In the present invention, neutral coasting, in which a vehicle is driven with the engine (12) running freely, is ended when a throttle position (Theta acc) reaches or exceeds a comparatively low first threshold (Alfa). The vehicle is thus switched back to normal driving promptly, providing re-acceleration performance that meets the driver's expectations. On the other hand, free-run coasting, in which the engine (12) is stopped, is continued until the throttle position (Theta acc) reaches a comparatively high second threshold (Beta), but since the engine (12) is stopped, the driver expects improved fuel economy but does not have high expectations for re-acceleration performance. As such, fuel-economy improvement meeting the driver's expectations can be provided, and at the same time, the likelihood of making the driver feel as though something were amiss when free-run coasting is maintained up until the second threshold (Beta) is low.
Vehicle drive controller
2015-07-08
Patent
Electronic Resource
English
IPC: | F16D COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION , Nicht schaltbare Kupplungen / B60W CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION , Gemeinsame Steuerung oder Regelung von Fahrzeug-Unteraggregaten verschiedenen Typs oder verschiedener Funktion / F02D CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES , Steuern oder Regeln von Brennkraftmaschinen |