.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure / invention, a method and apparatus for controlling a transmission of a vehicle can prevent a foot-up (LFU) shifting operation when braking occurs during LFU shifting of the vehicle. Therefore, unnecessary upshifts due to LFU operation can be prevented to reduce the number of shifts (e.g., the frequency of shifting) and prevent a busy shift phenomenon (e.g., frequent shifting), thereby improving drivability (e.g., ride comfort) of a vehicle. Furthermore, the energy loss of regenerative braking of the vehicle, which is generated during braking during LFU shifting, is reduced to improve the fuel efficiency of the vehicle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] A brief description of the drawings is provided to enable the drawings used in a detailed description of the present disclosure / invention to be sufficiently understood. Fig. 1 is a flowchart for describing a method for controlling a transmission of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure / invention. Fig. 2 is a block diagram for describing an apparatus for controlling a transmission of a vehicle, in which the illustrated method for controlling a transmission of a vehicle, which is shown in Fig. 1 is applied. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] According to the related art, when a vehicle deceleration occurs after an accelerator pedal of the vehicle is turned off, an upshift of a transmission is performed due to the accelerator pedal being off, and a downshift is performed due to the vehicle deceleration, which may result in a busy shift phenomenon such as frequent shifting. For example, the busy shift phenomenon may be a phenomenon in which a gear stage of the transmission is continuously shifted from a second gear to a third gear and then shifted from a third gear to a second gear.

[0022] Fig. 1 is a flowchart for describing a method for controlling a transmission of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure / invention. Fig. 2 is a block diagram for describing a vehicle transmission control apparatus to which the vehicle transmission control method shown in Fig. 1 is applied.

[0023] With reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, in a determination step 100, a controller 240 may determine whether the controller 240 receives an accelerator pedal off signal corresponding to a foot lift (LFU) shift request signal from an accelerator pedal sensor 220 included in a data detector 210. LFU shifting refers to a shifting method that enables shifting from one gear stage of the transmission 250 to a higher gear stage while traveling when a driver of the vehicle removes their foot from an accelerator pedal to decelerate while the vehicle is traveling, in order to prevent the occurrence of a shock phenomenon (e.g., an impact, e.g., a shock) on a vehicle body due to a change in vehicle speed caused by a sudden drop in engine speed of the vehicle.For example, the LFU shift may include a shift in which a gear ratio of the transmission 250 is shifted from a second gear to a third gear.

[0024] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the vehicle includes a data detector 210 having an accelerator pedal sensor (APS) 220 that detects an on or off state of an accelerator pedal of the vehicle. The data detector 210 also includes a brake pedal sensor (BPS) 230 that detects an on or off state of a brake pedal, a controller 240, and a transmission 250. The device for controlling a transmission 250 of a vehicle may include the data detector 210 and the controller 240.

[0025] The accelerator pedal sensor (APS) 220 may measure (detect) a position value of the accelerator pedal (i.e., the degree to which the accelerator pedal is / is being depressed). When the accelerator pedal is fully depressed (e.g., fully pressed), the position value of the accelerator pedal may be 100%. When the accelerator pedal is not depressed (e.g., not stepped on), the position value of the accelerator pedal may be 0%. The brake pedal sensor (BPS) 230 may measure (detect) the position value of the brake pedal (i.e., the degree of application of the brake pedal). When the brake pedal is fully depressed, the position value of the accelerator pedal (e.g., the brake pedal) may be 100%. When the brake pedal is not depressed (e.g., not applied), the position value of the brake pedal may be 0% (e.g., the brake pedal may be in an off state).

[0026] The control device 240, which may be an electronic control unit (ECU), may control the overall operation of the vehicle. The control device 240 may, for example, be one or more microprocessors operated by means of a program (e.g., control logic) or hardware (e.g., a microcomputer) comprising the microprocessors. The program may include a series of instructions for performing the method for controlling a transmission 250 of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure / invention. The instructions may be stored in a memory of the control device 240.

[0027] The transmission 250 may transmit power from a drive source (or energy source), such as an internal combustion engine having an automatic transmission for driving a vehicle.

[0028] If the accelerator pedal off signal is not received, the method for controlling a transmission 250 of a vehicle ends. If the accelerator pedal off signal is received, the method for controlling a transmission 250 of a vehicle may proceed to step 105.

[0029] According to step 105, which is Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the controller 240 may determine whether an output signal value of a brake pedal sensor (BPS) 230 is less than a brake reference value. The output signal of the brake pedal sensor 230 may be activated in an on state for a certain time. Step 105 may be a step of determining a braking intention of a driver of a vehicle. The brake reference value may be determined through a test (or experiment) and stored in memory.

[0030] If the output signal value of the brake pedal sensor 230 is equal to or greater than a brake reference value, the method for controlling a transmission 250 of a vehicle proceeds to step 110. If the output signal value of the brake pedal sensor 230 is less than the brake reference value, the method for controlling a transmission 250 of a vehicle may proceed to step 120.

[0031] According to step 110, the controller 240 may determine whether a gear shift progression rate of the transmission 250 for performing the LFU shift in response to the LFU shift request signal is less than a progression rate reference value. The progression rate reference value may be determined through a test (or experiment) and stored in memory.

[0032] The controller 240 may calculate the gear shift progression rate of the transmission 250 using a rotational speed (e.g., revolutions per minute, RPM) of an input shaft of the transmission 250, an RPM at a target gear ratio of the transmission 250, and an RPM at a current gear ratio of the transmission 250. For example, the controller 240 may calculate the gear shift progression rate of the transmission 250 using the following equation.

[0033] Gear shift progression rate of the 250 transmission = 1 - (RPM at target gear of the 250 transmission - RPM of the input shaft of the 250 transmission) / (RPM at target gear of the 250 transmission - RPM at current gear of the 250 transmission)

[0034] If the gear shift progression rate of the transmission 250 is less than the progression rate reference value, the method for controlling a transmission 250 of a vehicle proceeds to step 115. If the gear shift progression rate of the transmission 250 is equal to or greater than the progression rate reference value, the method for controlling a transmission 250 of a vehicle may proceed to step 140.

[0035] According to step 115, the controller 240 may control the transmission 250 so that the transmission 250 holds (or stops) the LFU shift. The controller 240 may begin calculating the LFU shift hold time (e.g., the time for which the LFU shift is held) using a timer. After step 115, the method for controlling a transmission 250 of a vehicle may proceed to step 100.

[0036] According to step 140, the controller 240 may control the transmission 250 so that the transmission 250 performs (continues) the LFU shift.

[0037] According to step 120, the controller 240 may determine (check) whether the state of the transmission 250 is the LFU shift hold state (or whether the state of the transmission 250 enters the LFU shift hold state).

[0038] If the state of the transmission 250 is the LFU shift hold state, the method for controlling a transmission 250 of a vehicle proceeds to step 125. If the state of the transmission 250 is not the LFU shift hold state, the method for controlling a transmission 250 of a vehicle may proceed to step 140.

[0039] According to step 125, the controller 240 may determine whether the LFU switch-hold time exceeds a time reference value. The time reference value may be a specific time that has elapsed after the output signal of the brake pedal sensor 230 is converted into a signal indicating a brake pedal off state, and may be stored in memory. The specific time may be determined through a test (or experiment).

[0040] If the LFU shift hold time is equal to or less than the time reference value, the method for controlling a transmission 250 of a vehicle proceeds to step 130. If the LFU shift hold time exceeds the time reference value, the method for controlling a transmission 250 of a vehicle may proceed to step 135.

[0041] According to step 130, the controller 240 may control the transmission 250 such that the transmission 250 maintains the LFU shift hold state. After step 130, the method for controlling a transmission 250 of a vehicle may continue to step 100.

[0042] According to step 135, the controller 240 may terminate the calculation of the LFU shift hold time. After step 135, the method for controlling a transmission 250 of a vehicle may proceed to step 140.

[0043] Components, "units," blocks, or modules used in an embodiment of the present disclosure / invention may be implemented using software such as tasks, classes, subroutines, processes, objects, execution threads, or programs executing in a predetermined area on a memory, or using hardware such as an FPGA (field-programmable gate array) or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and may be implemented by a combination of software and hardware. The components, "units," or the like may comprise a computer-readable storage medium or may be partially distributed across a plurality of computers. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 210 Data Detector 220 Accelerator pedal sensor 230 Brake pedal sensor 240 Control device 250 gearbox

Claims

[1] A method for controlling a transmission (250), the method comprising: Determining, by means of a control device (240), whether the control device (240) receives (100) an accelerator pedal off signal corresponding to a foot lift (LFU) switching request signal from an accelerator pedal sensor (220), Determining, by means of the control device (240), whether an output signal value of a brake pedal sensor (230), which detects a position value of a brake pedal, is less than a brake reference value when the accelerator pedal off signal is received (105), Determining, by means of the control device (240), whether a gear shift progression rate of the transmission (250), which performs the LFU shift in response to the LFU shift request signal, is less than a progression rate reference value when the output signal value of the brake pedal sensor (230) is equal to or greater than the brake reference value (110), and Controlling the transmission (250), by means of the control device (240), to maintain the LFU shift when the gear shift progression rate of the transmission (250) is less than the progression rate reference value (115). [2] The method of claim 1, further comprising: Controlling the transmission (250), by means of the control device (240), to perform the LFU shift when the gear shift progression rate of the transmission (250) is equal to or greater than the progression rate reference value (140). [3] A method according to any one of claims 1 or 2, further comprising: Determining, by means of the control device (240), whether a state of the transmission (250) is a state in which the LFU shift is held when the output signal value of the brake pedal sensor (230) is less than the brake reference value (120), wherein, when the state of the transmission (250) is not the state in which the LFU shift is held, the control device (240) controls the transmission (250) to perform the LFU shift (140). [4] The method of claim 3, further comprising: Determining, by means of the control device (240), whether an LFU shift hold time exceeds a time reference value, which is a certain time that has elapsed after the output signal of the brake pedal sensor (230) has been converted into a signal indicating an off state of the brake pedal when the state of the transmission (250) is the state in which the LFU shift is held (125), wherein, when the LFU shift hold time is equal to or less than the time reference value, the control device (240) controls the transmission (250) to maintain the state in which the LFU shift is held (130). [5] The method of claim 4, wherein: when the LFU shift hold time exceeds the time reference value, the control device (240) controls the transmission (250) to perform the LFU shift (135, 140). [6] A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: the LFU shifting comprises a shifting operation in which a gear stage of the transmission (250) is shifted from a second gear to a third gear. [7] A device for controlling a transmission (250) of a vehicle, the device comprising: an accelerator pedal sensor (220) which outputs an accelerator pedal off signal corresponding to a foot lift (LFU) switching request signal, and a control device (240) which determines whether the accelerator pedal off signal is received from the accelerator pedal sensor (220), wherein the control device (240) determines whether an output signal value of a brake pedal sensor (230) which detects a position value of a brake pedal is less than a brake reference value when the accelerator pedal off signal is received, wherein the control device (240) determines whether a gear shift progression rate of the transmission (250) performing the LFU shift in response to the LFU shift request signal is less than a progression rate reference value when the output signal value of the brake pedal sensor (230) is equal to or greater than the brake reference value, and wherein the control device (240) controls the transmission (250) to maintain the LFU shift when the gear shift progression rate of the transmission (250) is less than the progression rate reference value. [8] Device according to claim 7, wherein: the control device (240) controls the transmission (250) to perform the LFU shifting when the gear shift progression rate of the transmission (250) is equal to or greater than the progression rate reference value. [9] Device according to any one of claims 7 or 8, wherein: the control device (240) determines whether a state of the transmission (250) is a state in which the LFU shift is held when the output signal value of the brake pedal sensor (230) is less than the brake reference value, and when the state of the transmission (250) is not the state in which the LFU shift is held, the control device (240) controls the transmission (250) to perform the LFU shift. [10] Device according to claim 9, wherein: the control device (240) determines whether an LFU switch-hold time exceeds a time reference value, which is a certain time elapsed after the output signal of the brake pedal sensor (230) has been converted into a signal indicating an off state of the brake pedal, when the state of the transmission (250) is the state in which the LFU shift is held, and when the LFU shift hold time is equal to or less than the time reference value, the control device (240) controls the transmission (250) to maintain the state in which the LFU shift is held. [11] Device according to claim 10, wherein: when the LFU shift hold time exceeds the time reference value, the control device (240) controls the transmission (250) to perform the LFU shift. [12] Device according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein: the LFU shifting comprises a shifting operation in which a gear stage of the transmission (250) is shifted from a second gear to a third gear.

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