Vehicle control

Abstract

A vehicle control system has a plurality of subsystem controllers including an engine management system 28, a transmission controller 30, a steering controller 48, a brakes controller 62 and a suspension controller 82. These subsystem controllers are each operable in a plurality of subsystem modes, and are all connected to a vehicle mode controller 98 which controls the modes of operation of each of the subsystem controllers so as to provide a number of driving modes for the vehicle. Each of the modes corresponds to a particular driving condition or set of driving conditions, and in each mode each of the functions is set to the function in mode most appropriate to those conditions.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. A vehicle control system having a driver input for selecting a driving surface, the vehicle control system arranged to control a plurality of vehicle subsystems each of which is operable in a plurality of subsystem configuration modes, wherein the vehicle control system is operable in a plurality of driving modes in each of which it is arranged to select the subsystem configuration modes in a manner suitable for a respective driving surface. 
     
     
       2. A vehicle control system according to  claim 1 , wherein the driving modes comprise a plurality of different driving modes suitable for different conditions of the vehicle. 
     
     
       3. A vehicle control system according to  claim 1  wherein the driving modes include an off-road mode in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on rough terrain and an on-road mode in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on-road. 
     
     
       4. A vehicle control system according to  claim 1  wherein the driving modes include at least one low friction mode in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on low friction surfaces and a high friction mode in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on high friction surfaces. 
     
     
       5. A vehicle control system according to  claim 4  wherein the low friction mode is arranged to be suitable for driving on grass, gravel and snow. 
     
     
       6. A vehicle control system according to  claim 1  wherein the driving modes are selectable by a driver of the vehicle. 
     
     
       7. A vehicle control system according to  claim 6  wherein the driving modes are selectable by means of two inputs, one of which is a terrain selection input arranged to influence the configuration mode selected on the basis of the terrain selected, and the other which is a mode of use input arranged to influence the configuration mode selected on the basis of a selected mode of use of the vehicle. 
     
     
       8. A vehicle control system according to  claim 6  wherein the mode of use input is arranged to allow selection between a plurality of driving styles. 
     
     
       9. A vehicle control system according to  claim 8  wherein the driving style includes a sport style. 
     
     
       10. A vehicle control system according to  claim 1  further comprising sensing means arranged to sense at least one parameter wherein the control system is arranged to select said driving modes on the basis of said parameter. 
     
     
       11. A vehicle control system according to  claim 10  wherein the parameter varies with the manner in which the vehicle is being used. 
     
     
       12. A vehicle control system according to any one of  claims 1 - 11  in which the vehicle control system is further included in a motor vehicle. 
     
     
       13. A vehicle control system according to  claim 1  further comprising a driver input for selecting a mode of use. 
     
     
       14. A method of controlling a plurality of subsystems within a motor vehicle in a manner suitable for a respective driving surface, the subsystems each being operable in a plurality of subsystem configuration modes, the method comprising the steps of:
 connecting a vehicle mode controller to the vehicle subsystems, the vehicle mode controller having a plurality of driving modes and a driver input for selecting a driving surface;   storing a set of control commands from the plurality of driving modes in a memory of the vehicle mode controller in response to the driver input of a driving surface;   transmitting the set of stored control commands to each of the plurality of vehicle subsystems; and   selecting of a set of subsystem control parameters by each of the plurality of vehicle subsystems so as to provide the appropriate operation of each of the vehicle subsystems.   
     
     
       15. The method claimed in  claim 14 , wherein at least one of the driving modes is a rock crawl mode. 
     
     
       16. A method of controlling a plurality of subsystems within a motor vehicle in a manner suitable for a respective driving surface, the subsystems each being operable in a plurality of subsystem configuration modes, the method comprising the steps of:
 connecting a vehicle mode controller to the vehicle subsystems, the vehicle mode controller having a plurality of driving modes, a driver input for selecting a driving surface, and a plurality of subsystem sensor information;   storing a set of control commands from the plurality of driving modes in a memory of the vehicle mode controller in response to the plurality of subsystem sensor information and the driver input of the driving surface;   transmitting the set of stored control commands to each of the plurality of vehicle subsystems; and   selecting of a set of subsystem control parameters by each of the plurality of vehicle subsystems so as to provide the appropriate operation of each of the vehicle subsystems.   
     
     
       17. A computer program product comprising a medium on which or in which, when executed in a computer system, will perform the method as in any one of  claims 14 - 16 . 
     
     
       18. A vehicle control system having a driver input for selecting a surface terrain, the vehicle control system arranged to control a plurality of vehicle subsystems each of which is operable in a plurality of subsystem configuration modes, wherein the vehicle control system is operable in a plurality of driving modes in each of which it is arranged to select the subsystem configuration modes in a manner suitable for a respective surface terrain. 
     
     
       19. A vehicle control system according to  claim 18 , wherein one of the plurality of vehicle subsystems is a suspension subsystem. 
     
     
       20. A vehicle control system according to  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of vehicle subsystems further comprise a steering subsystem, a brake subsystem, an engine management subsystem, and a transmission subsystem. 
     
     
       21. A vehicle comprising a vehicle control system having a driver input device for selecting a driving surface, the vehicle control system arranged to control a plurality of vehicle subsystems each of which is operable in a plurality of subsystem configuration modes, wherein the vehicle control system is operable in a plurality of driving modes in each of which it is arranged to select the subsystem configuration modes in a manner suitable for a respective driving surface, and further wherein the plurality of driving modes includes at least two off-road modes in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on respective off-road driving surfaces, and still further wherein one of the off-road modes is a mode in which the subsystems are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on rocks and/or boulders. 
     
     
       22. A vehicle as claimed in claim 21, wherein one of the vehicle subsystems is a brake subsystem and wherein, in the mode suitable for driving on rocks and/or boulders, the subsystem configuration modes are arranged such that when the steering angle is below a predetermined threshold, higher levels of wheel slip are permitted than when the steering angle is above the predetermined threshold and/or total wheel lock is permitted. 
     
     
       23. A vehicle as claimed in claim 21, wherein one of the vehicle subsystems is a brake subsystem and wherein, in the mode suitable for driving on rocks and/or boulders, the subsystem configuration modes are arranged such that the brakes are pre-pressurized either permanently or in dependence on detection of wheel articulation. 
     
     
       24. A vehicle control system having a driver input device for selecting a driving surface, the vehicle control system arranged to control a plurality of vehicle subsystems each of which is operable in a plurality of subsystem configuration modes, wherein the vehicle control system is operable in a plurality of driving modes in each of which it is arranged to select the subsystem configuration modes in a manner suitable for a respective driving surface, wherein one of the plurality of vehicle subsystems is a suspension subsystem and said plurality of subsystem configuration modes comprises a plurality of ride heights;
 wherein one of the plurality of vehicle subsystems is a powertrain system which includes a powertrain control means and a throttle pedal, the subsystem configuration modes providing different levels of responsiveness of the powertrain control means to movement of the throttle pedal;   wherein one of the plurality of vehicle subsystems is a steering system which can provide steering assistance, and said plurality of subsystem configuration modes provides different levels of steering assistance; and   wherein one of the plurality of vehicle subsystems is a transmission system operable in a plurality of transmission ratios and including a transmission control means arranged to monitor at least one parameter of the vehicle and to select the transmission ratios in response, and wherein the subsystem configuration modes include a plurality of transmission configuration modes in which the transmission ratios are selected differently in response to said at least one parameter.   
     
     
       25. A vehicle comprising a vehicle control system having a driver input device for selecting a driving surface, the vehicle control system arranged to control a plurality of vehicle subsystems each of which is operable in a plurality of subsystem configuration modes, wherein the vehicle control system is operable in a plurality of driving modes in each of which it is arranged to select the subsystem configuration modes in a manner suitable for a respective driving surface, and further wherein the plurality of driving modes includes at least two off-road modes in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on respective off-road driving surfaces, and an on-road mode in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on-road, and still further wherein the subsystem configuration modes are arranged such that the vehicle adopts a higher ride height in dependence on selection of the second off-road mode than for the first off-road mode, and yet still further wherein one of the plurality of vehicle subsystems is a transmission system operable in a plurality of transmission ratios and including a transmission control means arranged to monitor at least one parameter of the vehicle and to select the transmission ratios in response, and wherein the subsystem configuration modes include a plurality of transmission configuration modes in which the transmission ratios are selected differently in response to said at least one parameter. 
     
     
       26. A vehicle as claimed in claim 25, wherein the subsystem configuration modes are arranged such that in the second off-road mode, the transmission is kept in a higher gear than in the on-road mode at low vehicle speeds but uses lower gears than in the on-road mode at higher vehicle speeds. 
     
     
       27. A vehicle as claimed in claim 21, wherein one of the vehicle subsystems is a steering subsystem which can provide steering assistance, and wherein, in the mode suitable for driving on rocks and/or boulders, the steering subsystem is set to provide a high level of steering assistance relative to the on-road mode and/or the other off-road mode. 
     
     
       28. A vehicle as claimed in claim 21, wherein one of the vehicle subsystems is a brake subsystem, and wherein, in the mode suitable for driving on rocks and/or boulders, the brake subsystem is arranged to require low brake pedal effort relative to the on-road mode and/or the other off-road mode. 
     
     
       29. A vehicle as claimed in claim 21, wherein one of the vehicle subsystems is a transfer box, and wherein, in the mode suitable for driving on rocks and/or boulders, the transfer box is set to low range. 
     
     
       30. A vehicle as claimed in claim 29, wherein one of the vehicle subsystems is an automatic transmission, and wherein, in the mode suitable for driving on rocks and/or boulders, the automatic transmission is set to a manual mode. 
     
     
       31. A vehicle as claimed in claim 30, wherein one of the vehicle subsystems is an air suspension system, and wherein, in the mode suitable for driving on rocks and/or boulders, the suspension is set to a high ride height relative to the on-road mode and/or other off-road mode. 
     
     
       32. A vehicle as claimed in claim 21, wherein one of the vehicle subsystems is an electronic traction control system, and wherein, in the mode suitable for driving on rocks and/or boulders, the electronic traction control subsystem is set to low mu. 
     
     
       33. A vehicle as claimed in claim 21, wherein one of the vehicle subsystems is an electronic traction control system and another one of the vehicle subsystems is a brake subsystem, and wherein, in the mode suitable for driving on rocks and/or boulders, the brakes are pre-pressurized in dependence on detection of wheel articulation. 
     
     
       34. A vehicle control system having a driver input device for selecting a driving surface, the vehicle control system arranged to control a plurality of vehicle subsystems each of which is operable in a plurality of subsystem configuration modes, wherein the vehicle control system is operable in a plurality of driving modes in each of which it is arranged to select the subsystem configuration modes in a manner suitable for a respective driving surface, and further wherein the plurality of driving modes includes at least two off-road modes in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on respective off-road driving surfaces, and an on-road mode in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on-road, and still further wherein one of the off-road modes is a sand mode in which the vehicle subsystems are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on sand, wherein one of the vehicle subsystems is a brake subsystem and wherein, in the sand mode, the brake subsystem is arranged to allow a high degree of wheel slip under braking relative to the on-road mode and/or a second off-road mode. 
     
     
       35. A vehicle control system having a driver input device for selecting a driving surface, the vehicle control system arranged to control a plurality of vehicle subsystems each of which is operable in a plurality of subsystem configuration modes, wherein the vehicle control system is operable in a plurality of driving modes in each of which it is arranged to select the subsystem configuration modes in a manner suitable for a respective driving surface, wherein the system comprises a plurality of subsystem sensors and wherein the system is operable in an automatic selection mode in which one of the plurality of driving modes is selected automatically in dependence on subsystem sensor information. 
     
     
       36. A vehicle control system according to claim 35, wherein the plurality of subsystem sensors comprises one or more of a wheel speed sensor, a ride height sensor and a steering angle sensor. 
     
     
       37. A vehicle control system having a driver input device for selecting a driving surface, the vehicle control system arranged to control a plurality of vehicle subsystems each of which is operable in a plurality of subsystem configuration modes, wherein the vehicle control system is operable in a plurality of driving modes in each of which it is arranged to select the subsystem configuration modes in a manner suitable for a respective driving surface, wherein the system comprises a plurality of subsystem sensors and wherein the system is operable to determine an appropriate driving mode from the plurality of driving modes for the current driving conditions and to output advice to the driver relating to the determined driving mode. 
     
     
       38. A vehicle control system having a driver input device for selecting a driving mode, the vehicle control system arranged to control a plurality of vehicle subsystems each of which is operable in a plurality of subsystem configuration modes, wherein the vehicle control system is operable in a plurality of driving modes in each of which it is arranged to select the subsystem configuration modes in a manner suitable for a respective driving surface, wherein one of the plurality of vehicle subsystems is a suspension subsystem and said plurality of subsystem configuration modes comprises a plurality of ride heights; and
 wherein one of the plurality of vehicle subsystems is a powertrain system which includes a powertrain control means and a throttle pedal, the subsystem configuration modes providing different levels of responsiveness of the powertrain control means to movement of the throttle pedal.   
     
     
       39. A vehicle control system according to claim 38, wherein one of the subsystems comprises a traction control system which is arranged to control wheel spin, and said plurality of subsystem configuration modes allow different levels of said wheel spin. 
     
     
       40. A vehicle control system according to claim 38, wherein one of the plurality of vehicle subsystems is a steering system which can provide steering assistance, and said plurality of subsystem configuration modes provides different levels of steering assistance. 
     
     
       41. A vehicle control system according to claim 38, wherein one of the plurality of vehicle subsystems is a transmission system operable in a plurality of transmission ratios and including a transmission control means arranged to monitor at least one parameter of the vehicle and to select the transmission ratios in response, and wherein the subsystem configuration modes include a plurality of transmission configuration modes in which the transmission ratios are selected differently in response to said at least one parameter. 
     
     
       42. A vehicle control system according to claim 38, wherein one of the subsystems is a brake system which can provide an anti-lock function to control wheel slip, and said plurality of subsystem configuration modes allow different levels of said wheel slip. 
     
     
       43. A vehicle control system according to claim 38, wherein the plurality of driving modes includes at least two on-road modes in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on-road. 
     
     
       44. A vehicle control system according to claim 43, wherein one of the on-road modes is a dynamic mode or a sport mode. 
     
     
       45. A vehicle control system according to claim 44 where one of the on-road modes is a standard mode or a default mode. 
     
     
       46. A vehicle control system according to claim 44 where one of the on-road modes is an economy mode. 
     
     
       47. A vehicle control system according to claim 44 wherein one of the on-road modes is a motorway mode or a country road mode. 
     
     
       48. A vehicle control system according to claim 38 wherein the plurality of driving modes includes an off-road mode in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on grass, or an off-road mode in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on gravel, or an off-road mode in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on snow, or an off-road mode in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on rocks, or an off-road mode in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on sand or an off-road mode in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on mud. 
     
     
       49. A vehicle control system according to claim 43, wherein the plurality of driving modes includes an off-road mode in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on gravel and wherein, in the off-road mode suitable for driving on gravel, the powertrain system is arranged to provide lower levels of drive torque, for a given throttle pedal position, than in at least one of the on-road modes. 
     
     
       50. A vehicle control system according to claim 43, wherein the plurality of driving modes includes an off-road mode in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on gravel and wherein, in the off-road mode suitable for driving on gravel, the suspension system is arranged to provide a higher ride height than in at least one of the on-road modes. 
     
     
       51. A vehicle control system according to claim 50, wherein, in the off-road mode suitable for driving on gravel, the powertrain system is arranged to provide lower levels of drive torque, for a given throttle pedal position, than in at least one of the on-road modes. 
     
     
       52. A vehicle control system according to claim 38, wherein the driving modes are selectable by means of two separate driver input devices. 
     
     
       53. A vehicle control system according to claim 52, wherein one of the driver input devices is a terrain selection input arranged to select the driving mode on the basis of the terrain selected and the other driver input device is a mode of use input. 
     
     
       54. A vehicle control system according to claim 53, wherein the plurality of driving modes includes at least two on-road modes in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on-road, wherein at least one of the on-road modes is a sport mode or an economy mode selectable by the mode of use input. 
     
     
       55. A vehicle control system according to claim 53, wherein the plurality of driving modes includes at least one off-road mode in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on at least one of grass, gravel, snow, rocks, sand or mud, wherein the at least one off-road mode is selectable by the terrain selection input. 
     
     
       56. A vehicle control system according to claim 55, wherein the plurality of driving modes includes at least two on-road modes in which the subsystem configurations are controlled in a manner suitable for driving on-road, wherein at least one of the on-road modes is a sport mode or an economy mode selectable by the mode of use input. 
     
     
       57. A vehicle control system having a driver input device for selecting a driving mode, the vehicle control system arranged to control a plurality of vehicle subsystems each of which is operable in a plurality of subsystem configuration modes, wherein the vehicle control system is operable in a plurality of driving modes in each of which it is arranged to select the subsystem configuration modes in a manner suitable for a respective driving surface, wherein one of the plurality of vehicle subsystems is a suspension subsystem and said plurality of subsystem configuration modes comprises a plurality of ride heights; and
 wherein one of the plurality of vehicle subsystems is a powertrain system which includes an engine and a throttle pedal, the subsystem configuration modes providing different amounts of torque from the engine for a given throttle pedal position.   
     
     
       58. A vehicle comprising a vehicle control system according to any one of claims 24, 34, 35, 37, 38 and 57.