Vehicle control device

Abstract

To provide a vehicle control device capable of appropriately and accurately detecting or estimating a deterioration state of an engine mount and surrounding components.SOLUTION: A vehicle control device evaluates or estimates a deterioration state of a support member, installed between an engine and a vehicle body to support the engine and suppress vibration thereof, in a vehicle mounted with the engine as a power source. The device performs frequency analysis of engine acceleration and vehicle body acceleration when a vehicle speed is at or below a predetermined value and the engine is idling. If an n-th explosion frequency component of the vehicle body acceleration is larger than a primary explosion frequency component of the vehicle body by a predetermined determination condition, the device notifies a driver of progression of support member's deterioration (Step S7).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device for a vehicle equipped with an engine, and more particularly to a vehicle control device that detects or estimates the deterioration state of support members (e.g., engine mounts, torque rods, etc.) that support the engine between the engine and the vehicle body and suppress engine vibration. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an invention related to an engine diagnostic device that detects abnormalities such as breakdowns and defects in automobile engines. The engine diagnostic device described in Patent Document 1 uses a frequency analysis unit to calculate low-order peak frequencies and high-order peak frequencies from the output value of a vibration sensor (acceleration sensor) attached to the engine. It also calculates an engine ignition frequency and a cylinder ignition frequency from the output value of an engine speed sensor. Then, it determines or displays engine abnormalities based on the calculated frequencies and engine power. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-229815 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the engine diagnostic device described in the above Patent Document 1, an abnormal state of the engine is detected using information from a vibration sensor directly attached to the engine body. Specifically, engine vibration information is converted into frequency domain data by signal processing using a linear prediction method. As a result, the engine diagnostic device described in Patent Document 1 makes it possible to quantitatively obtain two elements that determine the operating state of the engine (a component related to engine rotation and a component related to engine ignition) that could not be obtained from time domain data, and also makes it easier to determine an abnormality in the engine by normalizing and displaying these feature amounts.

[0005] On the other hand, although the engine diagnostic device described in Patent Document 1 can detect or estimate an abnormal state of the engine body as described above, it does not take into consideration the aging and deterioration state of support members that support the engine between the engine and the vehicle body, such as the engine mount and torque rod. For example, if the engine mount deteriorates due to aging, even if the engine body is normal, the vibration generated by the engine as a vibration source will increase. In such a case, the engine diagnostic device described in Patent Document 1 above cannot directly detect or estimate the deterioration state of the engine mount and its peripheral parts.

[0006] This invention has been devised in light of the technical problems described above, and aims to provide a vehicle control device that can appropriately and accurately detect or estimate the deterioration state of engine support members such as engine mounts and torque rods. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a control device for a vehicle that is equipped with at least an engine as a power source, and is equipped with a support member that supports the engine between the engine and a vehicle body to suppress vibration of the engine, and that evaluates or estimates the deterioration state of the support member, and is equipped with a detection unit that detects the operating state of the vehicle and the operating state of the engine, as well as the acceleration of the engine and the acceleration of the vehicle body, respectively, and a controller that controls the vehicle and quantitatively evaluates or estimates the deterioration state, and is characterized in that when the vehicle speed is below a predetermined value and the engine is idling, the controller performs frequency analysis on each of the detected acceleration values, and when an explosive nth frequency component, which is a frequency component that is a predetermined integer multiple of an explosive primary frequency component of the acceleration of the vehicle body, becomes greater than a predetermined judgment condition or more than a predetermined judgment condition, notifies the driver that deterioration of the support member has progressed or that there are signs of the deterioration progressing.

[0008] The controller in the present invention may be configured to perform the evaluation or estimation of the deterioration state when an explosion primary frequency component of the acceleration of the engine is within a predetermined range.

[0009] The controller in the present invention may be configured to perform the evaluation or estimation of the deterioration state when the engine has completed warming up. Effect of the Invention

[0010] In the vehicle control device of the present invention, in order to quantitatively express the deterioration state of the engine support members, such as the engine mount and the torque rod, the vehicle body vibration, i.e., the acceleration of the vehicle body, is detected. In addition, the vibration of the engine, which is the source of the vehicle body vibration, i.e., the acceleration of the engine, is also detected. Furthermore, the frequency analysis of the acceleration of the vehicle body and the acceleration of the engine is performed respectively. Then, the deterioration state of the engine support members is evaluated based on the explosion primary frequency component of the engine obtained by the frequency analysis results and the explosion nth frequency component, which is a frequency component that is an integer multiple (n times) of the explosion primary frequency component. For example, when the explosion nth frequency component of the acceleration of the vehicle body becomes larger than the explosion primary frequency component by a predetermined value or more, or when the explosion nth frequency component of the acceleration of the vehicle body becomes larger than the explosion primary frequency component by a predetermined multiple or more, it is evaluated that the deterioration of the engine support members has progressed to a level that requires vehicle inspection or part replacement, or that there is a sign that the deterioration will progress. At the same time, the evaluation result is notified to the driver. Therefore, when the vibration of the vehicle body increases and it is estimated that deterioration of the engine support members is progressing, such a condition can be detected appropriately and accurately, and the driver can be made aware of it immediately, and be prompted to have the vehicle inspected or parts replaced.

[0011] The above-mentioned evaluation or estimation of the deterioration state of the engine support member is performed when the primary explosion frequency component of the engine is within a predetermined range. In this case, the predetermined range is determined in advance as a threshold value for determining the primary explosion frequency component in a normal engine. Therefore, before evaluating or estimating the deterioration state of the engine support member as described above, it is possible to confirm that there is no abnormality in the engine body.

[0012] Furthermore, the detection of the acceleration of the engine and the vehicle body and the frequency analysis of each of these accelerations are performed after the engine has finished warming up and the idling speed is stable, so that the deterioration state of the engine support members can be appropriately evaluated or estimated under conditions suitable for measuring the acceleration.

[0013] Therefore, the vehicle control device of the present invention can estimate and evaluate the deterioration state of the engine support member appropriately and accurately, and can inform the driver based on the evaluation result of the deterioration state of the engine support member, thereby making the driver aware of the need for vehicle inspection or part replacement, and can carry out inspection or part replacement at an appropriate time. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle to be controlled by a vehicle control device of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining an example of control executed by the vehicle control device of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of frequency analysis performed in the control shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2, where FIG. 3(a) shows the result of frequency analysis of the acceleration (vibration) of the engine body, and FIG. 3(b) shows the result of frequency analysis of the acceleration (vibration) of the vehicle body. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiment is merely an example of a specific embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention.

[0016] An example of a drive system and a control system of a vehicle Ve to be controlled in an embodiment of the present invention is shown in Fig. 1. The vehicle Ve shown in Fig. 1 is equipped with an engine (ENG) 1 as a drive power source, and is configured to transmit the output torque of the engine 1 to drive wheels 3 via a transaxle 2, a differential gear (not shown), etc. The vehicle Ve also includes a detection unit 4 and a controller (ECU) 5.

[0017] Furthermore, the vehicle Ve includes a support member 7 between the engine 1 and the vehicle body 6 that supports the engine 1 and suppresses vibration of the engine 1. In the example shown in FIG. 1, an engine mount 7a is provided as the support member 7, which supports the engine 1 between the engine 1 and the vehicle body 6 and suppresses vibration of the engine 1. Another support member 7 includes a torque rod 7b that connects and supports the engine 1 and the vehicle body 6 and attenuates vibration of the engine 1. The engine mount 7a is a well-known one that is composed of, for example, an outer cylinder (not shown) and a mount rubber (not shown). A specific configuration of the engine mount 7a is described, for example, in the specification of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-107512. The torque rod 7b is described, for example, in the specifications of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-112042 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-69713.

[0018] In addition, in the embodiment of the present invention, the support member 7 may refer to not only the engine mount 7a and torque rod 7b described above, but also peripheral parts or members of the engine mount 7a, such as a bracket (not shown) or a bush (not shown) provided around the engine mount 7a and the torque rod 7b.

[0019] Furthermore, the vehicle Ve to be controlled in the embodiment of the present invention may be a vehicle Ve equipped with an internal combustion engine such as the engine 1, and is not limited to a so-called engine vehicle equipped with only the engine 1 as a driving force source as shown in Fig. 1. For example, the vehicle may be a hybrid vehicle (not shown) using the engine 1 and a motor (not shown) as driving force sources. Alternatively, the vehicle may be a series type hybrid vehicle (not shown) equipped with the engine 1 as a power source for driving a generator (not shown), or an electric vehicle (not shown) so-called a range extender.

[0020] 1, the vehicle Ve to be controlled in the embodiment of the present invention may be a front-wheel drive vehicle in which drive torque is transmitted to front wheels (drive wheels) 3 and drive force is generated at the front wheels 3. Alternatively, the vehicle Ve may be a rear-wheel drive vehicle (not shown) in which drive torque is transmitted to rear wheels 8 via, for example, a propeller shaft (not shown) and drive force is generated at the rear wheels 8. Alternatively, the vehicle Ve may be a four-wheel drive vehicle (not shown) provided with a transfer mechanism (not shown) in which drive torque is transmitted to both the front wheels 3 and the rear wheels 8 and drive force is generated at both the front wheels 3 and the rear wheels 8.

[0021] The detection unit 4 is a device or apparatus for acquiring various data and information required for controlling the vehicle Ve, and includes, for example, a power supply unit, a microcomputer, a sensor, and an input / output interface. In particular, the detection unit 4 in the embodiment of the present invention detects the driving state of the vehicle Ve and the driving state of the engine 1, and detects various data for quantitatively evaluating the deterioration state of the support members 7, such as the engine mount 7a and the torque rod 7b. Specifically, the detection unit 4 has an engine acceleration sensor 4a for detecting the acceleration of the engine 1 main body, and a vehicle body acceleration sensor 4b for detecting the acceleration of the vehicle body 6. In addition, the detection unit 4 has, for example, a vehicle speed sensor 4c for detecting the vehicle speed, an engine speed sensor 4d for detecting the speed of the engine 1, a water temperature sensor 4e for detecting the temperature of the cooling water of the engine 1, and an oil temperature sensor 4f for detecting the temperature of the oil in the engine 1. The detection unit 4 is electrically connected to the controller 5 described later, and outputs, as detection data, electric signals and the like corresponding to the detection values ​​or calculated values ​​of the various sensors, devices, and the like described above to the controller 5.

[0022] The controller 5 is an electronic control device mainly composed of a microcomputer, for example. In the embodiment of the present invention, the controller 5 controls the vehicle Ve and quantitatively evaluates or estimates the deterioration state of the support members 7, such as the engine mount 7a and the torque rod 7b. The controller 5 receives various data detected or calculated by the detection unit 4. The controller 5 performs calculations using the input data, pre-stored data, calculation formulas, and the like. The controller 5 outputs the calculation results as control command signals and controls the vehicle Ve as described above. The vehicle Ve includes a "notification means" for notifying the driver of the results of the evaluation or estimation of the deterioration state of the support members 7, such as the engine mount 7a and the torque rod 7b, and the controller 5 controls the operation (notification contents) of the "notification means". In the example shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle Ve includes a display 9 as the "notification means". Therefore, the controller 5 controls the operation (display contents) of the display 9, and displays the evaluation results or estimation results of the deterioration state of the support members 7 such as the engine mount 7a and the torque rod 7b to the driver for recognition. Although an example in which one controller 5 is provided is shown in Fig. 1, a plurality of controllers 5 may be provided for each device or equipment to be controlled, or for each control content.

[0023] As described above, in the vehicle Ve equipped with the engine 1 as a power source, if vibrations generated by the engine 1 are transmitted to the vehicle body 6 and the driver and passengers of the vehicle Ve, it will affect the ride quality or comfort of the vehicle Ve. In particular, if the support members 7, such as the engine mounts 7a and torque rods 7b, which support the engine 1 between the engine 1 and the vehicle body 6, or related peripheral parts, etc., deteriorate due to aging, the vibrations transmitted from the engine 1 to the vehicle body 6 will increase, and the ride quality and comfort of the vehicle Ve will decrease. As a result, the vehicle Ve may require inspection and repair, part replacement, etc. In order to detect the deterioration state of the support members 7 of the engine 1 and to determine the need for inspection and repair, part replacement, etc. of the vehicle Ve at an early stage, the controller 5 of the vehicle Ve in the embodiment of the present invention is configured to execute, for example, the control shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2 below.

[0024] 2 is executed when the vehicle Ve is stopped and the engine 1 is idling. Therefore, first, in step S1, it is determined whether the vehicle speed is 0 and the engine 1 is idling. In this case, the determination may include a state in which the vehicle Ve is almost stopped, and therefore, instead of determining whether the vehicle speed is 0, it may be determined whether the vehicle speed is equal to or lower than a predetermined vehicle speed (close to 0).

[0025] If the answer to step S1 is "No" because the vehicle speed is not 0 or the engine 1 is not idling, the routine shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2 is temporarily terminated without executing the control of the subsequent steps.

[0026] On the other hand, if the vehicle speed is 0 and the engine 1 is idling, so that "Yes" is determined in step S1, the process proceeds to step S2.

[0027] In step S2, it is determined whether the temperature of the cooling water of the engine 1 (engine water temperature) is within a predetermined temperature range. The predetermined temperature range in this case is determined in advance as a threshold value for determining whether the warm-up of the engine 1 is complete. If the engine water temperature is within the predetermined temperature range, it is determined that the warm-up of the engine 1 is complete and the idling operation of the engine 1 is stable.

[0028] If the engine water temperature is outside the predetermined temperature range and therefore the answer to step S2 is "No," it is determined that the idling operation of the engine 1 is unstable. Therefore, the routine shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2 is temporarily terminated without executing the control of the subsequent steps.

[0029] On the other hand, if the engine water temperature is within the predetermined temperature range and therefore "Yes" is determined in step S2, the process proceeds to step S3.

[0030] In step S3, the acceleration of the engine 1 body (engine acceleration) and the acceleration of the vehicle body 6 (vehicle body acceleration) are detected. At the same time, a frequency analysis is performed on the detected values ​​of each acceleration. Then, from the frequency analysis result, as shown in FIG. 3(a), an explosion first frequency component Gpp_F1 of the engine acceleration is obtained. Also, as shown in FIG. 3(b), an explosion first frequency component Gb_F1 of the vehicle body acceleration is obtained. Furthermore, for the vehicle body acceleration, an explosion n-th frequency component Gb_F n are calculated in sequence. Explosion n-th frequency component Gb_F n is a frequency component that is a predetermined integer multiple (n times) of the explosion first frequency component Gb_F1 of the vehicle body acceleration. As shown in FIG. 3(b), the explosion n-th frequency component Gb_F n In response to the explosion period of the engine 1, the explosion second order frequency component Gb_F2, the explosion third order frequency component Gb_F3, (the explosion fourth order frequency component Gb_F4...) are successively obtained.

[0031] In step S4, it is determined whether the explosion primary frequency component Gpp_F1 of the engine acceleration obtained in step S3 is within a predetermined range (frequency range). The predetermined range in this case is determined in advance as a threshold value for determining the explosion primary frequency component Gpp_F1 in a normal engine 1. If the explosion primary frequency component Gpp_F1 of the engine acceleration is out of the predetermined range, it is determined that some abnormality has occurred in the engine 1.

[0032] Therefore, if the explosion primary frequency component Gpp_F1 of the engine acceleration is outside the predetermined range and thus the determination in step S4 is "No," the process proceeds to step S5, where the driver is notified that some abnormality has occurred in the engine 1. For example, the vehicle Ve shown in Fig. 1 described above is provided with a display 9 as a "notification means," and the occurrence of the abnormality in the engine 1 as described above is displayed on the display 9 to make the driver aware of it.

[0033] It should be noted that the "notification means" in the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the display 9 as shown in Fig. 1. As the "notification means", for example, the driver may be notified by voice guidance using an audio device (not shown) of the vehicle Ve. Alternatively, the driver may be notified by a simple device such as an indicator lamp (not shown) or a warning light (not shown).

[0034] As described above, when the notification regarding the occurrence of an abnormality in the engine 1 is given in step S5, the routine shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2 is then temporarily terminated.

[0035] On the other hand, if the explosion primary frequency component Gpp_F1 of the engine acceleration is a frequency component within a predetermined range and thus the determination in step S4 is "Yes," the process proceeds to step S6, where the deterioration state of the support member 7 is evaluated or estimated. In this manner, in this embodiment of the present invention, before the deterioration state of the support member 7 is evaluated or estimated, the presence or absence of an abnormality in the main body of the engine 1 is confirmed. Then, after it is determined that the engine 1 is normal, the deterioration state of the support member 7 is evaluated or estimated. Therefore, the deterioration state of the support member 7 can be evaluated or estimated in an appropriate state in which the abnormal state of the engine 1 is excluded.

[0036] In step S6, the explosion n-th frequency component Gb_F of the vehicle acceleration n It is determined whether the explosive first frequency component Gb_F1 of the vehicle body acceleration is greater than a predetermined judgment condition or more. The judgment condition in this case is determined in advance as a threshold value for determining a state in which the ride quality and comfort of the vehicle Ve have deteriorated to a level at which inspection, repair, part replacement, etc. of the vehicle Ve are recommended due to deterioration of the support member 7. For example, a predetermined value (threshold value) is determined as the predetermined judgment condition, and the explosive n-th frequency component Gb_F n becomes larger than the explosion first order frequency component Gb_F1 by a predetermined value or more, it is evaluated that the deterioration of the support member 7 of the engine 1 has progressed to a level that requires inspection of the vehicle Ve or replacement of parts, or that there is a sign that the deterioration will progress. Alternatively, a predetermined magnification is set as a predetermined judgment condition, and the explosion n-th order frequency component Gb_F nbecomes a predetermined multiple or more larger than the explosion primary frequency component Gb_F1, it is evaluated that the deterioration of the support member 7 of the engine 1 has progressed to a level that requires inspection or part replacement of the vehicle Ve, or that there is a sign of the deterioration progressing. In the example shown in FIG. 3(b), a predetermined magnification α smaller than 1 is set as the predetermined judgment condition. Then, at the point when the explosion tertiary frequency component Gb_F3 of the vehicle body acceleration becomes equal to or larger than the value αGb_F1 obtained by multiplying the explosion primary frequency component Gb_F1 of the vehicle body acceleration by the predetermined magnification α, it is determined that the vehicle Ve is in a state where inspection, repair, part replacement, etc. are recommended.

[0037] Therefore, the explosion nth frequency component of the vehicle acceleration Gb_F n However, if the result of step S6 is "No" because the explosion first frequency component Gb_F1 of the vehicle body acceleration is not greater than the predetermined judgment condition, it is determined that there is still no need to inspect or repair the vehicle Ve or to replace parts, or that the need for such inspection or repair is low. Therefore, the routine shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2 is temporarily terminated without executing the control of the subsequent steps.

[0038] On the other hand, the explosive n-th frequency component of the vehicle acceleration Gb_F n becomes greater than the explosion primary frequency component Gb_F1 of the vehicle body acceleration by a predetermined determination condition or more, so that "Yes" is determined in step S6, the process proceeds to step S7.

[0039] Then, in step S7, the driver is notified that the deterioration of the support member 7 has progressed to a level that requires inspection and repair of the vehicle Ve, or that there are signs that the deterioration of the support member 7 will progress to such a level. As described above, the vehicle Ve shown in Fig. 1 is provided with the display 9 as a "notification means", so that the display 9 displays the fact that the deterioration of the support member 7 of the vehicle Ve has progressed as described above, so that the driver is made aware of this.

[0040] As described above, when the notification that the deterioration of the support member 7 of the engine 1 is progressing is given in step S7, the routine shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2 is then temporarily terminated.

[0041] As described above, in the vehicle control device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the vibration of the vehicle body 6, i.e., the vehicle body acceleration Gb, is detected in order to quantitatively indicate the deterioration state of the support member 7 including the engine mount 7a and its peripheral parts. In addition, the vibration of the engine 1, which is the source of the vibration of the vehicle body 6, i.e., the engine acceleration Gpp, is also detected. Furthermore, frequency analysis is performed on the vehicle body acceleration Gb and the engine acceleration Gpp. Then, the first explosion frequency component Gb_F1 obtained as a result of the frequency analysis, and the nth explosion frequency component Gb_F1, which is an integer multiple (n times) of the first explosion frequency component Gb_F1, are calculated. n Based on this, the deterioration state of the support member of the engine 1 is evaluated. As a result, if it is evaluated that the deterioration of the support member 7 has progressed to a level that requires inspection or part replacement of the vehicle Ve, or that there is a sign that the deterioration of the support member 7 will progress, the driver is notified of the evaluation result. Therefore, in a case where the vibration of the vehicle body 6 increases due to the deterioration of the support member 7 and the ride comfort of the vehicle Ve decreases, such a deterioration state of the support member 7 can be appropriately detected and the driver can be made aware of it immediately, and the driver can be prompted to inspect or replace the support member 7.

[0042] Therefore, according to the vehicle control device of the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to appropriately and accurately estimate and evaluate the deterioration state of the support member 7 including the engine mount 7a and its peripheral parts, etc. Furthermore, by notifying the driver based on the evaluation result of the deterioration state of the support member 7, the driver can be made aware of the need to inspect the vehicle Ve or replace parts including the engine mount 7a, and the inspection or part replacement can be performed at an appropriate time. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1 Engine (ENG) 2 Transaxle (TA) 3 Drive wheels (front wheels) 4. Detection section 4a (Detection section) Engine acceleration sensor 4b (Detection section) vehicle acceleration sensor 4c (detection section) vehicle speed sensor 4d (Detection section) Engine speed sensor 4e (Detection section) Water temperature sensor 4f (Detection section) Oil temperature sensor 5 Controller (ECU) 6. Body 7 Support member 7a Engine mount (support member) 7b Torque rod (support member) 8 Rear Wheel 9 Display (notification means) Vehicle

Claims

[Claim 1] A control device for a vehicle that is equipped with at least an engine as a power source, and that includes a support member that supports the engine between the engine and a vehicle body and suppresses vibration of the engine, and that evaluates or estimates a deterioration state of the support member, a detection unit that detects an operating state of the vehicle, an operating state of the engine, an acceleration of the engine, and an acceleration of the vehicle body; a controller that controls the vehicle and quantitatively evaluates or estimates the deterioration state, The controller: When the vehicle speed is equal to or lower than a predetermined value and the engine is idling, each acceleration is frequency analyzed, and when an n-th order explosion frequency component, which is a frequency component that is a predetermined integer multiple of a first order explosion frequency component of the acceleration of the vehicle body, becomes greater than the first order explosion frequency component of the acceleration of the vehicle body by a predetermined judgment condition or more, a driver is notified that deterioration of the support member has progressed or that there is a sign that the deterioration will progress. A vehicle control device comprising:

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