United States Patent
`Hibino et a1.
`
`[191
`
`[54] METHOD FOR INDICATING A VEHICLE
`OPERATION IN A FUEL ECONOMY RANGE
`FOR A VEHICLE WITH A MANUAL
`TRANSMISSION
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: Yoshitaka Hibino, Utsunomiya;
`Hiroshi Kogure, Tokorozawa, both
`of Japan
`
`[73] Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki
`Kaisha, Tokyo, Japan
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 777,387
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Sep. 18, 1985
`
`[30]
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Sep. 28, 1984 [JP]
`
`Japan ..................,.............. 59-203278
`
`[51]
`
`Int. Cl.4 ...................... B60K 41/18; G09B 19/16;
`G07C 5/08
`[52] US. Cl. ................................. 364/442; 340/52 D;
`364/424.1
`[58] Field of Search ............... 364/4241, 442; 434/71;
`74/866; 340/52 D
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,411,174 10/1983 Yokoi et al.
`
`.......................... 74/866
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`4,723,215
`
`Feb. 2, 1988
`
`4,439,158
`3/1984 Weber ................... 434/71
`4,463,427 7/1984 Bonnetain et a1.
`.
`...... 364/4241
`
`.....
`. 364/4241 X
`4,492,112
`1/1985 Igarashi et a1.
`
`1/ 1985 Stahl .................... 364/424. 1
`4,495,457
`4,622,637 11/1985 Tomita et a1. .................... 364/4241
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2084524 4/ 1982 United Kingdom ............. 364/4241
`
`Primary Examiner—Felix D. Gruber
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Pollock, VandeSande &
`Priddy
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A method for indicating a vehicle operation in a fuel
`economy range, for a vehicle with a manual transmis-
`sion, indicates that the vehicle is operating in a fuel
`economy range when both of an up-shifting condition
`and a dOWn-shifting condition are not satisfied. The
`method further detects a non-regular state of the vehi-
`cle operation and stops the indication of the vehicle
`operation under the fuel economy range when the non-
`regular state of the vehicle operation is detected even
`though both of the up-shifting and down-shifting condi-
`tions are not satisfied.
`
`4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures
`
`CRANK ME
`senses
`
`.
`
`9131‘!
`
`MERCEDES
`
`EXHIBIT 1015
`
`MERCEDES
`EXHIBIT 1015
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Feb. 2, 1988
`
`Sheet 1 of 3
`
`4,723,215
`
`
`
`i
`
`l
`
`CRANK ANGLE
`V SENSOR
`
`VEHICLE
`SPEED
`SENSOR
`
`THROTTLE
`SWITCH
`
`PBWOT
`PRESSURE
`SWITCH
`
`PBINT
`PRESSURE
`SWITCH
`
`CLUTCH
`SWITCH
`
`ENGINE
`COOLANT
`TEMPERATURE
`SENSOR
`
`CPU
`
`25
`
`—I
`
`
`26
`
`Ne COUNTER .— m
`I
`o—vm I
`VCOUNTER — .
`27
`
`20
`
`21
`
`2"
`
`V
`
`WERE“
`(SIIRCUIT
`WAVEFORM
`SHAPING
`CIRCUIT
`
`18
`
`19
`
`AID
`
`CONVERTER "
`
`I‘
`
`28
`
`17
`
`
`cI’FI'éIET
`23 r‘
`
`
`I
`‘
`
`
`22
`
`*
`
`'
`
`LENEL = MULTF
`CORRECTION - PLEXER
`CIRCUIT -
`
`'
`
`15
`
`16
`
`___. ___ _(_I-
`
`1}
`
`Elm
`
`910 11
`
`MERCEDES
`
`EXHIBIT 1015
`
`MERCEDES
`EXHIBIT 1015
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Feb. 2, 1988
`
`Sheet 2 of3
`
`4,723,215
`
`FIG. 2
`
`41
`
`IS
`
`
`UP-SHIFI'
`YES
`CONDITION
`
`
`SATISFIED
`
`
`HAS
`
`
`A TIME PERIOD
`
`
`No
`tup PASSED AFTER
`
`
`
`SATISF’SACTIO
`TURN OFF THE
`
`
`LAMP 11 FOR DIRECTING
`
`
`UP—SHIFT OPERATION
` 44
`
`45
` IS
`
`DOWN-SHIFT
`
`
`.YES
`CONDITION
`SATISFIED
`
`7
`
` 46 HAS
`A TIME PERIOD
`
`
`tDN PASSED AFTER
`
` TURN-OFF
`SATISFACTION
`THE LAMP 9 FOR
`
`DIRECTING DOWN-
`
`
`SHIFT OPERATION
`
` TURN—ON THE LAMP
`
`9 FOR DIRECTING
`
`
`
`YES
`
`DOWNj-SHIFT OPERATION
`
`47
`
`
`
`A TIME PERIOD
`
`tPEOPF PASSED
`
`AFTER SATISFACTION
`
` TIME PERIOD
`FEON PASSED
`AFTER SATISFACTION
`
`9
`a
`
`
`TURN-ON
`TURN-OFF THE
`
`TURN-ON THE
`
`
`LAMP 10 FOR INDICATING
`THE LAMP IT FOR
`LAMP 10 FOR INDICATING
`
`
`
`THE VEHICLE OPERATION
`'THE VEHICLE OPERATION
`DIRECTING UP-SHIFT
`IN THE FUEL EONOMY
`
`
`
`IN THE FUEL ECONOMY
`
`RANGE
`RANGE
`OPERATION
`
`
`
`
`
`MERCEDES
`
`EXHIBIT 1015
`
`MERCEDES
`EXHIBIT 1015
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Feb. 2, 1988
`
`1
`
`Sheet 3 of3
`
`4,723,215
`
`FIG. 3
`
`51
`
`IS ANY GEAR OTHER
`THAN A LOW SPEED
`
`
`
`. GEARENGAGED
`?
`
`MERCEDES
`
`EXHIBIT 1015
`
`MERCEDES
`EXHIBIT 1015
`
`

`

`1
`
`4,723,215
`
`2
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`' EMBODIMENTS
`
`METHOD FOR INDICATING A VEHICLE
`OPERATION IN A FUEL ECONOMY RANGE FOR
`A VEHICLE WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION 5
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`.
`
`30
`
`Reference is first made to FIG. 1, showing a device
`for indicating running states of the vehicle in which the
`method for indicating a vehicle operation in a fuel econ-
`omy range according to the present invention is applied.
`This running states indication device includes a control
`circuit 1 which comprises a microcomputer. The con-
`trol circuit 1 receives various sensor output signals,
`from a throttle switch 2, pressure switches 3 and 4, a
`clutch switch 5, an engine coolant temperature sensor 6,
`a crank angle sensor 7, and a vehicle speed sensor 8.
`Lamps 9 through 11 are also connected to the control
`circuit 1. The throttle switch 2 is adapted to turn on
`when a throttle valve of an internal combustion engine
`is closed. The pressure switch 3 turns on when a pres-
`sure P3 in an intake manifold downstream of the throttle
`valve is equal to or greater than a predetermined level
`PBWOT (—85 mmHg for example), and the pressure
`switch 4 turns on when the pressure P3 in the intake
`manifold downstream of the throttle valve is equal to or
`greater than another predetermined level szNr(—-370
`mmHg for example) which is smaller than PBWOT. The
`clutch switch 5 turns on when a clutch is disengaged to
`interrupt
`the transmission of engine power. These
`switches 2 through 5 produce a predetermined voltage
`when activated. The engine coolant temperature sensor
`6 produces an output signal whose level varies with the
`temperature of the engine coolant. The crank angle
`sensor 7 generates an angular position signal whose
`period is inversely proportional to the rotational speed
`of the engine crankshaft. Similarly, the vehicle speed
`sensor 8 produces an angular position signal whose
`period is inversely proportional to the rotational speed
`of an output shaft of the manual transmission. The lamp
`9 is provided to indicate that the vehicle is running
`under a state in which a down-shift of the manual trans-
`mission is required. On the other hand, the lamp 10
`indicates that the vehicle is running under the fuel sav-
`ing condition. In addition, the lamp 11 indicates that the
`vehicle is running under a state in which an up-shift of
`the manual transmission is required.
`The control circuit 1' includes a level correction cir-
`cuit 15 for correcting levels of signals from the throttle
`switch 2, the pressure switches 3 and 4, the clutch
`switch 5, and the engine coolant temperature sensor 6.
`Output signals of the level correction circuit 15 are then
`supplied to a multiplexer 16 which selectively transmits
`one of output signals of the switches 2 through 5 and the
`sensor 6 supplied through the level correction circuit
`15. An analog output signal of the multiplexer 16 is in
`turn supplied to an A/D (analog to digital) converter 17
`for converting the analog signal from the mutiplexer 16
`to a digital signal. The control circuit 1 further includes
`waveform shaping circuits 18 and 19 respectively for
`shaping the waveform of the angular position signals
`from the crank angle sensor 7 and the vehicle speed
`sensor 8 to square wave pulse signals. An output pulse
`60 signal of the waveform shaping circuit 18 is in turn
`supplied to an N, counter 20 where the intervals of
`pulses of the output signal of the waveform shaping
`circuit 18 are measured by counting the number of
`predetermined clock pulses for each interval and pro-
`ducing a digital signal indicative of a value inversely
`proportional to the rotational speed of the engine. On
`the other hand, an output signal of the waveform shap-
`ing circuit 19 is supplied to a V counter 21 which mea-
`
`The present invention relates to a method for a vehi-
`cle having an engine and a manual transmission, for 10
`indicating that the vehicle, including its engine, is oper-
`ating in a fuel economy range.
`2. Description of Background Information
`For vehicles having a manual transmission, various
`techniques for indicating an appropriate gear position
`have been proposed so as to promote fuel savings. For
`instance, Japanese patent application laid open No.
`55-31669 discloses a technique in which the fuel econ-
`omy range of the vehicle operation is derived as a state
`where both an up-shifting operation and a down-shift-
`ing operation are not required. When such a state is
`detected, an indication device such as an indication
`lamp is driven to show that the vehicle is operating in a
`fuel economy range.
`However, in the case of this type of conventional
`technique, there has been a problem that the indication
`of the fuel economy range may sometimes become inap-
`propriate. More specifically, the vehicle operation may
`become inappropriate, for example, due to a deteriora-
`tion of the driveability even though it is indicated that
`the vehicle is operating in the fuel economy range. This
`is because the fuel economy range is simply derived as
`a state where both the up-shifting operation and the
`down-shifting operation are not
`required. Conse- 35
`quently, it is very likely that a driver may keep on driv-
`ing the vehicle in a manner according to the indication
`of the fuel economy range in the indication device even
`though such manner of driving is not appropriate.
`
`40
`
`OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`An object of the present invention is therefore to
`provide a method for indicating a vehicle operation in a
`fuel economy range, in which inappropriate generation 45
`of an indication of a fuel economy running state, i.e. the
`indication that the vehicle is operating in the fuel econ-
`omy range, is stopped so that the driver does not con-
`tinue the inappropriate driving state.
`According to the present invention, a method for 50
`indicating a vehicle operation in a fuel economy range is
`characterized in that the generation of the indication of
`the vehicle operation in a fuel economy range is stopped
`if predetermined non-regular running conditions are
`satisfied even under a state where the up-shift and 55
`down-shift conditiOns are not satisfied.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system for indicating
`running conditions of the vehicle, in which the method
`for indicating the vehicle operation in a fuel economy
`range according to the present invention is suitably
`applied; and
`,
`FIGS. 2 and 3, when combined, are a flow chart 65
`showing steps of an embodiment of the method for
`indicating the vehicle operation in the fuel economy
`range according to the present invention.
`
`MERCEDES
`
`EXHIBIT 1015
`
`MERCEDES
`EXHIBIT 1015
`
`

`

`4,723,215
`
`3
`sures intervals of output pulses of the waveform shaping
`circuit 19 by counting the number of predetermined
`clock pulses and producing a digital signal indicative of
`a value inversely proportional to the vehicle speed. The
`control circuit 1 further includes drive circuits 22
`through 24 for" driving the lamps 9 through 11, and a
`CPU (central processing unit) 25 and a ROM 26 for
`storing various programs and data, and a RAM 27. The
`A/D converter 17, the counters 20, 21, the drive cir-
`cuits 22 through 24, the CPU 25, the ROM 26, and the
`RAM 27 are mutually connected via an I/O (input/out»
`put) bus 28.
`In the thus constructed device, information as to the
`opening and closing of the throttle valve, the pressure
`P3 in the intake manifold, the engagement or disengage-
`ment of the clutch, and the temperature of the engine
`coolant is selectively supplied to the CPU 25 through
`the I/O bus 28. Also, information of the engine speed
`Ne and the vehicle speed V from the Ne counter and the
`V counter 21 is supplied to the CPU 25 via the I/O bus
`28.
`'
`The CPU 25 reads in the above mentioned various
`information according to a program stored in the ROM
`26 and determines whether the up-shift is necessary, or
`whether the down-shift is necessary, and whether the
`vehicle is running under the condition of fuel economy,
`on the basis of this information. When the necessity of
`up-shift is determined by the CPU 25, a lamp drive
`command signal is supplied to the drive circuit 24. On
`.the other hand, when the down-shift is determined to be
`necessary, a lamp drive command signal is supplied to
`the drive circuit 22. In addition, when the operation of
`the vehicle'18 determined to be under the fuel economy
`range, the lamp drive command signal15 supplied to the
`drive circuit 23.
`Referring now to the flow chart of FIG. 2, the opera-
`tional sequence of the indication of the vehicle opera-
`tion under a fuel economy range according to the pres-
`ent invention will be explained hereinafter.
`_
`In this sequence of operations, whether or not the
`”vehicle is operating under a condition allowing the
`up-shift operation is determined at a step 41 first. If the
`vehicle is operating under a condition permitting the
`up-shift operation, whether or not a predetermined time
`period tap has passed after the satisfaction of that condi-
`tion is detected at a step 42. When the predetermined
`time period has passed, the lamp drive command signal
`is supplied to the drive circuit 24 so that the lamp 11 for
`indicating the timing of the up-shift operation turns on,
`at a step 43. When the predetermined time period tap
`has not yet passed after the satisfaction of that condi-
`tion, a lamp drive stop command signal is supplied to
`the drive circuit 24 so as to prevent an instantaneous
`light up of the lamp 11, by turning off the lamp 11 at a
`step 44. When the up—shift condition is not satisfied at
`the step 41, the program also goes to the step 44 so that
`the lamp 11 is turned off. Next, whether or not the
`vehicle operation is satisfying the down-shift condition
`is detected at a step 45. If the down-shift condition is
`satisfied, whether or not a predetermined time period
`tDN has passed after the satisfaction of the down-shift
`condition is detected at a step 46. If the predetermined
`time period tDN has already passed, a lamp drive com-
`mand signal is supplied to the drive circuit 22 to turn on
`the lamp 9 for directing the down-shift operation at a
`step 47. If the predetermined time period tDN has not
`passed, a lamp drive stop command signal is supplied to
`the drive circuit 22 to stop the lighting of the lamp 9 at
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`65
`
`4
`a step 48. The operation of the step 48 is also performed
`to stop the lighting of the lamp 9 if it is detected that the
`down-shift condition is not satisfied at the step 45.
`The detection of the vehicle operation under a non-
`regular driving state, i.e. an inappropriate driving state
`even though it is in a “fuel economy range” of the usual
`sense, takes place in the following sequence. Whether
`or not the engine rotational speed Ne is equal to or
`above a predetermined rotational speed N31,] (900 r.p.m.
`for example) is detected at a step 49. The predetermined
`rotational speed Neu is set at a value slightly higher
`than an idling speed of the engine. If NeéNeu, whether
`or not the pressure P3 in the intake manifold is equal to
`or smaller than a predetermined pressure P}; wor(on the
`vacuum side) is detected at a step 50. IF PgéPBWOT,
`i.e. if the pressure switch 3 is in the off position, it is
`regarded that the vehicle operation is not in a state of
`rapid acceleration in which the throttle valve is fully
`opened, and whether or not the gear position is other
`than the low speed gear is detected at a step 51. The
`detection of gear position is performed using a ratio
`between the rotational speed of the engine Ne and the
`vehicle speed V. If the detected gear position is other
`than the low speed gear, whether or not the vehicle
`speed V is equal to or above a predetermined speed Vu
`(15 Km/h for example) is detected at a step 52. If
`Viv“, it is regarded that the driving state of the
`vehicle is not the so-called “crawling state” and that a
`low fuel consumption is enabled. Then, whether or not
`the deceleration of the vehicle AV is equal to or more
`rapid than a predetermined deceleration level
`(— 10
`Km/h/secz'for example) is detected at a step 53. If
`AVéAVDEc, it is regarded that the degree of decelera-
`tion is small and whether or not the vehicle speed V is
`equal to or lower than a predetermined speed VMAX
`(103 Km/h) such as a speed near the legal speed limit is
`detected at a step 54. If V§VMAX, whether or not the
`gear is engaged is detected at a step 55. The engagement
`of the gear is determined using the output signal of the
`clutch switch 5, and if the clutch switch 5 is in the on
`position, it is determined that the gear is not engaged. If
`it is detected that the gear is engaged, it is regarded that
`the driving state of the vehicle is satisfying the condi-
`tion of the vehicle operation under the fuel economy
`range. Then, whether or not a predetermined time per-
`iod tFEON has passed after the satisfaction of the condi-
`tion is detected at a step 56. This operation is provided
`so as to give a hysteresis characteristic to the operations
`of the turning on and turning off of the lamp 10. In this
`way, an instantaneous lighting of the lamp 10 is pre-
`vented. Thus, when the predetermined time period
`tFEON has passed after the satisfaction of the condition
`of the fuel economy, a lamp drive command signal is
`supplied to the drive circuit 23 to turn on the lamp 10
`for indicating that the vehicle is Operating in the fuel
`ecomony range at a step 57. If the predetermined time
`period tFEONhas not passed, the lighting of the lamp 10
`is stopped by a lamp drive stop command signal sup-
`plied to the drive circuit 23 at a step 58.
`the step 49,
`On the other hand,
`if Ne<NeL1 at
`PB>PBWOT at the step 50, an engagement of the low
`speed gear is detected at the step 51, V<VL1 at the step
`52, AV< AVDEC at the step 53, V>VMAXat the step 54
`or it is detected that the gear is not engaged at the step
`55, it is regarded that the driving state of the vehicle is
`satisfying the condition of the inappropriate driving
`state which is out of the driving state in a fuel economy
`range.
`
`MERCEDES
`
`EXHIBIT 1015
`
`MERCEDES
`EXHIBIT 1015
`
`

`

`4,723,215
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`5
`Specifically, if Ne<NeL1, the discharging of the bat-
`tery becomes greater than the charging of the battery
`due to a power down of an alternator or an AGC (ac
`generator), and moreover, the driveability of the engine
`becomes worse. Similarly, if P3>PBWOT, it means that
`vehicle is operating under a high load condition, for
`example when the throttle valve is fully opened for a
`rapid acceleration. Therefore, under these conditions,
`the driving state of the vehicle is not determined to be
`in the fuel economy range. This also applies to the con-
`ditions explained as follows. When the transmission
`gear is positioned in the low speed gear, the braking
`force with the fully closed throttle valve (engine brake)
`is excessively high, and driving of the vehicle at a low
`speed (especially at a “crawling” speed) raises the fuel
`consumption. When V>VL1, the fuel consumption is
`high due to the slow speed. Also an amplitude of the
`waveform of an output signal of the vehicle speed sen-
`sor 8 becomes small and malfunctions tend to occur.
`When AV< AVDEC, it means that the vehicle is deceler-
`ating rapidly, to waste kinetic energy. Further, it is
`likely that the brake is applied because the distance to a
`vehicle ahead of the vehicle becomes too short. There-
`fore, this driving state is regarded to be inappropriate. If
`V>VMAX, it means the vehicle speed is higher than a 25
`legally permitted limit speed, and this state is regarded ,
`to be inappropriate. In addition, if it is detected that the
`gear is not engaged, it means that the braking action of
`the engine cannot be expected because the transmission
`of engine power is interrupted. Therefore, this state is 30
`regarded to be inappropriate since the “vapor lock”
`phenomenon may occur due to an excessive use of the
`foot brake during running on a long downward slope.
`Further, if an engine stall occurs under this kind of
`condition, braking force of the foot brake may be weak- 35
`ened by the stop of the operation of a power brake assist
`system using the pressure in the intake manifold. If the
`engine is provided with a fuel-cut function during de-
`celeration, the fuel consumption becomes lower when
`the transmission gear is engaged. Thus, the driving state
`of the vehicle is determined to be inappropriate under
`various conditions stated above even though the vehicle
`is operating within the fuel economy range in the con-
`ventional sense: that is, neither an up-shifting nor a
`down-shifting operation is required.
`When these conditions of inappropriate driving state
`are satisfied, whether or not a predetermined time per-
`iod tpEopphas passed after the satisfaction of the condi-
`tions is detected at a step 59. This step is provided for
`giving a hysteresis characteristic to the turning-off of 50
`the lamp 10 from a lighted state so as to prevent an
`instantaneous turning off of the lamp 10. When the
`predetermined time period tFEOFF has passed after the
`satisfaction of the conditions of inappropriate driving
`state, the operation of the step 58 is performed to stop 55
`
`6
`the lighting of the lamp 10. On the other hand, if the
`predetermined time period tFEoFF has not passed after
`the satisfaction of the conditions of inappropriate driv-
`ing state, the operation at the step 57 is performed to
`keep the lamp 10 on.
`It will be appreciated from the foregoing, according
`to the method for indicating a vehicle operation in a fuel
`economy range according to the present invention, the
`indication that the vehicle is operating in the fuel econ-
`omy range is stopped if a predetermined non-regular
`driving state is detected even though it is detected that
`both the up-shifting and down-shifting conditions are
`not satisfied. Therefore, the driver can recognize that
`the driving state of the vehicle is inappropriate. Thus, it
`becomes possible to prevent the vehicle from being
`continuously operated under an inappropriate state.
`What is claimed is:
`
`20
`
`45
`
`1. A method of indicating a vehicle as being inappro-
`priately operated, the vehicle having an engine, a con-
`trol circuit, a manual
`transmission for up-shift and
`down-shift operations, a plurality of input parameters
`being fed to the control circuit, the method comprising
`the steps of:
`(a) determining whether conditions for an up-shift
`operation are satisfied;
`(b) detecting whether conditions for a down-shift
`operation are satisfied if the conditions for the up-
`shift operation were found not to have been satis-
`lied;
`(c) indicating the vehicle as operating in a fuel econ-
`omy range when the conditions of both of the up-
`shift and down-shift operations are not satisfied;
`((1) determining an irregular vehicle operational state;
`(e) turning off and preventing any indication that the
`vehicle is operating in the fuel economy range
`when the irregular vehicle operational state is de-
`termined and when the conditions for both of the
`up-shift and down-shift operations are not satisfied.
`2. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
`determining an irregular vehicle operational state step
`comprises:
`recognizing the rotational speed of the engine as
`being lower than a predetermined reference speed
`which is slightly higher than an idling speed.
`'
`3. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
`determining an irregular vehicle operational state step
`comprises:
`»
`recognizing the speed of the vehicle as being lower
`than a predetermined reference speed.
`4. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
`determining an irregular vehicle operational state step
`comprises:
`recognizing the engagement of a low speed gear of
`the manual transmission.
`*
`t
`t
`*
`*
`
`65
`
`MERCEDES
`
`EXHIBIT 1015
`
`MERCEDES
`EXHIBIT 1015
`
`