Vehicle control method and vehicle control device

Abstract

According to the present invention, a vehicle selects a parking position or a neutral position in the case of overlap between a state in which a P range button (2) or an N range button (4) is operated and a state in which a D range button (5) or an R range button (3) is operated. Thereafter, the vehicle maintains the parking or neutral position if operation on the P range button (2) or the N range button (4) is released to switch to a state in which the D range button (5) or the R range button (3) is operated. This allows the vehicle to prevent a false start and inhibit the selection of a shift position that is different from the intention of the driver.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle control method and a control device for selecting a shift position by operating a switch.

Background Art

[0002] A shift device for a vehicle that selects a shift position of the vehicle by operating a switch has been conventionally known. When a plurality of switches are operated simultaneously in a shift device that selects a shift position by operating a switch, it is necessary to determine which switch has been operated in consideration of safety.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for avoiding a risk in driving operation by determining that a push button for selecting a neutral position has been pushed when a plurality of push buttons including the push button for selecting the neutral position are pushed simultaneously.

[0004] Patent Documents 2 and 3 disclose techniques for avoiding a risk in driving operation by determining that an operation for selecting a parking position has been performed when a plurality of switch operations including an operation for selecting a parking position are performed simultaneously.

[0005] However, for example, if the driver intends to select the neutral position but accidentally selects the neutral position and the drive position or the reverse position, and then further selects the drive position or the reverse position, the vehicle will be controlled to a shift position different from the driver's intention.

[0006] Also, for example, if the driver intends to select the parking position but accidentally selects the parking position and the drive position or the reverse position, and then further selects the drive position or the reverse position, the vehicle will be controlled to a shift position different from the driver's intention.

[0007] That is, regarding the control when a plurality of switches are operated simultaneously, there is room for further improvement in performing more efficient control in addition to safety.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0008]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

[0009] In the vehicle of the present invention, when the state where the switch in the shift position where the power of the drive source is not transmitted to the drive wheels and the state where the switch in the shift position where the power of the drive source is transmitted to the drive wheels are overlapped, the shift position where the power of the drive source is not transmitted to the drive wheels is selected. Then, when the operation of the switch in the shift position where the power of the drive source is not transmitted to the drive wheels is released and the state is switched to the state where the switch in the shift position where the power of the drive source is transmitted to the drive wheels is operated, the shift position where the power of the drive source is not transmitted to the drive wheels is maintained.

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the vehicle from accidentally starting and suppress the selection of a gear range different from the driver's intention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiment for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0013] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a shift operation device 1 of a vehicle to which the present invention is applied.

[0014] The shift operation device 1 has an input unit (switch) such as a push-button type switch or a touch panel, and the driver operates (pushes, touches) this input unit with a finger or the like to select a shift position (shift range). The shift operation device 1 corresponds to a shift operation unit and is provided with the same number of push-button type switches as the number of selectable shift positions, which correspond one-to-one to the shift positions. As push-button type switches, the shift operation device 1 has, for example, a P range button (P button) 2, an R range button (R button) 3, an N range button (N button) 4, and a D range button (D button) 5.

[0015] The P range button 2 corresponds to a parking position where the power of the drive source is not transmitted to the drive wheels and is operated (pushed) when selecting the parking position. The R range button 3 corresponds to a reverse position for reverse travel where the power of the drive source is transmitted to the drive wheels and is operated (pushed) when selecting the reverse position. The N range button 4 corresponds to a neutral position where the power of the drive source is not transmitted to the drive wheels and is operated (pushed) when selecting the neutral position. The D range button 5 corresponds to a drive position for forward travel where the power of the drive source is transmitted to the drive wheels and is operated (pushed) when selecting the drive position.

[0016] Note that the arrangement order of the push buttons in the shift operation device 1 is not limited to the arrangement order shown in FIG. 1 (the order of P, R, N, D from the right side in FIG. 1), and can be changed as appropriate.

[0017] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the system configuration of a vehicle to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 shows a case where the vehicle to which the present invention is applied is a hybrid vehicle.

[0018] In addition to the shift operation device 1, the vehicle has a drive unit 6, a shift controller 7, and a vehicle controller 8.

[0019] The drive unit 6 includes a traveling motor 10 as a drive source for driving the drive wheels of the vehicle, a speed reducer 11 for reducing the rotation of the traveling motor 10, and a park lock mechanism 12 for mechanically restraining the rotation of the speed reducer 11.

[0020] The traveling motor 10 is a direct drive source of the vehicle, and AC power is supplied from a battery (not shown) or the like via an inverter 13. The traveling motor 10 is composed of, for example, a synchronous motor using a permanent magnet for the rotor. Further, the traveling motor 10 functions as a generator when the vehicle decelerates. That is, the traveling motor 10 is a motor generator capable of charging the battery with the regenerative energy during vehicle deceleration as electric power.

[0021] The speed reducer 11 meshes a plurality of gears to reduce the rotation of the traveling motor 10 and increase the motor torque to ensure the traveling drive torque.

[0022] The park lock mechanism 12 switches between a park lock state that restrains the rotation of the gears inside the speed reducer 11 and a park lock release state that allows the rotation of the gears inside the speed reducer 11. The park lock mechanism 12 can be switched between the park lock state and the park lock release state by a mechanical operation caused by the operation of the park lock actuator 14. The mechanical operation is, for example, advancing and retracting a claw-shaped member so that the gear of the speed reducer 11 does not rotate when caught by the gear.

[0023] The operation result of the shift operation device 1 is input to the shift controller 7. For example, in the push button type switch of the embodiment, when it is operated (pressed), a signal indicating the corresponding shift position is output, and when the operation is released (returned from the pressed state), the output is stopped. Based on the input from the shift operation device 1, the shift controller 7 sequentially performs a switch signal input process S1, a switch signal input arbitration process S2, and a target range determination process S3 to select a shift position.

[0024] When a plurality of switches of the shift operation device 1 are pressed in an overlapping state, the shift controller 7 gives the highest priority to the operation of the P range button 2, and then gives priority to the operation of the N range button 4. Basically, the shift controller 7 assumes that the operations of the D range button 5 and the R range button 3 are not given priority over the operations of the P range button 2 and the N range button 4. That is, the priority of the button operations is basically P > N > D = R. In other words, the priority of the button operations is lower for the switches of the shift positions that do not transmit power to the drive wheels than for the switches of the shift positions that transmit power to the drive wheels.

[0025] In the switch signal input process S1, the signal from the switch operated by the shift operation device 1 is processed. In the switch signal input process S1, the failure signal of the shift operation device 1 is also processed.

[0026] In the switch signal input arbitration process S2, it is determined which push-button type switch of the shift operation device 1 has been operated with respect to the input from the shift operation device 1. Specifically, for example, when a plurality of switches of the shift operation device 1 are pressed in an overlapping manner, it is determined which switch has been operated.

[0027] In the target range determination process S3, it is determined which shift position (shift range) to actually switch to. The determination result of the target range determination process S3 is transmitted to the vehicle controller 8.

[0028] The vehicle controller 8 performs the shift final determination process S4 in response to the determination result of the target range determination process S3. In the shift final determination process S4, it is determined whether it is possible to accept the determination result of the target range determination process S3 on the vehicle side. For example, when the state of the vehicle does not allow the acceptance of the determination result of the target range determination process S3, the determination result of the target range determination process S3 is not accepted, and the current shift position is maintained. Note that the result of the shift final determination process S4 is fed back to the shift controller 7.

[0029] That is, the shift controller 7 and the vehicle controller 8 correspond to the control unit, determine which shift position is selected from the operation result of the shift operation device 1, and control the vehicle based on the shift position determined to be selected.

[0030] Note that when there is an input of a failure signal of the shift operation device 1 to the switch signal input process S1, the shift controller 7 does not perform the determination of which button corresponding to which range has been pressed on the shift operation device 1.

[0031] When the shift controller 7 switches the shift position to the P range based on the result of the shift final determination process S4 fed back, it supplies a predetermined power to the park lock actuator 14 so that the park lock actuator 14 can obtain the expected drive output. The park lock actuator 14 operates the park lock mechanism 12.

[0032] The vehicle controller 8 inputs the result of the shift final determination process S4 to the inverter 13. That is, information on which shift position among the parking position, neutral position, drive position, and reverse position the shift position of the vehicle is selected in is input to the inverter 13.

[0033] The inverter 13 determines the power supplied to the drive motor 10 based on a command from the vehicle controller 8.

[0034] Battery charge / discharge information is input to the vehicle controller 8 from a battery controller 20 that manages the charge and discharge of a battery capable of supplying power to the drive motor 10. Control information of an internal combustion engine is input to the vehicle controller 8 from an engine control unit 21 that controls an internal combustion engine driven to generate the power supplied to the drive motor 10. The internal combustion engine drives a generator that generates power supplied to the battery or the internal combustion engine.

[0035] Also, the vehicle controller 8 outputs shift position information to a meter 22 that displays the shift position.

[0036] FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are flowcharts showing the flow of a process for determining the shift position, which is performed in the switch signal input arbitration process S2 of the shift controller 7.

[0037] In step S11, it is determined whether there is a button input from the shift operation device 1. That is, in step S11, it is determined whether any button of the shift operation device 1 has been operated (pressed). If it is determined in step S11 that there is a button input, the process proceeds to step S12. If it is determined in step S11 that there is no button input, the process proceeds to step S31.

[0038] In step S12, it is determined whether a plurality of buttons of the shift operation device 1 are being pressed simultaneously. That is, in step S12, it is determined whether the states in which the plurality of buttons of the shift operation device 1 are operated overlap. If it is determined in step S12 that a plurality of buttons are being pressed simultaneously, the process proceeds to step S13. If it is determined in step S12 that a plurality of buttons are not being pressed simultaneously, the process proceeds to step S17.

[0039] In step S13, it is determined whether the P range button 2 is included in the plurality of buttons being operated. If it is determined in step S13 that the P range button 2 is included, the process proceeds to step S14. If it is determined in step S13 that the P range button 2 is not included, the process proceeds to step S15.

[0040] In step S14, it is determined that the parking position is selected as the shift position, and the current routine ends.

[0041] In step S15, it is determined whether the previous switch input was by the P range button 2. That is, in step S15, it is determined whether the shift position determined previously is the parking position. If it is determined in step S15 that the shift position determined previously is the parking position, the process proceeds to step S14. If it is determined in step S15 that the shift position determined previously is not the parking position, the process proceeds to step S16.

[0042] In step S16, it is determined that the neutral position is selected as the shift position, and the current routine ends.

[0043] In step S17, it is determined whether the button input is by the P range button 2. If it is determined in step S17 that the button input is by the P range button 2, the process proceeds to step S18. If it is determined in step S17 that the button input is not by the P range button 2, the process proceeds to step S19.

[0044] In step S18, it is determined that the parking position is selected as the shift position, and this routine ends.

[0045] In step S19, it is determined whether the button input is by the N-range button 4. If it is determined in step S19 that the button input is by the N-range button 4, the process proceeds to step S20. If it is determined in step S19 that the button input is not by the N-range button 4, the process proceeds to step S22.

[0046] In step S20, it is determined whether the previous switch input is by the P-range button 2. That is, in step S20, it is determined whether the previously determined shift position is the parking position. If it is determined in step S20 that the previously determined shift position is the parking position, the process proceeds to step S18. If it is determined in step S20 that the previously determined shift position is not the parking position, the process proceeds to step S21.

[0047] In step S21, it is determined that the neutral position is selected as the shift position, and this routine ends.

[0048] In step S22, it is determined whether the previous switch input includes the P-range button 2 or the N-range button 4. That is, in step S22, it is determined whether the previously determined shift position is the parking position or neutral. If it is determined in step S22 that the previously determined shift position is the parking position or the neutral position, the process proceeds to step S23. If it is determined in step S22 that the previously determined shift position is not the parking position or the neutral position, the process proceeds to step S24.

[0049] Note that the previous switch input in step S22 includes the switch input corresponding to the shift position determined when a plurality of buttons of the shift operation device 1 are pressed simultaneously. That is, when the previous shift position is the shift position determined as a result of a plurality of buttons of the shift operation device 1 being pressed simultaneously, the previous switch input in step S22 is the switch input corresponding to this determined shift position.

[0050] In step S23, the previous value is held and the current routine is ended. That is, in step S23, the previously selected shift position is maintained and the current routine is ended.

[0051] In step S24, it is determined whether the button input is by the D-range button 5. If it is determined in step S24 that the button input is by the D-range button 5, the process proceeds to step S25. If it is determined in step S24 that the button input is not by the D-range button 5, the process proceeds to step S28.

[0052] In step S25, it is determined whether the previous switch input is no operation. That is, in step S25, it is determined whether the previous determination result is no operation. If it is determined in step S25 that the previous determination is no operation, the process proceeds to step S26. If it is determined in step S25 that the previous determination is not no operation, the process proceeds to step S27. Note that an example of proceeding to step S27 is the case where the operation of the R-range button 3 ends (turns off) and the operation of the D-range button 5 (turns on) are performed simultaneously.

[0053] In step S26, it is determined that the drive position is selected as the shift position, and the current routine is ended.

[0054] In step S27, it is determined as an indeterminate input, and the current routine is ended.

[0055] In step S28, it is determined whether the previous switch input is without operation. That is, in step S28, it is determined whether the previous determination result is without operation. If it is determined in step S28 that the previous determination is without operation, the process proceeds to step S29. If it is determined in step S28 that the previous determination is not without operation, the process proceeds to step S30. As an example of proceeding to step S30, it is a case where the operation of the D-range button 5 ends (turns off) and the operation of the R-range button 3 (turns on) are performed simultaneously.

[0056] In step S29, it is determined that the reverse position is selected as the shift position, and the current routine ends.

[0057] In step S30, it is determined as an indefinite input, and the current routine ends.

[0058] In step S31, it is determined as without operation, and the current routine ends. That is, in step S31, it is determined that none of the buttons of the shift operation device 1 are operated.

[0059] FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the relationship between the button operation of the shift operation device 1 and the shift position (determination range) selected by the determination in the switch signal input mediation process S2.

[0060] Time t1 is the timing when the P-range button 2 and the R-range button 3 are operated (pressed) and turned on. The shift controller 7 determines that the P-range button 2 is operated at time t1 according to the priority of the button operation (steps S11→S12→S13→S14 in the flowchart of FIG. 3). Therefore, the determination range becomes the parking position from time t1.

[0061] Time t2 is the timing when the operation of the P-range button 2 ends (turns off). At this time, the R-range button 3 that turned on simultaneously with the P-range button 2 remains on. Therefore, the shift controller 7 continues to determine that the shift position is the parking position at time t2 (steps S11→S12→S17→S19→S22→S23 in the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 and 4). Accordingly, the determination range remains at the parking position after time t2.

[0062] Time t3 is the timing when the operation of the R-range button 3 ends (turns off). The shift controller 7 determines that there is no button input to the shift operation device 1 at time t3 (steps S11→S31 in the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 and 4). Therefore, the determination range becomes the home position from time t3.

[0063] When all the buttons of the shift operation device 1 are not operated (in the off state), the shift controller 7 sets the determination range to the home position (Home). In other words, the home position is a state in which no shift position such as the parking position, neutral position, drive position, and reverse position is selected. The shift controller 7 can switch to a new determination range by experiencing the home position for the determination range.

[0064] Time t4 is the timing when the N-range button 4 and the D-range button 5 are operated (pressed) and turned on. The shift controller 7 determines that the N-range button 4 is operated at time t4 according to the priority of the button operation (steps S11→S12→S13→S15→S16 in the flowchart of FIG. 3). Therefore, the determination range becomes the neutral position from time t4.

[0065] Time t5 is the timing when the operation of the N-range button 4 ends (turns off). At this time, the D-range button 5 that turned on simultaneously with the N-range button 4 remains on. Therefore, the shift controller 7 continues to determine that the shift position is in the neutral position at time t5 (steps S11→S12→S17→S19→S22→S23 in the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 and 4). Accordingly, the determination range remains in the neutral position even after time t5.

[0066] Time t6 is the timing when the operation of the D-range button 5 ends (turns off). The shift controller 7 determines that there is no button input to the shift operation device 1 at time t6 (steps S11→S31 in the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 and 4). Therefore, the determination range becomes the home position from time t6.

[0067] As described above, in the vehicle to which the present invention is applied, when the state in which the P-range button 2 or the N-range button 4 is operated overlaps with the state in which the D-range button 5 or the R-range button 3 is operated, the parking position or the neutral position is selected. Then, when the operation of the P-range button 2 or the N-range button 4 is released and the state is switched to the state in which the D-range button 5 or the R-range button 3 is operated, the parking position or the neutral position is maintained.

[0068] That is, in the vehicle to which the present invention is applied, when the state in which the shift position switch where the power of the drive source is not transmitted to the drive wheels is operated overlaps with the state in which the shift position switch where the power of the drive source is transmitted to the drive wheels is operated, the shift position where the power of the drive source is not transmitted to the drive wheels is selected. Then, when the operation of the shift position switch where the power of the drive source is not transmitted to the drive wheels is released and the state is switched to the state in which only the shift position switch where the power of the drive source is transmitted to the drive wheels is operated, the shift position where the power of the drive source is not transmitted to the drive wheels is maintained.

[0069] Specifically, if, immediately after the routine leading to step S14 or step S16, the routine leading to step S23 is experienced, the shift position in which the power of the drive source, which is the previous value, is not transmitted to the drive wheels is maintained.

[0070] Thereby, the vehicle can prevent accidental starting and suppress the selection of a shift position (transmission range) different from the driver's intention.

[0071] For a vehicle to which the present invention is applied, when the state in which the P - range button 2 or the N - range button 4 is operated overlaps with the state in which the D - range button 5 or the R - range button 3 is operated, it is assumed that the parking position or the neutral position is selected.

[0072] That is, for a vehicle to which the present invention is applied, when the state in which the switch of the shift position where the power of the drive source is not transmitted to the drive wheels is operated overlaps with the state in which the switch of the shift position where the power of the drive source is transmitted to the drive wheels is operated, it is determined that the shift position where the power of the drive source is not transmitted to the drive wheels is selected.

[0073] Specifically, in the routine leading to step S14 or step S16, a shift position in which the power of the drive source is not transmitted to the drive wheels is selected.

[0074] Thereby, a safe - side shift position where the vehicle does not start is selected, and safety can be ensured.

[0075] For a vehicle to which the present invention is applied, after switching from the drive position or the reverse position to the home position, if the D - range button 5 or the R - range button 3 is operated, it is determined that the drive position or the reverse position is selected.

[0076] That is, when the vehicle to which the present invention is applied switches from the state where the shift position in which the power of the drive source is transmitted to the drive wheels is selected to the state where the shift position is not selected, and then the switch of the shift position in which the power of the drive source is transmitted to the drive wheels is operated, it is determined that the shift position in which the power of the drive source is transmitted to the drive wheels is selected.

[0077] Specifically, when the routine from step S26 or step S29 to step S31 is experienced next (immediately after), if the routine reaching step S26 or step S29 is experienced, the drive position or the reverse position is selected.

[0078] Also, when the vehicle to which the present invention is applied switches from the state of maintaining the parking position or the neutral position to the home position and then the D range button 5 or the R range button 3 is operated, it is determined that the drive position or the reverse position is selected.

[0079] That is, when the vehicle to which the present invention is applied switches from the state of maintaining the shift position in which the power of the drive source is not transmitted to the drive wheels to the state where the switch is not operated, and then the switch of the shift position in which the power of the drive source is transmitted to the drive wheels is operated, the shift position in which the power of the drive source is transmitted to the drive wheels is selected.

[0080] Specifically, when the routine reaching step S23 is experienced next (immediately after) the routine reaching step S14 or step S16, and when the routine reaching step S31 is further experienced while maintaining the shift position in which the power of the drive source, which is the previous value, is not transmitted to the drive wheels, and then the routine reaching step S26 or step S29 is experienced immediately after that, the drive position or the reverse position is selected.

[0081] When the vehicle experiences a state where all the buttons of the shift operation device 1 have not been operated once (home position), the operation history of the shift position is reset, and it becomes possible to switch to a new shift range corresponding to a new button input.

[0082] As described above, specific embodiments of the present invention have been explained. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit thereof.

[0083] For example, when the P-range button 2 or the N-range button 4 is operated (pressed) while the shift position is in the drive position or the reverse position during driving, the shift controller 7 may be configured to maintain the driving state. Specifically, when the R-range button 3 is operated (pressed) and the determination range is in the reverse position, and then the P-range button is operated (pressed), and the operations of the R-range button 3 and the P-range button 2 overlap, the determination of the reverse position may be maintained.

[0084] Thereby, the vehicle can avoid a decrease in safety caused by changing to a shift position where power is not transmitted to the drive wheels during forward or reverse travel.

[0085] Note that the present invention is also applicable to a vehicle that drives the drive wheels with an internal combustion engine. In this case, the drive unit 6 is composed of an internal combustion engine and a transmission, etc., and the transmission control unit performs the processes from the switch signal input process S1 to the shift final determination process S4, and the inverter 13 is omitted.

[0086] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the shift controller 7 and the vehicle controller 8 may be configured as one controller. Further, the shift operation device 1 may perform the process of the switch signal input mediation process S2.

[0087] The above-described embodiments relate to a vehicle control method and a vehicle control device.

Claims

1. In a method for controlling a vehicle having a shift operation unit that indicates a shift position by operating a switch corresponding to the shift position, when the state where the switch of the shift position where the power of the drive source is not transmitted to the drive wheels is operated overlaps with the state where the switch of the shift position where the power of the drive source is transmitted to the drive wheels is operated, select the shift position where the power of the drive source is not transmitted to the drive wheels, and then, when the operation of the switch of the shift position where the power of the drive source is not transmitted to the drive wheels is released and the state is switched to the state where the switch of the shift position where the power of the drive source is transmitted to the drive wheels is operated, maintain the shift position where the power of the drive source is not transmitted to the drive wheels. A method for controlling a vehicle.

2. The method for controlling a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the shift position where the power of the drive source is not transmitted to the drive wheels is a parking position or a neutral position.

3. The method for controlling a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the shift position where the power of the drive source is transmitted to the drive wheels is a drive position or a reverse position.

4. From the state of maintaining the shift position where the power of the drive source is not transmitted to the drive wheels, after switching to the state where the switch is not operated, when the switch of the shift position where the power of the drive source is transmitted to the drive wheels is operated, select the shift position where the power of the drive source is transmitted to the drive wheels. The method for controlling a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. Characters representing the corresponding shift positions are written on the switches corresponding to the shift positions, The method for controlling a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the switches corresponding to the shift positions are arranged in a row in the horizontal direction of the characters written on the switches.

6. The method for controlling a vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the switches corresponding to the shift positions are arranged adjacent to each other in a rectangular shape.

7. The switches corresponding to the shift positions are a P range button corresponding to the parking position, an R range button corresponding to the reverse position, an N range button corresponding to the neutral position, and a D range button corresponding to the drive position, and the vehicle control method according to claim 5, wherein the P range button, the R range button, the N range button, and the D range button are arranged in this order.

8. A shift operation unit that indicates the shift position by operating the switch corresponding to the shift position, When the state where the switch of the shift position where the power of the drive source is not transmitted to the drive wheels and the state where the switch of the shift position where the power of the drive source is transmitted to the drive wheels overlap, select the shift position where the power of the drive source is not transmitted to the drive wheels, and then, when the operation of the switch of the shift position where the power of the drive source is not transmitted to the drive wheels is released and the state is switched to the state where the switch of the shift position where the power of the drive source is transmitted to the drive wheels is operated, a control unit that maintains the shift position where the power of the drive source is not transmitted to the drive wheels, and a vehicle control device having the same.

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