Gear shift mode control system

Abstract

To properly switch a shift mode.SOLUTION: Provided is a shift mode control system that includes: a control device for controlling a shift mode; and a first operation part for receiving a shifting operation that shifts the shift mode from an automatic shift mode for automatically executing a shift to a manual shift mode for executing a shift according to an operation of a driver. The control device includes a processor and a memory connected to the processor. The processor executes a process including: switching the shift mode from the manual shift mode to the automatic shift mode when a switching time elapses after an operation of the first input device by a driver of the vehicle; and extending the switching time by a set time when the driver performs, within a post-switching determination time after the switching time elapses, a certain operation that causes a gear ratio to change in the same direction as a change of gear ratio when the gear shift is executed in response to the operation by the driver before the switching time elapses.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a shift mode control system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is an automatic transmission mounted on a vehicle that has an automatic shift mode for automatically performing shifting and a manual shift mode for performing shifting by the driver's operation. Further, such an automatic transmission may have a function of automatically switching from the manual shift mode to the automatic shift mode when a predetermined distance is reached. In such an automatic transmission, a technique for appropriately changing the predetermined distance according to the past operations of the driver is known. For example, in Patent Document 1, after automatic return to the automatic shift mode, when the driver operates the selector lever from the D range position to the DS / M range position within a set time, learning correction is performed to increase the predetermined distance that is the condition for automatic return.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, when the driver switches to the manual shift mode by his / her own operation and performs shifting, if the automatic return to the automatic shift mode is performed before the target shift ratio (shift gear) can be achieved, the driver may be dissatisfied with the timing of the automatic return.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to appropriately perform the switching of the shift mode.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, a gear shift mode control system according to one embodiment of the present invention is provided. A control device that controls the gear shift mode, A first operating unit that accepts a switch operation from an automatic transmission mode that automatically performs gear changes to a manual transmission mode that performs gear changes in response to the driver's operation, Equipped with, The control device comprises a processor and a memory connected to the processor. The aforementioned processor, After the driver's operation on the first control unit, and after the switching time specified as a switching condition has elapsed, the system switches from the manual shift mode to the automatic shift mode. If, within the post-switching determination time after the aforementioned switching time has elapsed, the driver performs an operation that results in a change in the gear ratio in the same direction as the change in the gear ratio when the shift was performed in response to the driver's operation before the aforementioned switching time had elapsed, the switching time will be extended by a specific amount of time. Execute the process that includes this. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the gear shift mode can be switched appropriately. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle equipped with the transmission mode control system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the gear shift mode control system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the gear shift mode switching process by the gear shift mode control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a gear shift mode control system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 5]Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the gear shift mode switching process by the gear shift mode control device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle equipped with the transmission mode control system according to the third embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a gear shift mode control system according to the third embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a first flowchart showing the gear shift mode switching process by the gear shift mode control device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a second flowchart showing the gear shift mode switching process by the gear shift mode control device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a gear shift mode control system according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a flowchart showing the gear shift mode switching process by the gear shift mode control device according to the fourth embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. The specific dimensions, materials, numerical values, etc., shown in these embodiments are merely examples to facilitate understanding of the invention and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant explanations, and elements not directly related to the present invention are omitted from the illustrations.

[0010] [1. Overall configuration of the vehicle and transmission mode control system] First, with reference to Figure 1, the overall configuration of a vehicle 1 equipped with a transmission mode control system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0011] Note that the vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment described below is an example of a vehicle equipped with the shift mode control system of the present invention, but the vehicle equipped with the shift mode control system of the present invention is not limited to the example of the vehicle 1 according to the following present embodiment.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle 1 equipped with a shift mode control system according to the present embodiment. The vehicle 1 includes an engine 100, drive wheels 110, a drive shaft 120, a steering wheel 130, an automatic transmission 140, a minus paddle switch 150a, a plus paddle switch 150b (hereinafter, the minus paddle switch 150a and the plus paddle switch 150b may be collectively referred to as the "paddle switch 150"), and a shift lever 160, and a shift mode control device 170.

[0013] The engine 100 is a drive source of the vehicle 1. The vehicle 1 transmits the power from the engine 100 to the drive wheels 110 via the automatic transmission 140 and the drive shaft 120. Also, the driver can steer the vehicle 1 by the steering wheel 130.

[0014] The automatic transmission 140 switches a shift range provided in the automatic transmission 140 itself based on a control command from the shift mode control device 170 described later, and converts the rotational speed and torque of the engine 100 into a rotational speed and torque suitable for driving. The automatic transmission 140 is, for example, an automatic transmission of a continuously variable transmission device, but is not limited thereto. The automatic transmission 140 may be, for example, an automatic transmission such as a planetary gear type step AT.

[0015] The automatic transmission 140 has three transmission modes: automatic transmission mode, manual transmission mode (hereinafter referred to as "manual mode"), and temporary manual transmission mode (hereinafter referred to as "temporary manual mode"). The automatic transmission mode is a transmission mode in which the transmission automatically performs gear changes according to predetermined gear characteristics. The manual mode is a transmission mode in which the transmission performs gear changes in response to the driver's operation. The temporary manual mode is a transmission mode in which the transmission performs gear changes in response to the driver's operation, similar to the manual mode.

[0016] The driver can switch between three transmission modes by operating the shift lever 160, which will be described later. For example, to switch from automatic transmission mode to manual mode, the driver can switch from automatic transmission mode to manual mode by operating the shift lever 160 from the forward range (hereinafter referred to as "D range") to the manual range (hereinafter referred to as "M range"). Also, for example, to switch from manual mode to automatic transmission mode, the driver can switch from manual mode to automatic transmission mode by operating the shift lever 160 from the M range to the D range. Furthermore, to switch from automatic transmission mode to temporary manual mode, the driver can switch from automatic transmission mode to temporary manual mode by operating either the minus paddle switch 150a or the plus paddle switch 150b, which will be described later, while the shift lever 160 is in the D range. Paddle operation is one example of the operation to switch from automatic transmission mode to temporary manual mode.

[0017] Furthermore, the automatic transmission 140 automatically switches from temporary manual mode to automatic transmission mode when certain conditions are met. If the driver wishes to forcibly switch from temporary manual mode to automatic transmission mode at a desired time, the driver first operates the shift lever 160 from the D range to the M range. Then, the driver performs a return operation, which involves returning the shift lever 160 from the M range back to the D range, thereby switching from temporary manual mode to automatic transmission mode. The return operation is an example of the operation for switching from temporary manual mode to automatic transmission mode.

[0018] The paddle switch 150 is an example of a first operating unit that accepts a switch operation from automatic transmission mode to temporary manual mode. The paddle switch 150 is located on the steering wheel 130 on the side opposite the driver's seat. The paddle switch 150 is also positioned so that it can be operated by the driver's fingers while the driver is gripping the steering wheel 130. The minus paddle switch 150a is located on the left side of the center of the steering wheel 130, and the plus paddle switch 150b is located on the right side of the center of the steering wheel 130. The paddle switch 150 is also connected to a transmission mode control device 170, which will be described later, and outputs a signal to the transmission mode control device 170 when it receives an operation from the driver.

[0019] The paddle switch 150 accepts driver input related to gear shifting. The driver can change the gear ratio by operating either the minus paddle switch 150a or the plus paddle switch 150b. For example, if the driver operates the minus paddle switch 150a, the gear ratio is downshifted to a predetermined gear ratio, and if the driver operates the plus paddle switch 150b, the gear ratio is upshifted to a predetermined gear ratio. Also, if the gear shift mode is automatic when the driver operates the paddle, the gear shift mode will switch to temporary manual mode.

[0020] The shift lever 160 is an example of a second operating unit that accepts the operation to switch from temporary manual mode to automatic transmission mode. If the driver wishes to forcibly switch from temporary manual mode to automatic transmission mode at a timing desired by the driver, the shift lever 160 is used to return to the original mode. The shift lever 160 is also located near the driver's seat of the vehicle 1 and accepts the driver's operation to switch the gear range of the automatic transmission 140. In addition to the D range and M range, the shift lever 160 has a reverse range (hereinafter referred to as "R range"), a neutral range (hereinafter referred to as "N range"), and a parking range (hereinafter referred to as "P range"). Furthermore, the shift lever 160 has an upshift range (hereinafter referred to as "M(+) range") and a downshift range (hereinafter referred to as "M(-) range"). When the transmission mode is manual (i.e., when the shift lever 160 is in the M range position), the driver can move the shift lever 160 to the M(+) range or M(-) range to shift up or down to a predetermined gear ratio.

[0021] The gear shift mode control device 170 is an example of a control device that controls gear shift modes. For example, the gear shift mode control device 170 controls the gear shift mode and gear ratio of the automatic transmission 140. As shown in Figure 1, the gear shift mode control device 170 has a processor 172 and a memory 174 connected to the processor 172.

[0022] The processor 172 is an arithmetic processing unit installed in a computer. The processor 172 is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), but may also be composed of other microprocessors. Furthermore, the processor 172 may be composed of one or more processors. The processor 172 executes various processes in the gear shift mode control device 170 by executing programs stored in the memory 174 or other storage medium.

[0023] Memory 174 is a storage medium for storing programs and various other data. Memory 174 includes, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory). ROM is a non-volatile memory that stores programs used by the processor 172, and data necessary to run those programs. RAM is a volatile memory that temporarily stores data such as variables, arithmetic parameters, and calculation results used in processes executed by the processor 172. Programs stored in ROM are read into RAM and executed by the processor 172, such as the CPU.

[0024] [2. Functional Configuration of the Transmission Mode Control System] Next, the functional configuration of the transmission mode control system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the transmission mode control system according to this embodiment.

[0025] As shown in Figure 2, the gear shift mode control device 170 includes, as functional units that operate when a program is executed, a paddle operation detection unit 300, a gear shift mode switching unit 302, a gear ratio detection unit 304, a gear ratio change unit 306, a gear ratio change amount calculation unit 308, a switching condition update unit 310, and a table storage unit 312.

[0026] The paddle operation detection unit 300 detects paddle operations performed by the driver. For example, when the driver operates the paddles, the paddle operation detection unit 300 receives a signal transmitted from the paddle switch 150 and detects that a paddle operation has been performed. For example, when the driver downshifts the gear ratio while driving, they operate the minus paddle switch 150a once. The paddle operation detection unit 300 then receives a signal transmitted from the minus paddle switch 150a and detects that the minus paddle switch 150a has been operated. Also, when the driver upshifts the gear ratio while driving, they operate the plus paddle switch 150b once. The paddle operation detection unit 300 then receives a signal transmitted from the plus paddle switch 150b and detects that the plus paddle switch 150b has been operated. The paddle operation detection unit 300 receives a signal from the paddle switch 150 each time a paddle operation is performed and detects that a paddle operation has been performed.

[0027] The transmission mode switching unit 302 determines whether or not to switch the transmission mode based on the driver's operation of the paddle switch 150 or the shift lever 160, and switches the transmission mode accordingly. For example, if the current transmission mode is automatic transmission mode, the transmission mode switching unit 302 switches the transmission mode from automatic transmission mode to temporary manual mode when the driver operates the paddle. Also, if the driver operates the shift lever 160 to the D range, the transmission mode switching unit 302 switches to automatic transmission mode, and if the driver operates the shift lever 160 to the M range, it switches to manual mode. Furthermore, if the current transmission mode is temporary manual mode, the transmission mode switching unit 302 switches back to automatic transmission mode when the driver performs a return operation using the shift lever 160.

[0028] Furthermore, if the driver does not perform a reset operation, the transmission mode switching unit 302 determines whether or not to switch the transmission mode based on the switching conditions for switching the transmission mode. If the switching conditions are met, it automatically switches the transmission mode from temporary manual mode to automatic transmission mode. Examples of switching conditions include, as detailed below, when the difference in the transmission ratio due to the change in the transmission ratio exceeds the amount of change in the transmission ratio, which is the amount of change in the transmission ratio used as a switching condition. However, it is not limited to this. For example, the switching conditions may also include when the driving time has exceeded a predetermined time or when the driving distance has exceeded a predetermined distance. The gear shift mode switching unit 302 determines whether the gear ratio difference, which is the difference between the gear ratio when switching from automatic gear shift mode to temporary manual mode by the driver's operation of the paddle switch 150 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "first gear ratio") and the gear ratio after the gear ratio has been switched by the driver's operation of the paddle switch 150, is greater than or equal to the change in gear ratio. If it is greater than or equal to the change in gear ratio, the unit automatically switches from temporary manual mode to automatic gear shift mode.

[0029] The gear ratio detection unit 304 detects the current gear ratio. The gear ratio detection unit 304 detects the current gear ratio based, for example, on the rotational speed of the automatic transmission 140. The gear ratio detection unit 304 stores the detected gear ratio in the memory 174.

[0030] The gear ratio change unit 306 derives the target gear ratio after the change and instructs the automatic transmission 140 to change the gear ratio. For example, if the shift mode is automatic shift mode, the gear ratio change unit 306 refers to the shift map pre-stored in the memory 174 to derive the optimal gear ratio and instructs the automatic transmission 140 to change the gear ratio. Also, if the shift mode is manual mode or temporary manual mode, the gear ratio change unit 306 instructs the automatic transmission 140 to change the gear ratio to an upshift or downshift to a predetermined gear ratio in response to the driver's operation of the paddle switch 150 or shift lever 160.

[0031] The gear ratio change calculation unit 308 calculates the gear ratio change. For example, the gear ratio change calculation unit 308 calculates the gear ratio change, which is the difference between the first gear ratio when switching from automatic transmission mode to temporary manual mode by the driver's operation of the paddle switch 150, and the gear ratio when switching from temporary manual mode to automatic transmission mode by the driver's operation of the shift lever 160 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "second gear ratio"). In addition, in order to calculate the gear ratio change, the gear ratio change calculation unit 308 continuously calculates the gear ratio difference, which is the difference between the first gear ratio and the gear ratio detected by the gear ratio detection unit 304 after it has been changed by the instruction of the gear ratio change unit 306. In addition, the gear ratio change calculation unit 308 continuously calculates the unit change, which is the amount of change in the gear ratio per unit time detected by the gear ratio detection unit 304.

[0032] The switching condition update unit 310 updates the switching conditions for automatically switching the gear shift mode. The switching condition update unit 310 updates the amount of change in the gear ratio as a switching condition when automatically switching from temporary manual mode to automatic gear shift mode.

[0033] While driving in temporary manual mode, the driver changes the gear ratio to their desired gear ratio by operating the paddles. If the transmission mode does not automatically switch after the gear ratio reaches the desired gear ratio, the driver manually switches the transmission mode from temporary manual mode to automatic transmission mode. In other words, the gear ratio when the driver manually switches the transmission mode is the gear ratio desired by the driver. That is, the transmission mode control device 170 can determine the amount of gear ratio change to reach the gear ratio desired by the driver by calculating the difference between the first gear ratio and the second gear ratio. By updating this amount of gear ratio change, the transmission mode control device 170 can then determine whether or not the gear ratio desired by the driver has been reached based on that amount of gear ratio change.

[0034] The switching condition update unit 310 updates the amount of change in the switching gear ratio for automatically switching from temporary manual mode to automatic transmission mode to the amount of change in the gear ratio calculated by the gear ratio change amount calculation unit 308.

[0035] The switching condition update unit 310 can update the switching condition by, for example, updating the switching gear ratio change amount with the most recently calculated gear ratio change amount. As a result, when the driver performs a reset operation, the gear ratio change amount calculated at that time becomes the switching condition, and the switching condition can be reflected immediately.

[0036] Furthermore, the method for updating the switching conditions of the switching condition update unit 310 is not limited to the above example. For example, the switching condition update unit 310 may calculate the average value of the most recently calculated multiple gear ratio change amounts and update it as the switching gear ratio change amount. In this case, the switching condition update unit 310 weights the newly stored gear ratio change amounts among the stored gear ratio change amounts so that they are given priority. As a result, the average value of the past multiple gear ratio change amounts is calculated, and the switching condition update unit 310 can update the switching conditions to a gear ratio change amount that is more accurate to the driver's preference. Also, if the calculated gear ratio change amount is less than a certain value, the switching condition update unit 310 may determine it to be an abnormal value and exclude it from being included in the update of the switching conditions. Furthermore, the switching condition update unit 310 may update the most recently calculated multiple gear ratio change amounts using a first-in, first-out (FIFO) method.

[0037] The table storage unit 312 stores various control information, such as a switching condition table related to switching conditions, in the memory 174. The switching condition table is, for example, a table that associates the first gear ratio with the amount of change in the switching gear ratio. In other words, the table storage unit 312 stores the amount of change in the switching gear ratio updated by the switching condition update unit 310 for each first gear ratio.

[0038] [3. Processing flow of the shift mode control system] Next, with reference to Figure 3, the processing flow of the transmission mode control device 170 of the transmission mode control system according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the transmission mode switching process by the transmission mode control device 170 according to this embodiment.

[0039] As shown in Figure 3, first, the paddle operation detection unit 300 detects whether the driver has operated the paddles based on the driver's operation of the paddle switch 150 (S100). For example, when the driver operates the paddles, a signal is transmitted from the paddle switch 150, and the paddle operation detection unit 300 detects this signal. If the paddle operation detection unit 300 does not detect a paddle operation (NO in step S100), the gear shift mode switching process is terminated.

[0040] If the paddle operation detection unit 300 detects a paddle operation (YES in step S100), the gear shift mode switching unit 302 determines whether the current gear shift mode is manual mode (S102). If the current gear shift mode is manual mode (YES in step S102), the gear shift mode switching process is terminated. If the current gear shift mode is not manual mode (NO in step S102), the gear shift mode switching unit 302 determines whether the current gear shift mode is temporary manual mode (S104).

[0041] If the current shift mode is not the temporary manual mode (NO in step S104), that is, if the current shift mode is the automatic shift mode, the shift mode switching unit 302 switches the shift mode from the automatic shift mode to the temporary manual mode (S106). Then, the gear ratio detection unit 304 detects the current gear ratio (first gear ratio) based on the rotational speed of the automatic transmission 140, etc., and stores it in the memory 174 (S108).

[0042] After the current gear ratio is memorized in step S108, or if the current shift mode is temporary manual mode in step S104 (YES in step S104), the gear ratio change unit 306 instructs the automatic transmission 140 to change the gear ratio based on the driver's paddle operation (S110). If the driver operates the minus paddle switch 150a, the gear ratio change unit 306 instructs the automatic transmission 140 to change the gear ratio to downshift, and if the driver operates the plus paddle switch 150b, the gear ratio change unit 306 instructs the automatic transmission 140 to change the gear ratio to upshift.

[0043] After the gear ratio is changed, the gear ratio change calculation unit 308 detects the actual gear ratio after the change in step S110 and calculates the gear ratio difference, which is the difference between the first gear ratio stored in step S108 and the actual gear ratio after the change in step S110 (S112).

[0044] After calculating the gear ratio difference in step S112, the gear mode switching unit 302 determines whether the gear ratio difference calculated in step S112 is greater than or equal to the change in the gear ratio (S114). The change in the gear ratio has an initial value, for example, and each time the update in step S122, described later, is performed, the value of the change in the gear ratio is updated to a smaller value.

[0045] In step S114, if the gear ratio difference calculated in step S112 is less than the change in the gear ratio (NO in step S114), the paddle operation detection unit 300 determines whether it has detected the driver's paddle operation based on the driver's operation on the paddle switch 150 (S116).

[0046] If it is determined in step S116 that paddle operation has been detected (YES in step S116), the process from step S110 is repeated. If it is determined in step S116 that no paddle operation has been detected (NO in step S116), the gear shift mode switching unit 302 determines whether or not a return operation has been performed based on the driver's operation on the shift lever 160 (S118).

[0047] If a reset operation is not performed in step S118 (NO in step S118), the process from step S112 is repeated. If a reset operation is performed in step S118 (YES in step S118), the switching condition update unit 310 updates the amount of change in the gear ratio to the gear ratio difference calculated in step S112 (S120). Specifically, the switching condition update unit 310 uses the gear ratio difference at the time the reset operation was performed as the amount of change in the gear ratio and updates the amount of change in the gear ratio. The table storage unit 312 also stores the amount of change in the gear ratio calculated in step S112 for each first gear ratio, and the switching condition update unit 310 updates the amount of change in the gear ratio calculated in step S112 for each first gear ratio.

[0048] If the amount of change in the gear ratio is updated in step S120, or if the gear ratio difference is greater than or equal to the amount of change in the gear ratio in step S114 (YES in step S114), the gear mode switching unit 302 switches the gear mode from temporary manual mode to automatic gear mode (S122) and terminates the gear mode switching process.

[0049] As described above, according to the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, when the driver switches from temporary manual mode to automatic transmission mode by their own operation, the vehicle calculates the gear ratio change amount, which is the difference between the first gear ratio and the second gear ratio. Based on this, the vehicle 1 can determine whether the gear ratio desired by the driver has been reached. The vehicle 1 then updates the gear ratio change amount as a switching condition, so that in subsequent instances, it can determine whether the gear ratio desired by the driver has been reached when the gear ratio is changed by the same amount. As a result, the vehicle 1 can immediately switch to automatic transmission mode when the gear ratio change amount reaches the switching condition desired by the driver, thereby reducing the inconvenience to the driver when switching transmission modes.

[0050] Furthermore, according to the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, by updating the gear ratio change amount as a switching condition for each first gear ratio, the gear ratio change amount can be updated to match the characteristics of each gear ratio. As a result, the vehicle 1 can appropriately determine the gear ratio desired by the driver by updating the gear ratio change amount according to the characteristics of the gear ratio, and the inconvenience to the driver related to switching gear modes can be reduced more reliably.

[0051] [4. Gear shift mode control system according to the second embodiment] Next, with reference to Figure 4, a vehicle 1 equipped with the transmission mode control system according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the points described below, but other configurations and functions are the same as those of the first embodiment, so a detailed description of them will be omitted.

[0052] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a gear shift mode control system according to the second embodiment. As shown in Figure 4, the gear shift mode control device 170 according to the second embodiment further includes a unit change amount determination unit 400 and a timer timing unit 402, in addition to the components of the gear shift mode control device 170 according to the first embodiment: paddle operation detection unit 300, gear shift mode switching unit 302, gear ratio detection unit 304, gear ratio change unit 306, gear ratio change amount calculation unit 308, switching condition update unit 310, and table storage unit 312.

[0053] The unit change amount determination unit 400 determines whether the unit change amount is less than or equal to a predetermined value. For example, the unit change amount determination unit 400 determines whether the unit change amount calculated by the gear ratio change amount calculation unit 308 is less than or equal to a predetermined value.

[0054] The timer unit 402 measures the time from a predetermined timing. The predetermined timing is, for example, the timing at which the unit change amount determination unit 400 determines that the unit change amount has fallen below a predetermined value. For example, the timer unit 402 measures the time from when the unit change amount falls below a predetermined value after the driver operates the paddle switch 150 until the driver operates the shift lever 160 and switches from temporary manual mode to automatic transmission mode.

[0055] The gear shift mode switching unit 302 determines, for example, whether the time measured by the timer unit 402 has elapsed to the switching time required to automatically switch from temporary manual mode to automatic gear shift mode. If the time measured by the timer unit 402 has elapsed to the switching time, the gear shift mode switching unit 302 switches from temporary manual mode to automatic gear shift mode.

[0056] The switching condition update unit 310 updates the switching time for automatically switching from temporary manual mode to automatic transmission mode to the first timing time measured by the timer timing unit 402. The first timing time is, for example, the time measured by the timer timing unit 402 from when the unit change amount becomes less than or equal to a predetermined value after the driver's operation on the paddle switch 150 until the driver's operation on the shift lever 160 switches from temporary manual mode to automatic transmission mode.

[0057] [5. Processing flow of the shift mode control system according to the second embodiment] Next, with reference to Figure 5, the processing flow by the gear shift mode control device 170 of the gear shift mode control system according to the second embodiment will be described. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the gear shift mode switching process by the gear shift mode control device 170 according to the second embodiment.

[0058] As shown in Figure 5, first, the paddle operation detection unit 300 detects whether the driver has operated the paddles based on the driver's operation of the paddle switch 150 (S200). For example, when the driver operates the paddles, a signal is transmitted from the paddle switch 150, and the paddle operation detection unit 300 detects this signal. If the paddle operation detection unit 300 does not detect a paddle operation (NO in step S200), the gear shift mode switching process is terminated.

[0059] If the paddle operation detection unit 300 detects a paddle operation (YES in step S200), the gear shift mode switching unit 302 determines whether the current gear shift mode is manual mode (S202). If the current gear shift mode is manual mode (YES in step S202), the gear shift mode switching process is terminated. If the current gear shift mode is not manual mode (NO in step S202), the gear shift mode switching unit 302 determines whether the current gear shift mode is temporary manual mode (S204).

[0060] If the current shift mode is not the temporary manual mode (NO in step S204), that is, if the current shift mode is the automatic shift mode, the shift mode switching unit 302 switches the shift mode from the automatic shift mode to the temporary manual mode (S206).

[0061] After switching the gear shift mode in step S206, or if the current gear shift mode is temporary manual mode in step S204 (YES in step S204), the gear ratio change unit 306 instructs the automatic transmission 140 to change the gear ratio based on the driver's paddle operation (S208). If the driver operates the minus paddle switch 150a, the gear ratio change unit 306 instructs the automatic transmission 140 to change the gear ratio to downshift, and if the driver operates the plus paddle switch 150b, the gear ratio change unit 306 instructs the automatic transmission 140 to change the gear ratio to upshift.

[0062] After changing the gear ratio in step S208, the timer timing unit 402 sets the timer to 0 (S210). Then, the gear ratio change amount calculation unit 308 calculates the unit change amount (S212). For example, after changing the gear ratio, the gear ratio change amount calculation unit 308 divides the difference between two gear ratios detected at regular intervals by the gear ratio detection unit 304 by that interval, and takes the result as the unit change amount.

[0063] After calculating the unit change in step S212, the unit change determination unit 400 determines whether the unit change calculated in step S212 is less than or equal to a predetermined value (S214). If the unit change is less than or equal to the predetermined value (YES in step S214), the timer timing unit 402 starts timing the timer (S216).

[0064] If the timer has started counting in step S216, or if the unit change amount is not below a predetermined value in step S214 (NO in step S214), the gear shift mode switching unit 302 determines whether the time counted by the timer unit 402 has elapsed the switching time (S218). If the time counted by the timer unit 402 has not elapsed the switching time (NO in step S218), the paddle operation detection unit 300 determines whether it has detected the driver's paddle operation based on the driver's operation on the paddle switch 150 (S220).

[0065] If it is determined in step S220 that paddle operation has been detected (YES in step S220), the process from step S208 is repeated. If it is determined in step S220 that no paddle operation has been detected (NO in step S220), the gear shift mode switching unit 302 determines whether or not a return operation has been performed based on the driver's operation on the shift lever 160 (S222).

[0066] If a recovery operation is not performed in step S222 (NO in step S222), the process from step S212 is repeated. If a recovery operation is performed in step S222 (YES in step S222), the switching condition update unit 310 updates the switching time to the first timing time (S224). Specifically, the switching condition update unit 310 sets the first timing time at the time the recovery operation was performed as the switching time and updates the switching time. The switching condition update unit 310 stores the updated switching time in memory 174, for example.

[0067] If the switching time is updated in step S224, or if the time measured by the timer unit 402 in step S218 has exceeded the switching time (YES in step S218), the gear shift mode switching unit 302 switches the gear shift mode from temporary manual mode to automatic gear shift mode (S226) and terminates the gear shift mode switching process.

[0068] As described above, in the vehicle 1 of the second embodiment, after changing the gear ratio, it is determined whether the unit change in the gear ratio is less than or equal to a predetermined value. Then, the vehicle 1 measures the time from the moment when the unit change in the gear ratio becomes less than or equal to the predetermined value, and updates the first measured time until the driver switches the gear mode by their own operation as the switching time. As a result, from the next time onward, the vehicle 1 can automatically switch the gear mode after a predetermined time has elapsed after the driver changes to the desired gear ratio, thereby reducing the inconvenience to the driver when switching gear modes.

[0069] [6. Overall configuration of the vehicle and transmission mode control system according to the third embodiment] Next, with reference to Figure 6, a vehicle 1 equipped with the transmission mode control system according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. Note that the third embodiment is a modified version of the second embodiment, and the differences from the second embodiment will be described below, while the same configurations and functions as the second embodiment will not be described in detail.

[0070] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle 1 equipped with a shift mode control system according to the third embodiment. As shown in Figure 6, the vehicle 1 according to the third embodiment further includes a brake pedal 180 and a detection unit 190, in addition to the components of the vehicle 1 according to the second embodiment: an engine 100, drive wheels 110, drive shafts 120, steering wheel 130, automatic transmission 140, minus paddle switch 150a, plus paddle switch 150b, shift lever 160, and shift mode control device 170.

[0071] The brake pedal 180 is an example of a brake operating unit that receives driver input to decelerate the speed of vehicle 1. Driver input to decelerate the speed of vehicle 1 is, for example, pressing down on the brake pedal 180. The brake pedal 180 is connected to a brake device (not shown). When the driver presses down on the brake pedal 180, the brake device detects the amount of brake operation, which is the amount of brake operation on the brake pedal 180, and applies braking force to the drive wheels 110 using hydraulic pressure according to the amount of brake operation.

[0072] The detection unit 190 includes a road surface gradient detection sensor (gyro sensor), a road surface friction coefficient sensor (hub unit sensor, road surface temperature sensor, ambient temperature sensor, near-infrared sensor, laser light sensor), etc. The detection unit 190 is connected to the gear shift mode control device 170 and transmits the information detected by the detection unit 190 to the gear shift mode control device 170.

[0073] The detection unit 190 detects information related to road surface conditions. Road surface conditions include, for example, the gradient of the road surface and the condition of the road surface. For example, the detection unit 190 detects information related to the gradient of the road surface while the vehicle 1 is traveling. Specifically, the detection unit 190 detects, for example, the roll angle, pitch angle, and yaw angle. Also, for example, the detection unit 190 detects information related to the condition of the road surface. The condition of the road surface is, for example, whether the road surface is DRY, WET, SNOW, or ICE. Specifically, the detection unit 190 detects, for example, the forces acting on the drive wheels 110 (front and rear wheels) of the vehicle 1. The forces are, for example, three-directional components including longitudinal force, lateral force, and vertical force. The detection unit 190 also detects, for example, an image of the road surface in front of the vehicle 1, the temperature of the road surface in front of the vehicle 1, the ambient temperature around the vehicle 1, the amount of moisture on the road surface in front of the vehicle 1, and the roughness of the road surface in front of the vehicle 1.

[0074] [7. Functional configuration of the shift mode control system according to the third embodiment] Next, with reference to Figure 7, the functional configuration of the gear shift mode control system according to the third embodiment will be described. Figure 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the gear shift mode control system according to the third embodiment.

[0075] As shown in Figure 7, the gear shift mode control device 170 according to the third embodiment further includes, in addition to the components of the gear shift mode control device 170 according to the second embodiment, a paddle operation detection unit 300, a gear shift mode switching unit 302, a gear ratio detection unit 304, a gear ratio change unit 306, a gear ratio change amount calculation unit 308, a switching condition update unit 310, a table storage unit 312, a unit change amount determination unit 400, and a timer timing unit 402, a brake operation detection unit 500, a switching time extension determination unit 502, a road surface condition determination unit 504, and a table acquisition unit 506.

[0076] The gear ratio change calculation unit 308 calculates, for example, information regarding the change in the gear ratio and stores the calculated information in the memory 174. The information regarding the change in the gear ratio is, for example, the difference between the gear ratio when a gear change was performed in response to the driver's paddle operation in the most recent temporary manual mode and the gear ratio after it has been changed by the instruction of the gear ratio change unit 306.

[0077] The switching condition update unit 310 updates the switching time to a second timing time, for example. The second timing time is the time measured by the timer timing unit 402 from the time the driver operates the paddle on the paddle switch 150 until the driver returns the shift lever 160, resulting in a switch from temporary manual mode to automatic transmission mode.

[0078] Furthermore, if the switching condition update unit 310 determines that the switching time should be extended by the switching time extension determination unit 502 (described later), it updates the switching time to a switching time that includes a specified time. In other words, the switching condition update unit 310 extends the switching time by a specified time according to the determination result by the switching time extension determination unit 502. The specified time is a time set aside to extend the switching time, and is, for example, a time set in advance. However, it is not limited to this, and the specified time may be a calculated time. For example, if the gear ratio changes to the lower speed side by the driver operating the minus paddle switch 150a, and the brake pedal 180 is operated by the driver after the switching time has elapsed, the specified time may be calculated as the time while the brake pedal 180 is being operated.

[0079] Furthermore, as will be explained in more detail later, the specific time may be set to a predetermined time depending on the predetermined driving conditions determined by the switching time extension determination unit 502 and the road surface conditions determined by the road surface condition determination unit 504, which will be explained later.

[0080] The table storage unit 312 stores various control information in the memory 174 using a switching condition table. The switching condition table is, for example, a table that associates the road surface conditions determined by the road surface condition determination unit 504 (described later) with one or more of the following: switching time, post-switching determination time (described later), specific time, or extension permission time (described later). In other words, the table storage unit 312 stores the switching time, post-switching determination time, specific time, or extension permission time for each road surface condition based on the information about the road surface conditions detected by the detection unit 190.

[0081] The timer unit 402 measures time from a predetermined timing. The predetermined timing is, for example, the timing when the gear ratio is changed by an instruction from the gear ratio change unit 306. Another predetermined timing is, for example, the timing when the vehicle switches from temporary manual mode to automatic transmission mode. The timer unit 402 also has a first timer and a second timer. The first timer of the timer unit 402 measures time from, for example, the timing after the driver operates the paddle switch 150. However, it is not limited to this, and the first timer of the timer unit 402 may, for example, measure time from the timing when the gear ratio is changed by an instruction from the gear ratio change unit 306 after the driver operates the paddle switch 150. The second timer of the timer unit 402 measures time from, for example, the timing when the vehicle switches from temporary manual mode to automatic transmission mode due to the driver's return operation of the shift lever 160. However, the second timer of the timer unit 402 may, for example, measure the time from the timing of the driver's return operation to the shift lever 160. Alternatively, the second timer of the timer unit 402 may, for example, measure the time from the timing when the vehicle automatically switches from temporary manual mode to automatic transmission mode after the switching time has elapsed.

[0082] The brake operation detection unit 500 detects when the driver depresses the brake pedal 180. For example, when the driver depresses the brake pedal 180, the brake operation detection unit 500 receives a signal transmitted from the brake system and detects that the brake pedal 180 has been depressed.

[0083] The switching time extension determination unit 502 determines whether or not to extend the switching time according to predetermined driving conditions. The predetermined driving conditions are, for example, when, within the post-switching determination time after the switching time has elapsed, the driver's paddle operation is performed to perform a gear change that results in a gear change in the same direction as the change in gear ratio when the gear change was performed in response to the driver's paddle operation before the switching time had elapsed. The post-switching determination time is a criterion used by the switching time extension determination unit 502 to determine whether or not to extend the switching time after the vehicle has automatically switched from temporary manual mode to automatic transmission mode, and is, for example, a preset time. However, it is not limited to this, and the post-switching determination time may be, for example, a calculated time, or a time that varies according to road conditions.

[0084] In other words, the switching time extension determination unit 502 determines to extend the switching time if, within the post-switching determination time after the switching time has elapsed, the driver performs a paddle operation in the most recent temporary manual mode that results in a gear change in the same direction as the gear ratio change stored by the gear ratio change amount calculation unit 308.

[0085] More specifically, for example, in the most recent temporary manual mode, if the driver operates the paddle on the minus paddle switch 150a, the gear ratio change unit 306 shifts to a lower speed. Then, after the switching time has elapsed, if the driver operates the paddle on the minus paddle switch 150a again within the post-switching determination time, the switching time extension determination unit 502 determines that the switching time should be extended. The same applies if a shift to a higher speed is performed.

[0086] In other words, the switching time extension determination unit 502 determines to extend the switching time if, within the post-switching determination time after the automatic switching to automatic transmission mode, the driver performs a paddle operation in the same direction as the paddle operation performed by the driver in the most recent temporary manual mode.

[0087] Furthermore, a predetermined driving condition is, for example, when, in the most recent temporary manual mode, a gear change is performed to a lower speed, and after the switching time has elapsed, the driver presses the brake pedal 180 within the post-switching determination time. In other words, in temporary manual mode, the gear ratio change unit 306 performs a gear change to a lower speed in response to the driver's paddle operation of the minus paddle switch 150a, and after the switching time has elapsed, the gear mode switching unit 302 switches from temporary manual mode to automatic shift mode. Then, if the driver operates the brake pedal 180 within the post-switching determination time after the switching time has elapsed, the switching time extension determination unit 502 determines that the switching time should be extended. Note that the post-switching determination time may be the same or different for each predetermined driving condition.

[0088] Furthermore, a predetermined driving condition is, for example, when the time measured by the second timer of the timer timing unit 402 has exceeded the permitted extension time. The permitted extension time is a criterion for the switching time extension determination unit 502 to determine whether or not to extend the switching time after switching from temporary manual mode to automatic transmission mode, and is a longer time than the post-switching determination time. The permitted extension time is, for example, a preset time, but is not limited to this; it may be a calculated time, or a time that varies depending on the road surface conditions. In other words, the switching time extension determination unit 502 determines to extend the switching time if the permitted extension time has elapsed after switching from temporary manual mode to automatic transmission mode.

[0089] Furthermore, the switching time extension determination unit 502 periodically determines whether the extension permission time has elapsed, even after making a determination based on the extension permission time once. In other words, the switching time extension determination unit 502 determines to extend the switching time each time the extension permission time has elapsed. In this case, the switching time extension determination unit 502 also determines whether the switching time is greater than or equal to the upper limit time, and only determines to extend the switching time if the switching time is less than the upper limit time. The upper limit time is, for example, the initial setting time for the switching time that was set initially. By setting an upper limit time for the extension of the switching time in this way, it is possible to prevent the switching time from becoming longer than the initial setting time, and the gear shift mode can be automatically switched reliably by the time the initial setting time for the switching time has elapsed.

[0090] Furthermore, if the switching time extension determination unit 502 determines that the switching time should be extended according to predetermined driving conditions, the switching condition update unit 310 extends the switching time by a specified amount of time. The specified amount of time may be the same or different for each predetermined driving condition.

[0091] The road surface condition determination unit 504 determines the road surface conditions on which the vehicle 1 is traveling based on the information from the detection unit 190. For example, the road surface condition determination unit 504 determines, based on the information from the detection unit 190, whether the gradient of the road surface on which the vehicle 1 is traveling is uphill, flat, or downhill. For example, the road surface condition determination unit 504 uses the gyro sensor, which is the detection unit 190, to detect information on the attitude of the vehicle 1, specifically the roll angle, pitch angle, and yaw angle, and determines, based on this information, whether the gradient of the road surface on which the vehicle 1 is traveling is uphill, flat, or downhill. Note that the road surface condition determination unit 504 is not limited to determining whether the gradient of the road surface on which the vehicle 1 is traveling is uphill, flat, or downhill; it may also use the angle of the gradient of the road surface on which the vehicle 1 is traveling directly.

[0092] Furthermore, the road surface condition determination unit 504 estimates the road surface friction coefficient μ of the road surface on which the vehicle 1 is traveling, or the road surface in front of the vehicle 1, based on the information from the detection unit 190, and determines the condition of the road surface based on the road surface friction coefficient μ.

[0093] For example, the road surface condition determination unit 504 estimates the road surface friction coefficient μ based on the forces acting on the drive wheels 110 (front and rear wheels) of the vehicle 1 detected by the detection unit 190. Alternatively, for example, the road surface condition determination unit 504 estimates the road surface friction coefficient μ of the road surface in front of the vehicle 1 based on at least one of the following pieces of information: an image of the road surface in front of the vehicle 1 detected by the detection unit 190, the temperature of the road surface in front of the vehicle 1, the ambient temperature around the vehicle 1, the amount of moisture in the road surface in front of the vehicle 1, and the roughness of the road surface in front of the vehicle 1. Then, based on the estimated road surface friction coefficient μ, the road surface condition determination unit 504 determines whether the road surface is in one of the following states: DRY, WET, SNOW, or ICE.

[0094] The table acquisition unit 506 refers to the switching condition table stored in memory 174 and sets various control information. For example, the table acquisition unit 506 refers to the switching condition table stored in memory 174 and sets the switching time, post-switching determination time, specific time, or extension permission time according to the road surface conditions determined by the road surface condition determination unit 504. In other words, the table acquisition unit 506 refers to the switching condition table, which is stored as a correspondence between one or more of the road surface gradient or road surface conditions and one or more of the switching time, post-switching determination time, specific time, or extension permission time, and sets various control information according to the road surface conditions.

[0095] For example, when the road surface gradient while Vehicle 1 is traveling becomes a downhill slope, and the road surface condition determination unit 504 determines that the road surface gradient while Vehicle 1 is traveling is a downhill slope, the table acquisition unit 506 refers to the switching condition table and sets the switching time for downhill slopes. Subsequently, as long as the road surface condition determination unit 504 determines that the road surface while Vehicle 1 is traveling is a downhill slope, the shift mode is controlled using the switching time for downhill slopes. For example, when the shift mode switching unit 302 has elapsed the switching time for downhill slopes, it automatically switches from temporary manual mode to automatic shift mode. The switching condition update unit 310 extends the switching time for downhill slopes by a specific time according to the determination result of the switching time extension determination unit 502. The table storage unit 312 then stores the downhill slope switching time that has been extended by a specific time in memory 174. In addition, the post-switching determination time, specific time, and extension permission time are also set, similar to the switching time.

[0096] Furthermore, when associating road surface gradients with various control information, the table storage unit 312 categorizes the road surface gradients into uphill, flat, and downhill gradients and stores the various control information. Also, when associating road surface gradient angles with various control information, the table storage unit 312 categorizes the road surface gradient angles into fixed angle intervals and stores the various control information. In addition, when associating road surface conditions with various control information, the table storage unit 312 categorizes the road surface conditions into DRY, WET, SNOW, and ICE and stores the various control information.

[0097] Furthermore, the table storage unit 312 may store a switching condition table in memory 174 that associates various control information with combinations of multiple road surface condition types, and the table acquisition unit 506 may refer to this switching condition table. For example, the table storage unit 312 stores in the switching condition table a switching time corresponding to a downhill road surface gradient and a dry road surface condition. Then, when the road surface condition determination unit 504 determines that the road surface gradient is downhill and the road surface condition is dry, the table acquisition unit 506 acquires the switching time corresponding to a downhill road surface gradient and a dry road surface condition. Note that the switching condition table may store various control information together in one table, or it may store various control information in multiple tables.

[0098] [8. Processing flow of the shift mode control system according to the third embodiment] Next, with reference to Figures 8 and 9, the processing flow by the gear shift mode control device 170 of the gear shift mode control system according to the third embodiment will be described. Figure 8 is a first flowchart showing the gear shift mode switching process by the gear shift mode control device 170 according to the third embodiment, and Figure 9 is a second flowchart showing the gear shift mode switching process by the gear shift mode control device 170 according to the third embodiment. Note that the processing from step S300 to step S308 shown in Figure 8 is the same as the processing from step S200 to step S208 of the gear shift mode switching process by the gear shift mode control device 170 according to the second embodiment shown in Figure 5, and therefore the explanation will be omitted.

[0099] As shown in Figure 8, after changing the gear ratio in step S308, the timer timing unit 402 sets the first timer to 0 and starts timing the first timer (S310). Subsequently, the gear ratio change amount calculation unit 308 calculates information regarding the change in the gear ratio and stores the calculated information in the memory 174 (S312).

[0100] Subsequently, the table acquisition unit 506 refers to the switching condition table stored in memory 174 and sets the switching time according to the road surface condition determined by the road surface condition determination unit 504 (S314).

[0101] Subsequently, the gear shift mode switching unit 302 determines whether the time measured by the first timer of the timer timing unit 402 has elapsed to the switching time (S316). If it is determined that the time measured by the first timer of the timer timing unit 402 has elapsed to the switching time (YES in step S316), the process moves to step S324. In other words, the gear shift mode switching unit 302 automatically switches from temporary manual mode to automatic gear shift mode after the driver has operated the paddle switch 150 and the switching time has elapsed.

[0102] If the first timer of the timer timing unit 402 determines that the time it has timed has not elapsed beyond the switching time (NO in step S316), the paddle operation detection unit 300 determines whether it has detected the driver's paddle operation based on the driver's operation on the paddle switch 150 (S318).

[0103] If it is determined in step S318 that paddle operation has been detected (YES in step S318), the process from step S308 is repeated. If it is determined in step S318 that no paddle operation has been detected (NO in step S318), the gear shift mode switching unit 302 determines whether or not a return operation has been performed based on the driver's operation on the shift lever 160 (S320).

[0104] If it is determined in step S320 that a recovery operation was not performed (NO in step S320), the process from step S316 is repeated. If it is determined in step S320 that a recovery operation was performed (YES in step S320), the switching condition update unit 310 updates the switching time to the second timing time (S322).

[0105] If the switching time is updated in step S322, or if the time measured by the first timer of the timer timing unit 402 is determined to have elapsed to the switching time in step S316 (YES in step S316), the gear shift mode switching unit 302 switches the gear shift mode from temporary manual mode to automatic gear shift mode (S324).

[0106] Next, as shown in Figure 9, after the shift mode is switched from temporary manual mode to automatic shift mode in step S324, the timer unit 402 sets the second timer to 0 and starts timing the second timer (S326).

[0107] Subsequently, the switching time extension determination unit 502 determines whether the system automatically switched from the temporary manual mode to the automatic transmission mode when the system switched from the temporary manual mode to the automatic transmission mode in the previous instance (S328). In other words, the switching time extension determination unit 502 determines whether the time measured by the first timer of the timer timing unit 402 in the previous temporary manual mode has elapsed.

[0108] If it is determined in step S328 that the system has automatically switched from temporary manual mode to automatic transmission mode (YES in step S328), the table acquisition unit 506 refers to the switching condition table stored in memory 174 and sets the switching time, the post-switching determination time, and the specific time according to the road surface condition determination unit 504 (S330).

[0109] Subsequently, the switching time extension determination unit 502 determines whether the time measured by the second timer of the timer timing unit 402, which was started in step S326, has exceeded the post-switching determination time (S332). If it is determined that the time measured by the second timer of the timer timing unit 402 has not exceeded the post-switching determination time (NO in step S332), the paddle operation detection unit 300 determines whether it has detected the driver's paddle operation based on the driver's operation on the paddle switch 150 (S334).

[0110] In step S334, if it is determined that paddle operation has been detected (YES in step S334), the switching time extension determination unit 502 determines whether the driver's paddle operation resulted in a change in the gear ratio in the same direction as the change in gear ratio stored in step S312 (S336). For example, in step S312, the gear ratio change amount calculation unit 308 subtracts the gear ratio after it has been changed by the instruction of the gear ratio change unit 306 from the gear ratio at the time the gear shift was performed in response to the driver's paddle operation. Then, in step S336, the switching time extension determination unit 502 determines that the gear has shifted to a lower speed if the difference is greater than 0, and determines that the gear has shifted to a higher speed if the difference is less than 0. Subsequently, the switching time extension determination unit 502 determines that if the gear ratio change stored in step S312 is a shift to the lower speed side, and the driver performs a paddle operation on the minus paddle switch 150a, then the driver's paddle operation results in a change in the gear ratio in the same direction. Alternatively, if the gear ratio change stored in step S312 is a shift to the higher speed side, and the driver performs a paddle operation on the plus paddle switch 150b, then the driver's paddle operation results in a change in the gear ratio in the same direction. In other words, it determines whether the driver's paddle operation results in a change in the gear ratio in the same direction.

[0111] If the switching time extension determination unit 502 determines in step S336 that no paddle operation by the driver resulting in a change in the same gear ratio was performed (NO in step S336), the process from step S302 is repeated. If the switching time extension determination unit 502 determines in step S336 that a paddle operation by the driver resulting in a change in the same gear ratio was performed (YES in step S336), the switching condition update unit 310 updates the switching time to a switching time with a specific time added (S338). For example, the switching condition update unit 310 stores the switching time with the specific time added in memory 174. After that, the process from step S302 is repeated.

[0112] If it is determined in step S334 that no paddle operation was detected (NO in step S334), the brake operation detection unit 500 determines whether or not it detected the driver pressing down on the brake pedal 180 (S340). If it is determined in step S340 that no pressing down operation on the brake pedal 180 was detected (NO in step S340), the process from step S330 is repeated.

[0113] In step S340, if it is determined that a depressing operation has been detected on the brake pedal 180 (YES in step S340), the switching time extension determination unit 502 determines, based on the information regarding the change in gear ratio stored in step S312, whether the change in gear ratio is one that shifts to a lower speed (S342). If, as a result of the determination in step S342, it is determined that, based on the information regarding the change in gear ratio stored in step S312, the change in gear ratio is not one that shifts to a lower speed (NO in step S342), the process from step S330 is repeated.

[0114] If, as a result of the determination in step S342, it is determined that the gear ratio change is a change to a lower speed based on the information on the gear ratio change stored in step S312 (YES in step S342), the switching condition update unit 310 updates the switching time to a switching time with a specific time added (S344). For example, the switching condition update unit 310 stores the switching time with the specific time added in memory 174. After that, the process from step S330 is repeated.

[0115] Furthermore, if in step S328 it is determined that the system has not automatically switched from temporary manual mode to automatic transmission mode (NO in step S328), or if in step S332 it is determined that the time measured by the second timer of the timer timing unit 402 has exceeded the time required for the switchover (YES in step S332), the table acquisition unit 506 refers to the switching condition table stored in memory 174 and sets the switching time, extension permission time, and specific time according to the road surface condition determination unit 504 (S346). Subsequently, the switching time extension determination unit 502 determines whether the switching time is equal to or greater than the upper limit time (S348).

[0116] If it is determined that the switching time is greater than or equal to the upper limit time (YES in S348), the gear shift mode switching process is terminated. If it is determined that the switching time is not greater than or equal to the upper limit time (NO in S348), the paddle operation detection unit 300 determines whether it has detected the driver's paddle operation based on the driver's operation on the paddle switch 150 (S350). If it is determined in step S350 that a paddle operation has been detected (YES in step S350), the process from step S302 is repeated.

[0117] Furthermore, if it is determined in step S350 that no paddle operation is detected (NO in step S350), the switching time extension determination unit 502 determines whether the time measured by the second timer of the timer timing unit 402 has exceeded the permitted extension time (S352). If it is determined that the time measured by the second timer of the timer timing unit 402 has not exceeded the permitted extension time (NO in step S352), the process from step S346 is repeated. If it is determined that the time measured by the second timer of the timer timing unit 402 has exceeded the permitted extension time (YES in step S352), the switching condition update unit 310 updates the switching time to a switching time with a specific time added (S354). For example, the switching condition update unit 310 stores the switching time with a specific time added in memory 174. After that, the timer timing unit 402 sets the second timer to 0 again and starts measuring with the second timer (S356), and the process from step S346 is repeated.

[0118] As described above, according to the vehicle 1 of the third embodiment, when the driver performs a paddle operation that results in a change in the same direction as the previous change within the post-switching determination time after switching to automatic transmission mode, the switching time is extended by a specific amount of time. This allows the switching time to be appropriately extended at the timing when the driver desires to extend the switching time. By appropriately extending the switching time, it is possible to achieve a switch from temporary manual mode to automatic transmission mode that the driver finds optimal.

[0119] Furthermore, according to the vehicle 1 of the third embodiment, the driver can understand that the vehicle has automatically switched to automatic transmission mode before reaching the target gear ratio or vehicle speed by operating the brake pedal 180. This allows for an appropriate extension of the switching time without requiring the driver to operate the paddles, thereby reducing the inconvenience of paddle operation for the driver. By appropriately extending the switching time, it is possible to achieve a switch from temporary manual mode to automatic transmission mode that the driver finds optimal.

[0120] Furthermore, according to the vehicle 1 of the third embodiment, the switching time is extended by a specific amount of time each time the extended permission time has elapsed. This allows the driver to return to a switching time that they find optimal, even if the driver finds it inconvenient to use the temporary manual mode due to an extremely short switching time.

[0121] Furthermore, according to the vehicle 1 of the third embodiment, the switching time, post-switching judgment time, extended permission time, and specific time are stored for each road surface condition, and a process is executed to set the switching time, post-switching judgment time, extended permission time, and specific time according to the road surface condition. As a result, various control information can be set according to the road surface condition, and the optimal switch from manual shift mode to automatic shift mode according to the road surface condition can be performed.

[0122] [9. Gear shift mode control system according to the fourth embodiment] Next, with reference to Figure 10, a vehicle 1 equipped with the transmission mode control system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. Note that the fourth embodiment is a modified version of the third embodiment, and the differences from the third embodiment will be described below, while the same configuration and functions as the third embodiment will not be described in detail.

[0123] In the gear shift mode control system according to the third embodiment, in temporary manual mode, if the driver performs a return operation using the shift lever 160 within the switching time, the switching time is updated to the second timing time. In other words, if the driver performs a return operation, the switching time is updated to an earlier time than the current switching time. However, for example, if the driver mistakenly performs a return operation at an extremely early timing, the switching time will be updated to an extremely early time. And the switching time that has been updated to an extremely early time cannot be returned to the original switching time unless a certain operation is performed by the driver or a certain amount of time has elapsed, which could significantly reduce the operability in temporary manual mode. Therefore, in the gear shift mode control system according to the fourth embodiment, when the driver performs a return operation extremely early, it is determined whether or not to update the switching time, and the switching time is updated as necessary.

[0124] Figure 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the gear shift mode control system according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in Figure 10, the gear shift mode control device 170 according to the fourth embodiment further includes a misoperation determination unit 600, in addition to the components of the gear shift mode control device 170 according to the third embodiment, namely the paddle operation detection unit 300, the gear shift mode switching unit 302, the gear ratio detection unit 304, the gear ratio change unit 306, the gear ratio change amount calculation unit 308, the switching condition update unit 310, the table storage unit 312, the unit change amount determination unit 400, the timer timing unit 402, the brake operation detection unit 500, the switching time extension determination unit 502, the road surface condition determination unit 504, and the table acquisition unit 506.

[0125] The error detection unit 600 determines whether to update the switching time when the driver performs a specific release operation on the shift lever 160 in temporary manual mode. The specific release operation is a return operation performed by the driver on the shift lever 160 within the error detection time after the driver's paddle operation on the paddle switch 150. The error detection time is a criterion used by the error detection unit 600 to determine whether to update the switching time when the driver performs a return operation in temporary manual mode, and is a time shorter than the switching time. The error detection time is, for example, a preset time. However, it is not limited to this, and the error detection time may be, for example, a calculated time or a time that varies depending on the road surface conditions.

[0126] The error detection unit 600 determines, for example, to update the switching time if the specific release operation is performed multiple times. In other words, if the specific release operation is performed multiple times, it is considered that the driver is performing the specific release operation intentionally and not due to driver error, so the switching time is updated to a specific release time that is shorter than the switching time. The specific release time is, for example, the second timing time. However, it is not limited to this, and the specific release time may be, for example, a predetermined time that is shorter than the switching time. If the specific release time is a predetermined time, the switching condition update unit 310 may set a lower limit time and restrict the updating of the switching time so that it is not updated to a time smaller than the lower limit time.

[0127] Specifically, for example, if the first specific release operation is performed in the first temporary manual mode, the transmission mode switching unit 302 switches from temporary manual mode to automatic transmission mode. Subsequently, if the driver operates the paddles to enter temporary manual mode for the second time, the misoperation detection unit 600 determines that the switching time should be updated when the second specific release operation is performed in the second temporary manual mode. The switching condition update unit 310 then updates the switching time to the specific release time if the specific release operation is performed multiple times. In this case, the specific release time may be determined by using only the first of the two second timing times, using the second, or using the average of both.

[0128] Furthermore, the error detection unit 600 does not only determine to update the switching time when a specific release operation is performed by the driver, but is not limited to cases where the specific release operation is performed twice in a row. For example, the error detection unit 600 may determine to update the switching time when the specific release operation is performed three or more times. Also, for example, the error detection unit 600 may determine to update the switching time at the time of the second specific release operation even if one or more return operations other than the specific release operation are performed between the first and second specific release operations.

[0129] Furthermore, the error detection unit 600 determines, for example, that if the first specific release operation is performed, it will not update the switching time. In other words, if the first specific release operation is performed, it is possible that the driver performed the specific release operation by mistake, so the switching time will not be updated to the specific release time. That is, the switching condition update unit 310 will not update the switching time to the specific release time if it is the first time the specific release operation has been performed.

[0130] [10. Processing flow of the shift mode control system according to the fourth embodiment] Next, with reference to Figure 11, the processing flow of the transmission mode control device 170 of the transmission mode control system according to the fourth embodiment will be described. Figure 11 is a flowchart showing the transmission mode switching process by the transmission mode control device 170 according to the fourth embodiment. Note that the processing from step S400 to step S410 shown in Figure 11 is the same as the processing from step S300 to step S310 of the transmission mode switching process by the transmission mode control device 170 according to the third embodiment shown in Figure 8, and therefore the explanation will be omitted.

[0131] As shown in Figure 11, after the first timer starts timing in step S410, the gear shift mode switching unit 302 determines whether the time measured by the first timer of the timer timing unit 402 has elapsed to the switching time (S412). If it is determined that the time measured by the first timer of the timer timing unit 402 has elapsed to the switching time (YES in step S412), the process moves to step S424. In other words, the gear shift mode switching unit 302 automatically switches from temporary manual mode to automatic gear shift mode after the driver has operated the paddle switch 150 and the switching time has elapsed.

[0132] If the first timer of the timer timing unit 402 determines that the time it has timed has not elapsed beyond the switching time (NO in step S412), the paddle operation detection unit 300 determines whether it has detected the driver's paddle operation based on the driver's operation on the paddle switch 150 (S414).

[0133] If it is determined in step S414 that paddle operation has been detected (YES in step S414), the process from step S408 is repeated. If it is determined in step S414 that no paddle operation has been detected (NO in step S414), the gear shift mode switching unit 302 determines whether or not a return operation has been performed based on the driver's operation on the shift lever 160 (S416).

[0134] If it is determined in step S416 that a reset operation was not performed (NO in step S416), the process from step S412 is repeated. If it is determined in step S416 that a reset operation was performed (YES in step S416), the malfunction determination unit 600 determines whether the time measured by the first timer of the timer timing unit 402 has exceeded the malfunction determination time (S418). In other words, if a reset operation to automatic transmission mode has occurred and the malfunction determination time has elapsed, the reset operation to automatic transmission mode is determined to be a normal reset operation. If a reset operation to automatic transmission mode has occurred and the malfunction determination time has not elapsed, the reset operation to automatic transmission mode is determined to be a specific release operation.

[0135] If the time measured by the first timer of the timer timing unit 402 determines that the error detection time has not elapsed (NO in step S418), the error detection unit 600 determines whether the recovery operation in step S416, that is, the specific release operation, is the first specific release operation (S420).

[0136] If it is determined that the specific release operation is not the first specific release operation (NO in step S420), or if it is determined in step S418 that the time measured by the first timer of the timer timing unit 402 has elapsed beyond the error detection time (YES in step S418), the switching condition update unit 310 updates the switching time to the second timing time (S422). Also, in step S422, if the specific release operation has been performed two or more times, the switching condition update unit 310 updates the switching time to the specific release time. The switching condition update unit 310 stores the updated switching time in the memory 174, for example.

[0137] If the system updates the switching time in step S422, or if it determines in step S412 that the time measured by the first timer of the timer timing unit 402 has elapsed to the switching time (YES in step 412), or if it determines in step S420 that the specific release operation is the first specific release operation (YES in step S420), the gear shift mode switching unit 302 switches the gear shift mode from temporary manual mode to automatic gear shift mode (S424) and terminates the gear shift mode switching process.

[0138] As described above, in the vehicle 1 of the fourth embodiment, if a specific release operation is performed within the error detection time after the driver operates the paddle switch 150, the switching time is not updated to the measured specific release time. If the specific release operation is performed multiple times, the switching time is updated to the specific release time. This allows the driver to accurately reflect their intentions in the switching time.

[0139] Furthermore, in the vehicle 1 of the fourth embodiment, if the driver performs the specific release operation multiple times, the switching time can be updated to the second timing time, thereby directly updating the switching time to the switching time desired by the driver. This eliminates the need for the driver to perform the specific release operation multiple times until the switching time is deemed optimal, thus relieving the driver of inconvenience.

[0140] Embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the attached drawings, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. It is clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications or alterations can be conceived within the scope of the claims, and these will naturally also fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0141] For example, the vehicle 1 in the above embodiment may be equipped with a driver monitoring system using an in-vehicle camera or the like. The switching condition update unit 310 uses the driver monitoring system to determine which driver is currently operating the vehicle 1 when there are multiple drivers operating the vehicle 1, and updates the switching conditions for each driver. The table storage unit 312 also stores the switching conditions for each driver in the memory 174 when there are multiple drivers operating the vehicle 1. As a result, since the switching conditions are updated for each driver, even when there are multiple drivers operating the vehicle 1, the switching conditions for switching from temporary manual mode to automatic transmission mode are changed for each driver, and the vehicle can select the switching conditions that are appropriate for each driver.

[0142] Furthermore, although the above embodiment described the gear ratio changing unit 306 as issuing a change instruction to change the gear ratio, it is not limited to this example. The gear ratio changing unit 306 may also issue a change instruction to change the gear position.

[0143] Furthermore, although the above embodiment described an example of the configuration of vehicle 1 shown in Figure 1, the configuration of the vehicle according to the present invention is not limited to such an example. The vehicle according to the present invention may be, for example, one in which some components of vehicle 1 shown in Figure 1 have been deleted, added, or modified.

[0144] Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment explains that the road surface condition determination unit 504 determines the road surface conditions on which the vehicle 1 is traveling based on information from the detection unit 190, the embodiment is not limited to this example. For example, the detection unit 190 may determine the road surface conditions on which the vehicle 1 is traveling.

[0145] Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment explains that the gear ratio change amount calculation unit 308 calculates the direction in which the gear ratio changed by the instruction of the gear ratio change unit 306 by subtracting the gear ratio after it has been changed by the instruction of the gear ratio change unit 306 from the gear ratio at the time the gear shift was performed in response to the driver's paddle operation, the system is not limited to this example. For example, the gear ratio change amount calculation unit 308 may directly derive from the gear ratio at the time the gear shift was performed in response to the driver's paddle operation the direction in which the gear ratio changed, that is, whether the gear ratio changed towards a lower speed or a higher speed.

[0146] The series of processes performed by the gear shift mode control system according to the above embodiment may be implemented using software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. The program constituting the software is pre-stored in, for example, a non-transitory storage medium provided inside or outside each device. The program is then read from, for example, the non-transitory storage medium (e.g., ROM) to a temporary storage medium (e.g., RAM) and executed by a processor such as a CPU.

[0147] Furthermore, according to the embodiments described above, a program for executing the processing of each function of the above-described gear shift mode control system can be provided. In addition, a non-temporary recording medium that can be read by a computer and on which the program is stored can also be provided. The non-temporary recording medium may be a disk-type recording medium such as an optical disk, magnetic disk, or magneto-optical disk, or it may be a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory or USB memory. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0148] 1 vehicle 150A Negative Paddle Switch 150b Plus Paddle Switch 160 Shift lever 170. Transmission mode control device (control device) 172 processors 174 memory 180 Brake pedal 190 Detection unit 302 Gear shift mode switching section 308 Gear ratio change calculation unit 310 Switching Condition Update Unit 312 Table Storage Unit 402 Timer Measurement Unit 500 Brake operation detection unit 502 Switching time extension determination unit 504 Road surface condition determination unit 506 Table Retrieval Section 600 Erroneous operation determination section

Claims

1. A control device that controls the gear shift mode, A first operating unit that accepts a switch operation from an automatic transmission mode that automatically performs gear changes to a manual transmission mode that performs gear changes in response to the driver's operation, Equipped with, The control device comprises a processor and a memory connected to the processor. The aforementioned processor, After the driver operates the first control unit, and after the switching time specified as the switching condition has elapsed, the system switches from the manual shift mode to the automatic shift mode. If, within the post-switching determination time after the aforementioned switching time has elapsed, the driver performs an operation that results in a change in the gear ratio in the same direction as the change in the gear ratio when the shift was performed in response to the driver's operation before the aforementioned switching time had elapsed, the switching time will be extended by a specific amount of time. A gear shift mode control system that performs processing including the following.

2. A control device that controls the gear shift mode, A first operating unit that accepts a switch operation from an automatic transmission mode that automatically performs gear changes to a manual transmission mode that performs gear changes in response to the driver's operation, A brake operating unit that receives the driver's input to decelerate the vehicle, Equipped with, The control device comprises a processor and a memory connected to the processor. The aforementioned processor, In the manual shift mode, the shift is performed to a lower speed in response to the driver's operation, After the aforementioned gear shift is performed, and the switching time specified as the switching condition has elapsed, the system switches from the manual shift mode to the automatic shift mode. If the driver operates the brake control unit within the post-switching determination time after the aforementioned switching time has elapsed, the switching time will be extended by a specified period of time. A gear shift mode control system that performs processing including the following.

3. It is equipped with a detection unit that detects information about the road surface conditions, The aforementioned processor, Based on the information detected by the detection unit, the switching time is stored for each road surface condition, and the switching time is set according to the road surface condition. A gear shift mode control system according to claim 1 or 2, which performs a process including the following:

4. A control device that controls the gear shift mode, A first operating unit that accepts a switch operation from an automatic transmission mode that automatically performs gear changes to a manual transmission mode that performs gear changes in response to the driver's operation, A second operating unit that accepts an operation to switch from the manual shift mode to the automatic shift mode, Equipped with, The control device comprises a processor and a memory connected to the processor. The aforementioned processor, After the driver operates the first control unit, and after the switching time specified as the switching condition has elapsed, the system switches from the manual shift mode to the automatic shift mode. If, after the driver's operation on the first control unit, a specific release operation is performed on the second control unit multiple times within a misoperation detection time shorter than the switching time, the switching time will be updated to a specific release time shorter than the switching time. A gear shift mode control system that performs processing including the following.

5. The aforementioned processor, The time taken from the driver's operation on the first control unit to the driver's operation on the second control unit until the system switches from the manual shift mode to the automatic shift mode is measured. If the aforementioned specific release operation is performed multiple times, the switching time will be updated to the aforementioned timing time. A gear shift mode control system according to claim 4, which performs a process including the following:

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