Vehicle control system

A control system for an autonomous vehicle, comprising:

• an engine that generates a drive force by burning fuel;
• a motor having a generating function;
• a battery that is charged by electricity delivered from the motor;
• a state of charge detector that detects a state of charge level of the battery;
• a first clutch that selectively interrupts power transmission between the engine and the motor;
• a second clutch that selectively interrupts power transmission between the motor and the drive wheels;
• a road grade detector that estimates a grade of a road on which the vehicle travels;
• a brake system that applies braking torque to wheels;
• a steering system that turns the wheels;
• and
• a controller that controls the engine, the first clutch and the second clutch,
• wherein the vehicle is adapted to be operated autonomously without requiring a driver by controlling at least the engine, the battery, the motor, the first clutch, the second clutch, the brake system and the steering system,
• wherein the vehicle is allowed to coast by manipulating the first clutch and the second clutch, and
• wherein the controller is configured to:
• determine execution of autonomous operation of the vehicle, satisfaction of a predetermined condition to allow the vehicle to coast, the state of charge level of the battery, and the grade of the road on which the vehicle travels;
• select a fourth coasting mode in which the engine is stopped and the first clutch and the second clutch are engaged, in a case that the predetermined condition is satisfied during autonomous operation of the vehicle, that the state of charge level of the battery is lower than a first threshold level, and that a downhill grade of the road is steeper than a first threshold grade;
• select a fifth coasting mode in which the engine is stopped and the first clutch and the second clutch are disengaged, in a case that the predetermined condition is satisfied during autonomous operation of the vehicle, that the state of charge level of the battery is higher than the first threshold level, and that the downhill grade of the road is milder than the first threshold grade;
• and
• select a sixth coasting mode in which the engine is stopped, the first clutch is disengaged, and the second clutch is engaged, in a case that the predetermined condition is satisfied during autonomous operation of the vehicle, that the state of charge level of the battery is higher than the first threshold level but lower than a second threshold level, and that the downhill grade of the road is milder than the first threshold grade.

A vehicle control system that is applied to a vehicle comprising:

• an engine that generates a drive force by burning fuel;
• a generator that generates electricity by the drive force generated by the engine or a force delivered from drive wheels to the engine;
• a battery that is charged by the electricity delivered from the generator;
• a clutch that selectively interrupts power transmission between the engine and the drive wheels;
• a brake system that applies braking torque to wheels;
• wherein the vehicle is allowed to coast while controlling at least the engine, the clutch, the generator, the battery, and the brake system,
• the vehicle control system comprising:
• a controller that controls the engine and the clutch;
• a state of charge detector that detects a state of charge level of the battery;
• and
• a road grade detector that estimates a grade of a road on which the vehicle travels;
• wherein the controller is configured to:
• determine satisfaction of a predetermined condition to allow the vehicle to coast, the state of charge level of the battery, and the grade of the road on which the vehicle travels;
• select a first coasting mode in which the engine is stopped and the clutch is disengaged, in a case that the predetermined condition is satisfied, and that the state of charge level of the battery is higher than a threshold level;
• select a second coasting mode in which the engine is activated and the clutch is disengaged, in a case that the predetermined condition is satisfied, and that the state of charge level of the battery is lower than the threshold level;
• and
• select a third coasting mode in which the engine is stopped and the clutch is engaged, in a case that the predetermined condition is satisfied, that the state of charge level of the battery is lower than the threshold level, and that a downhill grade of the road is steeper than a threshold grade.

A vehicle control system that is applied to a vehicle comprising:

• an engine that generates a drive force by burning fuel;
• a motor having a generating function;
• a battery that is charged by electricity delivered from the motor;
• a first clutch that selectively interrupts power transmission between the engine and the motor;
• a second clutch that selectively interrupts power transmission between the motor and the drive wheels;
• a brake system that apples braking torque to wheels;
• wherein the vehicle is allowed to coast while controlling at least the engine, the battery, the motor, the first clutch, the second clutch, and the brake system,
• the vehicle control system comprising:
• a controller that controls the engine, the first clutch and the second clutch;
• a state of charge detector that detects a state of charge level of the battery;
• a road grade detector that estimates a grade of a road on which the vehicle travels;
• wherein the controller is configured to:
• determine satisfaction of a predetermined condition to allow the vehicle to coast, the state of charge level of the battery, and the grade of the road on which the vehicle travels;
• select a fourth coasting mode in which the engine is stopped and the first clutch and the second clutch are engaged, in a case that the predetermined condition is satisfied, that the state of charge level of the battery is lower than a first threshold level, and that a downhill grade of the road is steeper than a first threshold grade;
• select a fifth coasting mode in which the engine is stopped and the first clutch and the second clutch are disengaged, in a case that the predetermined condition is satisfied, that the state of charge level of the battery is higher than the first threshold level, and that the downhill grade of the road is milder than the first threshold grade;
• and
• select a sixth coasting mode in which the engine is stopped, the first clutch is disengaged, and the second clutch is engaged, in a case that the predetermined condition is satisfied, that the state of charge level of the battery is higher than the first threshold level but lower than a second threshold level, and that the downhill grade of the road is milder than the first threshold grade.