JPH0518740B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a constant speed driving device for an automobile that controls the vehicle speed to maintain approximately a predetermined set speed so as to perform constant speed driving.

(Prior Art) In recent years, constant speed traveling devices that automatically maintain the vehicle speed of an automobile at a desired speed set by a driver have been put into practical use. This constant speed traveling device sets the vehicle speed as a target value for constant speed traveling by a set operation by the driver when the vehicle speed reaches a desired vehicle speed, and after that, this set vehicle speed and the actual vehicle speed are When a difference occurs between the two, the amount of fuel supplied to the engine is controlled by controlling the throttle valve, etc. of the engine according to the difference, so that the actual vehicle speed almost matches the set vehicle speed. This is what I did.

In order to perform constant speed driving using such a constant speed driving device, an actuator is provided that can control the amount of fuel supplied to the engine by opening and closing the throttle valve, etc., so that the actual vehicle speed can be controlled. When the actual vehicle speed exceeds the set vehicle speed, the actuator is operated to decrease the amount of fuel supplied, and when the actual vehicle speed falls below the set vehicle speed, the actuator is operated to increase the amount of fuel supplied. However, if some kind of failure occurs in this actuator and the actuator stops operating, there is a problem that, for example, when driving downhill, the vehicle speed will increase rapidly and the vehicle may run out of control.

For this reason, for example, JP-A-58-128432
No. 2, No. 1, No. 1, No. 1, No. 1, No. 1, No. 1, No. 1, No. 1, 2003, discloses a control method in which constant speed driving control is canceled when the actual vehicle speed becomes higher than a set vehicle speed by a predetermined value or more during constant speed driving control.

However, not all cases where the actual vehicle speed is higher than the set vehicle speed by a predetermined value or more are due to a failure of the actuator, and there are cases where the actuator is operating normally and the actual vehicle speed is high. For example, while driving at a constant speed, a vehicle may accelerate by pressing the accelerator pedal in order to pass another vehicle. For this reason, if constant speed driving control is canceled in all cases when the actual vehicle speed becomes higher than the set vehicle speed by a predetermined value, there is a possibility that the constant speed driving control will be canceled even though the constant speed driving device is normal. Yes, not desirable.

(Object of the Invention) In view of such problems, the present invention provides a system that, when a failure occurs in the actuator that controls the amount of fuel supplied to the engine, stops constant speed driving and allows safe driving. It is an object of the present invention to provide a constant speed traveling device for an automobile that enables the following.

(Configuration of the Invention) The configuration of the constant speed traveling device of the present invention will be explained based on the claim correspondence diagram of FIG. The constant speed traveling device of the present invention compares the actual vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection means B1 with the set vehicle speed in the vehicle speed control means B2, outputs an actuation signal from the vehicle speed control means B2 to the actuator B3, and controls the throttle by the actuator B3. The fuel supply amount is controlled by opening and closing valves, etc., and the actual vehicle speed is maintained approximately at the set vehicle speed.Meanwhile, signals from the accelerator pedal switch B4 and the vehicle speed detection means B1, which detect whether or not the accelerator pedal is operated, are controlled. When the constant speed driving system canceling means B5 determines that the actual vehicle speed has increased beyond the predetermined range with respect to the set vehicle speed and the accelerator pedal is not operated, the constant speed driving system canceling means B5 Then, the constant speed driving control by the vehicle speed control means B2 is canceled (the constant speed driving control will not be performed unless the constant speed driving set operation is performed again), and the actual vehicle speed increases beyond the predetermined range relative to the set vehicle speed. The present invention is characterized in that when the accelerator pedal is operated, the constant speed driving control by the vehicle speed control means B2 is continued (not canceled).

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the constant speed traveling device has a controller 5 connected via a main switch 4 to a power supply circuit 3 led from a power supply 1 via an ignition switch 2. Signals from an accelerator switch 6, a coast switch 7, and a stop switch 8 as vehicle speed setting means and a signal from a vehicle speed sensor 9 are input to the vehicle speed setting means.
Further, signals are outputted from the controller 5 to solenoids 11a, 12a, and 13a of the actuator 10. Here, the controller 5 plays a role as a vehicle speed control means and a constant speed running system canceling means, and is composed of a microcomputer, and has various arithmetic processing units (CPU) and a read-only memory (ROM) containing control programs. and a write-in memory (RAM) for temporarily storing various data.

Above accelerator switch 6, coast switch 7
The accelerator switch 6 is a switch that also functions as a set switch, and the vehicle speed indicated by the signal from the vehicle speed sensor 9 is, for example, 40 to 100 km. /h when the desired vehicle speed is reached.
By turning ON, the vehicle speed setting function sets the current vehicle speed as the set vehicle speed for constant speed driving, and the corresponding
By maintaining the ON state, the set vehicle speed is increased during this time, and when the vehicle is turned OFF, it has an acceleration function that causes the vehicle to travel at a constant speed at this increased vehicle speed. Furthermore, the coast switch 7 is used to decelerate the vehicle while traveling at a constant speed, and the set vehicle speed decreases when it is turned on. moreover,
The resume switch 8 is the same as the main switch 4 above.
If the constant speed driving control is canceled for a reason other than the OFF operation, turning it ON will return the vehicle to the set vehicle speed before the cancellation. Based on the operation of these switches 6, 7, 8 and the signal from the vehicle speed sensor 9, the controller 5 releases the solenoids 11a, 12 of the actuator 10.
Signals are output to a and 13a to maintain, accelerate, decelerate, or return the vehicle speed.

Further, in this constant speed traveling device, a clutch switch 14 as a constant speed traveling canceling means for canceling constant speed traveling control and a brake switch 15 are arranged in parallel between the power supply circuit 3 and the controller 5. These switches 14 and 15 are activated when the clutch is disengaged and when the brake is applied, respectively.
When turned on, a release signal is input to the controller 5, causing the controller 5 to release the constant speed running control.

Further, an accelerator pedal switch 30 that detects whether or not the accelerator pedal is depressed is also connected to the controller 5. Therefore, in the controller 5, the actual vehicle speed (V) is set to a predetermined value (K) relative to the set vehicle speed (Vs). ), and when the accelerator pedal switch 30 determines that the accelerator pedal is not depressed, the controller 5 acts as a constant speed driving system canceling means to cancel the constant speed driving control. It's getting old. The actual vehicle speed (V) is a predetermined value (K) relative to the set vehicle speed (Vs)
If the accelerator pedal switch 30 determines that the accelerator pedal is being depressed even when the speed is higher than that, the constant speed driving system canceling means comprising the controller 5 continues the constant speed driving control.

Next, to explain the configuration of the actuator 10, as shown in FIG.
0 is a negative pressure diaphragm type actuator, and a rubber diaphragm 1 is installed inside the casing 16.
The diaphragm 17 is connected to the negative pressure chamber 1 to define a negative pressure chamber 18 which is airtight to the outside by the diaphragm 17 and an atmospheric chamber 20 which is communicated with the outside by the through hole 19.
The casing 16 is biased toward the atmospheric chamber 20 by a spring 21 disposed within the casing 16.
A solenoid valve 11 for introducing negative pressure that controls the introduction of negative pressure into the negative pressure chamber 18 and first and second solenoid valves 12 and 13 for introducing atmospheric air (the second solenoid valve 13 for introducing atmospheric air is shown in the figure). (not shown). A rod 22 connected to the diaphragm 17 is slidably held by a bearing 23 provided on the casing 16 and protrudes outside through the atmospheric chamber 20. It is connected to the slot valve 25 provided in the intake passage of the engine through the diaphragm 17 in the A direction (the negative pressure chamber 18
When moving to the side), the slot valve 25 is operated in the opening direction.

Further, the negative pressure introduction solenoid valve 11 opens a passage 11b, which has one end connected to a negative pressure introduction pipe 26 led from a negative pressure source and the other end communicates with the inside of the negative pressure chamber 18, with the valve body 11c. The valve body 11c is pressed and biased by a spring 11d to shut off the passage 11b, and also opens the passage 11b against the spring 11d when the solenoid 11a is energized. will be moved to Similarly, the first atmosphere introduction solenoid valve 12 (the second atmosphere introduction solenoid valve 13
The same applies to the valve body 12c), in which a passage 12b whose one end is open to the atmosphere and whose other end communicates with the negative pressure chamber 18 is opened and closed by a valve body 12c.
is tension-biased by a spring 12d to open the passage 12b, and is adapted to block the passage 12b against the spring 12d when the solenoid 12a is energized. The negative pressure chamber 1 of the actuator 10 is controlled by energizing the solenoids 11a, 12a, 13a of these solenoid valves 11, 12, 13 by signals from the controller 5 shown in FIG.
The opening degree of the throttle valve 25 is controlled by controlling the negative pressure within the throttle valve 8 and displacing the diaphragm 17 in accordance with this negative pressure.

Next, the specific operation of the actuator will be explained.

For example, when the vehicle speed is 40 to 100 during normal driving
Km/h, when the accelerator switch 6 connected to the control device 5 of the constant speed traveling device is turned on, the vehicle speed at that time indicated by the signal from the vehicle speed sensor 9 is set in the controller 5 as the set vehicle speed. Thereafter, while comparing the set vehicle speed with the actual vehicle speed indicated by the signal from the vehicle speed sensor 9, the controller 5 outputs a signal to the actuator 10 so as to match the actual vehicle speed with the set vehicle speed.

That is, when the actual vehicle speed becomes lower than the set vehicle speed, an energization signal is output from the controller 5 to the solenoids 11a and 12a of the negative pressure introduction solenoid valve 11 and the atmosphere introduction solenoid valve 12 in the actuator 10, and the negative pressure introduction solenoid valve 11
opens, and the first atmospheric air introduction solenoid valve 12 closes. Therefore, the negative pressure chamber 18 of the actuator 10
Negative pressure is introduced to displace the diaphragm 17 in the A direction, and in conjunction with this, the slot valve 25 is operated in the opening direction via the rod 22 and wire 24, increasing the amount of fuel supplied to the engine. As a result, the actual vehicle speed increases and becomes equal to the set vehicle speed. On the other hand, when the actual vehicle speed is higher than the set vehicle speed, the solenoids 11a and 12a are not energized, so that the negative pressure introduction solenoid valve 11 is closed and the first atmosphere introduction solenoid valve 12 is opened, so that the negative pressure The negative pressure within chamber 18 is reduced. Therefore, the above diaphragm 1
7 is displaced in the opposite direction to the throttle valve 25.
is operated in the closing direction to reduce the amount of fuel supplied to the engine, thereby reducing the actual vehicle speed to match the set vehicle speed. In addition, during such constant speed traveling control, the second atmosphere introduction solenoid valve 13
The solenoid 13a of the valve 13 is energized at all times.
is held closed. Further, when the clutch switch 14 or the brake switch 15, which serves as a means for canceling the constant speed running control, is turned on, the energization to the solenoids 11a, 12a, and 13a is all stopped, and the negative pressure introduction solenoid valve 11 is closed. and first and second atmosphere introduction solenoid valves 1;
2 and 13 open to release the inside of the negative pressure chamber 18 to the atmosphere, the operation of the actuator 10 is completely stopped, and the throttle valve 25 of the engine is operated by operating the accelerator pedal.

Furthermore, even when the actual vehicle speed (V) is higher than the set vehicle speed (Vs) by a predetermined value (K) or more and the accelerator pedal is not depressed, each solenoid 11a, 1
All energization to 2a and 13a is stopped, and constant speed driving control is canceled.

The details of control by the controller 5 in the constant speed traveling device described above will be explained with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4.

This control starts from step S1. First, in step S2, a flag F indicating the operation of the accelerator pedal is set to "0", and in step S3, the set vehicle speed (Vs) is read. Next, in step S4, constant speed running control is performed. As mentioned above, this constant speed driving control compares the set vehicle speed and the actual vehicle speed, and if the actual vehicle speed is lower than the set vehicle speed, the opening of the throttle valve is increased, and conversely, when the actual vehicle speed is higher than the set vehicle speed. In this case, the opening degree of the throttle valve is reduced to control the operation of the actuator so that the actual vehicle speed approximately matches the set vehicle speed.

Next, in step S5, it is detected whether the accelerator pedal is ON or not, that is, whether or not the accelerator pedal has been depressed. When the accelerator pedal has been depressed, flag F is set to "1" (step S6), and In response to this pedal depression, the throttle opening degree is increased to increase the speed (step S7). As a result, even if you are driving at a constant speed, if you want to overtake another vehicle, you can press the accelerator pedal to accelerate, and when you take your foot off the accelerator pedal, the vehicle will resume driving at a constant speed based on the original set speed. can be set. When it is determined in step S5 that the accelerator pedal is not depressed, the difference (V-Vs) between the actual vehicle speed (V) and the set vehicle speed (Vs) is calculated in step S8, and this difference (V
-Vs) is larger than a predetermined value (K).
If this difference (V-Vs) is smaller than or equal to the predetermined value (K), the process returns to step S3 and constant speed running control is continued as it is, so that this difference (V-Vs) is less than or equal to the predetermined value (K). If it is larger, the process advances to step S9.
In step S9, it is determined whether the flag F is "1" or not. If F=1, the process returns to step S2 and the flow from step S2 described above is repeated. F
When =0, the process advances to step S10 and the constant speed running control is canceled.

When controlled according to the above flow, if the accelerator pedal is not depressed and the actual vehicle speed (V) is higher than the set vehicle speed (Vs) by a predetermined value (K) or more, the actuator will malfunction. It is thought that the constant speed driving control can be canceled and the vehicle can shift to normal driving.

In addition, in this embodiment, a case was shown in which the amount of fuel supplied to the engine was controlled by controlling the opening degree of the throttle valve using an actuator, but in an engine that performs fuel injection, it is not necessary to control the amount of fuel injected using an actuator. Bye.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained above, according to the present invention, when the actuator controls the amount of fuel supplied to the engine to perform constant speed driving control,
If the actual vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined value compared to the set vehicle speed, and the accelerator pedal is not operated, constant speed driving control is canceled, and if the accelerator pedal is being operated, constant speed driving control is activated. This eliminates the possibility that constant speed driving control may be canceled even if the actuator is still normal and the vehicle speed has increased because the accelerator pedal is depressed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the vehicle from running out of control by canceling the constant speed driving control only when the actuator truly fails, and it is possible to ensure safety in the event of a failure of the constant speed driving device.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a constant speed traveling device according to the present invention,
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an actuator in the device, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the device, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the contents of constant speed running control by the device. 1...Power supply, 4...Main switch, 5...Controller, 6...Accelerator switch, 7...Coast switch, 8...Regium switch, 1
0... Actuator, 17... Diaphragm,
25...throttle valve, 30...accelerator pedal switch.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. Vehicle speed detection means for detecting the actual vehicle speed; Fuel supply means for controlling the amount of fuel supplied to the engine; A vehicle speed control means that controls the operation of the fuel supply means to maintain the actual vehicle speed approximately at the set vehicle speed and causes the vehicle to travel at a constant speed; an accelerator pedal switch that detects whether or not the accelerator pedal is operated; When receiving a signal from the switch and the vehicle speed detection means and detecting that the accelerator pedal is not operated and the actual vehicle speed is higher than the set vehicle speed by a predetermined value or more, the vehicle speed control means performs constant speed driving. constant speed driving system canceling means for canceling the control and for continuing constant speed driving control by the vehicle speed control means when the accelerator pedal is operated, even if the actual vehicle speed is higher than the set vehicle speed by a predetermined value or more; A constant speed traveling device for an automobile, comprising: