Processing device and processing method for a driver assistance system of a semi-trailer vehicle, driver assistance system of a semi-trailer vehicle and semi-trailer vehicle

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rider-assistance system of a straddle-type vehicle, a straddle-type vehicle and a processing method for a rider-assistance system that determines necessity of assistance operation to assist with a rider's operation by using surrounding environment information and executes the assistance operation when necessary.Background Art

[0002] As a conventional technique related to a straddle-type vehicle, a technique of assisting with a rider's operation is available. For example, a rider-assistance system is disclosed in PTL 1. The rider-assistance system warns the rider of the straddle-type vehicle that the straddle-type vehicle inappropriately approaches an obstacle by using a surrounding environment detector that detects the obstacle present in a travel direction or substantially in the travel direction. PTL 2 provides a motorcycle comprising a frame mounted on wheels and has a front part and a rear part, a handlebar being located at the front part, means being provided to detect at least the speed and roll angle of the motorcycle when in movement, the frame having a longitudinal median plane (W) joining such front part and the rear part. PTL 3 provides a vehicle collision prevention apparatus that activates an automatic brake on the basis of the likelihood of a collision between a host vehicle and a frontward obstruction.Citation ListPatent Literature

[0003] PTL 1: JP-A-2009-116882 PTL 2: EP 3 401 198 A1 PTL 3: US 2017 / 129466 A1 Summary of InventionTechnical Problem

[0004] The rider operates the straddle-type vehicle while straddling and being seated on a vehicle body under a situation where a rearview mirror is not provided (that is, a situation where the rider cannot easily recognize what exists right behind the rider). Thus, necessity of assistance operation for the rider regarding a rear-end collision of the vehicle is high. In addition, there is a high probability that the assistance operation is executed in a situation where the rider does not pay attention. Thus, high reliability is desired for the determination on the necessity.

[0005] The present invention has been made with the above-described problem as the background and therefore obtains a processing method capable of improving a rider's safety. The present invention also obtains a rider-assistance system that includes the processor. The present invention further obtains a straddle-type vehicle that includes the rider-assistance system.Solution to Problem

[0006] A rider-assistance system according to the present invention is provided, as defined by independent claim 1. The rider-assistance system includes: a surrounding environment detector that detects surrounding environment behind the straddle-type vehicle; a processor; an execution device that executes assistance operation. The processor includes an acquisition section that acquires surrounding environment information about the straddle-type vehicle; a determination section that determines necessity of assistance operation executed by the rider-assistance system to assist with a rider's operation on the basis of the surrounding environment information acquired by the acquisition section; and a control section that outputs a control command to an execution device to execute the assistance operation in the case where the determination section determines that the assistance operation is necessary. The surrounding environment information includes information on surrounding environment behind the straddle-type vehicle. The determination section determines the necessity of the assistance operation by using a rear index value that is an index value depending on the information on the surrounding environment at the rear and is an index value of a collision possibility of an object located behind the straddle-type vehicle against the straddle-type vehicle. The rear index value is a value that varies according to a relative distance and a relative speed of the object located behind to the straddle-type vehicle. The surrounding environment information is information corresponding to output of the surrounding environment detector. The executive device includes a speed controller that is provided to the straddle-type vehicle. The assistance operation includes speed correction operation that is executed by the speed controller to increase a target acceleration or a target speed generated by an adaptive cruise control of the straddle-type vehicle.

[0007] A processing method according to the present invention is a processing method for a rider-assistance system of a straddle-type vehicle, as defined by independent claim 9. The method includes: an acquisition step of acquiring surrounding environment information about the straddle-type vehicle by an acquisition section of a processor included in the rider-assistance system; a determination step of determining necessity of assistance operation, which is executed by the rider-assistance system, by a determination section of the processor to assist with a rider's operation on the basis of the surrounding environment information acquired by the acquisition section; and a control step of outputting a control command to an execution device included in the rider-assistance system to execute the assistance operation by a control section of the processor in the case where the determination section determines that the assistance operation is necessary. The surrounding environment information includes information on surrounding environment behind the straddle-type vehicle. In the determination step, the determination section determines the necessity of the assistance operation by using a rear index value that is an index value depending on the information on the surrounding environment at the rear and is an index value of a collision possibility of an object located behind the straddle-type vehicle against the straddle-type vehicle. The rear index value is a value that varies according to a relative distance and a relative speed of the object located behind to the straddle-type vehicle. The surrounding environment information is information corresponding to output of a surrounding environment detector included in the sider-assistance system. The assistance operation includes speed correction operation that is executed by a speed controller included in the execution device (P) to increase a target acceleration or a target speed generated by an adaptive cruise control of the straddle-type vehicle.Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0008] In the processor, the rider-assistance system, the straddle-type vehicle, and the processing method according to the present invention, the surrounding environment information, which includes the information on the surrounding environment behind the straddle-type vehicle, is acquired. The necessity of the assistance operation executed by the rider-assistance system to assist with the rider's operation is determined by using the rear index value, which is the index value depending on the information on the surrounding environment at the rear and is the index value of the collision possibility of the object located behind the straddle-type vehicle against the straddle-type vehicle. The rear index value is the value that varies according to the relative distance and the relative speed of the object located behind to the straddle-type vehicle. Thus, it is possible to execute the assistance operation for the rider regarding a rear-end collision of the vehicle on the basis of the determination with high reliability. Therefore, the rider's safety is improved.Brief Description of Drawings

[0009] Fig. 1 is a view of a mounted state of a rider-assistance system according to an embodiment of the present invention on a straddle-type vehicle. Fig. 2 is a system configuration diagram of the rider-assistance system according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a chart of an operation flow of a processor in the rider-assistance system according to the embodiment of the present invention. Description of Embodiments

[0010] A description will hereinafter be made on a processor, a rider-assistance system, a straddle-type vehicle, and a processing method according to the present invention with reference to the drawings.

[0011] Note that each of a configuration, operation, and the like, which will be described below, is merely one example, and the rider-assistance system, the straddle-type vehicle, and the processing method according to the present invention are not limited to a case with such a configuration, such operation, and the like.

[0012] For example, a description will hereinafter be made on a case where the rider-assistance system according to the present invention is used for a two-wheeled motor vehicle. However, the rider-assistance system according to the present invention may be used for the straddle-type vehicle other than the two-wheeled motor vehicle. The straddle-type vehicle means a vehicle in general that a rider straddles. The straddle-type vehicles include motorcycles (the two-wheeled motor vehicle and a three-wheeled motor vehicle), an all-terrain vehicle, a pedal-driven vehicle, and the like. The motorcycles include: the two-wheeled motor vehicle or the three-wheeled motor vehicle that has an engine as a propelling source; the two-wheeled motor vehicle or the three-wheeled motor vehicle that has a motor as the propelling source; and the like, and include a motorcycle, a scooter, an electric scooter, and the like, for example. The pedal-driven vehicle means a vehicle in general that can travel forward on a road by a depressing force applied to pedals by the rider. The pedal-driven vehicles include a normal pedal-driven vehicle, an electrically-assisted pedal-driven vehicle, an electric pedal-driven vehicle, and the like.

[0013] The same or similar description will appropriately be simplified or will not be made below. In the drawings, the same or similar portions will be denoted by the same reference signs. In addition, a detailed structure will appropriately be illustrated in a simplified manner or will not be illustrated.Embodiment

[0014] A description will hereinafter be made on a rider-assistance system according to an embodiment.<Configuration of Rider-Assistance System>

[0015] A description will be made on a configuration of the rider-assistance system according to the embodiment.

[0016] Fig. 1 is a view of a mounted state of the rider-assistance system according to the embodiment of the present invention on a straddle-type vehicle. Fig. 2 is a system configuration diagram of the rider-assistance system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] As illustrated in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, a rider-assistance system 1 is mounted on a straddle-type vehicle 100. The rider-assistance system 1 at least includes: a surrounding environment detector 11 that detects surrounding environment behind the straddle-type vehicle 100; a travel state detector 12 that detects a travel state of the straddle-type vehicle 100; a processor (ECU) 20; and an execution device P that executes assistance operation.

[0018] The rider-assistance system 1 plays a role of recognizing a collision possibility behind of the straddle-type vehicle 100 by using the surrounding environment detector 11 and assisting a rider by using the execution device P. The processor 20 acquires output of the surrounding environment detector 11 and output of the travel state detector 12, and outputs a control command to the execution device P. The processor 20 also receives output of various detectors (not illustrated) for detecting other information (for example, information on a brake operation state by the rider, information on an accelerator operation state by the rider, and the like). Each section of the rider-assistance system 1 may exclusively be used for the rider-assistance system 1, or may be shared with another system.

[0019] The surrounding environment detector 11 is a radar, a Lidar sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a camera, or the like, for example, and continuously detects a distance and a direction of an object within a detection range from the straddle-type vehicle 100 during travel and a stop of the straddle-type vehicle 100. The surrounding environment detector 11 is preferably fixed to a portion behind a seat in the straddle-type vehicle 100.

[0020] The travel state detector 12 is a wheel speed sensor, an inertia sensor (IMU), and the like, for example, and detects a speed, acceleration, a roll angle, and the like that are generated on the straddle-type vehicle 100, for example.

[0021] The processor 20 includes an acquisition section 21, a determination section 22, and a control section 23. The sections of the processor 20 may collectively be provided in a single casing or may separately be provided in multiple casings. The processor 20 may partially or entirely be constructed of a microcomputer, a microprocessor unit, or the like, may be constructed of a member in which firmware or the like can be updated, or may be a program module or the like that is executed by a command from a CPU or the like, for example.

[0022] The acquisition section 21 acquires surrounding environment information, which includes information on the surrounding environment behind the straddle-type vehicle 100, on the basis of the output of the surrounding environment detector 11. The acquisition section 21 also acquires travel state information, which is information on the travel state of the straddle-type vehicle 100, on the basis of the output of the travel state detector 12.

[0023] The determination section 22 specifies an advancing direction of the straddle-type vehicle 100 from the travel state information acquired by the acquisition section 21, and specifies the object, a collision possibility of which should be determined, (a vehicle that travels behind the straddle-type vehicle 100 while following the straddle-type vehicle 100) from the surrounding environment information acquired by the acquisition section 21. Then, the determination section 22 derives a rear index value I, which is the collision possibility of the object against the straddle-type vehicle 100, for each of the specified objects. That is, the rear index value I is an index value that depends on the information on the surrounding environment at the rear, and is defined as an index value of the collision possibility of the object, which is located behind the straddle-type vehicle 100, against the straddle-type vehicle 100. The determination section 22 determines for each of the specified objects whether the derived rear index value I exceeds a reference value, and thereby determines whether the object with the high collision possibility exists behind the straddle-type vehicle 100.

[0024] The rear index value I is at least a combination of a reciprocal of a relative distance Dr of the object to the straddle-type vehicle 100 and a relative speed Vr of the object to the straddle-type vehicle 100. Furthermore, relative acceleration Ar of the object to the straddle-type vehicle 100 may be combined in the rear index value I. For example, the rear index value I is a value that is defined by Formula 1 or Formula 2 below. Here, it means that the collision possibility becomes higher as the rear index value I is increased. I = Vr Dr I = Ar − Vr − Vr 2 − 2 × Ar × Dr

[0025] Then, if the object with the high collision possibility exists behind the straddle-type vehicle 100, the determination section 22 determines that the assistance operation is necessary. If not, the determination section 22 determines that the assistance operation is not necessary. In the case where the determination section 22 determines that the assistance operation is necessary, the control section 23 makes the execution device P execute the assistance operation.

[0026] The execution device P may include an alarm 30. The alarm 30 executes notification operation to the rider as the assistance operation. The alarm 30 may notify the rider by sound (that is, a sensation through an auditory organ as a sensory organ), may notify the rider by a display (that is, a sensation through a visual organ as the sensory organ), may notify the rider by vibrations (that is, a sensation through a tactile organ as the sensory organ), or may notify the rider by a combination of those. More specifically, the alarm 30 is a speaker, a display, a lamp, a vibrator, or the like, may be provided to the straddle-type vehicle 100, or may be provided to an accessory such as a helmet that is associated with the straddle-type vehicle 100. In addition the alarm 30 may be constructed of a single output device or may be constructed of multiple output devices of the same type or different types. The multiple output devices may be provided integrally or may be provided separately.

[0027] The execution device P may include a warning device 40. The warning device 40 executes warning operation to the object located behind as the assistance operation. The warning device 40 may warn the following vehicle by the display (that is, the sensation through the visual organ as the sensory organ), may warn the object by the sound (that is, the sensation through the auditory organ as the sensory organ), or may warn by a combination of those. More specifically, the warning device 40 is the lamp, the display, the speaker, or the like, may be provided to the straddle-type vehicle 100, or may be provided to the accessory such as the helmet that is associated with the straddle-type vehicle 100. In particular, the warning device 40 is preferably a brake lamp of the straddle-type vehicle 100. In addition, the warning device 40 may be constructed of the single output device or may be constructed of the multiple output devices of the same type or the different types. The multiple output devices may be provided integrally or may be provided separately.

[0028] The execution device P includes a speed controller 50 that is provided to the straddle-type vehicle 100. The speed controller 50 executes speed correction operation as the assistance operation. The speed correction operation is operation to correct acceleration / deceleration or the speed that is generated on the straddle-type vehicle 100 by adaptive cruise control of the straddle-type vehicle 100. The speed controller 50 may control operation of a mechanism that generates a propelling force on the straddle-type vehicle 100, or may control operation of a mechanism that generates a braking force on the straddle-type vehicle 100. For example, under a situation where the straddle-type vehicle 100 is automatically decelerated by the adaptive cruise control, in the case where the determination section 22 determines that the assistance operation is necessary, the execution device P executes the speed correction operation to reduce target deceleration in the automatic deceleration for correction. The execution device P may execute the speed correction operation to increase a target speed in the automatic deceleration for the correction. In addition, for example, under a situation where the straddle-type vehicle 100 is automatically accelerated by the adaptive cruise control, in the case where the determination section 22 determines that the assistance operation is necessary, the execution device P executes the speed correction operation to increase target acceleration in the automatic acceleration for the correction. The execution device P may execute the speed correction operation to increase the target speed in the automatic acceleration for the correction.

[0029] Note that the adaptive cruise control is defined as control to make the straddle-type vehicle 100 travel according to a distance from the straddle-type vehicle 100 to a preceding vehicle, motion of the straddle-type vehicle 100, and the rider's instruction. Since details of the adaptive cruise control is already well-known for other vehicles such as an automobile, the description thereon will not be made. The straddle-type vehicle 100 is provided with a surrounding environment detector (not illustrated) that acquires forward surrounding environment information.

[0030] The execution device P may include a device other than the alarm 30, the warning device 40, and the speed controller 50. In addition, any of the alarm 30, the warning device 40, may not be provided. Furthermore, the rider-assistance system 1 may actuate the alarm 30, the warning device 40, and the speed controller 50 simultaneously, or may actuate the alarm 30, the warning device 40, and the speed controller 50 at different timing.<Operation of Rider-Assistance System>

[0031] A description will be made on operation of the rider-assistance system according to the embodiment.

[0032] Fig. 3 is a chart of an operation flow of the processor in the rider-assistance system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] The processor 20 repeatedly executes the operation flow illustrated in Fig. 3 during the travel and the stop of the straddle-type vehicle 100.(Acquisition Step)

[0034] In step S101, the acquisition section 21 acquires the surrounding environment information that corresponds to the output of the surrounding environment detector 11. The acquisition section 21 also acquires the travel state information that corresponds to the output of the travel state detector 12.(Determination Step)

[0035] In step S102, the determination section 22 determines whether the object with the high collision possibility exists behind the straddle-type vehicle 100 on the basis of the information acquired in step S101. If Yes, the processing proceeds to step S103. If No, the processing returns to step S101.(Control Step)

[0036] In step S103, the control section 23 makes the execution device P execute the assistance operation.

[0037] The description has been made so far on the embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to the description of the embodiment. That is, the scope of the present invention is defined according to the appended claims.

[0038] For example, the description has been made so far on the case where the object located behind the straddle-type vehicle 100 is recognized by using the surrounding environment detector 11 that detects the surrounding environment behind the straddle-type vehicle 100 and the collision possibility by the object is determined. However, the object located behind the straddle-type vehicle 100 and the object located on a side of the straddle-type vehicle 100 may be recognized by using the surrounding environment detector 11 that detects the surrounding environment on the side of the straddle-type vehicle 100 in addition to the surrounding environment behind the straddle-type vehicle 100, and the collision possibility by each of those objects may be determined. In such a case, in addition to the rear index value I, a side index value I may be derived. The side index value I is an index value that depends on information on the surrounding environment of the side, and is defined as an index value of the collision possibility of the object, which is located on the side of the straddle-type vehicle 100, against the straddle-type vehicle 100. The side index value I is at least the combination of the reciprocal of the relative distance Dr of the object to the straddle-type vehicle 100 and the relative speed Vr of the object to the straddle-type vehicle 100. Furthermore, the relative acceleration Ar of the object to the straddle-type vehicle 100 may be combined in the side index value I. For example, the side index value I is defined by a similar formula to that of the rear index value I. Here, it means that the collision possibility becomes higher as the side index value I is increased. In such a case, the warning device 40 may execute the warning operation to the object located on the side as the assistance operation.

[0039] In addition, the description has been made so far on the case where the surrounding environment detector 11 is provided to the straddle-type vehicle 100. However, for example, the surrounding environment detector 11 may be provided to a different vehicle from the straddle-type vehicle 100. That is, the acquisition section 21 may acquire the surrounding environment information by inter-vehicular communication. In particular, the surrounding environment detector 11 is preferably provided to the vehicle, the collision possibility of which is determined to be high.

[0040] Furthermore, for example, the rider may be able to set at least one of a determination criterion for determining the rear index value I and a determination criterion for determining a side index value I.Reference Signs List

[0041] 1:Rider-assistance system 11:Surrounding environment detector 12:Travel state detector 20:Processor 21:Acquisition section 22:Determination section 23:Control section 30:Alarm 40:Warning device 50:Speed controller 100:Straddle-type vehicle

Claims

1. A rider-assistance system (1) of a straddle-type vehicle (100) comprising: a surrounding environment detector (11) that detects surrounding environment behind the straddle-type vehicle (100); a processor (20); and an execution device (P) that executes assistance operation, wherein the processor (20) includes: an acquisition section (21) that acquires surrounding environment information about the straddle-type vehicle (100); a determination section (22) that determines necessity of assistance operation executed by the rider-assistance system (1) to assist with a rider's operation on the basis of the surrounding environment information acquired by the acquisition section (21); and a control section (23) that outputs a control command to the execution device (P) to execute the assistance operation in the case where the determination section (22) determines that the assistance operation is necessary, the surrounding environment information includes information on surrounding environment behind the straddle-type vehicle (100), the determination section (22) determines the necessity of the assistance operation by using a rear index value (I) that is an index value depending on the information on the surrounding environment at the rear and is an index value of a collision possibility of an object located behind the straddle-type vehicle (100) against the straddle-type vehicle (100), the rear index value (I) is a value that varies according to a relative distance (Dr) and a relative speed (Vr) of the object located behind to the straddle-type vehicle (100), the surrounding environment information is information corresponding to output of the surrounding environment detector (11), the execution device (P) includes a speed controller (50) that is provided to the straddle-type vehicle (100), and the assistance operation includes speed correction operation that is executed by the speed controller (50) to increase a target acceleration or a target speed generated by an adaptive cruise control of the straddle-type vehicle (100).

2. The rider-assistance system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the rear index value (I) is a value that is further changed according to relative acceleration (Ar) of the object located behind to the straddle-type vehicle (100).

3. The rider-assistance system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the assistance operation includes notification operation to the rider executed by an alarm (30) included in the execution device (P).

4. The rider-assistance system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the assistance operation includes warning operation to the object executed by a warning device (40) included in the execution device (P).

5. The rider-assistance system (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the surrounding environment information includes information on surrounding environment on a side of the straddle-type vehicle (100), the determination section (22) determines the necessity of the assistance operation by using a side index value (I) that is an index value depending on the information on the surrounding environment on the side and is an index value of a collision possibility of the object located on the side of the straddle-type vehicle (100) against the straddle-type vehicle (100), and the side index value (I) is a value that varies according to a relative distance (Dr) and a relative speed (Vr) of the object located on the side to the straddle-type vehicle (100).

6. The rider-assistance system (1) according to claim 5, wherein the side index value (I) is a value that is further changed according to relative acceleration (Ar) of the object located on the side to the straddle-type vehicle (100).

7. The rider-assistance system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the surrounding environment information is information corresponding to output of the surrounding environment detector (11) provided to a different vehicle from the straddle-type vehicle (100).

8. A straddle-type vehicle (100) comprising: the rider-assistance system (1) according to any one of claims 1-7.

9. A processing method for a rider-assistance system (1) of a straddle-type vehicle (100), the processing method comprising: an acquisition step (S101) of acquiring surrounding environment about the straddle-type vehicle (100) by an acquisition section (21) of a processor (20) included in the rider-assistance system (1); a determination step (S102) of determining necessity of assistance operation, which is executed by the rider-assistance system (1), by a determination section (22) of the processor (20) to assist with a rider's operation on the basis of the surrounding environment information acquired by the acquisition section (21); and a control step (S103) of outputting a control command to an execution device (P) included in the rider-assistance system (1) to execute the assistance operation by a control section (23) of the processor (20) in the case where the determination section (22) determines that the assistance operation is necessary, wherein the surrounding environment information includes information on surrounding environment behind the straddle-type vehicle (100), in the determination step (S102), the determination section (22) determines the necessity of the assistance operation by using a rear index value (I) that is an index value depending on the information on the surrounding environment at the rear and is an index value of a collision possibility of an object located behind the straddle-type vehicle (100) against the straddle-type vehicle (100), the rear index value (I) is a value that varies according to a relative distance (Dr) and a relative speed (Vr) of the object located behind to the straddle-type vehicle (100), the surrounding environment information is information corresponding to output of a surrounding environment detector (11) included in the rider-assistance system (1), and the assistance operation includes speed correction operation that is executed by a speed controller (50) included in the execution device (P) to increase a target acceleration or a target speed generated by an adaptive cruise control of the straddle-type vehicle (100).