Vehicle Control Device for Dynamic Coasting State Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
In neutral coasting, the braking force of a vehicle is low, leading to increased speed on downhill roads, which can deteriorate the driver's feeling of control during travel.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control device that specifies road gradients and calculates a balance gradient to switch the vehicle from a neutral coasting state to a gear-in coasting state, using a balance between propulsive and resistance forces, and determines when to end this state based on deceleration conditions to manage speed and improve driver control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the vehicle travels in a neutral coasting state to improve fuel efficiency, then fuel consumption is reduced, but the braking force becomes low and vehicle speed increases on downhill roads, deteriorating driver control feeling
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between neutral coasting state and gear-in coasting state based on real-time road gradient detection and vehicle speed monitoring. This dynamic state adjustment allows the vehicle to maintain fuel efficiency while ensuring adequate braking force and driver control feeling when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the transmission parameter by switching between neutral and gear-in coasting states. By detecting road gradient and vehicle speed parameters, the system adjusts the transmission state to optimize both fuel efficiency and driver control, preventing excessive speed increase on downhill roads
2Ease of operation
If the vehicle switches to gear-in coasting state to improve driver control feeling, then braking force increases, but fuel efficiency benefits are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the coasting state based on real-time conditions. After switching to gear-in coasting state, the system monitors vehicle deceleration and automatically returns to neutral coasting state when deceleration conditions are met, thereby maintaining driver control feeling only when necessary and preserving fuel efficiency benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic monitoring of vehicle deceleration after switching to gear-in coasting state. By checking deceleration conditions at regular intervals and switching states accordingly, the system optimizes the balance between driver control feeling and fuel efficiency
3Use of energy by moving object
If the vehicle travels in neutral coasting state on downhill roads, then fuel efficiency is improved, but vehicle speed tends to increase excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from road gradient sensors and vehicle speed sensors to determine when to switch from neutral to gear-in coasting state. This feedback mechanism prevents excessive speed increase on downhill roads while maintaining fuel efficiency benefits on gentle slopes
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of road gradient and vehicle speed conditions before switching coasting states. By predicting when speed control will be needed, the system can proactively switch to gear-in coasting state to prevent excessive speed increase while minimizing the time spent in higher-braking-force states
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle control device comprising: a balance gradient calculation unit configured to calculate a balance gradient that is a gradient at which a propulsive force of the vehicle and a resistance force applied to the vehicle are balanced when the vehicle travels in a gear-in coasting state in which an engine is connected to a gear and the vehicle travels without supplying fuel to the engine, in a case where a traveling state of the vehicle is a neutral coasting state; and a traveling control unit configured to: switch, based on the calculated balance gradient and a specified road gradient, the traveling state of the vehicle from the neutral coasting state to the gear-in coasting state in a case where the traveling state of the vehicle is the neutral coasting state; and end, the gear-in coasting state when determining that an end condition is satisfied.