Controller of vehicle

Abstract

To provide a controller of a vehicle which can effectively notify a driver of a progress degree of consumption of a consumable part that should be periodically replaced.SOLUTION: A controller of a vehicle Ve having a component whose deterioration is progressed according to a driving state decided based on at least one of accelerator opening degree, vehicle speed, and transmission gear ratio includes: a controller 6 which determines the driving state and judges a change of the driving state based on the determination. The controller 6 includes: a driving state detection part 7 which detects that the detected driving state is a driving state where deterioration of the component is progressed; a driving state selection part 9 which selects the other driving state where the deterioration of the component does not progress relative to the driving state detected by the driving state detection part; and a notification part 10 which notifies a drive of the vehicle of switching to the other driving state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle control device that estimates a decrease in the durability of components constituting a vehicle according to the driving state of the vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a vehicle diagnosis system that displays a diagnosis result based on the degree of deterioration or consumption of consumable parts of a vehicle on an in-vehicle display. The vehicle diagnosis system of Patent Document 1 has an in-vehicle terminal device that detects a plurality of parameters such as the degree of deterioration of consumable parts and the driving behavior of the driver. Further, in the system of Patent Document 1, at the server, based on the detected plurality of parameters and the database regarding driving behavior and component deterioration stored in the server, function approximation of statistical processing of component deterioration is performed. The in-vehicle terminal device calculates the deterioration state of the consumable parts, the ratio of the causes of deterioration, etc. using the function approximation etc. provided from the server. Then, in the system of Patent Document 1, based on the calculation result etc., the specific numerical value of the deterioration of the consumable parts is calculated based on the ratio (rate) of the driving behavior that caused the deterioration, and is configured to be displayed on the display.

[0003] Patent Document 2 describes an operating state display device for a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission configured to prompt the driver to perform driving operations for improving fuel efficiency. In the device of Patent Document 2, based on a pre-stored map, the legal speed of the road being traveled, etc., it is determined whether the driving operation of the vehicle driver is suitable for improving fuel efficiency. The maps include a map for the air-fuel ratio defined by the engine speed and the intake air volume, a map for shifting defined by the vehicle speed and the accelerator pedal opening, etc. In the device of Patent Document 2, it notifies the driver whether the driving operation by the driver is a driving operation suitable for improving fuel efficiency, and based on those maps and the current vehicle speed, when it is determined that the driving operation by the driver is a driving operation suitable for improving fuel efficiency, the eco lamp arranged on the combination meter is lit. Conversely, in the device of Patent Document 2, when it is determined that the driving operation by the driver is a driving operation not suitable for improving fuel efficiency, the eco lamp is turned off, thereby being configured to prompt the driver to perform driving operations for improving fuel efficiency.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In Patent Document 1, with the above-described configuration, the deterioration of consumable parts of the vehicle and specific values of fuel consumption are calculated, and the driver is notified of the ratio attributable to the driving behavior at those values, the replacement timing of parts, etc., so that the safety, economy, etc. of the vehicle can be improved. In the system of Patent Document 1, since the above-described specific values and the like are displayed, in order to detect or calculate necessary parameters and not to interfere with the driver's driving operation, it is preferable that the display is executed when the vehicle is stopped or parked. However, after stopping or parking, the driver may get out of the vehicle promptly and leave the vehicle, and there is a possibility that such a display cannot be recognized. Or, even if the driver recognizes such a display, at the restart of driving or the start of the next driving, the displayed content may be forgotten, and the driver's driving operation may not be improved.

[0006] On the other hand, in Patent Document 2, by lighting or extinguishing an eco lamp arranged on the combination meter, it is notified to the driver whether the driving operation by the driver is suitable for improving fuel consumption. Therefore, even while the vehicle is running, it is easy for the driver to visually recognize, and it is unlikely to interfere with the driver's driving operation. However, although the device of Patent Document 2 determines whether it is suitable for improving fuel consumption, the driver cannot know about the deterioration state of consumable parts of the vehicle as in Patent Document 1, that is, parts that need to be periodically replaced due to aging deterioration, etc. Therefore, there may be inconveniences such that the driver cannot be prompted to change the driving operation so as to suppress the deterioration of consumable parts.

[0007] The present invention has been made paying attention to the above technical problems, and an object thereof is to provide a vehicle control device capable of promoting the switching to an operating state for suppressing part wear and improving part durability.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The present invention is a control device for a vehicle equipped with a component whose deterioration progresses according to an operating state determined based on at least one of an accelerator opening, a vehicle speed, and a gear ratio. The control device includes a controller that determines the operating state and determines a change in the operating state based on the determination. The controller includes an operating state detection unit that detects that the detected operating state is an operating state that causes deterioration of the component, an operating state selection unit that selects another operating state in which the deterioration of the component does not progress more than the operating state detected by the operating state detection unit, and a notification unit that notifies the driver of the vehicle to switch to the other operating state selected by the operating state selection unit when the operating state detection unit detects an operating state in which the deterioration of the component progresses.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] According to the control device for a vehicle of the present invention, an operating state determined based on at least one of an accelerator opening, a vehicle speed, and a gear ratio is obtained. It is detected that the operating state is an operating state that causes deterioration of a component whose deterioration progresses according to the operating state. Another operating state in which the detected operating state does not progress more is selected. And it is configured to notify the driver to switch the operating state to another operating state in this way. Therefore, the durability of a component whose deterioration progresses according to the operating state can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on the embodiments shown in the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are merely examples when the present invention is embodied, and do not limit the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 1 shows a vehicle Ve to which a control device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle Ve includes an engine 1, a power transmission device 2, a display 3, wheels 4, a detection unit 5, a controller 6, and the like. The vehicle Ve in the embodiment of the present invention is equipped with a predetermined member or component whose deterioration progresses according to the driving state of the vehicle Ve determined based on at least any one of the accelerator opening, vehicle speed, and gear ratio. It is estimated whether the driving state is such that it promotes the deterioration of the durability of the components constituting the vehicle Ve. The component is a consumable part that needs to be replaced regularly due to the running state of the vehicle Ve, the driver's driving operation, or aging deterioration. The vehicle Ve is configured to notify the driver to improve such a driving state when the driving state is such that the deterioration of the durability of a predetermined component that is such a consumable part is promoted.

[0013] The engine 1 is configured to generate the driving force of the vehicle Ve by burning a mixture of fuel such as gasoline and air, similar to a conventionally known engine 1. Specifically, the engine 1 has a plurality of cylinders, and in the plurality of cylinders, power is output by performing the steps of intake, compression, combustion (expansion), and exhaust.

[0014] Engine oil for cooling and lubricating each member constituting the engine 1 is supplied to the engine 1. The rate of progress of deterioration of the engine oil varies depending on the operating state of the engine 1 based on the driver's driving operation. For example, when the accelerator opening is large and the engine speed is always high, and the engine 1 operates in a driving region where it emits a large amount of blow-by gas, the deterioration of the engine oil tends to progress.

[0015] In addition, the engine 1 has a plurality of belts, such as a timing belt formed of rubber or metal that connects the crankshaft and the camshaft so as to be able to transmit power, and a V-belt (fan belt) formed of rubber that transmits the power of the engine 1 to auxiliary machines. Similar to the engine oil, the degree of deterioration of these belts also changes according to the rotational speed of the engine 1, the accelerator opening degree, etc. For example, when the rotational speed of the engine 1 is rotating in the medium rotational speed range and the accelerator opening degree increases, the load on the belt increases and the deterioration is accelerated.

[0016] The power transmission device 2 is a mechanism for transmitting the output of the engine 1 to the wheels 4, and includes mechanisms such as a planetary gear mechanism (transmission), a transmission mechanism, and a differential gear. When the vehicle Ve is a so-called manual vehicle in which a driver can perform a manual transmission operation of selecting an arbitrary gear position by operating a shift lever, the power transmission device 2 includes a plurality of clutch devices. The plurality of clutch devices are gradually released with a decreasing transmission torque capacity in response to an increase in the amount of depression of a clutch pedal (not shown) by the driver. Conversely, the plurality of clutch devices are gradually engaged with an increasing transmission torque capacity in response to a decrease in the amount of depression of the clutch pedal by the driver. Therefore, after the driver operates the shift lever (not shown) with the clutch pedal fully depressed and then releases the clutch pedal, at least one clutch corresponding to an arbitrary gear position selected by the driver among the plurality of clutches is engaged.

[0017] The display 3 corresponds to the notification unit in the embodiment of the present invention, is provided on the instrument panel or the like of the vehicle Ve, and is, for example, an indicator (meter panel), a display of a car navigation, or the like. Alternatively, the display 3 may be a head-up display. Information necessary for the running of the vehicle Ve and notifications to the user are displayed on the display 3. In addition, the display 3 is configured to notify the driver when it is preferable to improve the driving operation based on the driving operation of the driver.

[0018] When the indicator 3 is in an operating state where deterioration of consumable parts that need to be replaced regularly, such as the engine oil and belt described above, is likely to progress, it notifies the driver by displaying a specific symbol or the like. That is, when it is determined that the driver's driving operation is a driving operation that promotes the deterioration of those consumable parts, the driver is informed or notified that the driving operation should be improved.

[0019] For example, the indicator 3 may have a plurality of lamps, and those plurality of lamps may be configured to light up according to the operating state of the vehicle. Specifically, the plurality of lamps include a lamp that lights up when a rapid acceleration of the vehicle Ve is detected, and other lamps that light up when an operation of applying a load to the engine 1 continues for a predetermined time. Alternatively, the above-described display may display content including an instruction for a specific driving operation to the driver. Specifically, the indicator 3 may display instruction content suggesting to operate so as to reduce the amount of change when depressing the accelerator pedal or the brake pedal. At that time, the display may be configured to display the instruction content together with a lamp or a symbol. Alternatively, in the case of a manual vehicle as described above, when a rapid acceleration is detected, content recommending changing the gear position to a gear position with a smaller gear ratio may be displayed. Also, those displays are executed promptly when the driver performs a driving operation in which the deterioration of the above-described consumable parts is likely to progress.

[0020] Note that such a notification may be combined with an audio notification from a speaker or the like provided in the vehicle Ve to notify the driver. In that case, for example, when the above-described display is performed by the indicator 3, it is preferable that a sound like a buzzer is emitted from the speaker or the instruction content for the driving operation is configured to be guided by voice.

[0021] The detection unit 5 is a device or apparatus for acquiring various types of data and information necessary for controlling the running of the vehicle Ve and estimating the degree of deterioration of the oil. The detection unit 5 includes various conventionally known sensors and devices such as an engine speed sensor for detecting the rotational speed of the engine 1, an engine torque sensor for detecting the output torque of the engine, an air flow sensor for detecting the intake air amount of the engine, an accelerator position sensor for detecting the depression angle (depression amount) of the accelerator pedal, a brake position sensor for detecting the depression angle (depression amount) of the brake pedal, a vehicle speed sensor for detecting the speed of the vehicle Ve, and an oil temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the engine oil.

[0022] The controller 6 is mainly composed of a microcomputer, similar to the conventionally known controller 6. Signals are input to the controller 6 from various sensors provided in the vehicle Ve, and based on the input signals and maps, arithmetic expressions, etc. stored in advance, the obtained results are used as control command signals and output to the engine 1, etc. The data input to the controller 6 includes the rotational speed of the engine 1, the intake air amount, the temperature of the engine oil, etc. as described above. The detection unit 5, the controller 6, and each actuator and sensor for the running of the vehicle Ve are electrically connected to each other by, for example, CAN or a wire harness, etc., and output the electrical signals corresponding to the acquired detection values or calculated values to the controller 6 as detection data. Further, as a functional configuration, the controller 6 includes a vehicle information detection unit 7, a driving state detection unit 8, a driving state selection unit 9, and a notification unit 10 as shown in FIG. 2.

[0023] The vehicle information detection unit 7 detects the driving state based on the accelerator opening, vehicle speed, gear ratio, etc. of the vehicle Ve. Further, the vehicle information detection unit 7 detects parameters related to the driving operation by the driver, and parameters indicating the driving state or running state of the vehicle, such as the rotational speed of the engine 1 that changes based on the driving operation. For example, the parameters detected by the vehicle information detection unit 7 include the change amount of the depression angle (depression amount) of the accelerator pedal as described above, the operation amount of the brake pedal, and further, the rotational speed and intake air amount of the engine 1. That is, they are parameters necessary for detecting the load applied to devices and members such as the engine 1, the power transmission device 2, and the braking mechanism by the driver's driving operation. The deterioration degree of these devices and related members, that is, the progress speed of deterioration, changes depending on the driver's driving operation. The vehicle information detection unit 7 is configured to acquire parameters obtained by quantifying the influence of a predetermined member including such devices and members on the deterioration degree due to the driver's driving operation.

[0024] Based on the parameters detected by the vehicle information detection unit 7, the driving state detection unit 8 estimates the deterioration degree of the predetermined member described above and whether it is in a state where deterioration is likely to progress. The driving state detection unit 8 estimates whether the vehicle Ve is in a driving state where deterioration of a predetermined member is likely to progress based on the parameters detected by the driving state detection unit 7, accumulated data, data such as a map stored in advance, and the like. For example, the driving state detection unit 8 estimates whether it is in a driving state where deterioration of the engine oil and the above-described belt is likely to progress based on a plurality of maps. Then, the driving state detection unit 8 detects that the detected driving state is a driving state that causes deterioration of parts.

[0025] For example, the driving state detection unit 8 has an oil deterioration map 11 for estimating the degree of deterioration of the engine oil. The engine oil deteriorates rapidly, for example, when a large amount of blow-by gas is discharged from the engine 1. The amount of blow-by gas increases when the engine 1 continues to operate at a relatively high rotational speed. Therefore, the oil deterioration map 11 is designed to be able to estimate that the driving state promotes the deterioration of the engine oil based on the engine 1 operating in a region where a large amount of such blow-by gas is discharged and the state of the engine oil at that time. For example, the oil deterioration map 11 is designed based on the rotational speed of the engine 1, the temperature of the engine oil, etc. And a predetermined first threshold value for determining that the driving state promotes the deterioration of the engine oil is set in the oil deterioration map 11 based on those parameters and the like. When referring to the oil deterioration map 11, the driving state detection unit 8 estimates an operating point corresponding to the driver's driving operation in the oil deterioration map 11 based on the above-described parameters and the like. And the driving state detection unit 8 is configured to estimate or determine that the operating point is an operating point at a position greater than the predetermined first threshold value.

[0026] Alternatively, the driving state detection unit 8 has a belt deterioration map 12 for estimating the degree of deterioration of belts such as timing belts and V-belts in the engine. As described above, such belts deteriorate rapidly when the load on the engine 1 increases, such as when the engine speed of the engine 1 is in the medium speed range and the accelerator opening increases. Therefore, the belt deterioration map 12 is designed with reference to the engine speed of the engine 1, the accelerator opening, the amount of change in the depression amount of the brake pedal, and the vehicle speed. Further, a predetermined second threshold value for determining that the driving state is a driving state in which the deterioration of the belt is promoted is set in the belt deterioration map 12 based on these parameters and the like. When referring to the belt deterioration map 12, the driving state detection unit 8 estimates an operating point corresponding to the driver's driving operation in the belt deterioration map 12 based on the above-described parameters and the like. Then, the driving state detection unit 8 is configured to estimate or determine that the operating point is an operating point located at a position greater than a predetermined second threshold value.

[0027] Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 2, the driving state detection unit 8 has a component deterioration map 13 for estimating the degree of deterioration of a plurality of predetermined members. The component deterioration map 13 is a deterioration map for a plurality of components and members whose deterioration progress rate changes depending on the same parameter. For example, both the brake oil (brake fluid) and the brake pads constituting the braking mechanism have a deterioration progress rate that changes according to the amount of change in the braking force generated in the vehicle Ve by the braking mechanism. That is, both the brake oil and the brake pads deteriorate when an operation to suddenly brake the vehicle Ve, such as suddenly depressing the brake pedal greatly, is performed. Therefore, the component deterioration map 13 is designed based on parameters related to the operating state of such a braking mechanism. Further, in the component deterioration map 13, a predetermined third threshold value is set for determining that it is an operating state in which the deterioration of a plurality of predetermined members whose deterioration progress rate changes according to the amount of change in the braking force of the vehicle Ve is promoted based on those parameters and the like. When referring to the component deterioration map 13, the driving state detection unit 8 estimates an operation point corresponding to the driver's driving operation in the component deterioration map 13 based on the above-described parameters and the like. And the driving state detection unit 8 is configured to estimate or determine that the operation point is an operation point located at a position larger than a predetermined third threshold value. Incidentally, the component deterioration map 13 is not limited to the above-described configuration, and may be a map for estimating the deterioration progress rate in other plurality of predetermined components.

[0028] Based on the driving state of the vehicle Ve detected by the driving state detection unit 8 with the configuration as described above, the driving state detection unit 8 detects that the driving state is a driving state that causes deterioration of predetermined components and members.

[0029] When the driving state detection unit 8 detects that the driving state of the vehicle Ve is a driving state that progresses the deterioration of a predetermined member, the driving state selection unit 9 selects another driving state in which the deterioration of the predetermined member does not progress more than the driving state detected by the driving state detection unit 8. For example, the driving state selection unit 9 reduces the amount of change in the depression amount of the accelerator pedal or the brake pedal, or selects such a driving mode in the case of a vehicle equipped with a plurality of driving modes such as a sports mode selectable by the driver.

[0030] When the driving state detection unit 8 detects that the current driving operation of the driver is a driving operation that is preferably improved, the notification unit 10 issues a notification to the driver. When the driving state detection unit 8 estimates that a driving operation is being performed such that the driving operation point is greater than at least one of the thresholds in the plurality of maps 10, 11, 12 described above, the notification unit 10 issues a notification to the driver. When outputting such a notification, it includes the driving operation selected by the driving state selection unit 9. Such a notification is mainly performed via the display 3 described above.

[0031] For example, the display 3 is provided with an indicator light that lights up when the accelerator pedal is suddenly depressed and an indicator light that lights up when the brake pedal is suddenly depressed. Then, when the driving state detection unit 8 determines that at least one of the driving operation points in the plurality of maps 10, 11, 12 described above exceeds the threshold, the driving operation estimated as the cause is specified based on the plurality of maps 10, 11, 12. For example, in the component deterioration map 13, if the driving operation point based on the driver's driving operation is a driving operation point that is greater than the third threshold, it is highly likely that the brake pedal has been suddenly depressed greatly. In that case, the notification unit 10 lights up an indicator light that prompts the driver to suppress the sudden depression of the brake pedal on the display 3.

[0032] Next, an example of the control executed in the vehicle Ve configured as described above will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the control. As shown in FIG. 3, in step S1, the driving state including the driving operation by the driver is detected. In step S1, the operation amount of the driver's accelerator pedal and the operation amount of the brake pedal are detected. Also, in step S1, parameters such as the accelerator opening, vehicle speed, and gear ratio, the rotational speed and intake air amount of the engine 1, the brake hydraulic pressure, and the vehicle speed are detected.

[0033] After acquiring the parameters related to the driving state of the vehicle Ve in step S1, the process proceeds to step S2. In step S2, it is determined whether a driving operation for accelerating the deterioration of the predetermined component described above has been performed. In step S2, the parameters acquired in step S1 and the plurality of maps 10, 11, 12 pre-stored in the controller 6 are acquired. Then, in step S2, based on the parameters and the plurality of maps 10, 11, 12, it is determined whether the driver's driving operation promotes the deterioration of a predetermined member that is a consumable part that needs to be replaced regularly. If it is determined as NO in step S2 because the driver's driving operation does not promote the deterioration of the predetermined member, this flowchart is terminated once without executing the subsequent control.

[0034] On the contrary, if it is determined as YES in step S2 because the driver's driving operation promotes the deterioration of the predetermined member, the process proceeds to step S3. In step S3, the driver is notified to improve the driving operation. Since it is determined as YES in step S2, it is presumed that the driver is performing a driving operation that promotes the deterioration of the predetermined member. Therefore, in step S3, the driver is notified to improve such a driving operation. That is, the notification includes the recommended driving operation selected by the driving state selection unit 9.

[0035] In step S3, for example, the driver is notified by lighting the indicator lights arranged on the display 3. Specifically, the indicator light indicating that the accelerator pedal has been rapidly depressed or the indicator light indicating that the brake pedal has been rapidly depressed is lit. Alternatively, a message is displayed on the instrument panel or the head-up display to improve such an operation. At that time, a sound such as a warning sound may be output from the speaker.

[0036] As described above, according to the control device in the embodiment of the present invention, a parameter related to the driving state determined based on at least any one of the accelerator opening, the vehicle speed, and the gear ratio is acquired. Based on the parameter, it is determined whether the driving state of the vehicle Ve is a driving state that promotes the deterioration of a predetermined part or member that is a consumable part that needs to be periodically replaced, such as engine oil. When it is determined that the driving state is a driving state that promotes the deterioration of a predetermined member, the driver is notified via the display 3 or the like so as to improve such a driving state. Thereby, the driver can recognize that a driving operation that deteriorates a predetermined member has been performed or that such a driving state has been reached. Therefore, the driver can improve the driving operation in consideration of the notification. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the driver from performing a driving operation that deteriorates a predetermined member such as engine oil or a timing belt. Alternatively, since such a driving state can be eliminated by changing the driving operation, the durability of a predetermined member that is such a consumable part can be improved.

Explanation of Signs

[0037] 1 Engine 2 Power transmission device 3 Display 5 Detection unit 6 Controller 7 Vehicle information detection unit 8 Driving state detection unit 9 Driving state selection unit 10 Notification unit 11 Oil deterioration map 12 Belt deterioration map 13 Component deterioration map Ve Vehicle

Claims

【Claim 1】 A control device for a vehicle equipped with a component whose deterioration progresses according to an operating state determined based on at least one of an accelerator opening, a vehicle speed, and a gear ratio, comprising a controller that determines the operating state and judges a change in the operating state based on the determination, wherein the controller includes an operating state detection unit that detects that the detected operating state is an operating state that causes deterioration of the component, an operating state selection unit that selects another operating state in which the deterioration of the component does not progress more than the operating state detected by the operating state detection unit, and a notification unit that notifies a driver of the vehicle to switch to the other operating state selected by the operating state selection unit when the operating state detection unit detects an operating state in which the deterioration of the component progresses. A control device for a vehicle, characterized by the above.

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