Vehicle control device

Abstract

A vehicle control device comprises a driving environment sensing unit and an ECU as the controlling device. The ECU acquires driving environment information indicating a driving environment detected by the driving environment sensing unit. Based on this driving environment information, the ECU determines whether the vehicle is in an off-road driving condition, i.e., driving on a poor road surface. If the vehicle is in an off-road driving condition, the ECU determines a driver assistance function that can be applied while driving on the poor road surface. Furthermore, the ECU modifies a display mode so that the number of inputs required to select the identified driver assistance function is lower than when the vehicle is not in an off-road driving condition.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle control device. 2. Description of the related art

[0002] For example, a vehicle control device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-153272 is generally known. The vehicle control device in the related art includes a first operation unit for switching the drive mode and a second operation unit for switching the off-road mode. Furthermore, the vehicle control device according to the related art includes a detection unit that detects the position of an overpass device, a setting unit that sets a travel mode based on the detected position and each input operation to the first operation unit and the second operation unit, and a display control unit that causes a multi-display unit to display the drive mode and the travel mode. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In recent years, vehicles have been equipped with a driving assistance function that assists the driver while driving on poor roads. The selection of whether to turn on the driving assistance function is often performed while driving on poor roads, such as steep inclines and rough road surfaces. Therefore, operability is required so that the selection operation can be performed safely even when the vehicle is tilted forward, backward, left, or right, or when the vehicle vibrates and the body is shaken. In addition, quick response to rapid changes in the road surface while driving on poor roads is required.

[0004] Meanwhile, in recent years, due to the increase in the function of a vehicle cockpit, the expansion of networked services, and the like, many functions tend to be concentrated on a device in which a software switch can be set. In this case, arranging a software switch for a driving assistance function with low usage frequency on a high display layer in the device or displaying the software switch in a large display size that facilitates the operation of the software switch will affect the use of other functions with higher usage frequency. Accordingly, in many cases, the software switch for the driving assistance function is arranged on a low display layer in the device or displayed in a small size. Therefore, the operability and quick response when using the driving assistance function are impaired.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle control device which enables to improve the operability and quick response in the selection by the driver.

[0006] A vehicle control device in the present invention is applied to a vehicle including a differential device capable of distributing a driving force generated by a driving force source to drive wheels and absorbing a difference between the respective rotational speeds of the drive wheels, and a braking device capable of generating braking forces for the drive wheels and causing the respective magnitudes of the braking forces for the drive wheels to be different from each other. The vehicle control device in the present invention includes a driving environment detection unit and a control device. The driving environment detection unit detects a driving environment of the vehicle.The control device controls a display type of an operation panel on which a driving assistance function is selected. The driving assistance function allows the actuation states of the driving power source, the braking device, and the differential device to be changed depending on the driving environment, and changes and controls the actuation states so that the actuation states correspond to the selected driving assistance function. The control device acquires driving environment information indicating the detected driving environment. Further, based on the driving environment information, the control device determines whether the vehicle is in an off-road driving state in which the vehicle is traveling on a rough road. When the vehicle is in the off-road driving state, the control device further determines the driving assistance function that can be applied when the vehicle is traveling on the rough road.In addition, the control device changes the display type so that the number of operations required to select the determined driving assistance function is lower than when the vehicle is not in the off-road driving state.

[0007] With the present invention, when the vehicle is in off-road driving mode, the control device can change the display type of the operation panel so as to reduce the number of operations required to select the specific driving assistance function. This allows the driver to perform the selection operation with safe operability and quick response when selecting the driving assistance function. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE CHARACTERS

[0008] Features, advantages and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying figures, in which like symbols denote like elements and in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a vehicle and a vehicle control device in an embodiment; Fig. 2 is a flowchart of a display type changing program; Fig. 3 is a table with determining elements for a driving assistance function; Fig. 4 is a diagram for describing the display and operation of a software switch before changing a display type; Fig. 5 is a diagram for describing the display and operation of a software switch after changing the display type; and Fig. 6 is a flowchart of a display type changing program according to a second modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0009] A vehicle control device 10 constituting an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the figures. In addition to the embodiment described below, the present invention can be embodied in various forms by making various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of one skilled in the art.

[0010] The vehicle control device 10 is connected to a Fig. 1 is applied. The vehicle 1 includes wheels 2. The wheels 2 are formed by a right front wheel 21, a left front wheel 22, a right rear wheel 23, and a left rear wheel 24. To transmit a driving force, in particular a driving torque, to each of the wheels 2, the vehicle 1 comprises an engine 3, a transmission 4, and a center differential 5, a front differential 6, and a rear differential 7, which are differential devices.

[0011] The engine 3 is a power source of the vehicle 1. The drive torque generated by the engine 3 is transmitted to the transmission 4. An input shaft of the transmission 4 is connected to the engine 3. An output shaft of the transmission 4 is connected to the center differential 5. This distributes the drive torque from the output shaft of the transmission 4 to the wheels 2.

[0012] The drive torque from the transmission 4 is distributed to the right front wheel 21 and the left front wheel 22 via the center differential 5 and the front differential 6. Furthermore, the drive torque from the transmission 4 is distributed to the right rear wheel 23 and the left rear wheel 24 via the center differential 5 and the rear differential 7. This means that the vehicle 1 is an all-wheel drive vehicle in which the right front wheel 21, the left front wheel 22, the right rear wheel 23, and the left rear wheel 24 can serve as drive wheels.

[0013] Vehicle 1 has a transfer switch 8 located in a vehicle cabin. This allows a driver to switch between a "HI range" for normal driving and a "LOW range" for driving on rough roads. Furthermore, in vehicle 1, for example, the center differential 5 performs a transfer function in the "HI range" or "LOW range."

[0014] The front differential 6 can accommodate the difference between the respective rotational speeds of the right front wheel 21 and the left front wheel 22. The rear differential 7 can accommodate the difference between the respective rotational speeds of the right rear wheel 23 and the left rear wheel 24. Furthermore, the center differential 5 can accommodate the difference between the rotational speeds of the right front wheel 21 and the left front wheel 22 and the rotational speeds of the right rear wheel 23 and the left rear wheel 24.

[0015] The vehicle 1 also has a braking device 9 for generating a braking force in each of the drive wheels 2. The braking device 9 includes a right front wheel brake 91, a left front wheel brake 92, a right rear wheel brake 93, a left rear wheel brake 94, a hydraulic oil pressure device 95, and brake lines 96.

[0016] The hydraulic oil pressure device 95 is configured to include a reservoir tank for hydraulic oil and a master cylinder that pressurizes the hydraulic oil. The reservoir tank and master cylinder are not shown. The hydraulic oil pressure device 95 adjusts, for example, the pressures (hydraulic oil pressures) of the hydraulic oil applied to the respective brake lines 96, for example, in response to an instruction from an ECU 12 described later, another ECU, or the like. This allows the hydraulic oil pressure device 95 to generate different braking forces in the right front wheel brake 91, the left front wheel brake 92, the right rear wheel brake 93, and the left rear wheel brake 94.

[0017] As in Fig. 1, the vehicle control device 10 is installed in the vehicle 1. The vehicle control device 10 is configured to include a driving environment detection unit 11 and the ECU 12 as a control device.

[0018] The driving environment detection unit 11 detects the driving environment of the vehicle 1 and outputs driving environment information indicating the detected driving environment to the ECU 12. The driving environment detection unit 11 is configured to include a wheel speed sensor 111, a wheel speed sensor 112, a wheel speed sensor 113, and a wheel speed sensor 114.

[0019] The wheel speed sensor 111 detects a wheel speed corresponding to the rotational speed of the right front wheel 21. The wheel speed sensor 112 detects a wheel speed corresponding to the rotational speed of the left front wheel 22. The wheel speed sensor 113 detects a wheel speed corresponding to the rotational speed of the right rear wheel 23. The wheel speed sensor 114 detects a wheel speed corresponding to the rotational speed of the left rear wheel 24.

[0020] The driving environment detection unit 11 is further configured to include an acceleration sensor 115, a current position detection sensor 116, a road surface condition detection sensor 117, and a transfer selection sensor 118. The acceleration sensor 115 detects the acceleration of the vehicle 1. The acceleration sensor 115 can detect the accelerations of the vehicle 1 in the up and down directions of the vehicle 1, in addition to the accelerations of the vehicle 1 in the forward, backward, left, and right directions of the vehicle 1.

[0021] The current position detection sensor 116 includes, for example, a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver and detects the current position of the vehicle 1 based on the received signal. The road surface condition detection sensor 117 includes, for example, a stereo camera and a LiDAR and detects the condition of a road surface in the traveling direction of the vehicle 1. The road surface condition detection sensor 117 detects road surface roughness, roll, rut, steep slope, and the like as the road surface condition. Furthermore, the road surface condition detection sensor 117 can detect that the road surface is a rocky road, a sandy road, a mud road, a deep snow road, a scree road, or the like.

[0022] The transfer selection sensor 118 detects the operating state of the transfer switch 8. Specifically, the transfer selection sensor 118 detects the “HI range” and the “LOW range” of the transfer switch 8.

[0023] Further, the driving environment detection unit 11 may include an engine sensor 3a and a brake sensor 95a. The engine sensor 3a includes a throttle opening sensor, an engine speed sensor, an intake air flow sensor, and the like. The brake sensor 95a is a sensor that detects the hydraulic oil pressure of the master cylinder of the hydraulic oil pressure device 95, the respective hydraulic oil pressures of the brake lines 96, and the like.

[0024] Furthermore, the driving environment detection unit 11 can detect the activation state of a terrain-related function that is not one of the original functions for driving the vehicle 1 on the rough road. Examples of a function related to road traffic that is not one of the original functions include a winch that is installed separately. For example, if the winch function has been activated to enable the vehicle 1 to exit the muddy road, the driving environment detection unit 11 outputs an activation state of the winch function to the ECU 12.

[0025] The ECU 12 is an electronic control unit that includes a microcomputer as its main component, which includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and various interfaces. The CPU sequentially executes a predetermined program, performing data reading, numerical calculations, outputting calculation results, and the like. The ROM stores programs executed by the CPU, a map, and the like. The RAM temporarily stores data and the like. The various interfaces are connected to the driving environment detection unit 11.

[0026] Furthermore, the control unit 12 is connected to a display device 30 as an operation panel. Examples of the display device 30 may be a touch panel display. On any one of a plurality of display layers, the display device 30 displays a map, an image, a video (multimedia), and the like, and displays a software switch 31 on which a touch operation can be performed to select a driving assistance function described later.

[0027] The display device 30 detects the touch of a driver or a passenger (hereinafter referred to as the "user"). When the display device 30 detects contact with a user's finger, the display device 30 outputs a detection signal to the ECU 12 indicating the contact position, contact area, and the like. The ECU 12 calculates the position of the finger's contact with the display device 30, the direction of the finger's movement, the distance of the finger's movement, the duration of the finger's contact, and the like based on the information contained in the detection signal from the display device 30.

[0028] A display (device) other than the touch panel display can also be used as the control panel. In this case, the user, especially the driver, can move a cursor, e.g., using a touchpad, steering wheel switch, or similar device installed in vehicle 1, and select a display button or similar to select the displayed driver assistance function (click operation or similar).

[0029] In the embodiment, the ECU 12 can control the engine 3 and the braking device 9 of the vehicle 1. Specifically, the ECU 12 decides a required drive torque based on the accelerator pedal operation amount, acceleration, vehicle speed, and the like. Furthermore, the ECU 12 controls the output of the engine 3 and the gear ratio of the transmission 4 so that the actual drive torque matches the required drive torque.

[0030] In principle, the ECU 12 adjusts the gear ratio depending on the operating state of the transfer switch 8. That is, when the "LOW range" is selected and the vehicle 1 is in an off-road condition in which the vehicle 1 is traveling on a poor road, the ECU 12 adjusts the gear ratio to a higher value than when the "HI range" is selected and the vehicle 1 is in an off-road condition in which the vehicle 1 is traveling on a good road (asphalt road).

[0031] The ECU 12 determines a required deceleration based on the braking force, the respective wheel speeds, the acceleration, and the like. Furthermore, the ECU 12 generates the braking force in each of the wheels 2 so that the actual deceleration matches the required deceleration. That is, the ECU 12 sets target values ​​(target hydraulic oil pressures) for the hydraulic oil pressures to be applied to the brakes of the braking device 9, and also controls the hydraulic oil pressure device 95 so that the actual hydraulic oil pressures applied to the brakes of the braking device 9 match the target hydraulic oil pressures.

[0032] Furthermore, in a driving environment where the vehicle 1 is traveling on a rough road, that is, in the off-road driving condition, the ECU 12 executes the driving assistance function that can be applied when the vehicle 1 is traveling on a rough road. Specifically, the ECU 12 executes the driving assistance function that can be applied by controlling (changing) the actuation states of the engine 3, the transmission 4, the center differential 5, the front differential 6, the rear differential 7, and the brake device 9. In this case, the control unit 12 executes the driving assistance function selected by the user, specifically the driver, by operating the software switch 31 displayed on the display device 30.

[0033] Examples of the driving assistance function may include "Downhill Assist Control (DAC)," which maintains a constant speed and ensures stability when the vehicle 1 is traveling on a steep off-road descent. Further examples of the driving assistance function may include "CREW," which maintains the vehicle 1 at a constant speed and ensures both stability and handling when the vehicle 1 is traveling on a rocky road with significant bumps or a steep off-road descent.Other examples of the driving assistance function may include a "multi-terrain selection (MTS)" in which the characteristics of the driving force, a traction control system, and the like are optimized depending on the road surface, and driving characteristics are ensured when the vehicle 1 travels on a rocky road, a sandy road, a mud road, a deep snow road, a scree road, or the like. Furthermore, examples of the driving assistance function may include a "turn assist (TA)" in which the turning ability is improved and the number of turning maneuvers is reduced when the vehicle 1 travels in a location along a zigzag mountain road where many turning maneuvers are required.

[0034] Specifically, in the case where "DAC" or "CREEP" is executed, the ECU 12 maintains the vehicle 1 at a constant low speed through the cooperation of the engine 3 and the braking device 9. In this case, the ECU 12 places, for example, the center differential 5 or the like in a differential lock state (differential action prohibition) and performs control such that the vehicle 1 travels while generating appropriate driving force and braking force. Placing the center differential 5 or the like in the differential lock state can also be performed by the user operating a differential lock switch in the vehicle cabin, for example.

[0035] Furthermore, when the "MTS" is executed, the ECU 12 causes the vehicle 1 to travel through the interaction of the engine 3 and the braking device 9 depending on the road surface conditions. For example, if the vehicle 1 is traveling on a sandy or muddy road, there is a possibility that the driving resistance will become large and the wheels 2 will slip. Therefore, the ECU 12 performs control to reduce the frequency of traction control intervention.

[0036] Furthermore, when "TA" is executed, the ECU 12 causes the vehicle 1 to travel through the braking device 9, thereby delivering braking forces to the respective wheels 2 depending on the condition of the road surface, such as the size of a curve. For example, when the vehicle 1 is traveling through a tight curve where it is difficult to overtake the vehicle 1 without turning, the ECU 12 controls the braking device 9 so that a high braking force is delivered to the right rear wheel 23 or the left rear wheel 24 on the inside of the curve to improve the turning behavior of the vehicle 1. The "DAC", "CREEP", "MTS", and "TA" are known functions, and a detailed description of these functions will be omitted.

[0037] Next, a display type change program executed by the ECU 12 will be described. The ECU 12 executes the display type change program shown in a flowchart in Fig. 2 is shown.

[0038] The ECU 12 (more precisely, the CPU of the microcomputer constituting the ECU 12) starts executing the display type change program in step S10. Subsequently, in step S11, the ECU 12 determines whether the vehicle 1 is in the off-road traveling state based on the traveling environment information obtained from the traveling environment detection unit 11. For example, when the transfer switch 8 is set to "LOW range," the ECU 12 determines (estimates) that the vehicle 1 is likely in the off-road traveling state in which the vehicle 1 is traveling on the rough road, and executes the process of step S12.

[0039] However, if the vehicle 1 is not in the off-road driving state, the ECU 12 makes a "No" decision and does not change the display type of the software switch 31 in step S16. Then, the control unit 12 terminates the execution of the program once in step S17.

[0040] Subsequently, in step S12, the ECU 12 determines whether a display type change function is "ON," that is, whether an instruction to change the display type has been given to the software switch 31 in the off-road state. If the display type change function is "ON," the ECU 12 determines "Yes" and executes the process of step S13. For example, the display type change function is set to "ON" by default and can be changed to "OFF" by the user touching the display device 30.

[0041] However, in the case where the display type change function is not "ON," that is, in the case where the display type change function has been set to "OFF," the ECU 12 makes a "No" decision and does not change the display type of the software switch 31 in step S16. Then, the ECU 12 terminates the execution of the program once in step S17.

[0042] In step S13, the ECU 12 compares the driving environment indicated by the driving environment information acquired in step S11 with a plurality of determination items to determine the Fig. 3. Then, the ECU 12 determines whether the current driving environment of the vehicle 1 conforms to the determining elements, that is, whether the driving assistance function that can be applied when the vehicle 1 is driving on the bad road indicated by the driving environment is satisfied. Specifically, the ECU 12 determines whether the driving environment conforms to the respective determining elements from Nos. 1 to 10 in Fig. 3. For example, when the driving environment matches multiple determination items among the 10 determination items, the ECU 12 judges "Yes" and executes the process of step S14.

[0043] On the other hand, if the current driving environment of the vehicle 1 does not match as a result of the comparison between the driving environment information and the plurality of determination items, the driving assistance function is unnecessary even though the off-road driving condition is determined (estimated) in step S11. Therefore, the ECU 12 determines "No" in step S13 and does not change the display mode of the software switch 31 in step S16. Then, the control unit 12 terminates the execution of the program once in step S17 and restarts the execution of the program in step S10 after a predetermined short period of time has elapsed.

[0044] In step S14, the ECU 12 changes the display type of the software switch 31 to select the driving assistance function determined to be applicable. Specifically, the ECU 12 changes the display type so that the software switch 31 is displayed on a post-change display layer, which is the highest display layer of the display device 30, that is, so that the frontmost layer (topmost screen) is adopted as the layer level. Comparison with a case where the display type is not changed will be described below.

[0045] In the case where the ECU 12 does not change the layer level as the display type of the software switch 31, the software switch 31 is displayed on a low display layer (third display layer) as the layer level, as shown in a screen transition of the display device 30 in Fig. 4. In this case, the driver first performs a first operation T1 by touching an operation icon displayed on the front level (top screen) of the display device 30.

[0046] By performing the first operation T1 according to the downward arrow shown in Fig. 4, indicated by a thick solid line, the screen switches to a second display layer at a lower layer level than the frontmost layer, and a list of setting menus is scrollably displayed on the right side of the screen. Generally, the usage frequency of the driving assistance function is low in off-road driving. Therefore, the driver performs a second operation T2 by moving the finger upward (swiping) near the setting menu list.

[0047] Then, the driver performs a third operation T3 by tapping "Driving Assistance Function" displayed by scrolling. This shifts the screen to a third display layer at a lower layer level than the second display layer, and a function list for "Driving Assistance Function" is displayed on the right side of the screen. Accordingly, the driver performs a fourth operation T4 by tapping, for example, "CROWVE" on the displayed function list. That is, in the embodiment, if the control unit 12 does not change the display type, the software switch 31 on the third display layer is displayed as a pre-change display layer.

[0048] In this way, if the ECU 12 does not change the display type, the driver must perform four selection operations to transition from the frontmost layer of the display device 30 to the lower third display layer. If the number of operations is large, especially when the driver is shaken in the off-road driving state, there is a high probability that the number of erroneous touches (erroneous selections) will increase. This further increases the number of operations required for the driver to select the driving assistance function.

[0049] In contrast, in the case where the display type of the software switch 31 is changed, the ECU 12 changes the display type so that the software switch 31 for selecting the specific driving assistance function is displayed on the frontmost layer, which is the post-change display layer, as shown in Fig. 5. This allows the driver to simply touch the software switch 31 displayed on the frontmost layer without transitioning the display layer of the display device 30.

[0050] Further, the ECU 12 changes the display mode so that the software switch 31 is arranged and displayed at a lower part of the display screen of the display device 30 as shown in Fig. 5. This allows, for example, the driver's hand and fingers to be stabilized by a frame member (not shown) that holds the display screen of the display device 30 and a support member (a dashboard or the like not shown) that supports the display device 30. By changing the display type so that the software switch 31 is arranged at the optimal position when the driver touches the software switch 31, the number of erroneous touches can be reduced. After the ECU 12 has changed the display type so that the software switch 31 is displayed in the post-change display layer as the frontmost layer of the display device 30, the ECU 12 proceeds with the Fig. 2, step S15 is continued.

[0051] In step S15, the ECU 12 changes the display mode so that the display size of the software switch 31 displayed on the frontmost level is enlarged. That is, the ECU 12 displays the software switch 31 so that the display size of the software switch 31 is enlarged, as shown in Fig. 5. In this case, the ECU 12 displays the software switch 31 so that the display size of the software switch 31 is larger than the display size in the Fig. 4 shown function list.

[0052] In this way, the driver can easily perform the touch operation of the enlarged software switch 31. When the driver performs the touch operation, the number of erroneous touches can be reduced. After the ECU 12 changes the display mode to display the software switch 31 in the enlarged display size, the ECU 12 proceeds to step S17.

[0053] In step S17, the ECU 12 terminates the execution of the program once. Then, the ECU 17 restarts the execution of the program in step S10 after the predetermined short period of time has elapsed. In the embodiment, the case where both step processes of step S14 and step S15 are executed was executing was executing. However, only one of step S14 and step S15 may be executed.

[0054] As apparent from the above description, the vehicle control device 10 is applied to the vehicle 1, including the center differential 5, the front differential 6, and the rear differential 7, which can distribute the driving force generated by the engine 3 to the wheels 2 as the driving wheels and can absorb the differences between the respective rotational speeds of the wheels 2, and the braking device 9, which can generate the braking force for the wheels 2 and can cause the respective magnitudes of the braking forces for the driving wheels 2 to be different from each other. The vehicle control device 10 includes the driving environment detection unit 11 and the ECU 12, which is the control device. The driving environment detection unit 11 detects the driving environment of the vehicle 1. The ECU 12 controls the display type of the display device 30, that is,the operation panel on which the driving assistance function, with which the actuation states of the engine 3, the brake device 9, the center differential 5, the front differential 6, and the rear differential 7 can be changed, is selected depending on the driving environment, and changes and controls the actuation states so that the actuation states correspond to the selected driving assistance function. Furthermore, the ECU 12 acquires the driving environment information indicating the detected driving environment. Furthermore, based on the driving environment information, the ECU 12 determines (estimates) whether the vehicle 1 is in the off-road driving state in which the vehicle 1 is traveling on the rough road. When the vehicle 1 is in the off-road driving state, the ECU 12 further determines the driving assistance function that can be applied when the vehicle 1 is traveling on the rough road.In addition, the ECU 12 changes the display type so that the number of operations required to select the determined driving assistance function is less than when the vehicle 1 is not in the off-road driving state.

[0055] In this embodiment, when the vehicle 1 is in the off-road state, the ECU 12 can change the display mode of the display device 30 to reduce the number of operations required to select the specific driving assistance function. At this time, although the display mode when the vehicle 1 is not in the off-road state makes it difficult to perform the selection with appropriate operability and quick response, the display mode is changed to reduce the number of operations required when the driver selects the driving assistance function in the off-road state. Accordingly, at the time of selecting the driving assistance function, the driver can perform the selection with safe operability and quick response.

[0056] Next, a first modification will be described. In the first modification, when it is predicted that the software switch 31 will be selected by the driver, the ECU 12 changes the display mode so that the software switch 31 can be selected. Therefore, the ECU 12 compares the driving environment information with the determining items for determining the driving assistance function and displays the software switch 31 for selecting the driving assistance function desired by the user at the front level at an appropriate time.

[0057] In the off-road condition, for determination items to appropriately determine a situation in which the user selects the “DAC”, the determination items of No. 2 and No. 8 are different from those in Fig. 3 are excluded. Furthermore, as the determining elements for appropriately determining the situation in which the user selects “DAC” as the driving assistance function, “the vehicle cannot climb and moves backward on the road surface of a steep incline off-road” with a reliability of “high” is newly added, and the reliability in No. 5 is Fig. 3 is changed to “high”.

[0058] In the determination process of step S13, the ECU 12 compares the Fig. 2, the program compares the driving environment information with the determination items to determine the "DAC" and determines whether the driving environment information matches the determination items. If the ECU 12 determines that the driving environment information matches the determination items, the ECU 12 enlarges the software switch 31 for selecting the "DAC" and displays it on the front level of the display device 30 in steps S14 and S15, similar to the "CRAWLING" in Fig. 5.

[0059] In the off-road driving condition, the determining elements for appropriately determining a situation where the user selects “MTS” are “the driving resistance is large and it is suspected that the vehicle is driving on a sandy road”. Fig. 3, with a reliability of "medium." In addition, "the vehicle is traveling while the air pressures of the four wheels are decreasing" is newly added to the determination elements described above in Fig. 3 added, with a reliability of “medium”.

[0060] In the determination process of step S13, the ECU 12 compares the Fig. 2, the program compares the driving environment information with the determining elements to determine the "MTS" and determines whether the driving environment information matches the determining elements. If the ECU 12 determines that the driving environment information matches the determining elements, the ECU 12 enlarges the software switch 31 for selecting the "MTS" and displays it on the front level of the display device 30 in steps S14 and S15, similar to the "CRAWLING" in Fig. 5.

[0061] In the off-road condition, for determination items to appropriately determine a situation in which the user selects the “TA”, the determination items from No. 2 to No. 8 are different from those in Fig. 3 are excluded. Furthermore, "repeated turning with a large steering angle at low speed" with a reliability of "high" is newly added as a determining element for appropriately determining the situation in which the user selects "TA" as a driving assistance function.

[0062] In the determination process of step S13, the ECU 12 compares the Fig. 2, the program compares the driving environment information with the determination items to determine the "TA" and determines whether the driving environment information matches the determination items. If the ECU 12 then determines that the driving environment information matches the determination items, the ECU 12 enlarges the software switch 31 for selecting the "TA" and displays it on the front level of the display device 30 in steps S14 and S15, similar to the "CRAWLING" in Fig. 5. Accordingly, in the first modification, in addition to the same effect as in the above embodiment, it is possible to perform the presentation to the driver at a suitable timing.

[0063] Next, a second modification will be described. In the second embodiment, the ECU 12 may change the display type of the software switch 31 based on the reliability of the determination accuracy previously assigned to each of the above-described determination items in Fig. 3. Although the second modification will be described below, detailed descriptions about substantially the same parts as those of the display type changing program in the above embodiment will be omitted.

[0064] In the second modification, the ECU 12 introduces a Fig. 6. The program in the second modification changes the display type depending on the reliability of the determination accuracy previously given to each of the determination items. Therefore, the parts corresponding to steps S13, S14, and S15 of the program in the above embodiment are changed.

[0065] Specifically, as in Fig. 6, execution of the display type change program is started in step S100, and in step S101, the ECU 12 determines whether the vehicle 1 is in the off-road state. If the display type change function is "ON" in the subsequent step S102, the ECU 12 determines that the state is "Yes" and executes step S103 and subsequent steps.

[0066] In step S103, the ECU 12 compares the determination items and the driving environment information and determines whether the reliability of the matching determination item is "high." That is, for example, when the front differential 6 and the rear differential 7 are in the differential lock state, the ECU 12 determines that the driving environment information matches the determination item No. 2 in Fig. 3, for which the reliability is "high." The ECU 12 determines "Yes" in step S103, changes the layer level of the post-change display layer of the software switch 31 to the frontmost level in step S104, and maximizes the display size of the software switch 31 in step S105. Subsequently, the control unit 12 terminates the execution of the program once in step S113.

[0067] On the other hand, if the reliability of the matching determination item is not "high" in step S103, the ECU 12 determines "No" and executes the process of step S106. In step S106, the ECU 12 compares the determination items and the driving environment information and determines whether the reliability of the matching determination item is "medium." That is, when the center differential 5 is in the differential lock state, for example, the ECU 12 determines that the driving environment information matches the determination item No. 4 in Fig. 3, for which the reliability is "medium." The ECU 12 determines "Yes" in step S106, changes the layer level of the post-change display layer of the software switch 31 to the second display layer in step S107, and changes the display size of the software switch 31 to a medium size, which is smaller than the maximum size, in step S108. Then, in step S113, the control unit 12 terminates the execution of the program once.

[0068] On the other hand, if the reliability of the matching determination item is not "medium" in step S106, the ECU 12 determines "No" and executes the process of step S109. In step S109, the ECU 12 compares the determination items and the driving environment information and determines whether the reliability of the matching determination item is "low." That is, if, for example, off-road driving is expected based on the road surface condition detected by the road surface condition detection sensor 117, the ECU 12 determines that the driving environment information matches the determination item No. 9 in Fig. 3, for which the reliability is “low”.

[0069] Accordingly, the ECU 12 determines "Yes" in step S109, changes the layer level of the post-change display layer of the software switch 31 to the third display layer in step S110, and changes the display size of the software switch 31 to a small size smaller than the medium size in step S111. Then, in step S113, the control unit 12 terminates the execution of the program once. If the reliability is "low," the probability that the vehicle 1 is in the off-road driving state is low. Accordingly, the probability that the driving assistance function is not selected is high, and therefore, in the second modification, the ECU 12 displays the software switch 31 in the third display layer, as in the case where the vehicle 1 is not in the off-road driving state.

[0070] On the other hand, if the reliability of the matching determination item is not "low" in step S109, the ECU 12 makes a "No" decision. Then, the ECU 12 does not change the display type of the software switch 31 in step S112 and terminates the program execution once in step S113. Accordingly, the same effect as in the above embodiment is achieved in the second modification. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 2016-153272

[0002]

Claims

[1] A vehicle control device applied to a vehicle, comprising a differential device capable of distributing a driving force generated by a driving force source to driving wheels and absorbing a difference between respective rotational speeds of the driving wheels, and a braking device capable of generating braking forces for the drive wheels and causing the respective magnitudes of the braking forces for the drive wheels to differ from one another, wherein the vehicle control device comprises: a driving environment detection unit configured to detect a driving environment of the vehicle, and a controller configured to control a display type of an operation panel on which a driving assistance function is selected depending on the driving environment, wherein the driving assistance function allows actuation states of the driving power source, the braking device and the differential device to be changed, and configured to change and control the actuation states so that the actuation states correspond to the selected driving assistance function, wherein the controller obtains driving environment information indicating the detected driving environment, the controller determines whether the vehicle is in an off-road driving state in which the vehicle is traveling on a bad road based on the driving environment information, and When the vehicle is in the off-road driving state, the controller determines the driving assistance function capable of being applied when the vehicle is traveling on the rough road, and changes the display manner so that the number of operations necessary to select the specific driving assistance function is smaller than when the vehicle is not in the off-road driving state. [2] A vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein: the control panel displays a software switch, by which the driving assistance function is selected, in any display size, on any display layer from a plurality of display layers; and the controller changes the display type to at least one of a display type in which the software switch is displayed on a post-change display layer having a higher layer level than a pre-change display layer and a display type in which the software switch is displayed such that the display size is larger than a size when the vehicle is not in the off-road driving state, wherein the post-change display layer and the pre-change display layer are included in the plurality of display layers, wherein the pre-change display layer is a display layer on which the software is displayed when the vehicle is not in the off-road driving state. [3] The vehicle control device according to claim 2, wherein the controller changes the layer level of the after-change display layer depending on a reliability of a determination accuracy such that the layer level of the after-change display layer is higher as the reliability is higher, the reliability being previously given to a determination item relevant to the determination of the driving assistance function. [4] The vehicle control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the controller changes the display type when the controller predicts that the specific driving assistance function will be selected. [5] The vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein the controller changes the display type in a case where the vehicle is in the off-road running state and where an instruction for changing the display type is given beforehand.

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