Control device for vehicle

Abstract

To provide a control device for a vehicle capable of securing a greater power generation amount during stopping the vehicle while preventing the start of the vehicle in the state of a shortage of brake force.SOLUTION: When predetermined cancelling conditions are established during performing power generation restriction (YES in Step S1), a control part cancels the power generation restriction (Step S2), and when one of a plurality of predetermined restarting conditions is established during cancelling the power generation restriction (YES in Step S3), it restarts the power generation restriction (Step S4). The control part actuates a shift lock mechanism during cancelling the lower generation restriction, to prohibit a shift lever from being changed over to a travel possible position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a technique for increasing the engine speed so as to obtain an amount of generated power according to the electrical load when a stationary power generation mode in which power is generated while the vehicle is stationary is selected. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 1-106931 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the system described in Patent Document 1, the opening of the throttle valve is increased to increase the engine speed, which reduces the negative pressure supplied from the intake manifold to the brake booster, which may cause the vehicle to start moving with insufficient braking force.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle control device that can ensure a larger amount of generated electric power while the vehicle is stopped and prevent the vehicle from starting in a state where braking force is insufficient. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a vehicle control device that includes a generator that generates electricity using power generated by an internal combustion engine, a shift lever that is operated by a driver to change the shift position of a transmission, a brake booster to which negative pressure generated in the intake path of the internal combustion engine is supplied, and a control unit that implements a power generation limit that limits the amount of power generated by the generator in accordance with the vehicle state while the vehicle is stopped, wherein the control unit releases the power generation limit if a predetermined release condition is met while the power generation limit is being implemented, and resumes the power generation limit if any of a plurality of predetermined resumption conditions is met while the power generation limit is released, and prohibits the shift lever from being switched to a driving position while the power generation limit is released. Effect of the Invention

[0007] Thus, according to the present invention, a vehicle control device can be provided that can ensure a larger amount of generated power while the vehicle is stopped and prevent the vehicle from starting in a state where braking force is insufficient. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing operations related to power generation limiting of the vehicle control device according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] A vehicle control device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a generator that generates electricity using power generated by an internal combustion engine, a shift lever operated by a driver to change the shift position of a transmission, a brake booster to which negative pressure generated in an intake path of the internal combustion engine is supplied, and a control unit that implements a power generation limit that limits the amount of power generated by the generator in accordance with the vehicle state while the vehicle is stopped, and is characterized in that the control unit releases the power generation limit if a predetermined release condition is met while the power generation limit is being implemented, resumes the power generation limit if any of a plurality of predetermined resumption conditions is met while the power generation limit is released, and prohibits the shift lever from being switched to a driving permitted position while the power generation limit is released. This allows the vehicle control device according to the embodiment of the present invention to ensure a larger amount of power generation while the vehicle is stopped, and prevents the vehicle from starting in a state where the braking force is insufficient. EXAMPLES

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A vehicle control device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0011] In FIG. 1, a vehicle 1 equipped with a control device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an internal combustion engine 2, a transmission 3, a generator 4, and a control unit 20 that controls the entire vehicle including the internal combustion engine 2 and the transmission 3.

[0012] A plurality of cylinders are formed in the internal combustion engine 2. In this embodiment, the internal combustion engine 2 is configured to perform a series of four strokes, which are an intake stroke, a compression stroke, an expansion stroke, and an exhaust stroke, for each cylinder.

[0013] The generator 4 is connected to the internal combustion engine 2 via a belt 2A, and generates electricity using the power generated by the internal combustion engine 2.

[0014] The vehicle 1 includes a battery 5 and an external power supply port 8. The battery 5 stores the power generated by the generator 4. The external power supply port 8 supplies the power generated by the generator 4 or the power stored in the battery 5 to the outside of the vehicle 1. The external power supply port 8 is set to a power supply-enabled state when an external power supply switch 8A is turned on by the driver.

[0015] The transmission 3 changes the speed of the rotation transmitted from the internal combustion engine 2 and outputs it to driving wheels (not shown). The transmission 3 is an automatic transmission in which the gear shift is performed automatically, or a manual transmission in which the gear shift is performed manually.

[0016] The vehicle 1 is provided with a shift lever 9 that is operated by a driver to change the shift position of the transmission 3 .

[0017] When the transmission 3 is an automatic transmission, the shift lever 9 is operated so that the shift position can be switched, for example, to any one of a D position, which is a forward driving position by automatic shifting, an R position, which is a reverse driving position, an N position, which is a neutral position, and a P position, which is a parking position.

[0018] When the transmission 3 is a manual transmission, the shift lever 9 is operated so that the shift position can be switched between, for example, a plurality of forward gear positions as forward driving positions such as 1st gear, 2nd gear, etc., a reverse gear position which is a reverse driving position, and an N position which is a neutral position.

[0019] The vehicle 1 is equipped with a shift position sensor 10. The shift position sensor 10 detects a shift position selected by the operation of a shift lever 9 by the driver. The vehicle 1 is also equipped with a shift lock mechanism 11. The shift lock mechanism 11 prohibits the movement of the shift lever 9 under the control of a control unit 20.

[0020] The vehicle 1 is equipped with a brake booster 6, and negative pressure generated in an intake path 7 of the internal combustion engine 2 is supplied to this brake booster 6. The negative pressure supplied to the brake booster 6 is negative pressure generated in a portion of the intake path 7 downstream of a throttle valve (not shown) (for example, an intake manifold (not shown)). When the internal combustion engine 2 is idling, as the opening of the throttle valve (not shown) increases, the idle speed increases and the negative pressure generated in the intake path 7 decreases.

[0021] A negative pressure sensor 6A that detects a negative pressure is provided in the brake booster 6. A detection signal of the negative pressure sensor 6A is output to the control unit 20.

[0022] The control unit 20 is composed of a computer unit equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a flash memory for storing backup data, etc., an input port, and an output port.

[0023] The ROM of this computer unit stores various constants, various maps, and the like, as well as a program for causing the computer unit to function as the control unit 20. That is, the CPU executes the program stored in the ROM using the RAM as a working area, whereby the computer unit functions as the control unit 20 in this embodiment.

[0024] Various sensors including the shift position sensor 10 and the negative pressure sensor 6A are connected to an input port of the control unit 20. Control targets including the shift lock mechanism 11 described above are connected to an output port of the control unit 20.

[0025] The control unit 20 implements power generation restriction while the vehicle 1 is stopped. Power generation restriction is an operation that restricts the amount of power generated by the generator 4 depending on the vehicle state. In detail, power generation restriction is an operation that prohibits an increase in the engine speed (idling speed) by increasing the throttle valve opening in order to increase the generated power, or restricts the power generation capacity of the generator 4.

[0026] In this way, the control unit 20 keeps the throttle valve opening low by prohibiting so-called idle up or by limiting the power generation capacity of the generator 4. This ensures that negative pressure is supplied from the intake path 7 to the brake booster 6, thereby ensuring braking force.

[0027] In this way, while the vehicle 1 is stopped, power generation restrictions are implemented in principle to ensure braking force. However, in the event of a disaster or the like, when there is a request for external power supply from the external power supply port 8, it is desirable to exceptionally lift the power generation restrictions and prioritize the external power supply.

[0028] Therefore, when a predetermined release condition is met while the power generation restriction is being implemented, the control unit 20 releases the power generation restriction. The release condition is, for example, that any or all of the following multiple conditions (1) to (5) are satisfied. (1) The external power supply switch 8A is turned on. (2A) If the transmission 3 is an automatic transmission in which gear changes are performed automatically, the shift lever 9 is operated to the P position. (2B) In the case where the transmission 3 is a manual transmission in which gears are changed manually, the shift lever 9 is operated to the N position, and the clutch pedal (not shown) is not depressed. (3) The vehicle speed is 0 (vehicle 1 is stopped). (4) The parking brake (not shown) is applied. (5) The air conditioner (not shown) is not operating.

[0029] Here, the above conditions (2A), (2B), (3), and (4) are set to confirm that the vehicle 1 is in a non-driving state or in a state in which it is not possible to drive, and the above condition (5) is set to eliminate unnecessary engine load.

[0030] In order to prevent the internal combustion engine 2 from overheating or overcooling, the release conditions may include that the water temperature, oil temperature, and exhaust temperature of the internal combustion engine 2 are each within a predetermined range.

[0031] Furthermore, the cancellation condition may include that the amount of power consumption per unit time is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount of power consumption (a value obtained by adding a predetermined amount to an amount equivalent to idling).

[0032] When any one of a plurality of predetermined restart conditions is satisfied while the power generation restriction is being released, the control unit 20 restarts the power generation restriction. The plurality of restart conditions include, for example, the following conditions (11) and (12). (11) The external power supply switch 8A is turned off. (12) The brakes were operated.

[0033] Thus, multiple restart conditions include the possibility of starting a run.

[0034] If the negative pressure of the brake booster 6 is insufficient while the power generation restriction is being released, the control unit 20 activates the shift lock mechanism 11. This prohibits the shift lever 9 in the P position from being switched to a driving position such as the D position or the R position when the transmission 3 is an automatic transmission. Also, if the transmission 3 is a manual transmission, the shift lever 9 in the N position from being switched to a driving position such as 1st gear when the transmission 3 is a manual transmission. In the case of an automatic transmission in which the shift lever 9 and the transmission are not mechanically connected, such as a so-called shift-by-wire system, the transmission side may prohibit the shift operation even if the shift lever is switched to a driving position. If it is difficult to prohibit the shift operation in a manual transmission, a warning sound or the like may be issued.

[0035] As a result of the above, even if the power generation restriction is released, if the negative pressure in the brake booster 6 is sufficient, the shift lock mechanism 11 will not operate, and deterioration of drivability can be prevented.

[0036] The control unit 20 judges whether or not a cancellation condition is met (step S1).

[0037] If the release condition is not met (NO in step S1), the control unit 20 continues the process of step S1, and if the release condition is met (YES in step S1), the control unit 20 releases the power generation restriction (step S2).

[0038] Next, the control unit 20 judges whether or not a restart condition is met (step S3).

[0039] If the restart condition is not met (NO in step S3), the control unit 20 continues processing in step S3, and if any of the restart conditions is met (YES in step S3), it resumes power generation restriction (step S4) and ends the current operation.

[0040] As described above, in this embodiment, the control unit 20 releases the power generation restriction when a predetermined release condition is met while the power generation restriction is being implemented, and resumes the power generation restriction when any of a plurality of predetermined resumption conditions is met while the power generation restriction is being released. In addition, the control unit 20 prohibits the shift lever 9 from being switched to the driving permitted position if the negative pressure of the brake booster 6 is outside a predetermined range while the power generation restriction is being released.

[0041] As a result, even if power generation restriction is implemented while the vehicle 1 is stopped, the power generation restriction is lifted if a predetermined lifting condition is met, so that a larger amount of power generation can be secured. Therefore, for example, in the event of a disaster, a larger amount of power can be supplied from the external power supply port 8 to the outside of the vehicle 1.

[0042] In addition, while the power generation restriction is being released, the opening of the throttle valve increases to idle up, thereby reducing the negative pressure supplied to the brake booster 6. However, by prohibiting the shift lever 9 from being switched to the driving position of the D or R position, the vehicle 1 can be prevented from starting with insufficient braking force.

[0043] As a result, a larger amount of generated electric power can be secured while the vehicle 1 is stopped, and the vehicle 1 can be prevented from starting in a state where the braking force is insufficient.

[0044] In this embodiment, the plurality of restart conditions also includes a condition that the negative pressure supplied to the brake booster 6 is within a predetermined range.

[0045] As a result, after the power generation restriction is resumed, the negative pressure supplied to the brake booster 6 can quickly reach the normal range, and the vehicle 1 can be prevented from starting off in a state of insufficient braking force.

[0046] In addition, it is possible to change to a traveling state, thereby improving drivability. That is, when the amount of generated power is less than a predetermined amount of generated power even though the power generation limit is being released, not only is it impossible to achieve the purpose of ensuring the amount of generated power, but drivability is reduced because the shift lever 9 is prohibited from being switched to the traveling position by the operation of the shift lock mechanism 11. However, in this embodiment, when the amount of generated power is less than the predetermined amount of generated power, it is possible to change to a traveling state by resuming the power generation limit, thereby improving drivability.

[0047] Although an embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and it is intended that all such modifications and equivalents be included in the following claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1 vehicle 2. Internal combustion engine 3. Gearbox 4. Generator 6. Brake booster 7 Intake path 9. Shift lever 20 Control section

Claims

1. A generator that generates electricity using power generated by the internal combustion engine; a shift lever operated by a driver to change the shift position of a transmission; a brake booster to which negative pressure generated in an intake path of the internal combustion engine is supplied; a control unit that implements a power generation limit for limiting an amount of power generated by the generator in accordance with a vehicle state while the vehicle is stopped, The control unit is When a predetermined release condition is met during the implementation of the power generation restriction, the power generation restriction is released; When any one of a plurality of predetermined resumption conditions is satisfied during the release of the power generation restriction, the power generation restriction is resumed; A vehicle control device comprising: a shift lever that is prohibited from being shifted to a driving enabling position while the power generation restriction is being released.

2. 2. The vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of restart conditions include a condition that the negative pressure supplied to the brake booster is within a predetermined range.

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