Soil load estimation device, control device, and soil load estimation method

Abstract

Ground contact load estimating device (100) for estimating a ground contact load of a vehicle (900) in relation to a road surface load of the vehicle (900), wherein the ground contact load estimating device comprises: - a sensing section comprising a wheel speed sensor (133) which detects a wheel angular velocity of the vehicle (900) and is configured to detect a physical quantity relating to the vehicle (900) and which includes the wheel angular velocity, a jerk motion of the vehicle (900), a stable load of the vehicle (900) and an inertial load of the vehicle (900); and- a road surface load estimation section (120) comprising: (i) a first reinforcement calculation section (122) configured to use at least the stable load and the inertial load contained in the physical quantity detected by the detection section to calculate a first reinforcement,(1) a stiffness of at least one wheel of the vehicle (900), (2) a second gain correction section configured to use a value from the wheel speed sensor (133) to calculate a slip-ratio-related value of the vehicle (900) in order to correct a second gain according to at least the slip-ratio-related value and the jerk motion in order to reduce the influence of a variation in wheel angular velocity on an estimation result, and (3) an effective tire radius variation calculation section (121) configured to calculate a variation in an effective tire radius by multiplying a variation in a wheel angular velocity detected by the sensing section with the second gain, wherein the road surface load estimation section (120) is configured toto estimate the road surface load of the vehicle (900) by multiplying the variation of an effective tire radius by the first reinforcement.

Description

technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a ground contact load estimation device, a control device, and a ground contact load estimation method. General state of the art

[0002] A technique is known to those skilled in the art in which a ground contact load on a wheel of a vehicle is estimated and a result of the estimation is used to control a braking force and a driving force of the vehicle so that running stability of the vehicle is improved. The ground contact load must be estimated with a sufficiently high accuracy in order to improve the driving stability of the vehicle. Examples of a known technique for estimating ground contact load include a technique for estimating a ground contact load from a detected vehicle state quantity according to a vehicle motion model obtained by modeling behavior of a vehicle (see Patent Literature 1, for example). Citation list [patent literature]

[0003] [Patent Literature 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication Tokukai No. 2006-131062 Summary of the invention Technical problem

[0004] However, it should be noted that an influence of unevenness of a road surface also causes a change in ground contact load. Thus, since a model for estimating a ground contact load according to such a technique known to those skilled in the art as described above is a model considering only a change in load associated with a change in attitude of the vehicle, an influence of a road surface on a vehicle in the dem Technique known to those skilled in the art may not be adequately taken into account. Therefore, the technique known to those skilled in the art has room for improvement from the viewpoint of obtaining a more accurate ground contact load of a vehicle.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention is to provide a technique that enables a ground contact load of a vehicle to be estimated with sufficiently high accuracy. the solution of the problem

[0006] In order to achieve the object, a ground contact load estimating device according to an aspect of the present invention is a ground contact load estimating device for estimating a ground contact load of a vehicle with respect to a road surface load of the vehicle, the ground contact load estimating device including: a detecting section including a wheel speed sensor, that detects a wheel angular velocity of the vehicle and is configured to detect a physical quantity related to the vehicle and including the wheel angular velocity, a stable load of the vehicle, and an inertial load of the vehicle; and a road surface load estimating section including: (i) a first-gain calculating section configured to use at least the stable load and the inertial load included in the physical quantity detected by the detecting section to calculate a first to calculate gain indicating at least rigidity of a wheel of the vehicle, and (ii) an effective tire radius variation calculation section configured to calculate a variation of an effective tire radius by multiplying a variation of a wheel angular velocity detected by the detecting section , with a second gain to reduce an influence of the variation of a wheel angular velocity on an estimation result, wherein the road surface load estimating section is configured to calculate the road surface load of the vehicle by multiplying the variation of an effective tire radius by the first gain appreciate.

[0007] Furthermore, to achieve the object, a control device according to an aspect of the present invention is a control device for estimating a ground contact load acting on a vehicle and for directly or indirectly using the ground contact load to control one or more other devices of the vehicle, the control device includes: a detection section including a wheel speed sensor that detects a wheel angular speed of the vehicle and is configured to detect a physical quantity related to the vehicle and including the wheel angular speed, a stable load of the vehicle, and an inertial load of the vehicle; and a road surface load estimating section including: (i) a first-gain calculating section configured to use at least the stable load and the inertial load included in the physical quantity detected by the detecting section to calculate a first to calculate gain indicating at least rigidity of a wheel of the vehicle, and (ii) an effective tire radius variation calculation section configured to calculate a variation of an effective tire radius by multiplying a variation of a wheel angular velocity detected by the detecting section , with a second gain to reduce an influence of the variation of a wheel angular velocity on an estimation result, wherein the road surface load estimating section is configured to calculate the road surface load of the vehicle by multiplying the variation of an effective tire radius by the first gain appreciate.

[0008] Furthermore, to achieve the object, a ground contact load estimation method according to an aspect of the present invention is a ground contact load estimation method for estimating a ground contact load of a vehicle in relation to a road surface load of the vehicle, the ground contact load estimation method comprising the steps of: detecting a physical quantity related to the vehicle and including a wheel angular velocity of the vehicle, a stable load of the vehicle, and an inertial load of the vehicle; using at least the stable load and the inertial load to calculate a first gain indicative of at least a stiffness of a wheel of the vehicle; calculating a variation in a tire effective radius by multiplying a variation in wheel angular velocity by a second gain to reduce an influence of the variation in wheel angular velocity on an estimation result; and estimating the road surface load by multiplying the variation in an effective tire radius by the first gain. Advantageous Effects of the Invention

[0009] An aspect of the present invention makes it possible to estimate a ground contact load of a vehicle with sufficiently high accuracy. character list figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a ground contact load estimation device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a road surface load estimating section of Embodiment 1 of the present invention. figure 3 is a view for describing a physical quantity related to a wheel of a vehicle. figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an inertial load estimation section of Embodiment 2 of the present invention. figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a reference inertial load calculation section of Embodiment 2 of the present invention. figure 6 is a view for describing a physical quantity related to rolling behavior of a vehicle body. figure 7 is a view for describing a physical quantity related to a pitching behavior of a vehicle body. figure 8 is a view for describing a roll angular acceleration around the center of gravity of a vehicle body. figure 9 is a view for describing a turning radius in relation to an actual steering angle of a vehicle. figure 10 is a view schematically illustrating an example of a configuration of a vehicle to which a ground contact load estimation device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. Description of Embodiments

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a ground contact load on a wheel of a vehicle is estimated with sufficiently high accuracy with reference to a physical quantity of the vehicle, which physical quantity can be detected using a sensor commonly used to execute control for improving driving stability of the vehicle is used. It should be noted that the phrase “referring to a physical quantity” is a general term used herein for direct or indirect use of the physical quantity and as used herein means direct and / or indirect use of the physical quantity. [Ground Contact Load Estimator]

[0011] A ground contact load estimating device of an embodiment of the present invention estimates a ground contact load of a vehicle with respect to a road surface load of the vehicle. The ground contact load estimating device includes a detecting section and a road surface load estimating section. [capture section]

[0012] The detection section is a device for detecting a physical quantity related to a vehicle. The detecting section transmits the physical quantity to the road surface load estimating section (described later) and, if necessary, to an inertial load estimating section (described later). Examples of the detection section include various sensors and a device for calculating and outputting the physical quantity.

[0013] According to the present embodiment, a sensor may be a commonly used sensor (hereinafter also referred to as a “universal sensor”) to perform standard control related to the operation of a vehicle. The sensor does not necessarily have to include a roll rate sensor and a pitch rate sensor. Examples of the sensor (universal sensor) serving as the detection section include a longitudinal acceleration sensor that detects the longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle, a lateral acceleration sensor that detects the lateral acceleration of the vehicle, a wheel speed sensor that detects the wheel angular velocity of the vehicle, and a cornering information sensor that detects Vehicle cornering information captured. Examples of the cornering information sensor include a yaw rate sensor and a steering angle sensor.

[0014] Examples of the physical quantity mentioned above include a stable load of the vehicle, an inertial load of the vehicle, a value of the longitudinal acceleration sensor, a value of the lateral acceleration sensor, a value of the wheel speed sensor, a value of the cornering information sensor, a mass of the vehicle, a center of mass height of the vehicle Rolling moment of inertia, a pitching moment of inertia, a front axle inter-vehicle centroid distance, a rear axle inter-vehicle centroid distance, a front tread length of the vehicle, and a rear tread length of the vehicle. [Road Surface Load Estimation Section]

[0015] The road surface load estimating section estimates the road load of the vehicle according to the physical quantity detected by the detecting section. The “road surface load” means a change in ground contact load due to an impact of the road surface such as unevenness of the road surface. In order to reduce the cost of the detecting section (e.g., a sensor) for estimating the road surface load, the road surface load estimating section is preferably configured to detect the road surface load using a physical quantity detected by a universal sensor, a physical quantity described with reference to the detected physical quantity is obtained and a physical quantity specific to the vehicle. However, it should be noted that the configuration of the road surface load estimating section is not limited to this.

[0016] The road surface load estimation section includes a first-gain calculation section and an effective tire radius variation calculation section. The first-gain calculation section calculates the first gain from at least the stable load of the vehicle and the inertial load of the vehicle. The first gain is at least one parameter indicative of a stiffness of a wheel (e.g., a tire) of the vehicle. The first gain is a value unique to a wheel. As will be described later, the first gain can be obtained from an equation basically representing a rigidity of the wheel to which a specific ground contact load is applied.

[0017] The tire effective radius variation calculation section calculates the variation of an effective tire radius by multiplying a variation of a wheel angular velocity by a second gain. The variation of an effective tire radius is a value representing a variation in wheel speed using the physical quantity (for example, a detected value of the universal sensor (described above)) different from the variation in wheel speed due to an influence of the road surface. The variation in a wheel angular velocity can be determined from a result of detection by the wheel velocity sensor. Basically, the variation in wheel angular velocity need only represent a variation in wheel angular velocity caused during a step of estimating a ground contact load, and may be an approximation of the variation.

[0018] The second gain is a parameter for reducing the influence of the variation in wheel angular velocity on the estimation result. In general, when estimating a state quantity of the vehicle (for example, a ground contact load of the vehicle), a result of the estimation and an actual driving state tend to deviate more from each other the more a condition related to actual driving of the vehicle from a predetermined condition related to a usual one driving the vehicle. The second gain may be determined by deriving - e.g. through experiment or simulation - a convenient numerical value such that an estimated value of the ground contact load substantially corresponds to a measured actual value of the ground contact load of the vehicle under various conditions relevant to the driving the vehicle are assumed to be identical.

[0019] The road surface load estimating section may have another configuration as long as the effects of the present embodiment can be realized. For example, the road surface load estimation section may further include a second-gain correction section.

[0020] The second gain correcting section calculates a slip ratio related value of the vehicle from the wheel speed sensor value to correct the second gain according to at least the slip ratio related value and a jerk of the vehicle. In this case, the detecting section further detects the jerk of the vehicle. The jerk movement can be detected, for example, by an acceleration sensor. [Inertial Load Estimation Section]

[0021] The ground contact load estimation device of the present embodiment may have another configuration as long as the effects of the present invention can be realized. For example, the detecting section may further include an inertial load estimating section configured to estimate the inertial load of the vehicle according to the physical size of the vehicle.

[0022] The inertial load estimation section includes a reference inertial load calculation section and a correction value calculation section. The inertial load estimation section estimates the inertial load by adding an inertial load correction value calculated by the correction value calculation section to a reference inertial load calculated by the reference inertial load calculation section. The “inertial load” means a change in ground contact load due to the effect of cornering of the vehicle and an effect of accelerating / decelerating the vehicle. The reference inertial load calculation section calculates the reference inertial load using the physical quantity of the vehicle. The reference inertial load means a solution of an equation (described later) representing the inertial load of the vehicle. The inertia load correction value is a correction value for correcting the reference inertia load such that a difference between the reference inertia load and a true inertia load is reduced.

[0023] According to the present embodiment, the physical quantity used to calculate the reference inertial load may be a physical quantity detected by a universal sensor (as described above) and may be a physical quantity specific to the vehicle. For example, the reference inertial load calculation section may calculate the reference inertial load on each wheel of the vehicle according to a model of the vehicle using the value of the longitudinal acceleration sensor, the value of the lateral acceleration sensor, the mass of the vehicle, the center of mass height of the vehicle, the rolling moment of inertia, the pitching moment of inertia, the front axle Calculate the vehicle intercenter distance, the rear axle intercenter distance of the vehicle, the front tread length, and the rear tread length.

[0024] It should be noted here that the "model of the vehicle" is a model that allows the calculation of the reference inertial load. The model can suitably be determined according to a mathematical expression for calculating the reference inertial load. For example, the model of the vehicle may be a model of a solution of an equation of motion represented by a linear system, the solution being obtained by applying a minimum norm solution.

[0025] The correction value calculation section calculates the inertial load correction value using the physical quantity of the vehicle. The physical quantity used by the correction value calculation section to calculate the inertial load correction value may also be a physical quantity detected by a universal sensor and a physical quantity specific to the vehicle, as before described. For example, the correction value calculation section can calculate the inertial load correction value using the mass of the vehicle, the center of mass height of the vehicle, the value of the wheel speed sensor, the value of the cornering information sensor, the rolling moment of inertia, the front tread length, and the rear tread length. The value of the cornering information sensor can expediently be a value of the yaw rate sensor or a value of the steering angle sensor. [Method of Estimating Ground Contact Load]

[0026] According to the present embodiment, a ground contact load of a vehicle can be estimated by a method including the steps of: acquiring a physical quantity related to the vehicle and including a wheel angular velocity of the vehicle, a stable load of the vehicle, and an inertial load of the vehicle ; using at least the stable load and the inertial load to calculate a first gain indicative of at least a stiffness of a wheel of the vehicle; calculating a variation in a tire effective radius by multiplying a variation in wheel angular velocity by a second gain to reduce an influence of the variation in wheel angular velocity on an estimation result; and estimating the road surface load by multiplying the variation in an effective tire radius by the first gain. The method of estimating the ground contact load of the vehicle may be performed using the ground contact load estimator (as previously described).

[0027] According to the present embodiment, the ground contact load of the vehicle is estimated in relation to the road load of the vehicle. For example, the vehicle's ground contact load may be estimated by adding the vehicle's road surface load to the vehicle's stable load and the vehicle's inertial load. According to the present embodiment, the stable load is a ground contact load at 1G of the vehicle. For example, the stable load may be a calculated value based on the mass of the vehicle or may be a constant specific to the vehicle. In a case where the ground contact load estimating apparatus also includes the inertial load estimating section, an estimated value of the ground contact load of the vehicle can be obtained by (i) the inertial load estimated by the inertial load estimating section, (ii) the road surface load estimating section estimated road surface load, and (iii) the stable load are added together. [control device]

[0028] A control device of an embodiment of the present invention estimates a ground contact load acting on a vehicle, and directly or indirectly uses the ground contact load to control one or more other devices of the vehicle. The control device of the present embodiment can be configured as in the case of a publicly known device for controlling one or more devices of the vehicle according to a ground contact load, except that the control device includes the ground contact load estimation device (described above). Note that a case where the ground contact load is used indirectly includes, for example, a configuration in which the estimated ground contact load is used to perform further estimation and a value of a result of the further estimation is used to generate one or to control several other devices.

[0029] An embodiment of the present invention is concretely described below. [Embodiment 1: First embodiment of ground contact load estimation apparatus]. [Functional Configuration of Ground Contact Load Estimation Device] figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a ground contact load estimation device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As in figure 1, a ground contact load estimating device 100 includes an inertial load estimating section 110, a road surface load estimating section 120, a longitudinal acceleration sensor and a lateral acceleration sensor (longitudinal and lateral acceleration sensors) 131, a steering angle sensor or yaw rate sensor (steering angle / yaw rate sensor) 132, a wheel speed sensor 133, a stable load providing section 141, a delay section 142, and adding sections 143 and 144.

[0030] The longitudinal and lateral acceleration sensor 131, the steering angle / yaw rate sensor 132 and the wheel speed sensor 133 are connected to the inertial load estimating section 110. FIG. The longitudinal and lateral acceleration sensor 131 and the wheel speed sensor 133 are connected to the road surface load estimating section 120 . The longitudinal and lateral acceleration sensor 131, the steering angle / yaw rate sensor 132 and the wheel speed sensor 133 (i) provide a physical quantity related to a vehicle to be detected by the inertial load estimation section 110 and (ii) serve as one Detecting section related to the inertial load estimating section 110.

[0031] The inertial load estimating section 110 outputs a calculated inertial load signal. The inertial load estimating section 110 is connected to the adding section 143 via the delay section 142 . The steady load providing section 141 outputs a steady load signal. The stable load providing section 141 is also connected to the adding section 143 . The adding section 143 is connected to both the adding section 144 and the road surface load estimating section 120 . The road surface load estimating section 120 is connected to the adding section 144 .

[0032] The longitudinal and lateral acceleration sensor 131, the steering angle / yaw rate sensor 132, the wheel speed sensor 133, the stable load providing section 141 and the inertial load estimating section 110 (i) provide the physical quantity related to the vehicle and through the road surface load estimating section 120 to be detected, and (ii) serve as a detecting section with respect to the road surface load estimating section 120.

[0033] In addition, the inertial load estimating section 110 and the road surface load estimating section 120 are each connected to a network of a control system of the vehicle (for example, CAN (described later)), which is not illustrated here. The inertial load estimating section 110 and the road surface load estimating section 120 detect the physical quantity specific to the vehicle, such as a mass of the vehicle, a center of gravity height of the vehicle, a rolling moment of inertia with respect to a point via such a network a road surface corresponding to the vehicle's center of mass, a pitching moment of inertia measured with respect to the point on the road surface, a front axle inter-centre of gravity distance, a rear axle inter-centre of gravity distance, a front tread length, and a rear tread length. The network also corresponds to a detection section of Embodiment 1.

[0034] In the following description, a functional configuration and a logic for estimating the road surface load in Embodiment 1 will be discussed. [Functional Configuration of Road Surface Load Estimation Section]

[0035] figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a road surface load estimating section of Embodiment 1. FIG. According to Embodiment 1, the road surface load estimation section 120 has an effective tire radius variation calculation section 121, a first-gain calculation section 122, and a second-gain correction section 123 (see figure 2). [Logic of Ground Contact Load Estimation]

[0036] A ground contact load of Embodiment 1 is represented by Equation (1) below. In Equation (1), F z0nom represents the ground contact load in a 1G state, dF z0,inertia represents the inertial load, and dF z0,road represents the road surface load. As described above, the "inertial load" means a variation in ground contact load due to an effect of cornering of the vehicle and an effect of acceleration / deceleration of the vehicle, and the "road surface load" means a variation in ground contact load due to an effect of the road surface , such as an unevenness in the road surface. F z 0 = F z 0 n o m + d F z 0, i n e r t i a + d F z 0, r o a d . [Logic of Road Surface Load Estimation]

[0037] A non-linear tire characteristic of wheels of the vehicle is represented by equations (51) and (52) below. In Equation (52), “F z0 ' is the sum of the stable load and the inertial load as represented by Equation (53). d F z 0, r o a d = − a 1 d R e a 1 = a 11 F z 0 + a 12 F z 0 = F z 0 n o m + d F z 0, i n e r t i a

[0038] In the above equations, a 1 constitute a first reinforcement, a 11 represents a first parameter, and a 12 represents a second parameter.

[0039] The first reinforcement a 1 indicates a rigidity of a wheel of the vehicle. The first reinforcement a 1 is represented by a spring constant in a relationship between the spring constant and the ground contact load of a tire. The relationship is represented by a non-linear curve, but can be approximated to a linear expression as represented by equation (52).

[0040] The first parameter a 11 and the second parameter a 12 are both adjustment parameters for applying the first gain a 1 to a wide range of conditions. The first parameter is represented by a slope of the linear expression obtained by the approximation described above, and the second parameter is represented by an intercept of the linear expression.

[0041] figure 3 is a view for describing a physical quantity related to a wheel of a vehicle. In figure 3 represents R e represents an effective radius of the tire, ω represents an angular velocity of the tire, and uo represents a peripheral velocity of the tire. Considering a slip ratio of the tire, the effective radius R e of the tire is represented by equation (54) below. Equation (55) is derived from a total differential of Equation (54). R e = u 0 ω ( 1 + s ) d R e R e = d u 0 u 0 + d s 1 + s − d ω ω

[0042] Let's assume that the slip ratio does not change. In this case, equation (56) is derived from equation (55), and further equation (57) is derived. In Equation (57), a 2 represents a second reinforcement. The second reinforcement a 2 is an adjustment parameter for reducing the influence of a variation in wheel angular velocity on an estimation result. For example, the second gain can be determined by (i) comparing an actual measured value and an estimated value of the ground contact load of the vehicle running under a condition where the wheel angular velocity changes, and (ii) appropriately setting the second gain so that the estimated value is essentially equally effective under different driving conditions. d R e R e = d u 0 u 0 − d ω ω = d ω ω [ d u 0 × ω u 0 × d ω − 1 ] = d ω ω [ d u 0 R e × d ω ( 1 + s ) − 1 ] = d ω ω × a 2 d R e = a 2 R e ( d ω ω ) dω / ω in parentheses in equation (57) can be approximated as shown by equation (58). In Equation (58), “movavg((ω)” represents a moving average of angular velocity. Thus, Equation (59) is derived from Equation (57). d ω ω ≈ ω − m o v a v g ( ω ) m o v a v g ( ω ) d R e = a 2 R e ( ω − m o v a v g ( ω ) m o v a v g ( ω ) )

[0043] Equation (60) is derived by substituting Equation (59) into Equation (51). The road surface load is calculated from equation (60). Equation (60) contains movavg(ω). Therefore, the calculation of the road surface load is delayed (for example, by 0.05 seconds) according to the time required for the acquisition of movavg(ω). d F z 0, r o a d = − a 1 × a 2 × R e ( ω − m o v a v g ( ω ) m o v a v g ( ω ) )

[0044] The second reinforcement a 2 can be represented by equation (61) below. In Equation (61), a 21 represents a third parameter. The third parameter a 21 is an adjustment parameter similar to the second gain. In equation (61) the third parameter leads to the same result as the second gain. a 2 = a 21

[0045] The second gain can be expressed using not only the third parameter but also another correction value for correcting an influence of a specific road surface condition on the tire. For example, the second gain can be represented by equation (62). a 2 = a 21 × F s × F j e r k

[0046] In Equation (62), F s represents a correction value for correcting an influence of the slip ratio, and F jerk represents a correction value for correcting an error caused by a jerk. In this case, the third parameter is an adjustment parameter for reducing the influence of a correction made using these correction values ​​while the vehicle is running under a condition different from a Driving condition differs, which is to be corrected using the correction values. In order to make such a correction, it is possible to calculate the road surface load from equation (63). d F z 0, r o a d = − a 1 × a 21 × F s × F j e r k × R e ( ω − m o v a v g ( ω ) m o v a v g ( ω ) )

[0047] In Equation (62) and Equation (63), F s and F jerk Correction values ​​for reducing the influence of an excessive change in slip ratio and jerk on the estimated value. f s and F jerk may each (i) calculate a calculated value of a slip ratio related value, the calculated value being calculated by the second-gain correcting section (described later), or (ii) increase a detected value of the jerk detected by the detecting section and decrease or may substantially clear the calculated value or the sensed value according to a predetermined threshold. [Road surface load estimation]

[0048] The first gain calculation section 122 of the road surface load estimation section 120 calculates the first gain a 1 using at least the stable load and the inertial load. The road surface load estimating section 120 acquires the sum of (i) the estimated value of the inertial load obtained by the inertial load estimating section 110 and (ii) the stable load sent from the stable load providing section. The first reinforcement a 1 is represented by a rigidity (a spring constant) of a wheel (tire) of the vehicle as described above, and can be represented by a linear expression that is close to a non-linear curve of the spring constant with respect to the ground contact load. Here the ground contact load is the sum of the stable load and the inertial load as previously described. The first gain calculation section 122 substitutes the above sum in Equation (52) so that the first gain is calculated.

[0049] The second-gain correcting section 123 also detects the jerk of the vehicle from the detecting section. More specifically, the second gain correction section 123 detects the jerk of the vehicle via a network such as a CAN.

[0050] The second gain correction section 123 also calculates the slip ratio related value of the vehicle from a value of the wheel speed sensor. More specifically, the second gain correcting section 123 acquires a numerical value representing F s in equation (62).

[0051] In addition, the second gain correcting section 123 corrects the second gain according to at least the slip ratio related value and the jerk. It is assumed that the second gain is set as the adjustment parameter as previously described. More specifically, the second gain correction section 123 (i) determines F according to equation (62). s and F jerk , which reduce an influence of slip ratio and jerk, and (ii) uses F s and F jerk , to correct the second gain according to equation (62).

[0052] In a case where the slip ratio related value changes greatly, it is possible to change F s set to prevent or reduce variation of the estimated value due to the change. For example, F is s a coefficient by which the slip ratio related value is multiplied. In a case where the slip ratio related value is smaller than a predetermined value, F s be 0 In a case where the slip ratio related value is not smaller than the predetermined value, F s1 so that the slip ratio related value is adopted.

[0053] In a case where the jerk motion changes greatly, it is possible that F jerk set to prevent or reduce variation of the estimated value due to the change. For example, F is jerk a coefficient by which the detected jerk is multiplied. In a case where the jerk is greater than a predetermined value, F s be 0 In a case where the jerk is not greater than the specified value, F jerk 1 so that the detected jerk movement is accepted.

[0054] As represented by equation (62), the second gain correcting section 123 calculates the second gain obtained by multiplying F s and F jerk was corrected with the third parameter. The third parameter a 21 in equation (61) and the third parameter a 21 in Equation (62) may be identical to or different from each other.

[0055] The tire effective radius variation calculation section 121 calculates the variation of an effective tire radius by multiplying a variation of a wheel angular velocity by the second gain. The variation of a wheel angular velocity is a numerical value including a variation value dω of the wheel angular velocity ω, and is, for example, R e(dω / ω) in Equation (57). More specifically, the effective tire radius variation calculation section 121 calculates the variation of an effective tire radius by multiplying the terms (except a 1 ) on the right-hand side of equation (60).

[0056] The road surface load estimation section 120 estimates the road surface load by multiplying the variation of an effective tire radius calculated by the effective tire radius variation calculation section 121 by the first gain. More specifically, the road surface load estimating section 120 obtains an estimated value of the road surface load according to equation (60) by multiplying the variation of an effective tire radius by the first gain. [Logic of correction when estimating inertial load]

[0057] The inertial load dF Z0,inertia can be obtained by the inertial load estimation section 110, for example, by a method disclosed in paragraph

[0024] of Japanese Patent Application Tokukai Publication No. 2008-074184. [Inertial Load Estimation]

[0058] The longitudinal and lateral acceleration sensor 131 detects and outputs the longitudinal acceleration and the lateral acceleration of the vehicle. The (steering angle / yaw rate sensor) 132 detects and outputs a steering angle or a yaw rate of the vehicle. A wheel speed sensor 133 detects and outputs a wheel speed of wheels of the vehicle. In addition, a network (described above) outputs various physical quantities related to the vehicle. A detection section (described above) thus outputs a physical quantity related to the vehicle. [Estimation of Ground Contact Load]

[0059] The inertial load estimating section 110 transmits the inertial load df Z0,inertia to the deceleration section 142. The deceleration section 142 outputs the inertia load as necessary by decelerating the inertia load so that the inertia load is output at an appropriate timing according to subsequent control. For example, the deceleration section 142 outputs the inertia load according to a deceleration due to movavg(ω) in Equation (60) (described earlier) so that the inertial load is in phase with the deceleration due to movavg(ω). The adding section 143 combines the inertial load with a stable load F Z0nom transmitted from the stable load providing section 141 . The sum of the stable load and the inertial load is sent to the road surface load estimation section 120 and the adding section 144 .

[0060] In addition, the road surface load estimating section 120 outputs an estimated value of the road surface load. The estimated value of the road surface load is obtained in terms of the stable load and the inertial load.

[0061] The estimated value of the road surface load sent from the road surface load estimating section 120 is combined with the above-mentioned sum by the adding section 144 . Thus, the sum of the stable load, the inertial load, and the road surface load becomes an estimated value F z0 of the ground contact load of the vehicle. [Effects]

[0062] In Embodiment 1, since the road surface load is estimated by multiplying the variation of an effective tire radius (described above) by the first gain (described above), the road surface load can be estimated so that an influence of unevenness of the road surface is sufficiently taken into account. Since a ground contact load is estimated with respect to such a road surface load, it is possible to estimate the ground contact load of the vehicle with sufficiently high accuracy.

[0063] A comparison between (a) an actual measured value of the ground contact load obtained using an on-vehicle sensor for more directly detecting the ground contact load and (b) an estimated value of the ground contact load obtained according to Embodiment 1 shows that Embodiment 1 enables the estimated value of the ground contact load F z0 that is so accurate that it essentially agrees with the measured actual value.

[0064] Also, in Embodiment 1, the road surface load is estimated in relation to the stable load and the estimated inertial load. Therefore, Embodiment 1 configured in this way enables estimating the road surface load with higher accuracy compared to a case where the road surface load is estimated without reference to the stable load and the estimated inertial load.

[0065] Furthermore, in Embodiment 1, by correcting the second gain according to a change in acceleration / deceleration of the wheel, it is possible to estimate the road surface load with much higher accuracy.

[0066] Furthermore, in Embodiment 1, the physical quantity that can be detected by the universal sensor is used for calculating the reference inertial load and calculating the inertial correction value. This allows the sensor-related costs to be reduced.

[0067] [Embodiment 2: Second embodiment of ground contact load estimation apparatus]. Another embodiment of the present invention is described below. Note that, for the sake of simplicity, elements whose functions are identical to those of the respective elements described in Embodiment 1 are given identical reference numerals, respectively, and the description of these elements is omitted.

[0068] figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an inertial load estimation section of Embodiment 2. FIG. As in figure 4 illustrates, an inertial load estimation section 110 includes a reference inertial load calculation section 111 and a correction value calculation section 112.

[0069] figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a reference inertial load calculation section of Embodiment 2. FIG. As in figure 5 illustrates, the reference inertial load calculation section 111 includes a system matrix section 301, an input matrix section 302, an adder section 303 and a delay section 304. The system matrix section 301 is connected to the adder section 303, the adder section 303 is connected to the delay section 304, and the delay section 304 is connected to the system matrix section 301. The input matrix section 302 is connected to an outside such as the network (described above) and is connected to the adding section 303 .

[0070] According to Embodiment 2, an inertia load dF z0,inertiaderived as follows. [Inertial load estimation logic]

[0071] dF z0,inertia is represented by three equations of motion of Equations (2A), (2B) and (2C) below. Equation (2A) represents movement in a vertical direction, Equation (2B) represents roll behavior, and Equation (2C) represents pitch behavior. Regarding the position of a wheel, front, rear, right and left are used herein labeled “f” (front), “r” (rear), “r” (right) and “I” (left). Regarding a direction with respect to a vehicle, a longitudinal direction, a lateral direction, and the vertical direction are expressed as “x”, “y” and “z”, respectively. d F z 0 f l + d F z 0 f r + d F z 0 r l + d F z 0 r r = m a z t r f ( d F z 0 f l − d F z 0 f r ) + t r r ( d F z 0 r l − d F z 0 r r ) = ( I x + I 1 ) p ˙ − m a y h 0 − l f ( d F z 0 f l + d F z 0 f r ) + l r ( d F z 0 r l − d F z 0 r r ) = ( I y + I 2 ) q ˙ + m a x h 0

[0072] However, it should be noted that the vertical acceleration a z , the roll angular acceleration p-point and the pitch angular acceleration q-point cannot be detected by a universal sensor commonly provided in the vehicle. Therefore, an influence, for example, of the above-mentioned vertical acceleration on a ground contact load of the universal sensor-equipped vehicle calculated from the above equations is not substantially considered. Such a ground contact load is also referred to as a "reference inertial load" and is denoted by "dF est (k) shown. A correction value for correcting such an inertia load is thus also referred to as an “inertia load correction value” in the following and is represented by “dF Z0,corr shown. A relationship between dF (k) and dF Z0,corr is represented by equation (3) below. d F z 0, i n e r t i a → = d F e s t ( k ) → + d F z 0, c o r r →

[0073] figure 6 is a view for describing a physical quantity related to rolling behavior of a vehicle body. figure 7 is a view for describing a physical quantity related to a pitching behavior of a vehicle body. As in the figure 6 and figure 7, m represents a mass of the vehicle, ho represents a center of mass height of the vehicle, and a represents the acceleration of the vehicle. I 1 and I 2 represent correction values ​​for calculating moments of inertia about road surface points using moments of inertia about axes passing through respective centers of mass COG1 and COG2. The center of mass COG1 represents a center of mass in the width direction of a vehicle body 200, and the center of mass COG2 represents a center of mass in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body 200.

[0074] As in figure 6 illustrates, furthermore (I x +I 1 ) represents the rolling moment of inertia about the road surface point, I x represents the moment of inertia about the roll axis passing through the center of mass COG1, trr represents half the length of a rear tread of the vehicle (the length of the rear tread multiplied by 1 / 2), and trf represents half the length of a front tread of the vehicle ( the length of the front tread multiplied by 1 / 2). The p with the dot above it (p - dot) represents the roll angular acceleration around the road surface point.

[0075] As in figure 7 illustrates, furthermore (I y +I 2 ) represents the pitching moment of inertia about the road surface point, and I y represents the moment of inertia about the pitch axis passing through the center of mass COG2. I f 12 represents a fore-aft distance (front axle center of gravity distance) between the center of mass COG2 and a front axle of the vehicle body 200, I r represents a distance (rear axle inter-center of gravity distance) between the center of mass COG2 and a rear axle, and (I f +I r ) represents a wheelbase. The q with the dot above it represents the pitch angular acceleration around the road surface point.

[0076] Assuming that dF est (k)is a calculated value of a variation of the inertial load at a certain time, its vector is illustrated by Equation (4) below. In the following equation (4), k represents the frequency of calculation. d F e s t ( k ) → = d F z 0 ( k ) → = [ d F z o f l d F z 0 f r d F z 0 r l d F z 0 r r ] T

[0077] A matrix into which Equations (2A) to (2C) are transformed is represented by Equation (5) below, and Equation (6) below is derived from Equation (5). A 3×3 matrix on the right side of Equation (6) is also referred to as a matrix K', and a 3×1 matrix in parentheses on the right side of Equation (6) is also referred to as a matrix a'. [ 1 1 1 − t r f t r r − t r r − l f l r l r ] [ d F z 0 f r d F z 0 r l d F z 0 r r ] = [ m a z ( I x + I 1 ) p ˙ − m a y h 0 ( I y + I 2 ) q ˙ + m a x h 0 ] − [ 1 t r f − l f ] d F z 0 f l [ d F z 0 f r d F z 0 r l d F z 0 r r ] = <menclose notation="box"> [ l r l f + l r 0 − 1 l f + l r l f t r r + l r t r f 2 t r r ( l f + l r ) 1 2 t r r − t r f − t r r 2 t r r ( l f + l r ) l f t r r − l r t r f 2 t r r ( l f + l r ) − 1 2 t r r t r f + t r r 2 t r r ( l f + l r ) ] < / menclose> K ' ( [ m a z ( I x + I 1 ) p ˙ − m a y h 0 ( I y + I 2 ) q ˙ + m a x h 0 ] − <menclose notation="box"> [ 1 t r f − l f ] < / menclose> a ' d F z 0 f l )

[0078] If we assume here that “dF z0fl " is "Z", Equation (4) is represented by Equation (7) below. Z is a variable that satisfies equations (2A) to (2C). A 4×1 matrix in the first term on the right-hand side of Equation (7) represents a vector a. A 4×3 matrix in the second term on the right-hand side of Equation (7) is also referred to as a matrix K, and a 3×1 matrix in this term is also called a matrix U. Vector a represents a unit vector that satisfies equations (2A) to (2C). The vector a is represented by a matrix of Equation (8) using the matrix K' and the matrix a' in Equation (6). The matrix K in Equation (7) is represented by a matrix of Equation (9) using the matrix K' in Equation (6). d F e s t ( k ) → = [ d F z 0 f l d F z 0 f r d F z 0 r l d F z 0 r r ] = <menclose notation="box"> [ 1 − 1 − t r f t r r t r f t r r ] < / menclose> a → Z + <menclose notation="box"> <menclose notation="box"> [ 0 0 0 l r l f + l r 0 − 1 l f + l r l f t r r + l r t r f 2 t r r ( l f + l r ) 1 2 t r r − t r f − t r r 2 t r r ( l f + l r ) l f t r r − l r t r f 2 t r r ( l f + l r ) − 1 2 t r r t r f + t r r 2 t r r ( l f + l r ) ] < / menclose> K <menclose notation="box"> [ m a z ( I x + I 1 ) p ˙ − m a y h 0 ( I y + I 2 ) q ˙ + m a x h 0 ] < / menclose> U < / menclose> d F e s t , p → a → = [ 1 − K ' a ' ] K = [ 0 K ' ]

[0079] Assuming that a vector dF est,p is the product of the matrix K and the matrix U on the right side of Equation (7), Equation (7) is represented by Equation (10) below. dF est,p represents any solution of equations (2A) through (2C). Equations of motion (2A) through (2C) (described previously) are thus represented by equation (10). That is, the solution of the equations of motion (2A) to (2C) is represented by a linear equation, and a calculated value of the ground contact load to be found is present in one of the straight lines represented by the linear equation. d F e s t ( k ) → = d F e s t , p → + a → Z <Application of the minimum norm solution>

[0080] In the equations of motion (2A) to (2C) there are four variables (dF z0fl , dF z0fr , dF z0rl and dF z0rr ), and there are three equations related to these variables. In view of this, a minimum norm solution is applied to equation (19). A condition represented by Expression (11) below, that is, a value of a solution included in solutions of the equations of motion and whose difference from a previously calculated value of the variation in ground contact load is minimized, is given as a solution of Equation (10 ) Are defined. In expression (11), dF est (k-1) represents the previously calculated value of ground contact load. dF est,p represents one of the solutions of the equations of motion. Minimize ‖ d F e s t ( k − 1 ) → − d F e s t ( k ) → ‖

[0081] Applying the above definition allows Equation (12) to be derived from Equation (10) as shown below. In Equation (12), the "â" represents a unit vector of the vector a. d F e s t ( k ) → = d F e s t , p → + a → Z = d F e s t , p → + a → | a → | ( ( d F e s t ( k − 1 ) → − d F e s t , p → ) ⋅ a ^ ) = d F e s t , p → + a → | a → | 2 ( ( d F e s t ( k − 1 ) → − d F e s t , p → ) ⋅ a → ) <Linear Modeling>

[0082] Equation (12), which is expressed by a linear model, is represented by Equation (13) below and is further represented by Equation (14). d F e s t ( k ) → = <menclose notation="box"> ( a a T | a → | 2 ) < / menclose> A d F e s t ( k − 1 ) → + <menclose notation="box"> ( I − a a T | a → | 2 ) K < / menclose> B U d F e s t ( k ) → = A d F e s t ( k − 1 ) → + B U (14)

[0083] In the above equations, U represents an input value, A represents a system matrix, and B represents an input matrix. The vector dF est,p is represented by the product of the matrix K and the matrix U as shown below. The matrix K and the matrix U are represented as shown below, and A and B are each represented using a matrix as shown below. d F e s t , p → = K U K = [ 0 0 0 l r l ƒ + l r 0 − 1 l ƒ + l r l ƒ t r r + l r t r ƒ 2 t r r ( l ƒ + l r ) 1 2 t r r − t r ƒ − t r r 2 t r r ( l ƒ + l r ) l ƒ t r r − l r t r ƒ 2 t r r ( l ƒ + l r ) − 1 2 t r r t r ƒ + t r r 2 t r r ( l ƒ + l r ) ] U = [ m a z ( I x + I 1 ) p ˙ − m a y h 0 ( I y + I 2 ) q ˙ + m a x h 0 ] A = a a T | a → | 2 = 1 a ( t r ƒ 2 + t r r 2 ) [ t r r 2 − t r r 2 − t r ƒ t r r t r ƒ t r r − t r r 2 t r r 2 t r ƒ t r r − t r ƒ t r r − t r ƒ t r r t r ƒ t r r t r ƒ 2 − t r ƒ 2 t r ƒ t r r − t r ƒ t r r − t r ƒ 2 t r ƒ 2 ] B = ( I − a a T | a → | 2 ) K = 1 2 [ l r l ƒ + l r t r ƒ t r ƒ 2 + t r r 2 − 1 l ƒ + l r l r l ƒ + l r − t r ƒ t r ƒ 2 + t r r 2 − 1 l ƒ + l r l f l ƒ + l r t r r t r ƒ 2 + t r r 2 1 l ƒ + l r l f l ƒ + l r − t r r t r ƒ 2 + t r r 2 1 l ƒ + l r ] (Correction of the influence of a z , p - point and q - point)

[0084] The inertia load correction value dF Z0,corrcan be represented by equation (15) below. The first term (the product of K a and the vector a) in large brackets on the right side of equation (15) corrects an error of a z , p - point and q - point, which is caused by the minimum norm solution. In Equation (15), the vector a is represented by Equation (16) below, and a vector p is represented by Equation 17. d F z 0, c o r r → = Σ F y 0 ( K a a ⇀ + K p ( h 0 t r r 2 ( t r ƒ 2 + t r r 2 ) ) ( 1 + I 1 I x ) p → ) a → = [ 1 − 1 − t r ƒ t r r t r ƒ t r r ] T p → = [ t r ƒ t r r − t r ƒ t r r 1 − 1 ] T (Correction of the influence of roll angular acceleration (p - point))

[0085] The inertial load correction value can be calculated from a convenient equation that takes into account the degree and frequency of an influence of a z , p - point and q - point can be calculated using a physical quantity that can be detected by the universal sensor. For example, in equation (15) K p represents an adjustment parameter, and ΣF y0 represents the total of tire lateral forces measured while the vehicle is rolling.

[0086] The first term (the product of K a and the vector a) in large brackets on the right-hand side of equation (15) corrects an error in a caused by the minimum norm solution z , p - point and q - point. K a is a fitting parameter and can be determined by: comparing an estimated value obtained by equation (15) with an actual measured value, and adjusting K appropriately a such that the estimated value is substantially identical to the actual measured value in estimating a ground contact load of a vehicle.

[0087] The second term of an expression in large brackets on the right side of equation (15) corrects for the influence of p-point and is important when the vehicle is cornering. For example, K p are determined by (i) comparing (a) an actual measured value of the ground contact load of the cornering vehicle with (b) an estimated value of the ground contact load estimated using equation (15), and (ii) adjusting appropriately by K p such that the estimated value is effective substantially even under a condition different from a running condition of the vehicle subjected to the measurement of the actual measured value.

[0088] It is to be noted here that the influence of p-point, which is expressed as "e p -point", is represented by Equation (18) below. The left side of equation (18) is "e p - point", which is the influence of p - point. The 3×1 matrix by which B is multiplied in equation (18) is a matrix in which a x , a y , a z and q - point in the matrix U (described previously) are all set to zero. e p ˙ = B [ 0 ( I x + I 1 ) p ˙ 0 ] = ( ( I x + I 1 ) t r r 2 ( t r ƒ 2 + t r r 2 ) ) p ˙ <menclose notation="box"> [ t r ƒ t r r − t r ƒ t r r 1 − 1 ] < / menclose> p → = ( ( I x + I 1 ) t r r 2 ( t r ƒ 2 + t r r 2 ) ) p ˙ p → ⋯ ( 18 )

[0089] It should be noted here that figure 8 is a view for describing a roll angular acceleration around the center of gravity of a vehicle body. As in figure 8 illustrates, puts p point in figure 8 represents a roll angular velocity around the center of mass COG1 of the vehicle body. This p-point around the center of mass of the vehicle body is represented by equation (19) below. The product of matrices on the right-hand side of equation (19) is so tiny that it is negligible and can therefore be taken as a zero. I x p ˙ = Σ F y 0 h 0 + [ t r ƒ − t r ƒ t r r − t r r ] [ F z 0 ƒ l F z 0 ƒ r F z 0 r l F z 0 r r ]

[0090] ΣF y0 is the total of tire lateral forces measured while the vehicle is rolling and is represented by Equation (20). It should be noted here that figure 9 is a view for describing a turning radius in relation to an actual steering angle of a vehicle. figure 9 illustrates a case where the vehicle is turning left. figure 9 illustrates cornering of the vehicle steered only by the front wheels. In figure 9, C is a curve center, and O is an intersection between a wheel and an axle. "R tum ' represents a curve radius and is a distance from the curve center C and the center of mass COG3 of the vehicle. "R turn,l' represents a distance from the curve center C in the vehicle body width direction to an intersection O of the wheel on the left side of the vehicle, and 'R turn,r δ represents a distance from the curve center C in the width direction of the vehicle body to an intersection O of the wheel on the right side of the vehicle. δ is the actual steering angle.

[0091] A V fl vector and a V fr -Vector are driving direction vectors at front wheel points, and β fl and β fr are front wheel slip angles. β fl is represented by an angle through which V fl -Vector with respect to a line L ωfl is formed, and β fr is represented by an angle formed by the V fr -Vector with respect to a line L ωfr is formed. A dashed line L ωfl is a line extending in a rolling direction of the wheel, and is a straight line passing through a center O fl of the wheel runs. A dashed line L ωfr is a line extending in the rolling direction of the wheel, and is a straight line passing through a center O fr of the wheel runs. A V rl vector and a V rr -Vector are directional vectors at rear wheel points. β rl and β rr are rear wheel slip angles and are represented by angles divided by the V rl -vector or the Vrr vector with respect to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body 200 are formed. In a case where the vehicle is steered by both the front wheels and the rear wheels, β fl and β fr suitably corrected taking into account the steering by the rear wheels.

[0092] Given the fact that "R turn ' in Equation (20) is represented by Equation (21), Equation (20) is represented by Equation (22). "Rt urn ' will be described later. In Equation (22) below, "u" is an average of the peripheral speeds of all wheels and is represented by Equation (23). In Equation (23), ω represents the angular velocity of the wheel, and "R e,init ″ represents an initial value of a tire radius. “δ” is represented by Equation (24). In Equation (24), δs represents a detected value of the steering angle sensor, and k δ represents the steering gear ratio. Σ F y 0 = m u 2 R t u r n R t u r n ≈ l ƒ + l r δ Σ F y 0 = m u 2 δ l ƒ + l r u = a v g ( ω R e , i n i t ) δ = k δ δ s

[0093] Thus, assuming that the influence of p-point is “e p-point”, “e p-point” is represented by the following equation (25). e p ˙ = ( ( I x + I 1 ) t r r 2 ( t r ƒ 2 + t r r 2 ) ) p ˙ p → = ( ( I x + I 1 ) t r r 2 ( t r ƒ 2 + t r r 2 ) ) ( h 0 I x ) Σ F y 0 = ( h 0 t r r 2 ( t r ƒ 2 + t r r 2 ) ) ( 1 + I 1 I x ) Σ F y 0

[0094] Equation (21) is described here. R turn,l is represented by equation (26). Similarly, R turn,r represented by equation (27). ( δ + β ƒ l − β r l ) R t u r n , l = ( l ƒ + l r ) ( δ + β ƒ r − β r r ) R t u r n , r = ( l ƒ + l r )

[0095] R turn is sufficiently large compared to the wheelbase of the vehicle, and both β and δ are compared to R turn sufficiently small. R turn is represented by equation (28) using equations (26) and (27). In a process of deriving Equation (28), as represented by Equation (29), the product of the differences in β between the front and rear wheels is sufficiently small between the right and left wheels of the vehicle and can be regarded as zero. In addition, as represented by equation (30), f (β) obtained by subtracting the sum of β of the rear wheels from the sum of β of the front wheels of the vehicle compared to R turn sufficiently small and can be regarded as zero. Thus, "R turn ' represented by Equation (21) (described previously). R t u r n = R t u r n , l + R t u r n , r 2 = l ƒ + l r 2 ( 1 δ + β ƒ l − β r l + 1 δ + β ƒ r − β r r ) = l ƒ + l r 2 ( ( 2 δ + f ( β ) ) δ 2 + δ ( f ( β ) ) + ( β ƒ l − β r l ) ( β ƒ r − β r r ) ) = l ƒ + l r δ ( ( δ + f ( β ) 2 ) δ + f ( β ) ) ≈ l ƒ + l r δ ( β ƒ l − β r l ) ( β ƒ r − β r r ) ≈ 0 f ( β ) = β ƒ l + β ƒ r − β r l − β r r ≈ 0

[0096] In the above description, “R turn “ expressed by the actual steering angle δ. However, it should be noted that “R tum ' can also be conveniently expressed using a yaw rate instead of the actual steering angle δ. [Estimation of Ground Contact Load]

[0097] The longitudinal and lateral acceleration sensor 131 detects and outputs the longitudinal acceleration and the lateral acceleration of the vehicle. The (steering angle / yaw rate sensor) 132 detects and outputs a steering angle or a yaw rate of the vehicle. A wheel speed sensor 133 detects and outputs a wheel speed of wheels of the vehicle. In addition, a network (described above) outputs various physical quantities related to the vehicle. A detection section (described above) thus outputs a physical quantity related to the vehicle.

[0098] The reference inertial load calculation section 111 calculates a reference inertial load dF est (k) using the physical quantity detected by the detection section. More specifically, according to equation (14) (described above), the reference inertial load calculation section 111 calculates the reference inertial load as a solution to which the minimum norm solution is applied. For example, the system matrix section 301 transmits to the adding section 303 the amplified product of the matrix A (described previously) and the previously calculated value of the ground contact load dF est (k-1) , and the input matrix section 302 transmits to the adding section 303 the amplified product of the matrix U (described above) and the matrix B. The adding section 303 combines these products to calculate the reference inertial load. The reference inertial load is sent from the reference inertial load calculation section 111 . The delay section 304 (i) adjusts the timing so that the received reference inertial load has a previously calculated value in the next calculation of the reference inertial load, and (ii) outputs the received reference inertial load.

[0099] The correction value calculation section 112 calculates the inertia load correction value df Z0,corr using the physical quantity detected by the detection section. More specifically, according to Equation (15), the correction value calculation section 112 calculates the inertia load correction value which includes an influence of p - point, a z and q - point corrected.

[0100] The inertia load estimating section 110 obtains an estimated value of the inertia load df Z0,inertia by adding the inertial load correction value calculated by the correction value calculation section 112 to a reference inertial load calculated by the reference inertial load calculation section 111 . More specifically, the inertial load estimating section 110 obtains the estimated value of the inertial load according to Equation (3) (described above).

[0101] An inertial load estimating section 110 transmits the inertial load df Z0,inertia to a deceleration section 142. The deceleration section 142 outputs the inertia load as necessary by decelerating the inertia load so that the inertia load is output at an appropriate timing according to subsequent control. For example, the deceleration section 142 outputs the inertia load according to a deceleration due to movavg(ω) in Equation (60) (described earlier) so that the inertial load is in phase with the deceleration due to movavg(ω). An adding section 143 combines the inertial load with a stable load F Z0nom transmitted from a stable load providing section 141 . The sum of the stable load and the inertial load is sent to a road surface load estimating section 120 and an adding section 144 .

[0102] In addition, the road surface load estimating section 120 outputs an estimated value of a road surface load. The estimated value of the road surface load sent from the road surface load estimating section 120 is combined with the above-mentioned sum by the adding section 144 . Then, the sum of the stable load, the inertial load, and the road surface load is taken as an estimated value F z0 of the ground contact load of the vehicle. [Effects]

[0103] Embodiment 2 further realizes at least the following effects in addition to the effects of Embodiment 1 described above. In Embodiment 2, to estimate the inertial load, it is possible to use a solution of an equation of motion, which solution is obtained by applying the minimum norm solution. Therefore, Embodiment 2 configured in this way is more effective in estimating the ground contact load with high accuracy and is also more effective in making a correction that enables such estimation to be applied to a wide range of vehicle running conditions. [Embodiment 3: embodiment of a suspension control device].

[0104] In the following description, an example in which a physical quantity estimation device according to Embodiment 3 is applied to a control device for controlling a suspension of a vehicle will be discussed. It should be noted that for the sake of simplicity, elements whose functions are identical to those of the respective elements described in Embodiments 1 and 2 are given identical reference numerals respectively, and the description of these elements is omitted.

[0105] A control device according to Embodiment 3 (i) estimates a ground contact load acting on the vehicle having the suspension, and (ii) controls a damping force of the suspension according to the ground contact load. The control device of Embodiment 3 can be configured as in the case of a publicly known control device of a suspension, except that the control device of Embodiment 3 includes a ground contact load estimation device (described above) and the damping force of the suspension according to that estimated by the ground contact load estimation device ground contact load controls.

[0106] figure 10 is a view schematically illustrating an example of a configuration of a vehicle having the ground contact load estimation device described above. As in figure 10 illustrates, a vehicle 900 includes a suspension 150, a vehicle body 200, wheels 300, a vehicle speed sensor 450 that detects a vehicle speed (V), an engine 500, and an electronic control unit (Electronic Control Unit, ECU) 600. The ECU 600 corresponds to a processor (described above) and includes the ground contact load estimating device (described above).

[0107] It should be noted that the letters A to E in the reference numbers each represent a position in the vehicle 900 . A represents a left front position in vehicle 900, B represents a right front position in vehicle 900, C represents a left rear position in vehicle 900, D represents a right rear position in vehicle 900, and E represents a rear position in the vehicle 900.

[0108] In addition, the vehicle 900 has various sensors, such as a longitudinal acceleration sensor 340 that detects the acceleration in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 900 . Such a sensor corresponds to a universal sensor (described above). The vehicle 900 has a storage medium. The storage medium stores various information necessary for estimating a physical quantity. Examples of such information are various physical quantities related to the vehicle, such as a wheel radius and a mass (vehicle weight) of the vehicle.

[0109] Respective output values ​​of the various sensors are input to the ECU 600 via a controller area network (CAN) 370, and control signals are transmitted from the ECU 600 to respective sections. It is possible to resupply the sensors to estimate the physical quantity (which will be described later). However, from a cost perspective, the sensors are preferably sensors that are already present in the vehicle 900 .

[0110] According to Embodiment 3, the damping force of the suspension is controlled according to an estimated value of the ground contact load of the vehicle, the estimated value being as accurate as an actual measured value of the ground contact load of the vehicle. This makes it possible to sufficiently improve the running stability of the vehicle without using a special sensor different from the universal sensor.

[0111] In Embodiment 3, the ground contact load estimated in the controller is directly used to control the damping force of the suspension of the vehicle. According to an aspect of the present invention, the ground contact load thus estimated can be used to control various devices of the vehicle, as in the case of the suspension. Examples of such devices include not only an ordinary suspension but also an electronically controlled suspension, a steering device, and an electronically controlled driving force transmission device. The estimated ground contact load can be used to control one or more of these devices of the vehicle. In the control of these devices, an estimation result of the ground contact load can be used directly as in Embodiment 3 or indirectly to control these devices. Indirect use of the ground contact load estimation result includes, for example, converting the estimation result into another state quantity to use an estimated value of the state quantity obtained by the conversion for controlling the one or more other devices. By using the estimated value of the ground contact load (described above) to control the one or more other devices, as in the case of Embodiment 3, it is possible to sufficiently or more improve the running stability of the vehicle without using a special sensor , which differs from the universal sensor. [Example of a software implementation]

[0112] Control blocks of the ground contact load estimation device 100 (particularly, the inertial load estimation section 110 and the road surface load estimation section 120) can be realized by a logic circuit (hardware) arranged in an integrated circuit (IC chip) or the like, or alternatively can be realized by software will be realized.

[0113] In the latter case, the ground contact load estimating device 100 includes a computer that executes instructions of a program, which is software that realizes the functions described above. For example, the computer not only includes at least one processor, but also includes a computer-readable storage medium on which the program is stored. An object of the present invention can be achieved by the processor reading the program stored in the storage medium and executing it in the computer. Examples of the processor include a central processing unit (CPU).

[0114] Examples of the storage medium include “a non-transitory tangible medium” such as not only a read-only memory (ROM) but also a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, and a programmable logic circuit. The computer may also include random access memory (RAM) or the like into which the program is loaded.

[0115] The program can be made available to the computer over any transmission medium (such as a communication network or a broadcast wave) that allows the transmission of the program. It should be noted that an aspect of the present invention may also be embodied in the form of a computer data signal in which the program is embodied via electronic transmission and embedded in a carrier wave.

[0116] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments but can be modified by a person skilled in the art within the scope of the claims. The present invention also includes within its technical scope any embodiments realized by combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. [Variant]

[0117] In one aspect of the present invention, a ground contact load can be obtained, for example, by a method disclosed in paragraph

[0024] of Japanese Patent Application Tokukai Publication No. 2008-074184.

[0118] In Embodiment 1 (described above), part of the elements may be omitted as necessary according to the accuracy with which the ground contact load is to be estimated. For example, in Embodiment 1, it is possible to omit the second gain calculation section in a case where the second gain is not corrected.

[0119] Alternatively, it is possible to omit or integrate part of the calculation processes as needed to achieve a simpler calculation process, for example. For example, in Embodiment 2, the road surface load can be calculated by (i) finding a value obtained by multiplying the first gain a 1 and the second reinforcement a 2 is obtained, and (ii) a resulting gain value is applied to, for example, equation (60) (described previously). Aspects of the present invention can also be expressed as follows:

[0120] As is apparent from the above description, a ground contact load estimating device (100) of an embodiment of the present invention is a ground contact load estimating device for estimating a ground contact load of a vehicle (900) in relation to a road surface load of the vehicle, the ground contact load estimating device including: a detecting section including a wheel speed sensor (133) that detects a wheel angular speed of the vehicle and is configured to detect a physical quantity related to the vehicle and including the wheel angular speed, a stable load of the vehicle, and an inertial load of the vehicle; and a road surface load estimating section (120) including: (i) a first-gain calculating section (122) configured to calculate at least the stable load and the inertial load included in the physical quantity detected by the detecting section, to calculate a first gain indicative of at least a rigidity of a wheel of the vehicle, and (ii) an effective tire radius variation calculation section (121) configured to calculate a variation of an effective tire radius by multiplying a variation a wheel angular velocity detected by the detecting section with a second gain to reduce an influence of the variation of a wheel angular velocity on an estimation result, wherein the road surface load estimation section is configured to calculate the road surface load of the vehicle by multiplying the variation of an effective tire radius with the appreciate first reinforcement.

[0121] The configuration makes it possible to obtain an estimation result of the road surface load considering an influence of a road surface on the vehicle. This makes it possible to estimate the ground contact load of the vehicle with sufficiently high accuracy.

[0122] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the detecting section may further detect a jerk of the vehicle, the road surface load estimating section may further include a second gain correcting section (123) configured to correct the second gain, and the second Gain correction section may use a value of the wheel speed sensor to calculate a slip ratio related value of the vehicle to correct the second gain according to at least the slip ratio related value and the jerk.

[0123] The configuration makes it possible to detect the physical quantity using a universal sensor or to estimate the road surface load of the vehicle according to the physical quantity specific to the vehicle with sufficiently high accuracy and also to estimate the ground contact load containing such road surface load and has higher accuracy.

[0124] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the detecting section may further include an inertial load estimating section (110) configured to estimate the inertial load of the vehicle according to the physical size of the vehicle. The inertial load estimating section may include: a reference inertial load calculating section (111) configured to calculate a reference inertial load using the physical quantity; and a correction value calculation section (112) configured to calculate an inertial load correction value using the physical quantity, wherein the inertial load estimation section can estimate the inertial load by adding the inertial load correction value to the inertial ground contact load.

[0125] This configuration not only makes it possible to reduce sensor-related costs, but also makes it possible to estimate a ground contact load of a vehicle with sufficiently high accuracy.

[0126] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the detection section can detect as the physical quantity: a value of a longitudinal acceleration sensor that detects the longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle, a value of a lateral acceleration sensor that detects the lateral acceleration of the vehicle, the value of a wheel speed sensor that detects the wheel angular velocity of the vehicle , a value of a cornering information sensor that detects cornering information of the vehicle, a mass of the vehicle, a center of mass height of the vehicle, a roll moment of inertia, a pitch moment of inertia, a front axle inter-centre of gravity distance of the vehicle, a rear axle inter-centre of gravity distance of the vehicle, a front tread length of the vehicle, and a rear tread length of the vehicle. In addition, the reference inertial load calculation section can calculate the reference inertial load according to a model of the vehicle using the value of the longitudinal acceleration sensor, the value of the lateral acceleration sensor, the mass of the vehicle, the center of mass height of the vehicle, the rolling moment of inertia, the pitching moment of inertia, the front axle inter-center of gravity distance of the vehicle, the Calculate the vehicle's rear axle center of gravity distance, the front tread length, and the rear tread length. In addition, the correction value calculation section may calculate the inertial load correction value using the mass of the vehicle, the center of mass height of the vehicle, the wheel speed sensor value, the cornering information sensor value, the rolling moment of inertia, the front tread length, and the rear tread length.

[0127] The configuration makes it possible to detect the physical quantity using a universal sensor or to estimate the ground contact load with sufficiently high accuracy according to the physical quantity specific to the vehicle.

[0128] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the model may be a solution of an equation of motion represented by a linear system, the solution being obtained by applying a minimum norm solution.

[0129] The configuration makes it possible to obtain an estimated value of the ground contact load according to an appropriate equation of motion and using a solution to which an appropriate correction has been made. The configuration is therefore more effective to obtain an estimated value of the ground contact load with high accuracy, which is applied to a wide range of vehicle running conditions.

[0130] A control device of an embodiment of the present invention is a control device (ECU 600) for estimating a ground contact load acting on a vehicle and using the ground contact load directly or indirectly to control one or more other devices of the vehicle. The control device includes: a detection section including a wheel speed sensor that detects a wheel angular speed of the vehicle and is configured to detect a physical quantity related to the vehicle and the wheel angular speed, a stable load of the vehicle, and an inertial load of the vehicle contains; and a road surface load estimating section including: (i) a first-gain calculating section configured to use at least the stable load and the inertial load included in the physical quantity detected by the detecting section to calculate a first to calculate gain indicating at least rigidity of a wheel of the vehicle, and (ii) an effective tire radius variation calculation section configured to calculate a variation of an effective tire radius by multiplying a variation of a wheel angular velocity detected by the detecting section , with a second gain to reduce an influence of the variation of a wheel angular velocity on an estimation result, wherein the road surface load estimating section is configured to calculate the road surface load of the vehicle by multiplying the variation of an effective tire radius by the first gain appreciate.

[0131] The configuration makes it possible to control the one or more other devices that control a running state of the vehicle according to the ground contact load having sufficiently high accuracy and relying on the estimation result of the road surface load considering an influence of a road surface on the vehicle. This makes it possible to sufficiently improve the running stability of the vehicle.

[0132] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the one or more other devices may be one or more devices selected from the group consisting of an electronically controlled suspension, a steering device, and an electronically controlled powertrain.

[0133] The configuration is more effective to improve the driving stability of the vehicle.

[0134] A ground contact load estimation method of an embodiment of the present invention is a ground contact load estimation method for estimating a ground contact load of a vehicle in relation to a road surface load of the vehicle, the ground contact load estimation method comprising the steps of: detecting a physical quantity related to the vehicle and includes a wheel angular velocity of the vehicle, a stable load of the vehicle, and an inertial load of the vehicle; using at least the stable load and the inertial load to calculate a first gain indicative of at least a stiffness of a wheel of the vehicle; calculating a variation in a tire effective radius by multiplying a variation in wheel angular velocity by a second gain to reduce an influence of the variation in wheel angular velocity on an estimation result; and estimating the road surface load by multiplying the variation in an effective tire radius by the first gain.

[0135] The configuration makes it possible to obtain an estimation result of the road surface load considering an influence of a road surface on the vehicle. This makes it possible to estimate the ground contact load of the vehicle with sufficiently high accuracy. reference list 100 Ground Contact Load Estimator 110 inertial load estimating section 111 reference inertial load calculation section 112 correction value calculation section 120 road surface load estimating section 121 Effective Tire Radius Variation Calculation Section 122 First Gain Calculation Section 123 Second Gain Calculation Section 131 lateral acceleration sensor 132 steering angle / yaw rate sensor 133 wheel speed sensor 141 stable load provision section 142, 304 delay section 143, 144, 303 adder section 150 suspension 200 vehicle body 300 wheel 301 system matrix section 302 input matrix section 340 longitudinal acceleration sensor 370 CAN 450 vehicle speed sensor 500 engine 600 ECUs 900 vehicle

Claims

[1] Ground contact load estimating device for estimating a ground contact load of a vehicle in relation to a road surface load of the vehicle, wherein the ground contact load estimating device comprises: - a detection section comprising a wheel speed sensor that detects a wheel angular velocity of the vehicle and is configured to detect a physical quantity relating to the vehicle, including the wheel angular velocity, a jerk motion of the vehicle, a stable load on the vehicle, and an inertial load on the vehicle; and - a road surface load estimation section comprising: (i) a first gain calculation section configured to use at least the stable load and the inertial load contained in the physical quantity acquired by the acquisition section to calculate a first gain that specifies at least a stiffness of one wheel of the vehicle, (ii) a second gain correction section configured to use a wheel speed sensor value to calculate a slip-ratio value of the vehicle in order to correct a second gain according to at least the slip-ratio value and jerk motion in order to reduce the influence of a variation in wheel angular velocity on an estimation result, and (iii) an effective tire radius variation calculation section configured toto calculate a variation of an effective tire radius by multiplying a variation of a wheel angular velocity, detected by the sensing section, with the second gain, wherein the road surface load estimation section is configured to estimate the road surface load of the vehicle by multiplying the variation of an effective tire radius with the first gain. [2] Ground contact load estimating device according to claim 1, wherein - the acquisition section further includes an inertial load estimation section configured to estimate the inertial load of the vehicle according to the physical quantity, - the inertial load estimation section includes the following: - a reference inertial load calculation section configured to calculate a reference inertial load using the physical quantity; and - a correction value calculation section configured to calculate an inertial load correction value using the physical quantity, and - the inertial load estimation section estimates the inertial load by adding the inertial load correction value to the reference inertial load. [3] Ground contact load estimating device according to claim 2, wherein - the detection section as the physical quantity a value from a longitudinal acceleration sensor, which detects the longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle, a value from a lateral acceleration sensor, which detects the lateral acceleration of the vehicle, the value from the wheel speed sensor, which detects the wheel angular velocity of the vehicle, a value from a cornering information sensor, which detects cornering information of the vehicle, a mass of the vehicle, a center of gravity height of the vehicle, a rolling moment of inertia, a pitching moment of inertia, a front axle intermediate center of gravity distance of the vehicle, a rear axle intermediate center of gravity distance of the vehicle, a front tread length of the vehicle and a rear tread length of the vehicle, - the reference inertial load calculation section calculates the reference inertial load according to a model of the vehicle using the value of the longitudinal acceleration sensor, the value of the lateral acceleration sensor, the mass of the vehicle, the center of mass height of the vehicle, the rolling moment of inertia, the pitching moment of inertia, the front axle intermediate center of gravity distance of the vehicle, the rear axle intermediate center of gravity distance, the front tread length and the rear tread length, and - the correction value calculation section calculates the inertial load correction value using the mass of the vehicle, the center of gravity height of the vehicle, the value of the wheel speed sensor, the value of the cornering information sensor, the rolling moment of inertia, the front tread length and the rear tread length. [4] Ground contact load estimation device according to claim 3, wherein the model is a model of a solution of an equation of motion represented by a linear system, wherein the solution is obtained by applying a minimum norm solution. [5] Control device comprising a ground contact load estimating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control device directly or indirectly uses a ground contact load estimated by the contact load estimating device to control one or more other devices of the vehicle. [6] Control device according to claim 5, wherein one or more other devices are one or more devices selected from the group consisting of an electronically controlled suspension, a steering device and an electronically controlled drive power transmission device. [7] Ground contact load estimation method for estimating a ground contact load of a vehicle in relation to a road surface load of the vehicle, wherein the ground contact load estimation method comprises the following steps: - Capturing a physical quantity relating to the vehicle that includes the vehicle's wheel angular velocity, the vehicle's jerk motion, the vehicle's stable load, and the vehicle's inertial load; - Use at least the stable load and the inertial load to calculate a first reinforcement that specifies at least the stiffness of one wheel of the vehicle; - Using the wheel angular velocity to calculate a slip-related value of the vehicle, in order to correct for a second gain according to at least the slip-related value and the jerk motion, in order to reduce the influence of a variation in wheel angular velocity on an estimation result; - Calculating a variation of an effective tire radius by multiplying a variation of a wheel angular velocity by the second gain; and - Estimating the road surface load by multiplying the variation of an effective tire radius by the first reinforcement.